PI Pattaya Insider
Menu

transport guide

Songthaews (Baht Buses): How They Work in Pattaya

The blue songthaews — “baht buses” — are Pattaya’s cheap, shared-taxi backbone. Here is how to ride them like a local.

🏖️ Tourists Updated June 2026

These shared pickup trucks run set loops along Beach Road, Second Road and out to Jomtien. You flag one down, hop in the back, press the buzzer to get off and pay a flat local fare at the window.

What to know

Have small change ready, agree a price first only if you ask the driver to go off-route (that becomes a private hire), and never assume a quoted “charter” price is the normal shared fare. ⟨VERIFY: current standard fare⟩

Confirm current details locally, as prices, hours and rules change.

Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

Songthaews (Baht Buses)?

The blue songthaews — “baht buses” — are Pattaya’s cheap, shared-taxi backbone. Here is how to ride them like a local. Have small change ready, agree a price first only if you ask the driver to go off-route (that becomes a private hire), and never assume a quoted “charter” price is the normal shared fare. ⟨VERIFY: current standard fare⟩

What should I check first?

Have small change ready, agree a price first only if you ask the driver to go off-route (that becomes a private hire), and never assume a quoted “charter” price is the normal shared fare. ⟨VERIFY: current standard fare⟩