Is Grab Pattaya considered a different country than Grab Taxi Bangkok??

Having used grab many times over the last few months in Pattaya I have started to see a marked increase in their fares.

Even grab now wants minimum 200 baht for 2km in Pattaya and Jomtien. Also I wanted to book a taxi from Drinking street 2nd road Pattaya last week to Jomtien beach (maybe 6km) only to be quoted 400 baht.

Tonight I took a meter taxi after 3 turned me down in Bangkok 15km to Lak Song metro. More than 30 mins in very bad traffic only cost 113 baht.

Grab quote 173 baht but if you pre paid using a debit card you could save 60 baht for the same journey. 

Couldn't connect my card so called my bank who released the online purchasing. 

Tried the re-enter my card details after arriving home in Pattaya and was told that it was not available in my country???

This was a Thai Bank card in Jomtien.

I was under the impression that Pattaya was a part of Thailand??

Rant over!!