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.
At sea, it is best to relax on e. 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 Patong beach, 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.
Phuket or Pattaya which is better? This is roughly the question asked by tourists choosing a tour to Thailand. Similar questions are asked by those tourists who have already been to one of the resorts in Thailand and are choosing where to go this season.
The main differences in these resorts are their location and origin. So it turned out that nature turned out to have Phuket as an island, and Pattaya as part of the mainland. There is a road to the island of Phuket, which makes it much easier to travel around the country on your own. Many products are brought to Phuket from mainland Thailand.
Let's consider the most important aspects of a holiday in Thailand for a tourist. Everyone goes to Thailand for the clean sea, beautiful beaches and exotic things, but is this really so, and where are things better with exotic holidays?
Phuket or Pattaya which is better
| Pattaya | Phuket | |
| Better | ||
| Better and cleaner |
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| Better | ||
| More and more interesting |
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| More and cheaper |
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| Conditions better |
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| Cheaper | ||
| Cheaper and faster |
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| Cheaper | ||
| Cheaper |
The short conclusion is: a holiday in Pattaya is suitable for young party-goers who love active recreation and adventure; holidays in Phuket are chosen by married couples with children, for whom comfort is more important than entertainment (although there is plenty of entertainment here).
Climate, weather and seasons
The climate in Pattaya is much more pleasant in any season. In the dry season (from November to April) the probability of precipitation is minimal (it can rain 2-3 times a month, no longer than half an hour), the rest of the time the bright sun shines; in Phuket it can rain every week. During the rainy season (from May to October) it will rain in Pattaya no more than once a week, for a short duration, while in Phuket the rains will be more frequent and longer.
The climate is better in Pattaya.
Sea
A tourist flew from Moscow to Pattaya expecting snow-white beaches, clear water and complete relaxation, but it turns out that he flew in vain. And indeed, the state of the sea in the city is so-so, the most ordinary yellow sand on a narrow sandy beach, and the water is muddy.
Many tourists go to Koh Larn for swimming. It is located an hour's drive from Pattaya. You can get to Koh Larn by a regular ferry, which runs on schedule. Some tourists (me too) swim and sunbathe on the beaches in Pattaya, because the road to the nearest island of Koh Larn takes two hours (an hour there and an hour back), and besides, on the island you need to use something to get around (I rent a moped), Thus, trips to the island are expensive, both in terms of money and time.
The sea around the island of Phuket is much cleaner and more pleasant than the sea in the city limits of Pattaya, and the sea here is different, in Pattaya it is the Gulf of Thailand, and the island of Phuket is washed by the Andaman Sea. The transparency of the water in Phuket is surprising, the water is warm, and the bottom topography is flat, which is especially important for tourists traveling with children.
The sea is better in Phuket.
Beaches and beach holidays
You can compare the noisiest and most crowded beach in Phuket - Patong, and even it looks much better than the city beaches in Pattaya. Many tourists speak extremely negatively about Patong, but it is so huge that you can even find your ideal place there. As a rule, the most crowded place in Patong is near the exit from Bangla Road, but move a little to the side and you will be happy.
Some of the beaches in Phuket are private and belong to hotels (both large and small), so if you want to sunbathe in splendid isolation, you can choose one of these beaches. The choice and variety of beaches on the island is amazing; there are both tourist ones with an abundance of vacationers, and completely deserted ones, both absolutely free, and those that charge an entrance fee.
The beaches are better in Phuket.
Attractions
It’s hard to say that there are fewer attractions in Phuket than in Pattaya; most likely they are a little different and are suitable for those tourists who love the natural beauty of Thailand.
But nevertheless, the number of excursions and attractions in Pattaya is off the charts and simply defies any analysis. There is everything here, from an amazing garden of million-year-old stones to trips to neighboring Cambodia, and if this is not enough, then the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is only two hours away by bus.
For lovers of pristine natural beauty, you should definitely visit the world famous Similan Nature Reserve, which can be reached from Phuket, and if you are vacationing in Pattaya, be sure to go to the River Kwai.
There are more attractions in Pattaya.
Entertainment
There is many times more entertainment in Pattaya than in Phuket; the famous Pattaya Walking Street is rippling with advertisements for entertainment establishments. Walking Street is full of restaurants, nightclubs, discos, bars with girls (not all of them are girls, be careful), Go-Go bars, exotic shows (transvestite shows, X-shows, 69, etc.) .
In Phuket there is also an analogue of Walking Street called Bangla Road, the scope is not the same as in Pattaya, but lovers of hot drinks will find what they are looking for. In Phuket, you should choose the right place to stay, because all entertainment is concentrated in the Patong area. While the sun sets on Patong and evening life begins, the rest of the island goes into “sleep” mode.
Entertainment is better in Pattaya
Housing prices
Phuket is considered the most expensive resort in Thailand, but despite this status you can find housing there for 300 baht per day (details about the baht to ruble exchange rate), but do not be fooled by the low price, it is likely that a little later some feature of such cheapness will be revealed .
Housing prices in Phuket
In general, prices for accommodation are approximately the same, although there are a number of features. If in Pattaya there is a good selection of apartments (apartments), then in Phuket there is a huge selection of villas and small private houses for one family, but otherwise much is very similar. Taking into account the fact that a villa in Phuket can be rented for several families and save a lot, Phuket is more profitable.
Housing prices in Pattaya
In a word, if you are traveling with your family for a relaxing holiday, then it is more profitable to go to Phuket.
Housing prices are better in Phuket (price/quality).
Prices for food and groceries
As for food prices, Phuket with imported fruits and vegetables is ready to surprise you with practical Moscow prices for fruits, and some restaurants may not be visited by all Russian tourists. This is especially noticeable in the Patong area. Sometimes it gets ridiculous, you choose what you want to buy, go towards Kata Beach and everything is the same there, but much cheaper. There are also very authentic roadside cafes with Thai prices.
The height of surprise for me (in the 2015 season) was the price of my favorite fruit - durian. Durian in Patong is sold already peeled for 1000 baht per kilogram ( approximately 28 dollars), while in neighboring Vietnam I bought the same durian for no more than 40,000 dong per kilogram ( about 2 dollars).
In Pattaya, food prices are more similar to Bangkok and bargaining is possible, as every Asian market requires. However, prices for everything else: restaurants, bars, massage, food, manufactured goods, entertainment, travel, motorbike rental, etc. in Pattaya are significantly lower than in Phuket and this is a fact.
However, you can go north from Patong, where you can also find more reasonable prices and more accommodating Thais, but for this you need to rent a bike.
All those who like to drink, eat and have fun are recommended to go on holiday to Pattaya, where everything is cheaper and much more interesting.
Food prices are better in Pattaya.
Where is it easier to get from Bangkok to Pattaya or Phuket?
If you are an independent traveler and arrived in Bangkok, then getting to the beaches of Pattaya will be much easier for you and, no less important, much cheaper.
Air travel from Russia to Pattaya is cheaper.
Summarize: Pattaya is suitable for noisy, cheerful groups who are not averse to joining in any adventure (sometimes very dubious); here you can also enjoy excursions and other tourist attractions. Phuket is more suitable for a relaxing family vacation with children; holidays on the island are also often chosen by newlyweds for their honeymoon.
Have a nice holiday in Thailand.
But Phuket is much cleaner, especially where there are no crowds of tourists. And on the beach, the most popular among tourists, the sea is much better than in Pattaya. And on the southern beaches you can generally see fish swimming near the shore.
So that you do not lose the desire to go to Pattaya, we note that there are several near the resort (for example,) where the water is very clean. You can travel to Koh Larn every day by ferry for 30 baht (one way, travel time 45 minutes). If you wish, you can even spend your entire vacation there, since there are hotels and guesthouses (for example, we lived in).
3. Beaches.
Here again Phuket takes the lead.
Pattaya has three main and several minor (small) ones. Much more, and they are wider. Thanks to such diversity, you can choose a corner to your liking - some are quiet and deserted, and some are noisy and party-like. In Pattaya, there are no uncrowded beaches - there are a lot of people everywhere.
4. Ecology.
Half of Phuket is occupied by forests, and in Pattaya there are not even parks left where you can breathe clean air. Of course, there is no such pollution here as in Bangkok or Moscow, but still, in terms of ecology, Phuket is better than Pattaya.
5. Attractions.
But here the island in the Andaman Sea is much inferior to the resort in the Gulf of Thailand. Although there are few interesting places in Pattaya itself, it is only a two-hour drive from Bangkok, where the main cities of Thailand are located. They will introduce you to the history, culture, religion and architecture of the country in full. Inspecting them can take your entire vacation. Plus, in three hours it’s easy to get to the old capital of Thailand, where there is also a lot of interesting things. If you wish, you can go for a couple of days to, which is generally the cultural center of Thailand. There are excursions to other places. The choice is very large.
But Phuket is located “on the outskirts”. It takes 12-14 hours to get to Bangkok or Ayutthaya by bus or you have to fly. It’s also difficult - there are only a couple, plus waterfalls. Everything else is not particularly interesting (like the Butterfly Farm). And the statue was built in the 2000s and has no historical value. Staying on the island will only lift the veil of Eastern culture and give you the most superficial idea of it.
Thus, in terms of attractions, it is definitely better to go to Pattaya.
6. Prices.
10. Visa extension.
This is relevant for those who come to Thailand for a period of 1 month or more. In Pattaya, people usually go to Cambodia to get a visa, and a visa run costs from 2,200 baht. You leave at 7 am and return at 4 pm. Phuket is the cheapest place to travel to Myanmar. Average price - 1500 baht. You leave at 7 o'clock and return at 18-19. This tour can be purchased at any local travel agency. It is worth understanding that this day trip is called a visa run or border run and since May 2014 it has become not very popular. And all because the Thai immigration began to strictly ensure that people do not apply for visa-runs, but rather obtain visas. Those. Now it’s impossible to do more than one visa-run in a row, and even then only for those who visit Thailand infrequently.
Diving and fishing are worse than Phuket.
Pros of Phuket: clean sea, large selection (including “wild” ones), excellent diving, snorkeling and sea fishing, good ecology, a lot of greenery.
Cons of Phuket: small selection and (compared to Pattaya), rather high prices, there are waves, a lot of rain and the sky is covered with smaller clouds (basically, they are only on Patong Beach).
Who we recommend Pattaya to: budget tourists, single men looking for a “strawberry”, party-goers, those who want to relax in Thailand during the rainy season and get to know the history, culture, architecture and rich heritage of the country.
Who we recommend Phuket: who goes to the country for a beach holiday and who is willing to pay a little extra for it; couples with children; who have little interest in architectural and cultural sights, but who like to visit islands, jungles, and observation decks.
Believe me, hardly anyone will give you a clear answer to the question - which is better than Phuket or Pattaya. In fact, everything here very much depends on what will be your priority on vacation - clear sea, night parties, or the opportunity to get to know the historical and natural attractions of Thailand.
If we talk purely about the climate, then the Pattaya resort undoubtedly wins in this matter, because it definitely has the best climate in Thailand. During the dry season, which lasts from November to April, precipitation occurs here no more than once or twice a month, and even then the rain lasts for a maximum of half an hour. Well, the rest of the time the gentle sun shines, which is so lacking in these winter months at our home.
During the rainy season, which in Thailand lasts from May to October, precipitation in Pattaya is not so frequent - once or twice a week, but it can last a whole week and the next week will be dry. True, the sky during this period is usually overcast and the sun does not appear very often. But why be surprised? After all, it’s the rainy season; in Phuket at this time everything is much worse.
In Phuket, during the dry season it rains about once or twice a week, but during the rainy season it can rain almost every day for an hour or even much longer. So in terms of weather, Pattaya takes the lead. But as far as the cleanliness of the air is concerned, everything is just the opposite. Among the disadvantages of Phuket, one can also note very high waves and even dangerous currents in the low season.
If you look at which of these two resorts has a better and cleaner sea, then Phuket definitely wins. In Pattaya, this is essentially not a sea at all, but just one name, not to mention the purity of the water. An incredibly large number of water motor activities are concentrated on the main beach here, which cannot but affect the cleanliness of the water in the sea. Well, plus, of course, the crowds of tourists are not well-mannered and throw anything they can into the sea.
In Phuket, especially in those places where there are few tourists, it is much cleaner, of course. Recently, many vacationers have adapted to renting a hotel in Pattaya and going for a swim to nearby islands - for example, to Koh Larn, where both the water and the beach are very clean.
The beaches are certainly better in Phuket. There are much more of them there and in general they are wider than in Pattaya. Therefore, in Phuket it is very easy to choose a quiet and peaceful place for your holiday. If you wish, there is, of course, the opportunity to find noisy party beaches. But in Pattaya you can’t find sparsely populated beaches at all - it’s full of people everywhere.
As for ecology, Phuket undoubtedly wins here, because almost half of the island is occupied by forests, and in Pattaya itself there are practically no parks left where one could at least breathe clean air. Of course, we can’t talk about such strong gas pollution as, for example, in Bangkok or in Moscow, but still, from an environmental point of view, Phuket is much better.
But in terms of sightseeing, the first place remains with Pattaya. Although there may not be many of them in it itself, you can easily get anywhere from it. So in this regard, the island located in the Andaman Sea is much inferior to the resort of Pattaya.
There are all sorts of different entertainments here and there, so in this regard Pattaya and Phuket are on equal terms. But prices for accommodation are indeed much higher in Phuket; it is generally considered the most expensive resort in Thailand. So the choice is yours, weigh all the pros and cons and decide.
Pattaya or Phuket - which is better? Even those tourists who have already been to Thailand sometimes rack their brains about what to choose? Which city should you prefer? Pattaya or Phuket – holiday on an island or the Gulf of Thailand?
Where is it cheaper - Phuket or Pattaya? Where are the best beaches? how much does a trip to Phuket cost, and how much to Pattaya?
There are many questions that arise when planning a vacation, which I will try to answer today. Let's compare the climate, weather, beaches, prices in Phuket and Pattaya, the cost of rental housing, transport, excursions and other important components of any vacation to make it easier to choose.
Where to go to Phuket or Pattaya?
People ask me this all the time and although I live in Pattaya, I will not say that Phuket is worse than Pattaya, or Pattaya is better than Phuket. Thank God we are all different, we have different preferences and tastes, different expectations from the holiday, plans for it, and so on. In today’s article, I will try to compare the two main resorts in Thailand as objectively as possible, list their pros and cons, so that you can decide for yourself what is best for you and where to fly, to Pattaya or Phuket.
Weather and climate in Pattaya and Phuket
If we talk about the weather, Pattaya is confidently ahead of all other resorts in Thailand on this point.
Pattaya has consistently smooth, identical weather all year round, with the exception of a short period of rain, which, however, even during the rainy season does not interfere with rest, since it occurs at night and for a short time.
In Pattaya all year round it is +30 +35, in winter the temperature drops to +25 in the morning.
There is no distinct rainy season in Pattaya; you can go on holiday here in any month. The main precipitation falls in late October – early November.
The weather in Phuket can bring a lot of surprises to vacationers. Firstly, Phuket has a pronounced seasonality, just like the other islands of Thailand.
If it rains in Phuket, it can pour like buckets for several days in a row. For example, now, during the dry season, the same Samui has been swimming all day in the water, but due to the season it should not.
The most favorable months for a holiday in Phuket are from December to March; in other months, the weather is unpredictable, you can come on vacation and spend the whole time in your room because of the rain.
Danger of earthquakes. Just yesterday, an earthquake occurred in Sumatra, Indonesia, and there were injuries and deaths. It would seem, what does Phuket have to do with it?
Despite the fact that everything is nearby, in Phuket there were tremors of magnitude 3, a little, but unpleasant.
Remembering the 2004 tsunami in Phuket, like it or not, you’ll wonder how safe it is to go there. I have a family friend who died there during the tsunami.
Phuket or Pattaya – sea and beaches in Phuket and Pattaya
It doesn't take an expert to say that the beaches and sea in Phuket will give Pattaya a hundred points ahead.
If you are traveling overseas to Pattaya, then this is a big mistake. The sea in Pattaya is mediocre, the city beaches have yellow sand, and the water is often cloudy. Not always, of course, and not everywhere, but the azure sea with white sand in Pattaya can only be found on nearby islands like Koh Larn and on military beaches in the suburbs.
For example, now in Pattaya, even within the city limits, the sea is very clean and transparent, the beaches are clean. Because the weather (no storms, cool), and also because work is constantly being done to improve it.
They bring tons of new sand to Jomtien and Beach Road, which they pour into the sea, onto the beach, plant new palm trees, expand the coastline, in general, they try to at least not worsen what is there.
There are more beaches in Phuket, the choice is wider, you can come and swim at any beach in Phuket.
During the season there are, of course, crowds of people on the beaches of Phuket, but due to the length of the coastline, everyone will find a secluded place. The most popular beach in Phuket is Patong, not for introverts of course,
but those who need peace and quiet should just stay in less crowded areas, away from the center.
If you have transport in Phuket, then you will have access to such good beaches as Freedom, Paradise, Tri Trang Beach, if not, you can relax and swim in Patong.
Just don't lie down right next to Bangla Road, walk a few minutes to the side and you'll get a free beach with clean water, in the shade of palm trees and without intrusive merchants trying to sell you something every five seconds.
The sea in Phuket is clean, there is almost no garbage in the sea, after all, this is an island that is washed from all sides, and even if there is garbage from ships and boats, everything floats safely back to the sea. But it happens that algae begin to bloom in the sea, which can spoil the joy of swimming.
Both in Pattaya and Phuket, it makes sense to stay in a hotel with its own beach, so as not to waste precious time on trips to it.
So when it comes to beaches, which is better, Phuket or Pattaya? Better than Phuket.
In my opinion, the best hotels with a beach in Phuket are:
Katathani Phuket
The best hotels with a private beach in Pattaya are:
Also, for those who like a quiet holiday and solitude flying to Pattaya, I would advise, if not for the entire vacation, then at least for a few days to stay on the island of Koh Larn, right on a good beach.
During the day there are few people there, and after 15, there are no people at all. You will be left to your own devices, the sea and the sun.
How to get from the airport to Pattaya and Phuket
From Phuket Airport it is cheaper and more convenient to order a transfer to the hotel you need through a Qiwi taxi, which will meet you with a sign and take you to the place for a fixed fee,
than catching local buses or trying to bargain with bombers who overprice their services by at least twice.
The bus from the airport to Patong runs every two hours; if you arrive in the evening, this option is no longer available, since the last one leaves at 17:00.
Early in the morning or during the day, you can try to take a bus to Phuket town for 100 baht, and then transfer by tuk-tuk. This method is not very suitable for beginners, since you may not wait for what you need,
mix up stops, get lost and stretch out the pleasure after the flight for many hours.
Getting from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya is much easier. The distance from Bangkok airport to Pattaya is 120-150 km, (depending on the area where you are going), you can get to the bus station in Pattaya for 120 baht.
The disadvantage of this method is that upon arrival, especially during the season, it turns out that all tickets for the next flights are sold out and you will have to wait several hours for the next bus.
This option is not suitable for families with children, those who have had a difficult flight with transfers and the elderly.
I don’t recommend ordering a taxi at the airport, it’s expensive. The most profitable option Kiwi taxi. This is how we get from Pattaya to Bangkok airport and back, if necessary.
A simple order and payment form, you don’t need to pay anything in advance, they often offer discounts, wait, and greet you with a sign.
Here is a review about Kiwi Taxi from our reader:
"Good morning! We arrived yesterday. The Kiwi taxi driver was waiting for us with a sign at the exit, which was written to us in advance on the confirmation receipt. The car is comfortable. We got to our destination perfectly)) the driver asked us to take a photo for a review, we didn’t mind)) Katerina, thank you for your work in collecting and writing useful information!)”
Phuket or Pattaya – prices for tours from Russia
And then Phuket loses to Pattaya. In most cases, the price of a trip to Phuket is more expensive than a similar one to Pattaya.
How to save on insurance?
Insurance abroad is required. Any appointment is very expensive and the only way to avoid paying out of pocket is to choose an insurance policy in advance. We have been applying for many years on the website, which gives the best prices for insurance and selection along with registration takes only a couple of minutes.
High-quality excursions in Phuket and low prices can be found on the websites and
