Thailand Thailand Guide 2019 – how to relax by myself

Since 2010, based on my personal experience, I have been doing this Thailand travel guide. Currently it is the most bulk in RuNet. In total, I lived in Tae for about 2 years, arriving to different places for wintering with a child or in single format traveler. Experience has accumulated enough (spoke even on radio and TV), so I want to share it so that your Independent travel to Thailand went well.

The content of the article

• 1 Preface
• 2 Preparing for the trip
  • 2.1 Where to go, weather and seasons
  • 2.2 Visa issues
  • 2.3 Tickets to Thailand
  • 2.4 Medical Travel Insurance
  • 2.5 Hotel Booking
  • 2.6 Renting a house or apartment
  • 2.7 What things to take with you, USD / EUR or cards
  • 2.8 How much money should I take with me
  • 2.9 Vaccinations, insects and safety
  • 2.10 Language barrier
  • 2.11 Transportation of animals abroad
• 3 At the place of arrival
  • 3.1 How to get from the Thai airport to the hotel
  • 3.2 Transit in Bangkok, how to get to the resort
  • 3.3 Mobile 4G Internet and WiFi
  • 3.4 Exchange or withdraw money
  • 3.5 Food in Thailand
• 4 Country movements
  • 4.1 Instructions on how to travel between cities
  • 4.2 Renting a scooter and car
• 5 What to see in Thailand

Foreword

I lived in Phuket and Samui, in Krabi and Hua Hin, in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Was in Pattaya, on Phangan, on Koh Chang, on Lanta and others cities in the south and north of the country. Moved on all kinds transport: airplanes, trains, buses, cars, tuk-tuks, and even tried hitchhiking. I rented various accommodations ranging from the villa to swimming pool, ending with thatched bungalows. Ate various thai food, including grasshoppers

Sure, my guide to Thailand will help travelers and will give them the answer to the question of how to rest in Thailand independently and what you need to do. In my opinion, Tai is unique. combination of advantages, and he simply does not have an alternative in terms of rest and wintering.

It is also great for those who just want to meet Asia, in Tai can go first. In Thailand, all sharpened by tourists, ranging from ordinary travelers, pumping wintering. Stable climate to plan a trip, it is easy to rent a house for a short time (even apartments and houses), just move between cities, as developed transport the message and the roads are very good, on every corner you can normally to eat A kind of paradise of everyday comfort, where all the pressing are solved questions

Thailand Travel Guide

Preparing for the trip

It makes sense to think about many things in preparation for trip, they are all outlined here. For example, it is necessary to do traveler insurance take the right banking map, choose a resort so as not to fall into the rainy season, stock up with 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 to depending on the current weather. Not everyone wants to get into his vacation in the rainy season. It’s one thing when you spend the winter in Thailand and it’s not so critical, another – if you came for 1-2 weeks on vacation and it’s important every sunny day.

I described in detail the weather for the seasons, read. May to October is not worth going to Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, and with October to January is not worth on Samui, Koh Phangan and Hua Hin. In Pattaya, to Koh Chang and to Bangkok, in principle, you can go all year round, but the most good time to rest there – from November to February, from March the ebb of the sea begins, it becomes dirtier, and in September-October in this region peak rainy season.

Weather in Thailand →

Now let’s talk about the differences between the resorts. If you are not yet an advanced lover of Thailand and not visited the main resorts, it does not make much sense to go to little-known and not very popular among foreigners place, there is little who speaks English and is less imprisoned under foreigners. Therefore, first of all you need to choose between Phuket, Pattaya, Samui, Koh Chang, as well as Krabi, Phangan, Kao Luck and Hua Hin. The first 4 – the most basic, in my opinion. Also if you don’t need the sea, then you can go to Chiang Mai. I’ll try describe the main criteria for choosing between them.

Phuket

The most popular resort and most choice, because here beautiful island beaches, developed infrastructure and there are international airport, where you can fly direct from Russia. Those who go on vacation recommend choosing, above all, between Patong, Karon, Surin, Kata (and Kata Noi), Nai Harn beaches roughly in descending order of people. Patong is the dirtiest, but in it the largest congestion of nightlife and shopping. Kata is not bad combination of civilization and the number of people. Bang Tao Beaches, Kamala and Nai Harn it makes sense to consider the winterers or those who are looking for housing monthly, there is his greatest choice. Also on Bang Tao, Kamale and Kate has supermarkets within walking distance. I really like the beach Nai Harn, but there are very few hotels, cafes and shops around him, will have to live in the distance on Rawai and go to the sea by transport. From relatively quiet beaches, I advise you to see Knighton and Nai Yang, but there is a minimum of infrastructure. Be sure to drive on Phi Phi.

Phuket guide →

Phi Phi travel guide →

Pattaya

They most often come here for cheap tours and for nightlife. But for a lot of infrastructure and entertainment here purposefully come vacationers with children and independent travelers. From the airport in Bangkok can be reached in 3 hours. This is where the famous Walking Street is located, although Patong is Phuket in this regard is not much inferior to Pattaya. Resort one of most inexpensive in Thailand, so there is a lot in season tourists, and in particular Russian. The beaches are not very beautiful and dirty, so it’s best to go swimming on a small island of Ko Lan (30 minutes by ferry) or out of town, for example, to the Military beach. Some winterers prefer to live in Pattaya too, because of the prices, the large social circle, the infrastructure concentrated in one city (Russian gardens, Russian cafes, etc.). You can live on the outskirts of the city (the end of Jomtien beach, Na-Jomtien beach, behind Sukhumvit), then the noise and a large number of people will not be you interfere.

Pattaya travel guide →

Samui

My favorite resort that combines the beauty of the island beaches (for me they are better than Phuket) and all the necessary infrastructure. If you need nightlife, then you need to settle on Chaweng, although he is very far from Pattaya or Patong in this regard. If you want a quieter place, the Maenam and Chong Mon beach, the last considered by many to be the best for children. And something between them and supermarket within walking distance – Lamai Beach. Samui much less than Phuket, so on whatever beach you settled before shopping centers and parties on Chaweng can be reached in 20-30 minutes, and the whole island in a circle passes in an hour. Housing monthly for wintering on every beach, the choice is large. The most important minus the island – there are no direct flights from Russia, only with a transfer, and they are even more expensive than direct to Phuket. By land to get quite a long time, considering the 2-hour ferry ride.

Samui guide →

Phangan

The island is located near Koh Samui and travel even longer since there is no airport. Therefore, either from Samui on the ferry or from the mainland. Phangan became famous thanks to a large-scale party under open sky Full Moon Party, where young people come from all over Sveta. And also he is the Mecca of various kinds of yogis, raw foodists and other spiritual practitioners. If you don’t need a party, or informal get together then you can just enjoy the great beaches, where almost bounty and a few people. And since built several supermarkets, it was nice to winter here. True, monthly rentals are mostly simple, bungalow type. Another of the downsides is that there is no normal hospital.

Pangan travel guide →

Koh chang

This island is beautiful with its tropical beaches and to get there. it is easier than Samui and Phangan. Overland from Bangkok takes about 5-6 hours, plus steam for 30 minutes. Island at all small, cupable beaches are on its western side, and You can drive this part in less than an hour. Beaches with the greatest amount of infrastructure – White Send and Kai Bay. And the whole party on Lonely Beach. Koh Chang has a supermarket, but there is no normal hospital

Overview of all beaches of Koh Chang →

Krabi

Not everyone knows, but Krabi is not an island, but a province with stunning sheer cliffs on the mainland near Phuket. Everything tourists and winterers stop in the small town of Ao Nang (the beaches of Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara), which is located right on coast. The place is known primarily for serving as a transshipment point. point for those who go to the Raleigh peninsula, beaches which are included in the tops of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. But also in Ao Nang can also swim, just need to track the tides and ebbs on the table from the Internet, because at low tide it’s not that depth to the water itself can not reach. But shallow water is good for children In Ao Nang there is a Tesco supermarket within walking distance and with Makro has also been recently, but before big shopping centers will have to go to Krabi Town in 30 km. Krabi is 2.5 hours away. car from Phuket and it has its own airport. From Ao Nang too swim on Phi Phi.

Krabi City Guide →

Kao lak

I really liked this resort on the last trip. Will fit it is only for those who do not need the nightlife and the main goal trips relaxing holidays on the beach. Although it is the mainland, the beaches here are almost better and more beautiful than Phuket. But there are very few people even in the season, and the main contingent is European pensioners. Unlike Samui / Phangan, it is very easy to get here. from Phuket airport, take a taxi for literally 1 hour, but the resort quite small, the infrastructure is just for recreation, nor no supermarkets, no hospitals.

Overview of all the beaches of Khao Laka →

Hua Hin

This is probably the last place to go when it comes to about vacation, despite the fact that the city is only 3 hours drive from bangkok. The fact is that the beaches here are an amateur, almost everywhere shallow and to the depth you need to go, very strong wind, sand dirty gray. The beaches on the islands are a hundred times nicer. Mostly in Hua Hin, people overwhelmingly sea or kiters wintering well, or those who know exactly why they are going here (the place is pleasant, a little even European, as it were).

Browse all Hua Hin beaches →

Bangkok

They rarely go to Bangkok on purpose, usually it’s just a transit. point if the air tickets were bought exactly to Bangkok. But, everyone who wants to taste the real Asia, I recommend staying here for 2-3 days to walk around the city, see the most top temples, take a look at Bangkok from one of the viewing platforms (60-85 floor).

What to see in Bangkok →

Chiang mai

Personally, I really love the north of Thailand because of the mountains, the abundance of national parks and mental people. Package tourism is not here, because there is no sea, from that city and is not a resort with all the consequences the consequences. Also pleased here and prices, life is cheaper than in Pattaya But you need to go here specifically, for example, for a week to drive through the north, making a circle. For independent travelers who love mountains, landscapes, waterfalls and coolness.

What to see in Chiang Mai →

When you have decided on the resort where you are going, then you need to choose a beach / area to stay. I tried to do reviews of all beaches in the main resorts, I hope this will help you in choosing. Follow the links and read. Or you can use catalog of beaches in Thailand and read about each particular beach. Also beaches (with links to their description) are presented on the map. below.

Visa issues

In Thailand, visa-free travel for Russian citizens. It means, that if you are traveling for up to 30 days, then you need no visa need not. Therefore, for most travelers, everything comes down to several options.

I covered this question in great detail in my post – All About Visa to Thailand: types, terms, oversteaks, stamps, vizarans, read. BUT Now the essence is short.

• At the entrance to the border you will be stamped for 30 days. Also, this stamp can then be extended on the spot in the immigration office (available at each resort) for another 7 days for 1,900 baht. So You can stay in Thailand for 37 days without a visa. Frequent the case when the duration of stay is about 31-32 days, in this case you can not do the extension of the stamp, and just leave the country with overstory. For every day of the overstay you pay 500 baht per person. But I would not advise to go with overstey more than 3 days.
• For a longer trip you will need to issue a one-time tourist visa. It is given for 60 days with the right to extend a place in the immigration office for another 30 days for 1900 baht. Total we have 90 days stay. You can apply for such a visa at the Thai consulate. in Moscow or in St. Petersburg. If you’re from another city, the easiest way fly stamped, live for 30 days, and then go / fly to neighboring country and get a one-time visa there. Usually drive for one-time to Laos or to Penang (Malaysia).
• In case you need to spend even more time in Thailand, then you will need to go to the so-called vizarany. This is a ride to borders for a new stamp (in Cambodia, in Malaysia, in Burma) or in a large city in the neighboring country to the embassy for a new visa. Earlier it was possible to stamp for stamp many times, now with this complexity, requires a bribe or know on what land border crossing occurs least of all problems. Therefore easier just ride it for visas, they can be done about 3 pieces in a row, and then, as a rule, questions begin to arise border guards. You can also make a student visa and study English or Thai.

Tickets to Thailand

The most popular question is about the flight to Thailand. Unfortunately, There are no special secrets how to buy tickets 10 times cheaper. Work basic rules: tickets are monitored and booked in advance, as well connecting flights are almost always cheaper than direct ones. You can also buy a ticket for a charter flight, especially when burning, can be inexpensive. But after Transaero left us, good offers have become less. How and where to look for tickets, what prices are, I stated in post – How cheaper to fly to Thailand. Now it makes sense expect an average of 25 thousand rubles for a round trip flight transfer flight. Until Tay fly on a direct flight 9-10 hours, on transit – from 12 hours to days.

Do not forget also about the need for a return ticket or a ticket to third country. If you are going on vacation, then you will definitely have it, but those who are going on an independent and long journey, and flies with a one-way ticket, I recommend to study this in advance question.

For those who are looking for flights to Thailand, I advise you to search through Aviasales and Skyscanner, we have been using them for many years now. AT it is convenient for one search engine to look at one thing, in another another it’s convenient differ slightly.

Medical Travel Insurance

You need to know that the first available insurance can be non-working, especially for insurance, attached to the tours. Asia is an unprofitable region for insurance (many applications), so some unscrupulous insurance will try to find reason to refuse you. I constantly monitor changes in insurance and all my recommendations are set out in my rating. If you don’t know what asistens is, what kind of insurance to choose, how right to use insurance on the spot, then you must need to carefully read my post.

My insurance rating →

Travel medical insurance is almost the first on the importance of purchase. No, it is optional, as is the case with Schengen visa registration, but it must be done. Medicine in Thailand is expensive and if you have problems you can seriously get money, bills can amount to hundreds of thousands rubles. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about, I have already come across sorry To select insurance there is a super service Cherehapa, one of a kind in its approach to insurance. Even help solve insurance claims.

See prices for insurance →

There you can compare prices for several insurance and choose something appropriate. This service has excellent technical support, they always answer your questions and advise (you need to write to the chat), what to take in your particular situation.

Booking a hotel

I’ll start right away with life hacking. We find the hotel on the usual Booking, read reviews, choose. Then go to the cool service. RoomGuru and drive the name of the hotel found there. As a result We get all the discounts on this hotel that are in this moment. AT different booking systems price will be different. Book there, where is cheaper. Profit

But you can initially look for hotels in RoomGuru, it is convenient. Few know that in Asia (and in Thailand as well) it is better do not use Booking, but Agoda, since this is the service reservation was made for Asia, it has the largest database of hotels. But while on Agoda sometimes there are no hotels with Booking, as well as vice versa. So you can either look directly into Rumguru, which takes into account these 2 bases and a couple of dozen others, or iterate through sites one by one.

Hotels in Thailand →

Also give links to some of their reviews.

– The best hotels on Samui on various beaches – Hotels on Samui with own beaches

– The best hotels in Phuket on various beaches – The best hotels in Kao lake

– Transit hotel in Bangkok near the airport – Inexpensive hotel in the center of bangkok.

Rent a house or apartment

It is best to book a house or apartment in advance, then the choice housing will be wider and prices are more adequate. In peak season (December-February) with housing becomes tight. If you come for a period of less than a month, then I would rather look for a hotel, much better rest will turn out.

You have only 2 options, how to rent a house / apartment in Thailand: through a realtor or independently on the spot. Last thing very much to the amateur. Believe, combing the streets for several days in a row in 30-degree heat, not for everyone, you can rest are driving.

I recommend to book accommodation in advance through a realtor. You avoid unnecessary trouble in an unfamiliar country. Than before refer, the better option will get. Send me a request, I have her I will send to a proven person whom I trust myself. And then in The last time scam has become a lot.

Make an application →

Budget travelers and winterers most often rent a house or rent an apartment for a long time (several months). To me already had to live in cheap homes, you can follow the links and see what they look like: a house in Phuket, (a house on Samui, a house in Krabi, apartment in Hua Hin, apartment in Bangkok.

Honestly, I lived in houses for a long time and now I prefer live only in apartments. They are much closer to the European I understand housing. This applies to furniture, kitchen and general repairs. Yes they more expensive, but more comfortable. Besides, it’s always nice to have swimming pool and gym in the building.

If you do decide to search for accommodation yourself, then you are mine Instructions: – How to rent a house – How to rent an apartment

When I lived on Samui and Krabi, I made 2 house catalogs: by Samui and Krabi. They will be useful to you for self-rental, use. There is a map, photo, contacts. The apartments were also Several smaller reviews have been made: Phuket, Bangkok and in Chiang Mai.

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

Currency and rate

The currency in Thailand is Baht (THB). Dollars or Euros on the street you can not pay, only baht. Rubles also do not need to carry, You can exchange them in rare exchangers and at a bad rate. Some years ago, the baht to ruble rate was 1 to 1, which was very convenient (and cheap), but now the rate holds about 1 to 2 not in favor of the ruble (1 THB = 1.8 RUB for January 2018), that is, all prices in Thailand can be boldly multiply by two to get the amount in rubles.

Money and Bank Cards

I am not a fan of carrying cash with me and you don’t I advise. If you lose money (or they steal it from you), then this will happen forever. In the case of the cards, you will not lose nothing, or just a small part, you just need limits on operations set in advance and know how to block the card. Yes, in Thailand, cards are accepted only in supermarkets, in shopping centers, with rent a car at the airport, but it’s better to withdraw cash from the card in ATM, than to carry a large amount at once with you.

Instructions to ATMs →

My selection of travel maps →

Take $ 300-500 in cash, that’s enough for you in case of something, and several bank cards. Just a few, not one! To in If one is lost or blocked, the second one worked. What kind cards to take? Read, I constantly update info.

Things

In principle, Thailand is an ordinary resort, so you need to go on vacation. take all the same thing that you would take on any trip to the sea. You just need to remember that it’s always practical there is hot, so clothing should be light and light. And it is desirable to take the cream from sun with maximum protection factor, as sold in Thailand mostly with weaker factors. The main conclusion that I did – no need to take a lot of things, on the spot you can buy almost everything, and the prices of shorts, t-shirts, light dresses are funny, even despite the increased rate. Yes, most of these clothes are for you. It will not last long, but you can buy a branded one at home (and it is just worth buying at home). So the most important thing is to take oneself head, good mood, money, international passport, and specific drugs or items. I have everything in great detail described here – What to take to Thailand from things.

Separately, I note that if you are thinking of going north and generally travel around the country, then you will need a set of warm clothes (pants, sweatshirt, socks). In buses and trains happens very cold, just like in the north of Thailand, it reaches zero in the mountains. Here is an example of the contents of my backpack in single trips. When I go with my family for wintering, we have much more suitcase.

Also you can read separately what to bring from Thailand for beloved and their relatives / friends.

How much money should I take with me

Vacation or travel

Finance is one of the most interesting questions people have. But the problem in that it is impossible to give everyone the answer, how much he spends. Too everything is individual and depends on specific needs. person In Thailand, you can come as an inexpensive vacation, and on the luxurious. You can only focus on the prices of goods and services. and self-estimate their spending.

However, in order to facilitate your task, I can try give you an average budget that suits the average to the tourist, whom I myself am also sometimes: 50-100 $ per day with person For the money you get a normal rest, but without special delights. A little more I wrote about this in a post on the link above. Well, and you can also view the cost of a particular – 10 day trip to Thailand.

Wintering and spending monthly

Keep in mind, you may have with me or someone else from other bloggers completely different needs / approaches, which is why your expenses in Thailand can differ dramatically in both directions. I wrote a post with housing prices, where I told you why I would rent a house for 15 thousand baht, and you are barely able to find for New Year for 30 thousand baht, and housing at this will be about the same. In general, it can be said that to live in Tae can be inexpensive if there is such a desire and need. Simply you need to understand a number of things, for example, that just living is not at all the same as coming to rest to the fullest. With a debt stay much less spending on all sorts entertainment / excursions / bars, plus rental housing or cars will be cost less if you shoot monthly.

On average, it is believed that an ordinary family of 3 people needs about $ 1000 per month (about 35,000 baht), a kind of average budget. We somehow lived together and rather modestly in Phuket for 24,000 baht And then they did not live very much saving the three of them with the child on Samui at 60,000 baht. I can also say that in the very first wintering in Chiang Mai took 16,000 baht in general, and the last in Phuket 80000-100000 baht. There is always a choice how much to spend.

Vaccinations, insects and safety

Vaccinations

Many are interested in whether to be vaccinated. So, no There are no mandatory vaccinations for Thailand, this is not Africa, where You must be vaccinated against yellow fever. From such diseases like dengue fever and malaria vaccinations do not exist, therefore, you (including children) need only standard vaccinations that you do at home. Malaria is uncommon and more to be afraid of Dengue. Many of my acquaintances had been ill with her. It is tolerated like the flu, usually with two waves of temperature. It is important to remember that to beat the temperature when Dengue needs paracetamol, and not ibuprofen (nurofen) and aspirin, therefore, it is the paracetamol that makes sense to take with you (our first-aid kit) and shoot down them first, until you apply for insurance in hospital and you are not diagnosed.

Insects

Thailand is a tropical country, so there is nothing surprising is that there is full of all living creatures: mosquitoes, geckos, frogs, ants, snakes, scorpions and even monitor lizards. But not scared, most people only come across mosquitoes, yes geckos. Moreover, mosquitoes are not a problem to buy a repellent, but geckos are generally cute creatures. Ants come to those who Leaves leftovers outside the fridge, especially they like mangoes and shrimp, gourmets straight. I am for all my stay in Thailand I saw only once a snake and a scorpion in a living form. the main thing As a rule, you want fewer living creatures – do not settle in houses, but in apartments (hotels), and as high as possible by the floor. And, of course, do not meddle with bare feet in thick and tall grass. Generally more than urban the area you have, the smaller the fauna. Detailed with photos – What insects are in Thailand.

Security

Thailand is a safe country when it comes to robbers attacks. Yes, as soon as something like this happens, the media is fanned to high-profile stories. But if you look at the statistics, then you understand how few serious crimes there are. In Tae absolutely not it is scary to walk through deserted and unfamiliar back streets at night, safe to sleep on the track in the car, accidentally somewhere forgotten thing most likely you will wait. But you shouldn’t relax at all either, elementary safety rules must always be followed.

The main problems are accidents (especially on bikes) and theft from rented houses. They usually steal at night and the presence of the owners in the house is not interferes, so check locked windows and doors (preferably bars on the windows) and do not settle in detached houses without neighbors. Also sometimes they steal from a hotel room, but I myself and my Friends have not yet come across this. If you are very afraid Book a hotel where there is a safe in the room, well, or, as minimum, do not leave money and equipment in sight.

The language barrier

Well, if you know English at least at the school level. But and his ignorance is not a problem, especially if you are traveling to Pattaya / Phuket, where often there are signs and menus in Russian. Among tourists, I constantly see those who literally know a few words in English and for them this is not a problem. A lot of things can be explained with gestures, and understand the answer just by guessing sense (impressions of communication with the Thais). Therefore, if you do not a complete introvert, you can handle it without any problems policy and philosophy with the Thais to discuss, and the replacement of towels in hotel or going to a cafe. Here is my advice to you – install the application. Google Translate to phone and download English, Russian in advance and Thai dictionaries, then the translation will be available without mobile the internet. Or memorize phrases in Thai.

Transportation of animals abroad

I would not carry a cat or a dog with me for a couple of weeks of vacation, it is much easier to find someone from friends or relatives with whom they can leave Another thing, if you go for a long time. However not so too difficult to take an animal with you – To Thailand with a dog or a cat.

On the spot upon arrival

How to get from the Thai airport to the hotel

Phuket tickets are usually more expensive than before Bangkok. But if you are going to rest on Phuket, Khao Lake or Krabi, then very It is doubtful to fly first to Bangkok. Samui is a little different situation, there are simply no direct flights and in any case there will be transfer in Bangkok. But I already wrote about this in choosing a resort.

How to get to the hotel from Phuket Airport, Samui and Krabi you Find out the links. It describes all the methods, including public transport, transfers and taxis. But I’m running ahead to say that the most simple and comfortable way – order a transfer in advance through Internet, then upon arrival you will be met with a sign with your name and will be taken to the desired hotel. Zero problems.

Transfer online →

Transit in Bangkok, how to get to the resort

If you are going to Pattaya, to Koh Chang, to Hua Hin, and also to Chiang Mai or Bangkok itself, then you will fly to Bangkok. Usually to Bangkok tickets are cheaper than flights with transfers, and straight. And from there you will get to the resort you need. by plane, bus or train.

There are two international airports in Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang From Russia, you will fly to Suvarnabhumi and if you continue transfer to an AirAsia or NokAir aircraft, then you will need go to don muang. Don Muang often arrives from other places. Asian countries, for example, from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. The links you can read all the information on airports, about how to move between them, and how to get to the city. Running over go ahead and say that the easiest and fastest way to take a taxi is cheap in bangkok.

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

– How to get from Bangkok to Pattaya – How to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang – How to get from Bangkok to Hua Hin

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

– How to get from Bangkok to Samui – How to get from Bangkok to Phuket – How to get from Bangkok to Krabi – How to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Mobile 4G Internet and WiFi

Buy in advance via the Internet local Thai sim card on the site Klook and get 4G internet for 8 days for 131 baht instead of 299 baht Your sim card will be waiting for you right at the airport in kiosk / Dtac. This is just a gift, there are no such prices anywhere else. The tariff is more than enough for instant messengers, browsing websites, google maps etc. Here is a detailed instruction just in case.

Order sim card DTAC 2 times cheaper →

Sims can also be bought later at 7-eleven mini-stores or Family Mart, in the offices of operators and in stores where they sell telephones and accessories. But it is better to take immediately at the airport to then do not look, because the necessary SIM cards are not always available, but small ones merchants also sell them more expensive.

There are 3 operators in Thailand: DTAC, AIS and True. All good 4G / 3G coverage in resorts and between cities. How many went, only in the mountains in the north I stopped catching the Internet. Mobile Internet connects with a traffic package for a day / week / month. Prices are normal. I usually use DTAC.

Almost every hotel, apartment or house has Wifi. Speed not very large and is about 30/10 Mbit (often used asymmetric channels), but it is enough for surfing and work. But with stability everything is average, much worse than in the ordinary Russian city. The best internet ever is when you have your own personal channel / router (it is possible in the house or in the apartment), because in Hotel Internet is divided into all guests. Therefore, if you arrived for a long time and the Internet is important to you, then find out this question before how you sign the lease.

Exchange or withdraw money

In Thailand, it is not a problem to exchange currency. At any resort is full currency exchange offices and banks where it can be done. AND if banks often work hours to 15-16, then exchangers almost not around the clock. The course is about the same everywhere, only in the airport is a little worse. Withdraw from the card is also not a problem, ATMs there is near each bank, as well as near the 7-11 minimarkets. I wrote about everything in detail in the post – How to withdraw money.

Food in thailand

I really liked Thai cuisine, and was not at all tired of all the times. But I know that there are those who consider her monotonous / tasteless and prefers to eat in European cafes or cook at home. The latter is true in the case of long stay in Thailand and renting accommodation with a kitchen. In hotels, if it is not apart-hotels, usually no kitchen.

First of all, it is worth knowing that Tai is one big cafe. (cafe and street food). Almost every corner has a cafe and makashnitsy, stay hungry is difficult. Makeups are essentially mobile kitchen (on the bike), all the food is cooked with you and often There are no tables or chairs. It is believed that it is in makashnitsah, as well as in inexpensive Thai cafes for sale by delicious food because they do not have refrigerators and everything purchased in the morning you need to implement in a day, because of what everything is fresh. Presentable cafes and restaurants are not less, but there is more food adapted for Europeans, as well as a greater range of dishes, including European cuisine. Poisoning is rare, especially if we are talking about inexpensive cafes.

The second thing to know, in Thailand there are no familiar to us supermarkets within walking distance. There are either meeting on each street has 7-eleven minimarkets, where the main products are water, chips, nuts, several ready meals, as well as household trifles, such as shampoo and toothbrush. Either Tesco large supermarket chains, Big C, Makro, Tops Market, Full Market Villa Market products and other goods (furniture, appliances, etc.), and where go by transport. They are similar to our Auchan. There are also markets selling vegetables, fruits, meat and seafood.

If you go for a long time, then you will be relevant post – How to find familiar products. And he also wrote separately on the topic – What to feed baby in thailand. At first, in supermarkets it is not clear where that, but almost everything is sold, well, or very much. But it is worth understanding that imported goods, as well as what Thais do not particularly eat, will be cost more.

Moving around the country

Instructions on how to travel between cities

The fastest way is airplanes. And in principle, he is not very expensive. For example, a Bangkok-Phuket flight costs an average of 1,500 baht. As a rule, it all comes down to buying a ticket from the airline AirAsia.com or NokAir.com. The first flies in Asia, the second in mainly in Thailand. Prices are about the same, for service to me More like NokAir.

Between cities, many people travel by bus. Bus service is very developed in Tae, buses are new and comfortable If you calmly endure hours of travel (especially nightly), then this option is for you. Unfortunately, in Tae for now No sleeping bus (when you can go straight), but maybe someday will appear. The ticket is inexpensive and depends on the class. (Vip, 1, 2), for example, 800 km – 500-1000 baht.

Railway connection is also here, but less developed compared with the bus, so it is not always convenient to use by train. In addition, trains are often late, which does not happen with by buses. On the other hand, it is in the train that you can fully sleep on a recumbent shelf. All the details in the post about Thai the trains.

– How to get from Bangkok to Pattaya – How to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang – How to get from Bangkok to Samui – How to get from Bangkok to Phuket – How to get from Bangkok to Krabi and Ao Nang – How to get from Phuket to Khao Lak

– How to get from Bangkok to Hua Hin – How to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai – How to get from Bangkok to Ayuthaya

– How to get from Pattaya to Koh Chang – How to get from Hua Hina on Samui and Phangan

Scooter and car rental

The place and for short distances is the easiest way to move to scooter, which is often called just a bike. It can be without problems to rent, full rental points at any resort and prices acceptable. The most popular tales here have a volume of 100-150 cubes, that is, quite suitable for carrying two people. In hire they will not ask you, but by law they are needed and if the police stop you, then pay a fine, and there may be problems in case of an accident. Have your features, and the danger, of course, also exists be careful.

All about renting a scooter in Tae →

Those who are too afraid to ride a bike for one reason or another reasons, or just not confident in their abilities, it is better to take the car. It is also good for long distances and for traveling by company. If you still doubt and do not know which is better, a car or bike, then look at my comparison.

I personally do not risk it and never put a child on a bike, so when I move with my family I always rent a car, which is what you need I advise. And lately, I actually moved to the car for movements between cities, I take the bike only in place, for short local trips. It is best to rent a car from international network distributors, it’s safer, no misunderstandings with contracts, deposits and insurance. Well, life hacking, if order the rental through the Economybookings broker, prices will be below, besides the site at the broker in Russian, when in English.

How to rent a car in Thailand →

What to see in Thailand

The main attractions are Thai and Chinese temples, beaches, national parks with waterfalls, zoos and parks entertainment. From active – rope parks with trolls, ATVs and all sorts of water activities: diving, jet skis, bananas. Of course, at each resort there are also sea excursions on islands with white beaches and snorkeling.

During the first trip to Asia, much will be outlandish, even dishes in local cafes and fruits, they can also be considered sight. A set of entertainment plus minus everywhere the same, the scale depends only on how the resort large. Also, avid travelers make sense to ride on the north of Thailand, there are mountains, and the normal height of waterfalls, and stunning views.

What to see in Pattaya What to see in Phuket What look at Samui What to see in Koh Chang What to see in Krabi What to see in Hua Hin

What to see in Bangkok What to see in Chiang Mai

P.S. The guidebook is compiled from 2010 to 2019, information constantly updated and refined. Please support the project: Like and share on social networks. Also write comments, what is missing.

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