Phuket Reports

White Shark is quite right, this section is half dead, Phuket is not really well represented here.

I don’t quite understand those posts complaining about the lack of bar scene, if you are looking for mere bar scene, then you are in the wrong thread; just go to Pattaya or Bangkok.
Phuket is not comparable to Pattaya, full stop.

But on the other hand, it has a few clubs with a unique atmosphere and vibe which you will struggle to find in any other place. Prices do not look to me as expensive as someone said either; so, enjoy the whole package, because Phuket definitely got it.

Fear not ... reports from Phuket (and hopefully many photos) are forthcoming after I get there Oct. 1-3. But that's more than a month from now (just couldn't wait, so I had to avail myself in Toronto this week. See the Ontario, Canada section for my report. 300 Canadian is about 210 USD, and I kept thinking, "Man! I should just save that money for Singapore and Thailand, where I can get so much more mileage out of it!" But obviously I couldn't delay my mongering.

Dear Mongers,

I planning to visit Phuket for the 1st time and will be arriving sometime 19th October. I was wandering if the weather is good during this time?

My earlier plan to visit in July was interrupted.

Hope you guys will be kind enough to adv.

Cheers!

You are still in the rainy season in the middle of October.

Temperatures are in the Middle to high 80s

Yes, rainy season and all the ladies very very wet. My money is that a few showers in the evening won't spoil your holiday.

The sea, though, should be relatively calm, almost preparing for the high season starting in November.

I'll be there from 22nd October. Anyone knows if Star World will be open by then?

Mike,

Thanks for yr reply. I was told by my other mates abuot the occasional rain there.

Rain or shine, I'm going there.

Best regards to all.

Yes, rainy season and all the ladies extremely wet. This will most certainly not spoil your holidays, my money is on you having a blast.

On the positive side, being so close to November when the high season begins, the sea should be relatively calm and swimmable.

I’ll be there from 22nd October, fighting against the bad weather like many of you (duh?). Does anyone know if Star World will be reopen by then?

Mike Peters,

Outside the airport arrivals will be mini-buses and limousines. If

you walk beyond them and across the parking lot there is a

meter taxi stand. I think it cost me 400B from the airport to

Patong.

If you are still looking for a hotel I stayed at Blue Ocean Resort

and thought it was pretty good for 800B.

http://www.blueoceanresort-phuket.com

Just claim double occupancy and there should be no joiner fee.

Verify this with check-in.

Gwailo

[b]Phuket Airport to Patong Beach[/b]

When you arrive at the Phuket Airport, there's a couple of options to get to Patong Beach:

[b][u]Taxi[/u][/b]

After you pick up your luggage, there's a counter where you can book a taxi to Patong Beach for 500 Baht.

I've heard, but never tried this, that you can go outside, and across the parking lot, there are some other taxis where you can get a better rate, but I haven't tried this.

[b][u]Mini-Bus[/u][/b] - 150 Baht

At the same counter mentioned above, you can purchase a mini-bus ticket for 150 Baht. They'll immediately try to sell you a taxi, but insist you want the mini-bus for 150 Baht.

The Mini Bus, along with other passengers, will take you directly to your hotel.

[b]The Mini-Bus Catch:[/b]

On the way to Patong Beach, the Mini-Bus will stop at a travel agency. They'll ask everyone to get out of the bus and step inside.

At this point, they'll ask you if you've booked a hotel, ask where you're staying, and will waste a significant amount of time as they sell rooms to the other passengers attempting to earn a commission.

I've complained about this my first couple of trips, but it appears there's a partnership between the mini-bus and the travel agency.

It gets quite annoying at times. Even though I tell them I have a reservation, they want to know where, what I'm paying, and want to get me a "better deal" somewhere else. They falsely tell the other passengers that "booking here will be cheaper".

There's no way around this. The only way is to discretely tell other passengers, the sooner you said "No Thank You", the sooner we'll get out of here. They've made it harder now that they make everyone get out of the mini-bus, explaining you might have to change vans.

Anyway, if you don't mind this delay, the Mini-Bus is the way to go.

If you don't want to deal with this nonsense, pay a little more for a private taxi.

The tour guide trap from the airport to Patong is par for the course. I have been 5 times and i NEVER get out of the car. I let the driver know that iif we stop it will effect his tip. They always say, "i must get ticket stamped." I tell him he has one minute, then off we go.

As previously stated, the travel agency stop is standard operating procedure for the mini-van. On my last trip to Phuket the TA hit the jackpot with the mini-van I was in. Four backpacking German girls (all very attractive) not only got their rooms from the TA but they also purchased a couple of day tours to nearby islands. Two other people in the mini-van also got their rooms from the TA. Needles to say, we spent well over an hour at this TA. The 150 baht price is great but next time I think I will try gwailo's advice.

I live in Kata Beach and use a local taxi driver to get to and from the airport, he does good deals and was born on Phuket and speaks English well. Skip the minivans it can take hours to get to the Southern end of the island. If you want the driver's number PM me. Just call him before you leave BKK and he will meet you. It is 45 from Kata up to the airport so he needs a heads up to get there in time for you.

I like opiniones about the following hotels:
Lamai Inn
Lamai Hotel
(probably same management)
Cheap hotels (500-600 bath until 31 oct)
they write
" Air-conditioned and private large bathrooms, Hot & cold water in the bathtub or shower, colored TV with satellite, mini-bar, and telephone"
and
"No charge for ladies staying over night with guest. "

Someone know them???

Hey guys,

I need some pointers. I'll be heading to Phuket in November, my first trip to Thailand. Any idea where can I get good pussies for a few nights? Budgets?

Cheers to all,

Horny Man

[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to add standard [u]capitalization[/u] throughout the text. To avoid delays in future reports, please refrain from using the "chat room" style of writing with no capital lettering. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]

Has anyone had experience at the Amari Coral Beach Resort in Patong? How about the Baan Karonburi Resort in Karon Beach. I've been to Phuket several times, but stayed at mostly lower level places--I'd like a nice place this time. I did stay at Diamond Cliffs once--it was very nice, but absolutely not girl friendly.

Specifically, I want to know if the hotels charge "joiner" fees and if they are really 4* quality.