Phuket Thailand - Songkran in Patong during the day and FMP later that night?

luckyphil69 · #1 25-03-2006, 23:37

Hi, firstly want to say that this forum is fantastic. I have been reading posts on here for almost a year and have found most of them to be of great value , especially for somebody like myself who has never been to Thailand. The good news is i am going with a friend from work for a week (Apr 11-18). One night in Bangkok and the other six nights in Phuket . We also want to go to the FMP on the 13th. I would really like to spend that day (13th) in Patong as i have read so often that Songkran is something out of this world.I want to book the afternoon flight to Samui from Phuket, i have done a search on the forum on speed boats to Koh Phangan from Samui but havent found what i wanted to know. Are there speed boats operating well after all the ferries have finished their runs and does one need to pre-book ? Dont want to be stuck in Samui that night. Should i go ahead and book that flight before its too late ?

Crustasian · #2 26-03-2006, 00:22

Hey, guy,

Wake up.

You can only do so many activities within a short peroid of time.

Just be happy with one area for a few weeks and be happy.

Allybabba22 · #3 26-03-2006, 02:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyphil69

Hi, firstly want to say that this forum is fantastic. I have been reading posts on here for almost a year and have found most of them to be of great value , especially for somebody like myself who has never been to Thailand. The good news is i am going with a friend from work for a week (Apr 11-18). One night in Bangkok and the other six nights in Phuket . We also want to go to the FMP on the 13th. I would really like to spend that day (13th) in Patong as i have read so often that Songkran is something out of this world.I want to book the afternoon flight to Samui from Phuket, i have done a search on the forum on speed boats to Koh Phangan from Samui but havent found what i wanted to know. Are there speed boats operating well after all the ferries have finished their runs and does one need to pre-book ? Dont want to be stuck in Samui that night. Should i go ahead and book that flight before its too late ?

A lot of traveling for such a short number of days, Not my ideal holiday....

But its up to you what you want to do and its certainly doable, So what I suggest would be... Spend the night in Bkk, Fly down to Phuket on the 12th and go straight out and party Songkran away through the day and well into the night...

Then on the 13th fly to Samui, Although you wont fit much partying into your day in Patong during the 13th, As you will need to leave Patong at least 2hrs 20mins before your flight to Samui... Anyway once you get to Samui, You will have no problem booking a speedboat to Koh Phangan, Just walk into any travel agents... Then just party the night away at the FMP, And then get the speedboat back to Samui the next morning and go straight to the airport and back to Patong....

You should book all your flight tickets in advance though while you can, Because there will not be much availibility during Songkran, Best of luck, Hope you enjoy your trip

PS: I also suggest you book your hotel in Patong in advance, I would also book it from the 12th right up until your departure, Including the night you will be in Samui, As it will be much easier to do all this traveling with a light load, You could just bring what you need with you to the FMP (Which wont be much) and leave the rest in Patong, It will save you an awful lot of hassle, Thats what I would do anyway....

luckyphil69 · #4 26-03-2006, 03:02

Thanks Ally , greatly appreciated. Accomodation is all booked, definitely want to leave everything in Patong and just have what i'm wearing to FMP. Could only get a week off in April , will be going hard the first 3 nights, the 11th in Bangkok, 12th in Patong and 13th at FMP. Will try to recover the remaining 4 nights. Only need to book Bangkok-Phuket return and Phuket-Samui return. So basically once in Samui speed boat no problem , thanks again , going to book right now.

Allybabba22 · #5 26-03-2006, 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyphil69

Thanks Ally , greatly appreciated. Accomodation is all booked, definitely want to leave everything in Patong and just have what i'm wearing to FMP. Could only get a week off in April , will be going hard the first 3 nights, the 11th in Bangkok, 12th in Patong and 13th at FMP. Will try to recover the remaining 4 nights. Only need to book Bangkok-Phuket return and Phuket-Samui return. So basically once in Samui speed boat no problem , thanks again , going to book right now.

Yeah looks like you have it all worked out, And you will have no problem booking a speedboat...

So have a great trip let us know how you got on when you get back

LivinLOS · #6 26-03-2006, 14:18

The FMP is worth more time than your giving it.. Last time I went we only left the party (the after party in backyard admitedly) at about 5pm.. at that stage it was crash time not start a journey.

Your attempt at leaving the party.. catching a speedboat.. Getting back to Samui.. Getting a taxi... Checking in at airport.. Having a flight.. Getting another taxi.. To arrive in Patong.. Makes me tired just typing it !!! Esecially after a night of excess on KPG..

I would say pick either Patong for the water works or KPG for the party and enjoy one properly rather than both stressfully..

Allybabba22 · #7 26-03-2006, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

The FMP is worth more time than your giving it.. Last time I went we only left the party (the after party in backyard admitedly) at about 5pm.. at that stage it was crash time not start a journey.

Your attempt at leaving the party.. catching a speedboat.. Getting back to Samui.. Getting a taxi... Checking in at airport.. Having a flight.. Getting another taxi.. To arrive in Patong.. Makes me tired just typing it !!! Esecially after a night of excess on KPG..

I would say pick either Patong for the water works or KPG for the party and enjoy one properly rather than both stressfully..

As I already said, Not my ideal holiday but have to say, When I was at the FMP, I arrived at around 8pm and had a brillaint time there, But had enough after a while and left around 5am, So it all depends on what your getting up to over there, In other words while I was just drinking alcohol the majority of the rest of the people there were doing a lot heavier shit than that... All depends what your into...

LivinLOS · #8 26-03-2006, 21:21

For me my fave bit of the FMP (and my fave bit of outdoor house parties) is always the dawn until into the morning next day.. Whoever it was that said the freaks come out at night clearly didnt hang around the next day sessions at those places !!! I loved the scene when the sun came up over the beach, the choons are still cranking out and pumping, the crowd thins of the more drunk group and the more serious nutters are all grinning as a new day gets going..

I guess if you wanted to head out while still in the dark / night stage of the bash then its possible but even then I still think your asking for a headache doing all that travelling the day after a FMP.. So much so I would not personally enjoy it.. But hey each to thier own.

shark1963 · #9 27-03-2006, 01:36

Welcome on board mate and wish you a nice trip and time

luckyphil69 · #10 27-03-2006, 01:51

You make a good point LivinLos , i now have another variable to put into the equation and that is my work mate doesnt want to go to FMP. I'm not into the scene as such so leaving when the sun rises next morning would probably do me . Would only want to drink beer and slowly as well but depending on my mood maybe try a shroom. I'm interested in going purely for the spectacle, i love people and being somewhere where there are so many different people from all over the world really appeals to me. Pity my mate doesnt feel the same . What are your thoughts of going there alone vs maybe going with a BG who could look after me if i have a shroom. Nice pics Ally.

LivinLOS · #11 27-03-2006, 09:00

I think with the kind of intense no sleep schedule you are thinking off you would probably have a pretty grumpy and tired thai girl with you.. Also personally I dont think I would be as happy to be feeling too crazy with a person I had only just met and might have a slightly hard time communicating with easily at the best of times.. Another factor is a TG will probably be looking at spending song gran with her mates having a laugh water fights and unless she has been to FMP's and enjoyed it in the past may be reluctant to go or even worse resent missing time with her mates if she did go..

I would say if you are going to try the schedule your thinking of you should probably try it solo.. But I still think that your probably trying to do too much in the time given..

Allybabba22 · #12 27-03-2006, 16:57

I agree with LIL about the bringing the BG, Maybe not such a good idea with your tight schedule....

And for me personally, I would not go to the FMP solo, And if you cant get your buddy to change his mind, Then I suggest you knock it on the head until next time you come back, I would anyway...

And believe me you will have a brilliant time in Patong during Songkran as its so much fun and you will soon forget about the FMP, I had a blast there last April, Best experience ever, It was just unbelievable, And if I had to choose between a solo to the FMP or partying with my mate for Songkran in Patong, Then the choice would be simple... But its up to you...

luckyphil69 · #13 28-03-2006, 06:40

Thanks LiL and Ally for your well appreciated opinions. Luckily i hadnt booked the flight out to Samui when i said i would. I am going to let fate decide by not booking the flight unless my mate changes his mind as i'm sure i would have a better time with him. If its all booked out or he doesnt come around then so be it, good reason to come back another time and have KPG as the main stay for a week or two. You are right LiL , to appreciate this island one should spend more time relaxing and experiencing its remote areas as well. Could be be good for self-discovery. Anyway 2 weeks to go and looking forward to my first trip to Thailand. Will be sure to report back on my adventure with some pics.

Hansel · #14 28-03-2006, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyphil69

Would only want to drink beer and slowly as well but depending on my mood maybe try a shroom.

Maybe another important variable: no shrooms or magic shakes on Phuket.

LivinLOS · #15 28-03-2006, 21:10

I think you have probably made the right choice.. Sounded like more of a hassle than a vacation..

fazlitaufek · #16 30-03-2006, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allybabba22

As I already said, Not my ideal holiday but have to say, When I was at the FMP, I arrived at around 8pm and had a brillaint time there, But had enough after a while and left around 5am, So it all depends on what your getting up to over there, In other words while I was just drinking alcohol the majority of the rest of the people there were doing a lot heavier shit than that... All depends what your into...

yeah...koh pha ngan is a great place to go for parties and a a lot of alcohol. but i think phuket and samui is more the tourist type. phanagn is the backpackers type.