Pattaya Reports

[Rob Jones]

That's scary. One solution would be to have the driver sit down first and take a Modafinil (Provigil) tablet. Half and hour later he would be ripe to drive you. What with the drug scare he would refuse the tablet most probably.

Joking aside I've had drivers ("meter" taxis) literally texting while driving from Pattaya to Suvarnabumi. I now try to book Nam's Taxi Service. Women drivers are better in such a case.

I once tried to jot down an ID number of a texting driver in order to complain but all I could write down was a number that lead to nowhere upon subsequent search. Those guys are untraceable.

I used Nams last time and even though it is 1200 I will spend the extra 200 for a safe trip.

[XXL]

I once took an early morning taxi from Pattaya to the airport, like starting around 2 am. It seemed like the driver kept nodding off at times, but didn't completely fall asleep at the wheel.

I have always remembered that experience, so now I regard that as a risk factor to consider when arranging travel times. Personally I would avoid travel between midnight and 6 am, as that is probably when most drivers would normally be sleeping.

That's scary. One solution would be to have the driver sit down first and take a Modafinil (Provigil) tablet. Half and hour later he would be ripe to drive you. What with the drug scare he would refuse the tablet most probably.

Joking aside I've had drivers ("meter" taxis) literally texting while driving from Pattaya to Suvarnabumi. I now try to book Nam's Taxi Service. Women drivers are better in such a case.

I once tried to jot down an ID number of a texting driver in order to complain but all I could write down was a number that lead to nowhere upon subsequent search. Those guys are untraceable.

[Wimble]

I usually do the same regardless of who is paying for a long haul international flight. In some cities, whereby the airport can be over an hour away and you never know about the weather or traffic, it is just less stressful to stay at an airport hotel with a shuttle. I know road warriors who consistently show up an hour or whatever is the minimum before departure. But I am getting too old for that type of stress and running and rushing. If I am too early, I just sit in a lounge and do Internet stuff.

I live about 3. 5 hours from Sydney airport and I always stay in Sydney overnight before I fly.

[Rob Jones]

Have a return flight home on a Sunday morning leaving at 7 am. My usual routine is to head back to Bangkok for the remaining two nights but I'm considering staying in Pattaya until late Saturday night. Question is has anybody ever made the late night drive from Pattaya to the airport and is it reliable? An hour and a half ride at night sounds a bit more risky than grabbing a 30 minute taxi to Bangkok.

I am lucky that the flights to Australia usually leave about 6 pm so I am usually in a taxi at 1 pm giving 2 hours to the airport and 3 hours before take off. I understand about leaving everything last minute with an early morning flight. I live about 3. 5 hours from Sydney airport and I always stay in Sydney overnight before I fly.

I think if my flight was at 7 am I would be staying in bkk.

All the best.

Rob.

[Banana Boi]

I usually always spend the night in BKK if I have a morning flight. Getting an extra hour sleep is crucial for me before an 18-20 hour flight. It's not the worst thing to have to spend a night in Bangkok.

If I do take a taxi in the middle of the night it's with a trusted driver in a newer model vehicle.

[Breadman]

What's your concern?

Main concern is breaking down partway to the airport I guess and not having a backup plan.

[Franga]

Have a return flight home on a Sunday morning leaving at 7 am. My usual routine is to head back to Bangkok for the remaining two nights but I'm considering staying in Pattaya until late Saturday night. Question is has anybody ever made the late night drive from Pattaya to the airport and is it reliable? An hour and a half ride at night sounds a bit more risky than grabbing a 30 minute taxi to Bangkok.

I once took an early morning taxi from Pattaya to the airport, like starting around 2 am. It seemed like the driver kept nodding off at times, but didn't completely fall asleep at the wheel.

I have always remembered that experience, so now I regard that as a risk factor to consider when arranging travel times. Personally I would avoid travel between midnight and 6 am, as that is probably when most drivers would normally be sleeping.

[Mr Enternational]

Have a return flight home on a Sunday morning leaving at 7 am. My usual routine is to head back to Bangkok for the remaining two nights but I'm considering staying in Pattaya until late Saturday night. Question is has anybody ever made the late night drive from Pattaya to the airport and is it reliable? An hour and a half ride at night sounds a bit more risky than grabbing a 30 minute taxi to Bangkok.

Of course it is reliable. They want your money just as much as you want to get to the airport. Just go to any taxi booth the afternoon before. The price is 1000 baht. I always leave 3 hours before the flight and do web check in.

[David 2]

Have a return flight home on a Sunday morning leaving at 7 am. My usual routine is to head back to Bangkok for the remaining two nights but I'm considering staying in Pattaya until late Saturday night. Question is has anybody ever made the late night drive from Pattaya to the airport and is it reliable? An hour and a half ride at night sounds a bit more risky than grabbing a 30 minute taxi to Bangkok.

I've now done this 22 times without any problems. My flight usually departs at 06:45, so I book a taxi through my hotel for 03:00, which gets me to the airport 2 hours before departure, as recommended by the airlines for international flights. I do book it through the hotel rather than a taxi service so that I can hold the hotel responsible if an issue arises. They charge me 1200 THB, and the driver always picks me up on time in a spotless car and doesn't drive like he's in the Monaco Grand Prix. I usually fall asleep in the back seat.

The ride at that time is pretty much seamless. Light traffic on the highway and at the airport. And I get to enjoy another late night in Pattaya.

[Christian G]

Have a return flight home on a Sunday morning leaving at 7 am. My usual routine is to head back to Bangkok for the remaining two nights but I'm considering staying in Pattaya until late Saturday night. Question is has anybody ever made the late night drive from Pattaya to the airport and is it reliable? An hour and a half ride at night sounds a bit more risky than grabbing a 30 minute taxi to Bangkok.

I did the taxi trip Pattaya-BKK 2 or 3 times late night and booked the taxi for pick up me at my hotel at 4 am /4:30 am. No problem and no traffic, quick trip. What's your concern? That the taxi driver will not come to pick up you? Just booking the taxi through your hotel or in some reliable agency.

[Blanquiceleste]

Have a return flight home on a Sunday morning leaving at 7 am. My usual routine is to head back to Bangkok for the remaining two nights but I'm considering staying in Pattaya until late Saturday night. Question is has anybody ever made the late night drive from Pattaya to the airport and is it reliable? An hour and a half ride at night sounds a bit more risky than grabbing a 30 minute taxi to Bangkok.

I have done this a couple of times, but only with an absolutely trusted driver whom I have known for years. Her name is Jenjira Sattphol. Drives really well, but sadly she is no longer in Pattaya. She has returned to her home in Nakhon si Thammarat. I would not risk my neck with the rash gangbangers who pass off for taxi drivers.

[Breadman]

Have a return flight home on a Sunday morning leaving at 7 am. My usual routine is to head back to Bangkok for the remaining two nights but I'm considering staying in Pattaya until late Saturday night. Question is has anybody ever made the late night drive from Pattaya to the airport and is it reliable? An hour and a half ride at night sounds a bit more risky than grabbing a 30 minute taxi to Bangkok.

[Rob Jones]

Nice. I can't believe you went with the twins. I think the one I met was very pretty and seemed like a lot of fun as well. Don't think many of us can say we have done identical twins, including myself.

In May Lew Ashby and myself hooked up with identical twins but unfortunately they wouldn't swap or do group!

[Mr Enternational]

Nice. I can't believe you went with the twins. I think the one I met was very pretty and seemed like a lot of fun as well. Don't think many of us can say we have done identical twins, including myself.

I definitely have. Anyone that was hanging in Rio in the early 2000's knows the twins that I am talking about. Nothing to write home about though.

[Banana Boi]

Nice. I can't believe you went with the twins. I think the one I met was very pretty and seemed like a lot of fun as well. Don't think many of us can say we have done identical twins, including myself.