On the eve of the season, HotLine.travel publishes comparative reviews of resorts in Thailand
Thailand promises to be one of the most popular destinations in the coming winter. Despite the fact that this destination has been popular with Russian tourists for many years, not everyone understands which resort in this country is best suited for them. In this article we will tell you where it is better to go for families with children, youth groups or those who dream of silence and solitude. Let's figure out when the season is on the islands and the mainland, and when you risk falling into the rainy and stormy season; where and where is more expensive; where it’s more fun, and where it’s calmer.
Pattaya - a classic of Thailand
A traditionally popular destination for beach and resort holidays in Thailand among Russian-speaking tourists is holidays on the mainland of the country. This is, first of all, the world famous Pattaya and the less popular Cha Am and Hua Hin. All of these resorts are located approximately one and a half to two hours' drive from Bangkok's Suvanaphumi Airport, but in opposite directions.
Pattaya is “the city that never sleeps”, “the city-sex resort”. Both titles are true. Yes, indeed, whoever seeks will find. Easy and fast. But this does not mean at all that you cannot go to Pattaya with children, young and older. The current mayor of the resort city took control of the situation, and everything became more decent and modest than before. Even on the local “Arbat” - Walking Street, a cheerful street of nightclubs, bars with live music and entertainment, you can go for a walk with the whole family, because there are the best seafood restaurants, the open terraces of which go directly into the sea. We must admit that tourist reviews about the beaches of Pattaya are not the best. The purity of the water leaves much to be desired. The beaches of Pattaya are completely occupied by paid sun loungers, but Wednesday was declared a free day, there are no sun loungers, on Wednesday you can lie down and sunbathe wherever you want.
A very big advantage of Pattaya is its relative cheapness, a huge amount of all kinds of entertainment, the presence of hotels of different price categories, located both in quiet and in very busy areas of the city. For travelers who value clear seas, trips are offered to the nearby island of Koh Larn, just half an hour by shuttle boat or 10 minutes by speedboat, or to the beautiful beaches around the city. In and around Pattaya there are many interesting and varied excursion routes, including for families with children, in particular, petting zoos and farms (with fascinating shows of elephants, crocodiles, tigers and other animals), a dolphinarium, and a recently opened water amusement park , the Nong Nooch tropical garden with a colorful national performance and an orchid section, and much, much more. Therefore, this resort can be safely recommended to young people, families with and without children, and newlyweds.
Conclusion: Pattaya is an inexpensive resort for a varied and active holiday, suitable for tourists with a wide range of income levels and preferences.
Hua Hin or Cha Am?
Hua Hin is rightly called a royal resort, since there are actually two residences of the Royal Family of Thailand. Accordingly, Cha Am and Hua Hin are calmer and more fashionable and, as a result, more expensive holiday destinations. For comparison, renting a sun lounger on the beaches of Pattaya costs on average 50 baht, in Hua Hin - from 100 baht. These resorts are the oldest in the country, and therefore are of interest in terms of historical architecture and original buildings. A large number of excursions are offered to these towns, their surroundings and neighboring provinces, some of them really deserve attention. The advantages of these resorts are wide and not too crowded beaches and a fairly clean sea, which is rare for the mainland of the country.
Conclusion - Cha Am and Hua Hin offer a relaxing family beach holiday for not the most budget-conscious travelers.
The concept of seasonality of holidays at all these resorts is relative, travelers from all over the world come all year round, but still in April and May the hottest time is here, and from the middle of the calendar summer the rainy season begins, which reaches its peak in September and ends at the end of October - early November. However, these warmest tropical showers occur mainly at night, and if it rains during the day, it usually does not last long. But traditionally the best time to visit the mainland is considered to be the period from November to March.
Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Chang
Perhaps the best resorts in Thailand are the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui. Phuket is considered the most expensive resort, but, perhaps, nowhere else in this country will you find such clean and beautiful beaches. Around Phuket there are many islands with idyllic landscapes and clear water, to which trips are organized. This is, for example, the Similans or James Bond Island. There is also something to see on the island itself.
Koh Samui has been developing very actively in recent years as a tourist destination; holidays there are also not cheap, but life here is calmer and more leisurely than in Phuket. There are several beautiful waterfalls on the island. Around is the Ang Thong National Marine Park of 42 islands, including Koh Phangan, where the famous Full Moon Party is held on a full moon; this is a kind of Thai analogue of Ibiza.
Perhaps Phuket can be recommended to all categories of travelers with an above-average travel budget. It is better to go to Koh Samui for newlyweds and those looking for peace and solitude. But don't forget about Koh Phangan - it's for those who want to have fun!
Perhaps lovers of a relaxing holiday will also like the small, cozy and very inexpensive island of Koh Chang, around which there is also a marine reserve with dozens of inhabited and uninhabited islands. The rainy and stormy season in Phuket is from May to September, on Samui - from October to December, on Koh Chang - from April to October.
Thailand, despite its remoteness, has long been rightfully included in the top tourist destinations. In a relatively small area there are magnificent temples and palaces, impressive beaches with white sand and turquoise sea, majestic mountains, and fast rivers flowing through the jungle... People come to Thailand to get everything at once: to touch the history of ancient civilization , experience the thrill of active recreation, enjoy delicious authentic cuisine, and, where would you be without it, carefreely soak up the sea.
Season
The rainy season begins in July, but strong storms are not uncommon as early as early May. Therefore, it is better to go to Thailand from the end of November to the end of April. Better yet, choose January-February. During the calendar winter, the air is not too humid and the sun is not very scorching. In addition, after the Christmas and New Year holidays, the number of tourists decreases.
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Beach holiday
The length of the coastline of Thailand is 3200 km. A significant part of it is occupied by the most beautiful, postcard-perfect beaches. There are places here both for lovers of “wild” recreation and for admirers of first-class service.
Excursion holidays
Each part of the country has its own cultural and natural specificity. It's no joke, Thailand has 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the archaeological site of Ban Chiang, the historical cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex and the Thung Yai and Huay Khakhaeng wildlife reserves.
Northern Thailand is part of the so-called Golden Triangle - the territory within which the first states of the peninsula arose. The main attractions of the region are located in the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The Northeast is a kingdom of wild nature: forested mountains, fields and national parks. Central Thailand is famous for its historical monuments, most of which are located in Bangkok with its mirrored skyscrapers and hundreds of Buddhist temples.
However, there is a lot of interesting things within the main beach resorts of the country - Phuket and Pattaya. At the first, you can get acquainted with the culture and tradition of the kingdom and the peoples inhabiting it in the colorful Thai village and at the show “Fantasy”. And the cultural “must-visits” of Pattaya are the famous pedestrian Walking Street, the Floating Market, the Elephant Village, various shows and cabarets.
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Leisure
Lovers of active recreation will find freedom here. Trekking with an overnight stay in the jungles of Northern Thailand, elephant riding on Koh Samui, ATV travel around Chang, rafting in the Mekong - this is just a small list of activities on land. Many courses: Thai cuisine, kickboxing, massage, yoga. You can try your hand at mountaineering on the Pranang Peninsula, not far from Krabi. Professionals and beginners in rock climbing will find equipment shops and rental shops here.
There are even more options at sea - from diving and snorkeling on Phi Phi to multi-day treks to the wild, uninhabited islands of the west coast. Almost every equipped beach has boat rentals and entertainment such as kitesurfing or jet skiing. At popular resorts you can go spearfishing or fishing.
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Festivals
One of the main holidays of the country is Songkran, or Thai New Year. The celebration lasts 3 days in April. At this time, local residents pour water on each other: from water pistols, cups and even buckets. The only way to stay dry is to not leave the house.
Another bright Thai holiday is Boy Krathong in November. At this time, candles in baskets made of banana leaves flow down the rivers. In Chiang Mai, locals add their own touch to the holiday by sending thousands of paper lanterns into the sky.
All inclusive
In the vast majority of hotels, only breakfast is offered as food. But the all-inclusive system is extremely rare, and these are entirely expensive “fours” and “fives”. Economy options (cheaper than THB 6,300 per night) are difficult to find. For example, in the Phuket hotel Les Palmares Villas you can stay for 9,000 THB per day, and in the budget Tri Trang Beach Resort for a double room they will ask for a modest 3,100 THB.
The lion's share of all-inclusive hotels is located in Phuket and Koh Samui; in other resorts this is very rare. Among the most popular.
We talk in detail about prices in Thailand for tours, hotels, food, transport and tickets in 2019. Where is it cheaper to vacation? Comparing Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. We give tips on how to save money.
In this article we look at three locations in Thailand: Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.
Exchange rate: 1 Thai baht (THB) ≈ 2 RUB.
Ticket prices to Thailand - 2019
Ticket prices to Thailand depend on the city of departure and arrival, airline and time of year.
Pattaya. There are no direct flights to Pattaya from Moscow and St. Petersburg - you need to go to the city from Bangkok. There are direct flights from Irkutsk.
Phuket. Tickets for direct flights from Moscow cost 30-50 thousand rubles, with a transfer - from 25 thousand. From St. Petersburg, a flight with a transfer costs from 25 thousand, a direct flight – from 80 thousand rubles. Learn the tips.
Do you like comfort or are you traveling with your family? Book a transfer from the airport in advance using the service.
(Photo © Andy_Mitchell_UK / flickr.com)
Prices for tours to Thailand - 2019
The cheapest tours are those departing from Moscow, and there are more offers from the capital. A little more expensive - from St. Petersburg.
Prices are for tours for two with departure from Moscow during high season.
Bangkok. Tours for 7 days cost from 85 thousand rubles. True, few people fly to Bangkok on a package tour - mostly on their own.
Pattaya. A week-long tour costs from 60 thousand rubles. 60-70 thousand cost vouchers to a 1-3* hotel on lines 2 and 3 without meals or with breakfast. But tours to 4-5* hotels on the 1st line with full board cost from 180 thousand rubles, on the 2nd or 3rd line - from 120 thousand.
Phuket. Prices for tours to Phuket in 2019 are approximately the same as to Pattaya. Weekly vouchers to a 1-3* hotel on line 3 - 60-70 thousand rubles. "All inclusive" in a 3* hotel - from 80 thousand, and in 4* and 5* - already from 130 thousand rubles.
It’s impossible to say for sure where it’s cheaper to holiday in Thailand: Phuket or Pattaya. Prices for tours are approximately the same - last-minute tours can be found to both resorts.
Food in Thailand: prices for food and dishes in cafes - 2019
Prices for food in shops, cafes and restaurants in Thailand depend on the resort: Phuket is the most expensive, followed by Pattaya, but the cheapest and tastiest place to eat is in Bangkok.
Prices in supermarkets in Thailand
In general, in supermarkets in Thailand, prices are approximately the same for many products, but something is different: for example, fruits in Phuket in Big C are a little more expensive than in Pattaya.
Here's how much basic food products cost in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket using the example of Big C and Tesco Lotus supermarkets:
| Milk (1 l) | 40 baht |
| Water (1.5 l) | 13 baht |
| Fresh bread | 30-40 baht |
| Croissants (5-6 pcs) | 25-35 baht |
| Banana cupcake | 50 baht |
| Trays with food (meat, vegetables, rice and omelet) | 15-35 baht |
| Eggs (12 pcs) | 50 baht |
| Substrate with sausages | 25-30 baht |
| Half a grilled chicken | 65 baht |
| Vegetable salad with egg | 35 baht |
| Watermelon (1 kg, price depends on the variety) | 15-50 baht |
| Papaya (1 kg) | 40 baht |
| Bananas (1 kg or 1 pack) | 20-40 baht |
| Pitahaya, or dragonfruit (1 kg) | 45 baht |
| Coconut (1 piece) | 25 baht |
| Salak (1 kg) | 80 baht |
| Longan | 65 baht |
| Peeled durian (1 kg) | 800 baht |
| Unpeeled durian (1 kg) | 230 baht |
How much does alcohol cost in Thailand? Beer (Singha, Chang, Leo are the most popular brands) for 0.6 liters costs approximately 53 baht, cider (0.3 liters) costs about 32 baht, Spy and Full Moon wine drinks cost 32 baht. Red Bull energy drinks are popular - 10 baht per bottle.
For cut fruits, prepared foods and baked goods there is discounts: for baking all day, for the rest - after 6-7 pm.
It seemed to us that it was more profitable to buy products in Tesco: There is more variety and discounts, and overall it’s a little cheaper. One day we bought sliced pineapples (300 g) there for only 6 baht! The same substrate in Phuket in Big C costs 59 baht - 10 times more expensive.
Groceries from Big C and Tesco Lotus can be ordered online and delivered to your home.
(photo © superUbO / flickr.com)
Prices in cafes, convenience stores and food courts
Bangkok. Tasty, varied and affordable food can be eaten at Chinatown: there are desserts (from 20 baht), dishes on average from 35 baht (rice, noodles, soups).
In makashnitsa you can have a snack on kebabs (5-10 baht) or drink a shake (from 25 baht). It is difficult to die from hunger in this metropolis and food prices are the most attractive in Thailand.
We bought fruits from Tesco and Big C: pineapples - 19 baht per piece, chopped carambola - about 20 baht, mangoes - from 50 baht.
Pattaya. At the resort, we often ate at the food court in Big C, as it was clean, cool, cheap and had a lot of choice. Dishes cost 40-60 baht. To buy food, you need to purchase a special card at the entrance to the food court. Money is placed on it - and you pay it.
Pattaya has many cafes, street cafes, and bars. The closer to the center and busy streets, the higher the prices.
Here are approximate prices:
- padtai / rice with meat - 40-60 baht;
- kebabs - from 10 baht (pcs);
- necks - from 25 baht;
- banana pancakes - from 40 baht;
- beer in bars - 50-70 baht.
Phuket. This is a more expensive resort compared to Pattaya. For example, in Patong, in street cafes, dishes cost at least 60-70 baht. In cafes and restaurants, a main course costs from 100-150 baht. The most expensive restaurants are near the coast, where dishes start from 150 baht. You can eat inexpensively in local cafes, ready-made food in Big C, as well as at night markets.
Here are approximate prices:
- padtai / rice with meat - from 60 baht;
- kebabs - 20-40 baht (pcs);
- necks - from 50 baht;
- banana pancakes - from 60.
- beer in bars - 80-100 baht.
Market prices for fruits
Fruits in markets and street stalls in Pattaya are inexpensive, but in Phuket they are a little more expensive. For example, in Patong the cheapest place to buy fruit is not in the markets, but in Big C and from farmer pickups.
Prices vary depending on the season, decreasing during the rainy season when most fruits ripen.
| Pattaya | Phuket (Patong) | |
| Mango (kg, price depends on the variety) | from 60 baht | 20-200 baht |
| Papaya (kg) | 40 baht | 50-60 baht |
| Pink apples (5 pcs) | 20 baht | 50-70 baht |
| Pineapples | 20 baht | from 20 baht |
| Mangosteens (kg) | 80 baht | 200-250 baht |
| Sapodilla (kg) | 40 baht | 50-80 baht |
| Longan (kg) | 120 baht | 100-120 baht |
| Tamarind (kg) | 100 baht | - |
| Salak (kg) | 60 baht | 30-60 baht |
| Jackfruit (substrate) | 20 baht | 20-50 baht |
| Rambutans (kg) | - | 150 baht |
Accommodation in Thailand: hotel prices in 2019
Housing can be rented inexpensively. During high season, book your accommodation 2-3 months in advance. If you are going for a long time or traveling with family or company, rent a house or apartment - it is more convenient and economical. It is more profitable to rent housing for a month or several months at once.
Prices are for two people per night.
Where to look for inexpensive housing? Choose hotels on Roomguru.ru - there you can compare hotel prices for all major booking agencies. Find apartments and villas on Airbnb.ru.
Bangkok. In the city center, as a rule, you can find a room from 500-1000 baht, a hotel from 600 baht, apartments from 700-1700 baht.
Pattaya. The resort has many offers of apartments and houses. Prices for decent hotels start from 400 baht. Rooms cost from 350 baht per day, an apartment can be rented for 700-2000 baht.
Phuket. There is plenty of budget accommodation on the island. Prices depend on the beach, distance from the sea and conditions. Hotels start from 400 baht, rooms - from 300 baht. Apartments cost the same as in Pattaya - 700-2000 baht, there are many offers for 1000-1500 baht.
Transport prices in Thailand
Pattaya. Songthaews (also called tuk-tuks) ply around the resort; travel costs 10-20 baht, depending on the route. Travel from the bus station to the hotel is 30 baht. Ferry to Koh Larn - 30 baht one way. Bus from Pattaya to Bangkok - 120-180 baht. Minibus to Don Muang Airport - 180 baht.
(Photo © Roberto Trm / flickr.com)
Introductory image source: © Heidi & Matt / flickr.com.
For our tourists, Thailand has long symbolized an amazing opportunity to “escape winter.” Bright but not scorching sun, gentle sea, snow-white beaches and golden pagodas of temples - a land of elephants and smiles. Another attractive fact is that Russians can spend 30 days here without any visas or permits.
Of all the countries, Thailand has the most modern and developed infrastructure, an unimaginable amount of beauty and attractions, a vibrant and unusual culture, the hospitality of the local population and low prices. The main expense item for tourists is travel expenses. The flight is long, airlines, taking advantage of the popularity of the country's resorts, keep prices high. Traveling to Thailand can be quite inexpensive if you explore all the possibilities for an inexpensive vacation and know a few secrets of saving money in exotic countries.
Road
The number of airlines offering flights from Moscow or St. Petersburg, as well as from other large cities in Russia, is very large. Direct flights are usually slightly more expensive than connecting flights. The time chosen for rest also matters. Thailand's highest season is winter, especially the New Year holidays. In summer, tickets from Russia also become somewhat more expensive. You can save on travel expenses in spring and autumn.
The price of a ticket to Bangkok and back fluctuates around 300 euros. When companies announce sales, the price may drop to 150-175 euros. But such tickets need to be “caught”. The cheapest way to fly to Thailand is by planes from ETIHAD and QATAR. They offer flights with a transfer in Dubai or Dahab, the wait at the airport for a transfer is from 3 to 12 hours.
“Catching” a discount is not easy. But there is a way out: you need to register on airline websites and subscribe to news on destinations of interest. The same needs to be done on all possible airline ticket reservation sites.
Many companies announce happy hours at night, and not more than 3-4 hours. At this time, tickets to many destinations can be purchased at a 50-70% discount. All that remains is to keep an eye on your mailbox.
Of course, you need to plan your trip and look for a ticket 6-8 months before the intended flight.
Housing
Finding an inexpensive hotel in the capital of Thailand is not a problem. For 10-12 euros you can find both a place in a hostel and a double room in a 2* and 3* hotel. Public transport in Bangkok, and in other cities of the country, is very cheap, so the location of the hotel relative to the city center is a rather conditional factor.
But prices in the capital are not an indicator for the majority of tourists who come to Thailand for the sea, beach pleasures and a carefree holiday away from the blessings of civilization. Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Pattaya - behind each name is a tourist paradise with many exotic and serene adventures.
Approximate prices:
- A double room in a Phuket hotel and guest house does not cost more than 14-16 euros. This offer applies to those hotels that offer bed + breakfast services.
- A modest bungalow or room in a regular Krabi hotel can easily be found for 7-15 euros per night. A room (bungalow) with a fan is cheaper than one with air conditioning.
- Koh Samui offers tourists bungalows a stone's throw from the sea for 8-12 euros (with a fan).
- In Pattaya, a studio or double room with air conditioning costs from 9 to 13 euros per night.
The prices shown apply to small and modest hotels. Five-star pleasures in Thailand cost at least 100 euros per night. But such spending makes no sense in a country where everyone values moderation and considers the refusal of luxury to be a virtue and the most important good.
Food: where? What? how much?
As elsewhere in the world, prices in cafes and restaurants aimed at tourists are much higher than those that are received mainly by local residents. Tourist legends are replete with “facts” about happy travelers who spent no more than 1 euro a day on food. The legends are not too far from the truth, but they still lie. If you eat exclusively street food (mobile carts with a wide variety of local dishes), you can easily spend 3 euros per person.
Lunch in a cafe offering European dishes will cost 6-8 euros. Dinner at a well-known restaurant can cost up to 20 euros per person.
Prices are very different, and so is the quality of food. It should be remembered that if in a “regular” cafe you can ask for a dish not to be too spicy, then when you buy food from a street vendor, you will be eating what the locals eat, for whom spice is everything!
Eating on your own (if you choose accommodation with a kitchen) you will have to spend approximately 5-7 euros per person per day. In any resort town there are inexpensive supermarkets where you can buy products quite familiar to Europeans.
Thai cuisine is varied and mind-blowing in taste. An abundance of fruits, fish dishes, soups, meat and vegetable dishes: everything here is unusual and interesting. Of course, here you can eat like in Europe; not so long ago, Russian eateries appeared in the country, where they offer dumplings, cutlets, pies and pies. But was it worth making such a long journey to deprive yourself of culinary adventures? What is a must-try in Thailand?
Thais don't eat fried bugs. Surprised? In fact, these exotic delicacies are prepared especially for tourists. Such snacks are only used during crop failures or economic and political turmoil. The last time Thais experienced such disasters was in the 50s, even before the country became popular among tourists.
Nowadays, the basis of Thai cuisine is rice, noodles, vegetables, fish, meat (pork and chicken), fruits and a wide variety of spices, herbs and peppers. Among the many dishes, there are several that have long conquered the tastes of people around the world.
Soups
Most often, soups in Thailand are spicy broths, in which not everything is edible, but is designed to create a symphony of flavors, very different, but creating a surprisingly harmonious harmony. The most famous Thai soups are:
- Tom Kha - a spicy soup based on chicken broth and coconut milk with ginger, herbs and pieces of chicken;
- Tom Yum - hot and sour soup based on meat broth and many herbs;
- Kung Som Pak Ruam - exotic cabbage soup (cabbage is an indispensable ingredient), served with omelette and acacia leaves.
Vegetable dishes
Vegetarians have plenty of freedom in Thailand. There are dishes that are understandable to Europeans, but most vegetable dishes are undoubtedly exotic:
- Kung Massaman - potatoes stewed in coconut milk with nuts and cinnamon;
- Pad Pak - hot salad of fried green beans with basil and chili pepper;
- Khao Nyug Ma Muang is a mango filled with sticky rice.
Kung Massaman - Thai dish Meat dishes
Chicken and pork play the most important role in Thai cuisine, all dishes are hearty, and the portions are always simply huge:
- Kai Ji Mu Sap - omelette with minced pork and spicy herbs, served with hot rice;
- Moo Dad Dai - pork kebab that has been marinated for a long time in a mixture of soy sauce and rice vinegar;
- Khao Mok Gai - fried chicken with rice, an abundance of herbs and spices make this dish completely unusual for a European.
Fish and seafood
Seafood delicacies are prepared especially well in Thailand; fish dishes are served in all cafes and restaurants in the country; they cost no more than meat dishes, and their taste is simply outstanding:
- Pla Plu - fish stuffed with herbs, grilled in a salt coat;
- Yam Pla Duk Fu - fried catfish soup with sour mango and shrimp;
- Pla Ka Pang is fish stewed in a sauce of lime juice and green pepper.
The most common and inexpensive grilled shrimp here are incredibly delicious and unique.
What to see? Things to do?
Anyone who is going to Thailand for the first time will find everything here interesting. But there are a lot of attractions and exotic entertainment here, it’s easy to get confused and miss something especially interesting.
You need to focus on the tourist beauties that are located in the area of the country where you are vacationing:
- Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is rich in tourist delights. In addition to visiting palaces and Buddhist temples, you should definitely go to the market, take a boat ride on the river, attend a Thai gymnastics lesson on the lake, and enjoy the rich nightlife of the city;
- Chiang Mai - Thai mountains, nature reserves, elephant rides, numerous master classes on preparing local gourmet dishes;
- Pai - waterfalls and thermal springs, this is where the best massage parlors and spa centers in the country are located, a place for relaxation and meditation;
- Krabi - in addition to amazing beaches and warm seas, there are a lot of natural parks, you should definitely rent a boat and explore the caves, and also have the most romantic sunset in the world;
- Phuket - spa, massages, the opportunity to take a wellness course, special camps for those who want to lose weight (two-week program - from 450 euros, guarantee - 5-6 kg per week; program with full board, accommodation and personal trainer - from 500 euros /week), surfing and gastronomic paradise;
- Phanom Rung - the main thing here is a thousand-year-old temple, the “house of Shiva”, spiritual practices, a secluded vacation for those who are tired of civilization;
- Chiang Rai - there is no sea here, but there is an abundance of stunningly beautiful temple complexes, elephant farms and beautiful nature;
- Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Siam. Buddhist stupas, historical monuments. Most of the city's attractions are recognized as treasures of world culture;
- Koh Phangan Island - the main attraction is beach parties on full moon days: fire shows, traditional dances, wild discos and excellent restaurants. A place for tourists who come for unbridled fun;
- Kanchanaburi is a tiger temple, here you can not only see these predators, but also pet cute “cats” and walk around the territory of the sacred place;
- San Kampeng - hot healing springs and silk manufactories. Here they not only improve their health, but also buy clothes made of natural silk, at the price of cotton robes; Bangkok - capital of Thailand
In any city in Thailand, you can safely go shopping for clothes, souvenirs and accessories. Prices here, even for the most famous brands, are much lower than in Europe (everything is made in neighboring Malaysia and China).
The country's sexual industry is also well known throughout the world: transvestite shows, porn circus, etc. It is important that the entertainment is legal and safe. You can learn about legal entertainment from the booklets that will definitely be in the hotel.
Holidays in Thailand have long won their fans. The main advantages of this distant country are: accessibility, low cost, a good combination of historical attractions, friendly resorts and Thai identity. We can definitely say that tourists will have something to do in the vastness of the Asian country and something to see.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until June 30:
- AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AF2000TGuruturizma - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.
And you will find many more profitable offers from all tour operators on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!
Today we are going to talk about how to have a cheap holiday in Thailand, give some advice to novice tourists and reveal some of the secrets of the exotic country.
The fact is that any vacation involves expenses, which can be divided into mandatory and optional. The first group includes: flights, cost of accommodation, meals, etc. Accordingly, optional expenses include: payment for additional services at the hotel, visits to paid beaches, clubs, rental of transport, etc.
Our first piece of advice will concern proper planning of your budget. The final cost of your trip depends on how you prioritize, what expenses you consider obligatory and what you can refuse. For example, experienced tourists know that you can save on food if you take care of cooking yourself. At the same time, you need to conduct reconnaissance and find where the cheapest products are. Thus, food prices are more affordable in markets rather than in branded stores.
For those who are going to Thailand on their own, we recommend that you study our guide.
No less important in terms of savings is the right choice of hotel. When you book rooms online, study all possible offers, consider the positive and negative aspects of the establishment, and read reviews from guests. Believe me, even in the cheapest hotel you can relax in comfort. And you will only need the room for overnight stay. Here are a few hotel options that offer a good combination of price and quality: The Famous House in Pattaya, The Little Moon Residence in Phuket, Happio Guesthouse in Bangkok (located just 300m from Khao San Road).
Walking around the city
You can save a lot on tourism in Thailand by refusing taxi services. The fare for such transport is quite high, and taxi drivers are not at all opposed to making extra money from inexperienced and gullible tourists. And you will soon feel how expensive it is for your wallet to use the services of such a carrier.
A good alternative to a taxi would be a motorcycle, which you can rent from one of the specialized companies. But to do this, you need to have a Thai driver's license, skills in handling two-wheeled vehicles, and also have insurance that covers the possibility of injury during an active tourist holiday. Otherwise, no company will agree to cooperate with you.
Make active use of public transport. For example, in Pattaya and Phuket you can save a lot of money by traveling by minibus. The fare will range from 20 to 50 baht per passenger, depending on the distance.
If you love sightseeing, never buy several excursions from one guide. The fact is that the cost of services of such specialists is prohibitively high and includes additional fees for “mythical security.”
How to celebrate New Year in Thailand - read our article.
It's even better if you go sightseeing on your own. You won’t have to overpay guides for their dubious services, because many of them have long developed a scheme for making cheap money from tourists. Plan your excursions correctly and combine visits to several interesting places. For example, when visiting the aquarium in Pattaya, we recommend checking out the Makro low-price store. It is in these shops that you can buy vegetables, meat, potatoes, pasta and many other products at the best prices. But it is better to buy fruits at the market.
Shopping Features
It's no secret that the lion's share of expenses comes from purchases. And here we also have some practical tips that will allow you to cut costs during your holiday in Thailand.
What to bring from Thailand - a review of the best souvenirs.
First of all, make it a rule to never buy anything on the beaches or during excursions. The beach is the most expensive place where you can buy food at a huge overpayment. It is more practical and profitable to either take food with you or buy it in nearby stores. The situation is similar with excursions, where the Thais will want to sell you any trinkets at an incredible price.
When making any transaction, do not forget to bargain. This is the norm here, so there is no need to be ashamed. As a rule, sellers are ready to significantly reduce the price of souvenirs and other products. If you master the art of bargaining at a high level, you can buy the product you like several times cheaper than its original cost.
And finally, we note: you should not visit restaurants serving Russian cuisine. Such establishments are designed for our compatriots who are accustomed to “wasting money.” All dishes here are very expensive.