A Motorcycle Taxi in Pattaya

Motorcycle Taxis in Pattaya

Traveling around in Pattaya is both cheap and easy once you become familiar with the one way system. The obvious choice is to use a Sang Thaew. Changing once or twice you can reach practically anywhere in the city. At 10 Thai Baht a trip they are an extremely good deal.
There are times though when the traffic is at a standstill or when you want to get somewhere in a hurry. It is then that the Motorcycle Taxi comes into its own. The Motorcycle Taxi will get you anywhere in the City fast. At 30 Thai Bahy a trip it is more expensive than the the Sang Thaew but still cheap at the price.

Locating a Motorcycle Taxi in Pattaya

Locating a motorcycle taxi in Pattaya is easy, especially in the middle of the city. You will find groups of motorcycle drivers on the corner of practically every Soi (street). They will also be found near every shopping centre or hotel.
The motorcycle taxi drivers may be male or female. They are recognised by the waistcoats they wear. These may be Green, Red, Yellow or Blue in colour. Often there is a number in the middle of the back. Usually there will be Thai or English script as well. Sometimes there are sponsored advertising the area, hotel or shopping complex that they are based near.

So numerous are motorcycle taxi's it is often enough just to stand by the road, raise your arm and shout "Motorci!" ....not, not motorcycle. Nine times out of ten one will appear within twenty seconds.
Explain where you want to go and put on the passenger motorcycle helmet that you will be provided. Don't expect it to fit you. I do not have an especially large or unusually shaped head but I have never had one of these helmets fit me yet.
Once you reach your destination simply hand back the helmet and hand over your 30 Thai Baht. Don't haggle. Anywhere in the city the cost is the same. Expect to pay more going out as far as Naklua or Jomtein. Expect to pay more late at night as well. After midnight the price goes up to around 50 Baht a trip.

The Motorcycle Taxi Driver Code

When approaching a group of motorcycle taxi drivers give your destination. You don't choose your driver. They take turns religiously. You may see numbers hanging on posts which are moved around to indicate whose turn it is next.
If you see a motorcycle taxi driver dropping someone off don't bother to approach them for a lift. They will not take you. It is not there area, they have come in from another area in the city.

The Ride

You would be surprised how much luggage that a motorcycle taxi is capable as well as yourself and in general it can be a very safe journey too. To the driver this is their livlihood and whereas they drive fast they are in general very safe.
It can be a frightening ride though. Something which every visitor to Pattaya should experience.