newbie - travelling in a group of around 10

[helmszee]

hey guys, my names michael i'm 19 and will be travelling to phuket in feb of next year with about 10 mates all of the same age. Was in phuket for 10 days in july of last year and have been wanting to go back ever since.

have been reading different threads all day and it feels like i'm already over there totally cant wait.

just a couple of questions some of which i'm sure are answerd in other threads but i havent come across them as yet.

Firstly from what i've read getting from the airport to our hotel (atm we plan to stay at patong merlin, even though its quite pricey its where i stayed last time and loved it) by a metered taxi (located to the right on the other side of the car park when u walk out of the airport???) should cost about 4-5000baht. and is worth taking if u dont wanna spend hours in a minivan, however with 10people we would practically fill a minivan so maybe its worth taking that instead?

Secondly, any suggestions where a group of teens who enjoy a very large number of drinks would most like to go/avoid.. is it worth doing the day trips advertised along beach road like the white water rafting or is there some where cheaper to sign up for those?

Thirdly, its only been a year and a hafl since i was there last however due to i can't remember for the life of me what things cost in the markets can some one give me a bit of an idea the price that we can bargain to get things like tshirts, boardies, etc. I'm sure the girlfriend who isn't able to come would love some jewlery any suggestions where to get some good quality reasonably cheap necklace/bracelet type items?

i think thats all.. at least for now. I remember saying when i got back from my trip last year that if i ever did it again i would only bring a carry on bag on the plane and buy everything over there how ever we're also going to KL and langkawi so i think i'll have to bring some luggage with me.

Cheers guys

PS thought of something else, scooters... peoples thoughts on these i've read quite a bit on here about fines etc for not having the right permits or licences, none of us have our full car licences, let alone motor bikes we're all still on our probationary licences, is this just asking for trouble hiring a scooter?

[Dodger]

Taxi from airport 4 to 500baht not 5000!! booking a minibus would be cheaper than 3 taxis, ask the merlin to do it for you.

Trips you select what you like doing as a group or whatever, then buy from the tour operator stands either in Beach or Ratuthid road, their is also a travel agent top of bangla, opposite beach road end, turn left, they will offer good trips fair priced.

Teeshirts, range from 100bht to 1500bht, depends on quality required and place bought. Hard to give you a definate price, football replica shirts 500 to 700 bht, they will start at 2,000, need to haggle a touch.

Legally you should have a full bike or car licence with bike extension, plus an international drivers licence. So if advising I would have to recommend you do not drive here without one.

However they usually, note usually, check just to see if you are wearing your helmet and that you have a plastic photograph licence, my son has lived here 2 years and been stopped countless times, he only has a provisional uk licence but maybe he's been lucky, your gamble.

Be aware, from your previous experience a group of 10 is very large to go out at night, most bars are very small and 10 of you will fill it, guarantee there will not be 10 girls that you all individually like. Anticipate going out in smaller groups of 2 or 3 and arrange to meet later at one of the night clubs maybe.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by helmszee

hey guys, my names michael i'm 19 and will be travelling to phuket in feb of next year with about 10 mates all of the same age. Was in phuket for 10 days in july of last year and have been wanting to go back ever since.

have been reading different threads all day and it feels like i'm already over there totally cant wait.

just a couple of questions some of which i'm sure are answerd in other threads but i havent come across them as yet.

Firstly from what i've read getting from the airport to our hotel (atm we plan to stay at patong merlin, even though its quite pricey its where i stayed last time and loved it) by a metered taxi (located to the right on the other side of the car park when u walk out of the airport???) should cost about 4-5000baht. and is worth taking if u dont wanna spend hours in a minivan, however with 10people we would practically fill a minivan so maybe its worth taking that instead?

Secondly, any suggestions where a group of teens who enjoy a very large number of drinks would most like to go/avoid.. is it worth doing the day trips advertised along beach road like the white water rafting or is there some where cheaper to sign up for those?

Thirdly, its only been a year and a hafl since i was there last however due to i can't remember for the life of me what things cost in the markets can some one give me a bit of an idea the price that we can bargain to get things like tshirts, boardies, etc. I'm sure the girlfriend who isn't able to come would love some jewlery any suggestions where to get some good quality reasonably cheap necklace/bracelet type items?

i think thats all.. at least for now. I remember saying when i got back from my trip last year that if i ever did it again i would only bring a carry on bag on the plane and buy everything over there how ever we're also going to KL and langkawi so i think i'll have to bring some luggage with me.

Cheers guys

PS thought of something else, scooters... peoples thoughts on these i've read quite a bit on here about fines etc for not having the right permits or licences, none of us have our full car licences, let alone motor bikes we're all still on our probationary licences, is this just asking for trouble hiring a scooter?

Hi helmszee,

Welcome to the forum.

In answer to a couple of your questions, the taxi one first.

If you want to travel together back to Patong, I'd take the airport minivan on this occasion.With the number of you guys travelling together, there won't be room for anyone else anyway. Tell the driver, no stops for travel agents on the way, you already have your hotel arranged. Book it from inside the airport, on the right just as you exit arrivals. IIRC it should be between 700 and 1100 baht. Certainly nowhere near the 4 -5k you quote above.

The bars inside Tiger complex should be good for a big group, but to be honest, you will be welcome at any bar anyway. Try to get down to Soi Eric and the Mai Thai bar too. Plenty of other forum members should be in town meeting up there.

The day trips are a great way of seeing the place away from Patong.
Phi Phi Island day trip is a must, and the elephant trekking is good fun. If you enjoy snorkelling, a half day trip to Coral Island is brilliant for it. A meal and transport to the boat pier is thrown in for around 800baht.

T -Shirts. Should be able to get them from 150-300 baht depending on brand names you want. eg Billabong design for around 250baht. Reckon on paying just over half their asking price if bargaining although some good fixed price stuff available from Jungceylon and Ocean on Bangla Rd.

Scooters? I wouldn't if I were you. Thais seem to have a death wish when driving, and any damage to your bike will be paid by you irrespective of whose fault. Insurance is a joke........there isn't any despite what the vendor may tell you.
If you decide to rent, wear the helmet, and dont DD. You could pay dearly.

Enjoy your trip

[helmszee]

thanks for the advice, very helpful, hadnt thought much of DD considering we'll be hitting the booze every chance we get probs a much better idea to give the tuk tuks or the feet a good work out.

should have realised about the taxi price that i'd typed it wrong that would be over 150AUD lol.

once again thanks for the advice, i'll be in touch wen i think of some more questions

[Crustasian]

A group of ten young guys on the booze can be a bit intimidating to some people.Best to split down into smaller groups when moving about.It also gives you a lower profile.

Dave from Paddle Asia could handle your group as a special trip and take you all canoeing in the National Park for a day or two.

[MassMoose]

Welcome!
Might be good advice to not break down to smaller groups on occasion as noted.
Other than that just go to Bangla and drink your face off.

[Raval]

Originally Posted by helmszee

Firstly from what i've read getting from the airport to our hotel (atm we plan to stay at patong merlin, even though its quite pricey its where i stayed last time and loved it) by a metered taxi (located to the right on the other side of the car park when u walk out of the airport???) should cost about 4-5000baht. and is worth taking if u dont wanna spend hours in a minivan, however with 10people we would practically fill a minivan so maybe its worth taking that instead?

I don't know if some of you(or all) want to bring a girl to the hotel at night.... but be prepared to pay a joiner fee.... about 800 THB per night. For guestfriendly hotel see: http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ac...esthouses.html

10 19yo guys ...555555..... BG's will get crazy and try to make you crazy.

Have a very good trip.

Cheers,

Raval

[helmszee]

half of our group has gfs who arnt coming so that should make it easy enough to split into groups, those who are drinking to get pissed, and those who are drinking and looking for ST i'm saying right here and now i'm not sharing a room with any one who wants to have a guest.

is there any where that has a pool table other than the hotel?

[Dupree00]

Originally Posted by helmszee

i'm saying right here and now i'm not sharing a room with any one who wants to have a guest.

WORD UP!!!!!!

[K2]

Originally Posted by helmszee

..is there any where that has a pool table other than the hotel?

Welcome to the board ...

BM owned bar Hells Bells has a pool table ... Geir and the girls will keep you entertained!

[Simbo]

Crusty has a great sports bar/restaurant- he can't get enough of it lolol. Football cricket rugby beach volleyball- he loves it all. He still waiting for the plasma screen he was promised though! As for pool tables there's one or 2 about.

[keith67]

Hi and Welcome to the board......Have a great time and Hells Bells is a great bar to visit......don't tell Geir i said that though.......5555

[MassMoose]

Originally Posted by helmszee

half of our group has gfs who arnt coming so that should make it easy enough to split into groups, those who are drinking to get pissed, and those who are drinking and looking for ST i'm saying right here and now i'm not sharing a room with any one who wants to have a guest.

is there any where that has a pool table other than the hotel?

Good luck to that half of the group. They will need it the most. 55555