Thailand resorts near Bangkok. Where in Thailand is it cheaper to relax, and where is it better? Cities of Thailand in the central part of the country

We talk about holidays in Thailand with children in 2020: where is the best place to relax, when to go, which hotel to choose, how much tours and trips cost. We study reviews from tourists about holidays in Thailand - 2020 with a child and give advice on the trip.

The article consists of 5 parts:

Where is the best place to relax?
Which hotel to choose
Vacation prices
Reviews from tourists
Tips and tricks

Where to go to Thailand with a child, which resort to choose in 2020?

There are many good resorts in Thailand - both on the mainland: (Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Khao Lak) and on the islands (Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Chang). Each place has its own advantages: the cities have a lot of entertainment and attractions, the islands have clean water and a rich underwater world.

But not all resorts in Thailand are suitable for families with children: some have poorly developed tourist infrastructure, others are inconvenient to get to.

Below we will take a closer look at those destinations where holidays in Thailand with children are best.

Pattaya

The popularity of the resort among tourists is largely due to the relatively low prices for holidays in Pattaya, even at the height of the season. Tours to this part of Thailand are usually the cheapest, and the cost of food and entertainment is the same.

Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach – 5 stars, Phuket

This hotel complex is located in its own bay near Patong Beach, so the hotel area is quite quiet. The beach is sandy, but guests note that corals are exposed at low tide.

Children will enjoy swimming in a separate pool equipped with entertainment, playing in the outdoor area with slides and swings, and spending time in the children's club with a team of animators.

There are several restaurants on site serving a variety of cuisines from around the world. You can choose the food that suits you and your child.

Prices for tours to the Merlin Beach Resort hotel start from 117,000 rubles including breakfast.

Photo: Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach / tripadvisor.com

Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort – 4 stars, Pattaya

The hotel is located on the edge of Jomtien Beach. Guests do not need to cross the road on the way to their own sandy beach; the sea here is quite clean.

Children will be able to spend time in the pool, on the playground, play darts, and also stroll through the large and green area, see a fish pond and a small living area with a tame parrot.

The food in the hotel restaurant is varied and has many dishes that are suitable for baby food.

Holiday prices for a family with a child start from 92,000 rubles (including breakfast).

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort – 5 stars, Phuket

One of the best hotels in Thailand for families with children. This is a luxurious complex occupying a huge area with golf courses, its own elephant farm, stables and water park. It is located on the sandy Bang Tao beach surrounded by a coconut garden. The entrance to the water is gentle, the ebb tides are almost imperceptible.

For children, the territory has almost everything you could dream of: a swimming pool with slides, a playground, a children's club, video games, animation.

You can choose food to suit your taste in several restaurants located on site. A separate menu is offered for children. There are even dumplings and dumplings available.

The cost of tours to the Outrigger Laguna Phuket hotel starts from 135,000 rubles (including breakfast).

Photo: Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort / booking.com

Tour prices

The cost of a week's holiday in Thailand for a family of three (2 adults + child) starts from 75,000 rubles. For example, this is the price for a hotel in Pattaya (breakfast included, 300 meters from the sea).

A stay in a 4-5 star hotel will cost from 80,000 rubles. For example, a hotel package (breakfast included, 125 meters to the beach) in Phuket costs 96,000 rubles.

– they compare prices for tours from all tour operators and display them on one page. You can compare the cost and choose the appropriate option.

Read how to properly search for profitable tours:

Thailand with children - reviews from tourists

Most tourists vacationing with children in Thailand were satisfied with the trip. In their reviews, among the benefits of relaxation, they most often name the following:

you can relax at any time of the year;
A visa to Thailand is not required for a child;
low prices for tours;
clear sea and many beaches to choose from;
varied, tasty and cheap food (fruit and seafood);
friendly local people

Among the disadvantages of holidaying in Thailand with a child, tourists note the daytime heat, the abundance of exotic insects, the long flight and acclimatization.

Thailand is the dream of all travelers - those who independently explore unexplored corners and those who buy tourist packages. In Thailand you can see almost everything: otherworldly landscapes, crystal clear waters, old temples, wildlife and hospitable people. See 30 must-see places in Thailand.

30 PHOTOS

1. Bridge over the River Kwai. About 10 thousand people died during the construction of this famous bridge. To this day, it remains a symbol of the brutality of the Japanese occupation of Southeast Asia. The bridge was destroyed in 1944. Only the rounded steel structure was retained, and the rectangular middle sections of the bridge were rebuilt after the war by the Japanese as war reparations. (Photo: Shutterstock).
2. Phang Nga Bay is a real miracle of nature. The fabulous lagoon is hidden between steep limestone cliffs. There are only two other places in the world that can compare in beauty to Phang Nga Bay. (Photo: Shutterstock).
3. Khao Kheow - a unique reserve has been created on the territory of a 1,500-year-old jungle, where you can personally see a lion lying on the road or a giraffe passing by. Walking tours, educational hikes, and night safaris are organized here for tourists. (Photo: Shutterstock).
4. Railay - a peninsula with fabulous beaches, fenced off from the outside world by huge rocks - it is no coincidence that this place is on the list of the most beautiful places in the world. (Photo: Shutterstock).
5. The Reclining Buddha in Bangkok is a huge 46-meter tall completely covered in gold leaf statue of a Buddha who is in a state of nirvana... Everywhere in Thailand you will feel Buddhist mysticism permeating your life. (Photo: Shutterstock).
6. Khao San in Bangkok is a great starting point for those looking to explore the city. Nearby is the river, Phra Arhit pier, Sanam Luang fields and the Grand Palace. Only here you can feel the atmosphere of carefree, freedom and joy that you will not find in any other place in Bangkok. (Photo: Shutterstock).
7. Amphawa is a floating market in the central region of Thailand. (Photo: Shutterstock).
8. Sa Morakot - emerald lake. If you want to see something you have never seen in your life, then you must come to the emerald lake of Sa Morakot. (Photo: Shutterstock).
9. The monkey city of Lopburi, the main attraction of which is the tailed macaques. (Photo: Shutterstock).
10. Wat Arun in Bangkok is the Temple of Dawn, which is reached by an unusually steep staircase. It looks especially intriguing in the rays of the rising or setting sun. (Photo: Shutterstock).
11. Wat Phra Kaeo - amazingly beautiful Grand Palace, royal residence. (Photo: Shutterstock).
12. Fairytale islands - Ko Tap, Ko Poda, Ko Mor in the province of Krabi - this is a real paradise for those who love to walk in water on a sandy bottom. (Photo: Shutterstock).
13. The most beautiful scenery can be seen while sailing on a boat on the Chao Phraya River. (Photo: Shutterstock).
14. In Phuket, in Khao Phra Teo National Park, there is a gibbon rehabilitation center that is trying to restore the population of these endangered unique animals. (Photo: Shutterstock).
15. Khan Sok is the oldest and richest ecosystem in Thailand with the unique virgin forest of Khao Sok. (Photo: Shutterstock).
16. Ko Chang on the southeast coast is suitable for those who lack adrenaline and who are not afraid to drive along narrow and dangerous mountain roads. We can confidently say that the risk is fully compensated by the beautiful views that open from there. And going down to the valley, you can enjoy the amazingly beautiful beaches. (Photo: Shutterstock).
17. Moon Nork Island is almost heaven on earth. This is a place you will never forget. (Photo: Shutterstock).
18. Koh Samui, Namuang - parking and entrance to the national park are free. Jumping from a ledge into a deep pool filled with refreshing water is a real temptation not only for children, but also for adults. Between Namuang I and Namuang II waterfalls there is a huge safari park and a large number of elephants. (Photo: Shutterstock).
19. Hua Hin. It may come as a big surprise to you, but there is a real winery in Thailand that produces wine that has won awards in international competitions. Therefore, in the Hua Hin mountains, while tasting wine, tourists can feel almost like they are in Tuscany. (Photo: Shutterstock).
20. The house of the “silk spy” and intelligence officer Jim Thompson in Bangkok, whose death still remains an unsolved mystery. His home, which is actually six buildings from different parts of Thailand, is an enclave of tranquility and a testament to a bygone era in the heart of bustling Bangkok. (Photo: Shutterstock).
21. Popular beaches of Lamai and Chaweng in Koh Samui with soft white sand and beautiful coastal cliffs. (Photo: Shutterstock).
22. Phuket: Similan Island and Surin Island are surrounded by coral reefs, sharp rocks, and strewn with golden sand. These islands are a true diver's paradise and a photographer's dream. (Photo: Shutterstock).
23. Si-Satchanalai is an abandoned, nostalgic ancient city, which is a historical monument of ingenious urban planning. (Photo: Shutterstock).
24. Wua Talap Island. From the observation deck on the “Sleeping Cow Island”, where sea gypsies live, a paradise landscape opens up. (Photo: Shutterstock).
25. The Mae Hong Son loop in the northwestern part of Thailand, which consists of 1864 turns, is the most beautiful corner of the country - offering stunning views of amazing mountains and valleys, forests, rice fields and mysterious villages. And, of course, the beautiful town of Pai. (Photo: Shutterstock).
26. From the northwestern part of Thailand you can get to Myanmar (Burma) for one day. Leaving your passport at the border, you will be given a one-day pass, costing about $10, with which you can visit the small town of Thachilek, where they sell hot roasted chestnuts. (Photo: Carlos Wang Flickr.com).
27. The ancient temple Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is a popular attraction in Thailand. It was built in the 15th century and has remained in good condition to this day, and inside the temple there is a statue of Buddha from 1563. (Photo: Shutterstock).
28. Ko Si Chang is a royal island without a king in Pattaya, where you can see the remains of a 19th-century royal palace, the main part of which was moved to Dusit Park in Bangkok. (Photo: Shutterstock).
29. Khan Yai National Park is the oldest and most frequently visited protected area in Thailand. The park has special platforms on high towers from which you can observe wild animals in their habitat. (Photo: Shutterstock).
30. The area near Pattaya is a place where time has stood still. In the villages of Bang Saray, Samaesan, Ang Sila you will feel like you were in the 60s: sleepy streets, wonderful beaches, excellent dried shrimp and seafood. (Photo: Shutterstock).

Thailand is considered one of the wonderful corners of the world where any Russian can get without a visa. Warm climate all year round, exotic food, a huge length of sea coast, paradise islands. Thailand primarily attracts beach lovers. We bring to your attention a rating of the best beach resorts in Thailand.

Popular beach resorts

Krabi

Pattaya has become a favorite Thai resort for Russians. Firstly, the prices here are the most affordable. Other popular places in Thailand will cost 15-30% more. Decent accommodation can be found here starting from 700 baht per day.

Secondly, Pattaya is the most fun and "tear-off" resort People come here not only for relaxation, but also for entertainment. Restaurants, huge shopping centers, nightclubs, shows of various subjects, including 18+. Tickets for various performances start from 300 baht.

Pattaya beaches:

Dongtan Beach
Wong-Amat
Jomtien
Dongtan
Naklua

The convenient geographical location of Pattaya allows you to travel from here to the islands: Koh Larn, Koh Sichang. Cambodia is nearby - very close. From here you can go to the north of the country, to places not trampled by tourists or to the capital - (160 km.). The cost of excursions varies from 500 baht for a visit to the Mini Siam park to 15,000 baht for a two-day air tour to neighboring Singapore.

The sea in the city is muddy due to the nature of the sand and the abundance of hotels and tourists. Those who do not like the hustle and bustle should avoid Pattaya or choose hotels further from the city center.

Phuket

The largest island in Thailand. Located in the Indian Ocean. Connected to the mainland by three bridges. Has its own. Phuket is no less loved by Russian tourists than Pattaya. There are also plenty of opportunities for shopping, excursions and entertainment.

But still, Phuket is more calm and pleasant for relaxation. An abundance of beaches for every taste, beautiful landscapes, mountains and islands.

Phuket beaches:

By the way, Phuket is not just one island. The province of the same name includes 32 islands. This represents a huge opportunity for the tourism industry. Prices in Phuket vary greatly. Starting from 500 baht per day for a small city apartment far from the sea and ending with luxurious villas, whose maximum price goes far beyond the understanding of a simple tourist.

Country holidays are well developed here. Many Russians living in Thailand call it that. You can book a dacha for 5-10 days, or for several months. The owners will help you with everything. Such a vacation can be an excellent alternative to a hotel. Prices for the accommodation you like can be found out in advance on the Internet.

The most affordable "batch" a tour to Phuket for 10 days/9 nights will cost from 57,000 rubles per person (in ).

Phuket provides ample opportunities for excursions. The most inexpensive is the sightseeing tour, from 700 baht for half a day. The most expensive type of entertainment is. One dive will cost at least 1900 baht. You can admire the island from the air by paying about 5,000 baht or arrange a professional photo shoot - from 3,000 baht.

Samui

This island is located off the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It is smaller than Phuket in size and noise level. Your holiday here will be calm and measured. The many beaches, located mainly on the east coast, will delight those who like not to sit still. Hundreds of cozy corners on the uninhabited islands of the Ang Thong archipelago will allow you to enjoy complete relaxation and a break from the benefits of civilization.

There are many hotels on Samui of different levels and price categories. Prices "packages" start from 63,000 rubles per person for 10 days of vacation. Houses for rent are also common here. A wonderful small bungalow, with all amenities, will cost from 1,700 baht for two per night. You can actually find it cheaper. Moreover, you can bargain on the spot and reduce the price by 30-50%. But this is only with the locals; compatriots are less accommodating in this regard.

Koh Samui is a small island and there are no huge shopping centers here. Instead, there are markets - grocery, fruit, clothing, where you can buy everything you need for life in Thailand, as well as souvenirs. On Koh Samui you can find excursions to suit every taste.

Koh Chang

This small island on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand is a state reserve. The first tourist appeared here only in 1989. Over the years, the island's tourism infrastructure has grown greatly. But since this is a protected area, huge hotels are not built here and entertainment events are not held. Beach sports are also prohibited.

Only the western coast of the island can be called touristic. There are several dozen hotels, from 5* - lost in the jungle above the sea, to 2* bungalows on the shore. There are small houses that can be rented. If you go by prices, Koh Chang is 15-20% more expensive than Pattaya.

Koh Chang beaches:

Beach of the Grand Laguna Hotel
Long Beach
Kong Koi
Bang Bao
Balian Beach
Longley Beach
Kai Bay Beach
Klong Prao
Tea Chet
White Sand Beach

You can get here from Pattaya (2-3 hours) or from Bangkok (6-7 hours). Ferries run from the pier on the mainland to Koh Chang, the journey takes about 30 minutes.

Krabi

We won’t talk much about this place; it is already known throughout the world for its stunning beauty. Holidays in the province of Krabi are considered elite. Of course, you can find relatively inexpensive housing here too. It all depends on which place you choose. Mostly those who travel independently or as part of excursion groups (for 2-3 days) get here.

The islands of Lanta and Phi Phi are the quintessence of relaxation in style.

In Krabi town itself you can find various types of entertainment.

Prices for Krabi are not cheap, but those who live here will enjoy for free or at a minimal price (500-800 baht) what tourists from other places will pay several times more for.

Updated 02/10/2020 Views 128950 Comments 338

Preface

I lived in Phuket and Koh Samui, Krabi and Hua Hin, Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I was in Pattaya, Phangan, Koh Chang, Lanta and other cities in the south and north of the country. I traveled by all types of transport: planes, trains, buses, cars, tuk-tuks, and even tried hitchhiking. I rented various accommodations, ranging from a villa with a pool to thatched bungalows. Ate various Thai food including grasshoppers :)

I am sure that my guide to Thailand will help travelers and give them an answer to the question of how to relax in Thailand on their own and what needs to be done for this. In my opinion, Tai is a unique combination of advantages, and there is simply no alternative to it now in terms of recreation and wintering.

It is also perfect for those who just want to get acquainted with Asia; Thailand can be the first place to go. In Thailand, everything is tailored for tourists, from ordinary travelers to winterers. A stable climate makes it possible to plan a trip, it’s easy to rent accommodation for a short period of time (even apartments and houses), it’s easy to move between cities, since transport links are well developed and the roads are very good, you can eat well on every corner. A kind of paradise of everyday comfort, where all pressing issues are resolved.

Preparing for the trip

It makes sense to think about many things when preparing for a trip, I have them all outlined here. For example, you should definitely do this, take the correct bank card, choose a resort so as not to fall into the rainy season, stock up on the necessary things, but, on the contrary, do not take anything with you.

Where to go, weather and seasons

At the very beginning, you need to decide where you will go depending on the current weather. Not everyone wants to go on their vacation during the rainy season. It’s one thing when you spend the winter in Thailand and it’s not so critical, but it’s another thing if you come for 1-2 weeks on vacation and every sunny day is important.

I described the weather in detail by season, read it. From May to October you should not go to Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, and from October to January you should not go to Samui, Koh Phangan and Hua Hin. In principle, you can go to Pattaya, Koh Chang and Bangkok all year round, but the best time to relax there is from November to February, from March the sea begins to ebb, it becomes dirtier, and in September-October the peak season in this region rains.

Now let's talk about how the resorts differ from each other. If you are not yet an advanced lover of Thailand and have not visited the main resorts, then there is little point in going to a little-known place that is not particularly popular with foreigners; few people there speak English and everything is less geared towards foreigners. Therefore, first of all, you need to choose between Phuket, Pattaya, Samui, Koh Chang, as well as Krabi, Phangan, Khao Lak and Hua Hin. The first 4 are the most basic, in my opinion. Also, if you don’t need the sea, you can go to Chiang Mai. I will try to describe the main criteria for choosing between them.

Phuket

The most popular resort and the choice of the majority, because it has beautiful island beaches, developed infrastructure and an international airport where you can fly direct from Russia. For those going on vacation, I recommend choosing, first of all, between the beaches of Patong, Karon, Surin, Kata (and Kata Noi), Nai Harn - approximately in descending order of people. Patong is the dirtiest, but has the largest concentration of nightlife and shopping. Kata is a good combination of civilization and number of people. The beaches of Bang Tao, Kamala and Nai Harn are worth considering for winterers or those looking for monthly housing, as there is the largest selection there. There are also supermarkets within walking distance in Bang Tao, Kamala and Kata. I really like Nai Harn beach, but there are very few hotels, cafes and shops near it, you will have to live in the distance in Rawai and travel to the sea by transport. For relatively quiet beaches, I advise you to look at Nai Thon and Nai Yang, but there is a minimum of infrastructure there. Be sure to go to Phi Phi.

Pattaya

People most often come here for cheap tours and nightlife. But due to the large amount of infrastructure and entertainment, vacationers with children and independent travelers come here purposefully. You can get there from the airport in Bangkok in 3 hours. This is where the famous Walking Street is located, although Patong in Phuket is not much inferior to Pattaya in this regard. The resort is one of the most inexpensive in Thailand, so during the season there are a lot of tourists, and in particular Russian ones. The beaches are not very beautiful and dirty, so for swimming it is best to go to the small island of Koh Larn (30 minutes by ferry) or outside the city, for example, to Military Beach. Some winterers also prefer to live in Pattaya, because of prices, a large circle of friends, infrastructure concentrated in one city (Russian kindergartens, Russian cafes, etc.). You can live on the outskirts of the city (end of Jomtien beach, Na-jomtien beach, behind Sukhumvit), then the noise and large number of people will not disturb you.

Samui

My favorite resort, which combines the beauty of the island’s beaches (in my opinion, they are better than Phuket’s) and all the necessary infrastructure. If you need nightlife, then you need to settle in Chaweng, although it is very far from Pattaya or Patong in this regard. If you want a quieter place, then Maenam and Choeng Mon beaches, the latter is considered by many to be the best for children. And somewhere between them and with a supermarket within walking distance is Lamai Beach. Samui is much smaller than Phuket, so no matter which beach you settle on, shopping centers and hangouts on Chaweng can be reached in 20-30 minutes, and the entire island can be driven around in an hour. There is monthly housing for winterers on every beach, there is a wide choice. The main disadvantage of the island is that they only require transfers, and they are even more expensive than direct ones to Phuket. It takes quite a long time to get there by land, considering the 2-hour ferry crossing.

Koh Phangan

The island is located near Samui and it takes even longer to get there, since there is no airport. Therefore, either from Samui by ferry, or from the mainland. Koh Phangan has become famous for its large-scale open-air Full Moon Party, which attracts young people from all over the world. It is also a Mecca for various types of yogis, raw foodists and other spiritual practitioners. If you don't want a party or an informal get-together, then you can simply enjoy the excellent beaches, where there are almost bounty and few people. And since several supermarkets were built, it has become nice to spend the winter here. True, housing rented on a monthly basis is mostly simple, bungalow type. Another disadvantage is that there is no normal hospital.

Koh Chang

This island is beautiful with its tropical beaches and is easier to get to than Samui and Koh Phangan. The journey by land from Bangkok takes about 5-6 hours, plus a 30-minute ferry. The island is quite small, the swimming beaches are on its western side, and you can drive through this part in less than an hour. The beaches with the most infrastructure are White Sand and Kai Bay. And the whole party is on Lonley beach. There is a supermarket on Koh Chang, but no proper hospital.

Krabi

Not everyone knows, but Krabi is not an island, but a province with stunning cliffs on the mainland near Phuket. All tourists and winterers stop in the small town of Ao Nang (Ao Nang and Nopparat Tara beaches), which is located right on the coast. The place is best known for serving as a transit point for those traveling to the Railay Peninsula, whose beaches are among the top most beautiful beaches on the planet. But you can also swim in Ao Nang, you just need to track the ebb and flow of the tides using a table from the Internet, because at low tide, not only to the depth, but to the water itself you may not be able to reach. But shallow water is good for children. In Ao Nang there is a Tesco supermarket within walking distance and, more recently, also a Makro, but to get to large shopping centers you will have to go to Krabi Town, 30 km away. Krabi is located 2.5 hours by car from Phuket and has its own airport. From Ao Nang they also sail to Phi Phi.

Khao Lak

I really liked this resort on my last trip. It is suitable only for those who do not need nightlife at all and the main purpose of the trip is a relaxing holiday on the beach. Despite the fact that this is the mainland, the beaches here are almost better and more beautiful than those in Phuket. But there are very few people even in season, and the main contingent are European pensioners. Unlike Samui/Phangan, it is very easy to get here from Phuket airport, it literally takes 1 hour by taxi, but the resort is very small, the infrastructure is only for recreation, there are no supermarkets or hospitals.

Hua Hin

This is probably the last place to go when it comes to vacation, despite the fact that the city is only a 3-hour drive from Bangkok. The fact is that the beaches here are not for everyone, almost everywhere is shallow and you need to go to the depths, there is a very strong wind, the sand is a dirty gray color. The beaches on the islands are a hundred times prettier. Mostly people who are not fans of the sea or kiters spend the winter in Hua Hin, or those who know exactly why they are coming here (the place is pleasant, even a little European, as it were).

Bangkok

People rarely go to Bangkok on purpose; usually it is just a transit point if the air tickets were purchased specifically for Bangkok. However, for anyone who wants to taste real Asia, I recommend staying here for 2-3 days to walk around the city, see the top temples, and look at Bangkok from one of the observation decks (60-85 floors).

Chiang Mai

Personally, I really love the north of Thailand because of the mountains, the abundance of national parks and sincere people. There is no package tourism here, because there is no sea, which is why the city is not a resort with all the ensuing consequences. The prices here are also encouraging; life is cheaper than in Pattaya. But you need to come here specifically, for example for a week, to drive around the north, making a circle. For independent travelers who love mountains, landscapes, waterfalls and coolness.

When you have decided on the resort where you will go, then you next need to choose a beach/area to stay. I tried to review all the beaches in the main resorts, I hope this will help you in your choice. Follow the links and read. Or you can use and read about each specific beach. Also, the beaches (with links to their descriptions) are presented on the map below.

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Visa issues

Thailand has a visa-free regime for Russian citizens. This means that if you are traveling for up to 30 days, then you no visa needed. So for most travelers it comes down to a few options.

I covered this issue in great detail in my post - read it. And now the point is brief.

Upon entry at the border, your passport will be stamped for 30 days. You can also get this stamp later at the immigration office (available at every resort) for another 7 days for 1,900 baht. Thus, you can stay in Thailand without a visa for 37 days. There is a frequent case when the period of stay is about 31-32 days, in this case you can not extend the stamp, but simply leave the country with an overstay. For each day of overstay you will pay 500 baht per person. But I wouldn’t recommend traveling with an overstay for more than 3 days.
For a longer trip you will need to register. It is given for 60 days with the right to extend on site at the immigration office for another 30 days for 1,900 baht. In total we have 90 days of stay. You can apply for such a visa at the Thai consulate in Moscow or St. Petersburg. If you are from another city, then the easiest way is to fly in with a stamp, stay for 30 days, and then go/fly to a neighboring country and get a single-entry visa there. Usually they go to or from Penang (Malaysia).
If you need to stay even longer in Thailand, you will need to go to the so-called visarans. This is a trip to the border for a new stamp (,) or to a major city in a neighboring country to the embassy for a new visa. Previously, it was possible to make stamp after stamp many times, but now it’s difficult, you need a bribe or to know at which land border crossing there are the fewest problems. Therefore, the easiest way is to go for visas; you can get about 3 of them in a row, and then, as a rule, questions begin to arise from the border guards. You can also get a student visa and study English or Thai.

Tickets to Thailand

The most popular question is about flying to Thailand. Unfortunately, there are no special secrets on how to buy tickets 10 times cheaper. The basic rules apply: tickets are monitored and booked in advance, and flights with transfers are almost always cheaper than direct ones. You can also buy a ticket for a charter flight; especially a last-minute one can be inexpensive. But after Transaero left us, there were fewer good offers. How and where to look for tickets, what prices are, I outlined in the post -. Now it makes sense to expect an average of 25 thousand rubles for a round trip flight with a transfer. It takes 9-10 hours to fly to Tai on a direct flight, and from 12 hours to 24 hours on a transit flight.

Don't forget about the need for a ticket to a third country. If you are flying on vacation, then you will definitely have it, but for those who are going on an independent and long trip and are flying with a one-way ticket, I recommend that you study this issue in advance.

For those who are looking for air tickets to Thailand, I advise you to search through and, we ourselves have been using them for many years now. It’s convenient to look at one thing in one search engine, and another in another, but the prices differ slightly.

Medical travel insurance

You need to know that the first insurance you come across may not work, especially for insurance that comes with tours. Asia is an unprofitable region for insurance (many claims), so some unscrupulous insurance companies will try to find a reason to refuse you. I constantly monitor changes in insurance and all my recommendations are outlined in my rating. If you don’t know what assistance is, what insurance to choose, how to properly use on-site insurance, then you should definitely read my post carefully.

Travel medical insurance is almost the first most important purchase. No, it is not mandatory, as is the case with applying for a Schengen visa, but it is necessary to do it. Medicine in Thailand is expensive and if problems arise, you can seriously end up losing money; bills can amount to hundreds of thousands of rubles. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about, I’ve already encountered it, unfortunately. To select insurance, there is a super service, one of a kind in its approach to insurance. They even help resolve insurance cases.

There you can compare prices for several insurance companies at once and choose something suitable. This service has excellent technical support; they will always answer your questions and advise (you need to write in the chat) what to take in your specific situation.

Booking a hotel

I'll start right away with a life hack. We find a hotel on the usual Booking website, read reviews, and choose. Then we go to the cool service RoomGuru and enter the name of the found hotel there. As a result, we get all the discounts on this hotel that are available at this moment. The price will vary depending on the booking system. We book where it is cheaper. Profit.

But you can initially search for hotels in RoomGuru, it’s convenient. Few people know that in Asia (including Thailand), it is better to use Agoda rather than Booking, since this particular booking service is tailored for Asia and has the largest database of hotels. But at the same time, sometimes there are no hotels with Booking on Agoda, and vice versa. Thus, you can either look directly at Rumguru, which takes into account these 2 databases and a couple dozen others, or sort through the sites one by one.

Renting a house or apartment

It is best to book a house or apartment in advance, then the choice of housing will be wider and the prices will be more reasonable. During the peak season (December-February), housing becomes tight. If you are coming for a period of less than a month, then I would better look for a hotel, you will have a much better vacation.

You have only 2 options for renting a house/apartment in Thailand: through a realtor in advance or on your own on the spot. In the case of a realtor, housing will be waiting for you upon arrival, no hassle on vacation. But remember, there are a lot of scammers now, transfer money only to trusted realtors.

If you decide to search on your own, be prepared to comb the area for 2-5 days in a row in 30-degree heat. And besides, everything is busy.

Budget travelers and winterers most often rent a house or rent an apartment for a long period (several months). I have already lived in cheap houses, you can follow the links and see what they look like: , ( , .

To be honest, I have lived in houses for a long time and now I prefer to live only in apartments. They are much closer to the European understanding of housing. This applies to furniture, kitchens and renovations in general. Yes, they are more expensive, but they are also more comfortable. Plus, it's always nice to have a pool and gym in the building.

If you still decide to look for housing on your own, then here are my instructions:
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When I lived on Samui and Krabi, I made 2 catalogs of houses: and . They will be useful to you for self-rental, use them. There is a map, photos, contacts. Several reviews of a smaller scale were also made for the apartments: , and .

What things to take with you, USD/EUR or cards

Currency and exchange rate

The currency in Thailand is baht (THB). You cannot pay with dollars or euros on the street, only baht. You don’t need to bring rubles either; you can exchange them in rare exchange offices and at a bad rate. A few years ago, the baht to ruble exchange rate was 1 to 1, which was very convenient (and cheap), but now the rate is about 1 to 2, not in favor of the ruble (1 THB = 1.8 RUB as of January 2018), that is, all prices in Thailand You can safely multiply by two to get the amount in rubles.

Money and bank cards

I am not a fan of carrying cash with me and I don’t advise you to. If you lose money (or have it stolen from you), it will be irrevocable. In the case of cards, you will not lose anything, or only a small part, you just need to set transaction limits in advance and know how to block the card. Yes, in Thailand, cards are accepted only in supermarkets, shopping centers, and when renting a car at the airport, but it is better to withdraw cash from the card at an ATM than to take a large amount with you at once.

Take $300-500 in cash, this will be enough for you if anything happens, and several bank cards. Exactly several, not just one! So that if one is lost or blocked, the second one works. What cards should I take? Read, I constantly update the information.

Things

I would also like to note that if you are planning to go north and generally travel around the country, then you will need a set of warm clothes (pants, sweatshirt, socks). It can be very cold on buses and trains, just like in the north of Thailand, it reaches zero in the mountains. Here's my backpack for solo trips. When I travel with my family for the winter, we have much more things in our suitcase.

How much money should you take with you?

Vacation or travel

Finance is one of the most interesting issues for people. But the problem is that it is impossible to give everyone an answer on how much they will spend. Everything is too individual and depends on the specific needs of a person. You can come to Thailand for both an inexpensive holiday and a luxurious one. You can only focus on and estimate your expenses yourself.

Wintering and monthly expenses

Please note that you and I or some other blogger may have completely different needs/approaches, which is why your spending in Thailand may differ dramatically in both directions. I wrote a post with where I told you why I would rent a house for 15 thousand baht, but you can barely find one for 30 thousand baht for the New Year, and the housing will be approximately the same. In general, we can say that you can live inexpensively in Thailand if you have such a desire and need. You just need to understand a number of things, for example, that just living is not at all the same as coming to relax to the fullest. If you stay for a long time, you will spend much less on all sorts of entertainment/excursions/bars, plus renting a house or car will cost less if you rent monthly.

On average, it is believed that an ordinary family of 3 people needs about $1,000 per month (approximately 35,000 baht), a kind of average budget. We somehow lived together and quite modestly in Phuket. And then the three of us with a child lived on Koh Samui, not saving much. I can also say that the very first winter in Chiang Mai cost 16,000 baht, and the last winter in Phuket 80,000-100,000 baht. There is always a choice about how much to spend.

Vaccinations, insects and safety

Vaccinations

Many people are wondering whether they should get vaccinated. So, there are no mandatory vaccinations for Thailand; this is not Africa, where you must be vaccinated against yellow fever. There are no vaccinations against diseases such as malaria, so you (including children) only need standard vaccinations that you do at home. Malaria is uncommon and Dengue is more of a concern. Many of my friends have had it. It is transmitted like the flu, usually with two waves of fever. It is important to remember that you need to bring down the temperature with Dengue with paracetamol, and not with ibuprofen (nurofen) and aspirin, so it makes sense to take paracetamol with you () and bring it down first, until you go to the hospital through your insurance and are diagnosed.

Insects

Safety

Thailand is a safe country when it comes to robbery. Yes, as soon as something like this happens, the media inflate it into big stories. But if you look at the statistics, you will understand how few serious crimes there are. In Thailand, it’s not at all scary to walk through deserted and unfamiliar back streets at night, it’s safe to spend the night on the highway in a car; by chance, something forgotten somewhere will most likely wait for you. But you shouldn’t relax completely either; you should always follow basic safety rules.

The main problems are road accidents (especially on bikes) and theft from rental houses. They usually steal at night and the presence of owners in the house does not interfere, so check that windows and doors are locked (it is advisable to have bars on the windows) and do not live in detached houses without neighbors. They also sometimes steal from hotel rooms, but I myself and my friends have not yet encountered this. If you are very afraid, book a hotel with a safe in the room, or at least do not leave money and equipment in plain sight.

The language barrier

It's good if you know English at least at school level. But ignorance of it is not a problem, especially if you are traveling to Pattaya/Phuket, where there are often signs and menus in Russian. Among tourists, I constantly see those who know just a few words of English and for them this is not a problem. A lot can be explained by gestures, and you can understand the answer simply by guessing the meaning (). Therefore, if you are not a complete introvert, then you can handle it without any problems; you don’t need to discuss politics and philosophy with the Thais, but replacing a towel in a hotel or eating in a cafe. Here's my advice - install the Google Translate application on your phone and download English, Russian and Thai dictionaries in advance, then the translation will be available without mobile Internet. Or remember.

Transporting animals abroad

I wouldn't take a cat or dog with me for a couple of weeks of vacation; it's much easier to find one of your friends or relatives with whom you can leave them. It's another matter if you're traveling for a long time. However, it is not so difficult to take the animal with you -.

On site upon arrival

How to get from Thai airport to the hotel

Tickets to Phuket are usually more expensive than to Bangkok. But if you are going to vacation in Phuket, Khao Lak or Krabi, then it is very doubtful to fly to Bangkok first. The situation with Samui is a little different, there are simply no direct flights there and in any case there will be a transfer in Bangkok. But I already wrote about this in choosing a resort.

How to get to the hotel from the airport, and you will find out from the links. All methods are described there, including public transport, transfers and taxis. But I’ll get ahead of myself and say that the easiest and most comfortable way is to order a transfer in advance via the Internet, then upon arrival you will be met with a sign with your name and taken to the desired hotel. Zero hassles.

Transit in Bangkok, how to get to the resort

If you are going to Pattaya, Koh Chang, Hua Hin, as well as Chiang Mai or Bangkok itself, then you will fly to Bangkok. Usually, tickets to Bangkok are the cheapest, both for flights with transfers and direct ones. And from there you will get to the resort you need by plane, bus or train.

There are two international airports in Bangkok: and. From Russia you will fly to Suvarnabhumi and if you then transfer to an AirAsia or NokAir plane, then you will need to go to Don Mueang. People often fly to Don Mueang from other Asian countries, for example, from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. Following the links you can read all the information on airports, how to move between them, and how to get to the city. Looking ahead, I will say that the easiest and fastest way to travel is by car; it is cheap in Bangkok.

If you are not going to stay in Bangkok, then below are links to detailed descriptions of all the ways to get to the nearest resorts.

If you bought tickets to Bangkok because of their price, but in fact you are going much further, then I have instructions for you too.

Mobile 4G Internet and WiFi

Buy a local Thai SIM card online in advance and get mobile internet for 8 days in 144 baht instead of 299 baht. Your SIM card will be waiting for you right at the airport at the Klook/Dtac kiosk. This is just a gift, you won’t find these prices anywhere else. The tariff is more than enough for instant messengers, website browsing, google maps, etc. Just in case.

SIM cards can also then be bought at 7-eleven or Family Mart minimarkets, at operator offices and in stores that sell phones and accessories. But it’s better to take it right away at the airport, so as not to have to look for it later, since the necessary SIM cards are not always available, and small traders also sell them at a higher price.

Food in Thailand

I really fell in love with Thai cuisine and never got tired of it at all. But I know that there are also those who consider it monotonous/tasteless and prefer to eat in European cafes or cook at home. The latter is relevant in the case of a long stay in Thailand and renting housing with a kitchen. In hotels, unless they are apart-hotels, there is usually no kitchen.

First of all, you should know that Tai is one big cafe (). There are cafes and bakery shops on almost every corner, it’s difficult to stay hungry. Makashnitsa is essentially a mobile kitchen (on a bike), all the food is prepared in front of you and often there are no tables or chairs. It is believed that the most delicious food is sold in makashnitsa, as well as in inexpensive Thai cafes, because they do not have refrigerators and everything purchased in the morning must be sold the day before, which is why everything is fresh. There are no less presentable cafes and restaurants, but the food there is more adapted for Europeans, as well as a larger range of dishes, including European cuisine. Poisoning is rare, especially when it comes to inexpensive cafes.

The second thing worth knowing is that in Thailand there are no supermarkets within walking distance that we are used to. There are either those found on every street, where the main products are water, chips, nuts, several ready-made meals, as well as household small items such as shampoo and a toothbrush. Or large Tesco, Big C, Makro, Tops Market, Villa Market with a full range of products and other goods (furniture, appliances, etc.), and where you need to go by transport. They are similar to our Auchans. There is also a place where vegetables, fruits, meat and seafood are sold.

If you go for a long time, then this post will be relevant to you -. And I also wrote separately on the topic -. At first, in supermarkets it is not clear where everything is, but almost everything is sold, well, or a lot. But you should understand that imported goods, as well as the fact that Thais do not eat much, will cost more.

Traveling around the country

Instructions on how to get between cities

The fastest way is airplanes. And in principle it is not very expensive. For example, a flight from Bangkok to Phuket costs 1,500 baht on average. As a rule, it all comes down to purchasing a ticket from AirAsia.com or NokAir.com. The first flies around Asia, the second mainly around Thailand. The prices are about the same; in terms of service, I like NokAir better.

Many people travel between cities by car. Bus service is very developed in Thailand, the buses are new and comfortable. If you can easily endure long hours of travel (especially at night), then this option is for you. Unfortunately, there are no sleeping buses in Thailand yet (where you can lie down straight), but perhaps someday they will appear. The ticket is inexpensive and depends on the class (Vip, 1, 2), for example, 800 km - 500-1000 baht.

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Scooter and car rental

The easiest way to get around locally and over short distances is on a scooter, which is most often simply called a bike. You can rent it without any problems; there are plenty of rental points at any resort and the prices are reasonable. The most popular bikes here have a volume of 100-150 cubic meters, that is, they are quite suitable for transporting two people. At the rental office they won’t ask you for your license, but by law they are required and if you are stopped by the police, you will pay a fine, and there may also be problems in case of an accident. It has its own characteristics, and, of course, there is also danger, you need to be careful.

For those who are afraid to ride a bike for one reason or another, or are simply not confident in their abilities, it is better to take a car. It is also good for long distances and for traveling with a group. If you still doubt and don’t know, then look at my comparison.

I personally don’t take risks and never put my child on a bike, so when I travel with my family I always rent a car, which is what I advise you to do. And recently, I’ve actually switched to a car to travel between cities, but I only take a bike locally, for short local trips.

You need to rent through brokers and through them it is 2 times cheaper than directly. This is a life hack. I have booked through both of them multiple times and everything has been great. All cars will be only from trusted international rental companies, with insurance, contracts, no problems or scams.

What to see in Thailand

The main attractions are Thai and Chinese temples, beaches, national parks with waterfalls, zoos and amusement parks. Active activities include rope parks with zip lines, ATVs and all sorts of water activities: diving, jet skis, bananas. Of course, at each resort there are also sea excursions to islands with snow-white beaches and snorkeling.

During your first trip to Asia, many things will be outlandish, even dishes in local cafes and fruits, these can also be considered a tourist attraction. The range of entertainment, plus or minus, is the same everywhere, the scale depends only on how large the resort is. It also makes sense for avid travelers to travel through the north of Thailand, where there are mountains, waterfalls of normal height, and stunning views.

Life hack #1 - how to buy good insurance

Choosing insurance now is incredibly difficult, so to help all travelers. To do this, I constantly monitor forums, study insurance contracts and use insurance myself.

· · Updated 09/01/2019

The exchange rate of the ruble against the baht and the dollar is falling again, but this is not a reason to stay at home, because you can go abroad quite economically. How cheap holiday in Thailand in 2019? Budget holidays in Pattaya, Phuket and Thailand in general are the topic of today’s article. All the travel secrets are affordable. Tips for a cheap holiday in Pattaya and Phuket.

Russian people don’t just give up and even in times of crisis they try to travel abroad. You can have a cheap holiday in Thailand if you spend a little time learning the nuances, secrets and life hacks of the “local” residents and winterers.

Many people are interested in how to holiday in Thailand cheaply and not overpay for nothing. We have been living in Thailand for many years, we know many ways to save wisely, and I will be happy to tell you everything I know to help you save in Thailand.

How to plan an inexpensive holiday in Thailand - the beginning

Tip #1 – Plan and record your expenses

Many years have passed since we moved to Thailand. At first we were ripped off at every corner. Looking back, I see how we overpaid literally everywhere: we went to the most expensive cafes, salons, used the services of tour operators, local taxis, and so on, so on.
If you don’t write down your expenses, after a day it’s impossible to restore the picture in your head and a familiar situation arises: “money slipped through your fingers.”

Download any budget planning program to your phone and start recording your expenses, it helps a lot.

The most interesting thing is that since we began to record and plan expenses, the standard of living not only has not fallen, but has actually increased. Surprisingly, this is true. They just stopped spending on unnecessary, useless, spontaneous things.

The most valuable thing before going on vacation is experience. If you have no experience and you are going to Pattaya or Phuket for the first time, you should take advantage of the experience of people permanently living in Thailand, that is, ours.
The difference in price for identical products, goods and services can range from 50% to 500%. Just think about it.

What's the point of buying a few shrimp on the beach for 300 baht, which have already gone rotten in the heat, if for that money you can buy a kilogram of the best and freshest in Makro?
Tom Yam for 250 baht? Thank you, there are places where it costs 50 and is much tastier.
Just 10-15 years ago, Russian tourists were throwing money around in Thailand, but now everyone has started counting money. And that's not bad at all. This is fine.

This article was born from answers to numerous questions from readers, friends and relatives - how to vacation in Thailand cheaply? What to do to save money and fly to Pattaya or Phuket on a limited budget, while still having a really high-quality and interesting vacation.

Tip No. 2 will include as many as 2 pieces of advice: buy tours or air tickets to Thailand in advance, and go on vacation to Thailand during the “low season”.

Low season in Thailand is the period from May to October. I advise you to familiarize yourself with the weather at all resorts in Thailand before planning, because in reality, only Pattaya is suitable for year-round recreation, other resort cities are not.

What to do if you are going on vacation in winter? The best thing is to buy a tour package, the sooner the better. Firstly, the dollar exchange rate is constantly growing, and with it the cost of the tour.
Secondly, tours to Thailand sold in advance are always cheaper, even on peak dates (December-February).

If you decide to go to Thailand on your own, you shouldn’t delay purchasing air tickets either.

I usually look for air tickets using the price map by month here:

Price map for flights to Thailand:

It is cheaper to look for tour packages to Thailand from aggregators, as well as air tickets. Such companies sell tour packages directly from all the most reliable tour operators. The convenience is that all prices for all tours are visible at once and there is no need to sift through and compare different agencies.

The most convenient and cheapest tours to Thailand are sold on Level Travel and Travelate.

View prices for Level Travel View prices for Trevelate

Remember - Phuket is always more expensive than Pattaya, simply because it is an island. You can relax in Phuket cheaply, but it is much more difficult to do and you will have to spend more effort and time, and still, even with effort, a vacation in Phuket will cost 30-40% more than in Pattaya.

If you choose Phuket, make sure that your area has public transport, shops within walking distance and close to the sea.

If you are going to Pattaya, choose the Jomtien area. This is the best and most convenient area for tourists, winterers and long-livers to relax.

Jomtien Beach Photo of Jomtien promenade beach

For all first-time travelers to Thailand, local realities and the difference between holidays in Turkey, Egypt and Thailand come as a surprise.
Thailand is not a package holiday at all. People come here not to sit in a hotel, but to walk, look, try local food, and gain impressions.
So it’s not worth overpaying for a hotel at all.

In Thailand there is no star rating system for hotels and everything is very approximate, but even 2-3 star hotels can be quite good and suitable for relaxation.

The advantages of an inexpensive hotel in Thailand: they always have inexpensive cafes with local and European cuisine. Massages are most often at the same price as in the city. The staff is usually friendly and ready to help.

Good inexpensive hotels in Pattaya:

From 450 baht Excellent hotel Zign Apartment in Jomtien with sea views and beach access Inexpensive good hotel in Phuket Hotel for 300 baht in Bangkok near the cool Chatuchak market

I can also give you direct contacts of the owner of a good and inexpensive hotel on the first line of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, just write in the comments.

And also, it is worth keeping in mind that prices in different booking systems differ and only on Rumguru you can see them all in one place and choose the most profitable option for yourself:

In Thailand, medicine is very expensive and even wealthy people will not like to be treated for their own hard-earned cash.

Prices for treating even a common cold are inadequate, and a minimum doctor’s appointment and a couple of manipulations with a handful of medications will cost no less than $130-180.

If something is more complicated - injury, hospitalization, intensive care, then the bills for treatment immediately exceed tens of thousands of dollars.

It’s a completely stupid myth that in Thailand people don’t get sick or get sick less often. Nothing like that. In Pattaya or Phuket, people suffer from flu and colds no less often. Also, tourists “bring” illnesses to resort towns, which often provokes epidemics, especially among young children.

“Popular” illnesses in Thailand are colds, rotavirus, injuries, poisoning, bronchitis and pneumonia, etc.

A very important factor in saving money and guaranteeing a relaxing holiday will be the purchase of travel insurance to Thailand for yourself and your children.
The insurance situation changes frequently and I constantly monitor it.
You can get up-to-date information, reviews and advice on the best insurance in Thailand here.

If you don’t want to delve into it, the advice is simple. Choose insurance on the Cherekhapa website, you can’t go wrong. The prices are minimal, there is a large selection of insurance companies, we have been buying through them for 6 years now.

View insurance prices

The best option for Thailand is insurance from a European company ERV. It is suitable for both infants and the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases.
It is inexpensive and the reviews in Thailand are very good.

ERV is especially relevant for those traveling for a long time. There is simply no better or cheaper annual option. The only caveat is that you need to travel to Russia at least once every 90 days. Thus, you can buy a policy for less than $100 for a year, which will be valid 362 days a year.

It is very important to be insured against dengue fever when traveling to Thailand. Although it does not happen so often, people die from it. A Russian man recently died in Phuket. After him, his relatives were left with medical bills of more than 2 million rubles.
For dengue NOT The company “Soglasie” insures.

ERV, Absolut, VTB, Allianz, Alfa insurance - insure.

(The insurances listed are the ones I primarily recommend for Ty).

Tip #6 – Don’t overpay for groceries and fruits

In Thailand, the most popular and profitable grocery hypermarket chain is MACRO. There are both in Pattaya (2 stores, in the south and north), and in Phuket, and in all other resort towns.

Not only buyers of cafes and restaurants, but also ordinary people go to Makro to buy groceries. Grocery prices in Makro are lower than in any other stores, and you can find everything from salt to furniture.
Fresh large tiger prawns in Makro: about 280 baht per kg, oysters from 15 baht per piece, cheese - 300 baht kg, eggs - 75-85 baht 30 pcs, cottage cheese - 100 baht (0.5), pork - 150-200 baht, chicken from 45 baht And so on.

Fruits in Thailand should only be bought at the market!

The best markets in Pattaya

– Ratanakorn market near the Colosseum on the street. Tepprasit (Also a wholesale fruit market, which has the lowest prices in the city and a large selection).
– Market on the street. Watbun
– Market on 5 soy Pratumnak
– Market near Pattaya Park
– Small local fruit markets in different parts of the city.

The most expensive fruits are at the Mike shopping mall, at the Jomtien night market on beach street, at second-hand stores and on Beach Road, as well as in Tops chain stores.

As soon as you, having arrived on a tour package, meet with the guide, he begins to process you and tell you tall tales - about registration, about the “obligatory” meeting with the guide, about the horrors of a holiday in Thailand and other nonsense. There is only one goal - to sell you excursions at a higher price. Tour operator guides are excellent psychologists, who are properly trained for each season, so a huge number of tourists go and buy the same excursions that are sold in street agencies at 2-3 times more expensive.

You can take a walk around the city center, get to observation decks and temples on your own. Sometimes this is comparable to the cost of the excursion (and the transfer is included), but after looking at the city map, you can always choose something for yourself.

Those who will live in Pattaya in the Pratumnak and Jomtien areas can get to the Big Buddha and the observation deck. Residents of the northern part - see the Temple of Truth or go to Mini Siam.

Don't be fooled by your guide's sweet talk. Everything that will be offered to you on excursions in “royal pharmacies”, tea shops and other latexes can be bought in the city 5 times cheaper. There are no magical Thai balms that cannot be bought in Pattaya or Phuket, just like teas, ointments, creams and other things.

For souvenirs and gifts, go to the nearest online market and buy everything there, preferably in bulk.

Tip #10 – How to save money on travel in Thailand

Reasonable savings on transport will help you have a cheap holiday in Thailand. Let me start with the fact that if you do not have an international or Thai license to drive a motorcycle, then renting one is not a good idea. There are a lot of police, they stop you all the time, the fine is at least 500 baht.
In addition to the fine, do not forget about the accident, in which you will always remain the last one. God forbid I end up in a Thai prison.

The same goes for the car.

The best and cheapest way is local public transport - Songthaew. Traveling in it around Pattaya costs 10 baht around the city, there are many routes, even from one end of the city to the other you can get with 1-2 transfers and very cheaply.

The second way is uber taxi or grab taxi. This option is much cheaper than fishing privately. The taxi mafia hates aggregators like Uber because they drive down prices. If an Uber ride costs 100 baht, then a local taxi costs 300 baht.
Download the program and use it. No language knowledge required. The driver sees your location on the map; you ride according to the meter or for a fixed price. The maximum he can do is call and find out where you are.

Tip No. 11 How to save money on exchanging money in Thailand

In Thailand you can only pay in Thai baht. So in any case you will have to exchange rubles, euros or dollars for baht.

I described the most profitable exchangers in Pattaya here. It’s the same with Phuket and other resort towns.
To save money on your holiday in Thailand, never change money at the airport, in shopping centers or in dubious shops. Only in currency exchange, preferably comparing 2-3 pieces for your own peace of mind.

You can only withdraw money in Thailand with a commission of 220 baht. Therefore, withdrawing small amounts is unprofitable. It’s better to use as many as you need at once.
At ATMs in Thailand, the maximum withdrawal amount is 30,000 baht.

It is now unprofitable to bring rubles to Thailand. The rate fluctuates and the real rate does not coincide with the declared one.

You can pay by card in Thailand and it is profitable if the card is in dollars.
The conversion goes like this: Dollars are exchanged for baht and issued to you at the rate of your visa or master card. If you withdraw from a ruble card, then rubles at the rate set by your bank are exchanged for dollars, and then for baht.

Tipping is great! In the service sector in Thailand, there are many professions that live almost exclusively on them, but this does not mean that you need to leave a tip everywhere and always.

I conducted a survey to find out who tips how much in a massage parlor, and I also always watch people. Usually, no one leaves anything, rarely 20-50 baht for a tip.
Throwing money around and leaving tips wherever possible and impossible undermines the budget.

In hotel restaurants and many others, service is already included in the price of the check, so tips are not needed there. Look at the receipt, often the tax is already included - 7% Vat and 10% tip.

Thailand Saving Tip #13 – Take advantage of discounts and bonuses in Thailand

This advice may be more suitable for those who come to Thailand for longer than a week, since tourists often do not have time to delve into the intricacies, but still, pay attention to the promotions and discounts that are happening around.
After 18 pm in some hypermarkets (Big-C, for example), today's goods are discounted. For example, sliced fruits, ready-made meals, baked goods. This does not affect the taste and freshness in any way, but the price is -30-80%.

There are always promotions in 7/11 convenience stores, you just need to know how to use them and preferably buy a card. The card costs 200 baht and is sold at the checkout. Promotions for it are visible on the price tags (next to the price there is a price and a picture of 7card), which means that this discount is only for the card.
There are also other promotions that are not associated with a promotion, but with a check. Take a closer look, at the bottom of the check there is a number from 1 to infinity (depending on the amount spent). This means that for the number indicated you can buy goods on sale.

For example: Snickers cost 18 baht, the promotion is 12. By presenting the previous receipt with the number 9 at the bottom, you can buy 9 bars at the lower price.
Also at 7/11, Tesco Lotus (mini), there are constantly promotions with the collection of stickers in a book. Once accumulated, you can exchange them for gifts, tickets to shows, water parks, etc. At 7/11, when there are promotions with stickers, 1 sticker is a baht, so you can give them away at the checkout instead of change.
It’s worth noting that Thai sellers don’t really like to give out stickers, sometimes they need to be reminded about it :)

Also a good way to save money is to check your receipts. In Thailand, sellers very often cheat on themselves.

Bonuses are always given by mobile operator companies. Just download the program of your Thai operator to your phone, for example, True or Dtac, and depending on what status you have (silver, gold, platinum), discounts are available to you in stores or cafes.

Cafes and restaurants also participate in the promotions. I have already written about the eatigo program, which is gaining popularity. There are 47 restaurants in Pattaya, more than a hundred in Bangkok, and in other Asian countries it is also there. Just book a table for a convenient time and get a discount from 10 to 50%.

Even if you have breakfast and dinner at home during your vacation, this will significantly affect your budget, since cafes and restaurants in Thailand can cost a significant amount in a couple of weeks.

Most Russian tourists first look for familiar food upon arrival. It's clear. It’s quite difficult to adapt to the locals right away, but coming to Thailand on vacation and eating cutlets with mashed potatoes is at least strange and certainly not cheap. Try, experiment and you will definitely find something from the local cuisine to your liking.
If you have heard a lot about the spiciness of Thai dishes, then here is a list of those that are not spicy and worth trying first.

What to try in Thailand – 10 main dishes For example, even at a food court, a Russian dish will cost a couple of times more than a Thai or any other Asian dish.

Tip No. 16 How else to save money in Thailand

Bargain. In Thailand, of course, the system of discounts in the markets is not quite the same as in Turkey or Egypt, where it is customary to bargain to the point of frenzy, but asking for a discount never hurts. If the seller is able to make it, then he will definitely give it to you, just ask. If he is categorical, then tricks like “I will leave and he will run after” will not work here.

Bargaining in Thailand can and should be done in markets and in places where there is no fixed price. Bargaining in large supermarkets or shopping centers is pointless, although there are individuals who manage to get a discount even there. For example, my mother-in-law. In a shoe store in the center I received a 10% discount by simply asking if they had it. It's a small thing, but nice.

Tip #17 – Don’t overpay for a massage in Thailand

Massage parlors in Thailand are the same everywhere. The only difference is in status.
If you go to a massage parlor at a 4-5 star hotel, you will pay at least 2-3 times more than in a massage parlor on the street.
The other day I saw a record low price for a massage in Pattaya, in a quite decent salon. 1 hour of Thai massage - 100 baht, 1 hour of foot massage - also 100 baht, and oil massage - 200. At regular prices in the city - 200, 200 and 300 respectively.
The salon is located on the main street, near the turn to Memorial Hospital.

The cheapest massage parlors are located in side streets, not on main streets. In Pattaya it is Soi Buakao near the south street. There, the average price for a massage is 130 – 150 baht per hour.
And one more piece of advice. If you liked the massage, immediately negotiate with the masseuse and find out her name. Because finding a good master is not easy.
If the massage did not bring the expected emotions, do not despair and try again.
The most traumatic and dangerous is Thai massage, so be careful during it and if your stretch is a maximum of 35 degrees, do not succumb to those gymnastic somersaults that the masseuse obsessively suggests.

The result of all of the above

Maybe I haven’t described all the ways to save money, but if I remember something, I’ll definitely add it. I will also be happy to listen to your advice.
You can travel to Thailand on a budget and economically only if you are prepared. Having learned the area, the terrain, some nuances and realities. Having correctly purchased a ticket, insurance, estimated where and for how long you will go on excursions, how you will eat and have fun. With a little effort and time, you can make your voyage interesting, eventful and memorable, which is what I wish for you!