Where is it better to fly to Pattaya or Phuket? Phuket or Pattaya: where is the best place to relax, photos, tourist reviews

26.04.2023

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for tourist recreation to date. Below we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of the two most attractive resorts in this country, and you will get the answer to your question - Pattaya or Phuket?

The first city is located in the south of the country and is part of the mainland. Phuket is an island, which is why it has its own characteristics.

It is difficult to answer the question of where it is better to spend your vacation, choosing from two options. First of all, you need to clearly understand what kind of vacation is ideal for you, your family or friends. Having determined this, it will be easier to make your choice.

Beaches

Pattaya

In this regard, the resort is clearly inferior to its competitors. Firstly, all city beaches are very crowded and therefore quite dirty. The proximity to the noisy large embankment does not play the best role. There are dozens and hundreds of tourists here, taking walks every day, stopping at one beach or another. Only private territories can be considered exceptions, but access there is closed to outsiders.

Secondly, there is a huge number of traders who move like ants in different directions along the beach. There are a lot of sun loungers, sun loungers, umbrellas, but they are all paid. The coast is literally littered with such things. It will take more than one minute to find a free seat.

There are also beaches in the northern part of the city. However most of some of them are simply unsuitable for swimming: muddy bottom or huge rocky boulders. The only beach worthy of attention is the coast of Koh Larn.

True bliss can be felt on the city's beaches. First of all, it's beautiful White sand, very soft and gentle.

Secondly, a large number of uncrowded beaches. Here you can find without any problems perfect place for a holiday by the sea with the whole family.

One of the most popular is Patong. There is a lot of free space, the convenient location allows easy access from anywhere in the city.

You can rarely find garbage here, and rare traders will not bother you during your vacation.

Types of excursions/attractions

If you are aiming to spend an active holiday and get acquainted with the culture and history of the country, then when choosing a resort, bet on the first one. To begin with, you can take a field trip to. This city is just a couple of hours drive from Pattaya. And in the city itself, tourists will be able to see the following attractions:

Floating Market;
Tropical garden with orchids;
Buddha Hill;
Temple of Truth;
A park of miniature copies of world-famous structures;
An aquarium, which is an underwater tunnel;
Elephant village.

In addition, the city hosts daily performances of various show ballets and theaters for adults. When the sun sets, you can see fascinating and mesmerizing performances here.

A beach holiday in the city can be considered excellent, but the resort is not very rich in attractions. Although here you can find something to look at. For the most part it's amazing natural places. For example, Phang Nga Bay with a unique rock formation located right in the water. One of the James Bond film series was filmed in these places.

Wat Chalong Temple is one of the most important in the city. This is the most beautiful architectural structure, inlaid with small glass parts.

From Phuket you can easily get on an excursion to Phi Phi Island. This is one of the most picturesque places in the world.

And, of course, many observation platforms, which offer breathtaking views of the city, sea and islands.

Weather at the resorts

In winter and spring, the weather throughout Thailand is excellent. Minimum precipitation, high air and water temperatures. At that time weather both cities are good for beach holiday.

It starts in May and continues until the very end of October. At this time, the weather in Pattaya and Phuket has a slight difference.

In this city, the rainy season passes more gently. Precipitation occurs infrequently, approximately once or twice a week. However, the sky is cloudy almost all the time.

During this period it is less attractive for recreation. Frequent gusty winds, large amounts of precipitation: showers. The sea is rough.

Type of holiday (youth or family)

This city is simply created for young and active people. An incredible holiday atmosphere reigns here almost around the clock. At peak tourist season there are a lot of people here both on the city streets and on the beaches.

Nightlife is represented by dozens of clubs and bars.

This resort is suitable for relaxing with a noisy group of friends. One feels uncomfortable here.

Phuket also has its own types of entertainment for adults. But for the most part they are concentrated in a separate area - Patong.

Other places are calmer and quieter. Can be found excellent hotel by the sea, where a holiday for the whole family will be ideal.

Price policy

Which resort has the best pricing policy? Considering the different positions of the resorts, the pricing criteria can be understood more clearly. The fact is that the island will cost more for vacationers due to the fact that any cargo transportation in this direction requires additional costs.

In this regard, prices for housing, food and Additional services slightly higher. Of course, if you wish, you can always find an inexpensive option if the lack of any additional services doesn't scare you.

Taxi (from one area to another)

From 1.5 to 2.5 $

Bike rental

To rent, you must have your passport and driver's license with you. Usually local police do not check for the latter, but if you do get caught, you will have to pay a fine of approximately $15.

from 75 $ per month

From $90 per month

Public transport in resort towns Thailand is represented by ordinary taxis and tuk-tuks. The latter are a closed body with benches installed inside, usually two of them. These cars can accommodate several people.

The fare in both cases is almost the same. The price of tuk-tuks is quite high. As advised experienced tourists, be sure to negotiate the price in advance and do not hesitate to ask and remind. Drivers of this transport rarely know at least basic words in English.

Advice! Don't swear, raise your tone, or argue if the price offered doesn't suit you. In Thailand, you will not solve the problem this way. It's best to simply find another more accommodating carrier.

Pros and cons of resorts

After carefully studying the information presented above, you can draw conclusions regarding the positive and negative aspects of each city.

In addition, the activity of the city at night can be considered a plus or minus. The rating for this criterion depends only on personal preferences. If we talk about a young group of friends, then for them the presence of nightclubs and bars is a clear plus.

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

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

Climate and nature

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

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

Beaches and sea

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

Entertainment and excursions

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

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

Prices

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

How to get from Pattaya to Phuket and back?

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

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

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

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 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 gas pollution here as in Bangkok or Moscow, but still in terms of ecology better than Phuket than Pattaya.

5. Attractions.

But here the island in the Andaman Sea is much inferior to the resort in the Gulf of Thailand. Although in Pattaya itself interesting places not much, but it is only two hours away 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 cultural center 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). But 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) quite high prices, there are waves, a lot of precipitation 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 are little interested in architectural and cultural sights, but who like to visit islands, jungles, observation decks.

Where is better - Pattaya or Phuket? We did a big comparison of the two major resorts Thailand based on various criteria (sea, beach, prices for hotels and food, transport, flights), they wrote a review and made conclusions about where it is better to go on vacation.

Phuket and Pattaya - two the most important resort. Usually tourists choose between them, because few people fly to Krabi or Koh Phangan. We decided to help our readers with their choice - read and choose where it is better to relax.

Prices are indicated for the high (winter) season.

Exchange rate: 1 Thai baht (THB) ≈ 2 RUB.

Pattaya or Phuket: sea

Phuket. The sea is a million times better than in Pattaya! It is clean, you can see crabs and colorful fish swimming in schools in the shallow water. Diving and snorkeling are common. The entrance is flat almost everywhere, which is convenient for vacationers with children. The color of the water is rich blue.

Pattaya. The sea is a green turbidity with garbage. I don't want to go into the water. There are several beaches where the situation is better - Jomtien, Wong Amat, Pratamnak. Behind clear sea you need to sail to neighboring islands - Koh Larn, for example. It seems that everyone goes there to swim, since in Pattaya tourists exclusively sunbathe. The sea on the island is cleaner, but it is expensive to sail there every day: 2 hours and 120 baht per day for two are spent on ferry travel, plus food, drinks and fruit on the island are more expensive.

Clear water on the secluded Kata Noi beach in Phuket.
Jomtien Beach in Pattaya.

Beaches in Phuket and Pattaya: where is better?

Phuket. For a relaxing holiday, go to Phuket - the beaches there are picturesque and clean. Even one unloved by tourists was rehabilitated. Is not heavenly place, but the most comfortable place in Phuket for living and relaxing. Individual praises can be sung to the sand and silver pieces.

There are many beaches on the island - you can choose the one that suits you. We liked Kata Noi, Nai Harn, Yanui, Banana Beach and Mai Khao.

Pattaya. We didn't like the beaches of Pattaya. They are almost all dirty, crowded and noisy. Even if you manage to retire, traders will overtake you. The sand is the most common yellow. The central beach is lined with paid sunbeds and umbrellas.

Where better beaches , in Pattaya or Phuket? Our opinion is that Phuket is much cleaner and more beautiful.

Banana Beach in Phuket is small, secluded and beautiful.

Central Beach is the busiest in Pattaya.

Sights of Phuket and Pattaya

Phuket. The attractions of Phuket are predominantly natural - numerous idyllic islands, beaches and observation decks. Besides this, there is Big Buddha, Wat Chalong temple, Old city Phuket Town, Soi Bangla and colorful shows and performances. The main attractions are other islands: Phi Phi, James Bond, Similan, etc. Most people go there on excursions.

Pattaya. It is richer in attractions: islands, Temple of Truth, elephant village, floating market, Khao Kaew Zoo, Alangkarn Theater, Nong Nooch Tropical Park, etc. Much of this can be seen on a bike.

Pattaya has a convenient location - it’s only about two hours away by bus, and this is where freedom for lovers of cultural recreation lies! In addition, from Pattaya you can get to Ayutthaya - the ancient capital of the Ayutthaya kingdom.

Last minute tours to Thailand. Which is cheaper: Pattaya or Phuket?

Vacation packages to Thailand can be very cheap! Often a ready-made tour package costs as much as an air ticket. See examples in.

Last minute tours for two to Pattaya from Moscow for 7-10 nights in high season can be found from just 60 thousand rubles! Vacation packages to Phuket usually cost the same or a little more. Tours are cheaper in summer.

Travel packages from St. Petersburg to Pattaya and Phuket usually cost from 80-100 thousand rubles.

How to find a truly last minute tour? Search on search engines, and they will find best deals among different tour operators. Be sure to check out ours - it will help you save!

Cinematic Yanui Beach in Phuket.

We don’t understand why people go on a tour to Pattaya when there is Phuket.

Contingent

Phuket. Chinese couples (young ladies always in romantic dresses) and families with children rule the roost here. Indians walk arrogantly in Rolexes, and elderly Europeans and Americans approach go-go girls in bars. The Russians feel at home and try to convey something to the Thais in louder Russian. Perhaps the most Russian speakers are in the popular resorts: Patong, Kata, Karon and Surin.

Pattaya. The resort is dominated by older Europeans and Americans looking for a hot girlfriend for the rest of their vacation days. There are many young and middle-aged men, attracted by the open-mindedness of local workers and workers of the ancient profession. And - oddly enough - completely Russian tourists with children walking decorously along the promenade.

In general, Pattaya is more of a retirement resort, while Phuket is more of a youth and middle-aged resort.

Hotel prices in Pattaya and Phuket: where is cheaper?

Pattaya. There are many hotels in Pattaya - from cheap nameless ones to expensive and well-known ones. Cheap guesthouses near the beach cost from $13 per night. In the mid-price category, we recommend The Pattaya Park 3* for $22 per day. Among the expensive ones, we recommend Siam @ Siam Design 4* from $75 per night. This hotel has a huge number of excellent reviews and is rated "excellent".

Advice: rent an apartment or villa on Airbnb.ru - it's more interesting! Fabulously beautiful villas in Phuket cost from $50. Pattaya has a huge selection of apartments.

Prices for food and fruits

If you choose which is better, Pattaya or Phuket, based on prices for food, fruits and drinks, then preference should be given to Pattaya. At the resort, even in tourist establishments, food prices are not off the charts. But in Phuket restaurants the prices are closer to Moscow. However, also on the island in local cafes, night markets and pop-up shops.

	Pattaya	Phuket (Patong)
Kebabs in a makashnitsa	from 10 baht/pcs.	from 20 baht/pcs.
Rice with meat or padtai in a makashnitsa	from 40 baht	from 50 baht
Banana pancakes	from 40 baht	from 60 baht
Shakey	from 25 baht	from 40 baht (in the market - from 25)
Trays with fruits on the street	from 20 baht (depending on the type of fruit)	from 100 baht (any)
Beer at the bar	from 50 baht	from 80 baht.
Coconut on the street	from 20 baht	from 50 baht

Prices for kebabs at the night market in Patong.

Flights from Russia

From Russian cities you can fly to Pattaya and Phuket. There are direct flights and with transfers. Usually tickets to Bangkok are a little cheaper than to Phuket (but it also happens vice versa).

You can get to Pattaya through Bangkok, and from there by low-cost airline, transfer or bus. There are also direct routes from Siberian cities to Pattaya Utapao Airport.

If you don’t want to deal with local transport and travel with transfers, order a taxi - it’s reliable and simple. We used KiwiTaxi services when traveling from Patong to the airport.

Holidays in Thailand are a great opportunity to relax on tropical beaches at reasonable and affordable prices. It's no coincidence that this is exactly what tourist destination is very popular among tourists from all over the world: Russia, Europe, America, China, Japan, South Korea and even Australia.

As you know, Thailand is washed by two seas: South China and Andaman. The most popular resort on the South China Sea is the mainland city of Pattaya, and on the Andaman - the island of Phuket. Therefore, when planning their holiday in Thailand, many travelers choose between these two “capitals” of beach holidays.

Resort comparison

Characteristic /place	Phuket	Pattaya
Beaches	A huge number of clean, uncrowded and picturesque beaches (Mai Khao, Kata, Chalong, Kamala, etc.)	There is only one more or less clean beach on the mainland - Jomtien. Really clean beaches with clear water, snow-white sand and lack of garbage can only be found on the island of Koh Larn (40 minutes by ferry from Pattaya)
Clubs, discos, nightlife	Patong is a whole area for a rich club life, almost as good as Pattaya	The most popular party place in Thailand is Walking Street. Many clubs, pubs, Go-Go bars, famous transvestite shows “Tiffany” and “Alcazar”
Ecology, parks, green area	Many forests, parks, waterfalls, walking areas. The most popular parks: Safan Khin, Phra Thaew, Royal Park	Pratumnak Hill is the only area where vegetation has been preserved. There is also a relatively small walking area. Heavy smog in areas of the city far from the coast
Attractions, attractions and entertainment	Snake farm, Butterfly Garden, ancient temple complex Wat Chalong, snorkeling, diving, surfing	The unique wooden Sanctuary of Truth, the proximity of Ayutthaya and Bangkok - the main centers of culture and attractions in Thailand. Amusement park Pattaya Park, fishing on the sea and lakes, many Russian guides
Weather	Heavy downpours, gusty winds and storm surges during the rainy season: April to December	The sea is calm almost all year round; during the rainy season there is often clear, warm weather.
Distance from Bangkok	700 kilometers	165 kilometers

A comparison of Pattaya and Phuket clearly shows which is more suitable for a secluded have a relaxing holiday on seashore, and Pattaya is for parties and entertainment. We can say that all of Pattaya is one continuous night club. During the tourist season, which lasts from early December to early May, there are always a huge number of tourists here. And since pedestrian sidewalks in Thailand are very narrow everywhere, in the evening on the central streets you can get into a real pedestrian traffic jam.

During the tourist season in Pattaya is better just relax in large groups. It will be quite uncomfortable for one person here, since the atmosphere itself is conducive to constant celebration, noise and “extras”. When choosing a place to live, the best areas are Pratamnak and Jomtien, which differ from other places in their cleanliness and well-groomed appearance. Areas far from the sea are not very comfortable for long-term living, as there is often real smog due to exhaust gases and widespread street cooking.

If you are thinking about what to choose in Thailand, Phuket or Pattaya, then Phuket will certainly be more suitable for lovers of a good beach holiday. On this tropical island paradise, travelers always have access to crystal clear sea water, a huge amount of lush tropical vegetation, exotic fruits. In addition, this is where comfortable five- and four-star hotels are located, which have their own private beaches for their guests.

Prices

If we compare which is cheaper - Pattaya or Phuket, then the most budget resort, will undoubtedly be Pattaya. Since Phuket is far from the mainland, transport to this island is more expensive for Thai companies. Accordingly, prices for food, entertainment and housing in Phuket are noticeably higher than in mainland Pattaya. For example, we can consider the main categories of goods and services popular on resort holidays:

Restaurants. A full lunch (three courses for two people) in a Pattaya restaurant will cost 500 baht. In Phuket this amount will increase to 800-1000 baht.
Have a snack in eateries like McDonald's (for one person) in Pattaya you can get it for about 150 baht, in Phuket - from 250 baht.
Supermarkets. Prices in Pattaya and Phuket will be approximately equal only for chips, snacks, cigarettes, and essential goods. Meat, fish, vegetables, cheeses and wines are about 30 percent more expensive in Phuket.
Transport. Travel on public songthaews (open minibuses) in Pattaya costs 10-20 baht, in Phuket - 30 baht. A taxi ride in Pattaya from one area to another will cost about 60-80 baht, in Phuket - 200 baht.
Housing. In Pattaya you can find rooms for 5 and 6 thousand baht per month. However, you need to take into account that such housing, as a rule, has a lot of disadvantages: lack of windows, small size, old furniture, proximity to noisy night bars. In Phuket, housing prices per month start from 15 thousand, with daily payment - from 1 thousand baht. However, apartments in Phuket are almost universally different high level comfort, even if it is a three-star hotel.

Pros and cons of resorts

The ideal option is to visit both resorts, because they both have their own interesting and unique features. There are many cultural attractions in Thailand near Pattaya, including ancient capital countries - Ayutthaya. There are many preserved here interesting temples, palaces and fortifications. There are fewer parties and attractions in Phuket, but there are many more clean, spacious beaches. In addition, it is more suitable for families with children. It is on this island that there are the most hotels that provide special baby food, as well as mini clubs and playgrounds for children. In addition, in Phuket it is easy to find a professional nanny from Russia who will stay with the child while the parents are busy shopping, visiting excursions or restaurants.

A holiday in Phuket will cost more, since prices there are 1.5-2 times higher. However, this applies not only to Phuket, but to all the Thai islands as a whole. If you think about it, such overpayments are fully justified, because only luxurious, clean beaches are available. For example, in Phuket there are ideal conditions for exciting sports such as diving, snorkeling or surfing. Therefore, if you want to explore the depths of the sea or ride a board on the waves, then go here.

When choosing between Pattaya or Phuket, the obvious advantage of the first location is its proximity to Bangkok. The hotel on the seashore can be reached by taxi from the airport in an hour and a half.

Rain season

What to choose if your vacation falls during the rainy season, but you still want to go to Thailand? In this case, Phuket Island is definitely not suitable. In the Andaman Sea, high waves always rise during the rainy months, and it is simply impossible to swim there. But in the Gulf of Thailand, where Pattaya is located, it is always quiet, calm and there are no storms. And it doesn’t rain as often here compared to Phuket.

Oddly enough, the rainy season is perhaps the most suitable period for a beach holiday in Pattaya. At this time there are few tourists here, the beaches are deserted and there is no garbage. As a rule, the weather is always clear and warm in the first half of the day, you can sunbathe, swim and enjoy aquatic species sports IN summer months In general, it rains quite rarely; the main peak of precipitation is October, November and the first half of December. If you want to have a cheaper holiday, then it doesn’t hurt to know that in Pattaya during the “off season” you can generally live for mere pennies. At this time, you can rent spacious, comfortable apartments near the sea for 7-10 thousand baht per month.

Bottom line

Phuket is best suited for those who:

wants to soak up the sun on a clean beach where there are no crowds of people
flies on vacation with children
not interested in cultural attractions, preferring beautiful nature

Pattaya is best suited for those who:

loves active nightlife
uses the services of moths
wants to save money
wants to visit local attractions