The Phuket that is still brilliant

[Sailing into trouble]

Spent my youth hanging off Rock faces in England Wales Scotland Ireland rather than Deansgate and the Manci hotspots. Never feel safe in that environment then or now or enjoyed the sleaze scene. Then and now I was never good fending of skinheads or dealing with the mentality that develops after 10 pints.

First time in Thailand, went to Loei because everyone said no-one goes there. Bloody great spot. Full of Thai's hardly any Farang. Never got ripped off or had reason to feel unsafe. So when I met my now other half. Found out she lived in Phuket I was not over joyed. Yes I had read what happens on the net.

Fortunately she had the same idea of the "Good Life" So the Phuket area experience that I know is very different then the sleazy scene often highlighted on this forum. So as photos speak louder than words here goes.

Never paid anything like $300 a day usually less than $80 for what would be 5x that in North America or Europe.



My Mrs apartment near the fight schools in Chalong simple clean great local food (cheap) safe very laid back those guys are serious athletes no booze, early to bed, great rural local.



Just South of the Airport great spot, again eat where the Thai's eat good price fantastic location great beach Kite surfing and nice atmosphere could be a million miles away from the sleeze.



Now this was a special place. Pool Villa But bloody hell talk about bang for your buck!!!!



Now this a beach bar price list on the beach at Kamila. Can not drink at the third the price in anyplace in BC



View from Mrs apartment of the Big buddy guy :-)



Again one of those spots on th the Big P Island that is great, no crowds good local food great little beach and feels like you are a million miles from the hype of the big sleaze.



All you have to do is look at a map! Beats the crap out of any beach Ive seen on 2 continents I know well!

Just a 20 min boat ride from Phuket town. Crap cost $300 for 7 nights with breakfast/brunch.





We often had this pool to ourselves day after day. yes is the answer!



Yip this our resort for $300 for 7 nights private bungalow.





not a rip off artist in view



Another under $100 hotel . In Canada a motel room costs more than this in the sticks!!!



Rent a long tail by walking to the local fishing pier and for $60 you get private boat for 8 hours. This has its advantages.

Like any tourist I could show many images and list great places to eat and enjoy a very beautiful part of out planet. Yip Phuket is busy and has major social and economic problems, by spending 10 weeks on 2 visits last year I also found an incredible and beautiful place full of friendly (often muslim) people. So just thought i'd state my own experience. Yes I did hit an elephant with a Honda shadow but that's another story.

[backinpd2007]

Thanks for that thread.
After reading about the "down "side of Phuket all the time, one comes away with the impression that its not a decent place to go to.
I suppose there is alway the view that if you know the "down" side, you can avoid it, and have a very enjoyable in Phuket as in any other tourist spot.
Great stuff

[notdavetherave]

Theres nice things in Phuket but unfortunately i have been put of going there by whats happened.

[Loy Toy]

Nice thread mate but the Phuket of today is not the one I went too 20 odd years ago.

Much the same as Pattaya and not anywhere near the tourist heaven they used to be.

[Norton]

Open the pics and then copy-and-paste the URLs into the photo box:

Yep. Make sure you select "Copy Image Location", then paste in photo box. I think you've got it. Carry on.

[sabaii sabaii]

Great photos, nice to hear something nice about Phuket for a change

Your missus looks like good fun

Why only the one condom ?

[Norton]

Much the same as Pattaya and not anywhere near the tourist heaven they used to be.

Agree but Phuket is a big place. There are still areas where one can enjoy some really nice, quiet relatively unspoiled beaches. Just stay away from the high density tourist areas.

[sabang]

Good thread. There is certainly more to Phuket than the Patong/ Kata stretch, unfortunately never had a nice local guide to show me around.

[Lorenzo]

Do you live in Phuket? Be nice if you post the name of these places. With all the enjoyment seen here available to those in the know this thread shows how fucked up Phuket has become for the tourist.

Nice scenery yes, but as always still too many Thais

[Looper]

could be a million miles away from the sleeze

feels like you are a million miles from the hype of the big sleaze

Never mind it looks like a good beach at least.

Nice pictures SIT.

Phuket is great in my books. Loads of sleaze to be had but with a veneer of normal tourist respectability and also nice scenery and beaches. Stickman did a column on it recently and panned it for being expensive but it is as cheap as anywhere outside peak season. Accomodation especially seems to be much cheaper then 5 years ago.

[sabang]

If & when I make it again, I reckon I'd like to get to know the Chalong area and Phuket town more. As far as Patong itself goes, I prefer Pattaya.

[harrybarracuda]

could be a million miles away from the sleeze

feels like you are a million miles from the hype of the big sleaze

Never mind it looks like a good beach at least.

Nice pictures SIT.

Phuket is great in my books. Loads of sleaze to be had but with a veneer of normal tourist respectability and also nice scenery and beaches. Stickman did a column on it recently and panned it for being expensive but it is as cheap as anywhere outside peak season. Accomodation especially seems to be much cheaper then 5 years ago.

Go and look at Agoda.com and price up four stars in Phuket. You'll find you can get a five star in Pattaya or Chiang Mai for the same price.

[Lemonizer]

A refreshing change to see someone talking about Phuket in a positive way. The 'sleazy' tourist destinations are a very small part of what is available in Phuket. I've lived here for nearly a decade and wouldn't dream of moving.
You don't need a guide, hire a motorbike, get away from the main tourist areas and you will soon find many delightful locations away from the predatory Tuk Tuks, Tailors and scammers. You'll also find the 'real' jai dee Thais.

[liveinlos]

Great post, great photos. I really appreciate seeing two people who can make the most out of life. It is good to see a happy story for change.

[Lorenzo]

This thread reminds me of those picturesque Pattaya post cards

[Simon43]

This thread reminds me of those picturesque Pattaya post cards

Not sure why. Phuket is not Patong and Pattaya is not Chonburi. There are beautiful and cheap areas if you bother to get out of Patong and Pattaya.

I will have to dig out my camera and snap some shots of my neighbourhood in Phuket. It might surprise those who don't live on the island.

Simon

[sunsetter]

great pics, thanks for sharing, still hasnt swayed me to go back to phuket though

[donald36]

Nice happy thread of people having a great time --i used to have perfect holidays in Phuket ,everywhere away from the main tourist beat is good value and the real Thailand
super photos

[Yemen]

Thanks, I enjoyed the thread. Not the Phuket I know so will have to look around if I get back.

[buycondojomtien]

Your story is nice, but anyway Thai from Phuket, especially the ones dealing with tourists are the less friendly among all Thai !

The only positive point I can find them is that they don't vote red...

[mysticpaki]

Great pics of Phuket.

I would deeply appreciate the name location and price you paid at the pool villa.Also price and name of place with the infinity pool with you and your girlfriend.
Feel free to reply me on cliche61[at]hotmail.com (if your girlfriend has a friend or twin shes free to correspond with me to improve her english
Cheers

[yortyiam]

Good on ya S.I.T! Never been to Phuket , and to be honest with so many other posts recommending everyone gives the place a wide berth it's encouraging to get some positive info on the place! Thanks for sharing.

[sabaii sabaii]

Feel free to reply me on cliche61[at]hotmail.com (if your girlfriend has a friend or twin shes free to correspond with me to improve her english

[usual suspect]

Nice pics thanx...good to hear a good report about Phuket...2 customers of ours just got back last week and said the beach at Patong was full of Vodka-swilling,brawling Russians...and that was in the daytime!!

[Lemonizer]

Nice pics thanx...good to hear a good report about Phuket...2 customers of ours just got back last week and said the beach at Patong was full of Vodka-swilling,brawling Russians...and that was in the daytime!!

The message is clear - avoid the cesspit Patong and check out the many excellent holiday locations on the rest of the island.