Dreamy Thailand
Hello. The last trip to Tai (01.01-16.01. 2011) prompted me to write a review - and since I did, I will try to include more useful information that may be useful to beginners. And especially, of course, at the end I will note the attitude of our "glorious" tour operator (Coral).
In Thailand for the 3rd time (+ of course other countries), there is something to compare. We rested with a company (4-8 people) - here I will try to give the most objective consensus opinion. I've been to different hotels - I'll stop at each one.
Flight - "TA" forever
The first time we flew with Thai Airways and we were very happy about it. Yes, the ticket is $700 more expensive than Transaero and $300-400 more expensive than Aeroflot. But there are a lot of pluses:
• New aircraft
• Helpful staff
• A different level of food (with normal appliances and utensils)
• Multimedia complex in the headrest of each chair. Movies Music Games Information
• Unlimited alcohol.
The announcement in the cabin in Russian: “Dear passengers, do not drink your alcoholic drinks. Contact the staff - they will help you. And indeed, you shouldn’t drink your own - French wine, Courvoisier cognac, good vodka, cocktails ...Moreover, flight attendants ply with drinks along the rows regularly, and not once during the entire flight
• Free relatively salon. They flew there - the tail was half empty, everyone got high on a separate row. And the Thais are great - they immediately transferred families with small children to the free rows. Not so lucky on the way back - but there was no 3rd in a row, it was already easier. There is basically no queue for the toilet.
Thais are appliances
Keep in mind, this is far from being the friendly and helpful folk that was 5-10 and even 3 years ago. Maybe Tai is the country of endless smiles, but then this does not apply to tourist zones (the first time this was noticed in Phuket a year ago).
If earlier they really met almost everywhere in a bow, now Thais often show coldness and familiarity. Moreover, they can be rude and rude, despite the fact that in Thailand an open demonstration of anger is considered bad manners! And in hot places, including the famous Volkin, it is simply not safe at night (they openly warn about this). Lots of pickpockets. Motorcyclists tear gold off their necks. More than once they ran into rudeness and conflicts in clubs and shops, moreover, provoked by the Thais themselves. And so on and so forth. Moreover, the police are no help to us in this matter - it has been tested on ourselves. Once, out of principle, we went first to the tourist, then to the Thai police. It ended with nothing. This can and does make sense if the situation is filmed and then it will be necessary to kill a lot of time and effort. Thais feel impunity and frankly send nah.
In general, advocates of safe pastime - you are not here, or at least limit the area of u200bu200bits walking.
On the other hand, one cannot fail to note the shift of the service towards Russian tourists. Everywhere there is a menu in Russian. Mass of pro-Russian travel agencies. Thais everywhere are trying to babble something on our mighty. There are a couple of local channels in Russian. Mass of information literature in hotels, shops and restaurants.
It would be better with the same courtesy in English served (IMHO of course).
Bayoke Sky Hotel, Bangkok. Right choice.
• Tallest building of BKG. Accordingly, a bewitching view from the open deck at 84 fl. especially when it's dark. Admission is free for hotel guests.
• Several restaurants upstairs (77-82 floors). You can find a table with a good view or even sit outside. 500-700 baht per person (baht is almost equal to the ruble) for a buffet table.
There are no questions about food - delicious and as much as you like. Alcohol separately. Once to have dinner with a view - that's it.
• Standard room is excellent. Large bedroom and bathroom area. There is a separate dressing room with a safe. Slippers and bathrobe in the top drawer of the nightstand in the dressing room (found upon departure). One minus - no balconies.
• On the lobby floor there is a fruit point, a golf course and a good bar. By the way, the only place where you can smoke.
• On the 20th pool, fitness and spa (horse prices)
If you leave the hotel on the left along the street, the last massage parlor (reception on the 1st floor) is doing well. There are Indian restaurants right there, but it will be spicy even if they promise that it is not. Minimarkets (711 and Family mart) along the street straight 200m. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the nearest normal shopping center - also to the left from the hotel and then to the right along the big street, 3-4 intersections and there will be 2 in a row on the right. 2nd more civilized
I didn't like BCG. All in trade tents - you walk around like in a market.
Constant stench, traffic jams, gases. Only the royal palace is super - a must go!
Sandalay hotel (Sandalay), Pattaya, promenade
A simple treshka, without frills and originality. Quite shabby, but neat. If possible, do not take “zero” numbers (440, etc. ) because the elevator shaft will close half of the sea view. The only thing that frankly pleased was that they cleaned well and changed the bed every day. No insects were observed, a small lizard was seen a couple of times in the closet. And there’s not even much to talk about - there are no competitive advantages compared to other hotels, but there is also something completely negative.
The pool is normal, you can swim and even bleach does not eat away the eyes, as it happens. Safe at reception. In the same place a computer with the free Internet. People rest different, the vast majority do not. Even Thais get caught.
Breakfast sucks - small and tasteless. But on the other hand, the hotel restaurant is open around the clock - the menu is well cooked.
If you walk to the right 200 meters along the beach road, then there will be a restaurant "Green tree" - they often ate there, tasty and inexpensive. There are also exchange offices (from 11 to 21) and minimarkets. Moving along beach road is simple - a tuk-tuk rides and if it sees people, it honks. This is like our minibus. Silently sit down, go to where you need to. To stop - raise your head - there are calls, press the button - the carrier slows down. The output is 10 baht per person. If there is no one on board and you doubt that this is a minibus (they can also take a taxi) - ask the carrier: “tuk-tuk or taxi? ". If he says tuk-tuk, sit down boldly for 10 baht. Such minibuses travel all over the city, including Jomtien. Swimming in the sea near the hotel (and generally in the center) is not worth it - at least in Jomtien, but better on the islands. About transport below.
Cozy Beach (Cozy Beach), Pattaya, Pratumnak - the best location in Pattaya
In my opinion the best location is here. Several new condos are also being built here, where there are many Russians.
Your own quiet nook with a Russian party. Several Russian cafes (in "Uncle Vova" a rather colorful character rules). The local beach is normal.
The hotel itself is good, especially the new building. Quite spacious rooms. In a new building with good finishes and furniture. You can open the shutters from the bathroom and step straight into the bed. Cleaned up every day. Lizards came across only on the balcony, which by the way are large (balconies, not lizards). Breakfast is mediocre.
Up the street on the left side is a good massage parlor "Savane", with a lilac sign. There is a large network of such in the city - in principle, stable quality everywhere. But in front of him, to the left of the reception of the guesthouse is even better, thanks specifically to two masseuses, Noah and Lost. Work great and good reception.
For those who are interested, opposite the new building of Kozi there is a sewing salon "Amin". Suits are sewn well (Raja hello). Have ordered many times.
But you need to follow the details (such as slots on the sleeves, welt buttons). Husband price tag. suit of the finest fabric and lining $110. Female coat on the same conditions to the knees $155. But with regard to coats and blouses, this is a lottery, they can screw up.
Other utilities
With movements around the city, everything is clear. Either a tuk-tuk-minibus, or a tuk-tuk taxi (the price from the center to Jomtien is 150 baht).
There is also an ordinary passenger taxi, with air conditioning, but the price is higher. Do not forget to remind about turning on the taximeter or agree on a price in advance.
You can ride a bike taxi (dudes in vests with numbers). Cheaper and no hassle. They can also help with the repair of the bike, if suddenly. Speaking of bikes. You can take any jerk at an acceptable price tag. The simplest is a Japanese moped. 200 baht and a liter of petrol per day. The owner should leave either a passport or 2.000 baht as a deposit.
You don’t need a license - since the police got caught (turning left on red is usually allowed, except for the intersection of the central and second streets - there is a special announcement in English, which I didn’t notice) - they didn’t ask for documents at all. They issued a fine, pay at the station and go for a walk. By the way, a taxi driver will drop their own bike to the site for free (also apparently works out the popados). You get used to the left movement quickly. If you don’t go wild, keep the speed in the city within forty (not counting Sukhumvit) and don’t drive drunk to death (and every first driver is under a degree), then everything will be fine. Who does not break off gear shifting (and the associated need to ride in shoes) - there are bigger bikes: choppers, sports 500-1000 baht per day, depending on the coolness and duration of the lease.
Swimming is the nearest island Kolan. Clean water (after it you will not swim in the city). 5 beaches. We preferred Samae Beach. Clean, good infrastructure and hedgehog deep.
Pina colada in coconut (150-200 baht) is an indispensable attribute of a tourist (mandatory program). You can get there in several ways:
- twin-engine speedboats throughout the beach road are waiting for groups in the morning. If the group is large, then 300-400 baht per person in 2 directions comes out (the bot waits there for hours until 5 pm). The people are talking right now.
- ferry from the port at the beginning of the walkin to the island pier 30 baht (according to the schedule). Bikers or tuk-tuks deliver further from the pier
- double-deck boat from the same port directly to Samae (30-40 min, 150 baht there/here). Back at 3 and 5 pm. In 5 people packed. It's better to arrive early and leave early.
- a personal boat for 6-8 people (single-engine) from 10 to 17 will cost 2500 baht.
On the island you can go to the shooting gallery, shoot from healthy pistols (there are no automatic weapons, do not believe it). Ride a parachute and a scooter - but in Pattaya it is 100 baht cheaper. Food, water, bukhalovo without any problems - you don’t have to drag it.
The sun is harsher than in the city.
For excursions:
Kwai is a must. A lot of elements (including elephant riding and, of course, rafting) - exhausting, but great
Flight of the Gibon is great. Required Program
Crocodile farm - who didn't need to go.
The rest is for amateurs. Tranny shows suck - they walk around, make faces at random. Money was a pity.
Whoever has the desire coincides with the possibilities - you can travel around the district for 2-3 days (Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Myanmar, Indonesia, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau) Well, the mass of the islands of the Gulf of Thailand.
In general, look for and collect information literature - everything is there. Good buzz! !
Tour operator "Coral Travel" - never again.
This section is more for profile managers - maybe hands will reach to put things in order in work.
1. Bangkok. We met at the airport. Taika with a sign in Russian does not stick at all. I don't care, but some people don't. We were taken to a minibus - there is a guide Daria.
Why on earth she put a crown on her head - I don’t know, but it’s extremely unpleasant to communicate. Believe me, many tourists have no less crown and there is absolutely no desire to endure service when they talk to you condescendingly, “through the lip”.
There were 4 people in the car. Daria asks the question - “for the first time in Thailand? ". We answer in chorus "no, and not even in the second. " Ignoring this fact, Daria diligently for 40 minutes begins to tell common truths such as respect for the king, what kind of money is there, etc. , etc. Why did you ask? Well, at the end they asked what they wanted, took shape and goodbye. By and large, there are no complaints, except for the manner of communication, which does not correspond to the service sector.
2. Pattaya. It started with the fact that we refused the Bangkog-Pataya transfer. According to the plan of the tour operator, we are picked up at 11-12, collected, driven, transported there. I didn’t want to waste a precious day on a 100-km transfer.
The hotel agreed with the carrier (minivan for 2000 baht, excellent driver, spoke English well) - at 7 am he was waiting for us downstairs. Sandwiches and juice to go. At 9-30 we were in Pattaya. At 11, they were already drinking pina on the island beach. And we were still waiting for the bus. .
The day before, I called Darya and said that we would leave BKG on our own. Type warn the guide and give our data and phone numbers. She will do everything as a duty. Waited 2 days. Nobody shows up. We call Daria again. Promises. An hour later, a person calls, says a guide will arrive at the hotel at 10 pm. We wait. This despite the fact that the guides of other tour operators (Pegasus, Tez) daily sat at the reception for 2 hours a day according to the schedule.
A dude arrives late, called Felix, gives a phone number. His first words: “I don’t work with this hotel at all, but they asked me to come anyway. ” Did a favor. We seem to be paying for this. He saw his mission only in obtaining a voucher for a transfer.
If we didn't stop him with questions, he would gladly take the piss. In the end, he literally waved it off and did it, like I'm in a hurry, there's no time for me to start talking with you here. You don't need to tell the tour or the details.
There was one moment - the day before we got into a conflict with the Thais at a disco (again, absolutely on their initiative), they went out with security. We ask the respected hurried Felix what to do in such situations and where it is safe to rest.
Answer 1 - do nothing; the attitude is spoiled by the flawed Russians themselves; call the police if anything (1155) but this will not help much; you are not the Americans who have a millionth military contingent here - the Thais absolutely do not care about you and your money; it is better not to shy away at night (everything is verbatim).
Answer 2 - relax, where there are a lot of Russians. And gives the name of the club (ai Sawan).
On the next day we move to this place - there is no smell of a club there.
The time is 10 o'clock (everyone knows that the guides are always ready to respond around the clock) - I call Felix. I say - dude, there's nothing here. In response - I don’t know you, I never saw you and didn’t come to the hotel, you made a mistake and don’t call me again. Hangs up.
The next step is that we got tired of arguing with the locals, we came to rest, and not work to teach them, we begin to disturb the tour operator in Moscow (thanks to Globus Travel for the fuss). Like where is our guide? They are promised in the Moscow office of Coral that they will contact us just about, in half an hour. So I think it's been 2 days. The travel agent suggests that the hotel should have a board with contacts. Found, we call the person in charge of the hotel from Coral. His answer is yes, I am listed there, but I have not been visiting this hotel for a long time. Are there any problems? I say - no problem, I want to know the guide who is responsible for us. He is not me.
Then we find the phone of another chela, who seems to be driving the Pattaya guides (Shapi).
I call and explain the situation. He is truly a regional director. Speaks evenly, calmly. Me too. Clearly, he says - so what are your problems? I again - no, thank God, we have problems, tell me who our guide is. I'll find out now. Calls back and reports the good news - your guide is Felix! I tell him the last conversation with Felix - he says, I don’t know why, but he is your guide.
Of course, after talking with Felix, he no longer wanted to call. He didn't seem to need it either. So we rested on our own. Excursions by the whole company bought in street travel agencies. Everyone is courteous and on time.
Of course, this will not spoil your vacation, but I promise that Coral has lost at least 15-20 tourists constantly resting abroad. I will send a review to all official email addresses - maybe it will help others.
P. S. all communication with the guides took place strictly in a sober and normal tone, you can be sure.