The People’s Ride – From sunburnt tourists and solo travelers catching the breeze, to grocery-laden families heading home, there’s always room on Pattaya’s timeless baht bus. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) PATTAYA, Thailand – For more than four decades, Pattaya’s iconic songthaews — better known to tourists and locals alike as baht buses — have quietly carried the city’s lifeblood through sun, rain, and rush hour. These blue open-air pickup trucks, retrofitted with two benches in the back and a roof overhead, may not have air-conditioning or app-based tracking, but they offer something that no Grab taxi or minivan can: freedom, familiarity, and a front-row seat to the rhythm of the city. Whether it’s a group of sunburnt friends hopping off at Central Festival, a solo tourist catching the sea breeze along Beach Road, or a local family heading home with groceries piled on their laps, the baht bus remains a staple of daily life. No matter who you are, there’s always space to jump on — and for just 10 baht on the main routes, the price is still unbeatable. While competitors like Grab, Bolt, and air-conditioned taxis have tried to shake things up, the baht bus has never really lost its grip. It doesn’t need surge pricing or an app. It simply shows up, runs its route, and gets the job done. That simplicity, combined with accessibility, is part of its enduring charm. But there’s a small catch: if you’re hiring a baht bus off-route or for private use, always agree on the fare before getting in — and be clear about exactly where you’re going. Otherwise, you might find yourself on a scenic detour that costs you double. Many drivers are fair, but it’s still a town that runs on negotiation. Some might call the baht bus outdated. But for many, it’s part of the Pattaya experience — a moving postcard, a shared moment between strangers, and sometimes, a rolling adventure through the chaotic, colorful streets. Pattaya changes fast, but as long as the roads stay open and people need to move, those blue baht buses will keep circling the city. Reliable. Undefeated. Iconic.