Large fire at Phuket

[Jman888]

 

OT here:

Going to phuket next month.. any place that is kids friendly (6 to 12)?

 

 

What i mentioned here are suitable for kids,

 

 

• Fantsea show http://www.phuket-fa...a.com/index.php
• Rafting
• Elephant ride
• ATV riding
• Go visit Big Buddha and temples

rafting may sounds scary but they are actually quite safe and fun, elephant trekking also quite an experience (those 2 are in a package). Fantasea show is good an relaxing for a family night out in phuket.

[Kopites]

haha...okok..

anyway, thai is famous for cheap pharmaceutical stuff.

 

Yes..over there u don't need the "P" form like local pharma here. Becareful don't buy in bulk. Just sufficent for personal use should be able to get u clear the local custom without any fuss.

[Adrianli]

 

OT here:

Going to phuket next month.. any place that is kids friendly (6 to 12)?

 

The ones I mentioned are kids frenly except for the last one. There is a go-kart circuit at Phuket town, kids frenly.

 

If want to visit the beach, go to Karon beach instead. Less tourist.

[Strat]

 

The ones I mentioned are kids frenly except for the last one. There is a go-kart circuit at Phuket town, kids frenly.

 

If want to visit the beach, go to Karon beach instead. Less tourist.

 

thanks for all the replies!!

[Tianmo]

Looking at the size of the fire from news report last night...............looks like this supercheap is gone liao........ [smallcry]

[Jman888]

Looking at the size of the fire from news report last night...............looks like this supercheap is gone liao........ [smallcry]

 

 

you never intended to go anyway

 

which hotel are you staying in Phuket?

[Tianmo]

 

 

you never intended to go anyway

 

which hotel are you staying in Phuket?

 

yah lah..........i no want go liao..............but burn until almost flat............sayang lah.............see liao heart pain also mah...............

 

I staying Patong Beach Hotel.............how huh ok or not???............ [:p]

[Ravinged]

I had just been to Phuket for an entire week and currently, Jung Ceylon in Patong is still by far the largest and most modern shopping mall. Prices are definitely higher than the roadside shops but you can feel safe these are not counterfeits. Comparing back to Singapore dollars, shopping at Jung Ceylon is just a little bit cheaper. Price difference for some of the items I was looking at (Levis jeans, Adidas sportswear etc) is an estimated $10 - $20 dollars cheaper than in Singapore. If one is intending to do serious shopping in Phuket, the price difference is not worth the trip considering you have to take your air tickets and accommodation into account as well.

 

Another place to shop without counterfeits is Premium Outlets. I thought that was a little tourist-y place to go but I was wrong. Some middle-classed Thais shop there too. Go for the sales items. If you find what you want, it is just marginally above the roadside shops in Patong but still below the Jung Ceylon price tags.

 

If you're not into tourist-y things, avoid GEMS Factory at all costs. Most illegal taxis that you can booked for the entire day, the drivers usually bring you to such spots. They are more interested in spinning money out of the tourists. Lots of Russians and Chinese (China) tourists there. The moment I went in and saw the tour buses, I left within 30mins.

 

My next trip in March 2014 will see me rent a car for the entire week, I am just hoping to rent one (at least a 1.5L car) to negotiate some of the steep slopes which brings me to some of the spots I am targeting to go in hilly areas.

 

 

 

[Nullifi3d]

I had just been to Phuket for an entire week and currently, Jung Ceylon in Patong is still by far the largest and most modern shopping mall. Prices are definitely higher than the roadside shops but you can feel safe these are not counterfeits. Comparing back to Singapore dollars, shopping at Jung Ceylon is just a little bit cheaper. Price difference for some of the items I was looking at (Levis jeans, Adidas sportswear etc) is an estimated $10 - $20 dollars cheaper than in Singapore. If one is intending to do serious shopping in Phuket, the price difference is not worth the trip considering you have to take your air tickets and accommodation into account as well.

 

Another place to shop without counterfeits is Premium Outlets. I thought that was a little tourist-y place to go but I was wrong. Some middle-classed Thais shop there too. Go for the sales items. If you find what you want, it is just marginally above the roadside shops in Patong but still below the Jung Ceylon price tags.

 

If you're not into tourist-y things, avoid GEMS Factory at all costs. Most illegal taxis that you can booked for the entire day, the drivers usually bring you to such spots. They are more interested in spinning money out of the tourists. Lots of Russians and Chinese (China) tourists there. The moment I went in and saw the tour buses, I left within 30mins.

 

My next trip in March 2014 will see me rent a car for the entire week, I am just hoping to rent one (at least a 1.5L car) to negotiate some of the steep slopes which brings me to some of the spots I am targeting to go in hilly areas.

 

 

 

 

I am of the opinion that BKK is still the best to go for some serious shopping. I've tried haggling (in Thai mind you) when i went to phuket but they're pretty hard headed. Discounts were little compared to my experience in BKK.

 

But i did enjoy the cheesiness of Soi Bangla and the rows of clubs/pubs.

[Ravinged]

Opposite Jung Ceylon, there is another relatively new shopping spot. Wouldn't really call it a mall as there were little shops. It's called the Patong Promenade. When I arrived at this place at 11am, the shops were still shut so I went back to Jung Ceylon for breakfast instead.

 

 

 

[Mockngbrd]

nice, gonna go in 2 weeks time. will be renting a car cos taxis i heard are expensive.

[Ravinged]

 

I am of the opinion that BKK is still the best to go for some serious shopping. I've tried haggling (in Thai mind you) when i went to phuket but they're pretty hard headed. Discounts were little compared to my experience in BKK.

 

But i did enjoy the cheesiness of Soi Bangla and the rows of clubs/pubs.

 

There's a simpler explanation for that. In Patong, every shop is linked to every other shop. I am talking about the roadside shops. There is a price-fixing pattern in those shops so it is seriously hard to bargain for prices. Some don't believe this, but all they need to do is wait and wait. When one shop doesn't have the goods, the person will quickly run to 2 or 3 other shops to bring out what you need. 'Last piece good price' is a complete bull when shopping around Patong.

 

When it comes to cheap shirts and singlets, there is one auntie I always buy from along Soi Bangla. Ocean Plaza is one of the malls that saw massive casualties during the tsunami. Most casualties were drowned in the basement. And oh boy, how happy was I when I saw the auntie again after so many years and survived the tsunami. I always buy from her and she appeared rather independent and not linked to other shops. Meaning to say, if I buy a couple more clothes, she is more willing to give me a good discount compared to the Patong roadside shops.

 

[Ravinged]

A tip for those who are making trips to Phuket soon. If you would like to bargain for items, avoid speaking to your friend/family in English/Chinese directly infront of the sellers. Due to the high influx of China tourists in Phuket, the sellers there have learn to speak and understand Chinese even if they appear not to. You are as good as confessing your vulnerabilities to the sellers and their mind games. Speak in your own dialects such as Hokkien/Cantonese/Teochew if you can. Many Thais still haven't pick up these native dialects. Our Malay and Indian friends have less such worries. Speak in Malay or Tamil among yourself, chances are the sellers won't understand a word you're trying to say.

 

Secondly, don't be afraid of walking away. If the price is not right, c'mon, there are what.... 999 shops? 1001 shops? 2999 shops? all around Patong? My standard tactic is, let the seller chase me and not me bargain it down at the start. When I hear a price tat suits me, then we'll start talking. In most times, once I hear a ridiculous price, I say bye politely and turn my back within 3 secs. That tells them instantly I am not a newbie in Phuket and I know the average prices here, so don't take me for a fool.

 

For those who are going to Phuket for the first time; below is a brief guide to the prices. Hopefully, the below will help you be better prepared when bargaining. All prices are approximate.

 

Currency Exchange (Approximate): S$1 to THB$25

 

Singlets/Tshirts: Max THB$150 (about S$6/pc) [i bought mine at THB$130/pc but only because I was buying 15 pcs]

Beach Shorts/Bermudas: Max THB$150 - THB$250 (about S$6 to S$10) [Depending on designs]

Ladies tops: Max THB$150 - THB$200 (about S$6 to S$8) [they tend to charge more for ladies apparel, which is the same in Singapore]

 

Price of beer in hotel mini-bar: THB$90 - THB$120 per can

Price of beer in convenience shops: THB$49 ... you do the counting yourself

 

Pay nothing more than these. These are the standard prices pretty much across all shops.If you can get lower, good for you.

Edited November 22, 2013 by Ravinged

[Ravinged]

If you are in Patong area and looking for good food, you MUST visit this restaurant I have been to. Prices are just slightly higher by 10 or 20 bahts but the food quality and standard is one of the best I have ever tried in the whole Patong. Best of all, the tom yum there is one of the most authentic!

 

Location is near to Jung Ceylon too. If you're lucky, you will see the drop-dead gorgeous owner, you would have thought she's a beauty queen. And a real woman btw.

 

 

 

We had this seabass steamed at just THB$500 (S$20) I bet you pay twice or thrice in our local zi-char stalls.

 

 

Ladies & Gentlemen, one of the best Tom Yum in Phuket!

 

Edited November 22, 2013 by Ravinged

[Mockngbrd]

Just back from Phuket. It was FANTASTIC. Food was great, weather was great and ppl are nice. Driving a car around was easy enough (with a 300baht unlimited data sim-card bought at the airport). Driving a car also allows you to stop along restaurants along the coastal roads for a drink and a view.

If you are into shopping like BKK, Phuket shopping in comparison is quite rubbish. Jungceylon is not worth the time going unless you want to go for cheap facial and Central Festival is also boring unless you want to go for Jap bbq buffet and B2S.

Night market isn't anything to shout about either if you are a frequent visitor to Chatuchak. No local designed clothes, mostly branded knockoffs. Food at night market also imo nothing particularly special if you are a frequent visitor to BKK. Those roadside BBQ stalls by the beach though are a different story. Super nice and cheap!

Best thing to do is to just chill at the beach and once in a while have a massage by the beach.

my exchange rate in Patong town was : S$1 to THB$26

Phuket > Bali

[Mustank]

 

Just back from Phuket. It was FANTASTIC. Food was great, weather was great and ppl are nice. Driving a car around was easy enough (with a 300baht unlimited data sim-card bought at the airport). Driving a car also allows you to stop along restaurants along the coastal roads for a drink and a view.

 

If you are into shopping like BKK, Phuket shopping in comparison is quite rubbish. Jungceylon is not worth the time going unless you want to go for cheap facial and Central Festival is also boring unless you want to go for Jap bbq buffet and B2S.

 

Night market isn't anything to shout about either if you are a frequent visitor to Chatuchak. No local designed clothes, mostly branded knockoffs. Food at night market also imo nothing particularly special if you are a frequent visitor to BKK. Those roadside BBQ stalls by the beach though are a different story. Super nice and cheap!

 

Best thing to do is to just chill at the beach and once in a while have a massage by the beach.

 

my exchange rate in Patong town was : S$1 to THB$26

 

Phuket > Bali

 

 

 

 

 

best thread

[Tohto]

Just back from Phuket. It was FANTASTIC. Food was great, weather was great and ppl are nice. Driving a car around was easy enough (with a 300baht unlimited data sim-card bought at the airport). Driving a car also allows you to stop along restaurants along the coastal roads for a drink and a view.

 

 

 

 

 

How about parking the rental car at Patong beach area? Is it easy to get a parking lot?

What is the parking rate?

[Mockngbrd]

Patong park at roadside free if you can a lot, i didn't have a problem in the early afternoon. Maybe evening more crowded. Jungceylon, half a day i think i paid 90baht. Central Festival first 3 hrs free. Otherwise, cheap enough not to think about. I would personally skip Patong next time, too messy for me.

Trusty steed for 4 days. VTEK POWAH! Resting at one of the side restaurants along the coastal roads.


The view you get along the rest stop.


Used 1/2 a tank after 4 days of driving quite alot. Top up before returning. Cheaper but not by much.


Best




At another rest stop

Edited December 12, 2013 by Mockngbrd