Pattaya

Under the Mongolia–Thailand bilateral agreement, an ordinary passport gives 30 days visa-free. The general 60-day exemption ended on 15 September 2026, but this does not affect Mongolia. With good reason the stay can be extended once (1,900฿); overstaying is fined 500฿ per day. Your passport should be valid for more than 6 months and you should hold a return ticket.

Every foreigner entering Thailand fills in the TDAC on the official site within 3 days before arrival — free. Enter your passport, flight and hotel address and save the QR code you get. Other sites that charge a fee are agents or scams.

Private hospitals are expensive and motorbike accidents common, so travel insurance is a must. Bring some baht or dollars — ATM withdrawals with foreign cards carry high fees.

Tip: November–March is high season; book hotels early for New Year and Tsagaan Sar.

Roong Reuang Coach buses run from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya and Jomtien many times a day, ~2 hours, ≈143–162฿. Buy tickets at the bus counter in the terminal or online; there is a luggage hold.

A private taxi from the airport to your hotel costs ≈1,400–1,700฿ (tolls included), GrabCar ≈1,200–1,500฿. Easiest with children or lots of luggage; Friday and Sunday evenings can add 45 minutes.

AIS and TrueMove H counters in the Suvarnabhumi arrivals hall: an 8-day plan with about 15 GB ≈299฿, 15–30-day plans up to 599฿. Show your passport and staff will set it up.

If your phone supports eSIM, install one before the flight. SIMs and top-ups at 7-Eleven and AIS/True shops in town are cheaper than at the airport.

Tip: Download Pattaya in Google Maps for offline use.

Blue pickup trucks loop along Beach Road and Second Road. Since April 2026 the base fare is 15฿, 20฿ on longer routes. Wave one down, press the buzzer to get off and pay the driver in cash. Hire one to yourself and it becomes a taxi at a much higher price.

Fares are shown upfront, so no haggling; Bolt is usually cheaper. Motorbike taxis (orange vests) are quick for short hops, but don't ride without a helmet.

Wooden ferries from Bali Hai pier to Koh Larn take ~45 minutes, ≈30–40฿; speedboats ≈200฿ each way. The last ferry back leaves the island ≈18:00 — miss it and you will be chartering a pricey speedboat.

Almost every Thai bank ATM charges about 220฿ (some 250–350฿) per withdrawal on a foreign card. Take out larger amounts at once; AEON ATMs are cheaper (≈150฿).

Changing dollars at SuperRich or bank exchange booths in town beats the airport rate. Cards work in malls and chain restaurants; songthaews, markets and street food need cash.

Tip: When paying by card, choose to be charged in baht — conversion to tugrik or dollars costs more.

Tom yum, pad thai, som tam (green papaya salad), grilled seafood, mango sticky rice. Ask for 'mai phet' if you want it less spicy. Seafood restaurants in Naklua and Jomtien price fish by weight.

Tip: Drink only bottled water; ice is usually factory-made and safe.

Thepprasit Night Market (Friday–Sunday), Jomtien Night Market and the Terminal 21 food court are cheap with lots of choice. 7-Eleven ready meals work for breakfast.

Police 191, ambulance 1669, Tourist Police 1155 (24 hours, English). For scams, theft or disputes, call 1155 first.

Before renting a jet ski or motorbike, photograph and film any damage — on return renters claim it was 'broken' and demand money. Never leave your passport as a deposit. Check the bill before leaving a bar. Riding a motorbike requires an international licence and a helmet.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya — JCI-accredited, 24-hour emergency, interpreters, bills insurers directly. Guard against heat, sunburn and dehydration.

Insulting the royal family is a serious crime under Thai law. The King's portrait is on every banknote, so never step on money. Stand when the royal anthem plays in cinemas.

Cover shoulders and knees and take your shoes off before entering buildings. Don't point your feet at a Buddha image, and women must not touch monks. Touching someone's head is rude.

Don't walk around town in swimwear, and topless sunbathing is not allowed. Smoking is banned on the city beaches. Losing your temper means losing face in Thailand — keep calm.

Bolt and Grab — taxis, motorbike taxis and food delivery with fares shown upfront. Google Maps — songthaew routes, restaurants and offline maps.

LINE — the chat app hotels, tour operators and shops all use in Thailand. The Thailand Tourist Police app connects you straight to the Tourist Police and shares your location. Download Thai in Google Translate for offline use.

Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi takes 1.5–2.5 hours, and Friday and Sunday evening traffic adds 45 minutes. Set off 5–6 hours before your flight. Airport buses leave from the Jomtien bus station, not the North Pattaya terminal.

In shops displaying 'VAT Refund for Tourists', show your passport and ask for the form. At the airport, show the goods at the customs counter before passport control to get the stamp.