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Related
article:
• Driving
and renting a vehicle in Thailand
 The
main roads on Phuket are generally in good condition with road signs
in both Thai and English. If you drive in south Thailand outside
Phuket, you'll notice most signs are in Thai only.
The main road between north (airport) and Phuket Town have been
improved during the last 1-2 years and is now finished.
In case you don't know; in Thailand you DRIVE ON THE LEFT SIDE!
If you plan to rent a motorbike or car, don't forget to acquire
an international driver's license in your country before you arrive
to Thailand.
The police in Patong only enforce the helmet law and have checkpoint
at the corner Bangla road and Rat-u-thit road almost daily between
17:00 and 20:00, but the last few months they have often been at
the beach road and Sawatdirak road during daytime which makes it
hard to know when they will show up. Due to this, many people and
taxi drivers begun to wear helmet all the time.
Outside Patong; Kathu and Phuket Town police also enforce the driver's
license law and only a thai- or international driver's license is
valid in Thailand.
The fine is 200-600 baht depending on police district and what rules
you are breaking. (In Patong, they mostly charge you 300 baht for
not wearing a helmet.)
 Motorbikes
are the most common transportation on the island and the easiest
and cheapest way to get around. Swedish travel agencies recommend
tourists NOT TO RENT A VEHICLE due to the many accidents on Phuket
every year and also, there is no insurance available for any rental
motorbike.
My recommendation is TO RENT if you feel safe and comfortable with
a motorbike and the traffic in Thailand. I think this is the best
way to get around and explore Phuket by yourself without spending
too much money. Phuket is ideal for cruising with a motorbike, but
drive SAFE and be aware of that vehicles may turn left or right
without using the blinkers and don't trust the traffic lights, look
carefully yourself.
The rental fee is normally 120-150 baht/day in low season and 150-250
baht in high season for a standard motorbike. For a big bike, the
rental fee may be 400-800 baht/day.
 The
rental fee is normally 900 baht/day for a small Suzuki jeep, if
you rent weekly you can get lower price. I think rent a car would
be a good option for small groups or if you plan to drive long distances.
There are insurances available but make sure you read the fine prints.
Motorcycle drivers
are usually dressed in a green or orange vest and are available
for a short trip taxi service. Simply wave one to a stop and ask
for the fare to your destination. The price is normally 20 baht.
 They
have become expensive
the last few years and they over charge you most of the time. Not
that long time ago you could pay 10 or 15 baht for a short trip
inside Patong, nowadays they may want to charge 40-50 baht for each
person. I don't know exactly what the standard rate between Patong
and Phuket Town would be, but we paid 300 baht last time (March
2000). The standard rate between Karon beach and Patong should be
200/250 baht.
If you want to look around on the island you may hire a driver for
half or full day and negotiate a good price, generally around 400-800
baht. But be aware of that he may take you to
places that will pay him commissions when he talk about to show
you around. You better use other resources and tell him exactly
where you want to go and what you want to see.
 These
buses run daytime (7:00 - 17:00) between the beaches and Phuket
Town and cost 10-30 baht. However, these buses do not travel from
beach to beach, instead, you must first go to Phuket Town and then
change to a bus with your final destination. To
stop a songthaew on the street you should wave with your hand or
wait for the bus at one of the stops (huts) along the road.
There is a minibus (taxi) and airport limousine
service at airport and most hotels also have a minibus for this
service. The standard rate for airport limousine from airport to
Phuket Town is 360 baht, Patong beach 480 baht (540 baht if your
destination is along Nanai road) and Karon beach 540 baht. If you
chose minibus the standard rate would be 150 to 200 baht.
If you buy tickets in advance
for some events/tours (Fantasea, Simon Cabaret, Diving daytrips)
the transport service to/from your hotel is included free of charge.
Longtails are available
on most beaches and are used to provide a number of marine services.
While not fast as a modern speedboat, a voyage in a longtail boat
is an interesting experience and a great way to take short sightseeing
trips. Rental prices average 400 baht per hour for a short trips
and up to 1200 baht for a roundtrip to a neighbour beach.
Some beaches also offer speedboat taxi, I don't know their rates,
thought.
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