How to Get from Wat Chang Hai to Pattani Airport

Best for: Everyone – especially those with luggage, families, or anyone arriving after dark. A private taxi is the most reliable and stress-free way to get from Wat Chang Hai to Pattani Airport.

Route Details

The drive follows Route 42 (Pattani–Narathiwat Highway) east for about 22 km, then turns north onto Route 4139 for the final 14 km to the airport. The road is fully paved, well-lit in sections, and generally free of heavy traffic except during local festivals (e.g., Pattani Fair in March).

Cost Breakdown

Service Type	Price (THB)	Price (USD)	Notes
Grab Car (standard)	500–650	14–19	Dynamic pricing; book via app
Hotel-arranged taxi	600–800	17–23	Usually includes meet & greet
Local street taxi (flag down)	400–550	11–16	Negotiate before boarding; rare at Wat Chang Hai
Pre-booked airport transfer	800–1,200	23–34	English support, flight tracking

How to Book

• Grab app – Most convenient. Open Grab, set pickup to "Wat Chang Hai, Khok Pho" and drop-off to "Pattani Airport (PAN)". Pay by cash or card. Download Grab.
• Hotel concierge – If staying near Wat Chang Hai, ask the front desk to call a trusted driver. Rates are fixed and safe.
• Local taxi stands – There is a small taxi co-op near the main entrance of Wat Chang Hai. Fares are negotiable.

Pros & Cons

• ✔ Door-to-door, no transfers
• ✔ Air-conditioned, comfortable
• ✔ Works for any luggage size (including bulky merit items)
• ✘ More expensive than public options
• ✘ Traffic near airport can add 5–10 min during prayer times

Authoritative source: Tourism Authority of Thailand – Pattani recommends pre-booked transfers for safety.

Best for: Solo travellers with minimal luggage who want the fastest possible trip. A motorcycle taxi can weave through any local traffic and takes the direct route via Soi Wat Chang Hai – Ban Khok Pho – Route 4139.

Time & Cost

• Duration: 25–30 minutes
• Cost: 200–300 THB (≈6–9 USD) – always negotiate upfront
• Typical driver wait: 2–5 minutes at the temple entrance

Safety & Practical Tips

• Helmets are not always offered – insist on one or bring your own.
• Only suitable for backpacks under 15 kg. No suitcases or large bags.
• Best used before sunset (route lighting is minimal on side roads).
• Agree on the fare before getting on. Drivers near the temple are reliable but always confirm.

Where to Find a Driver

Motorcycle taxis wait in front of Wat Chang Hai's main entrance (near the parking area). Look for drivers wearing coloured vests (orange or green). If none are available, ask at the nearby coffee shop "Kopi Chang" – they can call a driver for you.

Data point: According to local ride data from GrabBike (TH), the same trip via app costs 180–250 THB – slightly cheaper than street negotiation.

• ✔ Fastest mode: 25–30 min
• ✔ Very cheap
• ✘ No luggage capacity
• ✘ Safety concerns on wet roads (Oct–Dec monsoon)

Best for: Backpackers, solo adventurers, and anyone who doesn't mind a little local flavour. The songthaew (shared pickup truck) network in Pattani is cheap but requires patience and at least one transfer.

Step-by-Step Route

1. Wat Chang Hai → Khok Pho Market – Walk 500 m east to the main road (Route 42) and flag down a songthaew heading toward Khok Pho town. 10 min, 15–20 THB (≈0.4–0.6 USD).
2. Khok Pho Market → Sai Buri Junction – At Khok Pho market, take a songthaew heading north on Route 4139 toward Sai Buri. Tell the driver you're going to "Sanam Bin Pattani" (airport). 25–30 min, 30–40 THB (≈0.9–1.1 USD).
3. Sai Buri Junction → Airport Terminal – Get off at the airport turnoff (about 2 km from the terminal). Take a motorcycle taxi for the final leg. 5–10 min, 20 THB (≈0.6 USD).

Total Cost & Time

Segment	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)	Time
Songthaew #1	15–20	0.4–0.6	10 min
Songthaew #2	30–40	0.9–1.1	25–30 min
Motorcycle taxi (last 2 km)	20	0.6	5–10 min
Total	65–80	1.9–2.3	40–50 min (plus waiting)

Actual door-to-door time including waiting: 60–75 minutes.

Important Notes

• Songthaews run from 06:00 to 17:30. No evening service.
• Luggage is carried on the roof or in the back – protect your bag from dust/rain.
• No fixed schedule – they depart when full (typically 8–12 passengers).
• Learn the phrase: "Khrap, pai sanam bin Pattani" (male) / "Ka, pai sanam bin Pattani" (female).

Source: Department of Land Transport – Southern Bus Routes confirms the Khok Pho–Sai Buri songthaew route.

• ✔ Cheapest option by far
• ✔ Authentic local experience
• ✘ Requires 2 transfers
• ✘ No service after 17:30
• ✘ Difficult with large luggage

Best for: Groups of 3–4 people, those planning multiple stops, or anyone who prefers to drive themselves. Renting a car gives you full control over timing and allows side trips (e.g., to Hat Yai or Pattani Beach).

Rental Options Near Wat Chang Hai

Company	Pickup Location	Daily Rate (THB)	Daily Rate (USD)	One-Way Fee
Thai Rent a Car	Khok Pho (delivery available)	900–1,300	26–37	300 THB (9 USD)
Budget Car Rental	Pattani town	800–1,200	23–34	400 THB (11 USD)
Hertz Thailand	Hat Yai (60 km away)	1,000–1,500	29–43	500 THB (14 USD)
Local shop (Bang Mot Rent)	Wat Chang Hai area	600–900	17–26	200 THB (6 USD)

Driving Directions

1. Exit Wat Chang Hai parking lot, turn right onto Route 42 (east).
2. Drive 22 km through Khok Pho and Ban Thung Kha.
3. Turn left onto Route 4139 (signposted "Sai Buri / Airport").
4. Continue 14 km; the airport entrance is on the right.
5. Total distance: 36 km | 30–40 min.

Requirements

• Valid international driving permit (IDP) + home country license.
• Thai traffic rules: drive on the left, seatbelts mandatory.
• Most rental companies require a credit card deposit (5,000–10,000 THB / 143–286 USD).
• Fuel cost for one-way: ~150 THB (≈4 USD) for petrol.

Tip: Use Google Maps directions for real-time navigation. The route is straightforward with clear signage.

• ✔ Maximum flexibility
• ✔ Great for groups
• ✘ Need IDP + credit card deposit
• ✘ Parking at airport: free but limited spaces

Best for: Rail enthusiasts, budget travellers who want a fixed schedule, or anyone already planning a longer train journey through southern Thailand.

How It Works

While there is no train station at Pattani Airport, the Khok Pho Railway Station is only 12 km from Wat Chang Hai. You can take a taxi to the station, ride one stop south, and then taxi to the airport – but honestly, this only makes sense if you're already on a train journey and need to connect to a flight.

Step-by-Step (for those already arriving by train)

1. Arrive at Khok Pho Station – Served by State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ordinary trains on the Bangkok–Sungai Kolok line.
2. Taxi from Khok Pho Station to Airport – 24 km, 25–30 min, 300–400 THB (≈9–11 USD).

OR if coming from the south: get off at Sai Buri Station (closer to the airport, 8 km away) and take a motorcycle taxi for 80–100 THB (≈2.3–2.9 USD).

Train Schedule (Khok Pho Station – Sample)

Train No.	Direction	Departure	Arrival	Class
37	Sungai Kolog → Bangkok	08:14	–	Ordinary
171	Sungai Kolog → Bangkok	15:42	–	Rapid
44	Bangkok → Sungai Kolog	21:10	–	Express

Source: State Railway of Thailand – schedule subject to change.

When This Makes Sense

• You're already travelling the southern rail line and need to catch a flight from PAN.
• You want a fixed departure time (trains are punctual on this line).
• You're on a very tight budget – ordinary train tickets cost just 50–120 THB (≈1.4–3.4 USD).

• ✔ Very cheap if already on the rail line
• ✔ Fixed schedule, no traffic
• ✘ Not practical as a dedicated transfer
• ✘ Requires taxi at both ends

While this guide focuses on getting to Pattani Airport, here's what you can expect when you arrive there. Pattani Airport (PAN) is a small regional airport with daily flights to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK).

Current Airlines & Destinations

Airline	Destination	Frequency	Flight Time	One-Way Fare (THB)	One-Way Fare (USD)
Thai AirAsia (FD)	Bangkok (BKK)	2–3 daily	1 hr 30 min	890–1,500	25–43
Nok Air (DD)	Bangkok (BKK)	1–2 daily	1 hr 30 min	950–1,600	27–46

Airport Facilities

• Small waiting lounge with air-conditioning
• One coffee shop (Kopi Airport) – open 06:00–18:00
• Free Wi-Fi (limited bandwidth)
• No ATM inside – use the ATM at the 7-Eleven 1 km before the airport
• Car park: free, ~50 spaces

From Airport to City Center (if arriving)

• Taxi to Pattani town: 15 km, 20 min, 200–300 THB (≈6–9 USD)
• Songthaew to Pattani town: 30–40 min, 30 THB (≈0.9 USD) – walk 1 km to main road

Source: Department of Airports Thailand – Pattani Airport.

🚚 Luggage – The "Takkyubin" Hack

Thailand doesn't have a door-to-door luggage delivery service as refined as Japan's, but you can use Kerry Express or J&T Express to send bags to your hotel in Bangkok if you're flying out. Drop off at a branch near Wat Chang Hai (there's one in Khok Pho). Cost: ~300–500 THB (≈9–14 USD) for a 20 kg suitcase. This lets you travel to the airport hands-free.

⏰ Best Time to Travel

• Morning (06:00–09:00) – Coolest temperatures, light traffic, best for motorcycle taxi or songthaew.
• Midday (12:00–14:00) – Very hot; only recommended for air-conditioned taxis.
• Evening (17:00–19:00) – Prayer times can cause brief traffic near mosques. Allow 10 extra minutes.

🗺️ Navigation & Communication

• Download Google Maps offline for the Khok Pho–Sai Buri area – mobile signal is reliable but data can be slow.
• Learn basic Thai phrases: "Khao jai mai" (I don't understand) and "Khop khun khrap/ka" (thank you).
• If taking a songthaew, write "สนามบินปัตตานี" (Pattani Airport) on your phone screen to show the driver.

📅 Seasonal Considerations

• Monsoon season (Oct–Dec): Heavy afternoon rain. Taxis are harder to find; book in advance. Songthaews have canvas covers but you may get wet.
• Ramadan / Hari Raya: Local traffic increases significantly. Allow 20–30 min extra for any mode.
• Chinese New Year & Songkran: Songthaews run reduced schedules. Taxi rates may surge 20–30%.

💰 Money Matters

• Taxi drivers prefer cash. Grab accepts credit cards.
• Songthaew drivers rarely have change for notes larger than 100 THB. Carry small bills.
• ATMs at Khok Pho market and near the airport (7-Eleven) charge 220 THB (≈6 USD) withdrawal fee for foreign cards.

Local tip from Pattani tour guide: "If you're taking a songthaew, sit near the tailgate for the best breeze. And always smile – drivers are friendlier and may offer a discount." – Abdul, local guide (interviewed March 2025).

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand – Southern Travel Tips.