Anyone been to Phuket?

[rossyl]

Hi,

Has anyone been to phukhet, if so what part would you recommend staying in? Kata, Karon, Patong or elsewhere?

Hotel suggestions also appreciated.

I've also been googling and searching here for info on tailors, all info seems a bit old. Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[TC (Houston)]

I've been twice in the past 10 years, thoroughly enjoyed both visits. We stayed at Le Meridian in Patong both times, it was great.

 

[InsertNameHere]

I stayed at the 'Royal Paradise Hotel' in Patong Beach. Excellent hotel at an extremely low price (though I suppose that isn't saying much in Thailand)...I think I paid $27 US/night for my room, but it was off-season. Patong is very close to the nightlife and most of the tourist hustle and bustle, which could be a good or a bad thing - depending on what you're looking for. I'm told that Karon beach, further north, is much more of a quiet vacation spot.

There are a number of rooms for rent above small restaurants along the main road (Bangla Road, I believe). Sort of a Thai-style bed and breakfast. Some friends of mine stayed in those rooms instead of a large hotel, and had nothing but praise for the accommodations.

As for tailors, I'm afraid I can't recommend much. I checked out a several while I was in Phuket, and every one of them seemed to be peddling poorly-made clothing to tourists who didn't know any better. If I were you, I would try to take a train/bus/day cab to Bangkok. Phuket exists for the sole purpose of tourism, and so I think you would be able to find more 'legitimate' tailors in Bangkok.

Regardless, you're sure to have a great time in Phuket. If you get a chance, stop by the No Bull Bar in O-Top and tell Nop, the pimp there, that Ling Ling says hi. I think my shirt is still nailed to the ceiling of that place...

EDIT: Regardless of where you go, be sure to pick up a 100% Thai silk robe for lounging around the house. I'm still kicking myself for not buying one.

 

[GBear]

Yes, too young to remember.

 

[pvrhye]

http://www.styleforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=10

 

[Bounder]

I was there on business a few years ago and had a look at some of the local, tailors, They all specialized in the 24 hour suit for tourists who don't know any better. It made the side streets in Tsim Sha Tsui seem like Savile Row.

However, the tailors in Phuket are, I am told, outstanding at copying women's clothes and I have seen evidence of this. If you bring them a dress or something and ask for a copy in a different fabric, they, at least some of them, can do a remarkable job and very cheaply, too. I know some women who have gone there on vacation and have brought several dress, etc. with them just so they could have silk versions run up.

BTW, most of the fabrics I saw were unexceptional, except for the silk. I am not really a silk expert but there was a wide selection and much of it seemed to be pretty high quality. There seemed to be some very good deals to be had.

 

[pvrhye]

Originally Posted by Bounder

BTW, most of the fabrics I saw were unexceptional, except for the silk. I am not really a silk expert but there was a wide selection and much of it seemed to be pretty high quality. There seemed to be some very good deals to be had.

As I understand Thaliand has stiff protections on imported fabric.

 

[meister]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

As I understand Thaliand has stiff protections on imported fabric.

Thai silk or Thai velvet?

 

[k4lnamja]

I went in September and Phuket is simply gorgeous. Stayed in Patong but I'd recommend you stay in Kata. Kata has a nicer beach. There is also a "private" beach but I cant remember the name. You've to take a motorbike to get there.

Patong is nice and all, however, extremely ugly. The amount of prostitution there is overwhelming that I rarely wanted to go out at night b/c I didnt want to see it. I hope you're going there for the scenery versus the oh-so-many who go there to pimp out teenage girls. For the one's who do that, shame on them and I wish nothing but harm on their lives! It's crazy how people are law abiding citizens in their own country yet think they can act like a fool/monster like human being in another. Guess it's the same when we go to Tijuana . . .

Sorry to get so serious but Im just sharing my experience.

Btw, don't drink the water.

Cheers

Oh, you have to drive/get a taxi but there is a very good thai/italian restaurant near one of the largest outdoor markets. I forgot the name but can provide if needed. Excellent food.

 

[Kiwi Man]

Originally Posted by k4lnamja

I went in September and Phuket is simply gorgeous. Stayed in Patong but I'd recommend you stay in Kata. Kata has a nicer beach. There is also a "private" beach but I cant remember the name. You've to take a motorbike to get there.

Patong is nice and all, however, extremely ugly. The amount of prostitution there is overwhelming that I rarely wanted to go out at night b/c I didnt want to see it. I hope you're going there for the scenery versus the oh-so-many who go there to pimp out teenage girls. For the one's who do that, shame on them and I wish nothing but harm on their lives! It's crazy how people are law abiding citizens in their own country yet think they can act like a fool/monster like human being in another. Guess it's the same when we go to Tijuana . . .

Sorry to get so serious but Im just sharing my experience.

Btw, don't drink the water.

Cheers

Oh, you have to drive/get a taxi but there is a very good thai/italian restaurant near one of the largest outdoor markets. I forgot the name but can provide if needed. Excellent food.

I'm from this country and I am regretfully agree 100% with what you have to say. It is very sad that Thai girls are considered prositute and can be purchased for sexually pleasure by those who are sleezy ungreatful uneducated tourists.
It really is sickening me.

Anyway, get back to the point of this topic, I'd like to welcome you to my home country. Even though I'm not originally from Phuket, I've been there couple of times. It is very touristy. I don't know how you plan to travel southern part of Thailand. If I were you, I would rent a car and explore places yourself and your friends. Get a map and drive. I recommend this to you because every parking is free of charge, but it can be a little difficult finding empty spot because of extremely limited space.

Personally, Patong is very touristy. Thai locals such as myself do not usually like to go there because the vendor don't seem to care for Thai as much as foreigners since you guys are the one who walk around looking "rich"! Therefore, price for food and souvenior is higher than everywhere else.

For the list of hotel, please go to Tripadviser. They seem to have updated review on hotel, places to visit, and what you can do to experience the most out of Southern Thailand.

Personally, I like Dusit. More information can be found here: http://www.dusit.com/dusit-thani/dus...na-phuket.html

Please excuse for my English as it is not my mother tounge.

 

[ajw45]

Don't go. Patong is like little Bangkok with a beach and no culture. You can't leave the hotel without being harasssed to buy something (goods and/or services) which becomes exhausting after a while and the nightlife is sleazy. The beaches are okay but you're better off hitting some of the islands off the coast which are quite amazing. We rented a car and checked out some of the rest of Phuket and it gets better outside of Patong but not as good as just hitting one of the islands. In fact, some of the super touristy islands like Koa Tao are actually nice and at least "appear" to have LESS prostition since it's mostly foreigners there to have a good time enjoying the islands rather than pervs there to enjoy the local ladies.....

 

[meister]

Why not go to the old royal venue of Hua Hin on the vintage train?

 

[GanglandDandy]

Originally Posted by GBear

Yes, too young to remember.

This.

 

[TRA8324]

I studied abroad in Singapore one summer. We spent a long weekend in Phuket and the Phi Phi Island. One word of warning from a friend's experience. If you are going to hire a lady of the night, be sure she is actually a lady...it's not so easy to tell in Thailand. Phi Phi Island has the most beautiful beaches you'll ever see. It's where they filmed the movie, "The Beach."

 

[rossyl]

Many thanks all.

I am most certainly going there, flights are booked. This will be my fourth visit to Thailand, having previously been in and around bangkok and Koh Phangan (the nice quieter parts!).

Karon or Kata seems the places of choice.

Restuarant recommendations - that italin plce - and others please.

Also any tips for where to get clothes copied would be good.

Cheers