Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ฿250–500 | ฿800–2,000 |
| Food | ฿200–350 | ฿500–1,000 |
| Transport | ฿40–100 | ฿200–400 |
| Activities | ฿0–500 | ฿500–1,500 |
| Drinks | ฿60–150 | ฿200–500 |
| Daily Total | ฿550–1,600 | ฿2,200–5,400 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Getting There
- From Bangkok: bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit station (฿120–150, 2 hours) or minivan (฿140, 1.5 hours)
- From Suvarnabhumi Airport: direct bus (฿250, 2 hours) or Grab (฿1,200–1,500)
- U-Tapao Airport near Pattaya has limited flights from regional destinations — check AirAsia and Bangkok Airways
Health & Safety
- Use common sense at night — avoid dark sois and decline offers from strangers. Tourist police: 1155
- Water sports injuries are common — insist on life jackets for parasailing and banana boats. Photograph jet skis before use
- Pharmacies sell most medications OTC at cheap prices. Bangkok Hospital Pattaya handles emergencies with English-speaking staff
Getting Around
- Blue songthaews run Beach Road and Second Road circuits for ฿10 per person — the cheapest transport in town
- Grab is available and gives fair prices. Motorbike taxis wear orange vests — negotiate fare before riding (฿20–60 short trips)
- Rent a scooter (฿200–300/day) only if experienced — Pattaya traffic is chaotic and accidents are common
Connectivity
- Tourist SIMs: AIS, DTAC, or TrueMove from ฿299 at 7-Eleven — 8 days unlimited data with excellent coverage
- Free WiFi in most hotels, restaurants, and malls. Beach areas have spotty connectivity
- All apps work unrestricted. Grab and Google Maps are the essential apps. LINE is used locally for messaging
Money
- ATMs charge ฿220 per withdrawal — withdraw ฿10,000+ to minimize fees. SuperRich exchanges offer better rates
- Cash is king for street food, markets, songthaews, and most small businesses. Cards work at malls and larger restaurants
- Tipping: round up taxi fares, ฿20–50 at restaurants, ฿50–100 for massage therapists
Packing Tips
- Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), and water shoes for island visits — coral can be sharp
- Light clothing for the beach, one modest outfit for temple visits (Sanctuary of Truth has a dress code)
- Waterproof phone case — essential for boat trips and water sports. Available at markets for ฿100
Cultural tips
Respect the Monarchy
Lèse-majesté laws are strictly enforced — never disrespect the King or royal family. Stand for the royal anthem before cinema screenings. Currency bears the King's image — never step on dropped coins or notes.
Temple Respect
Even in party-town Pattaya, temples deserve full respect. Remove shoes, cover shoulders and knees, and never turn your back on a Buddha image. The Sanctuary of Truth enforces a dress code.
Feet & Head
Never point your feet at people, Buddha images, or temples. Never touch anyone's head. Remove shoes before entering homes and many shops. These are deeply held Thai cultural values.
Alcohol Laws
Legal drinking age is 20. Alcohol sales are prohibited 2–5pm daily and on certain Buddhist holidays. Walking Street bars stay open until 2–3am. Public drunkenness can lead to police attention.
Scam Awareness
Common Pattaya scams: jet ski damage claims, gem shop recommendations from tuk-tuk drivers, overpriced "shows," and bar bill padding. Agree on prices before any service and photograph rental equipment.
Thai Politeness
Thais value calm, smiling composure. Never raise your voice or show anger — it is deeply uncomfortable for locals and will not help your situation. "Mai pen rai" (never mind) solves most problems.
