Pattaya Reports

[QUOTE=Jizzme;3038212]I'm going to visit for the first time and will stay about a week. Do you guys advise to stay the whole time in Bangkok or is it worthwhile to visit Pattaya or Phuket or other cities?[/QUOTE]My opinion, it depends on your week? When you arrived and when you depart? That determines if you really have a full week! Either way Phuket for me at least is too far and time consuming.

So that narrows down to 2 days in Bangkok for a start. Since Pattaya two hours, I go to Ekaimai and catch the bus 131 baht A / see to Pattaya if that is your thing. If you are lucky it doesn't make a lot of stops.

Plan on two days if you don't like then reverse directions and go back to Bangkok for the rest of your stay my suggestion gives you 2 out of the 3 LOL.

[URL]https://www.pattaya-transfer.com/booking-taxi-bangkok-pattaya.aspx?[/URL]

I used them in April & May 2025 between the main airport and Pattaya. ฿1,200 each way. No need to tip. Pleasant drivers with clean, newish Toyota Corollas. 90 minutes on the toll road (they pay the toll). Paying in advance is optional but please don't mess them about. Just supply your name and flight/time-of-arrival online, and you will be on a name-tree at the arrivals level, by exit 3. The agent then takes you up to departures by escalator, where the car is parked.

An alternative is to go straight up to departure level where taxis are dropping off. Can negotiate around the same price but driver-attitude and vehicle condition will be uncertain.

Tips: if you have time and want to change a lot of cash at good rates, go down to the airport basement, where the trains are, and ask for the 'Superrich' money-changer booth. Otherwise use an ATM on the arrivals level. The airport train to Phaya Thai or Makkasan can save time and money, depending on 'rush hours' and your tolerance for some minor effort after a long flight.

https://thailandawaits.com/train-from-bangkok-airport/

I would avoid using Grab to Bangkok city or Pattaya as their desk is busy and fares more expensive. Best used for shorter trips once in town.

Most 7/11 convenience stores will sell you a tourist SIM-card for ฿350. Bring your passport and they will register the SIM to you. The included data and call allowance (True SIM) easily lasted me a month but domestic calls terminate after 15 minutes!

You can make international calls on a tourist SIM card in Thailand. Major providers like AIS, True (formerly TrueMove H and DTAC), and DTAC offer tourist plans that include international calling options, often with discounted rates when using specific prefix codes. For example, AIS offers international calls at ฿1 per minute ($0.03), while True provides a 100 Baht credit for international calls on its tourist plans. To make cheaper international calls, you must use the designated IDD prefix codes provided by your network provider, such as 004 for DTAC or 00600 for True Move H, which significantly reduce costs compared to standard rates. It is essential to have sufficient credit on your account to cover the charges, as international calls are not free and require top-up.

[QUOTE=Trevor2522;3038463][URL]https://www.pattaya-transfer.com/booking-taxi-bangkok-pattaya.aspx?[/URL]

I used them in April & May 2025 between the main airport and Pattaya. ฿1,200 each way. No need to tip. Pleasant drivers with clean, newish Toyota Corollas. 90 minutes on the toll road (they pay the toll). Paying in advance is optional but please don't mess them about. Just supply your name and flight/time-of-arrival online, and you will be on a name-tree at the arrivals level, by exit 3. The agent then takes you up to departures by escalator, where the car is parked.[/QUOTE]My place only charges 1000. And usually my driver pulls up in front of door 3 when they call them. I have had to walk to the parking lot with the driver before though, but that was many years ago. Something I noticed while waiting the other day is that a SIM package was attached to the back of one of the sheets on the name tree. So maybe some of the taxi companies are offering an option where they will already have a SIM waiting for you. With whatever company you book with, maybe you can inquire about them doing that.

[QUOTE=Jizzme;3038212]I'm going to visit for the first time and will stay about a week. Do you guys advise to stay the whole time in Bangkok or is it worthwhile to visit Pattaya or Phuket or other cities?[/QUOTE]Why are you going? For pussy? If your answer is yes, go to Pattaya straight from the airport. It will be unlike anything you have ever experienced before. In a good way.

If you don't absolutely fucking love it, leave early and go back to Bangkok.

[QUOTE=Trevor2522;3038463]
Tips: if you have time and want to change a lot of cash at good rates, go down to the airport basement, where the trains are, and ask for the 'Superrich' money-changer booth. [/QUOTE]Actually, all of the exchange booths down in the basement of the airport have the same rates. So there's no need to go to Superrich specifically.

[QUOTE=Mogwai;3038502]Actually, all of the exchange booths down in the basement of the airport have the same rates. So there's no need to go to Superrich specifically.[/QUOTE]Exchange rates at exchange booths at the airport are complete rip-offs. Not sure about Superrich at the airport, so if you're going to exchange a large amount it might be worth checking it out.

Definitely, do not change large amounts at the airport exchange booths. Better to use an ATM to get what you need until you can find a better place to change your money.

I personally, like Superrich, they normally have a booth at all major malls. That being said, you'll find exchange booths at all the major tourist spots and you can check-out which provides the better rate of exchange.

[QUOTE=Mosquito2002;3038503]Exchange rates at exchange booths at the airport are complete rip-offs. Not sure about Superrich at the airport, so if you're going to exchange a large amount it might be worth checking it out.

Definitely, do not change large amounts at the airport exchange booths. Better to use an ATM to get what you need until you can find a better place to change your money.

I personally, like Superrich, they normally have a booth at all major malls. That being said, you'll find exchange booths at all the major tourist spots and you can check-out which provides the better rate of exchange.[/QUOTE]Superrich is probably the best exchange house on the planet for Thai / USD exchange but different branches will have different rates. SIA Money Exchange also has very good rates. You can also get surprisingly good exchange rates at many of the small money exchange kiosks in Pattaya (just walk around and compare rates). The spread between the buy and sell from these exchange houses is some of the smallest in the world for any currency.

[QUOTE=Mosquito2002;3038503]Exchange rates at exchange booths at the airport are complete rip-offs. Not sure about Superrich at the airport, so if you're going to exchange a large amount it might be worth checking it out.

Definitely, do not change large amounts at the airport exchange booths. Better to use an ATM to get what you need until you can find a better place to change your money.

I personally, like Superrich, they normally have a booth at all major malls. That being said, you'll find exchange booths at all the major tourist spots and you can check-out which provides the better rate of exchange.[/QUOTE]A few months ago I needed to change Thai baht into USD before my flight to the USA. I have never done this before as I normally hold on to my baht for my next Thailand trip. I checked several of the booths next to each other near the train station. To my surprise Superrich offered a remarkably good exchange rate, better than the other booths right next to it.

[QUOTE=GreenToad;3038509]Superrich is probably the best exchange house on the planet for Thai / USD exchange but different branches will have different rates.[/QUOTE][URL]https://www.superrichthailand.com/#en/exchange#rate-section[/URL]

I see Superrich now have a branch in Pattaya but rates are not quite as good as the Rajdamri 1 Head Office. Their website does not list Suwannaphum (BKK) airport. Armed with known-branch rates, one might check the airport basement branch out of interest. I was satisfied with their rates in April 2025 but could have done better at Rajdamri; I was only visiting Pattaya.

Daily, money-market fluctuations can outweigh rate differences between branches. Beware: there is a fake 'Superrich' -- with a questionable sign -- possibly (from memory) on South Pattaya road.

Thai ATMs commonly dispense a maximum of ฿30,000 per withdrawal, although you may not get that much if your home bank imposes a lower limit. Placing money into a Wise account and requesting a debit card skirts that problem, minimising foreign-card fees.

Manila/Cebu HSBC ATMs offer ₱40,000. Wise debit is also useful for instantaneously paying large, merchant bills at preferential rates, without submitting to mainstream, home-bank scrutiny.

[QUOTE=Trevor2522;3038542][URL]https://www.superrichthailand.com/#en/exchange#rate-section[/URL]

I see Superrich now have a branch in Pattaya but rates are not quite as good as the Rajdamri 1 Head Office. Their website does not list Suwannaphum (BKK) airport. .[/QUOTE]The booths near the Airport Rail Link downstairs in BKK airport seem to be gone, I saw only the bank one (Kasikorn maybe) at the top of the ramp last week. Shit rate at that counter, more than 5 Baht lower per € than Superrich downtown. Good news is that Superrich now have booths at a few downtown BTS station concourses, for example Asok.

[QUOTE=EdSetra;3038549]The booths near the Airport Rail Link downstairs in BKK airport seem to be gone, I saw only the bank one (Kasikorn maybe) at the top of the ramp last week. Shit rate at that counter, more than 5 Baht lower per than Superrich downtown. Good news is that Superrich now have booths at a few downtown BTS station concourses, for example Asok.[/QUOTE]Take this with a grain of salt, as have seen both it being closed / open. So, your guess is as good as mine. It does seem it was in operation on 15 Oct 2025, by a FB poster.

Google AI answer, when asked if BKK Airport had a Superrich.

Yes, theSuperRich money exchange booth at Suvarnabhumi Airport is open, with hours typically from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM, according to a recent Facebook post. However, keep in mind that airport exchange rates can sometimes be less favorable than those at branches in the city, so it is advisable to only exchange a small amount to get you to your hotel.

[QUOTE=Mosquito2002;3038553]Take this with a grain of salt, as have seen both it being closed / open. So, your guess is as good as mine. It does seem it was in operation on 15 Oct 2025, by a FB poster.

Google AI answer, when asked if BKK Airport had a Superrich.

Yes, theSuperRich money exchange booth at Suvarnabhumi Airport is open, with hours typically from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM, according to a recent Facebook post. However, keep in mind that airport exchange rates can sometimes be less favorable than those at branches in the city, so it is advisable to only exchange a small amount to get you to your hotel.[/QUOTE]Google AI quoting a Facebook post on 15 October is out of date. My eyes saw no SuperRich last week (where it used to be located at the entrance to the ARL). If there is one elsewhere in the airport I'll use the salt.

[QUOTE=EdSetra;3038549]The booths near the Airport Rail Link downstairs in BKK airport seem to be gone, I saw only the bank one (Kasikorn maybe) at the top of the ramp last week. Shit rate at that counter, more than 5 Baht lower per than Superrich downtown. Good news is that Superrich now have booths at a few downtown BTS station concourses, for example Asok.[/QUOTE]The booths in the basement of the airport, including Superrich, were still (or again?) there on November 13.
The Superrich booths at the BTS stations, like Asok, have been there for quite some years already.

[QUOTE=Mogwai;3038682]The booths in the basement of the airport, including Superrich, were still (or again?) there on November 13.
The Superrich booths at the BTS stations, like Asok, have been there for quite some years already.[/QUOTE]Thanks, I'll wear my glasses next time. Pass the salt.

Hi guys, so I'm in Pattaya at the moment and was looking forward to grabbing a beer while I get a nice BJ. As it turns out, this is harder to get than I thought. Problem is an overabundance of strip clubs and finding the good old BJ bar is like finding a needle in a hay stack. If anyone could kindly share the name of such said establishment so I can cut through the fat and go directly there to fulfill a crave, it would be appreciated. If the bar (s) are not in Pattaya but rather in Bangkok, please share the name. Many thanks!!