Asia in ten hours from Moscow
No direct flights. Best connections via Dubai (Emirates), Istanbul (Turkish), Doha (Qatar). Phuket (HKT) or Bangkok (BKK)—your choice.
More than just a beach. An entire civilisation.
Best fares
Hotels in Thailand, from boutique to luxury resorts
Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai—each region has its own mood. We match your style.
Regions for different moods
When to fly to Thailand
On Phuket, high season is November–April. On Samui, January–August. Good weather is always available somewhere.
Ready-made tours to Thailand
What you need to know before you go
Visa to Thailand
Russian citizens—visa-free for 30 days. Extendable for another 30 at an immigration office (1,900 THB) or do a visa run—exit and return. Passport—minimum 6 months validity.
Money
Baht (THB). ATM withdrawal—200–250 THB fee. Cards accepted at hotels and malls. Markets and street food—cash only. Exchange at SuperRich-type bureaux.
Transport
In Bangkok—BTS (Skytrain) and MRT. On Phuket—Grab taxis, tuk-tuks and motorbike rental (from 300 THB/day). Between islands—speed boats or ferries.
Connectivity
SIM True Move or AIS—300 THB for 30 days with 30 GB. Sales.Travel eSIM — from 4 € per week, QR activation. Current plans on the eSIM page. 4G/5G nationwide.
Must-try experiences
Maya Bay from 'The Beach'. Best time—early 6am boat, before the crowds. 45 minutes from Phuket, 30 from Krabi.
Phi Phi archipelago: 6 islands in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Krabi. Main one—Phi Phi Don with Loh Dalum beach and viewpoint; uninhabited Phi Phi Leh—that's the Maya Bay from DiCaprio's film 'The Beach'. After a 4-year closure for ecosystem recovery, Maya Bay reopened in 2022 (with restrictions). Speed boat from Phuket—45 min, 1,500 THB. Best day—private boat itinerary without crowds.
Traditional Thai—2 hours of proper massage for 800–1,200 THB. Best therapists at Wat Pho in Bangkok and Nuat Thai spas.
Authentic Thai massage is not gentle kneading but 2 hours of active tissue work, yoga-like stretches and sen line manipulation. Price at a standard spa—800–1,200 THB (2 hours). Wat Pho in Bangkok—birthplace temple of Thai massage, with school and spa where students train (massage from 480 THB). On Samui—Tamarind Springs, on Phuket—Banyan Tree Spa (premium).
Temple of Dawn. Climb the prang at 6:00, before the crowds. Cross Chao Phraya by ferry—4 THB.
Temple of Dawn on the western bank of Chao Phraya, 5 minutes by ferry (4 THB) from Wat Pho. The central 70-metre prang is covered with millions of Chinese porcelain fragments. Ascent via very steep stairs (no lifts)—360° Bangkok views at the top. Best time—6:00–7:00 at dawn, before tourists arrive. Ticket 100 THB. Afterwards—boat back from Wat Arun pier.
Chatuchak in Bangkok (Sat–Sun)—15,000 vendors. Rod Fai Market—antiques, retro cars, street food. Train Night Market—the largest.
Chatuchak (or JJ Market)—Southeast Asia's largest market: 15,000 stalls, 27 sections, open Friday evening and Sat–Sun only. Everything for sale: clothing, crafts, antiques, pets, Thai cuisine. Rod Fai Market (Train Night)—vintage and retro cars. Asiatique by Chao Phraya—open-air market with Ferris wheel. All best from 18:00 to 23:00.
Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai—ethical animal care. Not an attraction but a rehabilitation centre. Book 2 weeks ahead.
Elephant Nature Park 60 km from Chiang Mai—ethical sanctuary for elephants rescued from tourist camps and logging. 80+ elephants; visitors help bathe, feed, observe. No riding—a core principle. Day visit 2,500 THB with lunch and transfer. Overnight—6,000 THB. Book 2–3 weeks ahead via elephantnaturepark.org.
National park—Thailand's best coral reefs. Open November–May. Full-day tour from Khao Lak or Phuket.
Similan archipelago—national park in the Andaman Sea, 9 pristine islands with granite boulders and coral reefs. Open high season only (15 Oct – 15 May). Day tour from Khao Lak—3,500 THB (1-hour boat, 4 snorkelling spots, island lunch, park fees). 30m clarity, perfect visibility. Diving or 3–4 day liveaboard cruises—for serious divers.
Pad Thai, Tom Kha, green curry—learn to cook in 3 hours. Top schools: Blue Elephant Bangkok and Amita in Bangkok.
Cooking school—3–4 hours: market visit for ingredients, herb explanation, cooking 4–5 dishes, lunch of your own making. Pad Thai, Tom Yum, Green Curry, Mango Sticky Rice—the classics. In Bangkok, top choices—Blue Elephant (from 3,296 THB), Silom Thai Cooking (from 1,000 THB). In Chiang Mai—Thai Farm Cooking School on an organic farm (1,300 THB). By the end—you'll have a year's worth of recipes.
Lantern festival—November. Thousands of glowing lanterns lift into the sky over Chiang Mai. One of Asia's great spectacles.
Loy Krathong—Thailand's main festival, November (full moon of the 12th lunar month). Across the country, tiny leaf rafts—krathong—with flowers and candles are floated on water. In Chiang Mai, Yi Peng runs simultaneously—thousands of paper lanterns released into the sky at once. Registration for the main mass release—2–3 months ahead via cad.cnx.go.th. One of life's most beautiful evenings.
Secret Beach on Samui or Angel Beach on Phi Phi. 20-minute walk on foot along a trail. No tourists, turquoise water.
Tropical 'secret' beaches require a short trek or rented scooter. On Samui—Silver Beach on the east coast, access via Crystal Bay restaurant; on Phi Phi—Loh Moo Dee on the north side (20 min walk from pier). No hotels, bar loungers or water sports—just turquoise water. Bring food and water in advance.