Need help with Basic nooobie questions :)

[Randytogo]

Just a few noob questions that I did not see addressed on other threads.
1. Do the folks over there (bars, ladies, resturants, taxies, ect) prefer tourists to use local currency or is OK to use USA dollars??
2. Any good hints on best transport from Bangkok airport to Pattaya?? Taxi, Busses, Rental car??
3. On the web sites for the hundreds of places to stay in Pattaya: when they rate themselvs as 3 star does that equal like an American Motel 6, or like Holiday Inn, better/worse ??
4. Best suggestion for currency exchange, I plan to bring USA dollars off the plane and change if question #1 says local currency better.
Sorry for newbie questions, just hope I can get some honest and friendly advice.

[Steve German]

Dollar; no. Take them and change. You can also use your ATM-card.

If you arrive, take the elevator to the departure area; many taxis leave empty;
so the rate to pattaya is 1000 baht incl. tollway.

Sorry; pattaya is THAT town with the most acommodation i ever saw.
Soi 8; here is action; many good hotels; you can walk; round 100 meters only.
Quiter ? Go to naklua and use google

Enjoy

[rits01]

1. Do the folks over there (bars, ladies, resturants, taxies, ect) prefer tourists to use local currency or is OK to use USA dollars??

Bring US cash (preferably new 100 and 50 notes), or travel checks, or credit card: there are money changers everywhere, and they offer almost the same rate (for TC slightly more than for checks). There are also ATM's on every corner. Use only ATM's of Thai banks - not other ATM's!

2. Any good hints on best transport from Bangkok airport to Pattaya?? Taxi, Busses, Rental car?

Steve german is correct about the departure floor, but I'm not sure it's advisable for a newbie on his first visit. When you arrive, IGNORE all the guys and girls offering you a taxi. Walk out of the main doors, step outside the building - and a floor below you will see the taxis. A raid to pattaya is about 1200 bht. Remember - the taxis they will offer you in the arrival hall itself are a terrible rip-off, just ignore them, step outside and look down - that's where the real "normal" airport taxis are.

3. On the web sites for the hundreds of places to stay in Pattaya: when they rate themselves as 3 star does that equal like an American Motel 6, or like Holiday Inn, better/worse

3 star in Pattaya is far better than 3 stars in Europe, or even the US.

4. Best suggestion for currency exchange, I plan to bring USA dollars off the plane and change if question #1 says local currency better.

There are changers everywhere. When you get off the plane, change a note of 100$ in the Airport itself. It's the same rate. When you get to town, put the money either in you in-room safe, or in the hotel's safety box (front desk). Take only as much as you intend to use that day / night.

[sexking_001]

Mate
Thai Baht bows in front of Uncle sam...but never exchange at airport its an rip off ...to all your questions CONSULT Dr .J.R.C ----------thanks mate ----------------------------by the Greatest Fan EVER of J.R.C ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sexualchocolate/sexking--

[joecoolfrog]

Mate
Thai Baht bows in front of Uncle sam...but never exchange at airport its an rip off ...to all your questions CONSULT Dr .J.R.C ----------thanks mate ----------------------------by the Greatest Fan EVER of J.R.C ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sexualchocolate/sexking--

Just what we need, more nonsense!

[Steve German]

Furthermore; one friend use a taxi by meter to naklua. 840 Baht.
NEVER: Go inside a private car. The thais call that ghost taxis; in the past
tourists were robbed and killed (in the early 90ties). But by a indian or arabian;
i ve forgotten
Acommodation; it depends what you want; beach resort with big pool
or town hotel. Everytime i rent an apartment.
You will find a right one; sure.
Change at the airport; not true. You get a very good rate there; sometimes
better as in the tourist areas.

[Double Vision]

good advise not to use an unmarked taxi...as for being killed...thats being silly

Furthermore; one friend use a taxi by meter to naklua. 840 Baht.
NEVER: Go inside a private car. The thais call that ghost taxis; in the past
tourists were robbed and killed (in the early 90ties). But by a indian or arabian;
i ve forgotten
Acommodation; it depends what you want; beach resort with big pool
or town hotel. Everytime i rent an apartment.
You will find a right one; sure.
Change at the airport; not true. You get a very good rate there; sometimes
better as in the tourist areas.

[Randytogo]

I really appreciate all the advice. I hope that I have as great a time there as most of you all have had. My good bud (going w me) asked me to ask you folks: any reccomendations for average guy stuff to do in Pattaya area other than bar crawling and "meeting" the young ladies?? Stuff that can fill the time while recovering stamina from late night exercises, stuff to do during the day and afternoon if we need some 'down time'. ??? I hear the tours to the islands can be fun, and I read that there is some golf to be had in the area??

Thanks again ....

[Crackpott]

Firstly I would limit your time in Pattaya to 3 days max, no more. Its not a fun place anymore, theres far more to do in Bangkok.
Anyway what about the Go karts ? GREAT fun, Fishing, day trips out to sea and fishing, Golf (BIG YAWN) Hash, Scuba Diving. Shooting range, tenpin Bowling, or just renting a bike and going for a long drive.

[Irie Man]

Firstly I would limit your time in Pattaya to 3 days max, no more.

Good advice. Much more choice in BKK. And please, Randytogo, don't change $$ at the airport. The best option is the ATM.

[caroline]

Mate
Thai Baht bows in front of Uncle sam...but never exchange at airport its an rip off ...to all your questions CONSULT Dr .J.R.C ----------thanks mate ----------------------------by the Greatest Fan EVER of J.R.C ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sexualchocolate/sexking--

Who the hell is this???.....Are you for real????

[tk 421]

i would like to hear what JRC got to say about this............

HEY, Sexualchocolate/sexking, are you one of those nana carpark katoeys

[rocky1838]

Just a few noob questions that I did not see addressed on other threads.
1. Do the folks over there (bars, ladies, resturants, taxies, ect) prefer tourists to use local currency or is OK to use USA dollars??
2. Any good hints on best transport from Bangkok airport to Pattaya?? Taxi, Busses, Rental car??
3. On the web sites for the hundreds of places to stay in Pattaya: when they rate themselvs as 3 star does that equal like an American Motel 6, or like Holiday Inn, better/worse ??
4. Best suggestion for currency exchange, I plan to bring USA dollars off the plane and change if question #1 says local currency better.
Sorry for newbie questions, just hope I can get some honest and friendly advice.

The money with the Kings head is all that is acceptable to Thais. Change your $$

Taxi or bus. Don't drive in Thailand

Hotels are cheap and good quality

Change them at the airport.