As for choosing a holiday destination in Thailand, Pattaya and Phuket are two of the most common places that come to mind. However, if you have to select one of these two places, you may be a bit confused. So, let’s check out the better option between Pattaya and Phuket.
Generally, There is only a slight difference in cost between Pattaya and Phuket. Pattaya is more of a loud, frenzied party destination, while Phuket offers a more rejuvenating and peaceful experience. Pattaya is more suitable for adventure enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies, and spoiled tourists compared to Phuket. Compared with Phuket, where you might occasionally need to take ferries if you’re interested in island hopping, travel within the city is fairly cheap with local tuk-tuks, buses, and rental bikes.
it is quite challenging to decide the better option between Phuket and Pattaya. This is because the two Thai cities have so many similarities such as awesome beaches, top-of-the-range resorts, good nightlife, and great islands. Also, they offer astounding activities and attractions that will make you enjoy every second of your stay in Thailand.
However, these two cities are still relatively different in some areas. Therefore, one may be better than the other in certain aspects. So, in this post, we will compare the two cities.
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Weather
Like other places in Thailand, these two cities have a tropical climate. The rainy season in Pattaya comes with lots of cloud cover. The humidity is often high and continues till August when the monsoons end. The temperatures will become somewhat cool in October.
Comparatively, monsoons bring lots of rainfall to Phuket. The rain often falls in the afternoon. In Phuket, you will experience lots of chilly winds from November to January.
In terms of weather, both cities are almost at the same level.
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Affordability
If you are thinking about visiting Pattaya or Phuket for vacations, you need to consider the affordability of the place. When compared to cities in most Western countries, both Pattaya and Phuket are affordable. But Phuket tends to be more expensive to visit or stay in than Pattaya.
The cost of accommodation, entertainment, food, and other things are slightly costlier in the coastal city of Phuket than in most other places in the country. You can check out Budgetyourtrip.com to see the comparison of the cost of living in these two Thai cities.
If you are looking for a cheap place to visit, Pattaya is a better choice.
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Safety
Before choosing a holiday destination, it is crucial to think about your safety. According to Holidify.com, both Phuket and Pattaya are safe places to visit or live in. However, travelers still have to be quite careful when enjoying these two cities as there are some safety concerns to know.
Generally, each city has some risky locations that international tourists are often advised to avoid. For instance, you need to avoid areas with lots of ladyboys. Notably, Pattaya has more ladyboys than Phuket. Also, you should be on the lookout for bag snatchers, petty thieves, and pickpockets in these two cities. Additionally, you must be aware of common scams in Thailand as you can experience the scams in Pattaya and Phuket.
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Attractions
As an international visitor, tourist attractions are some of the most essential things to consider when choosing a place to visit in Thailand. In this regard, Phuket is undoubtedly a better place to go.
As noted by Traveltriangle.com, the island of Phuket has a wide range of awe-inspiring temples such as Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha. The Old Phuket Town is another astonishing attraction you can check out when in Phuket. Also, there are the Dino Park, Phuket Aquarium, the Splash Jungle Water Park, the Trickeye Museum, and the Butterfly Farm.
Although Pattaya doesn’t have as many attractions as Phuket, the city offers nice places to visit. The attractions in Pattaya include the Sanctuary of Truth, the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, the Buddha Mountain, Big Buddha Hill, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Nightlife
Do you love the nightlife? Tons of options are available for you. In Thailand, Pattaya is considered the #1 destination for nightlife. Lots of young individuals flock to Pattaya from time to time to enjoy tons of beach clubs, discos, pubs, shows, and so on. The city also has massage parlors and go-go bars that numerous party animals visit regularly.
While Phuket doesn’t offer the level of nightlife provided by Pattaya, the island is still a nice place for nightlife. The availability of discos and bars in different parts of the city also provides vibrant nightlife for any interested individual.
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Accommodation
High-end hotels and resorts are found in different locations around Phuket. When it comes to luxury accommodations in Thailand, only Bangkok comes close to Phuket. According to Asiahighlights.com, the city of Phuket has everything you can want – luxury resorts, family-friendly hotels, budget-friendly hotels, etc.
Similarly, Pattaya features some 4- and 5-star hotels. The city also has loads of affordable hotels that you can enjoy during your stay. However, Pattaya doesn’t have as many options as the city of Phuket.
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Beaches
Beaches are some of the main reasons for visiting Thailand. Both Pattaya and Phuket have lots of beaches. So, you cannot go wrong with visiting either of the cities. In Phuket, the beaches to check out include Kamala Beach, Karon Beach, Laem Singh Beach, and lots more.
Although Pattaya also has numerous beaches, vendors are too many in lots of them. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy Jomtien Beach, Naklua Beach, and a few others in the city.
Pattaya vs. Phuket: Ease of getting to the cities
Overall, it is easier to get to Phuket than Pattaya. This is because more flights connect to Phuket than the other city. Only some international flights come to Pattaya whereas Phuket receives lots of international flights. You can travel to Phuket directly from the US, the UK, Germany, Australia, India, and so on.
Additionally, Pattaya is just 100 miles away from the capital city of Thailand (Bangkok). Consequently, you cannot find a direct flight from Pattaya to Bangkok; hence, you have to ride on the road for at least two hours. On the other hand, you can take a direct flight from Phuket to Bangkok and vice versa.
Conclusion
Both Pattaya and Phuket are nice places to visit in Thailand. Although Phuket is slightly more expensive, it tends to offer more to international visitors than Pattaya.
