Phuket Thailand - Under a week to go and in need of some advice.

Aus · #1 06-04-2006, 08:16

6 more nights and my mates and I will be jetting off. Just looking for some extra advice to ensure we make the most of our time.

Nightlife:
While we'll no doubt go around and suss out a variety of the bars, I was hoping you guys could recommend some to start off with, or any that are not to be missed on the trip. The four of us going are 19-21, from Australia, are into house and old/new rock and love to dance around like twits when we're out on the bev. Are there any backpacker/trouristy bars around or in the odd chance, any bars with a younger crowd? Also, what're the Aussie bars like and how do they differ from any other?

From what I've gathered Soi Crocodile seems to be the LB hotspot and seeing as we have no interest in that type of thing, would we be best to just avoid the area or are we missing out on any good bars/entertainment by not going there.

Entertainment:
We've been looking into the main things to do while we're there and basically have come up with the Thai Boxing (where and when would be the best place to view this?), jet-skiing, shooting range, golf and diving (are you allowed to do this without the qualifications?). What other activities would you guys suggest, and what places shouldn't be missed? Also, in your experience, what would be our best bet if we wanted to rent cars/bikes or something so we could travel around the area a bit more. While we all have our license, in most countries you have to be over 25 for them to allow to rent any type of vehicle, does this still apply in Phuket?

Shopping:
This is one area where we're going in completely blind. As far as buying clothing, cds, suits, shoes etc. where is our best bet and what type of prices would we be looking at? We'll be stopping over in Kuala Lumpur for a couple of nights on the way home, should we save the bulk of our shopping for then?

If I come across as being ignorant with anything, it's probably because I am.

Cheers guys.

Oasis · #2 06-04-2006, 09:33

G'day Aus, even though I'm a newby I can offer some advice.

First night out go to Bangla Road, everything will fall into place from there. You must go to Tiger Disco in Bangla this place rocks from about 12 midnight till about 3am

Heaps of things to do and your suggestions look good you may also want think about a day or overnight trip to Phi Phi island, its about 1.5 hour ferry ride and is easily arranged in Patong.

Shooping in Patong is ok if your looking for imatation clothing etc. If you are looking to buy a digital camera or good clothing etc I would buy this in KL

I Hope this helps.....

I will be in Patong from 9th April to 23rd so may see you guys around.

Have fun

Dodger · #3 06-04-2006, 10:25

Hi and welcome Aus, best bet call into Mai Tai Bar 1st night, its located in Soi Eric on the Bangla Road, you will meet loads of BM's and all your questions and more will be aswered over a few beers.

You will easily find the bars and night spots you like by chatting and a little exploration. Everyone always ends up with their own selection of watering holes. Aussie bars only differ by showing more cricket and rugby than perhaps other bars and of course having more australian clientele than most others, but you know what you boys are like, if they sell beer you usually find an aussie in there drinking it!!!

See you in April, my son is over here with me at the moment, he's 19, so best bet ask him, I'm sure a small bribe of a beer or two will give you all the info you need.

Aus · #4 06-04-2006, 10:46

Thanks for the reply guys. Definately stop into Mai Tai for a drink first up.

Oasis, what type of dollar fiigure would we roughly be looking at for a day/overnight trip?

(Edit: Another thing I forgot to ask in my first post is in regards to taking money over. For the Australian's out there, how do you normally handle your money going over there? Where is the best place to go for exchange rates etc.?)

aussie dollar · #5 06-04-2006, 11:10

Take Cash (aussie Dollars)with You Good Rate At Bank Booths All Over Patong,your Atm Card Will Work So Can Also Use That For Withdrawals.
$1 Ausd About 27 Baht (this Has Dropped Use To Be 32-33 Baht Last Nov.)
So 300 Baht Is About $11 Ausd

Afl And Rugby And Rugby League And Cricket Is Shown In Aussie Bars
Myself Cant See The Point In Drinking In Bars With Same Nationality As Me.(except For Sport Watching)would Rather Meet Some People From Different Countries.

Are Some Great Side Trips Always Do Half Day Bus Tour Stops A Few Different Areas,but The Great Thing Is You See Heaps Of Phukets Sites And Sounds In Travelling Place To Place.

Phan Nga Tour Is Good, Exspecially The Afternoon Tour.

And A Trip To Phi Phi Island Is Also Good.

Driving Yourself In My Opion Is Stupid, To Dangerous And Other Means Of Transport Is Fairly Cheap(tuk Tuk,taxi,bus).
Also If You Are In Accident It Will Always Be Your(farangs) Fault.

Mtb You Will Always Be Welcome At
And I Always Start My Tours There,gier Also Has A Bar
And Quite A Few Other Bm's Also
And You Would Be Made Welcome At Any Of Them.

Enjoy Your Stay

Aus · #6 06-04-2006, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

Afl And Rugby And Rugby League And Cricket Is Shown In Aussie Bars
Myself Cant See The Point In Drinking In Bars With Same Nationality As Me.(except For Sport Watching)would Rather Meet Some People From Different Countries.

Yeah, definately agree with that. Just that I can only last so long without a cold VB and some real footy.

Thanks for the reply, anyone else have any suggestions?

Crustasian · #7 06-04-2006, 23:34

Welcome to the board.

Something else you and your mates can try is to come on the Phuket Hash House Harriers run ona Saturday afternoon.Don't worry -it involves beer.

Look under the Idle Chit Chat section of the forum and you can read up about it.We welcome visitors.

banger_chris · #8 07-04-2006, 02:38

Welcome aboard mate!

Best advice is possibly. Dont plan anything. Things will turn their own way. Open your mind and enjoy!

Have a great trip!

Iltis · #9 07-04-2006, 03:33

i agree with banger_chris. i kinda planed everything on my last trip (i got home a week ago) but except from my departure date nothing went as planed and that was great, i had a blast with all the bm's i meet at mtb.
enjoy your vacation!
iltis

Oasis · #10 07-04-2006, 09:06

Aus, check out this link for Phi Phi Island costings and information

http://www.hotelthailand.com/phuket/phutour.html

Cheers Mate!

shark1963 · #11 07-04-2006, 09:06

Welcome on board and enjoy your trip. I am sure after a few days you dont miss watching football

there is much more to see and it also looks like balls (or mellons)

Aus · #12 08-04-2006, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark1963

...there is much more to see and it also looks like balls...

Anyway, thanks for all the replies guys. The Phi Phi island trip sounds excellent. And Crustasian, if there is beer involved, we'll be more then willing to give the hash a go

jimholio · #13 08-04-2006, 12:24

No one mentioned Central Festival for shopping, thats kinda wierd. Anyways, Central Festival is in Phuket town, takes about 20 min to get there or so from Patong. Great mall, brand clothing to very nice prices.

As for Jet-skiing, it's pretty damn expensive if you wanna rent one of the 1200cc's. The other old crap they have aint even worth riding. None the less it will cost you 800-1000Bath for 15 min or so. I rent a jetski 2004 havent done it since, id rather spend my money on something that isnt so damn overpriced.

Jaws · #14 08-04-2006, 12:52

one small point to mention is that if you plan on drinking VB bring a lot of cash as I found it very pricey. Which is fair enough after all it is an Imported beer over there. Already been said but just go to Bangla and the MTB and go with the flo.

fun2have · #15 08-04-2006, 15:59

gooday and welcome
forget the VB go for the local beers you will find 1 you like, and a lot cheaper.
probably like heaps of other guys you will arrive, have plans and when you get home realise i did not do this or that, but i had a great holiday.