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Is it better for a first-time traveler to fly into Bangkok or Phuket?

Thailand TravelBangkokPhuketFirst-Time TravelersTourismVisasBeachesCity ExperienceTravel Itinerary
Feb 1, 2024
a year ago
Asia ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it better for a first-time traveler to fly into Bangkok or Phuket?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion explores the pros and cons of flying into Bangkok versus Phuket for first-time travelers. Bangkok is depicted as a bustling city with a rich cultural experience, including temples and street food, while Phuket is characterized by its beaches and international tourist vibe. Many commenters suggest considering personal preferences such as activities (beaches vs city), budget, and travel itinerary, with some recommending flying into one city and out of the other for a broader experience of Thailand.
Steven *********
Do you like a Huge city with loads to do or beaches n bars?

The Weather in Phuket is a bit easier to deal with than Bangkok i find( not quite as ridiculously hot) but both are great in my opinion.
10 months ago
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Gilberto ****************
How long is a big island?
a year ago
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T ****************
BKK
a year ago
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Robert ***********
Bangkok is going to be cheaper in most cases. Just FYI
a year ago
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Paul *******
Bangkok. Phuket is Russia by the sea.
a year ago
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Marcin **********
I flew to Bangkok and flew back from Phuket. Worked good for me and I was able to see lots of places like Koh Kood, Koh Samui Khao Sok, Ao Nang...
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Asia **********
 bangkok
a year ago
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Phil *******
What year were you intending for your time travel?
a year ago
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Phil *******
@Asia **********
 to what year? This century , 20th century or earlier?
a year ago
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Asia ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil ******
 I’m traveling on the 29th of this month to Bangkok
a year ago
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Asia ***********
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Nicholas **************
All first timers go phuket
a year ago
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Jeffrey *******
BK has more of everything except sand and saltwater.
a year ago
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Berkley *********
There’s a lot to do in Bangkok
a year ago
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Kal *********
Go to BKK first spend a few days at nicer hotels , check out the river lifestyle both opulent and old style, then try Hua Hin ...nice quiet beaches ... maybe book a boat trip to some islands ... Chieng Mai is nice but soon will be "" smoke season "" so maybe not this trip ...
a year ago
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Victor *******
Fly to Pattaya soi 6
a year ago
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Gordon *******
Bangkok then Pattaya
a year ago
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Andrea *********
If you fly into Phuket it is also a good starting point for the area around Krabi. Few days in Phuket, then by boat to Ko Phi Phi, to Krabi and surrounding Islands, fly from Krabi to Bangkok. Don't miss Bangkok.
a year ago
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Asia ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrea ********
 I will be traveling to Thailand for two months and wanted to know what was the best starting point.

Thank you
a year ago
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Andrea *********
Both are good tbh.
a year ago
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Andrea *********
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Henrik *****
Depends on where you want to go, and what price you will pay.
a year ago
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Richard ********
"Phuket is like a giant cruise ship that doesn't go anywhere"
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Richard *******
 ... with the rudest and most obnoxious passengers you can find.
a year ago
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Richard ********
@Paul ******
 And we all know where those come from
a year ago
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Richard ********
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Jeff ********
Interesting take on things. I find I must agree with you.
a year ago
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Jeff ********
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Billy *******
Bkk
a year ago
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Simão ****************
I was a first-time in Asia and I arrived in Phuket, I think it was really great especially if we speak about the country I departed from and had lived for a year and a half. to me it was all nice and games until the third day in Phuket, when it became really annoying and overtouristic
a year ago
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Shane ************
Bangkok then Phuket for beach. Don't waste time in Chiang Mai or Rai
a year ago
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John *******
Just go to Russia than go to India you will see the same sht
a year ago
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Carlos *********
Phuket is a smaller airport. Less congestion.But phukets an expensive place
a year ago
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AxMdob *******
If you want the full farang experience phuket is the best for you , you canflight to samui this is a Mass tourism paradise , if you like weed , drink alcool and party , and don t care about pay scam price , you will be never disappointed, very good choice,
a year ago
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Ronnie ******
Bangkok and then go right to Pattaya 555
a year ago
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Nicholas *********
Fly to Bangkok

Phuket looks like Russia
a year ago
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Simão ****************
@Nicholas ********
 so it's a good place then, I lived in Russia for 2 years and I loved it
a year ago
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Nicholas *********
@Simão ***************
Really great people

Ask Ukrainien
10 months ago
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Jordi ********
@Simão ***************
 Did you love the place or the people? In my opinion, Russians are never the best tourists in any country. They stick to themselves, have the idea everyone speaks Russian, are loud and never smile. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.
10 months ago
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Jordi ********
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AxMdob *******
@Nicholas ********
 phuket or pattaya are little Moscow

But pattaya look like some times like Bombay or new Delhi up to you
a year ago
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Nicholas *********
@AxMdob ******
Ukraine also has lots of Russians
10 months ago
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Nicholas *********
That’s the issue
10 months ago
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Nicholas *********
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Apple *****
Thailand is like a box of smarties, it's not the Thailand like what you see in the travel magazine now BKK/ Pattaya/Phuket are full of tourists and expats running the show.

Already back in 2010 when I went to the UK I stayed outside London and to be honest I didn't have any British person as a friend or working in my company.....
a year ago
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Nicholas *********
@Apple ****
when Germany invaded Pologne

Some people didn’t bother ….
10 months ago
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Nicholas *********
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Apple *****
@AxMdob ******
 exactly lol
a year ago
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Billy *******
@AxMdob ******
 truth
a year ago
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Billy *******
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Geoff ***********
@Nicholas ********
 More Russians than Russia going North from Sunday
a year ago
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Geoff ***********
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Stuart ***********
Depends what you want to see. If nice beaches are your thing then definitely Phuket (I would avoid Patong).

If it is temples and street food etc then Bkk is a better choice. You could catch the bus to Hua Hin to make it a two centre holiday, it's about 3 hours away.
a year ago
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Peter *********
Okay good question. I think you should, if possible fly into either, and depart via the other. So in other words, into bbk and home via Phuket.

Internal flights are frequent and not expensive. By air the flight from bkk to Phuket is just over one hour.

By doing this, you will see far more of Thailand.

I'm here now in Bangkok.
a year ago
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Jo **********
that depends on what you like. Bangkok is extremely crowded but is more representative of Thailand. Phuket is farang Island, overloaded with foreigners.

If like beaches then Phuket. But I would choose Chiang Mai. Or Pattaya.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Jo *********
 "Phuket is farang island" = 100%. I hate the place.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Paul ******
 if you'd have been there on boxing day in 04, you wouldn't be able to say that today.
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Rene ******
@Jo *********
 chiang mai has smokey season soon btw
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Rene *****
 yes . actually starting next month , until about June ( varies ). ppm 2.5 range from 100 to 300 + depending on if TAT site, or Indep site.
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Rene *****
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Rene *****
 soon but not now this is from today and a foto from my house
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Jo *********
 today ppm is a very healthy 36 ppm 2.5, but burning starts next month.

The visual is ppm 10. burn eyes and cough.

2.5 isn't really visual, although mixed with ppm 10.

2.5 gets into lungs and bloodstream. very dangerous.
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Stuart ***********
@Jo *********
 Pattaya is full of foreign sex tourists, I don't think that represents Thailand 😱😱😱!
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Stuart **********
 There are parts on Chonburi that are rural and outskirts of Pattaya.

Sex worker is not polite term for a population than is 50 times greater than those in the adult entertainment industry.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@Steve *********
 who said "sex worker"?
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Stuart **********
 sorry 'sex tourists',
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@Steve *********
 unsure what your point is then.

Are you saying that Pattaya is not full of sex tourists 🤔.

If so, we will have to agree to disagree, but I really don't think it's a good place for a first time visitor to get a flavour of Thailand.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Stuart **********
 agree, as a multi decade expat, have often met friends from abroad in Pattaya, as its a Thai experience, and walking st must be experienced, then on to the more cultural centers and natural beauty, the greatest of which is the people.
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Iain ******
@Stuart **********
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Stuart **********
 true but anything is better than phuket
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Jo *********
 true...
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@Jo *********
 not sure I agree. Patong is horrible, but there are some nicer places in Phuket. The beaches and scenery are much nicer in Phuket. Not saying I love the place, but I would choose Phuket over Pattaya.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
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Steve **********
@Jo *********
 Pattaya is not representative of Thailand any more that Phuket....agree with Chiangmai, or Chiangrai, although chiangrai is more Myanmar refugees right now.
a year ago
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Clint *********
@Steve *********
 what to see in Chiang Mai & Rai?
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Clint ********
 am not traveling agents, everyones different.

GOOGLE !
a year ago
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Iain ******
@Steve *********
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Iain *****
 your wife ?, or just, well.......
a year ago
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Iain ******
@Steve *********
 old coward
a year ago
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Clint *********
@Steve *********
 people like you are the reason they made anonymous posters
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Clint ********
 they ( ? ) make everyone a bit different, to distinguish one from .....
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Clint ********
 if you know, why post.

We try to assist, not do your job.
a year ago
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Clint *********
@Steve *********
 No sh$t, I didn't know that. But thanks for your recommendation.
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Clint ********
 Diverse culture Hmong, Karen, and Ahka hill tribes. Not talking about long neck but more traditional. Also Lanna culture. Highest mountains in Thailand, extensive nature, most ornate temples, very high waterfalls
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Jo *********
 Truer Thai culture than that modified to suit tourists.

It's a matter of taste. Some enjoy the sea and palms, others the mountain and jungle.

For me, it's the hilltribes, and culture.
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Steve ********
Where are you staying ?
a year ago
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Steve ********
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