Phuket Thailand - Hello

curly · #1 21-02-2007, 21:26

Hello and thank you for letting me on the board.

Short introduction: I am a 45 year old guy from Denmark who has been comming to Thailand for once or twice a year for the last 12 years. But I have never been to Phuket. In the beginng I went to Samui - then decided Pattaya was the better choice for me.

I will be back for the last two weeks in April, and this time I want to spend a week in Phuket. You see, Pattaya is great for many reasons but this time around I would like to see a really nice beach.

I plan to stay in Patong (Summer Breeze or Salathai Resort) but I read a thread (Whats up with Phuket) where the cleaness of the ocean was a topic. There was talk of unclear water and sewage being led into the ocean. Is that situation better/worse/the same. Should I find another place to stay?

I have been thinking of going to Phi Phi (Banyan Villa), but I dont know if the beaches there are a whole lot better or maybe there is nothing to do after sunset. Can anybody give some advice?

Finally I dont want to book any hotels in advance because I dont know if I will start the vacation in Pattaya for three, four og five days before heading south. Could this be a problem?

Thank you for you patience

Curly

MrDK · #2 21-02-2007, 23:34

curly,
Welcome to the board (it's about time).
Personally I always prefer advanced bookings, however, it is my understanding that in low season it should not be too much of a problem.

jesper_dk · #3 22-02-2007, 00:03

Welcome to the board Curly it´s good to see one more Dane in here....You will arrive in Phuket at Songkran and that could be difficult to find a hotel at that time because is very busy...About the clearness of the sea i don´t know so much since it´s 10 months since my last stay there...But all around Phuket you will find very beautiful and clean beaches and clear water so thats not a problem..If you are looking for some adult action then you have to stay in Patong IMO, because you have been used to the nightlife in Pattaya...Have a nice trip
jesper_dk
P.s i will be of to Phuket tomorrow

S1MON · #4 22-02-2007, 00:26

Welcome aboard curly

Hotels will be very full around that time, although i turned up last songkran and got a room in PV easily, so tried it again just after xmas this year, had to phone a load of places, then walk around another lot before finding a cupboard with a bed in it for 1600 baht.

i would suggest Last minute Hotel Bookings in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore & Bali a couple of days before you get there, i will most definatly be using it from now on, last time was not a good experience.
sadly i will be missing songkran this year but will be there before it, maybe see you sometime/somewhere

Simon

seafox · #5 22-02-2007, 00:26

Hi Curly,

Songkran is April 13th so if you arrive for the last 2 weeks of April and go to Pattaya first then you will arrive when things are slowing down in Phuket. But Salathai and Summer Breeze can be busy even during low season so you might want to book ahead.

Patong Beach is probably as nice Jomtien Beach but if it has rained you might want to go to Laem Sing or Surin Beach, north of Patong. Both have restaurants but neither have any beer bars nearby.

Phi Phi might be a little too quiet but Koh Samui might be good for you.

LOSdelights · #6 22-02-2007, 00:56

I can only think of 1 reason why anybody would choose Pattaya over Samui- Girls. Therefore, I definitely wouldn't go to Phiphi if I were you.

I would say Phuket you would certainly enjoy- it is busier in terms of girls than Samui, but has plenty of great beaches to go to also

poskat · #7 22-02-2007, 01:20

Phuket is superior to Samui in every catagory from beaches to girls to places to eat and things to do during the day.

I agree that latestays.com is an excellent site for getting discount rates. I used thatsite to get rates 25% below the rate the hotel was offering(Kata Palm).

RobRoy · #8 22-02-2007, 02:23

Some nice beaches in the south, Hatyai has a little action at night.

Dupree00 · #9 22-02-2007, 06:48

If you go to Phi Phi you might want to bring a girl. I just got back. There are farang girls there but the ages looked to be in the 20's. I took a girl and had a great time. We went on a 7 hr snorkeling ride in a longtail boat that ended at sunset. She was very excited and happy to be so far away from the bar life. Good luck.

palaceboy · #10 22-02-2007, 16:00

Hi Curly, welcome to the board, now we have to hope they will clear all the snow so you can get to the airport.
If you make it I know for sure you will have a great time in Patong, and if you have any problems finding a hotel, you should try the Phuket Palace Resort, friendly staff, great pool, very big nice rooms, and no charge if you bring a "guest" home. Phuket hotels, Thailand - Phuket Palace Resort, Patong Beach

aussie45 · #11 22-02-2007, 17:34

I've used asiarooms.com for some recent bookings in Vietnam, Bangkok, Singapore and Phuket and they came up with the best rates of all the sites.

curly · #12 22-02-2007, 19:33

Thanks everybody for posting. You have given me a lot of very usefull info.

I would still like to hear a bit more about Phi Phi. I understand the need to bring female companionship, but are the beaches in Phi Phi far superior to Phuket and worth the trip?

I will most likely arrive in Phuket April. 19. or 20. hoping that Songkran will be over be then. In Pattaya the celebration and water throwing has a tendency to drag on.

Again thank you gentlemen

Curly

RobRoy · #13 22-02-2007, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by curly

Thanks everybody for posting. You have given me a lot of very usefull info.

I would still like to hear a bit more about Phi Phi. I understand the need to bring female companionship, but are the beaches in Phi Phi far superior to Phuket and worth the trip?

I will most likely arrive in Phuket April. 19. or 20. hoping that Songkran will be over be then. In Pattaya the celebration and water throwing has a tendency to drag on.

Again thank you gentlemen

Curly

Pi Pi is beautiful, don't miss it!

DocDuke · #14 22-02-2007, 21:46

Curley,

Forget about reports of bad beaches in Phuket. I just returned from there yesterday. Water is great and I was at several beaches. I was concerned by reports too and found nothing but great water. I will be back in March and April. Enjoy Phuket by all means!

Doc

Dupree00 · #15 23-02-2007, 03:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by curly

Thanks everybody for posting. You have given me a lot of very usefull info.

I would still like to hear a bit more about Phi Phi. I understand the need to bring female companionship, but are the beaches in Phi Phi far superior to Phuket and worth the trip?

When I went went to PHi Phi, I stayed at the Phi Phi Hotel. It's the first one as you leave the ferry. The Beach on the other side is beautiful but the swimming sucks. You have to walk out a long ways to reach any water above your knees. I don't know about the rest of the island. The same with Maya Beach. If you take a snorkeling trip you will see a lot of the islands and be able to swim from the boat.