Photo: Moomettesgram

Whether you are traveling on business or a fun filled vacation holiday to Thailand, you will want to stay in touch, either with friends and family back home, or any new friends you meet on your travels.  One of the top questions from new travelers seems to be “can I use my mobile phone in Thailand?”  The short answer is yes, however there are more than a few details that need to be addressed.  How you plan on using your cell phone, what type of phone, and what type of network all can affect whether or not you can use your cell in Thailand.

Most of this information is geared towards Americans, as they have a few more mobile challenges to look after than say Europeans who want to use their phones in Thailand.  However, the information applies to anyone, from any country so it may be good to have a read if this is your first trip and your not sure if your cell or mobile will work in Pattaya, or any other parts of Thailand.

How do you want to use your cell phone in Thailand?
There are two basic scenarios here.  Do you simply want to bring your mobile phone to Pattaya so that friends and family can reach you from back home, make a few phone calls home, and maybe a couple locally?  Then you just need to ensure that your phone and network will work in Thailand.  I’ll cover how to do that in a little bit.

This is going to be the most expensive options, as you will be paying the long distance, international rates with your cell phone provider.  It will be cheaper and easier for people from your home country to get in touch with you as they already know your number, and it is like dialing a local call for them.  Not a bad option if your call will be few, or for emergencies only.

The second option is you want a working mobile phone in Thailand, so you can call and text/SMS your friends.  Whether they be that new Thai girl you just met, or one of your buddies you are on holiday with. In this scenario you will swap out your cell phone’s SIM card for a Thai SIM, and buy prepaid minutes.  This is just like a pay-as-you-go phone in the US and Europe.

It is cheaper for local calls in Pattaya but not very reasonable to make international calls back home.  It is also more expensive for your friends and family to call you from abroad.  But it does give them just one number to dial in Thailand should you be moving around on vacation.  They will be able to reach you in Pattaya, Phuket, or any place there is cell service instead of trying to contact the hotel.

What type of mobile phone works in Thailand?
Thailand uses a GSM network, so your cell phone needs to be on this type of network also.  It is pretty standard around the world, however not all companies in the US use a GSM.  Some carriers like Sprint and Verizon still use the CDMA network.

This is problematic because a CDMA phone will not work on a GSM network and the CDMA phones don’t use SIM cards.  So these phones won’t work with either option I mentioned above.  However it is a good idea to check with your cell provider just to be sure, some of them do still issue world phones that maybe compatible.

Now if you have a GSM carrier like AT&T or T-mobile you are one step closer.  However you need to make sure your cell phone is compatible overseas, and Thailand in particular.  The US uses two different bands than the rest of the world (we always have to be different).

The US uses 850 and 1900 for its networks (850 is often referred to as 800 but it is the same thing).  Thailand uses mainly 1800 (with some 900/1900).  One band will not work with the other, it is like trying to pick up an AM radio station on an FM radio – it’s not going to happen.  So what does that mean to you?

You need a phone that is Tri-band or Quad-Band.  Most smart phones are Quad-Band these days, but you should always check with your cell provider.  The Quad Band phones cover all 4 networks and will work anywhere – these are known as world phones.  If you have a tri-band phone, make sure the third band is 1800.  That will give you the best coverage option.  A lot of us phones are dual-band and will not work in Thailand.  Once again, check your model number online, or call your mobile carrier to confirm.

Ok, now that you’ve done all that and know your phone will work in Thailand.  You can either use your home service or proceed to the next step and learn…

How to Use a Thai SIM in My Mobile Phone?
Swapping out SIM Cards is easy, and will in effect turn your cell phone into a Thai mobile.  Take note that once you swap out your home SIM you can no longer receive calls on that number till you put it back in.

The easiest way to buy a Thai SIM and activate it is to head to one of the local shopping malls and find an electronics store.  If you are in Bangkok you could head over to the MBK, or in Pattaya you can easily find them at TUK Com, Royal Garden, or one of the other malls.

There are two main options for Thai SIM cards.  12Call and DTAC.  I’ve only ever used 12Call and have been quite happy with them.  Though I know many others who have used DTAC and seem to be just as satisfied.  I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either option.

The store will usually give you a selection of numbers to choose from.  I look for one that may be easy to remember, though I rarely do.  When you purchase you SIM card, the store clerk will help you install it and get it activated.  You can probably do it yourself, however I find it easier to let them do it, in case there are voice prompts in Thai.

Topping up your Thai SIM
You will also want to purchase some additional minutes.  These topup cards are sold by the amount of Baht.  100, 300, 500, for example.  Using these cards to top up your Thai mobile are pretty easy.  You scratch of the number on the back of the card, follow the instructions (written in English as well as Thai) and plug the numbers into the phone.  With in seconds you’ll get an SMS telling you your card is now charged.  All these messages also come over in English so you won’t have any problems.

If you need to charge or topup your Thai SIM while you are in Pattaya, they can be purchased in most 7-11 and Family Mart stores.  And they seem to have one or two on every street.

Once you get things sorted out it is really quite a simple process to use your mobile phone in Thailand.  It’s the up front research that can be a bit of work.  If you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask.

Massage in Thailand is a traditional and revered art, passed down through many generations.  It is not the typical sex massage that a lot of people associate with it.  If you are looking for information on an adult massage, check out our article on soapy massage in Pattaya.  This article is about traditional Thai massage.

The typical Thai massage involves a lot of stretching an deep massage.  It is believed to have it’s origins from a doctor to Buddha 2,500 years ago in India.  Once these techniques made it to Thailand, they were influenced by Ayurvedic disciplines and the traditional Chinese culture that was so prevalent in Thailand.  It was traditionally performed by Thai monks and is still part of the tradition of Thai medicine.  Wat Po, the oldest temple in Bangkok is home for teaching of the traditional Thai massage.

A Thai massage is very therapeutic, energizing, and relaxing.  Though it can be quite taxing at times as they stimulate the muscles.  You may find yourself being put through a series of yoga like stretches during the course of the massage.  The massage therapist will use hands, feet, elbows, and anything else that seems relevant to give you a complete full body massage.

Unlike the ‘happy finish’ massage, the traditional Thai massage is done fully clothed.  You will be on a raised table or perhaps a mat on the floor.  There is no soap or oil involved.

As part of traditional Thai medicine it is meant to cure or treat a number of ailments.  However it is also taught and practiced by numerous people not in the main stream Thai massage school.  This isn’t to say that these practitioners are not good, just in a different school.  Thai massage has been gaining popularity in both Europe and the United States.

Thai massage believes in the theory that the body transmits air or energy through thousands of pathways throughout the body called ‘sen’.  The practitioner seeks to spread and relax the body so that this energy travels freely and is uninterrupted.  It is very similar to many Easter beliefs such as Tao, that believes that there are meridians throughout the body which energy passes and any blockage could be causing the person harm or discomfort.

The traditional Thai massage seeks to unify the mind, body, and spirit.  It will help focus a persons energy, re-energize them, and help reduce pain and tension.

Traditional Thai Massage in Pattaya

There are many places in Pattaya to find a traditional Thai massage.  Actually there are more traditional places than naughty ones, contrary to popular belief.  You will find a wide range of establishment, from a small shop with one or two practitioner, to large scale facilities equipped to handle 15 or 20 clients at a time.

You will usually have your choice between several types of massage.  The full body and foot massage are two of the most popular.

The foot massage is a unique experience.  The Thai massage practitioner believes that you can control the meridians of the body by affecting several pressure points located on the feet.  They will give your feet a thorough massage and open the sen pathways by manipulating certain points on your feet.  You will be amazed at how good you feel from something that seems so simple as a foot massage.

You can also find a large number of hotels and spas that offer traditional Thai massage in Pattaya.  These experiences come complete with all the pampering that accompanies a high rent resort.  However, the massage itself can be just as good in one of the smaller establishments.

It is not hard to find a massage establishment in Pattaya.  From Walking Street and throughout the city they are readily available.  You will often find that as you walk by the massage girls will call out to you as they try and drum up business.  You want massage?

Massage in Pattaya is all too often incorrectly associated with sex, however in this case, it is spot on.  The soapy massage has become a time honored tradition in Thailand.  We don’t know the history, but it is quite popular, along with a few other variation such as the oil massage.

Not all massage places in Pattaya cater to this.  A lot of them are above board and offer simply a thorough Thai full body massage.  You have to make sure that you are in the right kind of establishment if this is what you are looking for.  Some of the major establishments are Heavens Entertainment, Sabailand, and Diamond massage.

You will find many large scale massage parlours around Pattaya, as well as many smaller ones.  In the larger ones, you will quite often be escorted through the entrance into an area where the girls all sit behind a glass wall.  You are able to look at the girls and find one that you find beautiful.   As the massage girls all where numbers, you tell the attendant the girls number, and he will be off to arrange things.

Now the variety and quality of massage girls will depending on the day and time you arrive.  It can also depend whether or not it is high or low season in Pattaya.  If you don’t find one that you like you are always free to leave.

Most of these places will have a variety of different options on the menu for you to choose from.  It could be an oil massage, soapy massage, or numerous other combinations.  You will typically get the actual massage first, followed by the well known happy ending.

With the Soapy massage, the girl usually begins by washing you down as you sit together in a large bath tub.  Then you proceed to get out of the tub and onto and inflatable air mattress.  The girl will then soap you down with her body as the main instrument for applying the suds.  It can be very erotic.  What happens after that is up to you.  You will probably spend an hour, maybe more in the parlour.  Fees may range from 1000 – 2000 baht.

The Coyote Bars in Pattaya are quite popular and have been catching on in the last few years.  These bars are slightly different then your other beer bars and gogo’s.  The concept is a bit different but like other things in Thailand a bit of the same.

The bars are typically laid back, TV screens, pool tables, a bar, and places to sit.  The coyote girls, are dancers who are paid to dance around the bar on platforms or raised areas.  Typically these girls are stunners, truly beautiful.  They are eye candy for the patrons to ogle at while they are drinking and having a good time.

One thing about the girls in the coyote bars of Pattaya is that they all do not go with customers.  They are usually paid pretty well to dance and attract customers into the bar, however it is up to them if they wish to go with someone.  In the beer bars and Pattaya gogo’s, they are there to attract customers, but their goal is to find someone to take them out of the bar for the evening.

In Pattaya’s Coyote Bars, it is not uncommon for a man to be turned down, when he offers to pay a ladies bar fine.  The girls can afford to be a bit choosier as to who they want to go with, if anyone at all.

These bars are are usually quite popular just based on the beautiful women that work there.  You can sit back relax and have a few drinks while looking at the talent on stage performing.  There are now shows, but some would say the girls dancing around to the music is the show.

Prices in the Coyote bars can range from reasonable to expensive.  It really depends on the place and the owner.  You may find some deals, but don’t be surpised if the drink prices are on the high end in some of these locations.  But then again, this is Thailand, and compared to back home, even the high prices seem cheap.

One of the most entertaining and desired shows to see while in Pattaya, is the Ladyboy Cabaret.  These aren’t your ordinary ladies, but they put on one heck of a spectacular performance.  Ornate costumes, lavish decorations, and a giant cast, make this an undeniable tourist attraction.

The most popular Pattaya ladyboy cabaret show are Tiffany’s Cabaret and Alcazar Cabaret Show. Both of these are institutions in Pattaya and have been running almost 30 years.  They will amaze you with singing, comedic shows, dancing, and impersonations.  There are hundreds of performers in each company, and you will be amazed at the elaborate numbers they perform.

Prices for the shows average about 500 baht.  You can arrange to go to the venues by baht bus, taxi, or through an booked tour package.  They usually run several shows nightly.

The Tiffany Cabaret is also well known for putting on a Miss Tiffany World pageant.  A beauty pageant to find the most beautiful and talented Ladyboy in Thailand.  It is a well known show and attracts huge crowds.  If you are lucky enough to be in Thailand during this time, you can be a part of it.

These shows are put on by Thai ladyboys, also known as Kathoey in Thai.  They are males who live their lives as females as they believe that is who they truly are.  Some others may call them transvestite or cross dressers, but that is not the case at all.  They feel they are women born in the wrong bodies, and live their lives as full time females.

Now whatever you may think about this, they put on one heck of a show.  Dancing, singing, the performers are very talented and yes, beautiful.  Don’t be scared, go and check out one of the most recommended tourist attractions in Pattaya.

Pattaya has a number of high energy discos or dance clubs that party till the wee hours of the morning.  They are fun places to go with your girl or a few friends and dance the night away and pick up on members of the opposite sex.  These places open earlier in the evening around 11pm, but don’t really get going till later in the night.  By 1am and the crowds start to flow in.

You can find some really popular discos on Pattaya’s Walking Street.  Here you will find Lucifer’s, Marine, Tony’s, and Insomnia.  They are all easy to find with their bright neon signs set out over walking street.

The music ranges from hip-hop and club music to Thai pop. Most will have a stage with a live musical performance including singers and dancers.  There are also dancers stationed around the club shaking it to the music. They put on quite a show.  In addition to the live performances, they’ll have a D.J. on staff spinning tunes in between sets.

One of the newer and more popular discos is X-Zyte.  Located on 3rd road near the Buffalo Bar, it has become a well like dance club in the years it has been open.  Their performers are top notch, large screens, lots of room, and a laid back fun vibe to the place.  It’s a great place to bring your girl and your friends for a night out.  Definitely worth checking out.

The drink prices are going to be slightly more expensive than the Pattaya beer bars and GoGo Bars, but that is to be expected.  Most discos in Pattaya will also charge a cover charge.  Somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 baht is pretty common.  But you will have a good time here.

If you are looking at meeting a girl, there are plenty of single Thai girls that go to the discos and dance clubs.  A lot of them are freelancers, so just be aware of what to expect.

If you are looking for a fun night out after hitting the other bars and venues, these Pattaya dance clubs are a great alternative.

A staple of Pattaya nightlife are the many GoGo Bars that dot the city.  Here you will find scantily clad Thai Girls dancing to the latest music.  If your looking for the best place to find go go bars in Pattaya, head to Walking Street.  Here you will find dozens of bars lining the neon drenched street.  Plenty of cute girls will be outside trying to entice you into their club, some even grabbing and pulling you towards the door.

The options on Walking Street may seem endless.  You will find many of the infamous names in the Pattaya Gogo bar scene, including Angelwitch, Peppermint Agogo, Living Dolls Show Case, Heaven Above, as well as many, many, more.

Now some of these venues are not all about having half naked or even fully nude Thai Girls gyrating in front of you – though that is the main purpose.  Some of the better known bars also go to great length to put on some pretty fine choreographed shows in between the go go girls.  Angelwitch for one, puts on a number of great sets, with costumes and traditional Thai Music to entertain the crowds.

At some point you will probably find yourself asked if you would like to buy some ping pong balls as part of the show.  This isn’t what a lot of you might think it is for.  At some point during the evening, they will announce it is time and customers will begin tossing their ping pong balls at the dancing girls they like.  The girls scramble to collect them, and at the end of the ping pong show, the girls get to turn them in for a few extra baht.  It is a fun way to tip the girls some extra money.

The prices of drinks in the gogo bars are slightly more expensive than those in the more laid back Pattaya beer bars.  This also holds true for ladydrink prices and barfines.  The operate in a similar fashion with check bins placed in front of the customer, however you will be located in seats around the main stage and not mingling around.  Some of the larger venues even have stadium seating to accommodate the larger number of customers.

If you fancy one of the Thai go go girls, you just need to make eye contact, give her a nod and a smile, and she will usually come over and sit with you after her set.  Unless she is previously engaged with another customer.  If you’ve been talking for a while, bought here a couple of ladydrinks, and get along well, you may want to take her from the bar for the evening. A quick side note, the girls make a slight amount of baht for each drink you buy them so it is good form to buy them a drink if you’ve asked them to sit and talk with you.  If you decide to take her from the bar, arrange to pay her bar fine.  Pricing on anything that happens the club is additional and between you and her.

Though Walking Street is the main area to find Pattaya gogo bars, there are many others located throughout the entertainment areas.  You won’t have any trouble finding one should you go looking.  There are also a few Thai Ladyboy gogo bars, so if that is not your thing just be aware they are out there.  If your a first time visitor, Walking Street is the place to go.