Soi Buakow Post Office

[Suradit69]

There was a tiny post office sub-branch on Soi Buakow just north of Soi Lengkee, which I sometimes found more convenient to use than the one on Soi Post Office near the beach.

Went there this morning and it was shuttered with a For Rent sign posted.

Anyone know if it's shifted to another location in the same area? Any other sending post offices in the central area of Pattaya other than the main branch on Soi Post Office?

Thanks in advance.

[Mobi]

All these so-called sub-post offices are all run by private, commercial interests, and they have some kind of tenuous connection with the main post offices. There are loads of them around and they are in all the major supermarkets (Big C, Tesco etc).

The thing to bear in mind is that their fees are always higher than the proper post offices and for mailing stuff out, there is always a delay in delivering your post to the main office.

As far as I am aware, there are only three genuine post offices in the Pattaya area: one in Jomtien, one at Soi Post Office in Pattaya, and one in Naklua.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

If your mail is important and especially if you are sending stuff overseas, I strongly recommend you use one of those.

[Suradit69]

All these so-called sub-post offices are all run by private, commercial interests, and they have some kind of tenuous connection with the main post offices. There are loads of them around and they are in all the major supermarkets (Big C, Tesco etc).

The thing to bear in mind is that their fees are always higher than the proper post offices and for mailing stuff out, there is always a delay in delivering your post to the main office.

As far as I am aware, there are only three genuine post offices in the Pattaya area: one in Jomtien, one at Soi Post Office in Pattaya, and one in Naklua.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

If your mail is important and especially if you are sending stuff overseas, I strongly recommend you use one of those.

I know what you mean, but the one on Soi Buakow was an official Post Office on a par with the one in Jomtien, not one of the private services. It entered EMS info directly into the system and generated a computer print out with all the details, just like they do on Soi P.O. or Jomtien.

If your mail is important and especially if you are sending stuff overseas, I strongly recommend you use one of those.

I used to use one of the private mail handlers that was even more convenient. They did charge a bit more, but it was worth it. Anything sent registered or EMS was in the tracking system by the afternoon of the day it was sent, which was usually as much speed as I needed. unfortunately the building they were in is being remodeled, so they too have closed.

The Banglamung P.O. in Naklua is a receiving post office, not a sending post office.

The one on Soi Buakow probably didn't generate enough revenue to justify its continued existence. Unfortunately getting to the Soi Post Office location is best done on foot or motorbike. Soi Buakow at least offered the hope of a parking place if you went by car.

There is/was a large post office located on Sukhumvit to the south where I once had to go to collect a parcel. It seemed in a rather desolate location and decidedly inconvenient location for me. Someone drove me so I didn't pay that much attention to exactly where it was, but nearer Jomtien than Central Pattaya. Every other parcel I've received came through Banglamung. Don't know why this was different. Obviously it was a receiving P.O., but I don't recall if they also accepted outgoing mail.

[JSixpack]

All these so-called sub-post offices are all run by private, commercial interests, and they have some kind of tenuous connection with the main post offices. There are loads of them around and they are in all the major supermarkets (Big C, Tesco etc).

Friend of mine has used the one at Big C Extra (Klang) extensively for years for all business correspondence and never had a problem.

[Suradit69]

All these so-called sub-post offices are all run by private, commercial interests, and they have some kind of tenuous connection with the main post offices. There are loads of them around and they are in all the major supermarkets (Big C, Tesco etc).

Friend of mine has used the one at Big C Extra (Klang) extensively for years for all business correspondence and never had a problem.

Yes, the service I used (before they packed it in) was located near the Tuesday/Friday market off of Pattaya Tai. I used them quite frequently for a number of years. 100% reliable and saved me the hassle of getting to a " real " post office.

After they closed the next most convenient option was the P.O. on Soi Buakow. Now they've closed. Sigh.

[Mobi]

All these so-called sub-post offices are all run by private, commercial interests, and they have some kind of tenuous connection with the main post offices. There are loads of them around and they are in all the major supermarkets (Big C, Tesco etc).

Friend of mine has used the one at Big C Extra (Klang) extensively for years for all business correspondence and never had a problem.

Yes, I agree and I have used it myself many times because it is convenient. But they do charge a small premium, and your outgoing post will get slightly delayed, but if that is not an issue then it is a good service.

[Mobi]

All these so-called sub-post offices are all run by private, commercial interests, and they have some kind of tenuous connection with the main post offices. There are loads of them around and they are in all the major supermarkets (Big C, Tesco etc).

The thing to bear in mind is that their fees are always higher than the proper post offices and for mailing stuff out, there is always a delay in delivering your post to the main office.

As far as I am aware, there are only three genuine post offices in the Pattaya area: one in Jomtien, one at Soi Post Office in Pattaya, and one in Naklua.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

If your mail is important and especially if you are sending stuff overseas, I strongly recommend you use one of those.

I know what you mean, but the one on Soi Buakow was an official Post Office on a par with the one in Jomtien, not one of the private services. It entered EMS info directly into the system and generated a computer print out with all the details, just like they do on Soi P.O. or Jomtien.

If your mail is important and especially if you are sending stuff overseas, I strongly recommend you use one of those.

I used to use one of the private mail handlers that was even more convenient. They did charge a bit more, but it was worth it. Anything sent registered or EMS was in the tracking system by the afternoon of the day it was sent, which was usually as much speed as I needed. unfortunately the building they were in is being remodeled, so they too have closed.

The Banglamung P.O. in Naklua is a receiving post office, not a sending post office.

The one on Soi Buakow probably didn't generate enough revenue to justify its continued existence. Unfortunately getting to the Soi Post Office location is best done on foot or motorbike. Soi Buakow at least offered the hope of a parking place if you went by car.

There is/was a large post office located on Sukhumvit to the south where I once had to go to collect a parcel. It seemed in a rather desolate location and decidedly inconvenient location for me. Someone drove me so I didn't pay that much attention to exactly where it was, but nearer Jomtien than Central Pattaya. Every other parcel I've received came through Banglamung. Don't know why this was different. Obviously it was a receiving P.O., but I don't recall if they also accepted outgoing mail.

I can't speak for the Soi Buakow Post office because I have never used it, but I think you are confused about Naklua. The post office on Sawang Fa in Naklua is huge. It is a major receiving , and sending office. I have been there many times and they have a huge sending section with all the usual sending services - EMS, Fed ex etc. I always go there if I have something important to send overseas - and it always reaches its destination.

[Suradit69]

All these so-called sub-post offices are all run by private, commercial interests, and they have some kind of tenuous connection with the main post offices. There are loads of them around and they are in all the major supermarkets (Big C, Tesco etc).

The thing to bear in mind is that their fees are always higher than the proper post offices and for mailing stuff out, there is always a delay in delivering your post to the main office.

As far as I am aware, there are only three genuine post offices in the Pattaya area: one in Jomtien, one at Soi Post Office in Pattaya, and one in Naklua.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

If your mail is important and especially if you are sending stuff overseas, I strongly recommend you use one of those.

I know what you mean, but the one on Soi Buakow was an official Post Office on a par with the one in Jomtien, not one of the private services. It entered EMS info directly into the system and generated a computer print out with all the details, just like they do on Soi P.O. or Jomtien.

The one on Soi Buakow probably didn't generate enough revenue to justify its continued existence. Unfortunately getting to the Soi Post Office location is best done on foot or motorbike. Soi Buakow at least offered the hope of a parking place if you went by car.

There is/was a large post office located on Sukhumvit to the south where I once had to go to collect a parcel. It seemed in a rather desolate location and decidedly inconvenient location for me. Someone drove me so I didn't pay that much attention to exactly where it was, but nearer Jomtien than Central Pattaya. Every other parcel I've received came through Banglamung. Don't know why this was different. Obviously it was a receiving P.O., but I don't recall if they also accepted outgoing mail.

I can't speak for the Soi Buakow Post office because I have never used it, but I think you are confused about Naklua. The post office on Sawang Fa in Naklua is huge. It is a major receiving , and sending office. I have been there many times and they have a huge sending section with all the usual sending services - EMS, Fed ex etc. I always go there if I have something important to send overseas - and it always reaches its destination.

OK. Every time I've gone to the Banglamung P.O. it was only to collect a parcel since they are the receiving post office for 20150. When I've walked up the stairs to (what I assumed was) their main lobby, the only thing on offer was for collecting incoming mail, which I did at the main desk or else we had to go in the back up several floors to get what we came to collect. I've never noticed any counter from which you could post mail, but then the only reason I've ever traveled that far north is if I had to collect a parcel so I never bothered to look for anything else there. It has always been designated a delivery post office, and that's the only reason I ever used it.

Quoting from another source that seems to support your claim of Banglamung being a dual purpose post office:

The best known Post Office is located in Soi Post Office and has the Post Code 20260, the second one is in Naklua and is known as the Banglamung Delivery Post Office, its Post Code is 20150.

Thailand knows two types of Post Offices: Delivery Post Offices and non-delivery Post Offices. Delivery Post Offices are responsible for both posting and delivery of postal items. Non-delivery Post Offices are responsible for posting only. For Pattaya City, its delivery zone is under the responsibility of Banglamung Delivery Post Office, where the Post Code is 20150.

For Pattaya Post Office in Soi Post Office, where as the Post Code is 20260, it is a non-delivery Post Office.

Therefore any postal item to Pattaya has to have the Post Code 20150 of the Banglamung Delivery Post Office.

http://www.pattaya-at-night.com/infos/postoffice/

[JSixpack]

OK. Every time I've gone to the Banglamung P.O. it was only to collect a parcel since they are the receiving post office for 20150. When I've walked up the stairs to (what I assumed was) their main lobby, the only thing on offer was for collecting incoming mail, which I did at the main desk or else we had to go in the back up several floors to get what we came to collect. I've never noticed any counter from which you could post mail

There's a big counter and waiting room upstairs for posting mail. Trust me.

[Suradit69]

And, back to my original point for posting this ...

Now that the Soi Buakow post office has apparently closed and not relocated, I guess the only official post office in central Pattaya is the one at Soi Post Office, with Banglamung and Jomtien a bit further afield.

[Mobi]

Trust me, there is a HUGE sending room - just like you get in a typical UK Post office (if you can find one that is still open) or a bank with a number of clerks dealing with customers. It is often chock-a block with Thais, which is why I often use the one at Big C unless it is urgent and/or very important.

[Suradit69]

OK. Every time I've gone to the Banglamung P.O. it was only to collect a parcel since they are the receiving post office for 20150. When I've walked up the stairs to (what I assumed was) their main lobby, the only thing on offer was for collecting incoming mail, which I did at the main desk or else we had to go in the back up several floors to get what we came to collect. I've never noticed any counter from which you could post mail

There's a big counter and waiting room upstairs for posting mail. Trust me.

Trust me, there is a HUGE sending room - just like you get in a typical UK Post office (if you can find one that is still open) or a bank with a number of clerks dealing with customers. It is often chock-a block with Thais, which is why I often use the one at Big C unless it is urgent and/or very important.

Oh, I believe you.

I tend to go places with a single, narrowly focused agenda (and usually with a driver, which means I pay little attention to how we got where we were going) so anything off-topic can easily go unobserved by me. Since I've only gone there to collect parcels, they could have been hosting a three-ring circus as well and I wouldn't have noticed.

... although my curiosity has now been piqued, so the next time I go there I'll have to open my eyes to all the wonders of the Banglamung P.O.

[tropo]

OK. Every time I've gone to the Banglamung P.O. it was only to collect a parcel since they are the receiving post office for 20150. When I've walked up the stairs to (what I assumed was) their main lobby, the only thing on offer was for collecting incoming mail, which I did at the main desk or else we had to go in the back up several floors to get what we came to collect. I've never noticed any counter from which you could post mail, but then the only reason I've ever traveled that far north is if I had to collect a parcel so I never bothered to look for anything else there. It has always been designated a delivery post office, and that's the only reason I ever used it.

Don't let the post codes confuse you. You'll get mail at either the Banglamung PO or the PO near Floating Market on Sukhumvit using either 20150 or 20260. The difference is that international mail goes through the Floating Market Post Office and Thai EMS mail goes through Banglamung, no matter which post code you decide to use.

[BB1950]

OK. Every time I've gone to the Banglamung P.O. it was only to collect a parcel since they are the receiving post office for 20150. When I've walked up the stairs to (what I assumed was) their main lobby, the only thing on offer was for collecting incoming mail, which I did at the main desk or else we had to go in the back up several floors to get what we came to collect. I've never noticed any counter from which you could post mail, but then the only reason I've ever traveled that far north is if I had to collect a parcel so I never bothered to look for anything else there. It has always been designated a delivery post office, and that's the only reason I ever used it.

Don't let the post codes confuse you. You'll get mail at either the Banglamung PO or the PO near Floating Market on Sukhumvit using either 20150 or 20260. The difference is that international mail goes through the Floating Market Post Office and Thai EMS mail goes through Banglamung, no matter which post code you decide to use.

I'm afraid you both are wrong in your generalizations! In the past couple months, I've picked up all my EMS and International packages at the post office near the Floating Market. My postal code officially is 20150.

I think it depends more on which office your postal carrier works out of. My carrier works out of the Pattaya Office (near the Floating Market). I've watched the tracking on the ThaiPost site for these packages: International packages go to Lak Si and then the Si Racha offices first. All packages EMS and International packages goes to Banglamung Office then to the Pattaya Office (near the Floating Market) for delivery. Carrier attempts delivery. No one to sign for it. Goes back to Pattaya Office 100% of the time.

It doesn't make logistical sense for the package to go back to Banglamung again.

[tropo]

OK. Every time I've gone to the Banglamung P.O. it was only to collect a parcel since they are the receiving post office for 20150. When I've walked up the stairs to (what I assumed was) their main lobby, the only thing on offer was for collecting incoming mail, which I did at the main desk or else we had to go in the back up several floors to get what we came to collect. I've never noticed any counter from which you could post mail, but then the only reason I've ever traveled that far north is if I had to collect a parcel so I never bothered to look for anything else there. It has always been designated a delivery post office, and that's the only reason I ever used it.

Don't let the post codes confuse you. You'll get mail at either the Banglamung PO or the PO near Floating Market on Sukhumvit using either 20150 or 20260. The difference is that international mail goes through the Floating Market Post Office and Thai EMS mail goes through Banglamung, no matter which post code you decide to use.

I'm afraid you both are wrong in your generalizations! In the past couple months, I've picked up all my EMS and International packages at the post office near the Floating Market. My postal code officially is 20150.

I think it depends more on which office your postal carrier works out of. My carrier works out of the Pattaya Office (near the Floating Market). I've watched the tracking on the ThaiPost site for these packages: International packages go to Lak Si and then the Si Racha offices first. All packages EMS and International packages goes to Banglamung Office then to the Pattaya Office (near the Floating Market) for delivery. Carrier attempts delivery. No one to sign for it. Goes back to Pattaya Office 100% of the time.

It doesn't make logistical sense for the package to go back to Banglamung again.

Well there you are, you've solved to post code riddle. All my EMS packages which are coded 20260 I pick up from the Banglamung post office.

All my international packages coded 20260 I pick up from the post office near the floating market.

I normally use 20260. Sometimes I use 20150. It has never seemed to make any difference.

As I prefer to travel to the post office near the floating market to pick stuff up I will drop 20260 and mark my address as 20150. I'm equidistant from both, but Jomtien 2nd Road makes the travel in that direction quick and easy. There's a new road (don't know the name) opened recently which connects Jomtien 2nd Road with Sukhumvit just south of the post office, so we won't have to do the long u-turn on Sukhumvit Road past the floating market.

[marinediscoking]

I asked about the branch today while I was in the Pattaya Post office. The lady then quarried her coworkers and a big discussion started about it, they they asked the man who drives the truck from banglamung PO but no one know exactly why that sub-branch was closed, all they knew was it will not be opening up again and they don't of any other sub-branches opening anywhere else in pattaya.

@Mobi all the "Thai Post" offices are a "state enterprise" in the form of a company. One cannot open a branch, you are thinking about all the postal service shops like "mailboxes etc. which are all over pattaya. The OP was not asking about one of those.

@tropo some of my international EMS packages still arrive at the banglamung PO it is about a 50-50 split between that office and the floating market office. All of the domestically sent EMS letters only arrive at banglamung.