Which is better Pattaya or Phuket reviews. Which is better in Thailand: Pattaya or Phuket? You should choose Phuket if you

Which is better: Phuket or Pattaya? This question is one of the most popular among those who are going on vacation to Thailand and have not yet decided which of these two most popular resorts in the country is better to go to. The question is really important, but there is no clear answer. On the other hand, you can get maximum pleasure from your holiday in Thailand only if you make the right choice between Pattaya and Phuket, taking into account exactly your ideas about holiday. The article presents a large comparison of Phuket and Pattaya according to the most important parameters, which will allow you not to make mistakes and organize your best vacation in Thailand!

For ease of reading and a comprehensive understanding of which resort is best suited for you (Pattaya or Phuket), the most important characteristics are listed in separate paragraphs. Using the links in the content, you can quickly jump to the most important point for you and find out: Phuket or Pattaya will be better for you in this regard. But I still recommend reading (or at least viewing) other comparative characteristics: many parameters are interrelated, each of them is important in its own way for comparison and can quite unexpectedly become decisive in the process of choosing Pattaya or Phuket as the optimal holiday destination.

THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE (you can click on the link for a quick transition)

Phuket or Pattaya – where the climate and ecology are better

When choosing between Phuket and Pattaya, you need to know about the climate in these Thai resorts. Both the island of Phuket and Pattaya are located in the tropics, so there is no winter there in the usual sense. Thailand is a country of eternal summer, but not everything is so simple. The main thing that distinguishes Pattaya and Phuket is their varying degrees of pronounced seasonality. Due to the location of the resorts in the waters of different seas and even different oceans (see), there are significant differences in the weather at the resorts at different times of the year.

Surely many have already heard that in Thailand (like many other countries located in the tropics) there is a rainy season. Often, when this phrase is mentioned, the imagination immediately draws the following picture: streams of rain pour from the sky all day and night, due to which visibility on the street is only a few meters, and there is no question of a beach holiday at this time. If we talk about Thailand, then in reality, a similar picture can be observed in the northern regions of the country (see), but in Phuket and Pattaya everything is much better. But if weather is of utmost importance to you, you should remember that the rainy season in Pattaya and Phuket are different.

Stormy muddy sea and rain are a common occurrence during the rainy season in Phuket

Without exaggeration, Pattaya can be called a resort with the best climate in Thailand, because in fact it is a year-round resort. During the dry season, which lasts from November to April, rain in Pattaya is very rare - 2-3 times a month, and the rain lasts no more than an hour, and more often - 20-30 minutes. During the rainy season in Pattaya (May to October) there is usually rainfall 1-2 times a week. At the same time, such short-term rain almost does not interfere with rest (although a couple of times a year some areas of Pattaya can be flooded for several hours) and brings freshness. And the only drawback of the weather at this time in Pattaya is periodic cloudiness in the sky (which will not prevent you from getting sunburned, if you don’t know).

Unlike Pattaya, in Phuket it rains periodically even during the dry season (usually no more than 1-2 times a week), but during the rainy season precipitation can fall daily and last from an hour to several hours. Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Therefore, do not think that someone is deceiving you when they tell you that they had a wonderful vacation in Phuket during the rainy season and during the two weeks of their vacation there was precipitation only a couple of times - an hour a day. Yes, it may not rain every day. Yes, it can rain after sunset or at night and not interfere with your rest at all. But the opposite situation may also occur, when the rain in Phuket lasts for several days and your vacation at this time will be ruined.

Pattaya Central Beach during short periods of rain (low season)

In addition, it is very important to know that during the rainy season, red flags may be posted on Phuket beaches prohibiting entry into the sea due to high waves. Muddy seas, partly overcast clouds and a high risk of prolonged rain are all obvious disadvantages of Phuket compared to Pattaya, where such a situation is almost completely excluded. Of course, if a beach holiday in Thailand is the main thing for which you are planning to visit this country. will allow you to see the weather at this resort in the Gulf of Thailand, and you can always see the state of the sea and the weather on the tropical island of Phuket in real time using, the best selection of which is also presented on the site and is constantly updated with new cameras.

If we talk about whether Phuket or Pattaya is better in terms of environmental conditions, then the island is somewhat better with this than in Pattaya. And the air in Phuket near the beach villages will always be somewhat cleaner than in the city of Pattaya with more transport and residents, but with less vegetation. The disadvantage of Pattaya is the unpleasant odors from the city sewer manholes, which every now and then reach your nose while walking along the city streets. In Phuket (near some beaches), small muddy rivers, which also resemble sewage drains and during heavy rains easily reach the sea, are somewhat frustrating.

Phuket or Pattaya - where the sea and beaches are better

In this matter, Phuket beats Pattaya, but with some reservations. Firstly, if we are talking about the high season on the island. And secondly, if for comparison we take only the sea and beaches located directly within the city limits of Pattaya. After the end of the rainy season, the sea in Phuket becomes calm and transparent, and its rich blue color is pleasing to the eye and looks great in photographs. Phuket has many more beaches than Pattaya, although the most popular are only a few, mainly in the western part of the island. At the same time, there are many beaches with a gentle entrance to the water and soft white sand, which makes a holiday with children in Phuket more comfortable. The beaches in Phuket are wider than in Pattaya, so even on the most popular ones you can find areas where no one will disturb you.

Karon Beach in Phuket - view of the southern part in sunny weather (high season)

In Pattaya, the beaches are not so good. The central beach is very noisy and dirty. Suffice it to say that during 4 trips to Pattaya I never dared to swim there. On other Pattaya beaches (and there are seven of them in the city (see) the situation is better, but there is no need to talk about ideal transparency, although the water is cleaner than in many Russian resorts. The sand on the beaches of Pattaya has a yellowish tint and a larger fraction. With on the other hand, during the rainy season (which I wrote about in the previous section), the beaches of Pattaya are superior to the beaches of Phuket, or at least not worse, you can see photos and videos of Pattaya beaches in a separate article (link above).

And if we take into account the coral island of Koh Larn, which is located just a few kilometers from Pattaya and can be easily reached by ferry for only 30 TBH ($0.85), then during the rainy season Pattaya generally looks preferable in terms of the sea and beaches. You can find this link and also find out which beaches on the island are better not to choose due to the mass recreation of noisy Chinese tourists. During my last trip to Thailand, I vacationed (and collected information for the site) at several resorts both in the Gulf of Thailand and on the Andaman Sea, but most of all I liked the color of the water and transparency on one of the beaches of Koh Larn island near Pattaya (see photo below).

I am writing all this so that beach lovers are not afraid to go to Pattaya, having heard enough stories about dirty beaches and muddy water. If you don't mind the 45-minute ferry ride to the island and back, a beach holiday in Pattaya will be great. In answer to the question: “Pattaya or Phuket – where are the better beaches?” — we can also add that on most beaches in Pattaya and on the island of Koh Larn there are a sufficient number of sun loungers that can be rented for the whole day for 50-100 THB. But in Phuket in 2015, sun loungers on the beaches were prohibited and now you can sunbathe either on a towel, or on a mat, or on a rented mattress. On the one hand, this makes the beaches more picturesque. But on the other hand, it does not add convenience to vacationers. Diving, snorkeling and sea fishing are better in Phuket than in Pattaya (again in the case of the high season on the island). And active water activities are present in both resorts in sufficient quantities.

Pattaya or Phuket – where air tickets are cheaper

According to this indicator, Pattaya almost always beats Phuket. If we are talking about flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg, air tickets to Bangkok (namely, it is easier and cheaper to fly to the capital’s airport on vacation to Pattaya) cost about 2-3 thousand Russian rubles less than air tickets to Phuket. We are talking about both direct flights and flights with transfers. If the flight is planned to be carried out from other Russian cities (Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, etc.), air tickets to Bangkok are on average cheaper than to Phuket by 4-6 thousand rubles or 15-20%.

In the case of air tickets to Thailand from Belarus and Ukraine, Pattaya (Bangkok airport) definitely wins over Phuket, because the difference in price is on average 30-40%. And in the case of Kazakhstan (flights from Almaty and Astana), the overpayment for a flight to Phuket can exceed 60% compared to a flight to Bangkok. In fairness, I want to note that we are talking about the average price. During special offers from airlines flying from many major cities, the difference in the cost of air tickets to Phuket and Bangkok may not be so noticeable (for example, 5-10%).

Let me remind you that it is better to look for the best price on air tickets not on airline websites, but using a metasearch that scans all airlines and leading air ticket sales agencies at once, so that all experienced travelers can always purchase air tickets at the best price at the time of search. The search form I always use when planning my travels is below. And in order not to miss the opportunity to buy a ticket at the best price, I advise you to additionally read the information on the page and apply this information in practice.

I also remind you that if you absolutely want to relax in Phuket, but air tickets from your nearest airport to this island are much more expensive than to Bangkok, you can always fly to the capital of Thailand, and from there get to Phuket in about 12 hours by bus (there are overnight, allowing you to save on hotel costs). Bus tickets can be ordered and even paid in advance using a reputable service for searching all types (link to the Russian version of the service).

Pattaya or Phuket: road to and from the airport

If we compare which is better - Pattaya or Phuket in terms of the road from the airport to the resort and back, then we must take into account two indicators: travel time and travel cost. When it comes to travel time, Phuket has a slight advantage. The international airport is located directly on the island (in the northern part), so the journey to the popular beaches on the western shore takes from half an hour to an hour (45 minutes on average), depending on the transport you choose and the specific beach. When it comes to traveling to Pattaya from Bangkok Airport (which is located just 110 km from the resort) and connected by an expressway, the travel time takes approximately 1.5-2 hours (also depending on the mode of transport).

Thus, we can conclude that the road from your city to your place of residence in Phuket will be about one hour shorter than when flying to Bangkok and moving to Pattaya. However, in reality this is not entirely true. Phuket is located south of Bangkok, so it is almost certain that the flight time to the island is about one hour longer than to the capital's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Those. the road to both resorts from the city of your departure to Thailand will take approximately the same time. You can also add that when searching for flights to Phuket, you will probably find options that include an additional connection in Bangkok. In this case, the travel time to your holiday destination in Phuket will increase even more.

Now let's compare the cost of local transport. When using a taxi from the airport, Phuket has a slight advantage (about 25%). But when it comes to inexpensive public transport, Phuket, which has its own airport, loses to Pattaya, even taking into account the fact that in the latter case we are talking about a much greater distance. For example: a trip by small bus to Patong Beach will cost 150-180 THB per person, and to Karon and Kata beaches - 180-200 Thai baht (depending on the carrier). The road to Pattaya on a comfortable intercity bus costs from 134 baht(cm. ). And the price difference is enough for public transport in Pattaya.

Local transport in Phuket and Pattaya - comparison

During a holiday at any resort, the issue of mobility is quite acute. After all, very few people spend their entire vacation on hotel grounds (unless we are talking about Turkey and Egypt with all-inclusive hotels). So where is the best local transport - Phuket or Pattaya? This is the first point in this large comparison of resorts, where Pattaya wins an undeniable victory. To get from one end of the resort to the other, for example from north to south, you will only need 30 baht (less than $1) in most cases. And to travel a fairly impressive part of the resort without a transfer you need only 10 baht.

Transport in Pattaya - tuk tuk or songthaew for 10 baht

Patatya's transport system is so simple and convenient that to use it you only need to remember a few routes and transfer points. You can read more about this in the article, which will help you save a lot of time and money during your vacation. Even if you additionally use taxis and motorcycle taxis in Pattaya, your costs for moving from point A to point B within the resort will only rarely exceed 100-150 baht. To visit Koh Larn, you just need to get to the pier (in the very center of the resort) and buy your own ferry ticket (30 baht) or speedboat ticket (150 baht for a round trip ticket, including a free drink on board).

But local transport in Phuket is one of the obvious disadvantages of the resort. Thanks to the strong lobby of taxi drivers (who are rumored to be protected by the Chinese mafia), public transport between the beaches of Phuket is not provided. For tourists, this means one thing: you must either use public songthaew buses for 30 baht to get from your beach to Phuket Town (the administrative center of the island), and from there use similar transport to get to another beach. Those. the road to another beach using even the cheapest public transport will cost at least 60 baht one way. But you still need to get there and back, which requires another 60 baht and a lot of time - the most valuable resource during a holiday in Thailand.

Transport in Phuket - expensive tuk-tuk taxi

Of course, you can use a taxi to travel to nearby beaches. But due to the lack of competition from cheap public transport, local taxi drivers have long lost their conscience and demand 300-400 baht one way for a 5-7 minute trip. And despite the statements of the Thai authorities to finally restore order in this matter and a little “rein in” taxi drivers, the situation has not changed for many years. If you want to go to the islands, you will also have to initially get from the beach to Phuket Town, then to the desired pier and buy a tour there from a local travel agency. As a result, it is much more profitable to rent a car for the duration of your holiday in Phuket or for several days during which you are planning a busy excursion program. It is most profitable to do this right at the island’s airport, but in Phuket Town and on popular beaches you can also find places with inexpensive rentals. The estimated cost of renting a car per day is $25-$30 for a small 4-seater car with air conditioning, an automatic transmission (which is important when the driver’s seat is located on the right) and insurance against theft and damage to the car. Those. for the specified amount, comparable in price to a 20-minute taxi ride, you get a completely different degree of freedom for the whole day. Of course, if you have a driver's license. To rent a car in Phuket, it is best to use the search form below, with which you can select the best available option for your dates from a dozen reputable rental offices.

Hotels in Pattaya and Phuket – where are better and cheaper

During any independent travel, accommodation costs usually account for about 30% of the vacation budget. And the share of these costs increases in proportion to the time spent at the resort. Therefore, it is very important to compare: where are the best hotels - in Phuket or Pattaya and where accommodation will be less expensive. Phuket is more expensive than Pattaya in many ways, and hotels in this comparison are no exception. On average, Phuket hotels cost about 15-20% more than similar hotels in Pattaya. But in this situation it cannot be said that Phuket is definitely losing. Good hotels in a good location (by the sea or near places of entertainment - whatever you like) can be found both there and there. Both resorts feature hotels from a chain of global hotel chains (Hilton, InterContinental, Marriott, etc.) and independent hotels.

Proper planning of your trip to Thailand, in which you study the cost of living at the selected resort in advance and use it to search, will most likely allow you to choose a hotel of the right class, with the right set of services and at a price suitable for your budget. This applies to both city hotels and guesthouses located in areas with active nightlife, and luxury five-star hotels with their own territory on the first line from the sea (there are more of these in Phuket than in Pattaya). Another distinctive feature of expensive hotels in Phuket is that many of them involve accommodation in separate bungalows, often located on hillsides surrounded by well-groomed bushes and palm trees. Such hotels are not cheap, but the view from the rooms is worth it.

In Pattaya, most hotels, even of the highest class, are classic multi-story buildings with areas of varying sizes or without them at all. For lovers of panoramic pools with sea views, I can tell you that you can find these in both Phuket and Pattaya. In the latter case - usually on the roof of the hotel, as in - one of the best hotels in the city according to tourists' reviews, where you should definitely stay for at least a couple of days during your vacation in the city (especially if you want to please your significant other or just impress her ). By the way, you can see the pool of this hotel using one of the Pattaya webcams overlooking the sea.

Food in hotels is approximately the same in quality and variety, especially since in Thailand this is far from the most important point that you need to pay attention to when choosing a hotel. Please note: in hotels in Thailand (no matter where: in Pattaya or Phuket) the All Inclusive system and multi-course meals in general are not developed. Typically only breakfast is included in the room rate. Free Wi-Fi in 2016-2017 is no longer a luxury, but a standard service not only in five-star hotels, but also in inexpensive guesthouses. Therefore, it will be more difficult for you to find a hotel without this service than with it. For those who would like to stay in one of the island hotels located directly on the beach (and in reality there are very few of them), I advise you to look at the selection by clicking on the link.

Pattaya or Phuket - comparison of prices at resorts

Since the prices for accommodation and transport have already been sorted out in the previous paragraphs, it remains to compare the cost of food, drinks, fruits, entertainment and shopping in general in order to understand whether Phuket or Pattaya is better in this regard for relaxation. When going on vacation and planning your food expenses, you need to prepare for the fact that the cost of visiting local cafes and even the prices of street food in Phuket is 30% or more higher. For many items, the difference in prices generally exceeds 100%, i.e. there is a more than twofold difference. Let me give you a simple example. If you eat in Pattaya from mobile street stalls (makashnits), then the cost of a chicken skewers on a skewer is 10 baht, a slightly larger portion of pork is 20 baht, and a large piece of chicken fillet (in the center of the photo below) is 50 baht.

Street food in Pattaya - skewers. In Phuket, everything is 1.5-2 times more expensive!

In Phuket, similar food is offered for 20-30 baht, 30-40 baht and 80-100 baht, respectively. Of course, in some places you can find street food at the same prices, but this will require a lot of searching, especially during the high tourist season in Phuket (usually the lowest prices are at night markets). And there is such a difference in price for almost all goods. Pancakes with bananas or mango (pancakes) in Pattaya - almost everywhere 40 baht. In Phuket – from 60 and above. Even on Walking Street in Pattaya- the center of the resort's nightlife - you can easily find many bars where the price of a bottle of beer starts from 50-60 baht. In Phuket, the minimum price in night bars is 80 baht. An even greater difference in prices can be for fruit, not only from street vendors, but also in large stores (Big C and Tesco Lotus).

The service sector is not lagging behind traders. In Phuket, compared to Pattaya, you will overpay one and a half to two times for Thai massage (classical, foot massage, oil massage and other types), for hairdresser services, for motorbike rental (both for daily rental and long-term rental ), for motorcycle taxi services (the “appetites” of taxi drivers have already been mentioned above), for going to the cinema, for active water activities on the beach (banana, parasailing, jet ski, etc.) – listing everything would take too much time. The conclusion is this: in terms of the cost of a holiday at the resort, Phuket is completely inferior to Pattaya in all respects.

Price of massage in Phuket. Off the beach 100 baht cheaper, but still 1.5 times more expensive than Pattaya

By the way, for those who are interested: close communication with local (more precisely, with those working in Phuket) Thai girls in Phuket will also cost about 1.5 times more. That is why many tourists come to the island with Thai women, previously “rented” for a long time in Pattaya. A very popular question is: “Pattaya or Phuket – where is better shopping?” The answer can be this: approximately the same level, but in Pattaya, of course, everything is cheaper. In addition, from Pattaya it is easy to get to Bangkok, where shopping is the best in all of Thailand (and possibly in all of Southeast Asia).

Pattaya or Phuket – where are the best attractions?

Another important point and another clear victory for Pattaya over Phuket. Almost all the attractions of Phuket can be listed on the fingers of one hand. In addition to natural attractions (observation platforms, waterfalls and neighboring islands), in Phuket you can only note the Old Town (there are colorful streets left over from Europeans in Portuguese and Dutch style), several old temples and a statue of the Big Buddha (which was built in the 21st century). Of course, there are such facilities on the island as a dolphinarium, an aquarium, a butterfly park, a water park, and a show with elephants and snakes. But all this is present in Pattaya, so you can “put it out of the equation.”

Wat Chalong is one of the few attractions in Phuket

If we compare the excursion attractiveness of Phuket and Pattaya, then Pattaya is far ahead. Due to the location of Phuket in the southern part of the country, there are no interesting excursions (not counting sea excursions around the islands) here either. Of course, you can visit the province of Krabi, but this trip is not close and in most cases consists of visiting natural attractions (thermal springs, rocks, lakes). The journey from Phuket to Bangkok by bus takes approximately 12 hours, and cheap flights are not always available.

The Temple of Truth in Pattaya is one of the most beautiful buildings in Thailand

But Pattaya is good for both one-day excursions and slightly longer ones. From Pattaya it is customary to take excursions to the tiger zoo in Sri Racha, the interesting Khao Kheow Open Zoo, and the Safari World safari park in the vicinity of Bangkok. Just a couple of hours by bus - and you are in Bangkok itself, where you can spend your entire vacation exploring the temples and not even visit half of them. But you can also visit the largest in the world, which you can spend a whole day on, the Erawan Museum, the floating market in Bangkok, Chinese and Indian quarters, observation decks on the tallest skyscrapers in Thailand, etc.

From Pattaya, 2-3 day excursions to one of the most beautiful provinces in the center of the country - Kanchanaburi, as well as one-day excursions to the ancient capital of the country - Ayutthaya are popular. Finally, choosing Pattaya as a holiday destination allows you to easily get to the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Samet, as well as take an excursion to the neighboring country of Cambodia with its amazing Angkor Wat temple. To be fair, it can be noted that from Phuket it is more convenient and faster to get to Samui and Krabi, but from Pattaya it is not too difficult to do this given the availability of cheap night buses and proximity to Bangkok.

Pattaya or Phuket - much cheaper tours

As a rule, the cost of ready-made tours to Pattaya is slightly lower than the cost of tours of similar duration to the island of Phuket (when staying in a hotel of the same category, flying on a charter flight and the same type of food included in the package price). This, in general, is quite understandable, because the flight to Phuket lasts longer, and everything on the island (hotels and food) also costs more not only for independent travelers, but also for tour operators). Such a difference in prices is most clearly noticeable when choosing hotels in Phuket located close to the coastline.

Pattaya or Phuket - cost of tours to Phuket (12 nights)

But due to the fact that today everyone who wants to relax in Phuket or Pattaya on a tourist package has the chance to do this at minimal cost, it can be argued that tours to Phuket and Pattaya cost approximately the same. The difference of about $50 for a ten-day tour, which can be either in favor of Pattaya or in favor of Phuket - depending on the chosen departure day - can not be included in the calculation. For those who don’t know yet: it’s better to look for the best prices for ready-made tours to Thailand not on the websites of tour operators, but with the help of special services that accumulate all the hot offers in one place. By the way, last-minute trips in this case mean not only those that involve departure in the coming days, but those with departure within the entire next month and even beyond.

For example, the article contains several screenshots. I used it, which in 95% of cases finds the lowest prices for trips departing from Moscow. If you are interested in flying from another city in Russia, you can additionally check the prices in a competing service - sometimes there are better offers). The first and second screenshots show tours to Thailand (Phuket and Pattaya) with a stay of 10 nights and departure in two weeks (a good time to prepare for the trip) in the second half of November (the beginning of the high season at both resorts). The screenshots do not show the lowest offers for Phuket or Pattaya, but those that meet the general conditions of comparison: 3-star hotels with a pool and breakfast.

Pattaya or Phuket - cost of tours to Pattaya (12 nights)

As you can see, in both cases the cost of a 12-night tour is about 70 thousand rubles for two or approximately 35 thousand per person (about $550 per person at the current exchange rate). Moreover, the price of tours to Phuket is even lower than to Pattaya. The higher price for tours to Pattaya is due to the smaller number of hotels with private pools in this resort. If a pool is not required, it’s easy to find a tour to Pattaya for about 30 thousand rubles per person. The service is convenient in that it allows you to find ready-made tours to a specific resort, and the duration of tours to Thailand can be not only the standard 7-15 days, but any number of days up to 30 (29 nights)!

Thus, it is impossible to give a definite answer to the question: “Phuket or Pattaya - which is better in terms of buying a tour?” After all, modern technologies make it possible to find tours similar in price, amenities and duration to both Phuket and Pattaya. But here it is important to remember that when vacationing in Phuket, your additional expenses will probably be higher than during a package holiday in Pattaya. After all, as has been repeatedly mentioned above in the text, in Phuket almost everything is 20-50% more expensive than in Pattaya.

Phuket or Pattaya – which is safer?

It is more correct to answer this question in terms of the main potential dangers that you may encounter while vacationing in the Land of Smiles. Over the past two years, I have been regularly reading crime chronicles at Thai resorts, so I can say that there is a chance to lose money and valuables in both Pattaya and Phuket. As a rule, thefts and robberies come first, and those responsible for such crimes are most often ladyboys (in both resorts) or guest workers from Burma (in Phuket). Typical victims of such crimes are inattentive tourists in crowded places (pickpocketing) or people walking alone while intoxicated at night (street robberies with possible beatings).

If we talk about general safety during vacation, then in Phuket there is a risk of becoming a victim of a reef current (see), getting injured and burns from dangerous jellyfish of the Indian Ocean while swimming in the sea (usually beaches are closed for swimming if there are such creatures in the water) . Also in Phuket, if an unfortunate combination of circumstances occurs, you can get injured when falling from a motorbike (every year in Phuket, several hundred tourists become victims of road accidents due to poor motorbike control skills and alcohol intoxication). Finally, Phuket is located in the Indian Ocean, which sometimes experiences destructive tsunamis. The last major tsunami, which claimed the lives of several thousand people, occurred in December 2004 and, among other coastal areas, covered Phuket. You can easily find creepy footage of bodies on the shore by searching for “tsunami in Thailand.”

Phuket or Pattaya - which is safer - Tsunami in Thailand 2004

If we talk about Pattaya, then there are no reef currents there at all, and there is also no danger of a tsunami. Pattaya is not only located in the Gulf of Thailand, where there are no tectonic faults in the earth's crust, but also in a rather narrow place in this gulf, where the wave in any case would not have enough distance to gain destructive speed and height. As for motorbikes, there is always a risk of falling off them, but due to the cheapness of public transport in Pattaya, renting motorbikes here is not nearly as popular as in Phuket. However, this does not mean that in Pattaya you need to relax in matters of ensuring your own safety. God saves man, who save himself! Remember this always, wherever you are - in Phuket or Pattaya - and everything will be OK! In separate articles on the site you can find out more about some that are common to all resorts.

Phuket or Pattaya – which is better?

The time has come to sum up this big comparison and determine which resort is better: Pattaya or Phuket. If you carefully read the article, you have probably already determined for yourself the basic criteria that this or that resort meets (or, on the contrary, does not meet). For those who prefer to immediately familiarize themselves with the conclusions, below are brief recommendations on which resort is best for you based on the goals of your holiday in Thailand, and also highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of Pattaya and Phuket in comparison with each other.

Advantages of Phuket over Pattaya:

+ a large selection of excellent beaches within walking distance from your accommodation,
+ clean beautiful sea right at the resort (during high season),
+ availability of interesting sea excursions,
+ possibility of diving and snorkeling,
+ more greenery in the resort and a slightly better environmental situation.

Disadvantages of Phuket:

— weak excursion program;
— a minimum number of interesting attractions on the island and in the region in general;
— little sun, strong waves, rain and muddy water during the low season;
— lack of cheap local transport and arrogant taxi drivers;
- almost all entertainment is on Patong Beach;
— noticeably higher prices for EVERYTHING compared to Pattaya.

Who should choose Phuket?

If beach holidays come first for you during your holiday in Thailand, i.e. The main thing for you is to have a good beach with clean water within walking distance from the hotel, then Phuket is your choice. True, you should be prepared for the fact that the vacation budget, due to the high cost of the resort, will be noticeably higher than when vacationing in Pattaya. And, when choosing Phuket, do not forget about the pronounced seasonality on this tropical island, as well as the fact that the cultural program when holidaying in Phuket will be limited. Also, during the low season, Phuket is perfect for surfing enthusiasts, because there are many special schools here, and in the fall international competitions in this sport are held.

Advantages of Pattaya over Phuket:

+ the cheapest resort in Thailand (a more eventful holiday at a lower budget);
+ year-round resort (no pronounced seasonality);
+ best place for shopping (due to lower prices and proximity to Bangkok);
+ availability of attractions and interesting excursions at the resort and nearby;
+ cheap local transport
+ cheaper air tickets (when flying to Bangkok).

Disadvantages of Pattaya:

— lack of beaches with crystal clear water within the city limits;
— more hotels without their own territory;
- in many areas of the city - noisier than in Phuket (except for Patong Beach);
— the presence of unpleasant odors near sewer hatches (in the first days it can be annoying).

Who is better suited for Pattaya:

If you want to have a good rest on a modest budget and at the same time the main thing for you during your vacation is parties, getting to know the history and culture of Thailand and shopping (at the resort and in Bangkok) - Pattaya is your choice. Also, this resort is more suitable for single men who want to find exotic adventures during their vacation. A beach holiday here can also be excellent, because the resort has many beaches that are easily and cheaply accessible from any part of Pattaya. And if you don’t want to put up with less than clear water on the city’s beaches, just 45 minutes from the resort there is the coral island of Koh Larn with white sand and crystal clear water. At the same time, you can go on vacation to Pattaya at any time of the year, without waiting for the right season. Also, a holiday in Pattaya with children will be much more interesting for the latter, when they are old enough for excursions to amusement parks, water parks and zoos.

Perhaps someone, after carefully reading the entire article, noticed the lack of comparison of the tropical nature in Phuket and Pattaya. Therefore, in the end I would like to add that for real exoticism you need to go to other resorts in the country (for example, to the coconut island of Koh Samui). But if you want not only clean sea and white sand from your holiday in Thailand, but definitely plan to relax in Phuket or Pattaya, I advise you to go to neighboring resorts for at least a few days, which are noticeably superior to both Pattaya and the picturesque beaches in terms of exotic nature and picturesque beaches. Phuket is also better suited for a romantic getaway (for example, for a honeymoon). While on holiday in Pattaya, I advise you to visit the island of Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand, and while on holiday in Phuket – the Phi Phi Islands in the Andaman Sea.

I hope that a large comparison of resorts has allowed all those who have not yet been to Thailand, but are planning to relax in this wonderful country, to more consciously approach the choice of Phuket or Pattaya as a holiday destination. If we draw the main conclusion that “Phuket or Pattaya – which is better?”- there can be no clear answer here. It all depends on the main goals of your vacation, the season and the available budget. In most cases, when choosing Pattaya or Phuket, you have to make some kind of compromise. And you can finally determine which is better for you specifically: Phuket or Pattaya - only by visiting both resorts yourself. I wish you a great holiday and bright positive emotions, regardless of which resort you ultimately choose - Pattaya or Phuket!

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But Phuket is much cleaner, especially where there are no crowds of tourists. And on the beach, the most popular among tourists, the sea is much better than in Pattaya. And on the southern beaches you can generally see fish swimming near the shore.

So that you do not lose the desire to go to Pattaya, we note that there are several near the resort (for example,) where the water is very clean. You can travel to Koh Larn every day by ferry for 30 baht (one way, travel time 45 minutes). If you wish, you can even spend your entire vacation there, since there are hotels and guesthouses (for example, we lived in).

3. Beaches.

Here again Phuket takes the lead.

Pattaya has three main and several minor (small) ones. Much more, and they are wider. Thanks to such diversity, you can choose a corner to your liking - some are quiet and deserted, and some are noisy and party-like. In Pattaya, there are no uncrowded beaches - there are a lot of people everywhere.

4. Ecology.

Half of Phuket is occupied by forests, and in Pattaya there are not even parks left where you can breathe clean air. Of course, there is no such pollution here as in Bangkok or Moscow, but still, in terms of ecology, Phuket is better than Pattaya.

5. Attractions.

But here the island in the Andaman Sea is much inferior to the resort in the Gulf of Thailand. Although there are few interesting places in Pattaya itself, it is only a two-hour drive from Bangkok, where the main cities of Thailand are located. They will introduce you to the history, culture, religion and architecture of the country in full. Inspecting them can take your entire vacation. Plus, in three hours it’s easy to get to the old capital of Thailand, where there is also a lot of interesting things. If you wish, you can go for a couple of days to, which is generally the cultural center of Thailand. There are excursions to other places. The choice is very large.

But Phuket is located “on the outskirts”. It takes 12-14 hours to get to Bangkok or Ayutthaya by bus or you have to fly. It’s also difficult - there are only a couple, plus waterfalls. Everything else is not particularly interesting (like the Butterfly Farm). But the statue was built in the 2000s and has no historical value. Staying on the island will only lift the veil of Eastern culture and give you the most superficial idea of ​​it.

Thus, in terms of attractions, it is definitely better to go to Pattaya.

6. Prices.

10. Visa extension.

This is relevant for those who come to Thailand for a period of 1 month or more. In Pattaya, people usually go to Cambodia to get a visa, and a visa run costs from 2,200 baht. You leave at 7 am and return at 4 pm. Phuket is the cheapest place to travel to Myanmar. Average price - 1500 baht. You leave at 7 o'clock and return at 18-19. This tour can be purchased at any local travel agency. It is worth understanding that this one-day trip is called a visa run or border run and since May 2014 it has become not very popular. And all because the Thai immigration began to strictly ensure that people do not apply for visa-runs, but rather obtain visas. Those. Now it’s impossible to do more than one visa-run in a row, and even then only for those who visit Thailand infrequently.

Diving and fishing are worse than Phuket.

Pros of Phuket: clean sea, large selection (including “wild” ones), excellent diving, snorkeling and sea fishing, good ecology, a lot of greenery.

Cons of Phuket: small selection and (compared to Pattaya), rather high prices, there are waves, a lot of rain and the sky is covered with smaller clouds (basically, they are only on Patong Beach).

Who we recommend Pattaya to: budget tourists, single men looking for a “strawberry”, party-goers, those who want to relax in Thailand during the rainy season and get to know the history, culture, architecture and rich heritage of the country.

Who we recommend Phuket: who goes to the country for a beach holiday and who is willing to pay a little extra for it; couples with children; who have little interest in architectural and cultural sights, but who like to visit islands, jungles, and observation decks.

An article for those who are tormented by the question “ What is better in Thailand: Phuket or Pattaya?" We are considering tours to Thailand Phuket and tours to Pattaya in 2019 from Moscow and St. Petersburg. We talk about prices in Thailand (Phuket and Pattaya) by month. In the article based on tourist reviews, we highlighted advantages and disadvantages Phuket and Pattaya. Also in our article you can see a small footnote “holidays in Thailand Pattaya or Phuket last minute tours”.

Phuket or Pattaya which is better?

Before choosing a tour to Pattaya or Phuket, it is better to decide what kind of vacation you want: beach or sightseeing. Below, based on tourist reviews about Pattaya and Phuket, we have compiled the pros and cons of the main resorts in Thailand. These are the main points that tourists and we highlight in our reviews.

Pros and cons of holidays in Pattaya and Phuket

Sea and beach – Phuket or Pattaya?

If you want to enjoy the clear and blue sea, lie on the marble sand, then it is better to buy a tour to Phuket. Since the beach in Phuket is clean: there are no shells, no garbage, and the entrance to the sea is gentle, it is better to take a tour to Thailand with children to Phuket.

In Pattaya, it is difficult to see a clear sea, but it is still possible. To do this, you need to go to the neighboring islands. The most popular choice is Koh Larn, which is an hour's ferry ride from Pattaya. The cost of a one-way trip is 30 baht ($0.86). The sea on Koh Lan is even cleaner than on Phuket, but prices on the island are high.

Excursions and attractions – Pattaya or Phuket?

For those who want to explore Thailand and have a large selection of excursions and attractions, it is better to buy a tour to Thailand, Pattaya. The choice of attractions and excursions in Pattaya significantly exceeds the choice in Phuket.

Pattaya's proximity to the border allows you to quickly get to neighboring Cambodia; many travel agencies offer tours to Cambodia for 2-3 days. Pattaya is also closer to Bangkok than Phuket. Just 2 hours by bus and you can explore the sights of Bangkok.

The presence of public transport in Pattaya makes many attractions more accessible than in Phuket, where there is no public transport.

We are not saying that there is nothing in Phuket. Phuket is rich primarily in natural attractions: islands, panoramic areas with amazing landscapes, beaches and much more. Thanks to the clean and tidy sea, Phuket offers excellent diving and fishing opportunities.

Prices – where is cheaper in Thailand, Pattaya or Phuket

If you compare the price tags in Pattaya and Phuket, you will immediately notice a big difference - prices in Phuket are about 30-45% higher (some things are even more expensive). Prices are high for everything: fruits, drinks, alcohol, local delicacies. Lunch in a cafe is about one and a half to two times more expensive. Due to the lack of public transport, getting from point A to point B in Phuket will also be expensive.

The difference in prices also applies to souvenirs, clothing, and shoes. So, if you want to do some good shopping, then it is better to choose a tour to Pattaya.

Prices for tours in Thailand (Pattaya and Phuket).

Weather in Thailand – when and where is it better to go to Pattaya or Phuket

It is best to buy a tour to Thailand, to Phuket, only in the period November-March, during the so-called hot season. Arriving in Phuket in any other month, there is a high probability of encountering strong winds, waves and prolonged rains and downpours.

Pattaya is ready to receive tourists both during the season (from November to March) and in any other month of the year.

Tours in Thailand 2019 Phuket or Pattaya

We hope that the information above will help you decide whether Pattaya or Phuket is better for you. Below we will tell you about tours in Thailand in 2019 to Phuket and Pattaya. We will share information about prices for tours to Thailand to Pattaya and Phuket. We will help you choose last-minute tours in Thailand (Pattaya or Phuket).

To compare tours in Thailand 2019, we chose the service because we trust it.

Tour prices usually include:

Tours in Thailand – Phuket prices 2019

Tours Moscow – Phuket prices by month

Minimum cost of a tour to Phuket in 2019 for 7-10 days for 2 people

in January (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 124,471. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from 93,923 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 76,192 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 82,413. ( , Phuket island)

Tours to Thailand in January 2019 are more profitable to buy in the second half of the month, when prices in Phuket change for the better.

Price for tours to Thailand Phuket in 2019 from MOSCOWin February (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 94,892 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from 71,007 rub. ( , Phuket island)

The price of tours to Thailand for February 2019 is lowest at the end of the month, so we recommend buying tours on the 25th (+/- 3 days) of February.

Cost of tours to Thailand to Phuket in 2019 from MOSCOWin March (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 87,098 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from 65,510 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 60,128 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 60,128. ( , Phuket island)

Tours to Thailand in March 2019 decrease in price at the end of the month; it is most profitable to purchase tours on the 25th (+/- 3 days) of March.

Prices for tours to Thailand Phuket in 2019 from MOSCOWin April (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 82,898 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from RUB 64,336. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 55,788 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 57,069. ( , Phuket island)

The cost of tours to Thailand to Phuket in April 2019 will increase throughout the month, so it is most profitable to purchase tours at the beginning of the month on the 5th (+/- 3 days) of April.

in May (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 98,711 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from 70,100 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from RUB 65,724. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 65,190. ( , Phuket island)

Prices for tours to Thailand to the island of Phuket in May 2019 will fluctuate throughout the month, the lowest cost of tours is at the beginning of the month on the 4th day (+/- 3 days) of May. For tours to 5* hotels, the price changes slightly during the month; for hotels of other star ratings, prices fluctuate greatly.

Tours to Thailand Phuket prices for 2019 from MOSCOWin June (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 95,727 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 70,501 rub. ( , Phuket island)

Tours to Phuket in June 2019 will fluctuate throughout the month. The cost of tours is lowest at the beginning of the month on the 4th day (+/- 3 days) of May. Tours in 3* hotels throughout the month are stable in price; for hotels of other star ratings prices fluctuate slightly.

Cost of tours to Thailand to the island of Phuket in 2019 from MOSCOWin July (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 4 stars – from RUB 80,726. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 72,067. ( , Phuket island)

Tours to Thailand on the island. Phuket in 2019 from MOSCOWin August (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 96,201 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from RUB 80,556. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 72,809 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 72,067. ( , Phuket island)

in September (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 99,102. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from 76,299 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 69,082 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 68,897. (Chusri Hotel, Phuket)

Tours to Thailand, Phuket in 2019 from MOSCOWin October (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 100,584. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from RUB 79,259. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 72,809 rub. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 72,064. ( , Phuket island)

If you are planning your vacation in the middle of the month, then Tours to Thailand in October 2016 will delight you; prices in Phuket on the 13th (+/-) are extremely low. Many tours are sold with a 32% discount. At the beginning and end of October, prices for holidays in Thailand and Phuket rise compared to September.

Tour to Thailand Phuket prices 2019 from MOSCOWIn November (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 116,665. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from RUB 93,632. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from RUB 81,352. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 83,198. ( , Phuket island)

Tour to the island Phuket from MOSCOW pricesDecember 2019 (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 157,761. ( , Phuket island)
• 4 stars – from RUB 110,049. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from RUB 102,437. ( , Phuket island)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 99,592. ( , Phuket island)

Tours to Thailand in December 2016, Phuket prices continue to rise. A five-star tour to Phuket is cheapest in the first week of December. All other tours to Phuket in December 2016 are best purchased in the middle of the month (15th). The last week of December is the most expensive in Phuket, as it is close to the New Year holidays.

NEW YEAR TOURS to Thailand to Phuket from MOSCOW in December from 29.12(+/-3) (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 187,360. ( , O. Phuket)
• 4 stars – from RUB 137,283. ( , Phuket island)
• 3 stars – from 124,870 rub. ( , Phuket island)

Tours in Thailand – Pattaya prices 2019

Minimum cost of a tour to Pattaya in 2019 for 7-10 days

Tours Moscow – Pattaya prices by month

Tours to Thailand, Pattaya (prices for 2019) from MOSCOW(7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 94,542. ( , Pattaya)
• 4 stars – from 69,967 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 3 stars – from 70,830 rub. (), Pattaya)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 66,950. ( , Pattaya)

By the end of January 2019, the cost of tours to Pattaya will gradually decrease. It is best to buy tours starting on the 24th of January (+/-3), since at this time prices are the lowest. The most economical offers for tours to a 4-star hotel throughout the month

Prices for tours to Thailand, Pattaya for 2019 from MOSCOWV (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from RUB 81,840. ( , Pattaya)
• 4 stars – from 66,066 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 3 stars – from 62,911 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 62,911. ( , Pattaya)

It is most profitable to purchase tours for the second and last week of February from the 11th (+/-3) and from the 25th (+/-3) of the month; during this period, prices for tours to Pattaya are the lowest in the month. The most budget options for holidays in five-star hotels are offered by hotels and.

Cost of tours to Pattaya in 2019 from MOSCOW (7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 65,881 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 4 stars – from RUB 55,612. ( , Pattaya)
• 3 stars – from 52,457 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 52,427. ( , Pattaya)

Compared to February and January, prices for tours to Pattaya in March will decrease significantly. And during the first half of the month they will continue to decline. Prices will increase significantly in the 3rd week of the month. It is best to plan your vacation from 14 (+/-3), however, a 5* hotel has a very advantageous offer for tours at the end of the month from 28 (+/-3).

Tours to Thailand, Pattaya cost in 2019 from MOSCOW(7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 74,108 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 4 stars – from 66,747 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 3 stars – from 62,602 rubles. ( , Pattaya)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 63,963. ( , Pattaya)

Prices will increase significantly during the month; it is best to vacation in Pattaya on the 5th (+/-3) of April. The most profitable tours in three-star hotels are offered.

Holidays in Pattaya (Thailand) in 2019 tours from MOSCOW(7-10 nights – for 2 people):

• 4 stars – from RUB 82,408. ( , Pattaya)
• 3 stars – from 66,676 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 2 stars and less – from RUB 77,481. ( , Pattaya)

If you want to relax in a 4 or 3 star hotel, then it is better to purchase a tour for the first week of May, with the tour starting on May 4 (+/-3). It is better to purchase tours to five-star and three-star hotels with the start of the tour starting on May 11 (+/-3).

Tours to Pattaya, Thailand 2019 departure from MOSCOW (7-10 nights - for 2 people):

• 5 stars – from 92,789 rub. ( , Pattaya)
• 4 stars – from 73,276 rub. (

Or Phuket? Let's try to understand this dilemma... Very often I hear from my friends who are flying to Phuket a proposal for a meeting. I'm always up for meeting friends, but the distance of more than 1000 km stops me.

Any problem becomes easier if you break it into several parts, we will try to do the same.

Climate and nature

Thailand has a length from North to South of 1860 kilometers and the climate at the extreme points is strikingly different. The terrible combination of words “Rainy season in Thailand” stops many and dissuades them from vacationing in Thailand. But, for example, the rainy season in Pattaya is not at all terrible; you can relax here all year round. But Phuket is clearly playing around in this regard, here the rainy season is scary not so much with rain as with high waves, so many excursions to the islands are cancelled, and you won’t be able to do much snorkeling. During the rainy season, Phuket is a good place for windsurfers to relax when the waves are high.

But Pattaya clearly loses in the beauty of nature, or rather “nature” is completely absent here. Almost everything is cultivated, plowed and processed. Phuket, as a resort, with its islands and beaches, clearly wins in this parameter.

Beaches and sea

If you are only interested in a beach holiday, then the beaches of Pattaya will disappoint you; in the city itself the sea is quite dirty, there are a large number of tourists. In Pattaya, a good alternative to the city beach are the beaches of the nearest island Koh Larn or Military Beach. In this position, Phuket definitely wins! The beaches here are cleaner and more beautiful, there are many more islands around. The most popular beach in Phuket is Patong Beach. It should be mentioned that in Pattaya you will have to swim in the Gulf of Thailand, the South China Sea, and this is the Pacific Ocean. In Phuket you will sail in the Andaman Sea, part of the Indian Ocean.

Entertainment and excursions

There is a lot of entertainment in Phuket and Pattaya and you won’t be able to experience it all for yourself in 10 days of vacation. Pattaya is famous for its entertainment for men, excursions to the River Kwai, crocodile farm, Nong Nooch Park, the proximity of Bangkok with its shopping and entertainment centers also makes Pattaya a big plus. In Phuket, excursions have a maritime bias, numerous boat trips, trips to the islands, diving. In terms of variety of excursions, according to the general opinion of people living here, Phuket loses to Pattaya. But this statement is very controversial, since to each his own.

Pattaya has much more nightlife for both men and women, Walking Street, Beach Street and Second Street and many other places in Pattaya offer adult-only establishments. In other words, there is more debauchery in Pattaya, but this cannot be attributed to a disadvantage, everyone is looking for what they need.

Prices

Phuket is one of the most expensive provinces in Thailand and prices here are slightly higher than in Pattaya. In Phuket, be prepared to pay more for a taxi, food, even a sun lounger on the beach will cost more. Phuket taxi is a separate article, an article about the emergence of the mafia, which does not allow the market to develop freely. Be prepared for the fact that your transportation costs will be comparable to living in a good condo. If you do not drive a motorbike, then budget for transportation costs of at least 500-1000 baht per day.

How to get from Pattaya to Phuket and back?

A direct bus from Pattaya to Phuket departs from North Street in Pattaya. If you stand with your back to Sukhkumvit, then from the Northern Bus Station about 100 meters straight on the left side is the office of the transport company.

• The office is open from 08:00 to 18:00
• Ticket price: 848 regular and 1131 bai VIP class.
• Departure: at 18:00 from the office. You will be in Phuket by 08:00.
• The return journey is not much different. At the bus station where you were brought, you buy a ticket for the same money and at 18:00 you leave for Pattaya.

You can buy a bus ticket online through the Thai ticket booking system. It is now in Russian.

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations today. Below we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of the two most attractive resorts in this country, and you will get the answer to your question - Pattaya or Phuket?

The first city is located in the south of the country and is part of the mainland. Phuket is an island, which is why it has its own characteristics.

It is difficult to answer the question of where it is better to spend your vacation, choosing from two options. First of all, you need to clearly understand what kind of vacation is ideal for you, your family or friends. Having determined this, it will be easier to make your choice.

Beaches

• Pattaya

In this regard, the resort is clearly inferior to its competitors. Firstly, all city beaches are very crowded and therefore quite dirty. The proximity to the noisy large embankment does not play the best role. There are dozens and hundreds of tourists here, taking walks every day, stopping at one beach or another. Only private territories can be considered exceptions, but access there is closed to outsiders.

Secondly, there is a huge number of traders who, like ants, move in different directions along the beach. There are a lot of sun loungers, sun loungers, umbrellas, but they are all paid. The coast is literally littered with such things. It will take more than one minute to find a free seat.

There are also beaches in the northern part of the city. However, most of them are simply unsuitable for swimming: muddy bottom or huge rocky boulders. The only beach worthy of attention is the coast of Koh Larn.

True bliss can be felt on the city's beaches. Firstly, it is beautiful white sand, very soft and delicate.

Secondly, there are a large number of uncrowded beaches. Here, without any problems, you can find a great place to relax by the sea with the whole family.

One of the most popular is Patong. There is a lot of free space, the convenient location allows easy access from anywhere in the city.

You can rarely find garbage here, and rare traders will not bother you during your vacation.

Types of excursions/attractions

If you are aiming to spend an active holiday and get acquainted with the culture and history of the country, then when choosing a resort, bet on the first one. To begin with, you can take a field trip to. This city is just a couple of hours drive from Pattaya. And in the city itself, tourists will be able to see the following attractions:

• Floating Market;
• Tropical garden with orchids;
• Buddha Hill;
• Temple of Truth;
• A park of miniature copies of world-famous structures;
• An aquarium, which is an underwater tunnel;
• Elephant village.

In addition, the city hosts daily performances of various show ballets and theaters for adults. When the sun sets, you can see fascinating and mesmerizing performances here.

A beach holiday in the city can be considered excellent, but the resort is not very rich in attractions. Although here you can find something to look at. For the most part, these are amazing natural places. For example, Phang Nga Bay with a unique rock formation located right in the water. One of the James Bond film series was filmed in these places.

Wat Chalong Temple is one of the most important in the city. This is a beautiful architectural structure, inlaid with small glass details.

From Phuket you can easily get on an excursion to Phi Phi Island. This is one of the most picturesque places in the world.

And, of course, there are many observation platforms that offer breathtaking views of the city, sea and islands.

Weather at the resorts

In winter and spring, the weather throughout Thailand is excellent. Minimum precipitation, high air and water temperatures. At this time, the weather conditions in both cities are good for a beach holiday.

It starts in May and continues until the very end of October. At this time, the weather in Pattaya and Phuket has a slight difference.

In this city, the rainy season passes more gently. Precipitation occurs infrequently, approximately once or twice a week. However, the sky is cloudy almost all the time.

During this period it is less attractive for recreation. Frequent gusty winds, large amounts of precipitation: showers. The sea is rough.

Type of holiday (youth or family)

This city is simply created for young and active people. An incredible holiday atmosphere reigns here almost around the clock. During the peak tourist season there are a lot of people both on the city streets and on the beaches.

Nightlife is represented by dozens of clubs and bars.

This resort is suitable for relaxing with a noisy group of friends. One feels uncomfortable here.

Phuket also has its own types of entertainment for adults. But for the most part they are concentrated in a separate area - Patong.

Other places are calmer and quieter. You can find an excellent hotel by the sea, where a holiday for the whole family will be ideal.

Price policy

Which resort has the best pricing policy? Considering the different positions of the resorts, the pricing criteria can be understood more clearly. The fact is that the island will cost more for vacationers due to the fact that any cargo transportation in this direction requires additional costs.

In this regard, prices for housing, food and additional services are slightly higher. Of course, if you wish, you can always find an inexpensive option if the lack of any additional services does not scare you.

Taxi (from one area to another)

From 1.5 to 2.5 $

Bike rental

To rent, you must have your passport and driver's license with you. Usually local police do not check for the latter, but if you do get caught, you will have to pay a fine of approximately $15.

from 75 $ per month

From $90 per month

Public transport in the resort towns of Thailand is represented by ordinary taxis and tuk-tuks. The latter are a closed body with benches installed inside, usually two of them. These cars can accommodate several people.

The fare in both cases is almost the same. The price of tuk-tuks is quite high. As experienced tourists advise, be sure to negotiate the price in advance and do not hesitate to ask again and remind. Drivers of this transport rarely know at least basic words in English.

Advice! Don't swear, raise your tone, or argue if the price offered doesn't suit you. In Thailand, you will not solve the problem this way. It's best to simply find another more accommodating carrier.

Pros and cons of resorts

After carefully studying the information presented above, you can draw conclusions regarding the positive and negative aspects of each city.

In addition, the activity of the city at night can be considered a plus or minus. The rating for this criterion depends only on personal preferences. If we talk about a young group of friends, then for them the presence of nightclubs and bars is a clear plus.