Phuket - is it the arse end of Thailand?

[Adam B]

Slightly tongue in cheek, but having stayed in a couple of places I have been thoroughly underwhelmed vs other regions of Thailand, a country i have always loved visiting. Maybe the tsunami, maybe it's just the Blackpool of SE Asia?

Currently staying at Cape Panwar, supposedly 4.5 stars according to kuoni but very disappointing, an evening meal in Siri Panwar has shown how well it can be done.

Anyone got some good Phuket tips for hotels and nights out?

[Nobby Diesel]

Don't know where on Phuket you are but, you could try :-

Baan Rim Pa - on the way out of Patong, to the north.
Mom Tri's Boathouse - down in Kata.
Le Meridien - between Patong and Karon;their Thai restaurant used to be good.

Generally though, Phuket is pretty dire in most parts. It's crass, brash and filthy in some areas.
However, go into Phuket town and wander around the old part and you may be rewarded with some great Thai food.
Patong is a cesspit.

If you are restricted to that side of the country due to flight connections, consider Khao Lak, about an hour and a bit, north of Phuket.

[Adam B]

Thanks Nobby

I should have added I am in south east corner, cape Panwar

[z4chris99]

some good places to eat in Kata,

never been to anywhere else.

[phumy]

Pattaya is more the areshole of Thailand.

[Nobby Diesel]

phumy said:

Pattaya is more the areshole of Thailand.

Indeed it is Sir.

[z4chris99]

phuket i suppose is a bit of st that dropped out of pattayas arse

[VEA]

From where you are, get a boat across to Ko Lanta, beautiful island, and as yet a little less commercialised than the rest of that side of Thailand.

[otolith]

Patong was an interesting cesspit twenty odd years ago - can't imagine it's changed for the better.

[carreauchompeur]

VEA said:

From where you are, get a boat across to Ko Lanta, beautiful island, and as yet a little less commercialised than the rest of that side of Thailand.

Oh yes, possibly my favourite place in Thailand. Really relaxed and far less developed than other areas.

[VEA]

carreauchompeur said:

Oh yes, possibly my favourite place in Thailand. Really relaxed and far less developed than other areas.

We went there for 3 days and ended up staying 3 weeks. Stayed in the Blue Sky Bungalows (http://www.blueskylanta.com/).

[carreauchompeur]

Nice... We stayed a few places around the island. Can't really go wrong. Beers on the beach, lovely.

Slightly whetting the appetite for my 5 nights in Goa after an epic Indian train journey at the end of this month

[VEA]

carreauchompeur said:

Nice... We stayed a few places around the island. Can't really go wrong. Beers on the beach, lovely.

Slightly whetting the appetite for my 5 nights in Goa after an epic Indian train journey at the end of this month

I can imagine, I am off back to Thailand for 3 weeks over Christmas and New year. Cannot wait.

OP if you do go to Lanta, go to Mr Wee's restaurant on Long Beach and have the hot plate. Really rather good!

[Jackleman]

Phueket is like everywhere really, in that there are nice places and horrid places. One of my fav spots in world is on Phuket (a near deserted 12km long beach!!!)

[andy_s]

carreauchompeur said:

Nice... We stayed a few places around the island. Can't really go wrong. Beers on the beach, lovely.

Slightly whetting the appetite for my 5 nights in Goa after an epic Indian train journey at the end of this month

That sounds excellent, I did Bombay-Delhi 3rd class unreserved once and paid for my ticket with a bottle of Johnny Walker, it made the 72hr Varanassi-Khatmandu bus journey seem like a punt down the Cam.

[Blown2CV]

if you hang around patong then of course yes. If you are in the know, then the area around phuket has amongst the highest property prices anywhere in thailand. I went to a wedding in BKK and much of the wedding party had a few days out the back in a large residence in phuket and it was amazing. There are many hidden gems around there, and beautiful hotels etc. However, hit the blackpool mean streets of patong then you get a very different view.