Get out Pattaya
Pattaya's countless travel agencies advertise endless lists of "same day" trips and longer tours that include accommodation elsewhere before returning to Pattaya. The most popular destination for overnight stays is Kanchanaburi
and the River Kwai - prices vary, but whirlwind tours are around 3000 baht/person for a 2 day / 1 night package, 4500 baht/person for a 3 day / 2 night package. Shop around the agencies for details and the best deals for this and for
alternatives too numerous to mention.
Airline offices
Bangkok Airways, Second Road (75/8 Moo 9); tel. +66-38412382 / +66-38361542 / fax. +66-38411965 / pyxrrpg@bangkokair.com - open daily 08:00-12:00 + 13:00-17:30 (ticketing closes at 17:00). As at January 2006, the Discovery Airpass can be
purchased here; however from February 1st 2006 it will no longer be sold in Thailand - after this date it will only be available abroad.
Thai Airways International, Dusit Resort Hotel, 240/2 Beach Road; tel. +66-38420995 /97 / fax.
+66-38420998 / sales.pattaya@thaiairways.com - ticketing service available 09:00-17:00 except holidays (09:00-16:00) and Sundays (closed).
Various online and print resources give Pattaya addresses for Kuwait Airways (Marriott Resort),
Orient Thai / Orient Express / One-Two-Go (116/7 Moo 9 Central Pattaya Road) and Thai Russian Air Service (Soi Town in Town) - however all these offices have now closed.
Islands
Ko Samet (Samet or Samed Island) in Rayong Province is about 90 minutes away by direct minibus to Ban Phe (150-200 baht) and then a further 30-40 minutes by ferry (50 baht, frequent departures until dusk). It's a fairly small island (most
of which belongs to a national park) with great beaches and copious accommodation - however pre-booking is virtually essential on Thai public holiday dates.
Ko Chang (Chang Island) in Trat Province is about three hours away by
direct minibus to Laem Ngop (400-500 baht), plus 30 minutes for the ferry crossing and then another 20-30 minutes to get to the west coast beaches. It's a relatively large island (Thailand's second biggest) with numerous beaches and lots
of places to stay. Parts of Ko Chang, and several smaller nearby islands which also have accommodation, belong to a national park. It's now more developed than Ko Samet, but budget accommodation can still be found.
Ko Si Chang (Si
Chang Island) is a 25 minute ferry ride from Si Racha. It's between Ko Samet and Ko Chang in size, but not a beach destination and much less focussed on tourism.
Ko Samui and Phuket are both popular onward destinations from
Pattaya, because Bangkok Airways offers direct flights from U-Tapao - see also the Contact | Airline offices section
Cambodia
Day trips to the border with Cambodia (invariably for the purposes of leaving and then immediately re-entering Thailand - so called "visa runs", although it's a new "entry permit stamp" that is issued, not a visa) are
big business in Pattaya.
Travel agencies sell tickets for daily guided same-day-return trips, and for longer trips to Phnom Penh if you actually need to visit a Thai embassy and apply for a Thai visa but don't want to do so
independently.
The same-day "entry permit stamp" trips usually include the price of the visa for Cambodia in the package (the operator will use a border crossing where an "arrangement" has been negotiated with
the Cambodian immigration officials stationed there) and come in various flavours - sardine-style minibus, luxury "armchair" minibus, big bus, depart when the bars close and arrive at the border when it opens, depart late and
return in the evening, smoking, non-smoking, breakfast included, and so on. Prices vary to suit, typically between 1700 and 2500 baht - cruise along Soi Buakhao and you'll see many signs quoting prices for these services. Confirm that
you're eligible to enter Thailand "Visa Free" before attempting this (most Western passports qualify), as it's not possible to get a Visa-on-Arrival for Thailand when entering (or re-entering) overland from Cambodia.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
FIRST BAR
soi chaiyapoon
is now open.
Come take a drink !
