This mysterious and beloved Thailand! What tourists can not do in Thailand Thailand what is there

The exotic state, located on the Indochina peninsula, invariably attracts Western guests. The tropical climate allows you to enjoy the warm waters of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand all year round. Thailand gives tourists endless opportunities for both active and romantic and relaxing holidays.

Subtleties of the climate

There are three seasons in Thailand:

1. Hot, lasting from March to May, is characterized by the highest air and water temperature, aridity.
2. Last minute tours to Thailand in rain season often scare away tourists - and in vain. The rains do not pour around the clock, but only in the early morning or at night - then the sunny weather is restored.
3. Chill, the most popular season among tourists, lasts from November to February. Prices are usually higher at this time and the crowds are at their highest.

Flight and currency

If your trip to Thailand lasts less than a month, you will not need a visa. To stay longer, it is enough just to symbolically cross the border with a neighboring country, and then return to Thailand again. Direct flights are carried out by Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, Thai Airways, S7 Airlines. Many other companies offer connecting flights. The flight from Moscow to Bangkok lasts 9.5 hours.

There are many exchange offices in Thailand, in crowded places they are found literally at every step. Upon arrival, you can cash out some money right at the airport. However, it is not worth changing the entire available amount there - the course in cities and resorts is often more profitable. You may need a passport to exchange. The largest banks in the country are Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikorn Bank.

Major international airports:

• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the largest international airport. From the terminal to the city center there is a direct surface metro City Line. You can take a taxi, which will cost 300-500 baht. It is not necessary to call, just follow the "Public Taxi" sign in the airport building. From Bangkok, you can buy cheap flights to anywhere else in the country.
• Phuket Airport (HKT). You can get to the hotel by minivan (100-180 baht), bus with a fixed route (100 baht), or by taxi (from 1000 to 3000 baht depending on the beach of interest).

Nutrition issues in Thailand

Like in many Asian countries, there is a cult of food in Thailand. True, the dishes are predictably spicy, but the local waiters are accustomed to tourists and their taste preferences. To explain that you don't want to "swallow fire", just say "middle spicy" or "no spicy" and you'll be understood.

The buffet in the hotels of the country is rarely practiced, and there is a reason for that. Food in Thailand is affordable and inexpensive, and there are a lot of cafes or street food outlets around. To limit yourself to state-owned food with such a platter is simply a sin. One of the brightest national "chips" of the country is the so-called moccasins. With this word, Russian tourists refer to transportable kitchens, for which Thais sell freshly prepared food.

Thailand has its own food supermarket chains. Among Russians, Big C, Tesco Lotus and Macro are the most popular - the prices here are quite affordable. Supermarkets often have their own bakeries and food courts. Payment is made by deposit: first you need to purchase a card, then put money on it, and then go with it to choose dishes. Prices depend on the particular institution, the average price for a seafood lunch is 50-100 baht.

Thailand Hotels

The country's hotels are truly diverse: here you can find an option for any wallet. The following networks can boast the best combination of price and good location:

• Ibis (Phuket);
• Absolute Resorts & Hotels (Pattaya, Phuket, Samui);
• 13 Coins Hotels & Resorts (Bangkok, Nonthaburi);
• Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas.

Fans of creativity should pay attention to unusual hotels in the country:

• Reflections (Bangkok). Each room has its own original design and painting, which involved local prominent artists;
• Kaeng Krachan Boathouse Paradise. The hotel is located in the beautiful national park Kaeng Krachan by the lake. The rooms delight with decoration in the national style, and if desired, guests can settle in a bungalow.

  The hotels accept both cash and cards. In most cases, in addition to payment, a deposit is required, which is returned upon departure.

Five places to visit

• Royal residence in Bangkok. The palace consists of many buildings, includes majestic halls, temples, libraries. Please note that only visitors in closed clothes are allowed into the territory.
• Similan Islands. The archipelago is covered with virgin jungle and has white sandy beaches. This place is considered one of the best for diving not only in Thailand but throughout the world.
• Wat Rong Khun. The temple is not ancient, it was built at the end of the 20th century. However, the sophisticated snow-white complex is worth seeing and immersing yourself in a fairy tale.
• 127-meter Buddha statue in Nathompathom. It is the largest Buddha image in the world.
• Samphran Elephant Sanctuary. Here you can not only admire the living symbols of the country, but also ride them.

Traditions and holidays

The Thais are a fun people, and if you catch a charter to coincide with one of their festivals, you will get a lot of impressions. New Year in the country, one might say, is celebrated three times: according to the European calendar, Chinese, and on the national holiday Songkran. The latter is celebrated in April, during the heat season. The main tradition of the holiday is connected with this: residents pour water on each other, and this is often done on elephants.

Those who come in early February should see the flower festival in Chiang Mai. Girls bring mountains of flowers to the parade, sew luxurious outfits for themselves and compete in beauty. Another visual delight is Loi Krathong, a celebration of the goddess of water that takes place during the rainy season. Residents launch home-made or purchased boats with a candle on the water. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is not so much a holiday as a spiritual act, where residents indulge in eccentric rituals.

Tourist cautions

Compared to many other Asian countries, there are not many rules in Thailand. Residents are very supportive of tourists, smiling, trying to offer help. Existing prohibitions are mainly related to the topic of religion or etiquette. It is prohibited in the country:

• Speak disrespectfully of the Buddha, the Royal Family, desecrate temples and religious buildings;
• To export from the country images of the Buddha (except for medallions), items made of elephant skin, gold and jewelry. For the import or export of narcotic drugs, punishment up to the death penalty is due;
• Joking with local women about the sex industry. There are very few real taikas among the workers in this sphere - mostly emigrants from neighboring countries are engaged in this;
• Touching the head of local residents is considered a sign of disrespect. It is best to avoid physical contact altogether, especially with women;
• Sunbathing completely naked;
• Of the novelties, something that you don’t even have to think about, but in Thailand they give a prison term for the transportation of various vape devices, such as electronic cigarettes and hookahs;
• Thais are very offended when a guest refuses a treat - it's better to at least try. It is also customary to share the ordered food for everyone.

For foreign drivers, the traffic rules here are quite strict: what is forgiven by one's own, a stranger will result in a fine. Movement in the country is left-handed. Driving while intoxicated or riding a motorcycle without a helmet is strictly prohibited. You should also be careful when parking - the local drivers do not look too closely around.

Are you going to Thailand for the first time and you have a lot of questions? In this post, we answer all the questions of beginners, and even the most “stupid” ones ...

When is the best time to go to Thailand? Weather and rainy season.

In Thailand, the main thing is to choose the right season :)

The tourist season in Thailand lasts all year, but the weather is different on different coasts of Thailand: when it rains on one side, on the other it can be sunny, dry weather. Only in March the weather is great throughout southern Thailand. If you want to choose a different season, then keep in mind:

• from November to April it is better to relax from the side of the Andaman Sea (, the “bounty” island);
• from February to October - in the Gulf of Thailand ( , ).

For clarity, see the map:

What are the prices for tours to Thailand and how to buy a tour cheaper?

If you are going to Thailand on a tour, then it is most profitable to purchase ready-made tours directly via the Internet. In this case, you will not have to wait for long approvals and confirmations, all documents will be immediately sent to you by e-mail, and any questions can be asked by phone or e-mail.
See prices for tours to Thailand from different tour operators in the Low Price Calendar:

Which is better: to go to Thailand on a package tour or on your own?

Traveling to Thailand on your own or with a package? It all depends on your time and budget.

If you are traveling for less than 14 days, and it is important for you to have a vacation in Thailand as cheaply as possible and close to your compatriots, while you are not picky about the quality of the hotel, then it is easier to buy a ticket. Most likely it will be a ticket to Pattaya or Phuket (Patong beach is the worst on the island).

Do I need a visa for Thailand?

Russians can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa, and to travel to Thailand you only need a valid passport and a return ticket, more details.

Citizens of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia are issued a visa upon arrival at the airport for 15 days. You can do it online on the official website.

For more information about visas, it is better to find out at the Thai consulate in your country, because. the rules are constantly changing and no forum will give you accurate information. The consulate is easily found through Google. For example, the official Consulate of Thailand in Kyiv or Kazakhstan - ask questions about visas there.

Citizens of Belarus need to apply for a visa in advance at the Thai consulate in their country.

How to organize a trip to Thailand on your own?

In the photo: tourists arrived at their guesthouse

Technically, everything is simple: we outlined a couple of places that you are curious about, then took air tickets + booked accommodation + bought insurance. As we move through Thailand, we turn to numerous “tourist information” kiosks - there you can take tickets for buses and ferries, buy excursions, etc. - it will be cheaper than Russian-speaking hotel guides. For beginners, the most important thing is to stop being afraid and start moving. You will be surprised how much easier everything is in Thailand than we think from home. To get started, you can simply buy a flight and a hotel in one place, for example, in Phuket.

Detailed instructions on how to travel to Thailand on your own -.

Well, for the most fearful, you can always contact one of the Russian-speaking people who works in Thailand as a. For an additional fee, such people can meet at the airport and help beginners upon arrival, and even organize interesting excursions that will certainly be more interesting than package tours from hotel guides.

Where is the best place to relax in Thailand

In the photo: a beach holiday on Koh Tao

Looking for clean white sand beaches? So you need to. The best islands for relaxation are, (where they filmed the movie “The Beach” with DiCaprio). However, it must be borne in mind that these islands have poor infrastructure, so staying there for a long time can be boring. But the beauty is amazing! It is best to go to these islands for 3-5 days.

Where is the best place to go on holiday in Thailand? Many people think that the ideal vacation is a combined one. For example, such a route: a week in Phuket, 3-5 days on the island of Phi Phi, then 10 days in and before leaving - a couple of days in a colorful (amazing skyscrapers and shopping).

Lovers of mountains, nature and antiquity go to the north of Thailand - to.

For families with children, or are ideal. For the first time, it is better to choose Phuket - it is easier to get there, well-developed infrastructure. On Koh Samui, you will have to buy an expensive air ticket, or, which can be tiring for a child.

How much is a ticket to Thailand?

Depends on where you're flying from and how far in advance you buy tickets. For example, a flight from Moscow to Thailand and back on average costs from $400 during the tourist season. On sale in the low season, you can find tickets for 300 - if you see such a price, take it without hesitation.

How and when is it cheaper to buy air tickets?

In the photo: In Thailand, you can fly to Bangkok, or you can immediately go to Phuket

The best prices for air tickets for holidays in Thailand in winter (November-February) should be looked for in summer, the best sales are in July, from September prices begin to rise sharply. See tickets not only for direct flights to Thailand, but also with transfers (Beijing, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, etc. - it depends on which city you are flying from) - it can be cheaper that way. It is most convenient to compare ticket prices of different airlines.

Where to book a hotel or apartment in Thailand?

In the photo: hotel prices in Thailand depend on the chosen beach and season

The best budget hotels and apartments are booked for a year or six months at Bucking. The closer to the holiday date, the higher the prices and the fewer offers. Refuse booking in Thailand is very rare, so it's better not to count on it. On islands like Koh Tao, expecting to find accommodation upon arrival is very risky - inexpensive options are almost always busy :(

Apartments in Thailand can be rented for the price of a good hotel room. Only here the best apartments are usually not on the first line. But if you are ready to walk 10-15 minutes to the beach, then you can rent a good apartment quite inexpensively. By the way, some apartments provide a shuttle to the beach and back.

• : which one to choose and where to stay.
• : from inexpensive to luxurious.

Is it possible to rent a villa in Thailand?

In the photo: a villa in Thailand

Yes, and at a very reasonable price.

For a company or a large family, when traveling with children and grandparents, renting a villa in Thailand is more profitable than several rooms in a hotel.

Decide on which beaches you would like to spend your vacation and for how long. You are more likely to find good options if you are looking for a villa for a week or more. Then study the suggestions. For example, .

How much money to take with you to Thailand

Thailand is getting more expensive every year. So don't trust the tales of super-cheap Thai living. You can relax cheaply, but only if you are very picky about living conditions. For details on prices and what currency to take to Thailand, which bank cards, read:.
It is still possible to travel to Thailand on a budget and comfortably, but on the condition that you prepare yourself and in advance.

What currency to bring with you and where to change money in Thailand

In addition, there are a lot of international restaurants in Thailand with Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Korean, American cuisine - choose those restaurants where foreigners cook, otherwise the food will be Thai-style - with sugar.

What to see in Thailand?

The most interesting is the sea and the islands. Moreover, not that “beach vacation”, where there is nowhere for an apple to fall from tourists, but sparsely populated and beautiful beaches with white sand. The popular or Phi Phi Islands are beautiful, but going there with a tour is too hectic - it takes longer to go than to rest. Therefore, even if you are traveling to Thailand on a package tour, do not deny yourself the pleasure of taking a ride on your own to one of the picturesque islands.

Holidays on Phi Phi island in Thailand

For example, on the islands of Phi Phi (the film “The Beach” was filmed on one of them) during the day you can’t push through, but after 17 hours everything calms down, all excursions leave, and you can enjoy the beauty. If you rent a good hotel for the night, then during the day you can swim on a private beach - believe me, you will never forget this! We already wrote how.

What to take with you to Thailand: clothes, documents, medicines?

What to bring from Thailand?

First, you need to bring unforgettable pictures:

Second, souvenirs for friends:

In the photo: the markets of Thailand

Tourists are happy to bring coconut oil, wood products, latex from Thailand.

Do you need travel insurance in Thailand?

From 2019, insurance in Thailand is required! If there is no insurance when checking at the border, they will not let you in until you buy, but at the border prices will already be much higher, and you will have to communicate in Thai or English, they do not sell Russian-language insurance at the border. Even if they don’t check insurance at the border, then keep in mind that there are plenty of opportunities for tourists to get injured or get an intestinal upset, and the prices for treatment are higher than in Europe (checked for yourself). Therefore, do not take any kind of insurance, but choose the one that will help you if something happens. Oddly enough, but it is necessary to choose insurance not by price - expensive does not mean reliable. Read this carefully:

• Be carefull! Now they are advertising on the Internet - many tourists have already been abandoned abroad without help in serious condition, see below.

Hello. Do you know everything about Thailand? It would be nice, when going to this exotic country, to have at least a little idea of ​​​​what this Kingdom is like. So, general information about Thailand, which I hope will be useful to you, regardless of whether you are going to relax there for a couple of weeks or “hide” from our harsh winter for several months.

A fair amount of tourist experience and a well-deserved reputation as the most popular destination in Southeast Asia make themselves felt: almost everything that can be done here or shown to tourists for money is done and shown there. On the one hand, it's cool: the country has a whole bunch of various recreational options with benefits and pleasure, from sex tours and round-the-clock "fumes" in local bars and discos to diving on the islands and searching for enlightenment in ancient temples.

On the other hand, Thailand, where everything tourist has long been put on stream and on a solid commercial basis, can no longer be called “exotic”. However, despite the seeming mass character and openness of the direction, there is still exotic in Thailand. It's just that it's not always available to visitors. voucher .

Nevertheless, even those tourists who cannot see with their own eyes the exotic and simply outrageous rocket festival taking place in Yasothon in May or take part in the colorful procession organized during the vegetarian festival in Phuket - even they will be able to touch the exotic.

For example, to find out what is a wellness Thai massage that needs no introduction or Asian cruel, but stunningly beautiful Thai boxing. In addition, over the past few years, Thailand has acquired the status of a country offering ideal conditions and an optimal price / quality ratio for foreigners who come to this amazing region in order to improve their health.

Resorts of Thailand

The capital is Bangkok. The most popular resorts in Thailand: Pattaya, Phuket, Samui, Koh Chang; major cities: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi and others.

Climate in the Kingdom

There are two main types of climate in the country - tropical savanna climate and tropical monsoon. The climate of the central part of the country can be divided into three seasons: hot - from March to May, the temperature reaches +42 ° C, rainy - from June to October, the temperature is +26 ... + 32 ° C, and cool - from November to February, temperature +18...+32°C. In the north of the country, it is cool in winter, and even cold at night, so you should take warm clothes with you. In the south, from March to November, the climate is very humid, it is better to go there from February to March.

Don't forget to wear your own sunscreen. means and watch your kids.

There is no single "rainy season" in Thailand. In August it floods Phuket, in November - Koh Samui. Usually, speaking of the rainy season, Thais mean June-August, when the southeast monsoon hits the country and the annual rainfall falls. In the foothills at this time there are torrential rains, and in Bangkok it rains immediately after sunset.

When will customs give the go-ahead?

Crossing the border of Thailand:

Import and export of foreign currency is not limited, a declaration is needed for an amount of 10,000 USD or more. Export of national currency - no more than 50,000 THB, more than this amount - only with special permission. It is allowed to import duty-free 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco, a liter of wine or strong alcohol, one photo, video or movie camera (with a camera - up to 5 films, with video camera- up to three cassettes).

Platinum jewellery, rough gemstones, gold bars, Buddha images (excluding neck medallions), ivory and any leather and bone products of protected animals, as well as stamps and antiques are prohibited from exporting without permission from the Department of Fine Arts.

It is forbidden to import drugs, weapons (without police permission) and pornography. If the medicinal product imported into the country contains narcotic substances, you must have a doctor's prescription for its use with you. To export jewelry, you must obtain a certificate from the store.

Persons caught with drugs are sentenced to death in Thailand. Those wishing to take out the ingredients of "Thai pills" may well be detained for smuggling drugs.

According to the practical observation that every country in the world has its own awkward law, Thailand has special requirements for the appearance of the passport - holders of a dirty or crumpled passport, entry into the country may be closed. Otherwise, the authorities are very loyal: the passport must be valid for the duration of the trip; Cambodian visa holders do not need a Thai visa.

Where to exchange money?

You should not change money in "exchangers" at hotels - the exchange rate there is not the most profitable. It is best to do this at exchange offices or banks. In any large supermarket there is an exchange office of some bank.

Large banks are open only on weekdays from 8:30 to 22:00. Small banks and licensed exchange offices are open on weekdays from 8:30-09:30 to 15:00-15:30. In resort areas, the operation of banks is often longer.

Most shops and restaurants accept the most famous credit cards - Visa, American Express, Diners Club. Traveler's checks in USD are also accepted.

Well, if you are going to rest for a week or two, it would probably be best to take some cash with you from home, so as not to run around and look for any banks and exchangers.

Thailand beaches

In almost all of Thailand, sun loungers and deck chairs are offered for an additional fee: about 100 THB per person per day. The exception is hotels with their own beach.

- "special song", the local governor banned the use of sun loungers and umbrellas on the island in order to restore the natural beauty of Phuket. However, due to the strong solar radiation, the umbrellas are still back, but the sun loungers say a firm "no".

All beaches are sandy, however, which is quite logical, they all have their own unique features.

Shopping in Thailand

Among other things, Thailand is known as a place where you can profitably buy jewelry with precious stones. In the same Pattaya, for example, a visit to the jewelry center is usually included in a city tour. When choosing jewelry in the country, you need to be extremely careful and in no case buy them from your hands - even if the price is very tempting.

In the country, you should beware of buying fake branded and designer items: they can be confiscated at customs at the airport.

Various figurines of elephants, as well as panels, plates and masks with their image (the elephant is a symbol of the country) are considered traditional Thai souvenirs. Teak trees are specially grown on the plantations, from which everything that is possible is made - from the same elephants to expensive "piece" furniture sets.

Cuisine and restaurants in Thailand

Rice is considered the main food product in the country, and each region of the country prefers its own variety. The second equally important ingredient in Thai cuisine is a mixture of curry spices, which is often boiled in coconut milk. In general, Thai cuisine is a mixture of gastronomic traditions of Malaysia, China, Burma and Laos.

In Thailand, dishes from sea and river inhabitants are popular, but meat is traditionally considered a "luxury item". Here you can also try a huge number of noodle dishes - mostly rice. Of the first courses, you should definitely try the famous “tom yam” soup with shrimp (the “hungry” Europeans then try to make it at home with varying success) or the less well-known, but no less tasty “tom ha kai” chicken with mushrooms.

The choice of catering establishments (with the exception of hotel restaurants) in Thailand should be approached selectively: it is better to avoid open cheap restaurants where hygiene standards do not always meet standards. In inexpensive establishments, you should refuse to use ice in drinks.

Also, do not forget that many local dishes can turn out to be very spicy out of habit. Therefore, if a restaurant visitor is not sure that his stomach will fully and completely approve of something “spicy”, he should warn the waiter about this in advance. To do this, it is not even necessary to speak Thai / English - “spicy niit noy” and showing the meaning of “slightly” with your fingers will help even in a remote village.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Thailand

Thailand has a wide variety of ancient and dazzling sights. There are things to see and places to visit. 86 km north of Bangkok is the ancient capital of Siam and the modern historical park of Ayutthaya, famous for the ruins of ancient temples and the ruins of the Bang Pa-In Palace. To the west of Bangkok, near the town of Nakhon Pathom, is the world's largest Buddha statue, the 127-meter Pra Pathom Chedi.

Not far from the town of Kanchanaburi are the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai and the "Death Road", built by prisoners of war during the Second World War. Nearby is the famous cultural center "Garden of Roses", one of the best ethnographic expositions of the country, as well as the zoo and the elephant reserve Samphran.

Northern Thailand:

Northern Thailand, so far little "mastered" by tourists, is, meanwhile, the birthplace of Thai civilization and the edge of tropical forests, waterfalls, bright national holidays, dozens of ancient cities and temples. For example, in Chiang Mai and its environs there are about 300 temples and historical monuments: Doi Suter Shrine, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man (the oldest monastery in the region), Pra Satang Man with miniature images of the Buddha, which are about two thousand years old, as well as one of the shrines of Buddhism - standing on a mountaintop 16 km northwest of Chiang Mai, Wat Phra Doi Suthep Temple.

To the northeast of Chiang Mai lies the city of Chiang Rai, which is famous for its beautiful nature and numerous Buddhist temples. In the neighborhood, on the banks of the Mekong River, lies another ancient capital - Chiangsen, known for its temples and rich local history museum.

Golden Triangle:

And just outside the city, the famous "Golden Triangle" begins, this is a mountainous forest area at the convergence of the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos - the cradle of Thai civilization, where the first independent local states arose many centuries ago.

Namtok Park - Pa - Sia:

In the Namtok Pa Sia forest park there is a six-step waterfall of the same name, in the Tham Pla park there is a unique “Fish Cave”, where billions of colorful fish live in underground streams, and in a small grotto there is a huge number of snails of all colors and sizes. Nam-Tok-Mae-Surin National Park is famous for the 100-meter Mae-Surin waterfall and Nam-Lot cave with a fantastic "garden" of stalactites and stalagmites.

Sukhothai Game Reserve:

The Sukhothai Historical Reserve occupies 70 sq. km along the left bank of the Yom River, preserving more than a hundred dilapidated buildings of this ancient capital of the country, including the famous temple of Wat Si Chhum with a statue of a seated Buddha.

Perhaps only in Thailand you can visit a wildlife sanctuary, a massage parlor (Thai and not only), watch spectacular shows with elephants, snakes and crocodiles in one day, and admire ancient temples and pagodas to a heap. In addition, one cannot fail to mention other, more active entertainments: diving, fishing, and dancing in the open until the morning, which attracts young people from all over the world.

In general, it will not be boring.

Hotel base

Hotels in Thailand are very cheap and, moreover, of a good standard. At the same time, they do not have any “stars”: tour operators “assign” levels to them in their catalogs, based on their own understanding, more or less objective ideas. Therefore, for example, the "five" in Turkey may differ from the Thai "five".

On the Samet Islands, there are mostly rather modest bungalows, but there are also comfortable 4-5 star hotels.

The hotel buildings on the islands are mostly low-rise so as not to disturb the surrounding landscape.

Applying for a visa at the Thai Embassy in Moscow

Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa to Thailand if they arrive in the country for tourism purposes and for a period not exceeding 30 days.

If the visit to the Kingdom lasts more than 30 days, and if the visit is not planned for tourism purposes, you need to apply for a visa at the Embassy in advance.

Required documents:

• international passport, the validity of which is at least 6 months from the date of the end of the trip;
• photocopy of the first page of the passport;
• 2 color photographs 3×4 cm;
• a completed application form signed by the applicant;
• a certificate from the place of work on the letterhead of the enterprise indicating the position and salary of the applicant;
• for students and schoolchildren - a certificate from the place of study;
• for pensioners - a copy of the pension certificate;
• for the unemployed - an application from a relative or sponsor to finance the trip, a certificate from his place of work and a photocopy of the first page of the applicant's passport;
• for minors - a copy of the birth certificate;
• a bank statement (with a notarized translation into English) or travel checks at the rate of 800 USD per person per month or 1500 USD per family per month.

For children entered in the parents' passport, a separate form is not filled out, their data is entered into the parents' form, and the photographs are pasted next to the parent's photo on the form. If the child leaves accompanied by one of the parents or a third person, a copy of the notarized consent to the child's departure from the remaining parent (parents) must be attached to the questionnaire.

Are you planning a trip to Thailand? Or just curious to know how it is?

We present you our photo review about Phuket (visited in the spring of 2015).

In this post you will find answers to the most common questions: How long is the flight to Thailand? Do you need a visa? What's the weather like? What do Thais look like? What to bring? What is the travel budget? Read all about it here :)

1. How many hours to fly to Thailand?

The flight from Moscow to Phuket takes about 9 hours. Back - even longer :)

2. Do I need a visa to Thailand?

Russians do not need a visa, they need a migration card.

Forms will be handed out to you on the plane, they will advise you on how to fill them out.

Here is a sample of filling out a migration card.

There will be two such sheets, one sheet will be taken away upon arrival, the second one is resting with you: it will be required only before boarding the return flight.

3. What language do you need to know to travel to Thailand?

English. All sellers and waiters clearly speak English, sometimes they understand Russian. The locals communicate with each other in Thai.

The Thai language is quite melodic, pleasant, but not completely understandable. You don't even have to try to download the Thai language tutorial - why? Entry-level English for a holiday in Thailand is enough for you :)

The menu in Russian in cafes, of course, will make you smile or even laugh out loud - there are a lot of typos and funny wording)

4. Thais: what are they?)

Outwardly, these are people of short stature, with dark skin and small features.

The Thais seemed to us less intrusive than, for example, the Turks. I just calmly offer you services if you leave - no one will grab your hands and offer discounts. The barkers in the cafe will just as calmly offer you to come in, and will not yell, shouting over each other.

Salespeople often just tell you “Hello! massage? And that's it. Sweet and unobtrusive.

Thai girls look something like this photo:

The cutest Thai girls work in offices - at the reception, in
car rental points :) But the masseuses have strong hands and rather awkward figures.

In general, we remember the Thais as calm, friendly, somewhat lazy and relaxed. They look rather indifferently at tourists and even seem to be a little shy.

5. The official currency of Thailand:

Thai baht

Photo of the currency of Thailand:

6. Where can I find money changers in Phuket?

Exchangers are everywhere! There is one exchanger, and after three tents, the next one is already visible. It's easy to find out - the inscription: "Exchange".

The course may differ markedly. Compare in several places, then change.

The check is perfect: nothing superfluous))

Attention: for dollars there is a different exchange rate depending on the denomination of the banknote! (i.e. it is better to change 1 $100 bill than 5 $20 bills)

There are ATMs - also stand on busy streets. At the ATM, a commission of ~ 150 baht is charged for each transaction.

Thailand accepts credit cards. Almost in all pharmacies, tour agencies, in the hospital.

Look for a sign on the front door with the Master Card or Visa logo.

You will have to pay for fruits and taxis, of course, in cash.

7. What currency to take to Thailand?

Take dollars. In general, not much difference.

8. Exchange rate:

Now 1 Thai baht = 1.8 Russian rubles.

Those. to understand the price in rubles, you need to multiply the price in baht by ~2.

9. Internet in Phuket:

There is Internet! :) In 3-star hotels - wi-fi, but rather slow - it was enough for correspondence on Skype, but not enough for uploading photos to instagram.

And in our case, the Wi-Fi was not in the rooms, but only near the reception.

Cafes (almost all) have good wi-fi. The password is written on napkin holders. Ask at the entrance or look for a cafe with signs informing about the availability of the Internet.

10. Tourists in Thailand:

The resort is international, Russians are often found. There are also people from China, Japan, Sweden, English-speaking, German-speaking. Everyone is pretty peaceful.

11. Russian tourists in Thailand:

As elsewhere: there are many of them and you can easily recognize them. I won't even describe why.

Here, for example, is the number of passengers who have just arrived on a regular Moscow-Phuket flight:

12. Transfer from Phuket Airport to the hotel:

It takes 1-2 hours depending on the situation on the road (there are often traffic jams), on the type of transport (a small minivan is faster and more agile than a huge bus), on the remoteness of the place of residence.

13. Hotels in Phuket:

Basically - small cases, 3 *. The territory is open, maybe a pool. This is what a standard Phuket building looks like:

A 3* hotel in Thailand is:

• clean spacious room
• a large bed
• air conditioner
• fridge
• TV
• toilet
• towels
• set of dishes
• nice balcony with table and chairs

Tile on the floor. We were cleaned every day, clean and tidy. Towels were also changed every day.

Between the beaches of Kata and Karon there are more expensive hotels, with a protected area, parking, etc.

14. Traffic in Thailand:

Movement is left-handed, chaotic. The roads are empty in the morning, busy during the day, very busy in the evening: many turn on the music at full volume.

Lots of mopeds.

15. What is the weather like in Thailand?

The weather is the same all year round - warm and wonderful :)

During the day, all months of the year: approximately +32

At night, all months to years: approximately +25

The water temperature does not drop below +25 degrees!

16. How much does a Thai massage cost in Thailand?

Massage prices start at 300 baht/hour. (~600 rubles)

Most often, any massage (be it a massage of only the legs or the whole body) costs 400 baht.

Massage rooms, as well as exchangers, in Phuket are just at every step and everywhere is about the same. If there are empty seats, secrets sit at the entrance waiting for customers. You must take off your shoes and leave your shoes at the entrance.

The massage room has beds and armchairs. In armchairs, foot massages are usually done.

It's nice and relaxing, try it :)

17. What to eat and drink in Phuket?

And this is a topic for a separate note :) I'll tell you in detail a little later.

In short - delicious and varied seafood, fruits, excellent and inexpensive fresh fresh juices.

18. What to bring from Thailand?

In our opinion - fruits and cosmetics.

Well, magnets, if you collect. Although, they are mostly ugly.

For fruits, by the way, in large grocery stores they sell special containers for transportation. It looks like a plastic basket with handles.

Attention! The following fruits cannot be brought from Thailand:

• coconut (it does not show through on inspection)
• watermelon and melons (may burst in an airplane from a pressure drop)
• durian (due to the pungent smell).

19. What cosmetics to bring from Thailand?

It is worth paying attention to products with coconut oil. Or just coconut oil. There's a lot of it here.

You can find creams, lip balms, lotions, soaps. Everything is sold in pharmacies.

Prices are average: the simplest lip balm costs 100 baht (200 rubles), hand cream - 150 baht (300 rubles), lotion - 250 baht (500 rubles).

Read the ingredients! There are beautiful products in which there are a lot of not the best ingredients and there are flavorings. Try to pay attention to cosmetics in a simple package, with a simple and understandable composition.

You can also bring leather goods, shoes, medicine from snakes, latex, sunburn .. In general, stop buying trash and use sunscreen :)

20. Prices and travel budget:

Prices for tours - 7 nights - (air tickets, transfer, accommodation in a 3 * hotel, breakfast) start from ~ 45 tr. per person

A modest dinner for two costs ~ 750 baht (= 1350 rubles). These are two fresh grilled fish, a salad and drinks.

You can have lunch for 200 baht (soup, drink).

Plus fruits, excursions, souvenirs..

Those. additional expenses for a week per person need about 15 tr. (a couple of inexpensive excursions, food, souvenirs)

Total ~60 thousand rubles worth a week of rest in Thailand per person.

You can go a little cheaper, you can significantly more expensive. It's up to you and your wallet :)

In general, we were satisfied with our vacation in Thailand: it is warm, calm, beautiful and tasty there. We recommend :)

Do you have any questions? Ask!

Have a nice holiday :)

Hello friends!!!)))

And so my fabulous journey to the magical kingdom ended ...
Only today I crossed the threshold of my home, and immediately rushed, ... no, not to the kitchen, and not even to bed ... but to write this review on the site, while in my memory, all events seem so bright and colorful! !!
And immediately ran into a problem... What to write about?? About what?? Most importantly, why?

The Internet is already full of reviews about ... Of course, a country like this, well, it simply cannot but have an army of loyal fans ... People sometimes come here several times in a row, and someone easily stays to live and work here. Surely, they will be much better and more fully able to convey all this dizzying atmosphere of celebration and love that surrounds any tourist who falls into the arms of Thai hospitality.)

1. Choose a resort

There is a common opinion on the choice of resorts and what
If you admire the exotic, then this is -, etc.;
If sex tourism, discos and massage - then;
If beaches, palm trees, corals - then, or.

As I said, this was my first trip to (from January 8 to 20, 2010), so they didn’t hesitate for a long time and chose Pattaya. No, not because, sex tourism and discos)).
Firstly, only in excellent weather almost all year round (unlike other resort areas).
Second, - of course, cheaper!

At one time, I suffered greatly over this choice.
The Center is really noisy, but very close to all entertainment. , on the contrary, quite a quiet corner, but far from the center.

On the forums, I could not decide what is still better ... Therefore, at random, we chose a hotel (on e). Only during the rest, it became clear that we had not lost. Sleep is probably the most necessary and useful thing in. Indeed, constant night outings, trips to all kinds of excursions are exhausting.
Therefore, restful sleep, even if it is short (3-4 hours), will certainly give you a charge of new forces for the whole next day.
So, in our hotel, it turned out to get enough sleep. And friends who settled directly in the center complained about the lack of sleep. Well, trips to the central part from our hotel, in practice, took quite a bit of time ...
Therefore, I recommend it to everyone, everyone, everyone!)

In general, I really liked our hotel. Most importantly, all rooms have a sea view! For me it was very important. I love waking up in my room and running to the balcony, where you can stand in the first rays of the sun, peering into the blue-blue sea... What will it be like today? Calm, or trembling in small frightened waves? And in the evening, just before dinner, already looking at the sunset and seeing off the day, here, on the balcony, you can drink some cocktail... and make plans for the upcoming evening... In general, a buzz!!!

I confess that in the room itself, not everything was smooth...
So, sometimes hot water disappeared - then, I had to take a cold invigorating shower, which somehow immediately brought me to my tone)) Sometimes, the sink was clogged - in this case we contacted the reception, and the problem was immediately solved.
In general, if you are a positive person and are determined to have fun, then no such trifles will spoil your vacation! And the best wish would be that in your hotel you only had to sleep and wash!!!

You can swim on the city beach in the center only out of desperation. You can go to - it's cleaner there.
Better yet, sail to the island.

You can go here at least every day on a ferry that runs along the route -.
So we did ... The whole trip costs 100 Baht per person (this is with a round-trip ferry and sunbeds on the beach).

Discos are held on Saturdays. Entrance 380 Baht.
You have to go there in swimsuits (swimming trunks) - clothes can deteriorate from foam.
You have no idea what a thrill it is!!! We frolicked in the foam like children: we danced and launched foam clouds high into the sky, dug tunnels in the foam...
Very funny))

13. Walk along Walking Street.

You can go from bar to bar, go Go-Go, but it's purely boring.
Girls dance with numbers and sour mines and then you can buy them.

On the second day of our stay, we decided to walk through the bars like this - to look at the girls, and in general, to meet someone else ... In short, under the guise of Pussy Show, we were sold tickets to a gay club. It's the same story here... only boys with numbers are already dancing on the stage...
We were about to leave, when someone came up with the idea to go on stage and dance there ...
In short, the boys from the show put their numbers on me and two more girls from the company, and the three of us went to the stage ... We lit it there for about an hour, probably. And the visitors of the club, and the guys from the show themselves filmed it on the cameras of their phones ... I only saw how the owner of the bar ran to the visitors and explained that these guys cannot be "ordered", because. we are not from his show))
It was a really bright moment... And we remember it))

14. Catch a crocodile.

A trip to a crocodile farm, probably, would not be imprinted in my memory at all, if not for this attraction:
on wooden rods, a chicken is tied to a thread (50 baht). With all the gear, you need to go to a wooden platform from which you can start the "hunt" for crocodiles. Below, a swamp is spilled in which crocodiles lurk. We throw the fishing rod with the bait into the water... and try to drive the meat through the water right in front of the reptiles' noses... Very entertaining)))
Pecked - pull with all your might ... Just don't overdo it - you will lose your balance - and the reptile will drag you along with the stick into the swamp ... And this will be a completely different attraction!))))
Oh((((.

My favorite fruits: Mangosteen(!!!) and Rambutan...
I read that mangosteen is one of the three most delicious fruits on earth and is the most delicious tropical fruit!!!
Trying is a must!

Secret:
I heard that many people take with them special enzyme preparations that improve digestion ....
However, everything you need is already growing in e!
If you have to eat a lot, or have already eaten, so it’s impossible to get up, enzymes will come to the rescue, these are substances that help break down food into smaller components suitable for the stomach.
Enzymes are in pineapple and papaya!
Eat these fruits without measure: before meals, during and after!
For sure, in your hotel for breakfast you will be offered these wonderful fruits (we served them every day), and this is no coincidence!
And yet, do not scold papaya anymore - like it is not so tasty ... It seems that only I liked this fruit).

16. Go shopping.

As for Latex... Buying is best at the Mike Shopping Mall on the ground floor on the right. The cost of a pillow is 1000 Baht. At that time, at the latex factory, where tourists are taken "for free", they break the price of 2000-3000 Baht.
Pillows are really cool - we bought for the whole family at once.
The quality is no different from the factory. Even the guides themselves talk about this ... only they don’t listen to them, and they still go to the factory to buy for 3000. And if you calculate well the cost of a taxi to the factory and back, for a guide, etc., then the cost of the factory pillows just converges to the number 1000.

That's probably all I wanted to write today...
I think that such a simple list can be compiled and supplemented by anyone who has ever visited this amazing country.
Holidays in e implies all the necessary conditions for a perfect vacation!
Don't miss your moments and enjoy every moment of life here!!!)))

I will conclude my story with one remarkable observation, with which one cannot but agree:
"Having once visited this country, you have only two ways - to return here again or to stay to live at all!"