Our Phuket trip is drawing close, just 9 days more. We will be arriving Hadyai on 11 Mar 2012 and leaving for Phuket on 12 Mar 2012.
The boys are preparing for their First Term Exam from 7 – 9 Mar 2012. They seem to be working extra hard as they know they will be rewarded with a holiday. They finish exam on 9th Mar and we board the train 10th Mar (school hols). Must be exciting for them and yes for me.
I have been planning this trip since Oct 2011. And I have read all there is to know about Phuket from the net, I think.
Internet is such a marvel. All the info u need is just a click away.
Below is what I have gathered from what I have read so far….
1. Phuket is soooooo commercialized – it is an island full of tourists and foreigners, especially Patong.
Post-Phuket : Yes, very true, everything is as pricey as KL if not more, esp Patong. But if you follow a local, you may find things a little less pricey.
2. Phuket is expensive thanks to the ‘rich’ foreigners who are ever willing to pay more.
Post-Phuket : Yes, very true, Because of the tourists influx, the taxi guys, the tuk tuk guys and the traders have learnt to price everything higher. Tourism seems to be the bread and butter to many Thais.
3. You can’t experience Thailand in Phuket as all activities are tailored to meet the needs of foreigners; the food, the adventure packages, the bars/clubs, the supermarts, 7 and 11, etc
Post-Phuket : Yes, very true. The activities are tailored to meet the need of mostly white foreigners. In some places like Patong and Karon, the beaches are fully taken up by them.4. There are plenty of tour packages to choose from.
Post-Phuket : Yes, very true and to suit your budget too. Not that you can bargain much, as the tour package prices do not differ much from one agent to the other. It's all pre-fixed.
5. Phi Phi Island is mentioned mainly in relation to a Hollywood movie that was shot there.
Post-Phuket : Yes, it was definitely mentioned by the captain of our boat to Phi Phi Island. And Phi Phi Island is very much for singles and couples. Everything is even more expensive than in Phuket, a roll of chicken kebab is sold at 100 baht - about RM10.
6. Tuk tuk drivers are gangsters, stay away from them.
Post-Phuket : Hey, this is not that true, I wouldn't say they are gangsters. But they do hang around outside hotels and restaurants and always start with a 100 baht.
7. So are the mini-van fellows – who are sure to rip you off.
Post-Phuket : We did take the mini-van from Phuket to Hatyai for about 400 baht per adult. The driver did a 120 km/per hour and was on the handphone a lot. They promised we will reach between 5-6 hours but it actually took 7 hours.
8. Hire a car – but don’t hire one if you don’t have an International Driving Licence (still confused)
Post-Phuket : We enquired and could have got a car for 1000 baht per day. But how do we navigate the many streets with so many Thai sign boards. So we didn't.9. Phuket gets boring after the 3rd day or so.
Post-Phuket :Wrong - we didn't get bored at all. We wished we had more time...
10. The local girl in Phuket’s main tourist area will most likely be a lady boy.
Post-Phuket : Wrong - I only saw one ladyboy in Patong town. Maybe I couldn't differentiate or I didn't hang around to see them come out at night.11. Beer is cheap.
Post-Phuket : Correct - It's about 500 baht per can at 7 and 11 outlets.
12. You can shop for clothes.
Post-Phuket : Correct but just couldn't find the time.
13. You shouldn’t miss on a Thai massage.
Post-Phuket : We missed this one, not enough time.
14. Fantasea is damn expensive – u can give it a miss.
Post-Phuket : We gave it a miss.
15. There are two ways to go Island Tour – either by speedboat or a ferry.
Post-Phuket : We took the boat.
16. The police are there to rip the tourists.
Post-Phuket : No encounters but I must say the police uniform is very body hugging.
17. The Thai people smile and sawadekap more than they talk English.
Post-Phuket : Yes, the Thais are such polite and soft spoken people. Language is certainly a barrier.
18. Many old white men hang around with young local girls.
Post-Phuket : Yes, we saw plenty of this.19. The whites go to Phuket for party, booze, girls, diving, snorkelling and yes, laze.
Post-Phuket : Yes, true ...they love the sun.
20. There is fortune telling in Thai temples.
Post-Phuket : Yes, at Wat Cha Long - we tried it.
21. Don’t miss the sunset at the cape.
Post-Phuket : We missed the sunset as we were there in the early afternoon under scorching sun.
22. Don't miss their mangoes and coconuts.
Post-Phuket : Yes, we loved Thai food.
I plan to do a Post-Phuket on this same list once I am back.
Till then – adios.
More updates coming soon with plenty of photos...
Siva Kay
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Cheers,
Sivakay