Phuket Reports

[QUOTE=Freeler]Phantomtiger2,

Phuket is a wonderful place and ideal for motorbike trips. Get a descent map of that Province and enjoy, but please stay away from the big bikes, a Honda Dream at B100-150 a day is good enough. I always rent mine in Phuket town and never had any trouble at all.

James bond Island is very touristy because it is BEAUTIFUL! Every travel-agent has trips to JBI - don't miss out! Panwa peninsula, in the SE of Phuket, is nice and quiet, has some wonderful beaches, a silly viewpoint, creeks and lots of small, almost empty, roads. Laem Prompthep is the 'romantic sunse place to be' if you want to really make an impression on your (bar)girl.

And eventho Phuket is the richest of Thailands provinces, Phuket town still has hotelrooms from B200...[/QUOTE]Heard someone mention that renting a motor bike in Phuket (perhaps all of Thailand) need valid drivers license and an International drivers license also???? or 5-0 will give out expensive tickets for not having both, also somesort of helmet laws in effect, dont really know if all is true.

[QUOTE=Phantomtiger2]Heard someone mention that renting a motor bike in Phuket (perhaps all of Thailand) need valid drivers license and an International drivers license also???? or 5-0 will give out expensive tickets for not having both, also somesort of helmet laws in effect, dont really know if all is true.[/QUOTE]Just have to have drivers license from your country, although I would recommend getting an international license. Easy to get in US at any AAA.

No license fine. 300 baht. No helmut fine, 300 baht.

Phantomtiger,

Tho I've been stopped by Phuket's finest on a couple of occasions, they never asked me for a license. Then again, I only ride the Honda Dreams.
My insurance however, will not pay anything beyond 'life-saving' treatment if I have an accident because I don't have a motorlicense.

I would like to suggest an additional consideration to Freelers post. A small bike yes. But I prefer a small dirt bike. It makes some of those side roads (down to beaches) quite a bit eaiser. Absolutely no reason for the big "rice rockets" you see some guys on. Think they're compensating for some other shortcoming ?

I've never been stopped, but I do go through the minor hassle of getting an international licsense before leaving.

FD

Banana is the best disco I've seen in patong so far. Its decent and clean compared to Crocodile and Tiger. Music is good too. Good place for foreigners to hang out and get some decent looking girls :)

I didnt see much mention on Phuket town. I will (most likely)be staying in patong beach but will like to see Phuket town also.

1) What baht buses go there and what should it cost?

2) Where do they drop U off in Phuket town(ex: next to tourist info center or what street, next to Hotel X?

3) As I understand action should be cheaper here, any recommended massage places--ie; soapy kind

4) Any local call houses?

Please list current prices if possible. Cheers.

[QUOTE=Phantomtiger2]I didnt see much mention on Phuket town. I will (most likely)be staying in patong beach but will like to see Phuket town also.

1) What baht buses go there and what should it cost?

2) Where do they drop U off in Phuket town(ex: next to tourist info center or what street, next to Hotel X?

3) As I understand action should be cheaper here, any recommended massage places--ie; soapy kind

4) Any local call houses?

Please list current prices if possible. Cheers.[/QUOTE]A baht bus goes to Phuket Town every 15 minutes or so. Price: 20 baht. Makes many stops and can take 40 minutes. Ens up at bus terminal in Phuket Town. You will only want to go to there once, believe me. A couple of soapys there in big hotels, but thats about it, just another town in Thailand. Patong is where all the action is.

[QUOTE=Hah Baht]A baht bus goes to Phuket Town every 15 minutes or so. Price: 20 baht. Makes many stops and can take 40 minutes. Ens up at bus terminal in Phuket Town. You will only want to go to there once, believe me. A couple of soapys there in big hotels, but thats about it, just another town in Thailand. Patong is where all the action is.[/QUOTE]Thanks Hah Baht,

Where Are the massage parlors and are the working gals there worth the visit.
Also, if possible, what should I be paying for the Soapy Massage in Phuket town?

Cheers,

PT

Is there any action available clost to Laguna Phuket? Want to avoid a 30min taxi ride back and forth when I want to find some action.

Sajer

Addition to the motorcycle discussion. I have DAN (Divers Alert Network) Insurance. Their premium coverage (about $100 a year) includes coverage for non-diving emergencies, including air evacuation to your home country.

Food for thought.

FD

[QUOTE=Sajer Guy]Is there any action available clost to Laguna Phuket? Want to avoid a 30min taxi ride back and forth when I want to find some action.

Sajer[/QUOTE]Laguna is far, far from the action. I would think only couples and married people would want to stay there. Very nice ,but you may as well be staying in another country. There may be some action closer than 30 minutes, but you would be hard pressed to find it.

[QUOTE=Phantomtiger2]Where Are the massage parlors and are the working gals there worth the visit.

Also, if possible, what should I be paying for the Soapy Massage in Phuket town?
[/QUOTE]Last year, a local Thai friend of mine in Kata took me to Grand MP in Phuket Town. Don't know the exact location, but I remember that it was near Robinson Dept Store. There is a fishbowl, but also sideliners. Myfriend mentioned to the papasan that I was from America, so I think I was charged a bit more. I picked their top-of-the-line bowl lady. Local Phuket girl with nice smile and long black hair. Good soapy service and no rushing. My notes states 2K, and it may have included tips. I also ended up going out with her to local dance clubs after the MP closed.

BTW, my friend also took me to another MP next to a big hotel, so just look around hotels.

Seeko

[QUOTE=Hah Baht]Laguna is far, far from the action. I would think only couples and married people would want to stay there. Very nice ,but you may as well be staying in another country. There may be some action closer than 30 minutes, but you would be hard pressed to find it.[/QUOTE]I have stayed at Laguna resort and yes it is quite and expensive to take cabs tp patong every night- cheaper to hire a car! only action is a massage parlour just outside resort walls cant remember name but its next to a bar that shows live English football- you'll see as the girls will be outside and will beckon you in for a 'massage'- definetly action there but they do try and charge you a fair bit. Other than that, its the nightly journey to Patong!

Hi,

I'm posting in this forum the first time after using you folks as information source quite a while. And my first posting is a simple question; -) But I promise that I will spend some time during (definetly after) my three weeks in phuket to give some detailed updates!

I read the disussion regarding girl friendy hotels. Great stuff - the kind of travel guide you really need (thanks to Craig Less, Hah Baht, Member 1757 and all the others). Maybe I will stay at the summerbreeze for a while - if they are not full end of november to the first week of december.

But I don´t want to live in a zoo for the whole three weeks. I prefer to have it quite and lazy "at home" and to enter the scene just at night. That´s how I did it on Samui three times and I want to continue in this way. Also, honestly, I want to dive during the daytime (also my cover story.).

So I am looking for a cheap girl friendy guest house around patong - from the map and what I know about phuket places like karon, kata or bang tao should suit me - any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. : Maybe the wrong thread, bur here my good experience in Samui. I stayed in Bophut Beach at the Smile House. Bophut is still (was last yeas in Feb) quite - maybe because the beach isn´t that spectacular - and about 20 min with the motorbike to chaweng. Never had problems with girls beeing to far to go and never had problems in Smile House. But I always was decent because the hotel is mainly occupied by couples or families - probably no place for orgies in the pool. Prices had been 1. 000 including breakfast for a clean bungalow.

Most of the hotels in the Patong area are quiet. You can relax and have a quiet day or evening, then venture into the nightlife of Bangla. Kata, Karon, and Bang Tao are much more quiet and a long ride....at least 200-300 baht each way every time you want to go to Bangla. It all depends on your own particular priorities. For me. Definately Patong.