The GrabTaxi App has made getting around Pattaya a whole lot more convenient and safe. It’s easy to use, and most importantly you know you’re not getting ripped off.
The GrabTaxi App shows your location and the location of the nearest taxis, simply tap in your desired destination, the app then tells you the distance and the estimated fare, confirm your booking and your done. I just downloaded the app myself and have gone through the booking process without actually confirming a booking. The app immediately showed me the nearest taxi and my location, after typing in my destination I was shown the distance and estimated fare. According to early reports this app has some obvious safety features, on confirming your booking it sends you a picture of the driver, his ID and license number, the driver will then call you back to confirm the booking.
Possible downsides of this app: You are not a Thai speaker and the taxi driver does not have a good command of English, hopefully though a mere confirmation should not be any drama. Pattaya meter taxis have previously been reluctant to use the meter, and prices estimated by the app are comparatively cheap. Only time will tell if Pattaya’s meter taxis are going to remain happy using this scheme. If they do it is a huge plus for commuters who were previously reluctant to use them.
GRAB THE APP: The following link contains downloads for all mobile operating systems: https://www.grab.com/th/en/. Don’t want to use the app !, you can still call a local Pattaya taxi service.
Uber Thailand App
The Uber app works in much the same way as the Grabtaxi app. So far as finding your destination I think it works better than Grabtaxi. As an example, I was looking for a ride from my house to Nong Nooch Gardens, just to test the app. When I typed Nong Nooch Gardens into GrabTaxi it persistently identified my destination as an office or agency in downtown Pattaya, whereas the Uber app immediately identified my location correctly as Nong Nooch Gardens.
As for using Uber, I’ve only tried it once so far, that was to book a ride from an industrial estate in Sri racha to my home in Pattaya. It took the driver a little while to find, and given the location I was expecting it, but he found me and delivered me home for the exact amount quoted on the app.