Phuket information needed.
Discussion
Hi
I'm off to Phuket for 10 days later this month for a short holiday. I've been to Nai Harn and Rawai before but other than that I don't know the area. Does anyone have any recommendations as to where to stay? Good beaches? Trip advice? etc.
Many thanks.
I'm off to Phuket for 10 days later this month for a short holiday. I've been to Nai Harn and Rawai before but other than that I don't know the area. Does anyone have any recommendations as to where to stay? Good beaches? Trip advice? etc.
Many thanks.
Edited by Gemsbok1000 on Saturday 8th November 12:51
Gemsbok1000 said:
Hi
I'm off to Phuket for 10 days later this month for a short holiday. I've been to Nai Harn and Rawai before but other than that I don't know the area. Does anyone have any recommendations as to where to stay? Good beaches? Trip advice? etc.
Many thanks.
Do a google for 'Thorntree'. It is the Lonely Planet web forum and has a whole bunch of info on there about Phuket.I'm off to Phuket for 10 days later this month for a short holiday. I've been to Nai Harn and Rawai before but other than that I don't know the area. Does anyone have any recommendations as to where to stay? Good beaches? Trip advice? etc.
Many thanks.
I actually lived in Phuket for a year in 1990-91, bought a little restaurant, but everything has changed so much since them any advice would be worthless now. I've been back several times since, touristing, but not since the tsunami.
I've just returned from Phuket, we stayed at the Mercure Hotel on Pee Road, it's near the middle of town within a 5 minute walk from Bangla Road which is where all the main bars and clubs are, it's a new hotel and it was fine, nice and clean with a good pool and really friendly staff. If you want to stay right in the middle of Bangla Road there is a hotel called Baan Sukhothai Hotel & Spa, it looks good from the outside but you'd be advised to do some "tripadvisor.com" reading to see what others think. The diving is great, if you are advanced then book a couple of days live-aboard up at the Samilan Islands, Sunrise Diving are a good outfit to use, ask for Tony if you go in there, top bloke.
There isn't much else to tell you, there are plenty of Go Go bars if you're into that, the beach is ok, the food is great, the people are lovely! If you're into golf then a round at Blue Canyon is a must, also the new course at Red Mountain is also very good. Be very careful renting bikes, there is no insurance available and they hold your passport, I rented a ZX9-R without knowing about the insurance issue, luckily nothing happened to the bike in the two weeks i had it but if i had known i would have stuck to a scooter.
Scruffy Murphy's is the local full of ex-pats if you want an english crowd, oh and when ordering drinks anywhere just say ex-pat and they do them cheaper, enjoy it out there it's a mad place, i still prefer Samui though
There isn't much else to tell you, there are plenty of Go Go bars if you're into that, the beach is ok, the food is great, the people are lovely! If you're into golf then a round at Blue Canyon is a must, also the new course at Red Mountain is also very good. Be very careful renting bikes, there is no insurance available and they hold your passport, I rented a ZX9-R without knowing about the insurance issue, luckily nothing happened to the bike in the two weeks i had it but if i had known i would have stuck to a scooter.
Scruffy Murphy's is the local full of ex-pats if you want an english crowd, oh and when ordering drinks anywhere just say ex-pat and they do them cheaper, enjoy it out there it's a mad place, i still prefer Samui though
Stay here: http://www.whatahotel.com/browse_hotel.cfm?hotelID...
You will find NOWHERE better on earth!
You will find NOWHERE better on earth!
JBL930 said:
....Be very careful renting bikes, there is no insurance available and they hold your passport, I rented a ZX9-R without knowing about the insurance issue, luckily nothing happened to the bike in the two weeks i had it but if i had known i would have stuck to a scooter.
Scruffy Murphy's is the local full of ex-pats if you want an english crowd, oh and when ordering drinks anywhere just say ex-pat and they do them cheaper, enjoy it out there it's a mad place, i still prefer Samui though
Do remember that if you have a motorcycle accident YOU will be the one found guilty. YOU will be the one who pays any expenses, repairs etc. And if you happen to hit a local you will be the guilty party, regardless of the fact they drive like cretins and will stroll across the road without a glance at traffic.Scruffy Murphy's is the local full of ex-pats if you want an english crowd, oh and when ordering drinks anywhere just say ex-pat and they do them cheaper, enjoy it out there it's a mad place, i still prefer Samui though
As I mentioned earlier, I lived in Phuket for a year, (and in Bangkok, and Asia in general for 13 years) and their driving, and laws regarding it, are a wonder to behold.
I used to hire bikes in Phuket occasionally, and the ex-pat owned shop I used, Patong Big Bike, were trying to track down a Swiss guy who had disappeared with one of their bikes. They eventually called the Swiss embassy, where they heard he had been trying to get a new passport, telling them he had lost his old one. In reality the passport was in the bike shop, held for just that reason: to stop people fleeing the country when they wreck a bike.
I also find it hard to believe that saying 'ex-pat' will earn you a discount on drinks, anywhere in Thailand?
Edited by King Herald on Sunday 9th November 13:07
When i was in Scruffy Murphy's on Bangla Road with the diving guys, they told me to order drinks and say Ex Pat, and they did indeed do them cheaper. I was out there diving with my 16yr old Daughter so didn't spend much time out drinking, it may actually only be that bar but they led me to believe that most places would do drinks cheaper if they knew you worked/lived there. TBH everthing is so cheap anyway it doesn't really matter, just thought i'd mention it
told_you_so said:
the best Thai restaurant is Baan Rim Pa on the way out of Patong beach.. great menu, fab location and good atmosphere.
Patong beach is nice, and great if you love surfing.. But Patong as a town is a s
thole, it smells.... But having said that, i you want a great night out, it was probs one of the best places I have been... A long long long strip of bars, clubs.... great atomshpere, loads of women (some not so female women too, if you get me)great bar = Rock city, great music, quite pricey though, compared to usual thialand prices, great atmosphere...
andy_s said:
King Herald said:
JBL930 said:
....Be very careful renting bikes,
Do remember that if you have a motorcycle accident YOU will be the one found guilty. 
.... not spent much time in Asia have you! You will be making the donation AND be found guilty.
TBH Phuket is the "Benedorm" of Asia these days.
Still plenty of nice places to see mind you.
Nai Yang Bay has some nice hotels that dont get the beach touts or hookers, if you are after somewhere more "restful" but its a bit of a hike into town. (Aramas Spa Resourt is not bad)
The food everywhere is good.
Chalong Bay does good dive charters and boat trips to the other islands (but they drive the boats like they ride the scooters)
Also a nice open air bar restaurant here.
Phuket Town is good fun for a night out too!
Also if you are doing a cheepy and just staying backpacker style, you can pay day rate to use all the facilities at the "Land and Country Club" for Bhat50 if you fancy a swim, tennis, etc etc without the pestering.
The previously mentioned restaurant is not bad and probably is the best "fine dining" in Phuket. Worth it for the view, book in advance and make sure you have a seaview table and are seated and drinks in hand 30 minutes before sunset.
Most of the street food is however, much better!
Personally i hate Patong beach area though.
HTH.
Still plenty of nice places to see mind you.
Nai Yang Bay has some nice hotels that dont get the beach touts or hookers, if you are after somewhere more "restful" but its a bit of a hike into town. (Aramas Spa Resourt is not bad)
The food everywhere is good.
Chalong Bay does good dive charters and boat trips to the other islands (but they drive the boats like they ride the scooters)
Also a nice open air bar restaurant here.
Phuket Town is good fun for a night out too!
Also if you are doing a cheepy and just staying backpacker style, you can pay day rate to use all the facilities at the "Land and Country Club" for Bhat50 if you fancy a swim, tennis, etc etc without the pestering.
The previously mentioned restaurant is not bad and probably is the best "fine dining" in Phuket. Worth it for the view, book in advance and make sure you have a seaview table and are seated and drinks in hand 30 minutes before sunset.
Most of the street food is however, much better!
Personally i hate Patong beach area though.
HTH.
XJSJohn said:
andy_s said:
King Herald said:
JBL930 said:
....Be very careful renting bikes,
Do remember that if you have a motorcycle accident YOU will be the one found guilty. .... not spent much time in Asia have you! You will be making the donation AND be found guilty.
Moggers has been out there a few years, he has a boat built by a one-armed, non-english speaking boat builder, a few properties and an entourage of crack w
es (pronounced 'lay-diz'). He was driving along minding his own business when a scooter driven by a young 'lay-diz' with an old crone on the back came into contact with his front bumper. Quick as a flash he stops and heads straight into the nearest bar and orders two long island teas while a gathering crowd tends to the 'injured' (pronounced 'hamming it up'). When the police arrive he's downed his tea and has a chat. Everything is all very serious but now it was the old crone that was piloting, not the younger one. He arranges to go to the station for reports etc but the very next day he is flying to South America - not wanting the police to think he's doing an Eichman, he sends a lowley minion around to the cop shop who finds who is in charge of the case and who the captain is. Arrangements are negotiated, hands are shook and money changes hands. Moggers turns up a few weeks later and everything has disappeared, no charges or anything - the amount was about £200.I know that one swallow doesn't make a summer, but he, along with several other friends living out there, have sussed that things can get very flexible out there when money comes into the equation. You just have to make sure it goes to the right person...
XJSJohn said:
TBH Phuket is the "Benedorm" of Asia these days.
It really can't be as bad as Pattaya, a place I've never been and never will.As for accidents, yes, a foreigner will normally always be guilty. Thai logic states that the accident would not have happened if you weren't in the country and so it is therefore your fault.
Having said that, I was involved in a serious accident this year. A girl slammed her motorcycle into the back of the car I was driving. Luckily I had rented from a big company and their local insurance guy was around in about 5 minutes and handled nearly everything. Him and the police basically forced the poor girl to sign a confession so that he could reclaim the money from her for the damage. If there wasn't a large corporation involved I suspect I would have footed the bill. In any case I paid for her medical expenses as I felt a bit sorry for her.
To the OP, it depends on your budget and needs for your stay. There are numerous excellent hotels on Phuket.
As has been stated earlier, Patong town is indeed a bit of a khazi IMO. There are however a few good hotels there. So it depends if you intend on staying within the confines of your resort hotel or if you are intending to venture out (which you would be highly recommended to do).
You will find Le Meridian at Relax bay very nice indeed. Also, venture down to Kata or Karon and look for places such as Mom Tri's Boat House and Mom Tri's Villa. Up the other end of the island is the Laguna resort. there are several hotels here to suit most budgets, the top end being the Dusit.
For restaurants, as said before Baan Rim Pa is indeed superb. Mom Tri's places always serve superb food to.
For sightseeing, check out Promthep Cape at sunset; a bit touristy, but pleasant. You can also take a little guided tour through the island and see working rubber plantations, coconut harvesting etc. Phuket Town can be interesting too.
As for matters such as cheap drinks, I would be very surprised if "Ex Pat" gets you a discount, but I have never tried it. Your more likely to get some advantageous prices if you become a regular customer somewhere and befriend the owner.
As you may know the seafood can be superb and cheap. There are some amazing dishes to be had at beach side bars.
i would be tempted to stay away form the big bike hire; there are plenty of stories of farangs coming unstuck with the big owners! Also, look at the number of people that you see walking around with gravel rash - it could easily ruin your holiday.
Never expect to win at Connect 4 or hammering the nail into the log, when playing against the bar girls. They will beat you. Maybe not every time you play, but certainly every time that there is money on it!
All in all though, have a great time - it's difficult not to.
PM me if you want.
As has been stated earlier, Patong town is indeed a bit of a khazi IMO. There are however a few good hotels there. So it depends if you intend on staying within the confines of your resort hotel or if you are intending to venture out (which you would be highly recommended to do).
You will find Le Meridian at Relax bay very nice indeed. Also, venture down to Kata or Karon and look for places such as Mom Tri's Boat House and Mom Tri's Villa. Up the other end of the island is the Laguna resort. there are several hotels here to suit most budgets, the top end being the Dusit.
For restaurants, as said before Baan Rim Pa is indeed superb. Mom Tri's places always serve superb food to.
For sightseeing, check out Promthep Cape at sunset; a bit touristy, but pleasant. You can also take a little guided tour through the island and see working rubber plantations, coconut harvesting etc. Phuket Town can be interesting too.
As for matters such as cheap drinks, I would be very surprised if "Ex Pat" gets you a discount, but I have never tried it. Your more likely to get some advantageous prices if you become a regular customer somewhere and befriend the owner.
As you may know the seafood can be superb and cheap. There are some amazing dishes to be had at beach side bars.
i would be tempted to stay away form the big bike hire; there are plenty of stories of farangs coming unstuck with the big owners! Also, look at the number of people that you see walking around with gravel rash - it could easily ruin your holiday.
Never expect to win at Connect 4 or hammering the nail into the log, when playing against the bar girls. They will beat you. Maybe not every time you play, but certainly every time that there is money on it!
All in all though, have a great time - it's difficult not to.
PM me if you want.
thehawk said:
It really can't be as bad as Pattaya, a place I've never been and never will.
Hmm, that tells me something.thehawk said:
As for accidents, yes, a foreigner will normally always be guilty. Thai logic states that the accident would not have happened if you weren't in the country and so it is therefore your fault............If there wasn't a large corporation involved I suspect I would have footed the bill. In any case I paid for her medical expenses as I felt a bit sorry for her.
Nope, Thai logic dictates you are a foreigner, thus very rich, so you will be the one who gets to pay. Plus you are not a Thai, so deserve nothing but contempt for that too.The police will take the route of least resistance to get to the money, or to save face, and if the insurance company belongs to a respectable Thai, who is batting for the Farang, they will then move down the food chain to get to the next weakest link.
They call it the Land of Smiles, but the smiling soon stops the minute you get out of line, or have a problem with a Thai, unless you have large amounts of cubic cash to push around. Don't ever pick a fight with a Thai, else it is you versus all Thailand.
However, keep yer nose clean and you will have a great time there.
andy_s said:
XJSJohn said:
andy_s said:
King Herald said:
JBL930 said:
....Be very careful renting bikes,
Do remember that if you have a motorcycle accident YOU will be the one found guilty. .... not spent much time in Asia have you! You will be making the donation AND be found guilty.
Moggers has been out there a few years, he has a boat built by a one-armed, non-english speaking boat builder, a few properties and an entourage of crack w
es (pronounced 'lay-diz'). He was driving along minding his own business when a scooter driven by a young 'lay-diz' with an old crone on the back came into contact with his front bumper. Quick as a flash he stops and heads straight into the nearest bar and orders two long island teas while a gathering crowd tends to the 'injured' (pronounced 'hamming it up'). When the police arrive he's downed his tea and has a chat. Everything is all very serious but now it was the old crone that was piloting, not the younger one. He arranges to go to the station for reports etc but the very next day he is flying to South America - not wanting the police to think he's doing an Eichman, he sends a lowley minion around to the cop shop who finds who is in charge of the case and who the captain is. Arrangements are negotiated, hands are shook and money changes hands. Moggers turns up a few weeks later and everything has disappeared, no charges or anything - the amount was about £200.I know that one swallow doesn't make a summer, but he, along with several other friends living out there, have sussed that things can get very flexible out there when money comes into the equation. You just have to make sure it goes to the right person...
e" managers are known to do over a beer or 10 in a gogo bar. A tourist is nothing more than an organic cash machine.
edit to add, King Herald speaks with more knowledge than me, i suspect that he was one of those "Moggers" and knows the true score.
Anyway, to the op - not to detract, its a great place and you will have a great laugh, just same as any where culturally and economically very different, just apply some common sense and don't be a prat
Edited by XJSJohn on Monday 10th November 14:09
XJSJohn said:
A tourist is nothing more than an organic cash machine.
I spent a long time learning to speak Thai, even went to night school in Singapore, but it did me no good, didn't benefit me, didn't endear me to Thai people. It just meant I was a farang who spoke Thai. An organic, speaking cash machine, if you will.
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