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 Phuket, Thailand travel tales
Our customers share their travelling experiences in Phuket, Thailand.
Read about first hand stories on travel tips and guides, events, entertainment,shopping, food, business and transportation.
Also, you might want to read our
Bangkok city guide,
Chiang Mai city guide,
Hua Hin city guide,
Koh Samet city guide,
Koh Samui city guide,
Krabi city guide,
Pattaya city guide,
and Phuket city guide.
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| J Misako kojima |
29 May 2004 |
Stayed at Kata Thani Hotel and Beach Resort - Phuket, Thailand.
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My advice: 1) Be careful taking a taxi affiliated with the hotel. Unless you agree a realistic price don't use them. I had to take a taxi on my last day for 500 baht for a 10 minute round trip. This makes it comparable or more expensive to Tokyo. 2) Hiring a vehicle is much the best way of getting around. 1,300 Baht for the cheapest vehicle (a jeep) for 1 day was I thought very reasonable, and better I thought than the free hotel courtesy bus to Phuket Town which ran once a day at 1pm returnig at4pm. 3) Local Thai restaurants were far better value than the hotel restaurants, typically 1/3 the price and more authentic. There was a good one whose name I forget, about 1 minute walk from the hotel towards the south. Another recommended value for money Thai restaurant in a great location on the beach, is in the southern corner of Kata Beach (not the noisy pub/restaurant next to it). 4) The 1 day "safari" wasn't worth it but my Mum liked it. It involved seeing how they tap rubber trees, how a monkey can pick coconuts, how two young elephants can perform for an audience, how to make a Thai curry, how to prepare a coconut, a cart ride pulled by water buffalo and a 20-30 minute elephant ride. Don't ride an elephant with bare feet because they are infested with mites!! 4) The Chalong bhuddist temple wasn't at all interesting, and I've been to many in Asia. Seeing a pitifully neglected, lame, stray dog infront of the door of the main temple made more of a negative impression than usual when you could see people spending their money on Lotus flower offerings and "fire crackers". 5) If you go diving from May onwards be prepared for high seas. I did not fare well on the longer than expected 1.5-2hr trip to the first dive site!!
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| C Barbier |
01 May 2004 |
Stayed at Kamala Bay Garden Resort - Phuket, Thailand.
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Excursions by speed boat to Phang Nga bay and to Phi Phi Islands are fantastic, and definitely worth it. You can do them with kids (we had to since kids club was closed) and they loved it too (it's not cheap though).
Kamala beach is less developed than most other bays on the coast, not as upmarket as Kata but healthier than the seedy Patong. It makes Kamala friendly, but nothing too exciting about it, at least at the end of April. Laem Singh bay (next one along) is very nice.
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| G Anaple |
15 April 2004 |
Stayed at Karon Villa Phuket Beach Resort & Spa (Renovation) - Phuket, Thailand.
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My main complaint about Phuket is the absurd price of private transportation.
From the airport to the hotel was 650 baht, by private taxi. I laughed, knowing it only costs another 200 baht to go by bus, all the way to Bangkok.
And, the inter-Island tuk tuks all charge 200 baht to go anywhere, down the beach or 12 kilometers up the coast. I can go from one side of Bangkok to the other for UNDER 200 baht, even in mid-day traffic. So...it bothered me a little.
I recommend that anyone coming for an extended stay simply rent a motorbike, and drive yourself wherever you need to go. Or, on an even more practical level, use the public buses, which cost usually 20 baht, to anywhere.
And a quick word about the "Thai Boxing" on Phuket: DO NOT go unless you are interested in seeing prepubescent youths slugging it out. This goes for both, the offerings at Patong and Phuket Town. I was sorely disappointed to see children (aged 5 years at Phuket Town!) being knocked unconscience at both venues. No contender was over age 17. Sure, it is grassroots Muey Thai, but far from what it is promoted to be.
Lastly, Asian tour groups and Europeans were the only other guests using the Karon Villa during my stay. Be prepared for the gross abuse of Asian culture by the nude sunbathing Europeans. As with all other destinations in Thailand, the Europeans show utter lack of respect for Asian culture by both beach and poolside nudity. Rude by Thai standards, the Europeans do not seem to care. My Thai travel companions were unsettled, but graciously accepting, realizing it was the European money which fueled their economy.
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| T Sharman |
12 April 2004 |
Stayed at Central Waterfront Suites, Phuket - Phuket, Thailand.
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Enjoyed Phuket Fantasea - although very touristy and quite expensive.
Took a ferry to Phi Phi and then to Koh Lanta. Enjoyed snorkelling at Phi Phi and Koh Rok off Koh Lanta.
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| M Victor |
04 April 2004 |
Stayed at Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel - Phuket, Thailand.
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We did not book our Phang Nga canoe trip through the hotel. We used the Internet to book with a company called Sea Canoe (seacanoe.net). The tour was brilliant!
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| P Hopp |
26 March 2004 |
Stayed at Central Karon Village - Phuket, Thailand.
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The hotel is about 40 minutes from the Phuket airport. We suggest using a metered taxi as it was half the price of a hotel shuttle. The hotel is only 5 minutes by taxi or tuk tuk to Patong town if you're looking for some night life. Forget about Patong beach, too many people and boats. The Karon beach is quiet, no boats, and wonderful warm water.
There's lots to see and do and don't be afraid to take chances and please bargain. Just use your common sense and enjoy all that Phuket has to offer.
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| T Chng |
21 March 2004 |
Stayed at Club Bamboo Resort - Phuket, Thailand.
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Visited the Patong Beach by motor-bike taxis. Received a full body treatment at a luxurious health spa centre at very affordable prices. (Can't remember the name). The prices of food at restaurants were somewhat pricier than Bangkok and Pattaya. Nevertheless, it was tasty. Did a half day tour to James Bond Island which was good value for money.
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| J Defelice |
14 March 2004 |
Stayed at Holiday Inn Resort Phuket - Phuket, Thailand.
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We went on the Island Hopper for a day trip and it was fantastic and if you're into jewellery visit the Gem Gallery very cheap and very good. We went elephant treking, heaps of shopping, visited the Chalong temple. Just ran out of time as there was more to do and see. The hotel organised all our transport so it made real easy. Just one thing to look out for is the Time Share people, they give you a ticket and say you have won but to claim the prize you have to go to a promotion talk next thing you know you have wasted a couple of hours of your holiday.
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| G Appert |
28 February 2004 |
Stayed at Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel - Phuket, Thailand.
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We would recommend the boat company: phuket adventure people take very good care & to do the magic tour in the caves organized by John Gray.
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| B Nichols |
07 February 2004 |
Stayed at Evason Phuket - Phuket, Thailand.
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I went in to Phuket town only once. It was difficult to navigate there in the 3 or so hours that I had. I didn't see much of cultural interest, except to mingle with people. Everything was quite tourist oriented, which I didn't find exciting. Basically, I stayed at the resort the rest of the time. There is a seashell museum at the end of the long driveway into Evason and I had the driver let me off at the end of the driveway so that I could visit there. It was worth it - so many beautiful shells. I just walked down the driveway when I was finished.
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