Pattaya first or last

[cbefc 56]

I am currently in the planning stages of my next trip to the LOS and this time I intend to see more than just go go dancers for 2 weeks (gay alert)!!

 

I've set my heart on Cambodia for 6-7 days and also the same amount in Pattaya but I cant decide which to do first. I've been arguing with my mate who thinks we should spend 2 nights in Bangkok, and then do Cambodia first before going to Pattaya. His reasoning is that we know what Pattaya is like and will have that to look forward to if we find we are not really into Cambodia.

I'm of the opinion that we should hit Pattaya hard first of all and then go to Cambodia at the end as i think it will be more of a chill out after the madness of Pattaya.

 

 

Has anyone done something similar and could give their thoughts on what they found to be best? Any opinions will be greatly appreciated. We are thinking March time, and also a visit to Phnom Penh then Snookyville.

Cheers

[joekicker 53]

I'd do Pattaya last for a different reason. You WANT to go to Pattaya. If you go first, you may not want to leave, and cancel the other places.

[bigmick 840]

i would definatley do Pattaya last, you cannot make plans while in Pattaya lol. Go to Cambo first, then Pattaya and 2 nights in BBK on the way out, Just my two cents worth...

[cbefc 56]

Well we had planned to go Cambodia last time and ended up staying in Pattaya for the 2 weeks so I understand not wanting (or being able) to leave. This time I will book the flights to Cambodia beforehand to make sure we go. Just can't decide if first or last is best.

 

Just been reading some posts about Cambodia on here and I was thinking that travelling to Pattaya from Cambodia might be a better option for us. If we were to fly it would mean a bus from Snooky to PP then a flight to Bangkok then taxi to Pattaya. A bus straight from Snooky to Pattaya would be direct (but 12 hrs). Arrghh, This could take some planning!!

[Siam Sam 964]

For a two week trip the main reason why I wouldn't go to Pattaya first is because I always spend so much money in Pattaya and would probably leave myself short for the rest of the holiday. Much better to go there last as you will only spend what you have got and it's also the ideal send of before you head home.

[villayouth 37]

Save the Best till last .

[Guest martinkelly]

_{Go to Ibizia ,that's where you belong if you can't make a simple decision.}

[villayouth 37]

_{Go to Ibizia ,that's where you belong if you can't make a simple decision.}

[Wanchai Pete 29]

Pattaya last for all the same reasons as above. But have you considered that you may get to Cambodia and then think it's nowhere near as good as Thailand? I'm all for trying new countries, but what about Cambodia first and give yourself a get out clause, where after 2 days you either decide to stay another 4/5 days or just head straight off to Thailand?

[nus01 305]

id do pattaya last, i have cancelled too many plans becuase i didnt want to leave pattaya or i got home at 4.30am and couldnt get out of bed eary enough the next day to catch a palne/train etc

[bigdelta 46]

I would go to Cambodia first as it would be a slower start and then to Patts for a faster finish..........you can relax on the flight home.

[cbefc 56]

Well, thats pretty unanimous then. Thanks for the replies, I'll be booking flights today.

 

Where is Ibizia by the way?

[MM 6,562]

I would do Cambodia first. After a week in Cambodia, I was so glad to leave that I kissed the ground when we returned to Thailand.

 

If you did Pattaya first, and then went to Cambodia, and had a similar reaction, you'd be miserable knowing you had left Pattaya for ... well, you should try it once

[glynbuk 29]

 

Where is Ibizia by the way?

 

Balearics

 

http://www.balearicsislands.com/ibiza/index.asp

 

Spanish island in the Mediterranean

[danboy 151]

I agree with your mate on this one. Bangkok - Cambodia - Pattaya but I wouldn't commit myself to a full week in Cambodia unless I knew I liked it.

 

I would book Cambodia for only a few days then play it by ear. If you've had enough then head for Patts but if you're having a blast just extend your stay.

[teelack 9,646]

If you have a look at my recent trip reports on Cambodia and Siem Reap I have given some for and against responses but for the record I suggest that you plan ahead because you will get cheaper airfares assuming you fly Airasia and you will also also be obliged to do it. Its so easy to get to Pattaya and say Phuket!

[cbefc 56]

Thanks teelack, I have read your reports and found them very helpful. I will definitely be flying into PP from Bangkok with Airasia, its 1600B at the moment so cheap enough. I havent decided where to go in Cambodia yet, I would like to go Siem Reap to see Angor Wat and also Snooky. Do you think that this would be too much to do in just a week and I would be better off picking one or the other?

 

Also, I was thinking about travelling to Pattaya by bus, like you did, instead of flying to Bangkok and then getting a taxi. I would also need to travel to PP from Snooky or Siem Reap aswell to catch a flight so a bus direct may not take that much more time. Did you regret taking the bus instead of flying? Another advantage of taking the bus is that I could do it any time instead of sticking to an alloted time which pre booking a flight would restrict me to.

[ttk 236]

I went to Cambodia several years ago. I flew into PP and stayed there 3 days which is enough time to see the sites (killing fields, palace and the now defunct K11?). I then took the boat up the river to PP for 4 days there. Angkor Wat is a huge area and will take a few days to see. Just watch out for food and ice in the drinks. Catching a stomach bug will mess you up . A bus back to bangkok was only a few bucks but not much going on during the hours in Cambodia. At the time, it was a minibus on VERY bad roads. Once at the border, they switch you to a tourist bus for the remaining trip. It was nice to do, but spending a day on a bus during 2 weeks is probably not worth it.

[9cisco999 107]

Thanks teelack, I have read your reports and found them very helpful. I will definitely be flying into PP from Bangkok with Airasia, its 1600B at the moment so cheap enough. I havent decided where to go in Cambodia yet, I would like to go Siem Reap to see Angor Wat and also Snooky. Do you think that this would be too much to do in just a week and I would be better off picking one or the other?

 

Also, I was thinking about travelling to Pattaya by bus, like you did, instead of flying to Bangkok and then getting a taxi. I would also need to travel to PP from Snooky or Siem Reap aswell to catch a flight so a bus direct may not take that much more time. Did you regret taking the bus instead of flying? Another advantage of taking the bus is that I could do it any time instead of sticking to an alloted time which pre booking a flight would restrict me to.

 

 

 

As did teelack, I enjoyed my three week stay in Cambodia. The ladies are fine and there's lots to do.

 

I flew in and out of Phnom Phen but next time i wouldn't mind the adventure of the bus all the way.

 

 

teelack

 

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Posted Today, 05:07 AM

If you have a look at my recent trip reports on Cambodia and Siem Reap I have given some for and against responses but for the record I suggest that you plan ahead because you will get cheaper airfares assuming you fly Airasia and you will also also be obliged to do it. Its so easy to get to Pattaya and say Phuket!

[teelack 9,646]

 

Thanks teelack, I have read your reports and found them very helpful. I will definitely be flying into PP from Bangkok with Airasia, its 1600B at the moment so cheap enough. I havent decided where to go in Cambodia yet, I would like to go Siem Reap to see Angor Wat and also Snooky. Do you think that this would be too much to do in just a week and I would be better off picking one or the other?

 

Also, I was thinking about travelling to Pattaya by bus, like you did, instead of flying to Bangkok and then getting a taxi. I would also need to travel to PP from Snooky or Siem Reap aswell to catch a flight so a bus direct may not take that much more time. Did you regret taking the bus instead of flying? Another advantage of taking the bus is that I could do it any time instead of sticking to an alloted time which pre booking a flight would restrict me to.

 

 

_{Reading into your response I take it that you are looking after your dollars?}

 

_{If this is the case then taking internal or a direct flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap is out. If this is the case then I definately would say that 1 week would be a killer assuming that you want to see some of Phnom Pehn. I suggest that you do this in two halves. Fly into PP each time and spend 2/3 days there and then onto either Snooky or Siem Reap for the rest of the time. You need at least 3 days to do Siem Reap just as much because that temple hopping can be tiring especially if you do the dawn thing. Also, like me, you might end up loving the night life in SR as well!}

 

_{Here are some timings for you if you use the bus. PP to SR from hotel pick up to arrival at hotel, 8 hours. Same formula PP to Snooky, 7 hours.}

 

_{I actually enjoyed the road trip ONE WAY but it would be even easier if you had a mate with you. $28 from PP and $23 from Snooky.}

 

_{Remembering that there are four costs when flying. Hotel to airport, departure tax ($25), Bangkok to Pattaya cab and of course airfare.}

 

_{By the way the 1600 baht airfare from Bangkok to PP includes the 700 baht departure tax!}

[Sailfast 503]

I'd do Pattaya last for a different reason. You WANT to go to Pattaya. If you go first, you may not want to leave, and cancel the other places.

 

What he said.

 

If I have time, and the itinerary works, I stop in Pattaya first for a week then at the end of the trip for 7-10 days. Knowing I'll be back is the only thing that permits me to leave

[cbefc 56]

Thanks for the help. Moneys not really a problem, its more of a time issue. I've only got 16 days and I want to spend as little time travelling as possible. With regards to flying back from Cambodia, i estimated that by the time it takes to get from Snooky / SR back to PP, then the flight (and waiting in airport) and also the taxi to Pattaya, it would be only a little bit longer going direct by bus.

I don't think the bus would be all that bad when Pattaya is waiting at the end of it anyway.

[teelack 9,646]

Thanks for the help. Moneys not really a problem, its more of a time issue. I've only got 16 days and I want to spend as little time travelling as possible. With regards to flying back from Cambodia, i estimated that by the time it takes to get from Snooky / SR back to PP, then the flight (and waiting in airport) and also the taxi to Pattaya, it would be only a little bit longer going direct by bus.

I don't think the bus would be all that bad when Pattaya is waiting at the end of it anyway.

 

I agree with you on this one. I have not been on the Poi Pet road from SR to Thailand but I believe that it is now in good shape now. There is one other option possible that you might like to consider assuming that you only want to go say for three days or so. Just go to almost any travel agent in Pattaya and book a trip through them. They will arrange for travel, accommodation and tours of Angkor Wat etc.

 

Beware however that as far as I know if you want to go via an agency to Snooky you will end up spending the night on the way there in Koh Kong as your too late to make any of the standard connections. Its OK coming back however as you will see in my reports this can be done in one day.

[gimmble 144]

I enjoyed my time in Cambodia many years ago so I would go there first, enjoy the place and its rustic appeal, then head to Pattaya where it will be nicer and more fun and you will enjoy it more.

 

 

cheers

Rodney