Places not to visit in Thailand 1 (especially if you're a crap shot) - Shooting Range, Pattaya

The Pattaya shooting range was a bit of a disappointment. Having thumbed through the various guidebooks and leaflets of stuff to do in Pattaya, I came across an advert for the shooting range. The prices seemed pretty good, something like 300 baht for the lane, and 400 baht for 12 rounds. I've never fired a handgun before, although I have shot clay pigeon two or three times. Seeing as the weather at the time was pretty awful, we decided to take a look.

The shooting range is located next to the Tiffany's show theatre (blog about that here), and is easy to find. Once we arrived, the car park was completely empty, never a good sign. We walked through into the shooting range and surprise surprise that was deserted as well, aside from a cashier and two guys who looked like they should have been jumping out a SWAT team vehicle. Enquiring after the cost to shoot, we were told that it was 1400 baht for 12 rounds, double the price of all the advertising I had seen, and so I was a bit narked off and felt like walking away. Should have really.

But we were there, so, after forking out, myself and the old man went for the 9mm bullets (another mistake / excuse that I will explain later).

There is nothing at all wrong with the guns, instructors or the range itself. I plugged away my 12 rounds, and my 1400 baht, within a couple of seconds (another reason I was left a bit disappointed, even though it was entirely my own fault). The old man got more for his money, taking an era over each shot, but missing anyway. His excuse later on was that 'he couldn't see anything,' dubious; but nevertheless explaining his tragic performance. Mine wasn't any better, I think I had one head shot and one in the shoulder. At first I thought it was pretty good, but as the target came whirring towards me, the instructor tutted and whispered to himself 'mai dee', in this instance translating as 'crap'.

And that was it, twenty five quid up the spout, in less than thirty seconds, almost like a bunk up with your local Pattaya good time girl (that's a joke, I have no idea what the rates are, or average speed of delivery).

So unless you are loaded up with cash or have a burning need to fire a handgun, I wouldn't bother with the Pattaya shooting range, there is nothing wrong with the equipment, environment or the shooting, but the rates advertised are misleading.

I have since found out that firing a 9mm at close quarters is near enough impossible to get accurate, hence explaining why we couldn't hit a barn door. That's good enough for me, deep down I know I am a crack shot!

Comments

[Pattaya Good Time Girl]

Twenty five quid!!! You could move in and get fed for week for that!

[dannyboy]

You need to watch more Bruce Willis films. Thats how to shoot properly. Alternatively, next time you're in Laos or Cambodia for a few days see about going shooting there. Lot cheaper and AK's and RPG's are a lot more fun.

[Jack B.]

Wow - that's like ~$40...

For that kind of scratch at my local range in central Virginia you could have rented the range for an hour, rented whatever type of weapon you fancy from your standard Glock, or a 9mm converted AR-15 to even a full auto 9mm Uzi and about 150 rounds...

The full auto stuff of course would have been fun for all of about 2 minutes... :-)

Thanks for the review, that will save me some beer money on my next trip!

[The Thai Pirate]

Pattaya Good Time Girl - LOL, bed and board as well eh! Jeez, now I know we were robbed.

Watch out for a future post on firing RPG's in Cambodia LOL ;)

[Matt B]

Useless, should have had your man excuses lined up better, pulled shoulder from from heavy Muay Thai session would have sounded much better than being hopeless with a gun.... when the revolution comes you've had it fella!

BTW, £25?? One girl? One night? are you crazy.. LOL

[The Thai Pirate]

Thanks Matt B, as I intend to be leading the revolution, hopefully I will have people to do the shooting for me.

And my guys will have RPG's!

[Catherine]

Good grief that's expensive!

I'm right by a shooting range in Bangkok. And since I've always loved guns, thought I'd give it a try (used to lug a Ruger in my car when working late).

But not at that price... I'd rather go for a supersize massage.

[The Thai Pirate]

:) Absolutely Catherine, think they may have saw us coming! If I ever try the Bangkok one I will blog about it, also, I like your language site, will check it out as I'm desperate to get better at Thai as quickly as possible.....