New Year in Thailand - 2021: where is better? Our review

Finding out where and how best to celebrate the New Year in Thailand; we share reviews of tourists and our own advice.

You, of course, have already met the New Year more than once with a fluffy tree, Santa Claus and the scent of tangerines. Let's imagine instead of the usual attributes - tropical palm trees, snow-white sand, as an alternative to frosty snow, and a warm azure sea! Agree, very unusual and exotic. And at least once in your life it is worth trying to change the New Year's decorations 🙂

When is the New Year in Thailand?

• from December 31 to January 1, together with the entire planet - but they are completely indifferent to this, organizing a holiday, first of all, for vacationers, in order to earn extra money... Celebrating the New Year in Thailand is loved not only by Russians, but also by Europeans. Therefore, the New Year and Christmas holidays are the most tourist season in the country.
• In 2021, the date of the New Year (according to the Chinese calendar) is February 12
• And finally, the national Thai New Year Songkran is a family celebration from April 13 to 15 with a mandatory visit to the temple, ritual ablutions of Buddha figures and everyone in a row

Features of rest. Thailand weather

In the most popular resorts in Thailand in December is the season. That is, the heat, the calm sea in terms of temperature like "fresh milk" and the sun all day long. Two places stand apart:

• Phuket - which, as for us, is a kind of "anomalous zone", because even in a month of the high season there are 10 days of rain. This is not catastrophic - the showers are warm and come in the late afternoon or at night.
• Samui is NOT a season here. The sea is storming, water is pouring from the sky incessantly, although it is still warm outside. The island is on the waiting list for good weather at least until February.

Personal advice. Don't forget sunscreen. The sun in Thailand is very nuclear. And through the clouds too. And in the shade!

Weather in Thailand for New Year:

Tours to Thailand for New Year 2021

We have prepared for you a list of verified sites where we have repeatedly found and bought cheap tours to Spain, Thailand and Turkey (it is better to compare prices for all three):

• Travelata
• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

If the soul asks for a non-standard start of the coming year, then it may well be satisfied, for example, a trip to Thailand - a country with interesting New Year's traditions (Thais spend a holiday not just one, but three times a year)!

About prices.
In short: the price tag in the period from December 26 to January 10 is nowhere higher. But the Russians purposefully choose tours to Thailand for the New Year. Not surprisingly, the country is promoted like Turkey in the summer. And to transfer from winter to warmth is quite tempting!

• A 10-day tour to Thailand with the capture of the New Year costs from 115,000 rubles for two (both Pattaya and Phuket). The hotel is the most common 2-3 stars, perhaps even a bug.
• But a ticket to a good hotel - with numerous positive reviews from tourists - already from 130,000 rubles for 10 days.
• Family voucher (dad, mom, child) - from 180,000 rubles for the same duration.
• All inclusive for two - from 250,000 rubles. New Years, sir, don't be surprised.

About savings.
Where better to buy New Year's tours to Thailand - found out. How can you save something?

• Apply on Travelata promo code AF2000Thowtrip - he will give a discount of 2,000 rubles for a tour from 100,000 rubles.
• Start your vacation before December 25 (prices - from 105,000 rubles for 10 nights for two)
• Fly exactly on the 31st and celebrate in the sky (prices - from 125,000 rubles)

For comparison: we have given the cost of similar vouchers with a departure on December 26-30 above.

By the way, if you choose a tour to Phuket from Moscow and from the tour operator Biblio Globus, most likely you will fly on a double-decker Boeing. Wow, how huge it is!

Flights to Thailand

At the extreme point of Phuket Island

A trip to Thailand can be planned independently or, without bothering, choose a tour. In the second case, the tour operator takes care of the flight. It often comes out cheaper if the vacation is calculated for 7-14 days in Phuket or Pattaya.

How to buy cheap flights Moscow-Thailand?

Services for finding the cheapest flights:

• Aviasales
• Skyscanner

They allow you to pick up inexpensive tickets and, if necessary, create a complex route with transfers. In addition, there are handy features like a low price calendar and several others (follow the link for detailed instructions).

• Tickets for the New Year Moscow-Bangkok - from 40,000 rubles for one round trip.
• Moscow-Phuket - from 50,000 rubles.

Direct flights to Phuket from Moscow are established by Aeroflot, NordWind, Azur Air and Russia (the last three are charters). Direct flights to Bangkok are offered by Aeroflot, Thai Airways and NordWind.
The flight time is 9-10 hours.

Which resort is better to choose for the New Year?

The second pressing question is where to go? Consider the most popular options for travel destinations for the New Year 2021 in Thailand.

Phuket for New Year 2021

View from Prom Thep Cape and Karon Beach in Phuket

Choosing to travel to Phuket for New Year 2021, you definitely can't go wrong with a resort. As for the weather, it is exactly what you imagine it - tropical heat and the warmest sea. Clean sandy beaches and water, natural attractions and non-trivial entertainment are just a few of the reasons why tourists prefer Phuket.

How to spend New Year 2021? In Thailand, although the holiday is not recognized as a national one, they try hard for farangs - foreigners.

Festive festivities take place on the beaches of Karon and Patong. Stage platforms are being set up, music is playing all night long, local performers and dance groups perform. Glowing lanterns are launched into the sky and fireworks (paper lanterns were banned).

• Patong will be noisy and not crowded. But the whole New Year Phuket is also concentrated there: Bangla road and its strip and beer bars, frantic all night long - what a good half of tourists need.
• A huge dance floor by the sea under the palm trees is arranged on Paradise Beach - there will be a real New Year's Fool Moon Party! Tickets are from 800 to 1,700 baht per person.
• If, according to the plan, everything should go decorously and nobly, you can book a table in a good restaurant, for example, in Baan rim pa; or in a hotel room. Tourists recommend several establishments at Twins Palms Hotels Resort - Shimmer or Palm seaside... Banquet, entertainment program, fireworks - but the cost for all this is "status", from 6500 to 8500 baht per person. In simpler hotels, you can book a table for 3500-5000 baht.
• Night clubs also arrange a program, of the famous - Illusion or White Room (1500-2000 baht per person) and Seduction in Bangla (unlimited alcohol for 500 baht per person).
• Beachclubs also lure their share of tourists. For example, Catch Beach Club holds a New Year Party on December 31st from 21:00 to early morning. Ticket - from 2000 baht per person.
• Rooftop parties - where without them? And let the panoramic views of the sea in Phuket open up from a small height of the 6th, well, the maximum of the 7th floor, this is still an unusual alignment. Specific locations: KEE Sky Lounge (5000 THB) and The surface (6000-7000 baht).
• Dinner at the hotel (for which there is a surcharge and often cannot be refused) - the most boring option. It starts at 9 pm, entertains with Thai dances, songs, starts the countdown in chorus, shouts "Hurray!" and ... diverge. You will have to pay for this in the region of 3,500 baht, but it depends on the stardom.

We were in Phuket in spring 2017 and before New Year 2018 and here are some friendly tips:

• Council number 1. If you have a driver's license, be sure to rent a bike for freedom of movement. Optimal rental price: 200-250 baht.
• Council number 2. In our opinion, it is better to stop in Patong and go swimming to Karon Beach. Firstly, you will save a decent amount of money (as a rule, hotels in Patong are cheaper), and secondly, you will be able to fully enjoy the nightlife (the keyword is Bangla Road).
• Council number 3. Having visited Phuket, we realized that it is not worth overpaying and choosing a hotel over 3 stars.A huge bed and a balcony with a tempting view are far from the most important thing in Thailand, especially since only 8 hours are spent indoors. And those are in a sleeping state.

Cons of Phuket:

• There are a lot of tourists (Russians, Chinese, Europeans)
• Not the cheapest place to stay in Tai, in terms of the cost of vouchers

Phuket pros:

• The cleanliness of the sea and beaches (especially the beaches of Karon and Kata - you can even surf on the latter)
• Cool natural scenery
• There is something to see and where to have fun both in the tourist area itself and beyond (for example, flying in the jungle on ropes between trees!)

Pattaya for New Year

We got to Pattaya before the New Year
(view of the coast from the Hilton hotel)

What can Pattaya offer a tourist? Tours for the New Year in the "city of sins"! It is worth noting that Pattaya really transforms on New Year's holidays - it is not dirt that attracts the eye, but some kind of festive decoration of the streets and a Christmas tree at the Central Festival.

How to spend the New Year? In Pattaya, as elsewhere in Tae, beaches are activated - Central, Jomtien, etc.

There are several scenarios:

• Walk in a dense stream of people along the promenade Beach Roadembracing and congratulating elderly grandfathers with secrets in New Year's hats hand-held or hot young compatriots.
• Hang out on Walking street - the least confused, because the bars with music and alcohol are innumerable, and all are open until the morning.
• Walk to the pier Bali hai, where tourists watch New Year's fireworks under the friendly "free-to-one".
• Forget table at Hard Rock Cafe (until half past midnight), Hops Brew House or any Russian restaurant on Volkin Street (1500-3500 baht per person).
• Take dinner at the hotel - about 2500 baht each.

The weather in the resort is favorable for walking around must see places. Pattaya's beaches are not particularly clean (the only beaches near the city with truly blue water are Sai Keaw Beach and the beaches of Koh Lan). But this does not stop tourists at all. People come to hangout Pattaya for an atmosphere of drive, nightlife and affordable prices for rest.

Cons of Pattaya:

• Doesn't dispose to carefree splashing in the sea, be sure to stumble upon garbage
• Noisy, crowded and "always drunk"
• The abundance of unfavorable odors ...

Pros of Pattaya:

• Offers the cheapest tours to Tai
• Stormy nightlife
• You can visit Bangkok - there are only 150 km between them

Koh Samui for New Year

Where is the best place to relax in Thailand for the holidays? If you dream of spending the New Year on the islands, choose Phi Phi, Lanta, but not Koh Samui or Phangan. Even though the atmosphere of serenity and secluded beaches - showers, waves and, in general, off-season!

Of course, hospitable Thais still arrange fairs for tourists, Santa Claus processions, discos and carnivals. Every hotel offers its own entertainment program on New Year's Eve.

• A big celebration in Koh Samui is held on Nikki Beach - from 21:00 DJs, surprises and fireworks. Basic ticket - 800 baht per person. The gala dinner option starts at 10,000 baht.
• Spa retreat X2 Koh Samui holds a White Party with a buffet, dancing and fireworks. Cost - from 5000 baht per guest.

Cons of Samui:

• It is possible to get there only with a transfer in Bangkok, because no direct flight
• The most expensive tours
• Bad weather

Pros of Samui:

• Lack of tourists (and if there are, then civilized) and silence 🙂
• Even cleaner than Phuket
• High focus on holidaymakers

New Year in Bangkok

We would love to return to Bangkok

Bright and noisy, you can celebrate the New Year 2021 in Bangkok. Eastern Venice (this is the name of the capital of Thailand for the network of man-made canals "khlongs") on the eve of the holiday is lit with colored lights and replete with New Year's colors, unless the trees are not erected :).

• The main action takes place in front of the Central World mall... Crowds gather like in Red Square! Here is a party, and a joint countdown of the last seconds of 2019, and fireworks.
• Madness rolls on and on Khao San Road - as in any Thai city / resort, you can't do without the "street of sins".
• If the city is split by water channels, then there must be Cruises... And they are - from the company Loy Nava along the main river Chao Phraya... On New Year's Eve, the cruise starts at 7,000 baht per person. The price includes a 10-course dinner, a bottle of wine for two, infinitely refillable, small gifts.
• Well, where there are skyscrapers, there rooftop bars... The most famous and creepy expensive is, of course, Sky barfeatured in "The Hangover in Vegas 2". Simpler - Above eleven, where the New Year's party costs 4000 baht per person, and with dinner 9000 baht (which is also adequate).
• The main events unfold on the Asiatic embankment... Guests will enjoy a grand concert, fire shows and festive fireworks. To relax on the beach after New Year's fun, from Bangkok you can go to Pattaya or fly to Phuket.

Cons of Bangkok:

• Lack of sea and beaches
• Very crowded - the capital after all!
• And extremely dirty and "fragrant"

Pros of Bangkok:

• Modern Asian million-plus city with skyscrapers, shopping centers
• Affordable prices for food, accommodation, etc.
• You can fly for a penny to almost any city in Southeast Asia. For example, to Singapore and Hong Kong

Thailand for New Year - travel tips

When planning a New Year in Thailand, you should take into account that this is the peak of the tourist season, and prices skyrocket.

For you - tips from experienced tourists:

Council number 1. Carefully study the festive program in restaurants and hotels. Often there is such a condition: for the base price, alcohol is available until 10 or 11 o'clock in the evening, and then you will have to pay extra.

Council number 2. Please do not drive a bike / scooter or car while drinking alcohol. There will be a lot of those who have neglected this rule on the roads. Take a taxi or check out within walking distance of the hotel.

Council number 3. Do not place high hopes on a festive atmosphere in a tropical country 🙂 We celebrated the New Year in Bali, and there was no New Year's mood at all. Apparently because of the heat and the palm trees. And, well, because the next day - January 1 - not a trace remains of the holiday.

Council number 4. Early booking of tours allows you to save up to 50% of the original cost. That is, it is better to look for and pay for accommodation and tickets, as well as vouchers right now (as they say, prepare a sled - a tour to Thailand - in the summer 🙂).

Personal experience: we bought tickets for December about 5 months before the trip. Usually, the sooner the cheaper. Or hope for promotions, which is rare on the holidays.

Tip # 5... To fly under its own power is sometimes profitable! Self-purchase of accommodation and tickets can be cheaper than a package tour. You can choose a hotel / apartment on:

• Booking - hotels
• Airbnb - apartments

Tip # 6... Or you can schedule a flight on the last day of the outgoing year and spend New Year's Eve on board. A very original option, but we still do not recommend doing it, all the more, not everyone will be able to organize a trip in 1 day 🙂