Phuket, Thailand
This is my 3rd or 4th time to Phuket but each trip brings along different memories and experiences! I stayed at Karon Beach the 1st time but found it slightly too quiet at night. My subsequent stays were at the notorious Patong Beach. However, there are few nice hotels along Patong Beach and away from the noisy scenes at Patong too.
One recommendation is Thara Patong Beach Resort (4-stars) and conveniently situated at the heart of Patong. There are many shops and cafes just outside the hotel but you have to walk slightly further down for about 5 minutes to get to the beach. There is no way that Patong beach could be compared to other beaches such as Kata; Kamala or Bang Tao beach which is known to be cleaner and less crowded. However, the bustling Patong does offer a pleasant kind of “Sunny; bright and happy” experience. Shopping is no doubt most convenience at Patong. You can find hundred of shops selling tee-shirts; shorts; bermudas; swimwear; sunglasses; hats or bags. Most shops sell similar items so it is best to compare the prices before you commit. The worse feeling is to purchase something to 200baht and later realize that you can get it at only 100 baht at the shop down the street!
The markets are open from morning till late nite about 12am. Go for the sun & the water in the morning. The weather is fumingly hot for shopping the in the day. If you need air-conditioning, Phuket also offers Jungceylon Mall along Rat-U-Thit Road. Robinsons and Carrefour can be found in the mall. For your information, toiletries are much cheaper in Thailand so you can afford to squeeze them into your luggage, do get some at Carrefour. If you noticed, most of the toiletries especially shampoo; shower foam or lotions selling in Singapore are in fact imported from Thailand. There is also Ocean Plaza just opposite the beach but there is nothing much in there.
Patongis famous for its nightlife programs from pubs; go-go bars to Simon Cabaret shows especially at Soi Bangla street. The street gets crowded after 10pm and starts to grow after the shops at the night market closes. There are few bars with open concept and you can watch the ladies or “ladies” (I presume you know my meaning, this is THAILAND) from outside. I noticed an interesting game in many of the pubs since my last visits – I called it the “nail the coffin” game. I was rather surprised that the game is still in fashion after few years. Basically there are nails on this 1metre high wooden log and patrons have to hit the nails down with a hammer. Sounds like an easy game but most missed it. The scene was almost hilarious. Most of the patrons playing were Caucasians and seemed like only the ladies working in these bars could aim accurately. I have never tried it though but they looked like they were having a great time (either with the nails or with the ladies, I am not sure). Try it if you have the chance and let me know if you get it (The NAILS of course)!=P
Beside the interesting ladies and “ladies” along the street, there are street vendors with iguanas (yes, IGUANAS) and touting tourists to hold them for a small price. The green or multi-colored iguanas are about 70-90cm long and they stared at you cold in the eye. I apologize but i swear that I would kill the vendors if they come near me. I was paying more attention to these iguanas which could up from your back more than anything else on Soi Bangla Street. If you think iguanas are cute, please try cuddling it and let me know how much you are charged for that cuddle. There are, obviously, more interested stuffs to be cuddled along the street in those pubs!
If you are able to ride a motor-bike, it is definitely much easier to rent a bike at only 300baht per day (for scooters). It is quite safe to ride in Phuket since motorists ride at quite low speed. With a bike, you can ride up to Kata and Bangtao Beach and enjoy the serenity there. Tuk-tuk and motorbike taxi are also widely available on the street. Again, BARAGIN for the ride first.
The best about Phuket is the sun. Beach chairs are usually own by the vendors especially on public beaches like Patong. They charged about 50 baht (about S$2) per chair for each person. Since you have to pay, do select the cleanest chair with the nicest spot. There will be much touting along the beach, just ignore and select your favourite spot. Afterall, you would be sitting there for your tanning the entire morning and noon. Sea-sports especially para-sailing and kayaking are also offered. However, it is quite expensive (Para-sailing is about $1500 baht) and I am not keen to kayak in the crowded water. Go check out the prices from different vendors again. Having a coconut-drink under the sun is sufficient for me at least. Remember to apply lots of sun-block lotion, one hours under the sun is enough for your skin to burn.
This is my 3rd or 4th time to Phuket but each trip brings along different memories and experiences! I stayed at Karon Beach the 1st time but found it slightly too quiet at night. My subsequent stays were at the notorious Patong Beach. However, there are few nice hotels along Patong Beach and away from the noisy scenes at Patong too.
One recommendation is Thara Patong Beach Resort (4-stars) and conveniently situated at the heart of Patong. There are many shops and cafes just outside the hotel but you have to walk slightly further down for about 5 minutes to get to the beach. There is no way that Patong beach could be compared to other beaches such as Kata; Kamala or Bang Tao beach which is known to be cleaner and less crowded. However, the bustling Patong does offer a pleasant kind of “Sunny; bright and happy” experience. Shopping is no doubt most convenience at Patong. You can find hundred of shops selling tee-shirts; shorts; bermudas; swimwear; sunglasses; hats or bags. Most shops sell similar items so it is best to compare the prices before you commit. The worse feeling is to purchase something to 200baht and later realize that you can get it at only 100 baht at the shop down the street!
The markets are open from morning till late nite about 12am. Go for the sun & the water in the morning. The weather is fumingly hot for shopping the in the day. If you need air-conditioning, Phuket also offers Jungceylon Mall along Rat-U-Thit Road. Robinsons and Carrefour can be found in the mall. For your information, toiletries are much cheaper in Thailand so you can afford to squeeze them into your luggage, do get some at Carrefour. If you noticed, most of the toiletries especially shampoo; shower foam or lotions selling in Singapore are in fact imported from Thailand. There is also Ocean Plaza just opposite the beach but there is nothing much in there.
Patongis famous for its nightlife programs from pubs; go-go bars to Simon Cabaret shows especially at Soi Bangla street. The street gets crowded after 10pm and starts to grow after the shops at the night market closes. There are few bars with open concept and you can watch the ladies or “ladies” (I presume you know my meaning, this is THAILAND) from outside. I noticed an interesting game in many of the pubs since my last visits – I called it the “nail the coffin” game. I was rather surprised that the game is still in fashion after few years. Basically there are nails on this 1metre high wooden log and patrons have to hit the nails down with a hammer. Sounds like an easy game but most missed it. The scene was almost hilarious. Most of the patrons playing were Caucasians and seemed like only the ladies working in these bars could aim accurately. I have never tried it though but they looked like they were having a great time (either with the nails or with the ladies, I am not sure). Try it if you have the chance and let me know if you get it (The NAILS of course)!=P
Beside the interesting ladies and “ladies” along the street, there are street vendors with iguanas (yes, IGUANAS) and touting tourists to hold them for a small price. The green or multi-colored iguanas are about 70-90cm long and they stared at you cold in the eye. I apologize but i swear that I would kill the vendors if they come near me. I was paying more attention to these iguanas which could up from your back more than anything else on Soi Bangla Street. If you think iguanas are cute, please try cuddling it and let me know how much you are charged for that cuddle. There are, obviously, more interested stuffs to be cuddled along the street in those pubs!
If you are able to ride a motor-bike, it is definitely much easier to rent a bike at only 300baht per day (for scooters). It is quite safe to ride in Phuket since motorists ride at quite low speed. With a bike, you can ride up to Kata and Bangtao Beach and enjoy the serenity there. Tuk-tuk and motorbike taxi are also widely available on the street. Again, BARAGIN for the ride first.
The best about Phuket is the sun. Beach chairs are usually own by the vendors especially on public beaches like Patong. They charged about 50 baht (about S$2) per chair for each person. Since you have to pay, do select the cleanest chair with the nicest spot. There will be much touting along the beach, just ignore and select your favourite spot. Afterall, you would be sitting there for your tanning the entire morning and noon. Sea-sports especially para-sailing and kayaking are also offered. However, it is quite expensive (Para-sailing is about $1500 baht) and I am not keen to kayak in the crowded water. Go check out the prices from different vendors again. Having a coconut-drink under the sun is sufficient for me at least. Remember to apply lots of sun-block lotion, one hours under the sun is enough for your skin to burn.
There is also a Elephant Camp near Patong which is worth going. You would need to head up north towards Kata Beach and you see a sign ' Camp Change" and you turn in left. A 45 minutes jungle trekking would cost about $2000 baht. Very expensive but quite the experience. The elephant (Chang) would bring you up to the top of the hill where you can enjoy the sea-view.
At such low cost offered by the budget airlines from Singapore to Phuket, it is definitely worth a trip down to get the “Phuket sunshine”!
At such low cost offered by the budget airlines from Singapore to Phuket, it is definitely worth a trip down to get the “Phuket sunshine”!
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