Off to Phuket soon, any advice?

[Awdsome]

Hey guys,

As the title suggests I'm off to Phuket soon, doing the usual beach resort and visiting the islands but I was wondering if any of you guys had been and can share your experiences and possibly suggest things to do whilst over there.

Only a short visit, roughly a week.

One question I have is clothing, is it like a Bali type situation where you can take basically a backpack and buy alot of stuff over there? Like what is sizing like, I'm a bigger guy, so will I struggle finding something to fit broad shoulders?

Anything relevant is welcome, cheers

[jaba]

It is a lot like Bali, just a tad more expensive. Can't really comment on sizes as I was only young when I went but I'm fairly sure it's pretty close to here.

[romonski]

watch out for coke and hookers

[Nickevox]

Hit up Kata Beach and also Surin Beach. Roughly 15mins away from Patong.

Also if you get a bike/scooter make sure you wear a helmet - 500 baht fine. It will be cheaper if you hired something instead of a tuktuk, if you do head to Patong Beach, opposite Burger King a dude called Ant has some bikes for ya, tell him Nick sent ya as I just got back a few days ago and hired a Ducati 795 and CBR 600 for 11000 baht (~$415/total for 9 days).

Bangla Road - its a must do every night. We hit up Seduction and Tiger Bar most nights.

[Nickevox]

watch out for coke and hookers

Coke is much better in Phuket than here :P

[huggy_b]

Going there soon myself, will watch this thread with interest.

[f6rspec]

Ping pong show 😱

[HotAe92]

Drink vodka with the hoards of Russians now plaguing the joint.

[MadDocker]

Drink lots, eat good local food and have fun. Also, give a ladyboy a reacharound while banging them. It's like you somehow grew an extra long willy and went all the way through.

[n1ghth4wk]

+1 for Bangla road. Basically the northbridge of Phuket.

[SimonR32]

Depends what you want from the holiday? Partying or having a nice relaxed time or doing activities?

We found that Patong was a bit shit and seedy but went and stayed on Koh Phi Phi for a week and had an awesome time.

Things to do would be learn to dive at Phi Phi (or just go diving if you already have your ticket), go quad biking, gun ranges are fun, there are some decently fast go-karts just out of Patong. James Bond island tours are decent, the actual James Bond island is a let down but the other islands and activities on the way are good fun.

Also go to this place called Magnifique, it's a tailor and they will make you a very nice suit you can keep for years (don't go with the guys who ask you on the street, this place is a little more expensive, I think around $200 last time I went but well worth it)

[stumps.]

GO KARTS!

[waxdass]

Avoid Phuket Fantasy..... it's not where you wanna be.

[Awdsome]

Mainly looking to unwind a little, probably 40% party 60% relaxing

We are doing ye phi phi island tours thing and learning to dive and what not. Gun ranges sound fun.

I'll look to hire something over there like a scooter if that's the cheaper option then.

Will hit up Bangla road and check that out, am looking forward to the food and beaches too.

Still unsure on what to pack though :/ as in shall I buy it over there or pack for the whole week with my own clothes, sizing is what throws me, I remember when I went to Japan they had barely any sizes for a large or bigger, must be that slender Asian frame haha

Just don't want to be in a situation where I pack little only to find I can't get any clothes over there haha

But thanks for the suggestions guys, appreciated, keep em coming ;)

[Joe]

Find some ladyboys. They'll enjoy Phuking your Phi Phi

[killabeez]

Just go to pattaya instead and chill with Tim Sharky

[Jase]

Should be able to find clothes that fit, but if your stopping in Bangkok by anychance hit up MBK and go to town there

Some of the shop keepers are pains in the arse and won't barter down much, but keep at it/go else where. Good quality shirts should be 150-200baht. Lower quality 100. Boardies I cant recall but not much more.

I've done the island tours a couple times where they paddle you trough caves and all that, pretty good imo

I also did rafting and elephant rides once, wasn't crazy rafting but fun. Also the euro girls who wore only White t shirts and undies/g strings made it worth while. Don't buy the photo frames from elephant guys, made of poop and get confiscated at customs. You will also have to declare that you went in fresh water, so they will check for mud etc but no biggy

Try hit up a ping pong show, some are bit dodgy or street guys sell you inflated tickets, or free entry and hell expensive drinks, or exit fees etc. Hit up Google for good ones. Same with clubs, don't buy tickets on the street as entry yo most is free

Simon caboret, while a bit homo, is pretty funny to go to. Got dragged there by my wife n ended up jack g a laugh. Also you see how convincing some of the tranny's are - pretty crazy.
For go carts there are 2 on the way to patong (depending which way you go) one looks hella fancy but I've been told it's shit and you will see it's always empty. Opposite that there is a dodgy looking one which was good fun, carts go pretty well. Not sure if their timer works and their safety gear is a kin to wearing a lift vest and a icecream tub but still good

Been a little while since I was there last, so thing may have changed. Also military Have cleared out a lot of the small bars/shops which weren't realy legal

[stumps.]

If you wear suits for work get some made there. I got some made 3 + years ago still going strong.

Restaurants stink in Thailand, has nothing on Seminyak. Patong itself is much cleaner.

You wont have a problem with clothes. You can get the carny shit from the stalls, or if you want something a bit flasher the Jun Ceylong shopping centre has better stuff and an indoor shooting range.

Don't bother with the Zoo. It is 3000 crocodiles, one tiger and 6 very sad looking elephants. One of the most depressing places i have been over seas.

They have un restricted go karts on the top of the hill, you can smoke the tyres out of the corners...

The ATV / rafting /elephant ride packages are pretty good and can be had for about 40-50USD for the day

You can buy whatever you want from the chemists, just go in the ones on bangla and tell them you are partying, then go back at 5am and say you want to sleep now. They will look after you.

If you are traveling with guys or alone you will get harassed by hookers. If you are with a girl you will not be.

Don't try beat the bar girls in connect four / hammering the nail in the stump. you wont.

[stumps.]

Don't do squats in Rock city with your mate on your shoulders. The bouncer wont come over and tell you to stop they will just king hit you.

BUT if you pay them money they will quit the bar then be your personal bouncer for the night.

.... so I have been told

[S85FI]

Don't bother with the Zoo. It is 3000 crocodiles, one tiger and 6 very sad looking elephants. One of the most depressing places i have been over seas.

You can buy whatever you want from the chemists, just go in the ones on bangla and tell them you are partying, then go back at 5am and say you want to sleep now. They will look after you.

If you are traveling with guys or alone you will get harassed by hookers. If you are with a girl you will not be.

Don't try beat the bar girls in connect four / hammering the nail in the stump. you wont.

Same with the tiger parks. As soon as I saw them laying there with their heads in peoples laps im like wtf? Drugged out so bad. I left the park and donated money to the animal protection programmes.

The chemist. .. wow...

The hookers are fun. Just stir them.

Connect 4. Tell them there is a new game called connect 5. It totally fucks them and you win every time.
The nail game. Place nail so its just in the timber and smash the hammer as hard as you can on the side of the nail. The nail flicks out and never to be seen again. Does their heads in as they can't even find the nail in the log.

Lots of free drinks achieved this way.

[Ben Wha]

Restaurants stink in Thailand, has nothing on Seminyak. Patong itself is much cleaner.

Not true man. Koh Samui has some of the best restaurants in the world.

In saying that. I wouldn't bother with Phuket, go straight to Samui, perfect for relaxing, lack of Russians, and it's a lot cleaner

[stumps.]

Not true man. Koh Samui has some of the best restaurants in the world.

In saying that. I wouldn't bother with Phuket, go straight to Samui, perfect for relaxing, lack of Russians, and it's a lot cleaner

I agree with you, I meant Patong.

[MadDocker]

Bit off topic but, the AirAsia billboard on Albany Hwy always made me chuckle on the way to work. It had a price to Thailand and a phrase something along the lines of "Cheap enough to say Phuket, I'll go."

[Awdsome]

Thanks guys, good info, I'll probably end up packing light then, hopefully clothes there will fit me. Heading over with the gf so hopefully not too much harassment from hookers haha.

I'll have to keep an eye out and stay away from these places that try charge you exit fees and shit, rather not cop a machete to the face

I'm looking forward to the island tours, I think that will be good, plus the place we are staying has like 6 pools, and a decent swim up bar so I probably won't be straying too far from there

Same as Bali water wise? Always drink bottled unopened water etc? And alcohol?

[MadDocker]

Na tap waters good.

Don't touch it. Not as bad as Bali but still rank and will make you crook. Bottled water or strictly beer.

[dattoman]

I went in 2001 and obviously lots has changed I would guess since the place was basically washed away in 04
Can't recommend any places to eat or drink cause I don't know whats re-opened
The hotels were good for happy hours and the Irish pub downstairs in Patong too
7/11 for cheap everything... and as usual don't drink anything but bottled water and piss .
I'm 120kg and no problems buying clothes off the rack and cheap
Lowball hard... they like that shit
Plenty of tailors there too so you can get suits and shirts etc made... thats what I did

Plus everything said above

[Awdsome]

I went in 2001 and obviously lots has changed I would guess since the place was basically washed away in 04
Can't recommend any places to eat or drink cause I don't know whats re-opened
The hotels were good for happy hours and the Irish pub downstairs in Patong too
7/11 for cheap everything... and as usual don't drink anything but bottled water and piss .
I'm 120kg and no problems buying clothes off the rack and cheap
Lowball hard... they like that shit
Plenty of tailors there too so you can get suits and shirts etc made... thats what I did

Plus everything said above

Sweet that's good, I'm roughly the same weight, but about 520-530mm across the shoulders so finding things to fit sucks. Slightly comforting :)

[millzy_88]

I just went recently, would highly recommend the Busakorn Wing of the Holiday Inn if you haven't booked accommodation yet. Thoroughly enjoyed that hotel.

Also if you go on a boat tour of the islands I would definitely suggest speed boat as opposed to the ferry things, see more plus better access. Plus I found the one we booked through our hotel had substantially less people on it than the ones that were packed like sardines that left at the same time as us. Not sure if we just got lucky on the day or the hotels have some kind of agreement there (we did pay more so possibly).

[[Jacek]]

Where are you staying if you dont mind me asking? Sounds like where I'm staying in April (Katathani Beach Resort)

[Awdsome]

Yeah sweet we have the speed boat your booked, hopefully it's not too packed

What's the weather like? More humid I'm assuming?

[millzy_88]

Pretty much 30-35 degrees with 70-90% humidity. Seasons just dictate how much rain you get with that lol.

[Wrexter]

Went in 2012 and stayed at the Twin Palms at Surin Beach, definately hit up the Bar on the beach in front of Twin Palms.

http://asiapacificislandescapes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Twin-Palms-bar.jpg

Also, do the Canoe trip (Hongs by Starlight) which takes you into the water caves, worthwhile just for the illuminating planktons!

http://www.johngray-seacanoe.com/trips/thailand/day-trips/hong-by-starlight.html

[yohoes]

If youre in Phuket get a tuktuk driver to take you to the Gokarts.. however tell them you wanna go on the fast ones (theres a track visible from the "main" road next to Tiger Kingdom which is NOT the one), you see that one and turn off down a side street and its there..

Then hire the 125cc watercooled 2 stroke for 2000B (80ish bucks).. theyre fucking hilarous, you can literally powerslide every corner and on the back end of the track you can link the last 4 corners

Because the 125s are labelled "expert only fast+++++" not many people get them, and its double the cost of the next step down.. which is even better cos you treat everyone else as a moving obstacle and just slide around them while flipping them off

[ryanr32]

Doesn't matter what you do never leave your passport with anyone. It seems like common sense but the amount of stupid aussie tourists that do it is astounding. The jet ski's are shit and normally run by shady characters that will try extort money from you, the lady boys will try pick pocket you aswell. Appart from this the place is epic amounts of fun. What everyone has said about the go karts is true go to the dodgy looking one it's much faster, the zoo is a run down piece of shit with drugged out animals. Bangla Rd is awesome but doesn't really kick off till later at night we normally drink at the round bars (otop markets near the hard rock) until about 12 then kick on at bangla. The Muay thai fights are good to go see some nights are better than others. Russians are fuck heads and think they own the place. Never stop to shake a suit guys hand or even talk to him he will annoy the shit out of you. Kata beach is good if you go to the surf shack at the end there is one of those simulation surf pool things which is good fun. If you aren't confident on a bike or in hectic traffic stay off the road you can get a tuk tuk anywhere around patong for 200th/b. Just have fun if you aren't sure of anything speak to one of the locals they can normally point you in the right direction of one of there friends that can help you out

[millzy_88]

On the never talk to a suit guy topic, be aware they know you are Aussie from looking at you and will put on an Aussie accent to try and trick you into talking to them.

[adrenalin]

Been about 4 times.

I love it. If she looks Thai i wouldn't risk it. Chances of it being a dude is high.


Massages are cheap
If you can try line it up with a full moon party out of Koh Samui.
Banana disco \ Tiger bar ( i think this burnt down ) etc were all fun with a group of mates.
There is also a street full of small little bars owned by people from various regions which was quite awesome.
Hire scooters
Shoot guns at gun range. ( i shot a pump action shotty , .45 calibre desert eagle pistol thing and some rifle )
Go Karts
ATV tour ( Ask if you can go in your own group and you rather have fun then sight see ). I spent a few hours trying to go flat out chasing another bloke and it was just epic fun ( it was about 50 minutes from Patong )
Pearl factory ( i think that is what it is called ) is a giant jewellery shop. AVOID IT like the plague if you have a mrs as good luck getting out of it without buying something.
Try and not punch indians in the face as they have moved into a lot of shops and are rude and annoying.

Finally try and cram as many people into a tuk tuk as you can. ( We got 10 in one for Aus day )

[Awdsome]

Thanks for the advice guys! Will have to check out the go karts

One more important thing I forgot to ask was about immunisations but I looked it up and I supposed it's just really Hep shots, you can take pills for the mozzies

[yohoes]

Lol "ladyboys try to pickpocket you".. why are you letting them close enought to put their hands in your pockets? All of the advice is pretty obvious if youve got half a brain..

If youve never been to a city/country where people harass you to buy shit, remember dont feel bad completely not acknowledging them or making eye contact

When you get to the gokarts dont cheap out, commit the extra cash to the 125cc ones, youll honestly be giggling

100% go "Zorbing" / rollerballing - basically you go into a massive inflatable ball (you can go 2 people in).. which is inside another ball.. plus like 15inch of water in the inside ball.. then they roll you down a choice of 2 different hills.. genuinely fucking fun.. its just out of patong (by about 2 minutes by tuktuk)
http://rollerball.co


Muay thai fights are pretty rad..

If you goto the Otop market bars, goto "Best Friends Bar".. the staff are good quality.. they are usually pretty rowdy and drunk as shit and start ringing the 'everyone gets a drink' bell multiple times a night..

Hooters is across the road from Otop if youre keen on that (pretty meh imo)

Hard rock is the same as everywhere

Bangla rd is pretty hektic if youve never seen it before.. roll up after a few drinks at night and do a bit of a walk down and just sus it haha.. a good vantage point is Aussie bar half way down, go upstairs and just look at the general circus that is unfolding

Juncyleon (fuck knows how to spell that) shopping centre just near Bangla rd if you wanna buy legit stuff.. also theres a factory outlet place youll need a taxi to goto (400baht for the taxi/tuktuk and theyll wait for a few hours while you shop and take you home).. factory outlet just has like nike, nautica, lacoste, etc - fair bit shitter than it was a couple years ago

Stay in Patong beach.. phuket town is deserted and theres fuckall for tourists.. karon beach is somehow 30% more expensive than patong beach and is full of russians and other euro trash idiots

Valium, xanax and sudophed is available in all friendly pharmacies over the counter

Goto a 7/11 or Family mart and start drinking syrup Redbull (small can, 10baht) or M150s (orangey glass bottle also 10-15baht)

Dont worry about vaccinations unless youre going to Africa