Getting from Darkside to Central Pattaya - wee hours.

[Butch 3,456]

Hi,

I've been asked by a friend if it's relatively easier these days to get from the darkside back to central and vice versa, but mostly how hard is it during the wee hours?.

 

I told him honestly that I'm not 100% sure an MC Taxi will understand where he means (unless the address is written in Thai - even then it's hit and miss) or even be prepared to go that way , and private hire Baht bus or even local Taxi might be a safer option. He's on about renting a villa, long term, near the Lake. MC Taxis are fine for the local 5 minute trips, but I would probably shit myself crossing Sukhumvit on the back of one, plus they're arguably not the most trustworthy of people to be dropping you off in an unlit road at 0300.

 

We discussed that if he goes there and ventures into town twice a week it will be easier on the wallet and his health, and then finding a reliable regular Taxi driver who works those hours and can be called for the return trip might be easier. I'm sure that if he spoke to Mr T or Nams and asked for a car to be at so and so for 0300 back to the DS it wouldn't be a major problem.

 

Any alternatives or is that what a majority of you guys would do?

[Bazle 1,500]

I was asking the same thing a few weeks ago and was recommended to install the "Grab" app on to my smartphone.

 

It's like Uber, and I have been told that people on the Darkside use it a lot.

 

https://www.grab.com/th/en/

[jacko 8,822]

I think what you suggest Butch covers the best options.

I used to live down Soi Siam CC but certainly nowhere near as far as the lake.

Getting back and forth without your own transport is a pain, even more-so at the moment as the road is closed!

 

It should get easier to get across Sukhumvit soon as the tunnel construction is nearing completion.

 

As to my case my Mrs would come get me sometimes in my truck...... earlier days it was on the back of her bike, now that was dodgy and we stopped doing it. I would also sometimes get a baht bus to the end of Klang, use the pedestrian crossing, and swap to a M/C taxi at the end of Nerm Plab Wan. I don't speak much Thai but enough to tell them where I wanted to go, how far, and left here, straight etc etc.

 

There is also the option of having the 'Grab' App on a smart phone. (oops sorry Baz, you mentioned that)

 

To be honest, living out there is a pain if you want to spend time in town.

Edited February 4, 2017 by jacko
sp

[Chang_paarp 253]

I used to walk into Pattaya, got fit. Not recommended.

 

There used to be a M/C taxi at the Sukumvit end of soi chiapornvitti that was there all times of the night to get home. Trouble was he would go home some times.

[SimplySam 517]

I just get a hotel room close to where I will be letting the little head take control of the bigger head for the night(s) I am on the piss rather than make any long journeys in the wee hours regardless of transport method. It's cheap insurance against all sorts of risks ranging across the spectrum from bent BiB to run of the mill crooks. There are plenty of decent hotel rooms all over the 'bright side' for 1000 Baht and less.

[Butch 3,456]

I just get a hotel room close to where I will be letting the little head take control of the bigger head for the night(s) I am on the piss rather than make any long journeys in the wee hours regardless of transport method. It's cheap insurance against all sorts of risks ranging across the spectrum from bent BiB to run of the mill crooks. There are plenty of decent hotel rooms all over the 'bright side' for 1000 Baht and less.

 

Yep, we discussed this, and it is actually an option, for example he could probably get a deal with a Chaiyapoon / Bukhao / Lengkee guest house for a few hundred baht per night, leave the scooter there, shower and return home in the late morning. It makes decent sense to me.

I know some hotels ask for passports, but I wouldn't have thought a cheap guest house would?.

 

There are some good options here, thanks fellas.

[jacko 8,822]

 

Yep, we discussed this, and it is actually an option, for example he could probably get a deal with a Chaiyapoon / Bukhao / Lengkee guest house for a few hundred baht per night, leave the scooter there, shower and return home in the late morning. It makes decent sense to me.

I know some hotels ask for passports, but I wouldn't have thought a cheap guest house would?.

 

There are some good options here, thanks fellas.

I have used my local driving licence to cover that, not sure if your friend will get one of those.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

I have used my local driving licence to cover that, not sure if your friend will get one of those.

Rabbi (Elephant Bar ) was always good for letting you stay overnight if you'd had too much....nice girls, nice breakfast ..... lovely NYE parties...

 

It is by far the best option if you can find a little place like that ....

 

EDIT = Or park yer truck in the Esso station near Pattaya Tai Song Teow and kip in there for a few hours and grab a Burger King and a coffee to:-

 

a. Have a comfort food breakie

b. Take home as a peace offering

c. Use as an alibi for being late as you ran out of petrol and had to wait for it to open

Edited February 4, 2017 by Bullfrog

[Butch 3,456]

I have used my local driving licence to cover that, not sure if your friend will get one of those.

 

I think he will get or apply for one in due course Jacko. Even if he doesn't he can lay the "ground work" (ID, deposit for room if needed) and as Bullfrog suggested, pick one guest house or bar and use that as an overnight base. Chances are it'll take just an email or call to book the room after that.

 

We're going for a pint tonight so will have a chat about the replies here. He's not a Pattaya newbie, but like many of us I expect as soon as we step foot beyond third road it seems like "no mans land".

 

Actually it seems fairly simple, rather than run the risks of travelling in the small hours or earlier, it makes sense to find a place and crash out there. Chances are the overnight cost is the same or less than a taxi fare, plus if he brings a girl back it's saving giving her taxi money as well.

[jacko 8,822]

 

I think he will get or apply for one in due course Jacko. Even if he doesn't he can lay the "ground work" (ID, deposit for room if needed) and as Bullfrog suggested, pick one guest house or bar and use that as an overnight base. Chances are it'll take just an email or call to book the room after that.

 

We're going for a pint tonight so will have a chat about the replies here. He's not a Pattaya newbie, but like many of us I expect as soon as we step foot beyond third road it seems like "no mans land".

 

Actually it seems fairly simple, rather than run the risks of travelling in the small hours or earlier, it makes sense to find a place and crash out there. Chances are the overnight cost is the same or less than a taxi fare, plus if he brings a girl back it's saving giving her taxi money as well.

Then there is the option of a few nights out locally.....

Not too knowledgeable about that myself as my place more to the North, but it seems there has been quite a migration of Expats to the dark side in the last decade as Pattaya loses its lustre and prices itself out of that market.

[marleyboy 140]

im just back from Pattaya.

 

I staedy on the darkside, (though not as far as the lake!).

 

I stayed in Soi Khaotalo...............never ever had a problem getting a motor bike taxi back from Pattaya to the "darkside"...

Cost me 100 baht either way....