Thailand Pattaya or Phuket last minute. Phuket or Pattaya – which is better? Great comparison! Shopping centers and shopping

When going on vacation to Thailand, many tourists ask questions: “Where is better in Pattaya or Phuket?”, “Where is it better to go: Phuket or Pattaya?” In order to answer these questions, it is worth learning a little about these two popular destinations in Thailand. Below is a comparison of these two most popular resorts in Thailand. We will look at attractions, beaches, prices, transport and travel costs to decide where it is better to relax: Phuket or Pattaya.

Phuket or Pattaya? general information

Phuket is a wonderful resort in Thailand for lovers of a good holiday, with a large number of luxury hotels and restaurants. Phuket is often chosen by everyone for a more relaxed family or romantic trip. To get to Phuket, you can choose a direct flight from Russia, or you can also get there by domestic airlines from Thailand. It is distinguished by a clean sea and good ecology.

Pattaya is the second most popular resort in Thailand for Russian tourists, located 147 km from Bangkok. The main thing that attracts tourists to this city is a lot of entertainment, active recreation and low prices. This popular coastal town rose to fame in the early 1980s and remains popular today. From morning to night, life in Pattaya is in full swing, during the day - on the beach, in the evening and at night - in the clubs and bars of Pattaya. In addition, Pattaya offers a huge number of hotels, condominiums and apartments at affordable prices. Pattaya is the most visited resort by Russian tourists in Thailand. The main reason is a cheap air ticket compared to other resorts in Thailand, a lot of entertainment and parties, a huge number of bars, clubs and restaurants, low prices for food, hotels and entertainment. Among the minuses, we can highlight the dirty sea, crowds of Russian tourists, who are not always adequate and polite, in other words, “Tagiil”.

Phuket or Pattaya: where is the weather better?

In terms of climate, these two resorts in Thailand are not very different from each other. The average temperature in Phuket and Pattaya differs by only a couple of degrees.

In Phuket the average temperature is +30°C, water temperature is +28°C. Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate. It is warm here all year round, but two seasons: April-May and September-October are the hottest. Phuket is famous for being in a temperate climate zone. Phuket is never hit by typhoons or tropical storms.

In Pattaya the average temperature is +32°C, water temperature is +28°C. In Pattaya the weather is hot all year round. The rainy season in Pattaya is “easier” than in Phuket. Because Pattaya is located on the mainland, not on an island.

Phuket or Pattaya: where is the sea and beach better?

In Phuket, the sea and beach are definitely better than in Pattaya. There are really clear waters, turquoise sea and fine white sand. For lovers of drive, active recreation and discos, it is recommended to go to Patong. However, the beach in Patong is considered the dirtiest in Phuket. The beach is cleaned regularly, but a large number of tourists quickly litter it. But if you move further away, the beach will look much more like a Bounty advertisement. Besides Patong, there are many other beaches in Phuket. If you go further off the beaten path, you can find very quiet and secluded beaches in Phuket.

In Pattaya, the beaches are dirty, and you cannot swim in the city itself. The water at the resort is really muddy, and the central embankment looks more like the shores of Sochi, rather than a Thai resort. Therefore, if the main thing for you is a beach holiday, then it is better to go to Phuket. Tourists in Pattaya can also enjoy a beach holiday, but for this they need to go to the islands. For example, the nearest island of Koh Larn can be reached in half an hour and 30 baht.

Where are the best attractions, Phuket or Pattaya?

Pattaya resort offers tourists a large selection of attractions. If the main thing for you is what to see, then it is better to relax in Pattaya. Here you will find extraordinary museums, majestic Khmer temples, a floating market, exciting water parks, tropical gardens, elephant shows and a tiger zoo. It is worth noting that the prices for visiting all these attractions in Pattaya are lower than in Phuket. , . In addition, Pattaya has a rich nightlife. In 2 hours you can get from Pattaya to Bangkok, so tourists in Pattaya also have access to all the attractions of Bangkok.

Phuket is famous for its sparkling temples, awe-inspiring landscapes, viewpoints, idyllic beaches and friendly locals. Phuket has something to see for almost everyone. These are parks and gardens, an aquarium, James Bond Islands, a snake farm, rafting. More wealthy people come to Phuket, there are more Europeans here, and sometimes you can meet stars.

Where is the best place to relax, price comparison in Phuket and Pattaya

Phuket, of course, is a more expensive resort, from prices for airfare, accommodation, food and entertainment. The entire industry around Patong is focused exclusively on tourists. To see real Thailand and reasonable prices, you can go, for example, to Phuket Town.

Pattaya is considered the cheapest place to visit in Thailand. It is in Pattaya that you can try cheap seafood, buy cheap excursions (from 200 baht) and use cheap tuk-tuks for 20 baht to travel around the city.

Phuket or Pattaya: where is the transport system better developed?

If you prefer to use transport, you can catch a taxi or songthaew. There are no tuk-tuks in Phuket. Traveling by songthaew is not very convenient, since they travel at minibus rates only during the day, and in the evening at taxi rates. And their routes are not particularly ramified. Taxi prices in Phuket are high (from 600 baht). Taxi drivers do not agree to reduce prices in any way. Therefore, if you have not rented a bike, you will spend a significant part of your budget on transport in Phuket.

The transport system in Pattaya is well developed. There are several types of tuk-tuks that can easily be used to get around the resort. All tuk-tuks in Pattaya are different colors, so they are easy to remember. Blue tuk-tuks in Pattaya run along the main streets of the city and cost 10 baht. There are white tuk-tuks running around Sukhumvit (for longer distances), they cost 20 baht. Thanks to tuk-tuks, you can travel all over Pattaya for literally pennies. At night in Pattaya you can take a taxi for 200 baht.

After reading the comparison of resorts to the end, you can easily decide for yourself where it is better to relax, in Phuket or Pattaya. If you have never been to Thailand, I recommend visiting Phuket first. In Phuket you can enjoy beautiful nature, sea and attractions. Phuket has more sea excursions, beautiful views and clean beaches. After you fall in love with Thailand, you can already go to Pattaya. In Pattaya, you will have to travel to the islands for the beautiful sea, but low prices and nightlife will smooth out this inconvenience. As the farangs say, Phuket is better for relaxation, and Pattaya for life.

Thank you for reading to the end. You get a bonus - a map of Pattaya attractions:

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Those people who have never visited Thailand are often interested in the question of which of the two resorts to give preference to.

In this article we will help you make a choice, because the quality of your vacation and the positive emotions you receive from your stay in Thailand depend on it.

Where should you go after all: Pattaya or Phuket? It is difficult to give an exact answer to this question, because it is important to take into account personal preferences and the purpose of the trip. Perhaps you want to soak up the clear sea or learn about the sights of Thailand, try exotic dishes or visit local modern parties in Oriental style.

So, let's figure out what the pros and cons of the two main resorts in Thailand - Phuket and Pattaya.

Phuket or Pattaya: where is it better to relax?

So that you can avoid making a mistake with your vacation spot, we will analyze in detail where your vacation will bring positive emotions to you. To do this, we compare both resorts according to different criteria.

Beaches

If you are interested in a beach holiday, then the island of Phuket takes the lead.

In Pattaya you can visit three huge beaches and several smaller beaches. In Phuket, the number of beaches is much larger, and their size also differs. This allows each tourist to choose that corner of the resort where he can completely relax from all worries.

In Phuket there are noisy beaches where there are constant parties, and there are quiet ones with few people. In Pattaya, there are a huge number of people on all the beaches, so it will be very difficult to be alone.

❗ The beaches of Phuket are better and more diverse than the beaches of Pattaya.

Cost of holiday

Phuket is considered one of the most expensive resorts in Thailand, especially when it comes to accommodation or taxi travel. You can try to find inexpensive housing, but this is more difficult. Most guesthouses that are rented to tourists are not represented on the Internet. An even bigger disadvantage of inexpensive housing is that it is located too far from the sea. And to go to the beach by taxi you will have to pay a tidy sum.

In Pattaya, prices are much lower for everything - housing, taxis, food, entertainment, restaurants, etc. Because of this, tours to Pattaya are more popular among tourists. From Pattaya you can go to Bangkok, which is 100 km away, and do cheap shopping. If you want to go shopping, visit restaurants, have fun, then it is better to choose Pattaya.

❗ Holidays in Pattaya are cheaper than holidays in Phuket.

Entertainment

The most common holiday option in Thailand is considered to be diving, snorkeling and fishing. Phuket and the islands that are nearby are the best place for this type of holiday. In Pattaya you will not be able to fully engage in diving, and the nearby islands do not have a very rich underwater world, especially when compared with Phuket and the Andaman Sea.

Walking Street in Pattaya is the place where the main entertainment of the entire resort is collected. Most of the recreational facilities for different categories of tourists are located here. First of all, Walking Street is known as the “red light district”, where men can find exotic entertainment.

In Phuket, it is important to choose the right beach if you want a loud and bright holiday. The best option in this case is Patong. The rest of the beaches are relatively calm. On the southern beaches, after the sun sets, life generally comes to a standstill.

❗ For noisy entertainment - to Pattaya, for a measured vacation - to Phuket.

Weather

Weather in Pattaya. If we talk about the weather, Pattaya takes the lead here. This resort has the warmest weather in all of Thailand. From late autumn to mid-spring, precipitation occurs very rarely, about 2 times a month, and their duration does not exceed half an hour. The sun constantly shines in Pattaya, which tourists from Russia miss so much during the cold season. The rainy season lasts from the beginning of May until October inclusive. In this case, precipitation occurs several times a week. Sometimes it can rain for a week, and then not rain for a week, if not more. During this period, you can see clouds in the sky more often than the sun. When the rainy season arrives, in the rest of Thailand, conditions are several times worse.

Weather in Phuket. During the “non-rainy” season in Phuket, it can rain several times a week. During the cold season, rain is an almost daily occurrence, and the duration of rain can exceed several hours. Of course, the weather can be a little different every year and sometimes even during the rainy season there can be a few dry and sunny days in Phuket. Another disadvantage is that during the rainy season, very high waves are observed in Phuket, and there is also a dangerous current. The ban on swimming in the sea will be signaled by special flags along the entire beach.

❗ If you are traveling during the rainy season, it is better to choose Pattaya.

Sea

When it comes to choosing a place for a beach holiday, the state of the sea is one of the most important indicators. After all, first of all, tourists go to enjoy the warm and clean sea, swim, sunbathe, and only after that see the sights or buy souvenirs.

In Pattaya the sea is very dirty, it’s hard to even call it a sea. It's the worst in all of Thailand. On the main beach of the resort there are many motorized water activities, which significantly spoils the sea conditions. Tourists and residents themselves throw various types of garbage into the water. Only 2 beaches in Pattaya can be called relatively clean - Jomtien and Wongamat. There are many small islands near Pattaya where the water is crystal clear. You can get there relatively quickly and cheaply by ferry.

In Phuket, the sea is several times cleaner, especially on those beaches where there are not a huge number of tourists. Even on the largest beach in the resort of Patong, where there are always a lot of people, the sea condition is much better than in Pattaya. On the southern beaches of Phuket you can easily see a wide variety of fish that swim near the shore without fear.

❗ In Phuket the sea is much cleaner than in Pattaya.

Phuket and Pattaya: comparison

Holidays at each of the resorts have their advantages and some disadvantages. It is important to consider them when choosing a resort for your holiday. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each resort in the tables.

Pattaya

Phuket

A resort like Pattaya is an excellent holiday option for people who prefer a budget holiday option or for those who like to travel alone. Tourists who visit Pattaya during the rainy season will be able to better understand the historical heritage and culture of Thailand. See beautiful architecture and get acquainted with incredible places in this country.

Phuket is a resort for tourists who come exclusively for a beach holiday and who are willing to pay extra for it. This resort is perfect for couples with children and for those people who are not particularly interested in sights and architecture. Phuket is a beautiful resort where you can visit the islands, visit the jungle, and get close to nature.

Phuket or Pattaya: where is better to spend your holiday?

If you want to visit Thailand, get to know Asian culture better, see numerous attractions and visit loud parties, then the best option for you is Pattaya. You can go to this resort without children and fully immerse yourself in the life of Thailand. In addition, this option is perfect if you don’t want or don’t have the opportunity to spend too much money on vacation.

But if you prefer a relaxing holiday alone with nature, clear sea, numerous beaches, then it is better to go to Phuket.

• Phuket beaches are better and more varied than Pattaya beaches;
• Holidays in Pattaya are cheaper than holidays in Phuket;
• For noisy entertainment - to Pattaya, for a relaxed holiday - to Phuket;
• It is better to relax in Phuket with children;
• In Phuket the sea is much cleaner than in Pattaya.

Reviews

“We were on holiday in Pattaya for the second time in a row and, as it turned out, we didn’t know much.
For example, you can absolutely safely buy excursions “across the road”, and not three times more expensive from tour operators. Yes, of course, there is a risk regarding insurance. But transport services, hotels for overnight stays, food - these are all at the highest level. And the program is no different. It just affects the overall cost. After visiting 3 excursions, we managed to save 30%.
I will also tell “future” vacationers about Thai pharmacies, which only serve tourists. Do not be fooled by Thai medicinal preparations, roots, teas, oils. For example, I’ll say that having bought ointment for hemorrhoids at a snake farm, and bath oil at a regular pharmacy, I saw absolutely identical bottles with the same liquids both in smell and color. The only difference is the labels. But that's not all. Having torn off the top label with a snake, it “smiled” at me, exactly the same as the pharmacy one. Only they paid dearly for the “snake” one. ((
And in principle, if you ask the question more seriously, it is unlikely that you will be able to find a tea growing culture in the land of smiles and sunshine. Although the local market is pleasing to the eye - for only 100 baht 3 packs of tea!))
Have a nice holiday everyone, and don’t forget to bargain!!!”

“My husband and I were in Pattaya for the first time in October-November 2016. Previously, I studied a lot of information about Thailand on the Internet. Particularly controversial was the question: is it possible to swim on the beaches of Pattaya? Therefore, I will try to express my opinion - maybe it will help someone. 3 times we were on the central beach on Beach Road a little south of the Central Festival. We went to Koh Larn 3 times and went on an excursion to Samet Island for 2 days.
Central Pattaya beach: the sand is yellow, quite clean, the owners of sun loungers clean the beach every morning. Basically, there was no garbage floating in the water; there could have been 1-2 plastic bottles or bags within sight. The color of the water is gray-green in cloudy weather and green-gray in sunny weather. Water transparency, I would say, is average, i.e. standing up to your neck in water, you see yourself up to your waist. As for the sewerage draining into the sea here, there are no visible signs. And sewage is drained into the sea in most coastal cities, for example in Odessa. My conclusion is that you can swim if you have an excursion that day and have half a day free, or on the first/last day, or for some other reason. But I would not recommend using this beach as your only permanent beach.
It's definitely worth a trip to the islands.
Ko Lan. We were 3 times on different beaches: Tawaen, Tong Leng (on foot after Tawaen along a concrete path), Samae. Of these beaches, I liked Samae the best, Tong Leng the worst. The water is the same on all beaches - very clear, turquoise, just lovely. The sand is the best on Tavaen, but the rest are also good - almost white. Differences in infrastructure. The cost of sunbeds on Tawaen is 100 Baht (sometimes you can bargain for 75), on Tong Leng 100 (not bargained), on Samae - exactly the same soft sunbeds - 20 or 30 or more in different places. The food here is excellent - it’s plentiful, tasty and affordable (the Chinese don’t eat everything by 11 o’clock like on the other two beaches). I'll write a review about Fr. later. Samet - there’s no time now,”

“I was in Phuket with my brother in February and I want to share my impressions. We lived in Patong. Before that, I vacationed more than ten years ago in Pattaya. Honestly, I'm disappointed with the holiday. As if this is not the same Thailand, Thais have stopped smiling and sometimes behave aggressively. Everything has become very expensive, especially transport. Moreover, there are no regular bus routes to the beaches of the island. Since the sea in Patong is dirty, we had to take a so-called tuk tuk for two to Karon beach if in rubles for 1000 rubles round trip and that was after bargaining. On the beaches there are no changing rooms, shelters, toilets, sun loungers, in general there is nothing, you can only buy an umbrella and a mattress for money for an average of 200 rubles per person. The climate is very humid and hot. The treacherous sea carries you away unnoticed, even without waves, once you barely rowed to the shore and there are no lifeguards; the beach is very large. Therefore, sailing from the shore is dangerous and it is better to always have the bottom under your feet. Excursions are expensive and tiring because they are mostly sea, and they depart from the other end of the island and you have to go there for a long time by bus. I don’t recommend renting a scooter; it’s easy to get yourself into big trouble in the event of even a small accident, which is very easy given the intensity of left-hand traffic and the recklessness of the locals. As I understand it, the local police make a business out of this after an accident, they take away your passport, seemingly for the duration of the investigation, but even if you don’t give it back, they then extort money. And you don’t know the language or the local laws and the plane didn’t arrive for long, and the plane isn’t waiting. In general, they told me who got into this horror. And if as a result you cause any damage to the locals, you won’t fly away at all. We rented it for a couple of days and I fell and badly skinned my leg. I was walking through the city and a policeman immediately came up and asked about the bike? Well I was warned in advance. A special theme is the attitude at the hotel and the Chinese, of whom there are a lot and come in large groups. In general, the Chinese treat Russians with disdain, I would even say condescendingly, let’s say for breakfast in a restaurant they line up for breakfast in a restaurant with scrambled eggs and it’s simply impossible to approach some, they’ll take it right away, others jump in line, you’ll stand, you’ll even have to fight, but it’s like you’ve come to relax. Then we simply tried not to interfere with them. In the hotel, too, not without problems, I’ll start with the fact that in the room there is an inventory of the property down to the teaspoon. And they immediately warn against signature not to bring anyone into the room, otherwise you will be fined, as in Soviet times. Well, that’s okay, but we didn’t know what an indicative story was in our refrigerator-bar, but as it turned out, a can of soda was swollen from the low temperature, we return from the beach in the evening and at the reception they don’t give us the key, they twist this can and say you have to pay, it’s your fault. In general, this behavior of the staff is a disgrace for the hotel in general and the fact that the key was not given back twice. Therefore, for those who are going, immediately upon check-in, tell them to remove everything from the refrigerator. In general, the streets are narrow, not very clean, and it is not customary for drivers to give way to pedestrians even at the few pedestrian crossings. Moreover, there is nothing particularly interesting there, but going there with children is generally unwise; there is nothing for children, neither food nor children’s infrastructure. And another very important question is that of medicine, those insurances that travel agencies issue actually don’t work there, because if something happens, they tell you it’s not an insured event, it’s that you were involved in an extreme sport or something else they’ll come up with, and if you object, they say pay money at a local clinic and get bills come home and go to court. Therefore, you need to take a decent amount of money with you just in case for treatment. And this is not fantasy, but I talked to one woman; she was running along the sea in the morning and a crack injured her leg, and that’s what the insurance company did to her. Moreover, the flight is long and tiring. The climate is humid and hot all the time, like being in a bathhouse is not comfortable. Ask, what's good there... and the good thing is fruits and fresh seafood and their prices are tolerable at the Moscow level. He stated everything sincerely, without even setting a foot there. I really regret wasting money and time. Tell me, you described it very gloomily... I think not, just objectively. It might appeal to reckless young people who are generally fine everywhere as long as their parents aren’t around, but I think, taking into account the above, it’s dangerous to let them go there. Good luck to everyone and the right choice of vacation spot, because vacations are usually once a year, and if you look at the years, there are not so many years in a person’s life,”

This article talks about the advantages and disadvantages of holidays in Pattaya and Phuket.

Climate

Pattaya has better climatic conditions than Phuket. In addition, this resort has the most favorable Thai climate. During the dry season, during the period November - April, precipitation falls 2 times a month. The rest of the time the weather on the island is dry and sunny.

rainy season, from May to October, there is light precipitation - once a week. However, there are many clouds in the sky and the sun rarely appears.

In Phuket, during the dry season, precipitation falls 2 times a week, and in the rainy season, it pours from the sky every day. As a result, the climatic conditions for holidays are more favorable than in Phuket.

Sea and beaches

For a seaside holiday, most tourists in the Russian Federation are willing to fly 1,000 km or more from their homeland to swim and get a beautiful tan, and after that explore, taste Thai cuisine or buy souvenirs.

The best place to relax at sea is in Pattaya. After all, in Pattaya the cleanliness of the sea leaves much to be desired.
On the central beach of Pattaya there are many boats and other equipment, including for various types of entertainment for tourists, of which there are plenty on the beaches of Pattaya.

As a result, a large accumulation of equipment pollutes sea water. In addition, tourists and local residents throw various garbage into the sea.
At the same time, the central beaches are much cleaner than in Pattaya. And on the southern beaches of Phuket the water in the sea is so clear that tourists see fish swimming close to the shore.

Attractions

In this case, Phuket loses to Pattaya. Pattaya is a 2-hour drive from the city, where you can see the main Thai attractions.

While in Bangkok, tourists explore the historical facts, cultural values, religious places and architectural structures of Thailand. You can spend your entire vacation on excursions to these places.

Also in 3 hours from Pattaya you can reach the ancient capital of Thailand, where there are many island attractions.

At the same time, Phuket is “on the outskirts”. So, it takes 14 hours to get to Bangkok and Ayutthaya by bus.
Sights on this island are also difficult - there are 2 old temples and several waterfalls.

The island's cultural places are not of particular interest and are not popular among vacationers. Thus, the Big Buddha statue was erected in the 2000s and has no historical value.

As a result, in terms of attractions, it is better to spend your holiday in Pattaya.

Entertainment

In terms of entertainment, both Phuket and Pattaya have plenty of them, however, prices are lower on the latter island and therefore Pattaya will be of interest to budget travelers.

Walking Street is considered the main entertainment place in Pattaya. On this street there are restaurants, nightclubs, Go-Go bars, discos and various exotic shows.

In Phuket, tourists can hang out on the beach - Patong, where Bungle Road is located - an analogue of Walking Street.

Other beaches in Phuket are calmer, and on the southern and northwestern beach areas of the island there is complete silence at night. These beaches do not host discos, there are no regular or Go-Go bars.

Entertainment related to water - paragliding, banana boats, etc. - is available both at the beach resorts of Pattaya and on the beaches of Phuket (except for the northwestern ones).

Diving and fishing

Phuket and its neighboring islands are considered an excellent place for fishing and underwater diving.
There are no such entertainments in Pattaya, and the neighboring islands do not have such a diverse underwater world as in Phuket.

Pattaya pros:

availability of low prices;
not far from Bangkok (get from the airport and back);
a variety of excursion tours and entertainment places;
great place for shopping.
the weather is dry and warm throughout the year;

Minuses:

relatively dirty sea;
a small number of beach resorts;
You can’t relax alone - there are a lot of tourists around;
diving and fishing are worse than in Phuket.

Phuket pros:

clean water in the sea;
a wide variety of beach resorts (both for noisy groups and for those who like to relax alone);
higher level of diving;
pleasant fishing at sea;
many beautiful trees (palms, etc.).

Minuses:

limited choice of excursion tours and few
attractions (unlike Pattaya);
availability of high prices;
during the rainy season there is a lot of precipitation and there are many clouds in the sky every day;
little entertainment;

Pattaya is best suited for:

budget tourists;
single men who like to visit various strip bars;
partygoers;
travelers who are interested in the history, culture and architectural structures of the island.

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With the onset of winter and cold weather in our country, tourists began to look towards southern Asia. It’s warm there, it’s sunny, and you can live there all winter without wearing felt boots and earflaps. More tourists choose Thailand, with its resorts, gorgeous beaches and modern hotels. If you are visiting Thailand for the first time, then you have doubts - which is better: Phuket or Pattaya, where is it better to relax? This question cannot be answered unambiguously, but the two resorts can be compared. That's what we'll do and share our comparisons with you.

In general, it is not very correct to compare these two resorts. After all, on their territory there are different hotels, different beaches and areas. For example, we can write that the hotels in the first resort are more beautiful and have better service. And you will arrive at the resort, check into another hotel, and you will be treated poorly there. So all the comparisons here are not entirely correct, but they can be made. So let's get started.

Beaches of Pattaya and Phuket

As the experience of tourists shows, the beaches of Phuket are much better. They are wider, longer and cleaner. The local beaches are always full of tourists, but there is very little trash here. In general, the entire island can be called one big beach. And due to the fact that there is little rain in Phuket, the beaches here are visited all year round.
As for the beaches of Pattaya, they are less comfortable. Firstly, the resort does not have large beaches, and almost all of them are crowded with tourists. Secondly, due to the huge number of tourists. Beaches are not cleaned very often. Mostly this is done closer to the morning, and not every time. Only the beaches that belong to hotels are always clean. Also, Pattaya beaches do not always have water equipment rentals. Or there is too little of her, and she is always busy.

We think Phuket wins in terms of beaches.

Prices for housing and food.
Phuket is an island and all food is brought here from the mainland. Therefore, food at the resort costs 20-30 percent more than in Pattaya. Phuket also has more luxurious beaches and hotels, so accommodation here is also 20-30 percent more expensive.

Most people come to Pattaya for a budget holiday. There are not many five-star hotels in the resort. There are mostly small hotels here, which are awarded three stars. It is for this reason that there are more Russian tourists in the Pattaya resort.
And so, the cheaper resort of Pattaya wins here.

Entertainment and excursions.
And here we will say right away - it will be a draw. After all, it is difficult to guess what you love most. For example, in Phuket there are almost no night parties, there are no huge nightclubs. Quiet holidays are popular on the island. Tourists go to the forests and mountains. They admire nature and beautiful landscapes.

But in Pattaya at night life is just beginning. If your hotel is next to a nightclub, then be prepared for the fact that you will not be allowed to sleep. And on the beaches, night parties are common - there is music and dancing until the morning.
As you can see, recreation and entertainment at resorts vary. Therefore, we leave the choice to you, because everyone has their own tastes and preferences.

What is the result?
And the result is this: we have a draw. Because we will not force our opinion on you. You have learned about all the advantages and disadvantages of resorts and you can choose what suits you. If you like night parties, then come to Pattaya! If you want to sleep peacefully at night and relax on the beach during the day and admire nature, go to Phuket.

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

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

Climate and nature

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

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

Beaches and sea

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

Entertainment and excursions

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

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

Prices

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

How to get from Pattaya to Phuket and back?

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

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

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