Cheated in Pattaya

August 08, 2013

I mentioned before that we got cheated a lot in Thailand
I know that as a tourist, you will get cheated, but I didn't know that it was that horrible before

When I went to Bali last time, I got cheated too, but since I am Indonesian, the price wasn't as bad as overseas tourists. Last time I only could stare how Indo cheat foreigners. Now I got cheated in Thailand. Is this such a revenge? =___=


Or is this every country's culture? Since I heard that some people I know got cheated too in Italy and Egypt
There are some countries that don't cheat tourists though. Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. I have been there, and I must say although Korea has the least good impression considering I got scolded by the ahjuma there lol, it's still far better than got cheated in Thailand lol

At least the ahjuma gave me decent price lol kamsahamnida~~




Back to the topic, we went to Pattaya. It's out of town and we had to rent van. We tried to book van via online before and I sent email to like 6/7 van rental websites but NONE reply back!! Therefore we had to rent from hotel, and it costed us 4000 baht. They said we could use it all day, no time limit, and all included. So each person only pays 500 baht for all day transportation. Which I think, pretty decent

Every little thing that I got cheated, will be written on BOLD text, so next time you come to Pattaya, please be cautious of those things!





It took us 2 hours to reach Pattaya from Bangkok. Our driver instantly dropped us at Pattaya Beach and suddenly talked to a native there whom he introduced to us as 'his friend'. Let's call him Mr. X




Everyone's already happy when we reached Pattaya ^.^ 
And we researched that we needed to go to Coral Island by boat, as it's more beautiful

So Mr. X offered to rent us a boat for 8 person, and it costed 3500/4000 baht [I forgot exact price] and I GOT HEART ATTACK =____=

How come from a beach to another close island, is as expensive as a full-day-van??!!!

I didn't bother to haggle cos even if I haggled half price, it's still expensive for us. So we decided to just stay at Pattaya Beach and played sand lol
Next day when I met Porsche, my Beauty Blogger friend from Thailand whom I met in Korea last year, she and her friend told me that, it only costs 30 baht / person in fact 
so total of 8 people, is only around 240baht

MAX CHEATED if I took the boat!!! 


So we wanted to get water sport, and we saw a lot of people did paraceiling!
I never had chance to do that, and I love extreme play like that hahaha!! So 7 of us went to get it, while my mom was enjoying her coconut drink on the beach, while keeping our bags


We haggled the price from around 1200 baht to 430baht per person
We seriously had no idea how much they cheated, so we were okay with that price because Mr. X told us that we could be on the sky as long as we want 8D 


we took boat to reach to a small island where everyone departed to do the water sport


I apologize that I am the only blonde one in my circle.. lol






We queued to get our turn for the sport. And suddenly I was grabbed by the staffs to hurry and within 30 seconds suddenly I flied and I had no idea how it went cos it's just so fast!! LOL


My picture . . . ahem . . 

The wind was freaking strong so my body was pushed everywhere. It was fun

But hey, I stopped after 1 turn of THAT SMALL ISLAND!!! 

And Mr. X said that we could do it as long as we want, and many rounds as well. WHY ONLY 1 ROUND ???
And it's only 3 minutes!!! O_O

And by chance, we met some Indonesian backpackers and they said they got 300 baht per person
I don't really care about the price, as long as I had fun! But 3 minutes only when he said we could do it as long as we want?

Also, he was nowhere accompanying us at Paraseiling Area so we couldn't complain. Got money then leave huh? Nice!!! U____U




After lunch at 'meh' restaurant, which was expensive. All restaurants around Pattaya Beach costs you like 7/8 USD per food. Which was not bad when you went overseas. But it's very high after you try every cheap food in Bangkok, we went back to the beach for playing sand

Around walking, we spotted a few women who might do night job. It was at small alleys, and they were doing make up outside, looked like just had waken up
Pattaya is known as Sin City. So it's not very crowded during the day

We didn't stay a night at pattaya so we couldn't really see how it was at night, but according to my friends it was very 'lively' at night



My mom would like to try motor boat, so I decided to find a new person who could offer us better price. Mr. X offered us 1000 baht per boat for 30 minutes, and after 1 hour I could get 1000 baht for 2 boats.. Each is 30 minutes, and each boat can be used by 2 persons

2 of my friends tagged along, so me and my mom had 1 boat. We could exchange seat in the middle of play


It was very fun and exciting. But my eyes got red easily because of the sea water [have sensitive eyes T_T] so every 5 minutes or so, I exchanged with my mom
I really like speed, and during this I could release my wild side of speeding 8D
Something that I can't get when driving in Jakarta haha

I love speed and thrilling rides too when I am in Theme Park!
Anyone feels like that as well? ^.^ 

But as always, this Thai cheat, they only give us like around 20 minutes instead of 30 minutes. I checked.. But since it's fun and enjoyable, I let it go!! 


 Then 3 of us swam for a while, while cleaning sands inside our clothes. Tried to get good shots but the wave was very fast and strong so we ended up with only silly pictures haha




4 of us then took a quick shower, as we had to rush to visit Mini Siam. It's a place where there are a lot of famous mini architectures around the world. Similar like the one in Hong Kong

But our driver drove us to wrong place, he brought us to the Sanctuary of Truth instead!

And after that, he drove to Mini Siam, but he told us that it took 50 minutes to reach there. Considering that we already bought a Lady Boy Show on that night, we had no time. So we decided to grab something to eat and just walk around Pattaya



I intended to get Tiffany's Show instead of Alcazar. Because I heard they are much prettier! And Haruna Ai [Famous Talent in Japan] was the winner of Miss Tiffany Show years ago. So I really want to see!!

We tried to book online but no response, so we booked through our Hotel. Then they recommended Alcazar instead. They said Alcazar has bigger stage, and much better than Tiffany's. They said it's same price but better. So we agreed
I clearly told them, I wanted to get the front seat, the center, and vip. Each of us paid 800 baht for it




You know what
The VIP for Alcazar Show is 650 Baht, the regular is 500 Baht. These prices are even printed all around Pattaya, whether you book through agent or directly, still same price
Not only we paid more, but we got regular instead of VIP, and seated at second floor and ON THE CORNER

Like I said, I don't mind pay more, as long as it's decent!!!! 
If we got front and center seat, we're still happy despite being cheated the money!!

And I didn't even bring my glasses so my sight was very blur!!! (>A<) 
And I kinda get it why they promoted Alcazar Show to us. Tiffany's Show is 700 Baht -_-" More expensive than Alcazar, so they got more profit
I didn't enjoy the show at all

I really wanted to complain about this, I wanted my money back. So when we arrived at the hotel, I wanted to talk to the person who took care of me, but they've changed shift. So I thought 'alright, next morning'
But next morning the person in charge was NOT PRESENT! Coincidence enough huh? So we only could getting through to her via phone only, hours later! and she said that she couldn't meet us, it's not her fault because they tried to get the BEST SEAT and that's the best they could get so they couldn't refund the money. 

Best seat from where! VIP still got many empty seats. Regular seats on the first floor are also empty! Why I had to watch from 2nd floor? =.=


I snapped, and too tired because everyone cheated tourists in here but, to that extend? 
If anyone is curious, we stayed at this place



Back to Alcazar Show. After finished the show, we could take picture with the LadyBoy for 40 Baht each. I didn't really want to, because I didn't put make up ! I would look awful lol




DAT BEEWBS O.O


After in chaos, I decided to get one. But I wanted to get picture with a LadyBoy in white dress. Instead the pink dress whom my friends would like to take pic with, took my money, and grabbed me to take picture together! O_O

I was like, wait what? I don't want you.. 

Then my friends helped to take pic together, but she forgot to use flash on the first picture, so she had to set it for a moment. I said to the pink dress 'wait a moment, setting the camera'
Then the pink dress sighed 'no time'! Then SHE PUSHED ME AWAY!!!!!!!


I PAID YOU ;A; 


Thank you for the blur picture and impatience of yourself after grabbing my money, thank you so much 8D 

2 of my friends got mad too because the money taken from them is 100 baht eact and no exchange!! 
So make sure to have EXACT AMOUNT of baht when paying them 


Not enough being cheated, we're cheated by our driver too

We decided to have a walk at Walking Street, since my friend, happened to be in Pattaya too before my trip. He said it's very crowded at night and a must visit. So I told the driver to go there. But he said, 'cannot, traffic jam, 1 hour!'


it's the second time he cancelled the place we went. So we went back to hotel instead
I Lined my friend to know whether it's true. And he was shocked of what I experienced. He said Pattaya is very small, so I can go around the city for less than an hour, and Walking street is only like 5-10 minutes from Alcazar

That means, the driver lied to us because he didn't want to drive us around Pattaya since it's troublesome! ^____^ Thank you so much! 





Conclusion is, Pattaya, could be much better
If the natives didn't cheat tourists as much as this
I am so displeased of my experience being cheated many many times. I don't try to bring Thailand down or to prevent you guys from going to Thailand. No

I love this country. I love my Thailand friends too
But I am sad that the culture of cheating tourists is very common there

Thailand is a beautiful country, and I did really enjoy Pattaya but I regret that the fun was ruined by how the people cheated us. Do they think we wont find out? 
It's not only a matter of money. We come to Thailand to have fun and enjoy our holiday so I am sad that our beautiful holiday is ruined by them


I couldn't even list every little things that we got cheated, so I just put some.. 

Probably after visited many countries that are nice toward tourists, I begin to be very sensitive of this small issue. Is it only me? Do you guys let it go or be upset as well? 


I wish that anyone who read this blog and plan to visit Pattaya after this, could arrange the schedule better and know the price nicer. Don't be cheated too much


Sorry for my rambling


T___________________T

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28 comments

  1. omg those bewwdssss O___O
    oh and the one you took picture with I think she's the famous around XD``
    many friends took picture with here like years ago O__O

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  2. I think if wanna go to thailand especially Pattaya using tour is more safe , i went there a couple year ago and it's pretty awesome i enjoyed it at all . we no need to worried about being cheated cause all transport , boat and restaurant is include they served us delicious restaurant but some show like lady boys show didn't include and I think i don't pay that much only around 500bath and sit in front but in the corner

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  3. omg...i must be carefull in thailand..u got cheated a lot =_=
    be carefull next time! :)
    thank for sharingg!

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  4. errrr ._.
    I went to pattaya on June and it not as bad as your experience >_< we took bus instead of taxi from bangkok and only cost 134 baht / person. then take something like tuktuk to hotel which only cost 30 baht/person. and you know, if you want to go anywhere in pataya you can use the 'tuktuk' and you just have to pay 10baht, whereever you go! o_O

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  5. I think your should've used a tour from Indonesia instead. That way, you pay fixed price with all included.. There's no way you'll get cheated :(

    But I once asked about how much, it was really expensive T_T
    and no freedom as well haha..


    Thanks for sharing!


    Btw, have u been to singapore? cox It was really pleasing and cheap.. much cheaper than Thailand (didn't get a cheap flight so maybe I'll go there again instead T_T)

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  6. I usually don't go with tour because I love freedom in each country, and want to experience it :( I've been to Bangkok many times before, this is the first time I visited pattaya :o


    Yes obv been there a few times haha, but last time was like, 2 years ago? I forgot
    SG flight could cost you around 100USD too from JKT, it's not that cheap. Usually Bangkok is like 250-300USD for return. I got cheap ticket so we went there instead of SG :)
    Hotel in SG is obviously more expensive too than bangkok

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  7. We decided to use private van because we thought it's safer and the price is not different than public bus T___T and yeah, we saw the big tuktuk too when we were there T_T
    Our fault for not having many infos about it too T_T

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  8. You're welcome.. In Bangkok, is not as bad =.="

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  9. We booked tour too online, we wanted to get the Pattaya One Day Tour. One replied! But they said they couldn't provide the tour at the moment because the weather was unpredictable lol
    And most of them, didn't reply me back lol

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  10. O______O how old is sheeee
    like a legend lol

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  11. at least you're having fun with ur friends and mom! :)

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  12. >:( What kind of these people.. cheated tourist like that..
    Sorry to hear your bad experiences, stel.. >_< thanks for sharing to us.. *puk puk*
    Anyway.. that ladyboy's beewbs... OAo

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  13. Waah, my BF wanted to go to Thailand before :O
    And I read this and feels "thanks for sharing this"
    Feel so sorry for that, but, yeah...
    And OMG that bee-bee- wi-without censor.. o_O

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  14. Damnnnn I'd be so mad if I were you :( I can't believe that it's just some of the things you experienced as well :/
    Thank you so much for sharing!

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  15. I've been in Bangkok with my dad and youngest bro, but because it's dad's purpose trip, we do not play around that much, so luckily not cheated by any of the Thai. Almost once at the Hotel I stayed. They offer 3 different kinds of rooms which has different prices. My dad asked the boyroom to show us the rooms first. They are all SAME. Same size, same bed, same bathroom, same facility, only different level and different wallpaper and furniture design. So we took the cheapest one la~ It's 300bath/night *as I remember*, we got family room with shower and bathtub also buffet breakfast every morning. And the foods are great.


    I forgot the name, but there's a small mall, if it's in Jakarta maybe it's Bangkok's Gajah Mada mall, because so many students went there. At it's top level there's a game center with lots of purikura machine :3 Did you went there?

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  16. Everytime I went to Thailand, it was only for shopping at Bangkok too. This was my real first trip and i am not amused lol


    whatttt... really =,= such a cheat. Lucky your dad asked to be shown first!!


    hmmmmm no I dont think I did haha...

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  17. bangkok is better in my experience. i think it's cos pattaya is more like tourist place ?


    hahaha fake, but looks toooooo fake O____O like, freakin plastic O_O

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  18. Sorry Stella. I have noticed in my travels that it is always best to stay a couple extra days everywhere you go, so that you have time to find out where things are and have chance to talk to more people before trying to do so many things in such little time! Trust me It pays off in the long run even if you pay a few dollars more for an extra 2-3 days!

    Plus never dress to nice where ever you go unless you have the money to play the part! LOL 8D

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  19. Woww!!! Thank you for sharing. I've been considering to visit Thailand for long time, but after reading this I think I'll choose Singapore instead, since I also bringing my children too.

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  20. no lah.. I stayed on a very nice apartment.. there were 4 of us and it only cost idr 200.000 per night! how cheap is that

    the return flight from mandala was only 900k.. haha..


    i literally went crazy in watsons.. they have so many interesting things that cannot be found in indo T_T

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  21. i was in bangkok for 5 days, but we decided to only been in pattaya for 12 hours becos after research, there werent many places we wanna go XD;
    and we had told the driver our schedule too, the day before..


    haha, i didnt dress up la in pattaya T_T just shirt, shorts, and sandal

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  22. singapore has universal studio right ^.^

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  23. freaking cheap!
    haha, i wanted to buy some too, but im going to japan within weeks, so i decided to shop there instead ^.^v


    if you wanna shop cheap cosmetics, taiwan & HK are good!

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  24. I also cheated in Pattaya, when we had dinner in the India resto.. There's no pricelist in menu.. we though the price still make sence since the resto just look like "rumah makan" in Jakarta.. But we're all wrong and shocked by the bill... hahahaha after that we decided to ate in mcd or pizza hut... ckckck no more food exploration..

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  25. I got cheated too in Bali! I took a taxi from Beachwalk Bali to Discovery Shopping Mall, the taxi driver took us (my family and i) and turns out we passed the same street twice! It costs me around IDR 30.000 because he literally drive the same street twice, if that doesn't happen i could only pay half. Plus while giving him the money, the taxi driver literally smile and laughed (maybe also thinking "how stupid") -______-

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  26. Yes, warning as i'm Thai, you should better have at least a Thai friend or pay for the Thai tourism guides at let them take you to travel. Because Some Thais especially in Pattaya are so mean and cruel to foreigners. I wish i could help you guys. I'm so sorry for what happened by the Thai people.

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