Russian tourist visited Phuket for the first time since the start of the pandemic and spoke about low prices
Photo: Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters
For the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a Russian tourist visited Thailand and talked about how prices at the resort have changed over the years. He shared his impressions in a blog on Yandex.Zen.
According to the traveler, when he was last in Phuket, the island reminded him of Anapa and Gelendzhik due to the influx of tourists from Russia. “Ours were stacked in five rows, eclipsing even the Chinese. To get into the water, you had to take a queue, ”he described what had happened earlier.
However, now the situation has changed – the author said that there are fewer people. But the main thing that surprised him was the low prices for everything. “Out of habit, I was determined to spend a lot of money here and immediately exchanged 1000 dollars for baht (about 74 thousand rubles). Usually this amount was spent on my Phuket vacation in a week, ”the tourist noted and added that in the end this money was spent very slowly.
So, hotels in the resort have fallen in price by an average of three to four times – now you can book a room in a four-star hotel from 1000 rubles, in a five-star hotel – from 2000. Prices for mobile communications have also dropped. Three days of unlimited internet can be purchased for one baht (two rubles).
In addition, the cost of some services has decreased. For example, a Thai massage session in a regular salon will cost 150 baht (330 rubles). “Moreover, taxi drivers have become more accommodating. The ubiquitous Phuket tuk-tuk-mafia suddenly began to make big discounts on its services, ”the author noted.
Earlier on December 21, the Thai authorities restricted the entry of tourists into the country. The Test & Go reception system and all Sandbox programs (with the exception of Phuket) have been suspended due to the spread of a new omicron strain of coronavirus. According to the prime minister of the kingdom, Prayut Chan-Ocha, the measures will be in effect until at least January 4.
