Phuket and Beyond - August 2014

[Fozzy]

Some photos of my recent 5 week holiday to Phuket. Mostly beach pics (loads to be honest) so if beaches aren't your thing you may want to give it a miss.

However if you've never been to Phuket or want to see how the beeches are looking post Junta strip down, then it might be worth a look. All photos were taken on a point and press or camera phone so it's a case of quantity not quality I'm afraid.

Layan Beach

[Fozzy]

Like many beaches there's a khlong running behind it. I've always liked these areas. Real Thais going about their very basic lives that date back thousands of years, just meters from the tourists.









By far the worst boat (if you could even call it that) that I've ever seen.



Where the Khlong meets the sea.

[Fozzy]

One of the newest 'top end' establishments can also be found on Layan beach. The internationally known Nikki Beach Club have added a Phuket branch to their list which includes Miami, St Tropez, Marbella and many others. It's obviously very nice but over priced for what it is if you aren't using the pool and just fancy a drink. As an example, a small San Miguel beer, a glass of red wine, and an orange juice will
set you back 1000 baht. You expect it to be expensive but there are better places on the island to eat and drink that are far cheaper IMO.

[Fozzy]

Half a mile away from the beach is the wonderful Plantation club and the 360 Degree bar which are both part of the boutique hotel 'The Pavillions'. This is the Plantation Club, no photos of 360 degree because it was always dark.

[Fozzy]

A few shots of a very different looking Surin Beach.







Home to high end establishments such as Catch Beach Club and Bimi Beach Club, two places hit very hard by the Army and their digger. I'm interested to see
what will happen. Will they put their heads in the sand and carry on charging top prices even though they now offer 10% of what they used to? Basically what's left
of them is the indoor areas that were hardly ever used before. Technically they're not Beach clubs at all any more just bog standard bars/restaurants. Time will tell.






The area on the other side of the road that has now been returned to it's natural state. Litterally 90% of their floor space taken away. Ouch!!

[Fozzy]

Toe Sae Hill in Phuket Town (also known as Monkey Hill for obvious reasons)is well worth a visit. There's a decent (but expensive) restaurant half way up if just
looking at the monkys isn't worth the trip on it's own. Locals jog up the hill every evening. (It's like the side of a fucking mountain, and lots of these people are very old!!)

They're Macaques in case anybody is interested.

[Fozzy]

There's quite a few view point on th eway up. Here's one of them.





More monkeys.





The adult males are aggressive, lary little fuckers....



..but the babies are cute as fuck.










The real fun starts when someone gets some food out for them. They litterally flood in from all directions, swinging, scurrying, jumping out of the trees. Quite a site.






You don't have to walk all the way up the hill by the way. I drive all the way up and very rarely get out of the car (except at the view points)

[Fozzy]

Spent very little time over the years at Karon and Kata. They're neither here nor there for me. Not the biggest 'go to' party town on the island (Patong) and not the more quiter laid back places I prefer.
A few photos of the only day I spent there.

[Fozzy]

Let's hope it's not too long before these are running up and down the West coast, instead of to Phuket Town and back.



Bit of lunch in a fairly unattractive place but the food and service was decent.

[Fozzy]

Surf House Bar and Restaurant. Good little business this one, perfect locaction.










Shouldn't laugh..

[Fozzy]

For people who are ready for the real thing.

[Fozzy]

Every review of this place said it was good but very hot. We were there on an overcast, low season day and it was still like a sauna. Wouldn't fancy it on a scorcher that's for sure.

Well worth the fee if you have kids IMO, just be aware of the heat. Perhaps playing in your trunks on a rainy day would be the best bet.

[Fozzy]

[Fozzy]

[Fozzy]

One of my favourite streches of sand on the Island.

This is toward the Northern end of the beach before it becomes Layan Beach.

[Fozzy]

The Reggae Bar. My favourite little spot for a sundowner for many a year. I'm glad I had a really nice evening here, just me and my boy. You'll see why a bit later.

[Fozzy]

The reason why I was very glad I popped in to the Reggae Bar when I did. If I'd left it another couple of days I wouldn't have had a chance to say goodbye. I would have been gutted if
one of my very favourite places to have a beer on the whole island had dissapeared before I'd been there one last time. R.I.P Bang Tao Beach Reggae Bar.

[Fozzy]

[Fozzy]

Further south you find the Bliss Beach Club. Fairly lively at the weekends but definitely nothing special. Although with the illegal beach chairs now gone everywhere elses, I guess legit beach
clubs will reap the benefits.

[Fozzy]

Right at the very southern end of Bang Tao Beach is a small fishing village. It's a lovely area IMO and nice for an evening stroll, watching the Thais walk out in to the see with their nets and
harvest whatever they can find from the rocks.

[Dillinger]

Nice thread, I've only done Patong in Phuket for a weekend. That's crazy golf not pitch and putt btw

[Fozzy]

Down this end you alsao have the Blue Siam Beach Club. It's only been there a few years but it looks fucking dredfull. Didn't stop for a single drink.

[Albert Shagnastier]

Some photos of my recent 5 week holiday to Phuket

5 fvcking weeks? - no wonder you had enough time to take so many pictures

[Fozzy]

A couple of days on Coral Island, just 15 minutes by speed boat from Chalong. Transfer is free if you're staying over night.

Chalong Pier & a couple of speed boats.

[Fozzy]

Nice View from porch.