Asia Bugle

[aussie dollar]

Prowler from the beach in Phuket
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General

The month of May was slow month here in Patong, but two major sporting events held at the end of the month helped pick things up. The absence of large numbers of tourists does not signify doom and gloom as most Europeans don't take their main holidays until the months of July/August. Hotel prices are down and most places are offering attractive incentives to book with them. Patong at the minute is a buyer’s market and anything is negotiable. Else where on the island prices are even cheaper so if you don't want the hectic night life, you can easily find peace and quiet in Karon and Kata beach areas.

International Rugby Tournament

The Clive Williamson Memorial Trophy Competition was held on the weekend of 28th and 29th at the stadium in Karon Beach. This is the 7th year that this very popular event has taken place. This year brought in more than thirty international teams and their supporters to Phuket. As is tradition, each night the various groups of "rugger buggers" were seen down in the night spots decked out in team fancy dress. I am not sure what the ladies of the night thought of the twenty Elvis lookalikes but at least Soi Bangla was having a fun time with them all. The actual competition went well and the Karon stadium had a full crowd on both days.

Phuket Hash House Harriers

The Phuket Hash House Harriers (a running club with a drinking problem) celebrated reaching their milestone 1000th run on June 4th. They also incorporated the Thailand National Hash for 2005 into a week of running and partying. The 30th May was the start with a mountain bike Hash ride and then there are events for the next seven days. The main nightly events were held in the "Hash Plaza" (the car park) between the Ex Pat Hotel, Faulty Towers and Valhalla. All three establishments laid on food and discounted beers for the week. There were more than 150 international visitors.


Kamala

Kamala is getting more and more popular and has a nightlife of its own. This beach area was hit harder than Patong and recovered more slowly but is now back in business with many bars and restaurants open. This area may be considered a sleepy backwater by Patong standards but that is the way the locals like it. The Kamala Beer Garden is a popular hang out in the evenings for cold beers and a bit of fun. The Hans Christian Andersen restaurant on the Beach Road is serving good Danish specialty meals and cold beers. On the Main Road opposite The Ban Rim Klong the Argentinian Steak House has enough seating to feed a small army and is available for large party groups.

V.I.P. Bar

This bar and pool hall is situated on the corner of Soi San Sabai opposite the top end of Soi Bangla. It is less noisy than its neighbours Baya Beach and Taipan and is a place where you can have a relaxing drink before venturing down Bangla .At the entrance there is a Danish snack bar where I am told you can get the best hot dogs in the area.

Chalong Circle

Only a few years ago the only thing of note at Chalong roundabout was traffic jams as the various dive operators and tour companies tried to deliver and pick up customers from the old rickety pier. That has all changed (although Thais still have difficulty using the roundabout) since the new jetty was opened and a whole community complete with bars and restaurants has gradually evolved. Down on the pier road there are coffee shops and snack bars and the Thai seafood restaurants are still as busy as ever. The Tamarin Bar on the beach does a brisk nightly trade. The approach road from Rawai has a number of good restaurants featuring various European cuisines. Several developments of shop houses stretch along the Kata Road and are slowly being filled by new business ventures. There are even some dimly lit little hootches adorned with fairy lights that could do with a closer inspection.

Maybe next time.


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