May holidays in Thailand from Almaty: tours

May holidays in Thailand are the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season: in Phuket and Samui there is still plenty of sun, in Koh Chang and Krabi short showers are possible by evening. The temperature stays around +32…+34 °C, the sea is warm. From Almaty, it is most convenient to fly direct to Bangkok or Phuket — about 10 hours, to the islands and Krabi — with a connection of 14–19 hours.

Visa, passport and insurance for a trip during the May holidays: what do you need to know?

During this period in Thailand, preparation decides more than on other dates. Below is what a tourist from Almaty can check and do on their own, without contacting agencies.

Passport validity and entry rules for citizens of Kazakhstan

It is better to clarify document requirements for the May dates in advance, a few weeks before departure. In Phuket and Bangkok, border officers look at the document's validity period and the return ticket. Airlines at check-in in Almaty check the same thing. For a trip during this period, keep printouts of your booking and insurance at hand. Save copies of documents on your phone separately from the original. That way, in Pattaya or Samui you will resolve any issue at the hotel desk faster.

Medical insurance: which risks must be covered

Insurance for these dates in Thailand is needed not for a checkmark, but for real cases. In Koh Chang and Krabi, people most often seek help for injuries after a scooter and for intestinal infections. Coverage must include hospitalization, emergency dentistry and repatriation. Separately check whether the policy is valid on a rented motorbike. In Khao Lak and Rayong, clinics are far away, so transfer to a hospital is important. Keep the assistance number in your phone notes, not in your email.

How to get there from Almaty and how much does it cost?

The journey from Almaty to the resorts takes from ten hours with a connection. Let's break down the flights and how prices behave for the May dates.

Direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket: airlines and flight time

Direct flights from Almaty to Bangkok and Phuket for the May dates are operated by several carriers, and the schedule changes by season. Flight time to the capital is about ten hours, to Phuket — approximately the same taking into account the turnaround. Some flights are overnight, which is convenient: you arrive in the morning and immediately go to Samui or Pattaya. Connections via Dubai or Istanbul double the journey. Check baggage allowances: low-cost carriers have stricter hand luggage limits.

When to book tickets for the May dates and how the price changes

Tickets for the May dates get cheaper three to four months before departure and more expensive closer to the holidays. In April, the price for flights to Bangkok and Phuket is usually higher than in February. The difference between a direct flight and a connection to Koh Chang pays off only with flexible dates. Look at departure a couple of days before the holidays and return a week after. That way you get a low fare and do not pay for peak days. Compare prices in several search systems, not just one.

Money, communications and transport on site

During these long weekends in Thailand, payments and communications are sorted out on the first day. Below — about the exchange rate, SIM cards and local transport.

Baht to tenge exchange rate: where is it most profitable to exchange

The baht to tenge exchange rate for the May dates is calculated through the dollar, so it is more profitable to bring cash dollars. It is not worth exchanging at Bangkok airport: the rate there is noticeably worse. In Pattaya and Phuket, exchangers in shopping malls give a better rate than street ones. In Samui and Koh Chang, the rate is traditionally lower due to island logistics. In Krabi and Hua Hin, look for exchangers near the market. Take new-style banknotes without damage, otherwise they will not be accepted.

SIM cards, internet and payment with cards from Kazakh banks

For these dates in Thailand, it is easier to buy a SIM card at the airport or at an operator's shop in Bangkok. Tourist tariffs include internet for a week or two, which is enough for maps and messengers. Cards from Kazakh banks are accepted in hotels, large stores and hospitals in Phuket. In the markets of Pattaya, in tuk-tuks and on the islands, cash is needed. Keep a supply of baht for small expenses and do not rely only on a card. A charged power bank will come in handy on long journeys.

Tuk-tuks, songthaews and metro: how to get around and bargain

The price for a tuk-tuk in Pattaya and Phuket is named by eye, so you need to bargain before boarding. Songthaews in Samui and Hua Hin are cheaper than taxis, but you need to know the route in advance. In Bangkok, the metro and skytrain save time in traffic jams, which become worse on the May dates. In Rayong and Krabi, it is more convenient to take a car with a driver for the day. Ride-hailing apps work in the capital and at major resorts. Agree on the price in advance so as not to argue at the end of the trip.

Holidays and local traditions in May

May in Thailand is rich in dates that a tourist should know about in advance. Let's break down when institutions are closed and how to behave respectfully.

Which dates are closed for banks and government institutions

In early May, during these holiday days, Thailand celebrates Coronation Day, and banks do not work on this day. Another important date of the month is tied to the Buddhist calendar and is a day off for government offices. On such days, exchange offices in Bangkok and Pattaya may be closed, while ATMs operate. In Phuket and Samui, some shops are open, but on reduced hours. Plan money exchange and visits to government offices in advance.

Rules of conduct that a tourist should respect

Respect for local traditions during these holiday days is no less important than on other dates. In the temples of Bangkok and Hua Hin, cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes at the entrance. Treat images of Buddha with respect, do not turn your back to them for photos. In Samui and Ko Chang, do not make noise near residential buildings after midnight. Do not touch a person's head, and do not point your feet toward people. Tipping in Thailand is customary in restaurants and for massage, but not mandatory.

Food, massage and scooter rental: what to consider

Three things that most often shape the impression of a trip on the May dates. Let's break down food, spa and scooter rental.

Street food: what to try and how not to get food poisoning

Street food during these holiday days in Thailand is cheaper than restaurants and often tastier. Buy where they cook in front of you and where there is a queue of locals, not only tourists. In Phuket and Pattaya, hot-cooked dishes are safer: soups, wok noodles, rice with chicken. Raw vegetables and sliced fruit from a stall spoil quickly in the heat. Drink water only from a bottle; ice in large cafes is usually safe. If you doubt a spot in Ko Chang or Krabi, walk past it.

Thai massage and spa: where to find and how much it costs

Thai massage these days is available at every resort, from Bangkok to Khao Lak. Classic massage is done in street salons; it is firmer than what you are used to and works with stretching. Oil massage is softer and suitable after a long flight from Almaty. Spas in Phuket and Samui offer packages with a steam room and herbs. The cost depends on the resort and the level of the salon, so check the price list before starting. Tips for the therapist are left in cash, usually a small amount.

Scooter rental: license, deposit and fines

Scooter rental during this period in Thailand is popular, but requires caution. An international license is needed, otherwise there may be problems during a road check. The deposit is taken in cash or as a copy of a document; record the amount in the contract. Inspect the bike in Phuket or Samui together with the owner and photograph the scratches. A helmet is mandatory for the driver and passenger.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, https://www.mfa.go.th/en/page/types-of-visa. The information on this page was verified on 14.09.2026.

Briefly

• The May dates in Thailand require documents and an insurance policy checked in advance.
• Direct flights from Almaty operate to Bangkok and Phuket; to the islands — with a connection.
• It is more profitable to buy tickets three to four months before departure.
• Cash dollars are exchanged in shopping malls, not at the airport.
• Cards from Kazakhstani banks are accepted in hotels and large stores.