Coming back to LOS...

[CasinoKen]

I was there with a friend exactly 1 month after the Tsunami and stayed at Lamai Hotel for the first 2 weeks then at Pizzaria Mansion for another 2 weeks. I learned a lot during that trip but because of the time frame I'm not sure just how different things are. Is it possible for anyone to help answer some questions so I can budget accordingly? I know it was a very slow time so it's not helping me work a budget this time and I dont' have near as much to work with $wise. Any help will be very much appreciated!!!

I will be there again from Jan 23 to Feb 13 2007. Are any of these prices still available?

1) While at Lamai, I saw banners everywhere advertising 500B/night almost everywhere. So I stayed at Pizzaria Mansion. Are there still 500B hotels or mansions available or did they all go back up? If so, best place to stay for under 1000B/night? (needs to be a friendly!!!)

2) I recall there were places for motorbikes for 100B+ but could get them for 50 to 75 per day... still available?

3) Average price for Singha was 60-80B.

4) Food prices were from 60-150B

5) Taxi from airport was like 500B to Bangla

6) Average BG was 300B barfine and 1000B long time on Soi Sea Dragon.

7) Fantasea was about $800B each from 'vendors'.

8) Chalong Bay all day fishing trip was 2000B.

I read the posts regarding the 'new airport?' but I'm not exactly catching on to how the changes will be by the time I get there. Last time I came in from Houston>San Francisco>Narita, Tokyo>Bangkok>Phuket.... but understand there are now "direct flights????"

Once again, I appreciate any info. I really liked Pizzaria Mansion and would love to stay there again.

kturner@ai-netcomm.com if someone can provide contact info. I can't find them online.

[landofsmiles]

1) While at Lamai, I saw banners everywhere advertising 500B/night almost everywhere. So I stayed at Pizzaria Mansion. Are there still 500B hotels or mansions available or did they all go back up? If so, best place to stay for under 1000B/night? (needs to be a friendly!!!)

Gone back up and you're coming middle of high season. Those banners were because of slump after tsunami. There will still be places under 1000 a night in January though. Regent 2000 Hotel on RatUThit road is usually 800 a night round that time. Regent 2002 Guest House - Guesthouse Hotel Patong Beach, Phuket Thailand Tell me where Pizzaria Mansion is I can check it out for you.

2) I recall there were places for motorbikes for 100B+ but could get them for 50 to 75 per day... still available?

Reckon on 150 a day. Best I know of is on Nanai Road near the Patong Market next to the Ayudha (yellow) bank, there's an internet shop hiring bikes 800 for a week.

3) Average price for Singha was 60-80B.

SAME SAME

4) Food prices were from 60-150B

SAME SAME

Off the roadside carts or where Thais eat, Chicken Rice with a soup or Bowl of Noodle soup is still only 30baht.

5) Taxi from airport was like 500B to Bangla

SAME SAME that's for Airport Limo...go out to top left corner of carpark, Meter Taxis 50 - 100 baht cheaper.

6) Average BG was 300B barfine and 1000B long time on Soi Sea Dragon.

SAME SAME...plenty of good looking 1000 baht LongTimers still about...not just in Seadragon!

7) Fantasea was about $800B each from 'vendors'.

Don't know....still haven't been!

8) Chalong Bay all day fishing trip was 2000B.

Don't know.

[Werwolf]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

.....5) Taxi from airport was like 500B to Bangla.....

.............I thought i did pay 550 Baht in April.....

[landofsmiles]

Few weeks ago I got limo taxi to do it for 450. All you need do is say to them you can get a taxi meter for 400 and start walking off towards the carpark where they are. I can almost guarantee they will call you back...but if they don't, just keep walking and take a Taxi Meter :-)

[CasinoKen]

Thank you very very much guys!!! Pizzaria Mansion is right across the street from the wood fired pizza restaurant on ... Soi San Sabai (if I remember correctly) it was above Rat U Thit either straight up from Bangla or from Bangla if you take a right on Rat U Thit and go to the next left soi... the pizza is awsome btw!!! Above the pizza restaurant they have rooms but they are more expensive I believe. It's been a while and I was going mostly from eyeball landmarks. (Best way for me to stagger back home LOL). There are 3 left turns coming from Bangla... if it's not on San Sa Bai, it's one of the next 2.
Pizzeria Hut 1 - Wood Fired Pizza in Patong Beach, Phuket Thailand

Normally I wouldn't mind and would just stay wherever but this trip unfortunately is on a tight budget because there is a lot more traveling around I have to do for potential business deals. Not knowing exactly where to look is going to take up a lot of my trip and that means a lot more $B I still want to find some fun when I can tho. FantaSea is absolutely incredible!!! It was fairly expensive as I recall but well worth it and it's definately on my list of must do again!!!

Oh, what's up with all the new airport stuff.. Phuket will have an 'international airport' after September 28? Any idea where flights will come in from to there? Or is that for Bangkok area only?

[M & M]

Originally Posted by wolfkatt

Oh, what's up with all the new airport stuff.. Phuket will have an 'international airport' after September 28? Any idea where flights will come in from to there? Or is that for Bangkok area only?

The new International airport is opening in Bangkok on the 28th September...Phuket already has an international airport...

If you're flying into Bkk then you will need a connecting flight to Phuket.