Phuket Thailand

dave64 · #1 22-11-2005, 22:27

Hello everyone, excellent forum, very friendly and informative.
I have been reading the posts in this forum for a few weeks now and have been getting some ideas regarding booking a trip out there. I have been looking at prices for flights in june and they seem to start around £400 return, is this a good/fair price. I know I am planning ahead a bit but I want to save some money before I quit my job and take a month out.
I am planning on staying at the Nana hotel in BK for 5 days before heading down to Pattaya, I think I might stay at the C&N for a week, from then on just see what hotel I fancy. Is this a good idea? will I have problems booking a hotel at that time of year or do you think I should book everything ahead.

TIA, Dave.

DARBS · #2 22-11-2005, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64

Hello everyone, excellent forum, very friendly and informative.
I have been reading the posts in this forum for a few weeks now and have been getting some ideas regarding booking a trip out there. I have been looking at prices for flights in june and they seem to start around £400 return, is this a good/fair price. I know I am planning ahead a bit but I want to save some money before I quit my job and take a month out.
I am planning on staying at the Nana hotel in BK for 5 days before heading down to Pattaya, I think I might stay at the C&N for a week, from then on just see what hotel I fancy. Is this a good idea? will I have problems booking a hotel at that time of year or do you think I should book everything ahead.

TIA, Dave.

Welcome aboard Dave
the price you seen for a flight is good . I paid £650 last July Return to bkk
and iam paying £459 1 way this year but that includes a flight to phuket.,

personally if I was you and if iam right in thinking its your 1st time
id stay in Bangkok for 2 nights This is enough for anyone in my opinion
then I would blow pattaya out and go straight to phuket
and if I felt like a change toward the end head to pattaya as its only a cab ride to bkk airport which you will nead to head back to at the end of your holiday,

the C&N is in patong

BLUEPAULLY · #3 22-11-2005, 23:28

Hi Dave,

There are normally some cheap offers available for about the June time but it depends if you want to be prepared or take a bit of a chance.

Check the routing, some of the cheaper prices are with slightly lesser airlines with lengthy stopovers. You can sometimes find a direct flight for just a bit more.

Have to agree with DARBS re. Bangkok. 2-3 days should do. It's very hectic if you're out in the traffic all day, you'll be glad of the more relaxed atmosphere at your next destination.

I would suggest forget Pattaya - head to Phuket. The internal flights are reasonably cheap (shop around). It is a very relaxing destination with plenty to see and do.

There shouldn't be any problem with getting accomodation in June. Patong beach is where the nightlife is as you've probably seen from this forum.

Cheers, BLUEPAULLY.

dave64 · #4 22-11-2005, 23:46

Thanks for the replys, sorry but i keep getting the geography wrong, have to get a map, i meant to say Phuket not Pattaya. I do fancy staying in BK for a while, I believed that there was quite a bit to see/do etc in BK? Is it easy to book a flight from BK to Phuket when I am there? The more I plan this trip the more cobfuesd I get.

TIA, Dave

DARBS · #5 23-11-2005, 00:00

[quote=dave64]Thanks for the replys, sorry but i keep getting the geography wrong, have to get a map, i meant to say Phuket not Pattaya. I do fancy staying in BK for a while, I believed that there was quite a bit to see/do etc in BK? Is it easy to book a flight from BK to Phuket when I am there? The more I plan this trip the more cobfuesd I get.

Dave you don't really need to book anything that much in advance for June
if you were going December or January you would have problems but I would say your be ok to just do it closer to the time . also maybe if your not sure about bkk just book a return to bkk from your home and worry about the onwards flight once you've had enough
no point in staying in Bangkok just to wait for your flight , just pop along to the airport or buy over the net
when your there and decide its time to move on .

if your looking at places to stay in patong . make sure you stay in patong beach not town
as this isn't the main bar area or anywhere close to all the action ie MTB

http://phuket.sawadee.com/hotels/index.html PLACE TO STAY

http://www.athailand.com/ MAPS

BLUEPAULLY · #6 23-11-2005, 00:22

Dave,
I know it probably seems like you need to plan alot ahead but IMHO don't worry too much as your ideas will change all the time in LOS when you see different places and meet different people. Flights from BKK to Phuket should be simple to book when there. All you need to concentrate on is where to stay in Bangkok and things to do - ie. Temples, River trip, Floating market (if you can get up that early), shopping etc.
I don't think you'll have any problems getting a flight later on next year. How long are you looking at going for? Will you need a visa?
Cheers, BLUEPAULLY.

dave64 · #7 23-11-2005, 00:30

Many thanks for the info Darbs, I think what I will do is book my return flight to bkk and a couple of nights at Nana Hotel then take it from there. Is there much difference between the C&N Hotel and the C & N Resort & Spa? Has anyone stayed at both, if so what are your views on them.

TIA Dave,

dave64 · #8 23-11-2005, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPAULLY

Dave,
I know it probably seems like you need to plan alot ahead but IMHO don't worry too much as your ideas will change all the time in LOS when you see different places and meet different people. Flights from BKK to Phuket should be simple to book when there. All you need to concentrate on is where to stay in Bangkok and things to do - ie. Temples, River trip, Floating market (if you can get up that early), shopping etc.
I don't think you'll have any problems getting a flight later on next year. How long are you looking at going for? Will you need a visa?
Cheers, BLUEPAULLY.

I am planning to stay for a month so I don't need a visa (I think?)
I suppose if I decide to stay longer I can extend the visa?

TIA Dave.

BLUEPAULLY · #9 23-11-2005, 00:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64

Is there much difference between the C&N Hotel and the C & N Resort & Spa?
TIA Dave,

C&N is right amongst the action. It's in walking distance of everything. The resort is a bit out of the way and charges more. I believe you can use the resort facilities when staying at C&N.

Cheers, BLUEPAULLY.

BLUEPAULLY · #10 23-11-2005, 00:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64

I am planning to stay for a month so I don't need a visa (I think?)
I suppose if I decide to stay longer I can extend the visa?

TIA Dave.

30 days stay with no visa needed. Not sure if you can get one easily issued in LOS (i've always got mine before I leave the UK).

Cheers, BLUEPAULLY.

dave64 · #11 23-11-2005, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPAULLY

30 days stay with no visa needed. Not sure if you can get one easily issued in LOS (i've always got mine before I leave the UK).

Cheers, BLUEPAULLY.

Is it easy to get a longer visa in the UK? I guess if I am not in a rush back I could stay for longer.

TIA Dave.

dawsey · #12 23-11-2005, 01:04

Hi Dave

Welcome to the forum

The advise you have got so far is pretty much spot on.

You can easily renew your visa for a further 30days whilst in Patong. Not sure of the cost but I believe around 2000baht (£28). Her is some more visa info http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/se...earchid=171156

If you intend going in June ,be aware its low season,and although this makes hotels at the best price and plenty of availability,its also not so good weather.
Have a look here for June weather in Phuket http://www.alexmalcolm.net/

Regarding flights, I looked for 1-30June and found one starting at £422 return here http://www.ebookers.com/afo/flights/...GzJEPM&jsort=c
another very good site for specialised LOS flights are www.westeasttravel.com. No rush to book yet though and bargain flights can be had on the web all the time.

Im sure you'll have a great time whatever you choose.
If you have any questions,just ask and you will get someone here with the answer

dave64 · #13 23-11-2005, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Hi Dave

Welcome to the forum

The advise you have got so far is pretty much spot on.

You can easily renew your visa for a further 30days whilst in Patong. Not sure of the cost but I believe around 2000baht (£28). Her is some more visa info http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/se...earchid=171156

If you intend going in June ,be aware its low season,and although this makes hotels at the best price and plenty of availability,its also not so good weather.
Have a look here for June weather in Phuket http://www.alexmalcolm.net/

Regarding flights, I looked for 1-30June and found one starting at £422 return here http://www.ebookers.com/afo/flights/...GzJEPM&jsort=c
another very good site for specialised LOS flights are www.westeasttravel.com. No rush to book yet though and bargain flights can be had on the web all the time.

Im sure you'll have a great time whatever you choose.
If you have any questions,just ask and you will get someone here with the answer

Thanks to everyone who has replied, it has given me some ideas.
I think what I plan to do is book my return flight ( I already looked at ebookers and expidia) stay 4-5 nights in bkk (Nana hotel) then fly down to Patong and book 2 weeks at the C&N Hotel. After that I will play it by ear, and just see how things go.
As for the weather at that time of year, I will bring a brolly and a wooly jumper

TIA Dave.

StiofanDerry · #14 23-11-2005, 01:59

Dave try www.southalltravel.co.uk for your flights. They normally work out the cheapest for me. Sometimes STA Travel are cheaper though because they use Etihad so you might want to try them aswell. www.statravel.co.uk

tmontana · #15 23-11-2005, 15:24

check out the casa summer breeze hotel(patong) mate, its meant to be very nice and its girl friendly and they have internet, do a google on it

hope this helps

alan

nelsonone · #16 25-11-2005, 09:36

Hi Dave64...........with 35 days I would spend a few days in BKK...........then take a cab down to Pattaya for another few days (if you like gogo bars/nightlife that is)...........then a plane to Koh Samui for a slice of the quieter life........(read the recent reports from Talbotman under BMs on tour for a taste of this) .......and then have at least 3 weeks in Patong Beach Phuket...........

This will give you a good look around the highlights......and some redlights as well...........I do also agree with the boys above..........Phuket is the best place allround for a holiday