As mentioned in other posts, the public bus is only 130 baht (or whatever), its usually pretty quick, drops you at the North Pattaya bus station.

A couple of days to see all Pattaya has to offer. Its actually a small place.

Most anything on beach road will be loud. I have never stayed at the fancy hotels (Hilton or similar) so I couldn't say if they are better.

Tourists go to Soi 6 (Pattay Beach Road), walking street, beach road. Locals go to Soi Bakhao. I would google those places and find where you want to stay in relation to those locations... The closer you are the louder it will be.

Shouldn't be too difficult to find. Get a pocket full of cash, go down to Nana station after 2:00AM, you can get whatever you want.

@Jay ***

Yeah I am not necessarily replace your phone - but if you try on another device (tablet) or other phone, you can rule-out your phone as being the problem. I am not familiar with your situation but I use the app on my phone without problem, I suspect 1000's if not millions of people use it so the app work, mostly.

You can go back an try your phone a dozen times but if nothing changes you really should expect different results.

I am just trying to be helpful

Try a different phone?

You could apply for a visa now. Come into Thailand on a visa exempt, stay 30 days, fly to Malaysia for the week. When you return your visa should be ready, that's almost 6 weeks from now.

@Martin ********

They're generally not that great at house work. Some will do it. Few will do it well.

huh?

@David *******

Have you done this recently? I used to do this but I haven't done it since before covid.

In the past I have used bus tickets from Hat Yai to Penang $12/USD. I haven't done it for awhile so I can't say for certain it will still work.

If you've never been to Thailand they're probably not going to scrutinize your paperwork too closely.

I think it's less of a concern that immigration will give you hassle but rather the airline when you check-in.

@Wayne ********

I agree!. I don't know the costs of visa from NZ but they said they'll change the 30 day exempt to 60 days, that may happen before you need it.

You can cross land border twice a year for a visa exempt. You can fly for visa exempt as many times as you like.

If you have outside of Thailand travel plans then there really isn't a "need" for a vsia.