How to Get Off to a Great Start On Your First Day in Pattaya

You can set the tone for your trip by starting with a great first day in Pattaya.

Most of us don't have unlimited vacation time and want to maximize it, especially with the long flight time to Thailand.

You will be tired from the trip. I get hardly any sleep on the plane, so aside from a few short naps, I have been mostly awake for over 50 hours when I arrive in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport.

But I don't want to just get there and go to bed. I want to set up my hotel room for my stay, treat myself like a king as soon as I get there, get some supplies and go out out the town for an epic first night.

Initial Steps on Your First Day in Pattaya - Flight and Airport

Before you Land

Take a leak on the plane right before they start to land, so you don’t have to stop at an airport restroom until you have your Visa stamp and luggage and maybe even until you arrive at your Pattaya hotel.

I have been booking my flight to arrive at the airport by late morning. The last few trips it has taken about an hour to get off the plane, go through the Visa line, pick up my checked bag and get to the exit to find my taxi.

When You Get Off the Plane

Hustle off, follow someone who looks like they know what is going on. Some Thai workers will direct you which way to go when you exit the plane walkway and into the Terminal building. There are big signs overhead that say "ARRIVALS" with arrows.

Walk fast, with the crowd and take the walking escalators where available. You want to get towards the front of the Visa line to avoid the maddening feeling of waiting in line. I feel like walking since I have been basically sitting for a few days.

After you get through the Visa line and pick up your checked bag luggage, you will need to exchange some of your home country’s money for Thai baht at the airport, enough to pay for your transportation to your hotel. There are a few Exchange booths. I’d suggest you exchange the equivalent of $200 USD. This will be enough for the taxi, a tip to the driver and a potential hotel deposit.

Pro Tip

Take enough Thai baht home on your trip for use on the beginning of your next trip. to avoid needing to exchange money at the airport. There is usually a long line and the exchange rate at the airport is always much worse than in Pattaya.

Getting to your Hotel in Pattaya

I set up a taxi from the airport to my hotel before my trip by email. The taxi company will email you where to meet them. Then you go there and look for your name on an 8’1/2” by 11’ paper. It’s very chaotic in this area and packed with tourists.

There will usually be a helper to guide you to the taxi or the driver will be there.

Your driver will help you get your luggage into trunk. You pile into the back seat, opposite of the driver, and enjoy the approximately 1 –1/2 hour car ride to your Pattaya hotel.

I think I would be typically arriving at the hotel around 3 pm, which is good for the check in time.

Next Steps on Your First Day in Pattaya - Hotel Check In

When the Taxi Driver Stops in Front of Your Hotel

Pay the taxi driver the agreed upon fare ($1,100 Thai baht on my last few trips). I give either a $100 or $200 Thai baht tip. More if there were issues, such as him waiting a long time at the airport for me to get through the Visa line.

Hotel Check-in

I always book my lodging at home through a booking app. They will make a copy of your passport. They may want a Thai baht deposit. The last few times this was $1,000 Thai baht at my hotel.

You will get a key or hotel key pass card. Note that at the hotel I stay at, I give them my hotel pass card every time I leave the hotel. Then they know I’m out and the card is there at the front desk and safe.

There may be a bellboy to help you carry your luggage to your room. You should tip him - $20 baht.

Your First Day in Pattaya - Setting Up Your Hotel Room

Even though I'm tired and the king-sized bed looks enticing for a nap, I push forward with my plans.

Setting Up Your Hotel Room

I put all my clothes in the closet, drawers and shelves. I’m living there for a number of days. I don’t want to live out of my suitcase. At this point, I am just using my suitcase to hold some extra things that I probably won’t need and to store any souvenirs.

I set up my toiletries in the bathroom and put my toiletry kit in my suitcase.

I don't want to be digging in my suitcase, backpack or toiletry kit at every use. I am living there in the hotel for a number of days, going in and out. I want things set up for maximum convenience.

I put things in their logical place:

Shirts are hung up in the closet
Shorts and t-shirts are stacked on a shelf
Underwear and socks are in drawers
Shoes are in bottom of the closet
Toiletries set around the sink
Empty backpack is stored out of the way
Hat, sunglasses and fanny pack near the door

I set up my:

Computer, mouse, power cord, with an extension cord on the desk and get on the internet with the hotel password.
iPhone with internet access also.
Planner book, notebook, pens, pocket things and other things at the desk and in the desk drawers.
Hotel safe. I practice locking and opening the hotel safe before I put my money and passport in it. I take out $500 USD to exchange.

Everything should look neat and tidy, just the way I like to live.

This doesn't usually take me more than 30 minutes or so. But I have been traveling for years so have my systems pretty well down pat.

Leaving the Hotel for the First Time

I take a shower and change.

I leave the hotel with my $500 USD and dirty clothes, dropping off the hotel key card at the front desk.

Pharmacy

I buy a box or 2 of Sidegra if I have enough Thai baht at the Pharmacy right by my hotel. Sidegra usually comes 4 in a box.

Laundry

I drop off the clothes I wore on the flight at a nearby laundry. Give them your dirty clothes, they will give you some sort of ticket and tell you when your clothes will be ready (usually in 24 hours). You can get things starched for an extra cost. But I don't bother with that.

Money Exchange

I walk up my Soi to exchange $500 Thai baht at the closet exchange booth.

USD to THB Converter

USD → THB

Amount in USD

3,300.00 THB

Loading rate...

Pattaya Currency Exchange Booth. Sometimes there may be a little line. Just wait. It goes fast.

Barbershop

I go to my favorite barbershop for a haircut, shave, wax nose hair, wax ear hair, manicure, pedicure. This will probably take a little more than an hour.

7 - 11 Connivence Store

I walk over to the nearest 7-11 for supplies. Instant coffee, milk, bar of soap, mouthwash, KY jelly.

The hotel provides liquid soap, but I find a bar of soap to be better.

The hotel also provide instant coffee, but I found a brand at 7 - 11 that I really love.

They don't seem to have any cream or half and half. So I settle for whole milk.

Mini- Mart

Then I walk back up my Soi towards my hotel, stopping at a mini-mart close to my hotel for a case of cheap bottled water (don't drink the tap water).

The 7 -11 has inexpensive bottled water too, but since I buy a a case of it, I want to buy it as close as I can to my hotel.

Back to the Hotel

I get the hotel key card from the front desk, go up to my room and put all the stuff I purchased away.

At this point, I am going to be tired. I don't fight it and lay on the bed for a nap. Maybe 30 minutes or up to a few hours. I may put an alarm on the phone as I don't want to sleep the first night away.

After the nap, it may be around 8 pm. So, I may take another shower. But I am certainly going to go out on that first night for some drinks and to see where the night takes me.