A great many farang complain about the fact they are asked to pay 10 baht per ride in Pattaya while Thais pay only 5 baht. That complaint might disappear if 10 baht per ride starts to look pretty good. The baht bus drivers have filed a petition asking to be allowed to raise their prices. Apparently nothing is yet specified as to what the new fares will be, if the increase is approved. Quite frankly, with fuel prices the way they are now I can't say I blame them. Pretty soon, those who complain about the fares may be longing for the "good old days" when farang fares were "only" 10 baht.

 

Details are in this week's PATTAYA MAIL:

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd5

They're now getting 10 baht now from many Thais traveling alone (maybe some Thais still pay 5). I suppose they didn't need permission to charge Thais the official rate.

 

When it was 5 for Thais, I'd pay 20 for me and my companion, hey I was on vacation and could throw money around like Sinatra. But if it goes to 20 for farangs I'll pay 20 for me and give 10 baht to my teerak to hand driver.

 

 

They're now getting 10 baht now from many Thais traveling alone (maybe some Thais still pay 5). I suppose they didn't need permission to charge Thais the official rate.

 

When it was 5 for Thais, I'd pay 20 for me and my companion, hey I was on vacation and could throw money around like Sinatra. But if it goes to 20 for farangs I'll pay 20 for me and give 10 baht to my teerak to hand driver.

 

Face it, 5, 10 or 20 baht is nothing of course, but its not only this price increase, fuel prices, food, clothing, electronic eqp., basically everything went up over the last months. An inflation of approx. 7,6 % isn't nothing, and for visitors/expats who's income is based on USD it's bitter than ever.

 

An increase from 5 to 10 Baht, is an increase of 100% and way over-the-top. Please remind, that NOT the baht-bus drivers are allowed to increase the fares; the (local) government is. AND there should be no difference between Thais or foreigners. THB 5 is THB 5, for every passenger, Thai or foreign. Stop complaining about Baht buses and try to get a glimp on the fare-schedule which should be in the back of every baht bus. This schedule also states the maximum number of passengers.

 

 

 

 

Stop complaining about Baht buses and try to get a glimp on the fare-schedule which should be in the back of every baht bus. This schedule also states the maximum number of passengers.

 

Yes, I remember that. If I recall, I was actually once on a baht bus that complied.

Yes, I remember that. If I recall, I was actually once on a baht bus that complied.

 

It should be on every baht bus as well as an enlarged copy of the baht bus driver's ID/driver license.

 

There are rules regarding this and if you really would like to know the exact fare on baht buses, phone 1337; the City Halls information phone number.

There are rules regarding this

 

Yes, I know. Sometimes the baht buses obey those rules.

Yes, I know. Sometimes the baht buses obey those rules.

 

While I have nothing against baht bus drivers (hey, they're just trying to make a living), I suggest the word "sometimes" be replaced with "once in a blue moon." In my experience - Pattaya and Chiangmai - I've only known of one occasion where a driver actually limited an overflow crowd. As to the official "fare", I've witnessed a few arguments when the rare falang tries to only pay that. When I've actually asked (I did it a few times just to see what they say), I was told more than the official fare on each occasion.

 

And, while I'm not sure about the rules (maybe it actually is legit to charge more late at night), see what you have to pay a baht bus to take you to the Jomtien area after about 11PM or midnight. Usually, it's a minimum of 40 baht or at least that's what they say.