Romancing the truck. The glamorous life of the Pattaya Baht Bus Driver.

[Jingthing]

London has it's cabbies. (With their "knowledge")

San Francisco it's cable car operators.

In Venice it's gondola boatmen.

World famous ICONIC transport modes all.

But in Pattaya, it's ... wait for it ... the BAHT BUS!

Had me wondering.

Do Thai kids growing up in Pattaya DREAM of one day joining the "cooperative" and becoming that most glamorous of local professions ... the Pattaya Baht Bus Driver?

Drivin' on the beach.

Rain' or shine.

Makin' change.

Keepin' the drunks in line.

Acceleratin' and jerkin' the passengers around.

Beep beep!

If London cabbies have their knowledge, what's the Pattaya baht bus driver equivalent?

Motorcycles? You can keep em'!

The fare is 10 baht.

That's right. Only 10 baht. No joke.

Keep on truckin'!

Some may ask what is the POINT of this topic? Hmm.

[Rajab Al Zarahni]

Once immortalized in the words of the Thai hits classic: " and she'll have fun fun fun till her daddy takes her baht bus awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"

[chickenslegs]

In Pattaya, Baht buses are an institution.

Who would want to be in one of those?

Apologies to Groucho Marx

[Jingthing]

So how about getting this baht bus show rolling?

Perhaps you'd like to share your favorite "romantic" moments on our MAGICAL Pattaya baht buses?

[Basil B]

Yes, What is the point???

[Jingthing]

That's for YOU to decide.

I take no responsibility for the SILLINESS that may ensue as a result of starting this.

But HOPING for lots of it!

Pattaya WITHOUT the glorious BAHT BUSES.

Why, I tell ya, it's like New York City without the pizza rats!

[nev]

There is twice as many baht buses in pattaya than is needed, cut in half the number means less pollution and traffic, yes you may need to wait a bit longer for one to come along but the benefits far out weigh the wait.

[Jingthing]

Denying the dreams of half the Pattaya youths hoping to grow up to be glamorous baht bus drivers. You're like the Thailand version of SCROOGE.

[Jingthing]

If reincarnation is real, which would you most prefer to be reborn as:

A -- A Pattaya baht bus driver

B -- An allergy prone garbageman in Dululth, Minnesota

C -- An obese transgender Bolivian sex worker, specializing in feet

D -- An albino Hare Krishna cult member in Nigeria

[Rajab Al Zarahni]

If reincarnation is real, which would you most prefer to be reborn as:

A -- A Pattaya baht bus driver

B -- An allergy prone garbageman in Dululth, Minnesota

C -- An obese transgender Bolivian sex worker, specializing in feet

D -- An albino Hare Krishna cult member in Nigeria

E- The breast fed baby of Pamela Anderson.

[RidgeRunner]

Denying the dreams of half the Pattaya youths hoping to grow up to be glamorous baht bus drivers. You're like the Thailand version of SCROOGE.

Also, the hope of becoming a baht bus driver is a good incentive to further their education.

Must learn English so they can lie to their customers.

[berybert]

Driving a cab in the traffic of London day in day out, is this what you imagine the youth of England grow up wanting to do?.

Most people end up doing a job they would rather not be doing.

I guess driving a baht bus is probably seen as an even worse job in Pattaya then the lads and lasses that sell their in the go go bars.

As for knowledge, how long do you think it takes the cable car operators of San Francisco to learn their routes ?

[RidgeRunner]

Driving a cab in the traffic of London day in day out, is this what you imagine the youth of England grow up wanting to do?.

Most people end up doing a job they would rather not be doing.

I guess driving a baht bus is probably seen as an even worse job in Pattaya then the lads and lasses that sell their in the go go bars.

As for knowledge, how long do you think it takes the cable car operators of San Francisco to learn their routes ?

Yea, those SanFran Cable Cars guys have it rough.

It's not like they can lie to their customers "Sorry Mister, Fishermans Wharf is closed today" then detour them off to a gem scam.

[berybert]

Driving a cab in the traffic of London day in day out, is this what you imagine the youth of England grow up wanting to do?.

Most people end up doing a job they would rather not be doing.

I guess driving a baht bus is probably seen as an even worse job in Pattaya then the lads and lasses that sell their in the go go bars.

As for knowledge, how long do you think it takes the cable car operators of San Francisco to learn their routes ?

Yea, those SanFran Cable Cars guys have it rough.

It's not like they can lie to their customers "Sorry Mister, Fishermans Wharf is closed today" then detour them off to a gem scam.

Really ? Have you not heard of the 'Sorry Mister the cable car has broken down, but I can drive you in my car' scam. I hear it is pretty popular.

[Swiss1960]

There IS no point in this thread... just wondering about then new stuff JT seems to be taking...

to early for the pub, otherwise would need a beer right now..

[onemorechang]

Maybe kids in Bangkok dream of becoming a Tuk Tuk driver

kids get models of Tuk Tuks to play with, its a symbol of Thailand.

But for the Baht busses of pattaya , No

[digbeth]

Not sure about Baht Buses, but there seems to be a lot of romantic notion about being a motorcycle taxi guy, being your own boss, living free and all that

[champers]

That's for YOU to decide.

I take no responsibility for the SILLINESS that may ensue as a result of starting this.

But HOPING for lots of it!

Pattaya WITHOUT the glorious BAHT BUSES.

Why, I tell ya, it's like New York City without the pizza rats!

Stupid rat. Any respectable pizza outlet does deliveries.

[gk10002000]

I love the darn things. Very cheap and convenient transport. Open air, can look around while it is on its way. Have met a gal or two on one in my travels. Don't need to rent a car. For a getaway place, they really are a great idea to get around town.

[Woody1]

JT, this will probably be a first for you, and many others, it certainly was for me.

Jumped on a baht bus last night at Soi 1 Beach Rd, with my 10 baht in hand, heading along the beach happily with only myself on the back when the driver decided he was going up Pattaya Klang (for whatever reason, and rather than continue along Beach Rd) which suited me as I was going to get off at Soi 7 anyhow.

He then pulled over, I got off, offered him (and his Mia / Mia Noi) the 10 baht, and he refused to accept it!!! Never, ever known this to happen.

[Jingthing]

No, as I have been riding them for many years, I have indeed occasionally experienced that kind of thing. Sure. But glad you enjoyed a slice of the ROMANCE.

[Monkeyrobot]

I wish they would do them up a bit . A bit of colour and flashy lights like the ones in Manila would be nice.

[Jeffkp]

If reincarnation is real, which would you most prefer to be reborn as:

A -- A Pattaya baht bus driver

B -- An allergy prone garbageman in Dululth, Minnesota

C -- An obese transgender Bolivian sex worker, specializing in feet

D -- An albino Hare Krishna cult member in Nigeria

"An obese transgender Bolivian sex worker, specializing in feet" ????

Oh my! What a fervid imagination you have!

[pattayamick64]

baht bus drivers can make a lot of money when you add up all those 10 baht coins over a hour going up and down beach rd and second road

[Rimmer]

A baiting troll post has been removed and the reply to it

[Jingthing]

baht bus drivers can make a lot of money when you add up all those 10 baht coins over a hour going up and down beach rd and second road

It's a decent living.

Posted on a baht bus named retire.

[Sutty]

Not only pattaya Khon Kaen has a great stock of them as well you may laugh or curse the drivers but they make some money on an average long day beats the crap out if selling ice tea

[Jingthing]

Feh.

There they are merely common songthaews.

In Pattaya they are the iconic -- once ridden never forgotten -- baht buses!

[Sutty]

Feh.

There they are merely songthaews. In Pattaya they are the iconic once ridden never forgotten baht buses!

Iconic not but agree once ridden especially here in KK never forgoton

[Rimmer]

A couple of flames have been removed, if you do not like the topic then please move on to another without leaving the vitriolic comments