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We figure out which of the resorts in Thailand is better - Pattaya or Phuket. We compare the sea, beaches, excursions, prices and reviews of tourists about Phuket and Pattaya - 2019 to understand where it is good to go on vacation on your own or on a last-minute tour.

Where are these resorts located?

Pattaya and Phuket on the map of Thailand:

Which resort to choose in Thailand:

• Phuket: holidays with children, swimming, beach holiday;
• Pattaya: excursions and attractions, entertainment, separation.

The main argument of Pattaya's supporters is "Phuket gets boring after a few days." But this opinion is individual: it will be boring or fun - it depends only on your needs.

Below in the article we will compare all aspects of recreation in these resorts in Thailand so that you can decide for yourself where it is better to go - to Phuket or Pattaya.

At the end of the article you will find a comparison table of the advantages of each resort, which will help you make the right choice.

Pattaya or Phuket: where is the best weather

When choosing Phuket or Pattaya for a holiday in Thailand, you should have an idea about the climate in these regions of the country.

Holidays in Phuket

In Phuket, it is better to relax in the period from mid-November to April-May - at this time there are no rains, strong winds and waves on the sea, the water is clear, and the beaches are best suited for swimming. It is about the rest during this period that tourists leave the most enthusiastic reviews about Phuket.

The rest of the time (May-October), the rainy season lasts in Phuket: the sky is often overcast and gray, there are waves on the sea, the water can be muddy. It rains often, but mostly in the evenings and at night.

Holidays in Pattaya

In Pattaya good season the period from the beginning of November to the middle of May is also considered for rest. But the rainy season in this part of Thailand is weak, so you can comfortably relax in Pattaya both in summer and in autumn. In addition, due to geographical location there are never big waves in Pattaya.

Read more about the climate and holiday seasons here:

So if it's important to you good weather, it is worth going to Phuket or Pattaya in the following months:

• Phuket: early November - mid-May
• Pattaya: all year (but better - from November to the end of May)

Phuket or Pattaya: where is the sea better

If the purpose of your trip to Thailand is swimming and a beach holiday, Phuket will be preferable to Pattaya. If at the same time you are going to rest with small children, you should not even consider the option with Pattaya - the sea and beaches there are much worse, you definitely should not go to such places with a child.

Sea in Phuket

In the holiday season, the sea in Phuket is clear, with clear azure and blue water, excellent photos are obtained on the coast. The bottom is clearly visible at great depths, the entry into the water on the popular beaches is gentle: you can swim and relax even with small children. The purity of the sea is also evidenced by the presence of representatives of the animal world - crabs, lizards, small fish.

Video from the sea at Patong Beach in Phuket (November):

Sea in Pattaya

In Pattaya, the sea is much worse than in Phuket. There is often garbage in the water, it is cloudy, green in color. Almost no one swims in the city, for this tourists go to the beaches in the vicinity of the city or to neighboring islands - and this will have to spend time and money.

The sea in Pattaya is not so terrible that it was dangerous or forbidden to swim in it, but such swimming will bring much less pleasure than in Phuket.

Video of the sea and water in Pattaya:

Which is better: the beaches of Phuket or Pattaya

In our opinion, the beaches in Phuket are generally better for relaxation than the beaches of Pattaya - they are more beautiful and cleaner, but not as rich in clubs, bars and other entertainment.

One of the main advantages of the beaches of Phuket over the beaches of Pattaya is also the proximity of the sea: to get to a good beach in Phuket, you need to walk 200-400 meters from the hotel, and in Pattaya you will have to go at least an hour.

Phuket beaches

Phuket has over 20 beaches, all located on the western side of the island. The beaches are different, you can find the right one for you.

There is a popular and party Patong - generally similar to Pattaya, but on a smaller scale. There are many bars and discos, there is even its own analogue of the depraved Walking Street - here it is called Bangla Road. Patong has many hotels, restaurants and activities for those who love fun.

There are quiet and beautiful beaches without tourists and hotels where you can admire aquamarine water and natural beauties - these are Tri Trang, Nai Harn, Freedom, Mai Khao.

Finally, there are good beaches Karon, Kata and Kamala - a cross between developed Patong and a quiet deserted coast. It is not as noisy and crowded as in Patong, but it is beautiful, clean and has all the necessary infrastructure for recreation.

Panorama of Karon Beach in Phuket in low season, September (click on one of the arrows if the picture is not visible):

Pattaya beaches

There are also many beaches in Pattaya, but the best of them are those that are further from the city center - for example, Jomtien. However, even Jomtien does not suit many tourists - not everyone swims there.

Panorama central beach Pattaya ( Pattaya beach) in the season - December (click on the arrow if the photo is not visible):

Other beaches within the city are usually even worse. Judging by the reviews of tourists, many people like to meet sunsets on the beaches of Pattaya, but for swimming and beach holidays, tourists prefer to go out of town or to the nearest islands - for example, Koh Lan or Koh Samet.

On the islands, the sea is quite clean, there are beaches with good sand and no garbage. The only negative is that you need to spend at least an hour and 50-100 baht to get to the island.

The best beach in the vicinity of Pattaya is the Military Beach. It is located 30 kilometers south of the city, getting there by moped or car is still more convenient than sailing to the island of Koh Lan. The military beach is valued for its cleanliness, good sand, clear sea - all this is quite a rarity for Pattaya. Entrance to the beach is paid (100 baht = 190 rubles), on weekends there are going to rest a lot of tourists and local residents.

There are also nice beach Nong Ram - it is located a little further, and some tourists like it even more than the Military Beach.

Entertainment in Thailand

What is better in terms of entertainment - Phuket or Pattaya?

There are more good bars, restaurants, nightclubs in Pattaya. In Phuket, of course, they also exist, but not in such large quantities. In addition, the prices for food and entertainment in Pattaya are lower.

Pattaya is known as the "City of Debauchery" due to its Walking Street. At the same time, in Phuket there is a similar street (on Patong Beach) - Bangla Road. There, those who wish can find everything the same as on Walking Street in Pattaya.

Attractions and excursions

It is believed that Pattaya is better than Phuket in terms of cultural component: there are more attractions, and excursions are more diverse.

Indeed, in Pattaya itself and its environs there are many attractions, and getting to them is easier: after all, Pattaya is a city, and Phuket is a whole island. In addition, from Pattaya it is easy to get to other cultural places Thailand - for example, to Bangkok or ancient Ayutthaya.

The sights of Pattaya are the most beautiful park complexes (especially worth noting the Nong Nooch garden), monasteries, zoos.

There is also something to see in Phuket, but there are not many sights, and to get to them, you need to rent a moped or take an expensive taxi (prices start at 800 rubles per train). Excursions in Phuket are mainly by sea - to neighboring islands or to the province of Krabi.

Our maps will help you navigate the sights of Thailand:

Photo: Temple of Truth in Pattaya

Shopping malls and shopping

In terms of shopping and shopping, Pattaya outperforms Phuket: there are many large shopping centers in the city, and if necessary, you can go to Bangkok, which will satisfy the needs of any shopaholic.

Prices for trips to Pattaya are a little more expensive - from 62,000-70,000 rubles for two people (7 nights). For such a price, you can go, for example, to a popular hotel (breakfast included).

Are you planning to travel on a tour? The material Prices for all-inclusive tours to Thailand - 2019 will be useful to you, where we analyzed the cost of tours to different categories of hotels (3, 4, 5 stars) and to different resorts in the country (Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui).

Last minute tours to Thailand: Pattaya or Phuket

In 2019, among the trips to Thailand, there are often last-minute tours to both Pattaya and Phuket. It is convenient to search for such tours through special search engines that compare the price of vouchers from all tour operators - for example, or.

The cost of last-minute tours to Phuket starts from 34,000-39,000 rubles for two people (7 nights).

Last minute tours to Pattaya can be cheaper - we met options for 30,000 rubles for two.

Resort transport

According to many travelers, transport in Phuket is more expensive than in Pattaya, and not as convenient.

Buses and minibuses

Minibuses (songteo) run around Pattaya around the clock, a ticket for which costs only 10 baht (19 rubles). You can get to almost any part of the city by songteo.

In Phuket, minibuses travel only along the routes "beach - Phuket town", a ticket costs 30 baht. That is, to get to the neighboring beach by public transport, you need to go through the center of the island - this is long and inconvenient.

Taxi

Taxi in Phuket is generally the most expensive in Thailand: even for short trip on the nearby beach the driver will charge you 400-500 baht (800-1000 rubles). In Pattaya, the price of landing in a taxi is 30-40 baht (60-80 rubles), plus 6 baht (12 rubles) for each kilometer.

Where is it cheaper to travel on your own?

If you are traveling to Phuket or Pattaya on your own, the cost of a flight from Russia may affect the choice of a resort.

In 2019, the difference in airfare is negligible, but it is likely that you can get to Pattaya cheaper.

Flight to Phuket

Unlike Pattaya, Phuket can be reached by direct flight from Russia. Aeroflot tickets cost from 26,800 rubles in summer and autumn, at other times of the year the price rises to 28,000-30,000 rubles.

To get from the airport to your hotel or beach, you need to spend another 120-180 baht for a minibus / bus or 700-800 baht for a taxi.

Read about the cost of a flight to Phuket and the price of a trip from the airport here:

Calendar with prices for flights to Phuket:

Flight to Pattaya

There is U-Tapao Airport 32 kilometers from Pattaya, but planes neither from Russia nor from Bangkok fly there. Thus, to get to Pattaya, you need to fly to Bangkok and then go by bus or taxi.

For the car.

Calendar with prices for flights to Bangkok:

Phuket or Pattaya: where is safer

Experienced travelers claim that Phuket is safer than Pattaya.

In Pattaya, thefts and robberies (for example, cutting off bags and stealing wallets) happen more often, especially in the center. The city has both quite safe areas and those where it can be dangerous in the evening. The hotter the place, the higher the risk of running into scammers and pickpockets.

Phuket is quieter and calmer, there are much fewer security problems: thefts, although they happen, are much less common than in Pattaya.

At the same time, if in Thailand you behave adequately and not defiantly, the probability of getting into an unpleasant situation both in Phuket and Pattaya is extremely small. Just keep a close eye on your bags and things, do not conflict with the locals.

Pattaya or Phuket: which is better to choose for a holiday

So that you can decide where to go on vacation in Thailand, we have made a convenient table with the advantages of each resort.

What is better in Phuket or Pattaya:

If you are traveling to Thailand with small children, it is definitely better to choose Phuket. In other cases, the decision will depend on your preferences: for parties and excursions it is worth going to Pattaya, for a beach holiday and clear sea- to Phuket.

Video: what is better to choose from Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui:

Need to choose between Pattaya and Phuket? We will help you!

Inexperienced tourists Those who travel to Thailand for the first time are most often tormented by one problem: Pattaya or Phuket? What's better? Where will the vacation be spent as richly and interestingly as possible? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these popular resorts? In terms of popularity, they are real rivals, and in order to determine where it is better to go on vacation, it is worth comparing both places in three positions. Firstly, by the availability of convenient conditions for a beach holiday, secondly, by the financial cost of food, and thirdly, by the availability and accessibility of various entertainment.

Where are the best beaches?

On the first point, Phuket can be called a real leader - this island, on which summer reigns all year round, consists almost entirely of beaches, therefore spa vacation here is perfect. In Pattaya, there are fewer beaches and places for swimming and sunbathing, and there are a lot of tourists (mainly our compatriots). The only thing that this Thai resort can oppose to Phuket is the neighboring island of Koh Lan, connected to Pattaya by ferry, where there are several very cozy corners.

Estimating Potential Food Costs

If you plan a trip to Phuket or Pattaya, evaluating both resorts in terms of high cost, then the latter is more profitable for tourists. Phuket makes its guests fork out pretty much, and this is not only because the number of tourists who come here every year is constantly growing, but also because many products are brought to the island, which is a resort, from the mainland. In general, food here will be about 10-25% more expensive than in Pattaya.

Availability of entertainment in Pattaya and Phuket

It is quite easy to determine which resort is better in terms of entertainment available to guests. Lovers of beautiful landscapes, untouched nature and a relaxing beach pastime can go to Phuket - it's both interesting and inexpensive. For lovers of vibrant nightlife and modern entertainment infrastructure, Pattaya is the place to be, with everything from great shopping opportunities to adult-only pleasures. A variety of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs are also here.

Advantages of Pattaya resort

Comparing both resorts, one cannot fail to say that there are no common standards for evaluation, and each tourist makes a decision solely according to his own preferences. Pattaya has a number of advantages that are worth paying attention to. Firstly, it is a great climate for swimming, sunbathing and water sports all year round, as well as magnificent natural conditions. Secondly, these are democratic prices for accommodation, food, and entertainment, and everything is done by yourself. High Quality. Thirdly, the local population, accustomed to tourists and giving them the most cordial welcome.

• good climate
• democratic prices in hotels
• any entertainment
• population is more familiar with Russians

What is remarkable vacation in Phuket?

The most important advantage of the Phuket resort is that it gives its guests a huge amount of impressions and positive emotions. Generous sun, gentle sea, inviting beaches, an abundance of fresh fruits - this is very close to what is called heavenly pleasure from vacation.

• the opportunity to admire the natural scenery
• more adapted to a beach holiday
• relatively high cost of living and food

To decide on a resort, let's summarize

Pattaya. Its advantages are in the affordability of prices, in proximity to the old and new capital of the kingdom and their attractions, in a milder climate and lack of precipitation. And also - in an active nightlife and an abundance of shopping centers. Disadvantages in poor ecology, dirty sea and coast, crowded, few beaches. Therefore, Pattaya is more suitable for young travelers, friendly companies, party-goers, lovers of "strawberries", as well as for people on a limited budget.

And what awaits tourists on an island with picturesque landscapes? Cleaner coast and air, clear waters, forests, exciting underwater walks, fishing, snorkeling. There are more beaches in Phuket, they are cleaner and more diverse, and there are also much fewer vacationers here. Among the shortcomings of the resort are higher prices, not a large number of sights, a lot of precipitation during the wet period. Therefore, holidays here are recommended for family travelers with children, couples in love, lovers of a peaceful beach holiday and almost untouched nature. For those who do not crave a rich excursion program.

When going on vacation to Thailand, most tourists choose one of the two largest resorts: Phuket or Pattaya - which is better, tourists' reviews suggest.

The most important selection criteria are sea temperature and the presence of waves, the possibility of comfortable accommodation, general climatic conditions, and, of course, prices. If you're on a tight budget, compare two resorts across the board and pick the best one for you.

Sea

The first factor influencing the selection of a resort is the temperature of the water and the purity of the sea. If you are planning a beach holiday, choosing which is better - Pattaya or Phuket, be guided by the season.

Nai Harn Beach, Phuket / [email protected] flickr.com

Phuket has the cleanest sea in winter - the temperature of salt water is kept at 29 degrees, and the transparency is comparable to a diamond. Phuket is generally considered the cleanest resort in all of Thailand - the presence of coral reefs, fish and marine animals testifies to the purity of the sea. Swimming and sunbathing on the beach, especially with children, is better from January to April. And summer is a great time for surfers. During this season, the waves are especially high, but the rest can be overshadowed by winds and rains.

In Pattaya, due to the large flow of tourists, there is no crystal clear water in the sea - it is muddy, greenish in color, with a lot of garbage. The beaches are crowded even in the transitional season. You can swim there from January to May and from November to December - the conditions for this are favorable. From May to October there are strong tides that interfere with swimming.

It is worth noting that there are a couple of islands near Pattaya with a minimum number of tourists. They are washed by the purest water - the bottom is visible even at a depth. One of these islands is Koh Lan, where a ferry departs daily.

Weather

[email protected]/flickr.com

climate and weather- the second most important factor influencing the decision - Pattaya or Phuket. After all, swimming even in the clear sea during the rainy season is cold and unpleasant, and sunbathing is completely impossible.

Pattaya and Phuket are similar in climate - the only difference is that the weather is not bad at the first resort - there are three seasons, two of which are favorable, and one is transitional, from June to October. There are heavy tropical showers, and the rest can be ruined.

During the rainy season, you can also have a good rest, visit and shop to your heart's content. An obvious plus of the low season is the minimum number of tourists around. Another distinctive feature of Pattaya's climate is high humidity. If you can't stand it, choose Phuket.

In Phuket, bad weather begins in June and lasts until October, when vacationers do not risk going into the sea, and rarely sunbathe. But a great season for surfers. Velvet time starts from November, when the weather is hot and dry, and swimming is officially allowed. However, even during the dry season, rain is possible - once or twice a week. Travelers who visit Thailand in winter write great reviews about the trip, noting the transparency of the water, the relative dryness of the air and the absence of powerful winds.

If you do not tolerate heat well, choose Pattaya - the climate there is milder than in Phuket, and the night temperature rarely drops to 20 degrees even in winter. As for nature, Phuket has a pronounced forest belt and secluded beaches, and the air is cleaner and fresher than in Pattaya - any comparison proves it.

Beaches

Karon Beach / yeowatzup, flickr.com

Phuket beaches are more suitable for cultural recreation. You can find a strip of land filled with vacationers and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of general fun, or visit the secluded corners of the island and enjoy snorkeling or diving alone, and meditate in nature. The quietest are Tri Trang, Liberty, Nai Harn, the most crowded is Patong. All beaches, and there are more than 20 of them, are located at a short distance from Phuket hotels, while in Pattaya it takes about an hour to get to the sea.

The beaches of Pattaya are suitable for lovers of active life and bustle - they are filled with restaurants and entertainment centers. But it is better to swim near the islands of Koh Lan and Koh Samet - the coast and water are cleaner there. The cost of moving is from 50 baht, travel time is 60 minutes.

Nong Ram, Pattaya / Thanate Tan, flickr.com

The best beaches in Pattaya itself: Military - a visit to 100 baht; Nong Ram. They are also full of tourists, especially in tourist season.

Housing

The third criterion for choosing a resort is comfortable housing. Both places, Pattaya or Phuket, offer tourists comfortable hotels or daily rent apartments.

Hotels

Accommodation prices are the same - Thailand is territorially stable. But in different seasons, the cost of living is also different. In winter, prices rise.

Estimated cost of accommodation in hotels in Pattaya:

1. Pinthong House (3 *) - 700 baht / day.
2. New Nordic Markus (4 *) - 1000 baht / day.

Cost of living in Phuket:

1. Kata Rocks - 700 baht / night.
2. Avista Phuket Resort– 400 baht/night.

It is more convenient to compare the cost of housing in specific hotels on the websites of agencies that sell tours to Thailand and on tourist resources like booking.com.

Flat

Renting a house is not widespread and is cheaper in Pattaya - this is due to the greater remoteness of apartments from the sea than in Phuket. Lodging in Pattaya is simple, with amenities but no frills. But on the island you can rent a villa of fabulous beauty for a price of $50.

Movement

Dennis Yang/flickr.com

Tourists coming to Phuket on the direction of a travel agency stop on the island itself, and not in Phuket Town. For them, the only means of transportation is a taxi, other modes of transport are simply not provided.

Pattaya has a developed public transport system - you can get from one urban area to another for only 10 baht, and if you pay 20, you will be taken to a neighboring city, like Sirarchi or Sattahip. If you wish, you can even get to Bangkok by sitting on intercity bus and paying only 100 baht for the ticket. Buses run to the capital of Thailand from any corner of Pattaya.

If you are interested in traveling somewhere other than the beaches, skip Phuket and choose Pattaya.

Tours

daniel julià lundgren / flickr.com

Pattaya is considered a resort that is more advanced in terms of attractions. If you are interested in the historical value of Thailand, go there. The excursion set in the city is more diverse - each excursion is thought out so that in a day you can visit several places in the city and even go to explore the nearest regions - or the glorious village of Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand.

In Pattaya itself, be sure to see:

• Nong Nooch garden;
• local zoo Khao Keo;
• national park Ko Chang;
• Temple of Truth and other temple complexes.

There are much fewer interesting places in Phuket - lovers of the sea, water activities and beaches go there. To see the sights of the island, you will need a moped or a rented car - it is too expensive to travel by taxi, from 550 baht. To Bangkok from the island 12-14 hours drive, excluding traffic jams. You can take a plane, but the tour will be expensive. And on the island itself there are no sights that reveal the mysteries of oriental culture.

But sea excursions are amazing - you can go to the nearest islands or to the province with the outlandish name of Krabi. During the trip, you will certainly be offered the possibility of diving and snorkeling - underwater diving with a mask and fins.

In this case, choosing which is better - Phuket or Pattaya, be guided by your own preferences. To be closer to nature, choose a tour to the island, and to people - go to Pattaya.

Entertainment

A.L.P.H.A / flickr.com

If you are looking for active entertainment in the crowd of people, choose Pattaya. The city is famous for its abundance of shopping centers, malls and restaurants, and their range is able to satisfy even the pickiest shopaholic with serious requests. The main thing is to take enough money with you, because spending it in a day in Pattaya is not difficult.

Known shopping centers Resort Pattaya:

1. Central Festival (Central Festival).
2. Royal Garden Plaza (Royal Garden Plaza).
3. King Power (King Power).
4. Mike Shopping Mall.

In any of the centers, branded clothing from popular manufacturers is sold, and prices are comparable to the cost of goods in Bangkok.

In Phuket, the number of shops is two to three times less, and the assortment is small. If your travel budget leaves much to be desired, go to the island - there are less temptations to buy unnecessary things. Shopping centers are located on Patong Beach or in Phuket Town. The main ones are:

1. Jungceylon (Jungceylon).
2. Outlett Mall (Mall Outlet).
3. ocean plaza.

In terms of entertainment, they are available in both resorts, but vary slightly depending on where you are. No matter Pattaya or Phuket, both resorts offer tourists all the possibilities of nightlife.

Walking Street / Roman Lashkin, flickr.com

In Pattaya, the key place for recreation is Walking Street. The name is translated as “street for walking”. The street is lined with entertainment venues:

• bars;
• restaurants;
• nightclubs;
• souvenir shops;
• cafe with exotic shows.

In Phuket, rest is somewhat quieter. The main entertainment for tourists during the day:

• diving;
• snorkeling;
• surfing;
• yachting;
• windsurfing.

If it is important for you to be in a party, among people, choose Patong Beach in Phuket. It also works at night - bars and discos are open there. On other beaches night life is absent.

Finance

The Preiser Project / flickr.com

The cost of a trip to the resort consists of the price of the tour and the financial costs incurred during the trip. Calculate where it is more profitable to go and choose a resort in Thailand that you can afford.

tour cost

In Russia, trips to Thailand are very cheap - 50-60 thousand rubles for two for 8 days, if you order them out of season or "last minute". The cost is about the same and depends on the chosen hotel and transport. Direct flights fly to both resorts, travel time is about 9 hours. But in Pattaya itself, it takes an hour longer to get to the hotel from the airport than in Phuket.

Prices

Tourists claim that Pattaya prices less than in Phuket. Everything is expensive on the island - food, drinks, souvenirs, entertainment. The most expensive beach is Patong, where you can buy mango for 200 baht, pineapple for 50 baht or assorted sliced ​​​​fruits for 120 baht.

In Pattaya, for 40-50 baht, you can order a dinner from a macaroon, and in Phuket, the cost of the same dishes will be 70-80 baht. Fruit shakes in Phuket cost 80 baht, and in Pattaya - only 25. The situation is similar with restaurants and bars.

The only way to save money on food on the island is to buy food in stores and cook it yourself. In supermarkets, prices do not differ. But who wants to “cook” on vacation? It is better to take the time to rest and tan.

Video: Pattaya or Phuket?

Results

Summing up, we can say that each resort has its pros and cons, and the choice must be made, focusing on your own wishes and possibilities. Pattaya is worth a trip if you want to save money on a vacation or are looking for adventure, or maybe a girlfriend. Fans of hanging out and enjoying the architecture of the city should also go to the resort.

Pros of Pattaya:

1. Budget prices.
2. Short distance to Bangkok.
3. Transport infrastructure.
4. Nightlife.
5. No heavy rains.
6. The opportunity to relax in the summer.
7. Comfortable conditions for shopping.

Disadvantages:

• dirty sea.
• few beaches.
• many tourists.

Pros of Phuket:

1. Clean sea.
2. Over 20 beaches.
3. There are secluded corners of nature.
4. Possibility of diving.
5. Sea fishing and excursions.
6. There is a forest belt.
7. Better ecology.

Disadvantages:

• high prices;
• no transport;
• expensive and limited excursions;
• little entertainment.

The hotels are the same in both resorts, the residents are friendly towards tourists and are ready to help in difficult situations. The resort areas are thought out taking into account the needs of vacationers in both Phuket and Pattaya. so there won't be any problems with rest. Choose what you like, and boldly go ahead!

Pattaya or Phuket - that is the question! These are the two most popular resort in Thailand. However, Phuket and Pattaya are fundamentally different from each other. In short, go to Phuket for a beach holiday, tropical vegetation and other exotic things, and go to Pattaya for shopping, transvestites and discos.

Pattaya or Phuket - which is better?

No one will give you a definite answer to this question. Because it all depends on the person and his interests. My opinion is that in Pattaya and Phuket you can have a wonderful rest, no matter what anyone says about these destinations. PTT also has a beach holiday on the island of Koh Lan, and Phuket, of course, also has a variety of excursions, shopping and transvestites in Patong. There is even an analogue of Walking Street.

Phuket is worth going to if you prefer relaxing holiday on the seashore. So, to get out of the hotel to the beach, swim, sunbathe, and one evening go to the city for a party or watch some show. In Pattaya, on the contrary, the city cannot boast of exotic lush vegetation, and to get to a normal beach, you will have to go through a difficult path. But on the other hand, all shops, daytime and evening entertainment will always be within walking distance.

Also, it is believed that Pattaya is cheaper than Phuket, not only for tours, but also for prices in shops and markets. But actually this is not true. In Phuket, the prices for goods and products are the same as in Pattaya. Well, unless you buy food and fruits in stores near the sea, but move a little deeper into the area, the prices there will already be adequate. Only tickets and air tickets are more expensive. Tickets to Bangkok are cheaper by about 3-5 thousand rubles.

Comparison of Pattaya and Phuket

Ease of access

To get to Pattaya, you must first fly to Bangkok, and then get to the city by bus or taxi. Travel time is an hour and a half. To get to Phuket, you need to fly to the island, and then also get to the desired city. Travel time depends on the chosen city and on average no more than an hour. If you are coming on a tour, the transfer will be included in the price. For independent travelers, the following links will be useful:

Hotels

I will not say 100%, but it seemed to me that Phuket hotels are a little better. My personal opinion. Of course, there are very poor guesthouses on it, and PTT has chic five-star hotels. It seems to me that in terms of the total number of quality hotels, this island is still ahead of Pattaya. Especially hotels with good view, near the sea where you can swim.

Sea and beach holidays

Pattaya is a city resort, the beach there is not the best. Some tourists swim, but most disdain. During the tourist season, from November to March, the sea is even more or less clear and clear water, but in the off season, from May to September, the beach and the sea in PTT are very dirty. To swim in clean water you have to go to the neighboring island (Ko Lan).

Phuket is a resort with an excellent beach holiday. One of the best beaches Thailand. The sea is clean, the water is clear. Large wide beaches, Karon and Kata, resemble those of the ocean. In the low season, there may be waves, due to which the water becomes more cloudy. Phuket is definitely more suitable for swimming than Pattaya. If you are going to Thailand for a beach holiday, then only to the island of Phuket.

Beach in Pattaya in the Pratumnak area. Photos during the tourist season


And this is how dirty it is on the beaches of Pattaya in the off season. Bathing is canceled

Our beach holiday in Pattaya goes like this


Patong beach, Phuket


Karon Beach, Phuket


Kata-noi beach, Phuket

Entertainment

Pattaya has a lot of entertainment for children and adults. Water parks, museums, exhibitions, attractions, restaurants, miniature park, various shows, concerts, fashion shows, including among transvestites, and much more. What is Volkin Street worth. Phuket also has all these entertainments, in the same way there are several shows of transvestites (Aphrodite, Sim Niramit), a zoo, a butterfly garden, Buddhist temples, etc. But maybe a little less entertainment for children.

Walking street Pattaya. Bangla road looks the same, only wider

Tours

Travel agencies in PTT offer a variety of excursions, show programs, visits to temples, a zoo, Ayurvedic shops and factories. From PTT you can easily go to Bangkok or Ayutthaya on your own or with a tour. You can also go to Cambodia or even Laos for a two or three day excursion.

In Phuket, tourists are offered not only sightseeing tours around the island with visits to temples and jewelry, latex and other factories, as well as trips to the islands of Phi Phi, James Bond, Similan, elephant riding, waterfalls, artificial rafting, quad bikes, boat trips, diving and snorkeling, various shows of transvestites, elephants and shows for adults. You can take an excursion for 2-3 days in and.

Pay attention, everyone says that Pattaya is cheaper ... But! In Phuket, attractions are cheaper or completely free (Wat Chalong Temple - free, Zoo 300 baht, Bird Park 300 baht). And in PTT, the entrance costs an average of 500 baht per person everywhere (Temple of Truth 500 baht, Khao Kheo Zoo 500 baht, Nong Nooch Garden 500 baht)!

In terms of entertainment, it is difficult to say which is better, Pattaya or Phuket. Both resorts are rich in a variety of excursions and entertainment events, but Phuket is cheaper. .

Pattaya	Phuket

Observation deck in Pattaya Big Budda Hill
Bangkok

Phi Phi Islands

Public transport

Well developed in Pattaya public transport. Minibuses (songteo), which the locals for some reason call tuk-tuks, go through almost all the streets of the city. The fare is only 10 baht. Most minibuses operate around the clock. It will not be difficult to get to any part of the city.

In Phuket, transport is also in order, but there are some nuances that can cause inconvenience. Firstly, the distances are much greater, because PTT is a city, and Phuket is a huge island. You should be prepared for the fact that the road will take time, especially to remote beaches such as Nai Harn or Mai Khao. Secondly, in connection with this, buses are more expensive - an average of 30-40 baht. Thirdly, they do not go as often as in PTT. And fourthly, buses only run until 5-6 pm, and some finish even earlier. Therefore, you can only move around the island in the evening by taxi if you don’t have your own transport.

Minibuses in Pattaya. Go often, cheap


A commemorative photo in front of a pink people truck in Phuket

Long term rental

Information for those who want to live in Thailand for a month or more. In both resorts, you can easily find a decent apartment in a condominium on the beach. Both there and there are houses for rent, which are often cheaper than apartments. There is a large selection budget housing, and here and there you can live in a room for 5-6 thousand baht per month. Rental prices are about the same.

However, in Phuket, since the beginning of the high season, the cost of renting housing near the beaches has sharply increased, almost 2 times. In the low season, from May to September, you can rent nice apartment in Patong for 10-15 thousand baht. But already from November to March, it will cost 20-25 thousand, while housing prices in the center of the island, in the areas of Kathu, Town, Chalong, do not change due to the season. Here is such a feature.

Read more about all the nuances of self-renting housing in Thailand at the links:

Product prices

The level of food prices is no different. Yes Yes exactly. Forget already this myth that Phuket is an expensive island. I don’t know who came up with this, but we have been living here for 5 months now, and most of the products in supermarkets, such as Tesco, Big C, 7-Eleven, are exactly the same as everywhere else in Thailand. Down to the penny. Also, there is no significant difference in prices in the markets and in macarons. High prices are always where there are many tourists. But it's worth a little detour tourist center, as you can already see the usual Thai price tags. Do not be guided by the mangoes on the beach, the same mangoes will cost 2 times cheaper in the market on the third street from the sea.

• - an example of an overpriced market for tourists
• - example of prices in the markets for local
• - an overview of Thai food courts where you can eat together 200 baht

Tsunami threat

In Pattaya, due to its geographical location, there are no tsunamis, typhoons, earthquakes and other natural disasters. The most dangerous thing that happened here was a “flood” up to the ankle. Phuket is more dangerous in this respect. In 2004, the Phuket tsunami killed hundreds of people. Now in Thailand, a tsunami warning system is in place, the authorities assure that they will never again allow such victims.

Security

In general, Thailand is pretty safe everywhere. However, according to statistics, Pattaya has the highest concentration of any unscrupulous public. Since people from all over Thailand, Laos, Burma and Cambodia, including from the poorest provinces, come to work in PTT. We recommend avoiding transvestites, they can distract, and at this time quietly get into pockets / bags and pull out all the valuables. For 4 months of our stay in PTT, there was one case when money was pulled out in a minibus.

Cleanliness and comfort

Pattaya is decently inferior in terms of cleanliness of beaches and tourist areas. In the city itself, during the high tourist season, it is even more or less clean, and in the low season, a lot of garbage appears on the embankment, on the beach and in the water.

Pictured is the embankment of Jomtien Beach

Phuket or Pattaya - where is it better to relax and live?

If you want to know our opinion, then Phuket is better ...

But, to each his own, as they say. Both resorts are good in their own way. Until we ourselves lived in PTT, we had a rather negative attitude towards this city and always preferred Phuket.

Public opinion inspired us that in Pattaya there is dirt, garbage, it stinks everywhere, rats and cockroaches are everywhere, and there are more trances and prostitutes on the city streets than tourists. Then life turned out so well that we moved to live in Pattaya and.

Of course, Thailand is not Europe, and there are streets where it can be not very clean or stink from the sewer, but these streets are usually far from tourist spots. Every city in Thailand has such streets. Thai women and "men" of easy virtue are also not as numerous as expected, separate streets have been allocated for them, where you can just so rarely get into.

As for the island of Phuket, we used to always think that it was insanely expensive, and there was nothing to see on it except for sea excursions ... A few months ago we came to live in Phuket. Now with all responsibility I declare to you that all this is nonsense! The prices here are exactly the same as elsewhere in Thailand, there is public transport and excursions on land and water are no less diverse.

So, if you have already been to Phuket and do not know where to go, then do not listen to anyone, but rather visit Pattaya yourself. Check for yourself which is better, Pattaya or Phuket. Well, if you always come to rest in PTT, guided by stereotypes about the high cost of Phuket and so on, then “take a chance” to see something new and boldly go to Phuket Island!

What to choose, Pattaya or Phuket, if we are going to Thailand for the first time?

It usually happens that unprepared tourists, having seen enough beach photos from some travel agency, visit Patayka, see the dirty sea and dirty city beaches, and then they begin to write bile reviews about the rest in Pattaya, tell friends and colleagues shocking facts, claim that all of Thailand is like that, and in general, they will never go to Asia again ... But you are not like that, since you have come to this article.

A beach holiday in Pattaya looks something like this. Locals do not disdain dirty water

Therefore, in order to decide what to choose, Pattaya or Phuket, first of all, decide how you want to relax? I have already mentioned more than once in the article that people do not go to Pattaya for a beach holiday. If you want to swim in the sea every day, then choose Phuket. And rest in Pattaya means more fun, nightclubs and shopping. For vacationers and residents there, a few trips to Koh Lan are enough to swim. You can swim in Pattaya itself, there is nothing dangerous in this, just the sea can be very dirty.

In order not to be disappointed in Pattaya, keep in mind when choosing a trip that this is not a beach resort.

And it is unlikely that you will be disappointed in Phuket, as the island has not only excellent beaches, but also many entertainment venues and attractions. The island has more natural attractions - 30 excellent beaches, mountains, neighboring islands and provinces.

Unless, all sorts of interesting things are further apart, since the island is huge, as I said, it takes time to travel. For example, you can get from Karon to Wat Chalong by bus in about 25 minutes, and the road to distant beaches, such as, can take about 2 hours due to traffic jams and waiting for the bus to change.

I believe that both resorts deserve your attention, and where it is better to go on vacation for the first time, decide for yourself, based on my recommendations.

Have you already been to Thailand? Where do you like the most?

The category of tourists who have never visited Thailand knows little about the difference between them, suggesting that if they exist, they are very insignificant. It is this circumstance that confuses many when it comes to choosing - you want the maximum return at a certain financial cost.

Tourists are divided in their tastes, some of them want fun, vivid sensations, others strive for a completely different vacation.

If we define this by types, we get two groups:

• The former prefer sightseeing, visiting local parties, getting to know local cuisine, from time to time relaxing on the beach, swimming in the sea.
• The second choose the full dedication of time to the sea, the beach, active sports, diving, isolation from civilization at least partially.

Which is better: Pattaya or Phuket

Most tourists who have already visited Thailand claim that the differences between the resorts are very significant, it all depends on the requirements of vacationers: the presence of sports grounds, or culinary establishments, sightseeing, or everyday spending on the beaches.

If we analyze everything more carefully point by point, separately touching on the climate, prices, number of interesting places, there are differences, and they should be discussed in more detail.

Advantages and disadvantages

In Pattaya, with relative proximity to Bangkok, prices for all types of recreation and goods are lower, while the choice entertainment programs and excursions has an expanded range. This is a definite plus of the resort area.

Considering that throughout the year there are practically no heavy rains characteristic of this climatic zone, best place shopping just can't be found.

Single men who don't mind tasting the local strawberries, budget travelers, party lovers, history buffs, and just interesting places, Pattaya is the best fit. Constant sunny weather does not interfere with excursions and trips to interesting places.

Few beaches, not very attractive due to the dirty water in the sea. They are not popular with fishing enthusiasts and "savages", this is the main disadvantage of Pattaya.

The resort has a large number of tourists from Russia, India, China, who fill numerous bars, restaurants, clubs, noisy events. Pattaya is not the right place for tourists seeking peace and solitude.

Phuket favorably differs by a large number of well-groomed beaches. The water in the sea has a pleasant mother-of-pearl hue and is distinguished by extraordinary purity. There are a large number of beaches for savages, where you can accommodate both a single traveling tourist and whole groups.

Excellent fishing and snorkeling, diving, dense greenery and ideal ecology attract millions of tourists. Phuket is an idyll for tourists who love beach holidays, entertainment and are not interested in anything else. This is a plus of the resort area.

In fact, Phuket is an island connected by two bridges to the mainland. The Similan Islands and the nearby island of Phi Phi conquered lovers of sports, by the way, the Similans are among the top ten the best places on the the globe for diving.

The rainy season is used by local staff mainly for repairs, but for those who want to relax during this period, they can make small financial discounts. Even during heavy rains, the ecology contrasts in quality for the better from the continent.

Climate

Pattaya in this regard compares favorably - it is the most best resort in the country:

The rest of the country, including Phuket, especially during the rainy season, does not look very attractive:

• During the dry season in Phuket rain is sure to “please” once or twice a week;
• During the rainy season (April - October) precipitation falls almost every day for a duration of at least an hour;
• About air purity everything is exactly the opposite - in Phuket it is unlike other regions of the country.
• Relative dryness and warmth lasts almost half a year (November - March) in the middle of the first month of spring, the humidity of the air is already clearly felt.
• April is the hottest month in this part of the country (up to +40 degrees), the peculiarities of the period: frequent rains, thunderstorms, showers.

Location

Pattaya- the closest major resort near the capital (170 km).

In addition, one of the most popular in Thailand and is located on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, this is the southeastern part of the country.

The city is a resort part of the province of Chonburi, this place is famous for the fact that almost all of its territory is the industrial zone of the country.

Phuket- an island resort, which is located in the Andaman Sea (southwestern part of the country). The resort area is 50 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide.

The island is separated from the continent by the Pak Pra Strait. The western part of the island is connected to the mainland by two bridges (Thao Then Krasatri, Sarasin).

The island has an airport, and in the central part is the capital, which has the same name.

Housing cost

Comparing the prices of both resorts, accommodation is more expensive, and will cost significantly in Phuket. The explanation is relatively simple: Thai companies spend a lot of money to deliver goods and products to the island, which is about 800 km from the capital, and this has affected living conditions accordingly.

Prices in the resort of Pattaya start from 5-6 thousand baht per month. In fact, these are pennies, but housing also corresponds: narrow little rooms, often without windows. Nearby, as a rule, there are noisy places: bars, dance floors. From 10 thousand life and conditions are significantly improved, since the price almost doubles, but still, not every tourist who prefers comfortable conditions will agree to the offer.

The price of housing in Phuket the least will cost 15-17 thousand baht per month, subject to payment per day from 1 thousand baht. Service, the condition of housing is several times higher than the level of Pattaya, in fact, everything is very similar to family-type hotels with a classification of three-star establishments.

What to do and what to visit

Although Phuket is a small island, there are many places where you can relax or look at something interesting:

• The Butterfly Garden is located near one of the lakes; there is a silk museum; numerous exhibitions of beetles, butterflies and other insects.
• Orchid garden. Located in close proximity to the Thai village and butterfly garden, a place of unique beauty, where breeders from all over the world constantly come together.
• Handicraft center nearby, it provides samples of folk traditions.
• Twice a day show program provides a classic version of national dances that are performed by the indigenous people.
• Has its own water park, built in 2010 using modern technologies.
• A huge aquarium is modeled for tourists to see., which contains the main species of the tropical water world.
• It also has its own zoo., located on 6 hectares of the island, it also has its own aquarium. Children are very fond of visiting this place: you can ride an elephant, look at unique tropical animals.
• The island has its own temples and local shrines with which many legends are associated. One of them, Wat PraNangSang, is estimated to be 5 centuries old. According to legend, it was built by LuadXao, a lady who was executed for something she did not do.

Pattaya is the real abundance for tourists who love noisy parties, various shows, exciting excursions:

• Stone Park is located 15 minutes from the city center, which is filled with statues of various heights. Next to it is a farm whose task is the production and breeding of crocodiles.
• Elephant village. Tourists have a unique opportunity to watch how wild elephants are caught and trained for work (up to 13,000 of these animals are used in the country).
• The water park is one of the best in the country: snow-white mountains of sand, unique attractions for all ages.
• Nong Nooch Garden is located in a village near the resort. The garden is surrounded by hills with fruit tree plantations.

These are far from all the places listed, nothing has yet been told about the historical past of Thailand, shopping and entertainment centers, about the famous Thai boxing. Unforgettable shows with crocodiles, elephants and other wild animals are a craft for the inhabitants of this country: the skill and secrets of training are passed down from generation to generation.

Service, hotels

The price policy of tourists staying in hotels and service is different, and this is also due to the location of both resorts.

One of them is an island, and the supply of food and other goods to it is, in a sense, limited by the number of service companies.

Although the prices on the island for tourists are higher, the service is pleasing: everything is sparkling clean, the staff is helpful and trained, the kitchen, and other items do not differ from the level European countries. The island has 158 hotels for vacationers of all categories.

Pattaya is inferior to the islanders on all points of service, but everything is also different in price - the cheapness is amazing. Hotels (about 300 only in the center of the resort area) Pattaya are ready to serve all categories of tourists.

Car rental in Thailand

Ticket price

In many ways, the price of the tour depends on the time and place of rest. In the autumn months of the year, when prolonged rainy weather begins in our regions, a small vacation for two can be arranged for 7.5-9 thousand rubles . With a child, it will be a little more expensive, but during this period it is very nice to be a little more in power. warm sea and bright sun.

Beaches

There are more beaches on the island and they are more well-groomed.

There are no noisy companies of people here, the beauty and cleanliness are perfect, the islanders care about a greater influx of tourists and this is noticeable for many reasons: immediately after the rainy season and storms, the beaches are carefully cleaned of debris and ennobled.

Pattaya is deprived of the number of beaches, there are three main and several secondary ones, but they are always crowded with vacationers.

Attractions

On the mainland there are almost all historical places countries, in this respect the islanders are inferior.

Pattaya is surrounded by unique, both in historical and other terms of places: culinary establishments, architectural structures, shopping centers, religion and its shrines.

The programs that are designed for tourists to see are very diverse and impressive, in this regard, Phuket lags far behind.

But not so much as to deny guests the pleasure of diversifying their vacation with interesting excursions.

Prices in Phuket and Pattaya

It is better for shopping lovers to stay in Pattaya, here it is easier both for the price ( close quarters from the capital) and climatic conditions. Phuket's pricing policy is much higher, this requires additional costs from guests of the country.

The main problem in this is the distance from the shopping centers of the country and the additional costs for companies that provide the islanders with everything they need.

Order an inexpensive transfer - a taxi in Thailand

Food and establishments

Tourists can afford two types of food during their vacation. The first option is possible for tourists staying in hotels: there you can make orders both directly during the meal, and in advance, the next day.

The second option gives you the opportunity to try the exotic food of the eastern country in local restaurants and bars. The food of Thailand is something, here you can find a variety of dishes typical of the inhabitants of maritime countries, taking into account local traditions. Some dishes are very unusual, but this only means that not everyone is ready to accept its uniqueness.

Many tourists, upon arrival at home, often visit Thai restaurants to remember the time of rest, and just treat themselves to their favorite dishes.

Shops and malls

The presence of shops and shopping centers is different: again, location played a role resort areas- there are fewer of them on the island and the prices for goods are higher. For shopping for souvenirs and interesting things, you may need to sacrifice one day to go inland, shopping centers and shops are available not only in cities, but also in recreation areas and cultural and historical places.