Tai is no longer the same
We rested from March 4 to March 14.
Flight from Ekat-ga, a. k. AzurAir, departure on time, fed 2 times, flew 8 hours.
A/p Bangkok arrived at 06-00 local time, 1.5 hours went through customs, there were a lot of people who arrived from Europe, India, China. Baggage received quickly. Changed 100 bucks into pocket money at the rate of 34.50. A representative of Anex was waiting at the entrance. We were put into a minivan, and an hour and a half later we were at the Pattaya Park Tower Hotel. The guide girl knew little about the country, she lied a lot, and in the end she said that she wanted to work in Vietnam, and she was sent here.
Hotel. We arrived at 11:30 local time. Check-in at 14:00. While sitting in the lobby. We wait. The staff, of course, is not in a hurry, an hour later they came up to clarify, they said cleaning was in progress, we are waiting again, and, oh happiness! , the manager invites for the keys. They gave out one electronic key, 2 guest cards - for which they give you a room key at the reception, or beach towels, as well as coupons for breakfast. We went up to the room ourselves (18th floor), superior room, side sea view. The room is large (>20 sq. m. ), the air conditioner worked, there was shampoo, soap in the bathroom, 2 towels per guest, 1 foot towel. There is no hair dryer and kettle (we always have it with us). There is a safe in the room and at the reception free of charge. Balcony nice 2 chairs. There is no wardrobe, there are hangers with coat hangers (4-12). The room was cleaned daily around 15:00. Free 2 glass bottles of water (do not throw away the bottles, they are changed daily). They didn't leave a tip. This did not affect the quality of cleaning. Wi-Fi works fine, the password can be taken at the reception every 7 days.
Breakfasts. From 6:00 to 10:30. Buffet. The hall resembles a large dining room. The range of dishes is large: sausages, ham, scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs, pasta, rice, potatoes, vegetables, a lot of Chinese food, sauces, etc. (there is also mayonnaise on the son), 2 types of soups, vegetable salads, always cucumbers and cherry tomatoes , there are not many pastries, there are toasts and jam. Fruits - pineapple (very tasty), watermelon and all. but always available and without restrictions. I have not tried tea, coffee is tolerable, there is milk. For children there are dry breakfasts and milk. The food is not spicy!! ! Everything is always fresh, there were no cases of poisoning. It is forbidden to take out food.
Beach. It takes 5-7 minutes to walk to the beach. The municipal beach is free. Moderately clean. Cleaned up every morning. Sunbeds are paid 100 baht simple, and 50 baht small. We didn’t take it, we lay on a mat - you want it in the shade, you want it in the sun. The sea - if the tide is high - is dirty near the coastline, but if you go to the depth it is clean. Gentle entrance to the sea. There were jellyfish, but not many. There are few merchants, the police are chasing them. Fruit is also eaten. Prices are reasonable.
The territory of the hotel. In desolation. Gardeners do not clean well, foliage is everywhere, grass is scorched, large trees and palm trees survive. The water park operates 100 baht for entry. The descent from the tower also works, the price was not specified. The pool at the hotel is open, the water is cool, but clean, there are plenty of sunbeds and free of charge. The gym is free. Taxi at the hotel around the clock. There is a restaurant on the 47th floor. Buffet (seafood included) 400 baht/person from 17:00 to 22:00. A lot of tourists (especially Chinese) are brought here - to the restaurant, to the descent from the tower, to the water park.
Currency. Local baht = 33.90-34.50 for 1 buck. There are many exchangers on the road from the hotel, the most favorable rate is at "TT" (yellow sign). It is more profitable to change bills of 50 and 100 bucks. Although everything changes. And rubles too.
Hotel guide. Honey. (Turk). If you don’t take excursions from him, you don’t exist for him. We didn't take. What they did not regret. He lured with prices (a good marketer) on excursions, promised a box of fruit as a gift upon departure (I didn’t deceive - the box was: 1 papaya + 1 pineapple + 3 mangoes + 1 dragon eye + 2 carambolas = total 100 baht), and the prices for excursions are higher in order. In addition, he promised that the fruit box would not be weighed at the airport. There will be, there will be, and how many scandals there were later....It's not worth it...
Excursions. We didn’t go anywhere, we’ve already been to Tai many times, we saw everything, we went on foot to the observation deck and to the statue of the Golden Buddha (30 minutes walk from the hotel). I post photos of prices for excursions.
Food. The most accessible are Femelimart and SevenIlleven shops. There is no cheaper. For example, Tiger beer 0.6l = 55 baht, local rum 0.3l = 145 baht, milk 0.8l = 45 baht, drinking water 1.5l = from 13 baht. Everything you need is available. Next in terms of food availability is Pattaya Park Market. Here you can take food with you, or you can also have a bite to eat at the tables. Approximate prices = 1 fried chicken = 150 baht, 1 fish (mackerel layer) in batter 100 baht, king prawns 10 pcs = 100 baht, pork ribs = 100 baht. Fruits: bananas 30 baht per 1 kg, mango from 50 baht, watermelon 20 baht, pineapple 25 baht, strawberries 250 baht. We took a shake from different fruits for 25-30 baht per glass (400-500g). Very tasty and refreshing. Well, the highest prices are local cafes and restaurants. Here the price tag starts from 80 baht per serving, and the size of this portion is different everywhere, I can say that there are no large portion sizes (such as in China or Vietnam).
Souvenirs or what to bring from Thailand as a gift. Due to the fact that the exchange rate has changed very significantly over the past year, the prices of goods have risen significantly. For example, a T-shirt 150-200 baht (320-450 rubles). We took toothpaste 1 block (12 pcs) for 25 baht, local handmade paintings from 100 baht, and a large (2 meters) handmade fan, and of course fruits.
Pharmacy. Prices are different everywhere. Moreover, for Russians, it can be even more expensive (service! ). We took a local balm and a pencil for a cold.
Shopping. We went to large shopping centers 1 time, bought branded jeans, cheaper than in the Russian Federation by 25 percent and small souvenirs. The fare is 10 baht.
Departure home. Departure from Bangkok at 12-00, picked up from the hotel at 06-40, we managed to have a normal breakfast. We got there in 2 hours, check-in for the flight took a long time. There were a lot of fights with overweight luggage - 20kg per person, overweight 15 bucks per 1 kg. We also had a big fan - we had to hand it over to the special baggage department (section Y), well done, the girl at the check-in told everything !! ! Departed on time, the journey was 9 hours 25 minutes. We landed normally, the luggage was received in 15 minutes. 40 minutes later we were at home.
