Phuket, Thailand - Must do's?
Discussion
What do you like doing, and where are you staying?
There's loads to do there, from a really nice meal at Nikita's on the beach at Rawai in the south, through to canoeing in Phang Na.
You can hit the parties in Patong, and catch various kinds of err _show_ (cabaret, pingpong, karaoke etc)
Go to one of the firing ranges
I go there mainly for the diving - if you're qualified and accomplished I'll happily put you in touch with some friends over there.
Avoid elephant rides/shows, likewise anything that uses gibbons. Immense cruelty involved there, though there is one elephant trekking place at Bang Pae waterfalls if I recall that is vaguely ethical, and doesn't beat the crap out of the elephants if they don't want to be ridden/go for a walk.
The bird park is laughably awful, but quite an entertaining way of spending a couple of hours.
If the phase of the moon works with your dates the full moon parties are meant to be pretty crazy.
There's loads to do there, from a really nice meal at Nikita's on the beach at Rawai in the south, through to canoeing in Phang Na.
You can hit the parties in Patong, and catch various kinds of err _show_ (cabaret, pingpong, karaoke etc)
Go to one of the firing ranges
I go there mainly for the diving - if you're qualified and accomplished I'll happily put you in touch with some friends over there.
Avoid elephant rides/shows, likewise anything that uses gibbons. Immense cruelty involved there, though there is one elephant trekking place at Bang Pae waterfalls if I recall that is vaguely ethical, and doesn't beat the crap out of the elephants if they don't want to be ridden/go for a walk.
The bird park is laughably awful, but quite an entertaining way of spending a couple of hours.
If the phase of the moon works with your dates the full moon parties are meant to be pretty crazy.
We're staying on Karon Beach.
My girlfriend has her Ocean Diver, I'm currently just training for mine, so for the time being we think we'll give diving a miss, although we're going around the Phi Phi Islands by speedboat where we're snorkelling etc.
It's my first time in Asia, so willing to experience Thailand for what it really is I guess.
My girlfriend has her Ocean Diver, I'm currently just training for mine, so for the time being we think we'll give diving a miss, although we're going around the Phi Phi Islands by speedboat where we're snorkelling etc.
It's my first time in Asia, so willing to experience Thailand for what it really is I guess.
Wake boarding - avoid Phuket Wake park because their equipment, management etc are terrible (& they didn't seem too bothered when someone died there). Use Anthem instead.
Phang Nga Bay boat trip. It is unbelievably pretty. Most of the trips from Phuket are going to be in large speed boats with loads of people in them. Private charter is great but expensive, long tail boats only really available from the other side (Krabi). But spend a day on a trip somehow.
Patong nightlife. You can't stay in Phuket without visiting the Bangla Road. If you want to see a err... "traditional" show and are broad minded then check out the joints that occupy the two sides of Soi Seadragon an under-cover amalgamation of beer bars in the centre and the clubs either side. It varies a bit from night to night in terms of what's happening where. These places are safe, no cover charge to get in, drinks are £3-4 each and you won't get into any difficulty. Poke your head in the door, see if you like the look of things, if not turn around and leave. The ping pong championships won't be running in every club but if they are mostly 12.00 midnight onwards and expect a bit of audience participation.
If your interests centre more around boys who want to be girls then Soi Crocodile just down the road (Soi) from Seadragon is the place to go. In reality you can wander around and see everything easily. Some interesting characters !
Food options are many and varied. Sams steakhouse in the Holiday Inn Patong is superb if you were missing Western grub. Get your hotel to call them and book it for you. Expensive by Thai standards, not by UK but always delivers if you fancied a slightly up-market meal for two.
Surfhouse Phuket in Kata beach the next bay up from you has a FlowRider machine that will keep you amused for an afternoon.
As has been mentioned already several gun ranges where you can turn up and shoot pretty much what ever takes your fancy. A very quick way to spend money.
Visit a night market. Phuket Town weekend market (Naka market) on Saturday & Sunday would be a good starting point.
There really are loads of things to do, it depends on what floats your boat. What sort of thing were you looking to do ?
Henry
Phang Nga Bay boat trip. It is unbelievably pretty. Most of the trips from Phuket are going to be in large speed boats with loads of people in them. Private charter is great but expensive, long tail boats only really available from the other side (Krabi). But spend a day on a trip somehow.
Patong nightlife. You can't stay in Phuket without visiting the Bangla Road. If you want to see a err... "traditional" show and are broad minded then check out the joints that occupy the two sides of Soi Seadragon an under-cover amalgamation of beer bars in the centre and the clubs either side. It varies a bit from night to night in terms of what's happening where. These places are safe, no cover charge to get in, drinks are £3-4 each and you won't get into any difficulty. Poke your head in the door, see if you like the look of things, if not turn around and leave. The ping pong championships won't be running in every club but if they are mostly 12.00 midnight onwards and expect a bit of audience participation.
If your interests centre more around boys who want to be girls then Soi Crocodile just down the road (Soi) from Seadragon is the place to go. In reality you can wander around and see everything easily. Some interesting characters !
Food options are many and varied. Sams steakhouse in the Holiday Inn Patong is superb if you were missing Western grub. Get your hotel to call them and book it for you. Expensive by Thai standards, not by UK but always delivers if you fancied a slightly up-market meal for two.
Surfhouse Phuket in Kata beach the next bay up from you has a FlowRider machine that will keep you amused for an afternoon.
As has been mentioned already several gun ranges where you can turn up and shoot pretty much what ever takes your fancy. A very quick way to spend money.
Visit a night market. Phuket Town weekend market (Naka market) on Saturday & Sunday would be a good starting point.
There really are loads of things to do, it depends on what floats your boat. What sort of thing were you looking to do ?
Henry
Sycamore said:
It's my first time in Asia, so willing to experience Thailand for what it really is I guess.
By all means enjoy Phuket, but it is really very far from what Thailand really is.For must do's :
-Have dinner at Nicky's Handlebar
-Do the Phi Phi island day trip/Maya Bay etc.
-The James Bond island trip isn't too bad, go on sea kayaks through caves to hollowed out islands.
-There is a good go-karting track
-Visit a temple - Wat Chalong is a good one, then watch the sunset from Cape Promthep
-Go to see Phuket Fantasea
-Go to see a ladyboy cabaret show - think the major one is called Simon
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