MERGED : All About Phuket, Thailand

Climate
Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year. The high season is generally considered to be from November to May. During the summer monsoon season, mornings and afternoons are still sunny and clear, but it tends to rain in the evenings and water clarity goes down. Locals consider May to October the "cool" season, and the weather is quite tolerable, much more so than in the tourism centers around the Gulf coast. It's comparable to Florida's summer weather in temperature and intensity of rain storms: 25-33 deg C, flying clouds, short and thunderous rainfalls in the afternoons and evenings. Surfing is possible off the western beaches.

[edit]Talk
Phuket is one of Thailand's premier tourist destinations and (basic) English is very widely spoken, especially in the beach areas. That said, even a little Thai will draw smiles and can be useful in the less touristed areas of Phuket Town.


Beaches
Particularly in the monsoon season, there are strong currents on many of the beaches and drownings are a depressingly common occurrence. Heed the warning flags on popular beaches and play it safe if off the beaten track.

The major beaches from north to south are:

Bang Tao - long, very quiet beach
Surin Beach - an up-and-coming destination
Laem Singh Beach - small bay with stunning views, between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach
Kamala Beach - a quieter beach to the north of Patong
Patong Beach - the largest beach resort, known for its nightlife
Karon Beach - a quieter beach to the south of Patong
Kata Yai Beach - busy, clean tourist beach with good surf
Kata Noi Beach - quieter sister of Kata Yai
Ao Chalong - home to Phuket's most popular yacht anchorage
[edit]Islands
Ko Rawai
[edit]Other destinations
[edit]Get in
The island has an international airport and is also directly connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it's possible to arrive by air, road, or sea.

[edit]By plane
[edit]Airport
The compact Phuket International Airport (IATA: HKT) (ICAO: VTSP) is located in the north of the island, and is Thailand's second largest hub.

International departure tax is 500 baht (700 baht after 1/1/07), payable in cash (there are several ATMs at the airport). Departure tax for domestic flights is included in the ticket.

Flights

There are very frequent flights to/from Bangkok as well as direct flights to many other airports in the region, including Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and direct charters to Europe and Australia in the high season.

Several domestic discount airlines fly here, including Air Asia and Nok Air - tickets from Bangkok can cost under 1000 baht one-way if booked well in advance, or around 2000 baht (including taxes) if bought on the day.

Bangkok Airways has a monopoly on direct flights between Phuket and U-Tapao (Pattaya / Sattahip) and Ko Samui.

Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia Airways provide very affordable tickets to Phuket from Singapore. Other low cost direct connections to Phuket are currently available from Hong Kong, Macao, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Airport transfers

Limousine (blue) taxis from the airport are expensive, costing 500-600 baht to Patong Beach or Phuket Town
Metered (yellow) taxis (available outside the car park gates) cost 300+ baht
Minibus services (basically door-to-door share taxis) charge 100-200 baht per seat
Airport shuttle bus service (6:30-20:30, every 30 minutes) to Phuket Town bus station costs 52 baht; local buses run from there to all the major beaches until around 18:00
[edit]By train
The nearest train station is about 3 hours away, at Surat Thani.

[edit]By bus
Buses to mainland destinations including Bangkok, Chumphon, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Satun, Sungai Kolok and Surat Thani use the BKS terminal off Thanon Phang Nga in Phuket Town.

The most reliable buses from Bangkok are those from the Southern (Sai Tai Mai) Bus Terminal. The dodgy Khao San Road operations (which have a bad reputation for theft, and often turn out to include a "surprise" transfer to a minibus at Surat Thani) are best avoided.

[edit]By boat
Ferry services connect from Rassada Port in Phuket Town to Ko Phi Phi and on to Krabi on the mainland twice a day, taking 90 minutes and costing 350/650 baht one-way/return, for each leg. It's usually a pleasant ride, but can be rather bumpy when it's windy.

There are also boats to Ko Racha (2 hours), the Similan Islands (9+ hours) and other islands in the high season only. Boats and yachts can be chartered at Chalong Pier, the Boot Lagoon and the Yacht Haven.

It's possible to visit Phuket by cruise ship. For cruises from Singapore, try Star Cruises.

By bus
From Phuket Town there are frequent bus services to Patong Beach (20 baht) and less frequent services to the other beaches (15-30 baht), by both full-size buses and by songthaews. Local bus services stop at around 18:00.

By taxi
Phuket has two types of taxi - millions (or so it seems) of small songthaew-style minivans (usually bright red, occasionally bright yellow), and a much smaller number of conventional sedan-style taxis (yellow and red, with a "TAXI-METER" sign on top).

The minivans are universally referred to as tuk-tuks (even though they have four wheels, not three). They have no meter, and their drivers are notoriously mercenary, so always agree a price beforehand and do bargain hard. Short hops around town shouldn't cost more than 40 baht, but good luck getting from Patong to Phuket Town for under 200 baht.

For longer distances the metered taxis are generally a better bet, so do your bit to break the iron grip of the minitaxi mafia and patronize them if you can. You can hail one by telephone on 076-232157.

[edit]By car or bike
More than 10,000 people are injured and over 250 killed every year in road accidents in Phuket. Nine out of ten accidents involve motorbikes. Major risk factors are the hilly terrain, careless speeding drivers and driving at night, and drunk-driving.

Renting a car or motorbike to explore the island on your own is a cost-effective way of getting off the beaten track. However, given the atrocious driving habits of most locals and the resulting carnage on Phuket's roads every year, the risks do demand careful consideration.

Motorcycle and scooter rentals start at around 150 baht/day, coming down to 100 baht/day for rentals of a week or more. Phuket police do enforce the crash helmet requirement, and also conduct frequent spot checks at which a driving licence must be produced.

[edit]See
Phuket is a little short on cultural or historical attractions, and most of its visitors spend their time at the beaches and in the bars. The most heavily-hyped attraction is the Phuket Fantasea show at Kamala Beach, a self-proclaimed "cultural theme park", but comparisons to Disneyland are exaggerated at best.

[edit]Do
Elephant riding

This is a good way to support the remaining domesticated elephants of Thailand and their mahout, is fairly cheap, and can be an interesting new experience. The elephants are well trained, and you can tip the mahout by giving the money to the elephant who will hand it to the mahout with its trunk. Don't worry abour animal exploitation unless your are a radical ARLer and vegan. These are well loved pets, holy animals, not livestock, and (unlike cattle) live long happy lives.

Golf - see also: Golf in Thailand - Phuket section and Golf

The golf courses of Phuket are of international standard. Each one has its own particular challenges and scenic splendour that only Phuket can offer. Discount green fee are available by booking through Phuket golf booking agencies.

Blue Canyon Country Club
Laguna Phuket Golf Club
Loch Palm Golf club Phuket
Mission Hills Phuket Resort and spa
Phuket Country Club
Phuket Golf Courses Reservations
Thai Muang Beach Golf and Marina
Muay Thai training (Thai kick-boxing):

Suwit Muay Thai Boxing Camp
Chalong Chi Muay Thai and M.M.A. Training Camp
Watersports

Scuba diving, yachting, jet-skiing and parasailing are the most popular activities on the island. Most dive sites are off nearby islands, but distances are fairly short and there are dozens of dive shops and boats to cater to your needs, mostly based near Chalong Pier.

[edit]Eat
Food in Phuket is surprisingly cosmopolitan, as many foreigners have set up shop to cater to their fellow travellers. All the usual Thai favorites are of course still available, with a particular emphasis on seafood.

[edit]Drink
Phuket has a busy nightlife, second only to Pattaya among Thailand's beach resorts. Patong Beach is by far the busiest, and seediest, of the lot, but in addition to go-go bars there are also plenty of other bars, discos and clubs.

[edit]Sleep
There is a glut of rooms in hotels of all sizes and classifications, serviced (catered) apartment complexes (so-called 'mansions') and homestays. It's a buyers' market even in high season (Nov-May), with air-con room rates starting at under 500 baht, and 2-3 bedroom furnished houses available for 7000-10000 baht/month. For budget accommodation, the best rates are usually those negotiated in person.

See Phuket Town and individual Beaches articles for listings.

[edit]Get out
Khao Lak
Krabi
Ko Phi Phi - 1.5 hours by ferry, parts of The Beach were filmed at this stunningly beautiful location
Phang Nga - 2 hours away, this bay is famous for its gravity-defying limestone formations, including James Bond Island
Ko Samui & Pattaya - Bangkok Airways operates direct flights to both

[ Last edited by  mamakcute at 25-11-2006 03:41 PM ]

Patong Beach, Phuket

Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand




Minitaxi in Phuket, Thailand

ct_subang

ct plan nk gi Phuket in Feb 07...nk pakai Air Asia jer...tp nk pk utk ground arrangementlaa plak...
sape2 ada sajesyen local agency atau Phuket agency??and another...mahal tak grnd arrangement buat kt sana??:nerd:

bottombikini

don worry banyak agency kat sana..bole tahan gak murahnye..bole bargain lagi
dulu aku gi amik kat sana je kalo nak gi pulau racha/koh phi phi..ok lah include everything
kalo nak gi town lak..amik je bas..senang dan murah
sampai town akan ada org yg offer nak bawak round2..bargain ler

i went to phuket 2 months before tsunami...thank god...alhamdulillah...
phuket memang cantik..cuma food agak susah sikit..but kat town u can always cari muslim restaurant...kalau u penggemar sambal blacan..emm kat sana mmg very yummy!!

ramai yg suggest to go to james bond island..which diaorg ckp u shouldnt miss d opportunity la..but i rasa ramai forumer kat sini stuju..better for u to go to phi phi island...cun gilerrr kat sana...kalau mat salleh mmg they would prefer to go to phi phi island..sebab maklum la mat salleh ni semua suka sun bathing!!

wondering how phuket new looks..lepas tsunami...dengar citer dari kengkawan they developed it back very fast..ye la kan kat sana kan tempat tourist..

n lagi satu..for those yg suka nite life..kat pathong tu mmg happening..dulu masa i pegi..mostly all pub is open concept..n..bapuk die cun gilerrr..kalau ada camera canggih amik aa gambar pub2 kat sana mmg cantik!!

overall phuket is a very nice island, nice beach, nice people tooo...pempuan kat phuket town semua cantik2 n kulit putih mulus!!!

:nerd::love:

bottombikini

aku pegi ari tu pun few months after tsunami..devastated areas still can be seen
hotel yg aku dok tu siap tampal gambo2 masa tsunami..kira masa tu cam baru nak pulih
ada kedai2 yg masih tutup..still under renovation. kalo ko ingat SOHO indian tu tutup masa tu...tang bangla road yg ada open pondan menari2 atas meja tu dah start bisnes dah
aku risau gak masa tu..kalo apa2 jadi lagi sekali..dgn pondan2 tu..dgn aku-aku sekali whosssshhhhhh dan tak dapat dikesan lagi..

apa-apa pun aku sempat gak lagi amik massage by the beach..kesian masa tu kat diorang nak struggle bisnes balik..cth cam yg niaga2 yg pantai tu
makan muslim feveret aku mana lagi..ada satu tempat kat ujung cam medan selera dia..tak tau ada la gi ke idak..baik budak2 pelayan tu..makan pun ok
aku perasan ada satu mat salleh tu pepagi breakfast nasi putih+ayam halia..hari2 lak tu

trip tu aku gi koh racha je..gi naik bot, snorkel, mandi laut kat racha, makan-makan, sunbathing..hihi..aku penah dapat email psl racha nye resort yg cantik banget tu..sampai sana
sedih beb..abis pantai yg cantik tu. resort tu dah takde rupe..pasir pun cepat hakis
tapi lautnye..superb beb

phi phi island aku gi few years back..by the cruise..sunbathing kat deck huhu
aku rasa berbaloi..lengkap dgn lunch kat pulau, F&B atas kapal, snokerling cruise tu siap lalu slow motion kat james bond island..island yg leonardo berlakon tu..huiii best first class

nanti aku citer lagi..bos tgh takde ni hihihi

ct_subang

mcm best jer korg cete...

unfortunately...my trip has been pospon to late Mac 07...aiyaa....bz aa...tgh closing...:geram:..

but i'm still going insyaallah...

resort ape korg suggest??:hmm:

bottombikini

nape ko pospon? ko naik AA ke? kalo ko naik AA aku ada banyak soalan ni..

ct_subang

Originally posted by bottombikini at 18-12-2006 02:04 PM
nape ko pospon? ko naik AA ke? kalo ko naik AA aku ada banyak soalan ni..

CT naik AA...ada byk keje in Feb 07...tu yg kena reschedule...pegi under package AA..dok kt Coconut Village Patong...

haaa...apo soklan2nyer???

main reason pegi sana...sbb nk snorkling....sbb kt Msia sume dh habih khatam...
:solute:

bottombikini

Originally posted by ct_subang at 18-12-2006 10:38 PM


CT naik AA...ada byk keje in Feb 07...tu yg kena reschedule...pegi under package AA..dok kt Coconut Village Patong...

haaa...apo soklan2nyer???

main reason pegi sana...sbb nk snorkling... ...

hooo..ko pun kaki snorkeling ek..ko ada lesen dive tak?

soklan aku: ko reschedule flight, bape kena bayo AA? hampeh tak difference dia coz aku pun ada nak flight nak reschedule ni (bangkok in jan, nak tuko to april)

ct_subang

ct xdelaa reschedule flight...b4 booking lg reschedule...:nerd:

bottombikini,

slalu kalau nak tukar apa2 dekat air asia kena bayo 50 hinggit..itu fee utk diaorg buat pertukaran...tapi harga tiket follow harga masa u nak gi tu la...mungkin naik mungkin juga turun pas tu tgk pulak tiket u jenis apa(masa u beli dia ada tulis jenis J fare or K fare atau pelbagai hurup lagi)..kalau yg ada promo payah skit nak tukar...kena tgk blk terms n condition masa u beli tuhh

pendek kata kalau nak tukor menukor kat air asia tu susah skit le...

bottombikini

weiii korang nak tau..aku dah check. yg harga 50..50 tu dah takde
depa charge Rm300 as change fee..+ harga baru tiket + tax kat bangkok
masa aku beli Rm550 utk 2 orang..now nak kena top up lagi RM500 coz tukar flight
issshhhh..tensen

sorceress

ada sapa2 boleh cadangkan resort yg ok kat phulet with medium budget... tgk kat internet mahal2 belaka... around rm600  ke atas......

sorceress

kalau boleh budget sy tu dalam rm250 ke atas je... ada cadangan tak

soda

huhuhu....tgk thread ni windunya masa kat phuket.....

bottombikini

Originally posted by sorceress at 2-1-2007 03:50 PM
kalau boleh budget sy tu dalam rm250 ke atas je... ada cadangan tak

ko nak dok belah mana? patong ke..karon ke..kata ?
takde lah mahal cenggitu resort kat sana..

kalo kat karon/kata Rm250 ko dah bole dapat..Rm600 apatah lagi
kat patong murah2 apa..ke ko mmg nak dok yg luxury je?

sorceress

Originally posted by bottombikini at 3-1-2007 09:42 AM


ko nak dok belah mana? patong ke..karon ke..kata ?
takde lah mahal cenggitu resort kat sana..

kalo kat karon/kata Rm250 ko dah bole dapat..Rm600 apatah lagi
kat patong murah2 apa..ke ko mm ...

la silap RM250 ke bawah..... yang RM600 tu yang saya nampak online... tu yg terfikir tu nak pegi...