50 Notes on Life in Thailand

It mainly describes life in Pattaya, but not only that.

After leaving Cyprus and moving to Thailand, I realised that my experience of living in this country can be useful to other people, especially in light of recent events. I mean those who are only thinking about relocating or who have moved recently.

My YOUTUBE playlist about life in Thailand.

I’ll also play the myth-buster. There are many rumours about Thailand, and especially about Pattaya. In fact, a lot of information online about Thailand doesn’t match reality.

Is it true that Pattaya is dirty and full of rubbish everywhere?

No, not everywhere. Look at the photo — this is the Pattaya district called Na Jomtien (Na Jomtien), where I live. Walking along the seashore you will hardly see dirt and piles of garbage, because it is cleaned regularly. Moreover, such cleanliness is found not only along Jomtien’s seafront; overall, Pattaya is quite a clean city. Although it depends on what you compare it with, of course. For example, after living five years in Cyprus I see a big difference — Aphrodite’s Island is much cleaner, that’s true. But still I can’t call Pattaya a dirty city.

And I’m not saying that there is none of it in Pattaya. There is, but not everywhere — just like anywhere else…)

Is it true that Pattaya is full of shocking depravity everywhere?

No, that’s not true. Not everywhere…) Of course, Pattaya is one of the capitals of sex tourism — that’s a fact. But it isn’t spread evenly across the whole city; it concentrates in several adjacent areas, the most famous of which is Walking Street. In the rest of Pattaya things are quite calm in this regard, without indecency and debauchery.

Moreover, many families with children live here, including a large number of Russian-speaking residents from our countries. Agree, if all of Pattaya entirely resembled some depraved sex club, families with children wouldn’t move here permanently. In short — if you want those kinds of entertainments, you’ll easily find them. If you don’t — you’ll easily avoid them; no one will pounce on you.

Avocados in Thailand

Yes, they exist! Despite information online claiming that avocados don’t grow in Thailand, I personally buy them at fruit markets and shops.

By the way, Hass avocados are sold in supermarkets and online stores; they cost more than local ones because they are imported from Australia.

Some readers might ask, “Author, is it really so important whether avocados grow in Thailand — do you think anyone cares? Do you believe such small questions belong in your Thailand FAQ?” And I’d answer yes — many people care. Especially if you’re a vegetarian (and our numbers keep growing) and avocado is an important part of your diet — these aren’t minor questions. And if you’ve livedon Cyprus for five years, where you’ve grown used to the “alligator pear,” then all the more so.

Continuation of the topic of local vegetarian food — a few paragraphs below ↓↓↓

Shops for Europeans in Pattaya — there are several (regular large supermarkets), but I’d like to highlight two:

• “BIG C” at the Central Marina mall, though not only there. There are quite a few BIG C supermarkets throughout Thailand, and many of them have a wide range of products, including imported ones. These are even marked as “imported products.”
• TOPS supermarket on the -1 floor of Central Pattaya Mall (also known as Central Festival).

They have crispbreads, a large selection of cheeses (and other dairy products — more on that below), and other goods from Europe, America, and Australia. Don’t forget you can order online!

The Macro supermarket is also rich in all this, but it’s more like the well-known Metro chain, i.e. not only aimed at regular grocery shoppers but also restaurant business owners and street food vendors — buying, for example, a couple hundred disposable plates, a crate of syrups, and ten packs of cocktail straws.

Does UBER or its analogues work in Thailand?

Uber — no, analogues — yes. I’ve personally been using the Bolt app for a year and I’m happy with it — https://webliner.pro/thai2022/#lwptoc8. People say Grab works well too, though I haven’t used it myself. By the way, Bolt sends an email report after each ride — that matters to some people.

How to order food in Thailand?

This is where the Grab app comes in handy. It’s clear, fast, and simple. As far as I know, Grab isn’t the only food delivery app in Thailand (there’s also Food Panda), but so far I’ve only used Grab.

A quick break to share a couple of observations about life in Pattaya that may NOT be noticeable to everyone (because many readers already live in big cities). The thing is, while living in Cyprus in the small city of Paphos, I could usually get anywhere in about 15 minutes: to my favorite coffee shop, the sea, the mall, walking areas, shops, cafés, etc. Here in Pattaya, it takes much longer. So — plan fewer tasks per day, ideally just one. And when leaving the house, it’s a good idea to take a power bank with you (if you’re an active user). Or at least a cable, because outlets are easy to find — in supermarkets and some cafés there are even visible stickers saying “FREE CHARGE” — meaning you can charge your device for free.

Which SIM card to get for mobile service in Thailand?

I’ve read that many people recommend AIS. However, for the second time now, I’ve chosen DTAC — https://www.dtac.co.th/. I bought a new SIM today and I’m writing this fresh from the experience, so to speak. Fast unlimited 5G internet, 20mbps speed — 300 baht per month, I’m satisfied. If you need to make regular phone calls, it costs extra — 1–2 baht for local numbers.

A local resident of 11 years (one of “ours”) also said that AIS doesn’t have coverage everywhere, and DTAC’s coverage is better, even in remote areas. But: 1) I don’t know how true that is; 2) Even if it is true, it could change quickly — so when choosing a SIM card in Thailand, rely on up-to-date information.

For comparison: in Cyprus, I paid €25 for slow mobile internet with a 5 GB limit. Since it wasn’t enough, I often had to top up for €5 per 250 MB. BUT! That’s already better than before — the situation used to be even worse! A mobile plan in Cyprus used to cost more and give you just 2 GB per month. Do you understand correctly that there’s no unlimited mobile internet on Aphrodite’s Island? Yes. At least I never came across it in five years, and even if it did exist — it would have cost a fortune.

Here in Thailand, I share unlimited 5G internet with my second smartphone, my wife’s phone, and my laptop. So in this regard, the advantages of Thailand are obvious, and I’m even planning to make a separate post (and video) comparing Cyprus and Thailand (or rather — Pattaya). I’ve already made a short video on my channel — here’s the first one, about cars.

How to withdraw money from ATMs in Thailand?

Friends, I can’t say anything about Russian cards because I haven’t lived in Russia for many years. I assume you know the situation with Russian bank cards better than I do. Otherwise, it’s simple — Thai ATMs charge 220 baht per cash withdrawal. I’ve done this many times with different banks, different amounts, and the fee was always the same — 220 THB. At first I thought maybe there’s a difference depending on which country the card is from (mine are European), but no — local chats confirm the fee is always the same — 220 baht.

Can you withdraw dollars or euros from a card in Thailand?

Friends, I first visited this country in 2016, visiting Koh Phangan. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A SINGLE FOREIGN CURRENCY ATM IN THAILAND! I’ve looked, asked around, googled, searched chats — and found nothing. So, you cannot withdraw foreign currency from ATMs in Thailand — only baht. However, you can exchange baht for euros, dollars, and some other currencies at exchange booths. If you have other information — please share it in the comments.

Shopping

Shopping is well-developed in Thailand, but since I’m no expert in that area, let me just show you the scale: here’s the Terminal 21 Mall in Pattaya — admire its decoration and scale.

As you can imagine — it’s far from the only one in the city, and certainly not in the whole country. And I’m not even talking about the many markets (including night markets) and other shopping spots. In short, I’m confident that shopping in Thailand won’t disappoint you.

Prices in Thailand

How much does food cost in Thailand? I talk about our expenses here: https://webliner.pro/thai-notes-2/#lwptoc8

Five random daily expenses are shown in this short video:

About dairy prices in Thailand — in short, they are higher than in Europe. More detailed info is in the same article.

By the way ↓↓↓

According to Russian language rules, the correct spelling is Таиланд (with “и”), not Тайланд (with “й”). Did you know? Okay, and do you know how to correctly spell the capital of Estonia? )) Answer here.

Pattaya for Vegetarians

Already mentioned avocados above ↑↑

As of today, it’s not always easy for lovers of dishes without meat, poultry, fish, or other animal products to find tasty vegetarian meals in Pattaya. Many venues and street food stalls are full of various seafood, meat, and chicken dishes. But! That doesn’t mean vegetarian food doesn’t exist. For example, there are many Indian vegetarian (or even vegan) restaurants here. There are plenty of plant-based products in stores too. So you’ll be fine.

Tastes just like regular meat. A true Vegetarian Emergency Kit)))

via GIPHY

UPDATE 2024! There are more and more vegetarian dishes and products in Thailand — much easier to find them in 7/11, Tops, and other stores than a couple of years ago. Hooray!

I also remember that when we moved to Cyprus, there wasn’t such a variety of meat-free dishes there either. On Aphrodite’s Island it’s simple — by the sea you’ll get seafood, and in the beautiful mountain villages — meat dishes. However, things started to change. Here’s a far-from-complete list of meals and places in the publication Cyprus for Vegetarians.

I also recommend checking out the PRIME BURGER spots (one is in Central Festival, the other is nearby on Soi Buakhao).

Also try KINZA GYOZA (available in Terminal 21 Mall). Gyoza are Japanese dumplings with various fillings — choose the vegetarian ones with cheese (or without cheese, if you’re vegan) and prepare for bliss. The filling honestly tastes and looks like ground meat. I was so amazed that I took a photo and messaged them on Facebook, asking, “Guys, are you sure these are vegetarian gyoza?” Their reply: “Sure, our Vegetarian Gyoza There are ingredients of carrot, tofu, mushroom and texture vegetable protein.”

Papaya salad is also a great, tasty veggie option — made at any street food stall. If you don’t like spicy, just say so when ordering!

Speaking of Thailand, I can’t help but mention street food. But in this post, I’ll only talk about it in the context of vegetarianism. 👇👇👇

One small surprise — in regular convenience stores like 7 Eleven or Family Mart, you won’t find big bottles of sparkling water (also called soda, carbonated water, etc.). Only small glass ones. So I buy them in packs. For larger bottles, go to a supermarket or order them. Since I don’t drink alcohol, beer won’t do to quench thirst — and in a hot country, sparkling water is just perfect. I drink it by the liter.

I’ll tell you a secret: on a hot, stuffy day, when I open a cold, foggy bottle of mineral water and hear that “psssssss,” I feel ESPECIALLY HAPPY that I don’t drink alcohol. Because otherwise, it would’ve been beer instead of this water.

Pattaya is not just a city

It also includes several nearby islands. The closest is called Koh Larn (or simply “Larn” since “Koh” means “island” in Thai). It looks like this:

You can get to Koh Larn from Pattaya in about 40 minutes by ferry (30 baht) from Bali Hai Pier, or twice as fast by speedboat from the same place (150 baht). Here are a couple of short videos about the trip to the island: https://youtube.com/shorts/AhM5fH_NUVU?feature=share

Laundry in Thailand

How to wash clothes in this country? Turns out you don’t even need a washing machine at home — there are lots of decent laundromats in Pattaya within walking distance. More details in this short video:

Both foreigners and locals use them.

These were my first impressions of life in Pattaya. More to come. And here I compare life in Cyprus and Thailand across more than 30 categories.

Notes on life in Thailand. I hope they’ll be useful not only to those considering living here, but also to potential travelers. I share a lot on this topic on my video channel in a special playlist Life in Thailand.

Russian Products in Pattaya

If you’re craving something exotic, there are plenty of Russian places in Pattaya where you can find familiar food. After all, isn’t Russian cuisine in Thailand exotic in itself? They say there’s even a whole street with such stores and café-restaurants, though we haven’t been there yet. But! At Jomtien Night Market near the high-rise COPACABANA, there’s a stall selling pirozhki, syrniki, dumplings, and more. Next to it is another one selling lobio and similar dishes. Fans of cutlets and other meat and fish dishes won’t be left out either. How to get to this food market in Pattaya — https://goo.gl/maps/UPD9P7WQaQqXq2zA7. If you need products from our countries — order them in the LAZADA online store! Here’s how things were with Russian products in Cyprus.

And of course, Pattaya has the so-called “Russian street” with a large food market, also full of goods from “our countries.” It’s located near the Pattaya Park Tower — easy to find.

People Dance in the Streets

I’ve always admired such places. You can take lessons during the day from an instructor and join them and their students in the evening. For example — by Dongtan Beach.

Lots of Beach Events

The beach is not just a place for lying down and doing nothing. Events are held here! From recent memory — the Beach Soccer World Cup took place on Jomtien Beach. There was also a drone show — quadcopters formed letters and patterns. Later, I also saw the Loy Krathong Festival, Coffee Festival, Fireworks Festival, and Kite Festival (all can be found under the Thailand tag).

Beach Rest for Everyone

The beach is not only a place for events, but also for lying down and doing nothing! People relax, swim, sunbathe, eat while lying on mats on streets and beaches. And peacefully sleep. They just sit down, lay out food and drinks (including alcoholic ones), with family, friends, kids running around, dogs… They play music from cars or portable speakers — and enjoy. And then they might just lie down and nap right there on the sidewalk. Totally normal…))))

Street Food Culture

Everyone sits or even lies around — and EATS. Awesome! I’ve got lots of videos about street food in that playlist on my channel (see link above), here’s one short video on the topic.

One Day = One Task

Living in Cyprus in the small town of Paphos, I could usually get anywhere in about 15 minutes: to my favorite coffee shop, the sea, the mall, walking areas, stores, cafés, etc. Here in Pattaya, it takes much longer. So — plan fewer things per day, ideally just one. AND TAKE A POWER BANK WHEN LEAVING HOME. Or at least a cable, because power outlets are easy to find — in supermarkets and some cafés there are even stickers that say “FREE CHARGE” — like, charge your gadget for free.

Taxi Driver Tricks

When using the BOLT app to call a taxi, don’t just accept the driver naming or showing the price on their phone at the end — make sure the trip status says completed. Better yet, wait for the final fare to appear on YOUR phone. Because sometimes drivers give approximate prices that clearly favor themselves. No, I’m not stingy. Yes, I leave tips. And like you, I don’t like being blatantly ripped off.

100, 500 and 1000 Baht Bills Look Similar in Color

Especially in the evening or at night. Be careful when paying with them! Otherwise… your, um, counterparties might… make a mistake and… give you change… more than expected… (you get it). And we’re honest people, we don’t want what’s not ours, so you’ll end up chasing them to return the extra, trying to explain with Google Translate that you gave 100 but got change for 500. It’s hot here — not ideal for running around, so… just watch closely. UPDATE – I recently gave a Lazada delivery guy 1000 baht instead of 100 by mistake — here’s what happened: https://t.me/webliner/397

Go for Massages!

I’ll borrow a marketing slogan here — “Affordable Luxury.” I don’t remember what it originally advertised, but it fits Thai massage perfectly. It’s high-quality, affordable, pleasant, and beneficial! Don’t ignore this! 😉 Seriously, friends. Trust someone who’s been to many countries. There are places where even if you pay 10x more, you won’t come close to the level of massage here (not to mention full spa treatments, where the price difference can be enormous, but the quality won’t match — Thailand and Bali are top). Take advantage while you’re here! 🙂

You Can Wear Crocs and Other Summer Shoes Year-Round

On Cyprus that wasn’t really possible because the rainy season is cold — you’ll freeze in them by February. Again, my comparison of life in Cyprus and Thailand is here.

I’ve lived in dozens of places, and trust me — Thailand is not the worst place on earth. Yes, Pattaya doesn’t have the cleanest reputation and is often seen as a city of sin — and for good reason, as it’s one of the capitals of sex tourism. Just search “Pattaya” on YouTube, and the top results will mostly be about *that*.

But at the same time, it’s just a normal seaside resort city, with decent hotels, beaches, condos, cafés, and entertainment. I’ve visited and lived in cities like that before — though smaller and quieter — like Paphos in Cyprus, where I spent 5 years. And it’s this beautiful and respectable side of Pattaya that I try to show on this blog and on my YouTube channel.

Runway Street Food Nightmarket – A Market with a Real Boeing 747

Located between Central Festival and Terminal 21, this street food market is worth a visit if only to see the real BOEING 747 placed there as a decoration.

At first I identified it as a Boeing 747-400 since I’ve flown on those (for example, to Mexico), but it turned out to be a 747-200, or even a 747-217B. I even managed to find the aircraft’s registration number: N899TH

Several months later, I dug up the story of this sleeping giant and published it in a separate video. ⬇⬇

I love airplanes. Walking near this Boeing reminded me of two old spotting sessions at Sheremetyevo Airport: here’s the first, here’s the second.

Buy a Mat, Chill on the Beach, and Dine with a Sunset View

Jomtien has its own food market and lots of cafés, and from the beach you can watch the sun set over Koh Larn Island. Many people show up in the evening. Lately, I’ve become one of them. You settle down nicely on a mat and have dinner among locals (though “among” is a stretch — Jomtien is wide and spacious, there’s room for everyone), watching this beauty. And the sea goes: “sh-sh-sh-sh… sh-sh-sh-sh…” Cyprus had similar moments, but much more rarely (there, you’re more likely to sit at a restaurant by the sea than lie on a blanket on the beach).

Halo — An Incredible Ring Around the Sun

Without straying far from Jomtien Beach, let me tell you one more story. I saw a HALO here.

Halo (from Ancient Greek ἅλως “circle, disk”); also aura, nimbus — a group of atmospheric optical phenomena characterized by a glow around a light source, typically forming a circle, ring, arc, light column, or “diamond dust.” Wikipedia

I’ve seen similar effects before, but never one so clear and beautiful — and certainly not directly overhead.

Rainy Season in Jomtien

To me, this is the perfect time to live in this part of Pattaya (or in the city in general). Almost no tourists, it’s quiet and uncrowded, and though there are occasional rains and storms, they are nothing compared to the wild thunderous storms on Cyprus (which makes sense — it’s an island in the open Mediterranean Sea, while Pattaya is a mainland city on the Gulf of Thailand). I know the rainy season isn’t great for other Thai cities or islands like Phuket, but Jomtien is top-notch in this regard. I had heard this even before moving here, and recently confirmed it myself.

More and More Signs and Menus in Russian – Customer Focus

I’ve been seeing more signs and menus that don’t even include English (just Thai and Chinese), but do include Russian. Take note of this station where they make those very Roti pancakes.

By the way, I already mentioned where to buy European groceries, and if you’re looking for products from our countries, check the Lazada online store.

Bangkok — Still a Beauty

We first visited the Thai capital in 2017 (I mean the city itself, not just landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport). Since then, Bangkok has become cleaner, prettier, and more modern — in my opinion. If you’re in Thailand, I recommend visiting the capital, at least the Chinatown and Guan Yu Shrine (Gong Wu) (see photo below).

As part of our current tour, we visited several beautiful places — and here’s one of them ⬇⬇

The Rooftop with a Glass Floor Atop MahaNakhon Skyscraper

I highly recommend visiting.

Another Bangkok attraction — ICONSIAM Mall — is mentioned at the end of these notes ⬇️.

There Are Two Military Beaches in Pattaya: Sai Kaew and Sattahip Military Beach

We’d heard about the beautiful military beach in Pattaya — called that because of nearby military units or something. But on the day of our trip, it turned out there were TWO of them (we found this out already in the taxi), and we were going to the far one.

The trip turned out a bit chaotic (because the BOLT app dropped us off at the wrong place), but the beach is nice. Though there are complaints about trash the sea throws back onto land with each tide — but that’s not the sea’s fault… comment below who you think is to blame.

So, that time we visited Sattahip Military Beach (next to NANG RANG BEACH and NANG RONG BEACH), and saved Sai Kaew for another time.

In short, keep in mind — there are not one, but two military beaches in Pattaya.

Lazada Online Store Is Becoming a Bigger Part of Everyday Life

Place an order — it gets delivered. Very convenient. Yes, you might spend a lot of time choosing, but sometimes you just don’t feel like walking or driving from store to store. Recently, for example, I walked 5 km to the huge home goods store MegaHome to buy one tiny item — a cabinet hinge. And guess what? The one I needed wasn’t there! I bought a similar one — but it didn’t fit. In that sense, online shopping can save time. If you live in Thailand, Lazada is your friend. Here it is — https://www.lazada.co.th/

By the way, Lazada also sells goods from “our” countries, including food products. For example, tea.

Not long ago I accidentally gave a Lazada courier 1000 baht instead of 100 (because the bills look similar, see point 8 in these notes). When I realized, about an hour had passed — but the courier called me back and returned it. I was happy to thank him with a bigger tip… 🙂

ICONSIAM — An Incredible Shopping Mall in Bangkok

It’s huge. It even has its own floating market. Not like the open-air one in Pattaya, but still. If you’re visiting the Thai capital — stop by, even if not for shopping, then at least to grab a bite, take a walk, and step out onto its amazing terrace with a viewing deck (more in the video below).

I continue to publish notes about life in Thailand — materials are available under the Thailand tag.

Thai New Year Songkran — Truly Something Unreal

Just check social media — you’ll see. I can only share my own video, filmed not in central Pattaya but in Jomtien. Standing under a firetruck shower, surrounded by cheerful Thais and great local rock music — it was an amazing experience.

Green Mango Is Just as Wonderful as the Yellow One

If you’re in Thailand — give it a try, you’ll likely enjoy it. It’s much less known than its yellow “brother” (it’s the same fruit at a different stage of ripeness), but just as tasty.

Thailand Keeps Getting Rid of Those Famous Cable Clusters

Turns Out There’s a Beautiful Pine-Shaded Beach in South Pattaya

If you want something in addition to palm trees, head over to The Glass House Pattaya https://maps.app.goo.gl/TeTcmmm6YMgK2m658 — it’s worth a visit for the design alone. There are several cafés, bars, and restaurants in the area, along with beaches surrounded by pine trees. Located in the Na Jomtien area (Najomtien, Na Chom Thian, อำเภอสัตหีบ Chon Buri). It’s worth noting: this is absolutely NOT the usual Pattaya everyone knows. And that’s a good thing, honestly…)

Also worth mentioning — the Sattahip Military Beach (Dancing Girl Beach) is full of pine trees too — very scenic.

Ban Amphur — A Nice, Cozy, Non-Touristy Beach

Non-touristy in the sense that there are few foreigners — mostly locals.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FwABd3SubCzjEhXN6. There’s infrastructure (umbrellas, loungers), and food too. But if you’re looking for massages and spa services — probably not the place.

Where to Donate Unneeded Items in Pattaya

You can post in second-hand chat groups, or take items directly to the Hand to Hand Foundation, located here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MjB5q6zQCuBi7NSs5

Twenty and Seventy Sound Alike

So be careful when someone tells you a price — double-check if it’s twenty (20) or seventy (70). Given the local pronunciation, you might hear one thing but they mean another. Same goes for fifteen/fifty, seventeen/seventy, etc. And not just in Thailand…)

A Strange Spot in Pattaya

Near the Copacabana tower, there’s a completely ordinary pedestrian crossing. But for some reason, it’s very popular with tourists from Asia — they’re always taking pictures there. Maybe it appeared in a movie, music video, or game? Here it is:

JET SKI — Another Brand Name Turned Generic (Like Jeep, Xerox, Pampers, etc.)

I noticed that here, no one says “hydrocycle,” “aqua bike,” “water bike,” or anything like that. Locals simply call this watercraft JET SKI — not realizing that Jet Ski is a trademark for Kawasaki’s personal watercraft.

Cars On Flight — A Cool Event in Pattaya

Very cool. I’ll say it again — Pattaya is a full-fledged city, and it’s not just about beaches, parties, massages, and shopping. It also hosts legit events — like Cars On Flight, for example.

There’s a video about it on my YouTube channel.

November in Pattaya Is Rich with Cultural Events

Judge for yourself:

• Jazz Festival
• International Fireworks Festival
• The spectacular Loy Krathong Festival
• Coffee Festival

And much, much more

Krabok Seeds (Irvingia malayana) — Highly Recommended

These seeds are also known as Thai almond. They’re easy to peel, about twice the size of pumpkin seeds, and delicious — great to keep for yourself or as a souvenir gift. They’re not widely available in stores due to low demand. You can order them on Lazada if needed (I’ve already told you about this store here). Screenshot from there, by the way:

Student Visa in Thailand — Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Interaction with reasonable people (usually). Because here, there are a lot of those who… you get it, right? What do you think I mean?! It’s 2023-2024, guys, you know what I mean? Come on.
2. Legal stay in the country.
3. No need for a border run, visa runs… But had to do a visa run to Laos after a year here, so sorry, this point is canceled.
4. While studying, you’re also learning a foreign language.
5. With a student visa in Thailand, you can easily open a bank account. I, accustomed to the complicated conditions of opening accounts in Europe, was pleasantly surprised by how quick and easy it was to do here in Thailand. I have a separate post on student visas, if interested — here, please.
6. Ability to study both offline and online (this is changing rapidly, so always check for the latest updates).

Cons:

1. Relative downside is the requirement to study, participate in the educational process, and be present at certain times according to the schedule. Not for everyone. I heard in some schools they turn a blind eye to frequent absences, but I don’t know much about it.

Koh Samet — A Perfect Getaway

The beaches are clean, and the views are exactly like the exotic white-sand-turquoise-palm-tree-advertisements you see on Bounty commercials… Here’s a video about our trip to Koh Samet — https://webliner.pro/koh-samed-island/

Suvarnabhumi Airport — A Full-Fledged Mini City

But this time, I was in the role of the one sending someone off, and I decided to take the metro into central Bangkok from the airport. Since there were about five hours before the subway opened, I went to explore all the floors of Suvarnabhumi. And there… there are restaurants, fast foods, massages, grocery stores like 7/11 (YES, SEVEN ELEVEN IN THE AIRPORT, CAN YOU IMAGINE A “Pyaterochka” or “Magnit” in Domodedovo?!), and more. I had a good walk, and here’s the video — Night Walk through Suvarnabhumi Airport.

It was especially fun filming at Suvarnabhumi because no one minds if you’re walking around and filming. No one stops you, bans you, blocks you, or yells at you to put the camera away. Beautiful! Thank you, Thailand 🙂🙏

By the way, from what I gathered, the correct pronunciation of the airport’s name is BKK — Suvarnabhumi.

At Intersections, You Can Turn Left Without Waiting for the Green Signal, Yielding to the Main Flow

In Thailand, just like in Cyprus, where we lived for 5 years — traffic moves on the left. But there are differences in traffic rules. One of them is that in Thailand, by default, you can turn left without waiting for the green signal, yielding to the main flow. If it’s not allowed, a separate traffic light section will show a red signal, and you’ll have to wait for green. In Cyprus, it’s different — you wait for the green. When I rented a motorbike in Pattaya for the first time, I stopped at an intersection waiting for green out of habit, and a car almost hit me from behind. Luckily, the driver noticed me in time, honked, and drove around. So keep that in mind.

Rainy Season in Pattaya — Fine

I know it’s not the same everywhere, but in Pattaya, the rainy season doesn’t come with days of torrential rain. Yes, there are downpours, strong showers, but not as many as you might think (info from 2023). Moreover, the Jomtien area, where we live, is kind of a passage point in this regard — I often see thunderclouds passing around it (but not always!), and it looks like this:

The difference between the rainy season in Thailand and Cyprus is that in Thailand it’s warm — it’s always warm here! By the way, here’s my comparison of Cyprus and Thailand based on several dozen criteria.

How Much Does Food Cost in Thailand

For the two of us — adults, non-drinkers, vegetarians — food costs around 600 euros. BUT! Don’t jump to conclusions just yet — read on.

First, why euros? Two reasons:

1. We lived in Europe for 5 years before Thailand, income was also in euros, so it’s more natural for us to calculate in them.
2. The exchange rate of the Thai baht to euro is more stable than to the ruble — so you get it.

Now let me explain why you shouldn’t rush to apply this exact number to yourself. Three reasons:

1. People’s eating habits vary. What to eat, how many times a day, portion sizes, and — importantly — where you eat it, all differ from person to person. For example, in Seven Eleven stores, a ready-to-eat portion of rice costs 15 baht — that’s practically free. Add an avocado from the market and a seaweed snack (plenty of those in 7/11), a bit of soy sauce — and boom, you’ve got yourself a plate like avocado sushi rolls. Not even mentioning instant noodles. Eating like this, buying food at markets and supermarkets, cooking at home — you can easily reduce your food budget. I understand, everyone’s situation is different, especially these days.
2. If you eat out, yes — the cost goes up. But again — depends where. If it’s small local cafés or even mobile carts (they’re called “makashnits” here), then it’s a budget-friendly option. Of course, how much food you order also matters. I’ve seen people here having beers and piling up plates of seafood — I haven’t eaten like that in 7 years.
3. If you enjoy eating out in restaurants, then yes — especially lately I’ve noticed that prices at many places are comparable to those in Europe. So in that case, your food budget will rise. Especially if you’re going to places aimed at foreigners — Europeans, Australians, etc. — where the meals and their ingredients are not locally produced.

Also, it really depends on what kind of groceries you buy. For example, some don’t eat bread and instead buy special rice cakes, which are available in supermarkets — and not even in all of them. Dairy is expensive here — all those cheeses and so on — because locals generally don’t consume dairy products. And again, as I mentioned, we’re vegetarians, and Pattaya is a place where seafood and meat dishes are much more varied and cheaper than meatless options, so sometimes we have to buy something more expensive in stores or restaurants.

So this line of expenses can be adjusted in either direction. Hopefully you’ll never need to cut it — eat well and eat healthy 🙂

New Year in Thailand Is Loud and Bright

No photos, but there’s one low-quality livestream from Jomtien Beach — still gives you an idea. Loads of fireworks, firecrackers, lights, noise, fun, chaos. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHHSwfcO86Y

Monitor Lizards in Lumphini Park, Bangkok

If you’re in the Thai capital, make sure to visit Lumphini Park and take a look at the monitor lizards living there. Link with timestamp: https://youtu.be/Zz4N7kjjWgw?t=2728

Continuing my notes on life in Thailand.

Slightly Sweet Food

In my opinion (and not only mine), almost all food in Thailand has a slightly sweet note. Even potatoes. And where there shouldn’t be any sweetness, cheerful Thais add it anyway — even garlic croutons are sprinkled with sugar. Even pretzels, which are traditionally salty, have a sugary dusting here and turn into sweet pastries. In short, bland food is rare — keep that in mind if you’re thinking of moving to Thailand. But remember — to each their own!))

No Four Seasons

For us — guests or foreigners living here — the idea of seasons disappears in Thailand. I remember when we moved to Cyprus, it was still there, because Cyprus does have a winter (not like in “our countries,” but still chilly and noticeable). But here in Thailand — there’s no longer such a thing as “winter,” “autumn,” or “summer.” The weather is fairly consistent — roughly from +25 to +35°C, so the variation is just 10–15 degrees. In “our countries,” it’s much more noticeable — it can be as much as 60 DEGREES. For example, from -30 to +30 (I lived in Western Siberia for several years — I remember it getting down to -40). So in Thailand you just say “in March” or “in December” instead of “in spring” or “in winter.” By the way, from Wikipedia: On mainland Thailand, there are three main seasons: warm dry (winter), hot dry (spring), and hot wet (summer).

The Tea Illusion

Thailand is located between two great tea countries — India and China. You’d think there would be plenty of tea here. But no — even in 7/11, you can’t always find regular black Lipton. But there’s a sea of coffee. So go to a supermarket and buy tea there (and that imported treasure won’t cost what you’re used to).

The Best Beach on Koh Larn Island

The best beach on Koh Larn Island is Samae (don’t confuse it with Tawaen — though that one is also decent).

Kite Festival in Pattaya

Held in February — I highly recommend visiting it: https://youtu.be/wDl9b12TISs. It’s very beautiful, though quite hot. Luckily, there’s a Central Festival mall nearby, where you can walk around, grab a drink or snack, and cool off.

Thailand Has a Lot of Bloggers

Seriously — a lot. Everyone’s out filming something. Including me. Didn’t expect that from myself…)) I must say, that wasn’t the case in Cyprus — people weren’t into “blogging” much (by the way, here’s a detailed comparison of Cyprus vs Thailand — might help those choosing between these two). Tons of bloggers from China, often I see Indian ones too — and of course, our folks are doing their best too.))

Visa Run to Laos

Visa run to Savannakhet, Laos — not exactly a must-do adventure. The road is exhausting, and the schedule is tight. They say the capital of Laos — Vientiane — is much nicer, prettier, and more comfortable. Maybe someday we’ll get to go there… 🙂

Small Talk

A good habit — riding in a songthaew (local shared pickup truck) and chatting with foreigners. Classic small talk — a great way to improve your English. If you’re living in Thailand on a student visa, this can be really helpful.

People from “Our Countries”

People from “our countries” in Cyprus and Thailand are very different. Very. You can tell right away. They differ — in appearance and behavior. In Thailand, “our people” are mostly from the regions — not big cities. And they’re different, surprisingly. The “European” types usually have a good education, money, travel experience, at least one foreign language, EU residency or property. The others — well, they’re different. Less emotion, less smiling, less politeness, more of what’s called “plainness.” They swear a lot — often and loudly, even around women and kids — which I find odd. I’m not judging — just stating it as a fact. It’s strange to walk down the street and hear loud Russian cursing in front of children — and they don’t even realize: “what’s the big deal?” That’s why I say — there’s a real difference. The “European ones” are mostly from major cities in European Russia (and not just Russia), and the ones in Thailand are from Siberia, the Far East, Transbaikalia, and small cities across the CIS. Again — I’m not judging, just comparing. You can read my comparison of life in Cyprus vs Thailand across 30+ points in this post.

Valerian Alternative in Thailand

If you can’t fall asleep or relax — Thai pharmacies sell a valerian alternative called Valian-X. You’ll also find Noni Juice — juice from the noni plant. Pour 30–40ml into cold sparkling water and you get a great drink that tastes like kvass. I call it Thai kvass. One weird thing — the same brand bought from the same pharmacy sometimes tastes sweet, and sometimes a bit sour. No idea why, but it’s not a problem. It quenches thirst, refreshes — just don’t drink too much (some say online that too much too often isn’t healthy — better to stick to 50–100ml/day). You can also buy the Thai herbal inhaler Hong Thai — which I mentioned earlier.