What a baht bus is
A baht bus is a pickup truck with a roof and two long benches in the back. The Thai name, songthaew, means “two rows”. You share it with whoever else is going your way, it runs along a fixed route, and you can get on or off almost anywhere along it.
A shared ride within Pattaya costs 15–20 baht, depending on distance. A private trip has a separately agreed price.
The loop that matters
Beach Road is one-way, heading south and Second Road, one block inland, is one-way, heading north. The trucks follow the traffic, so the main route is a loop: down Beach Road, round at the southern end near Walking Street, and back up Second Road.
That tells you which side to stand on:
- Going south (towards Walking Street): stand on Beach Road.
- Going north (towards Soi 6 and North Pattaya): stand on Second Road.
- Crossing between the two: North, Central and South Pattaya Road, and the numbered sois such as Soi 6, link them. Walk across rather than riding the whole loop.
Other trucks run out along Sukhumvit Road, and some serve the areas beyond the centre. Their routes are less obvious, so if a truck isn’t clearly going your way, use ride-hailing instead.
How to ride
- Flag it down. Hold your arm out, palm facing down, and wave. If there’s room, it pulls in.
- Check the ride, then climb in the back. If you are unsure of the route, ask if the truck is running as a shared service and what the fare is.
- Press the buzzer on the roof or the rail when you want to get off. The truck pulls in.
- Pay at the passenger window after you get off. Have small notes and coins ready.
The shared fare depends on the route and distance. Have the fare ready when you get off, and check it before boarding if the trip is unclear.
Shared ride or private hire?
A truck can run as a shared service or be offered as a private hire. Asking about your destination does not automatically charter it. The important question is what ride the driver is offering.
If you need directions, ask “Shared baht bus?” and check that the route reaches your stop. If the driver offers to take you directly somewhere or quotes a price for the whole truck, confirm that it is a private trip and agree the total before boarding. For a group or an off-route destination, that may suit you.
An empty truck alone does not tell you which service it is running.
Late at night
Plan a fallback for getting home late. If a driver offers a private trip, agree the total before boarding. For the trip home from Walking Street, LK Metro or Soi Buakhao late at night, ride-hailing is the easy answer: check the quoted fare, service and any extra charges before confirming.
Baht bus, ride-hailing or motorbike taxi?
| Factor | Baht bus | Ride-hailing car | Motorbike taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Low shared fare, varies by trip | Check the app quote and any extra charges | Agree it before you get on |
| Goes | Along its route only | Door to door | Door to door |
| Best for | Short hops on the loop | Luggage, late nights, off-route trips | Short trips without bags |
| Watch out for | Confirm shared service or private price | The pickup point in the app | Wear a helmet; choose a car if none is available |
For the airport, skip the baht bus entirely. The direct coach from Pattaya bus station is covered in Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
A few trips, the baht bus way
- Soi 6 to Walking Street: walk to Beach Road, take a shared truck following Beach Road south, and buzz at the southern end.
- Walking Street to Central Pattaya: walk up to Second Road and take a shared truck heading north.
- Soi Buakhao to the beach: take a westbound soi towards Second Road, then Beach Road. Choose your crossing from the part of Buakhao you are on.
More on motorbike taxis and walking is in getting around Pattaya. Read the safety guide for motorbike and road precautions.