dsquared37

And bacon too.

I learned to drive in/around the NYC area and have no problems handling the left side driving or manual shifting with my left hand. The biggest problem with driving in Asia is simply the random styles of driving; trying to determine who will be aggressive and who oblivious.

Mattyb44

I prefer private transfers. Any reputable company you recommend?

seanthepilot

Be prepared to pay through the teeth then.

Good luck. I have no contacts to suggest. Even if I knew people, they'd be expensive.

Mattyb44

Using the powers of the internet I already found many private speedboat transfers which cost around 9500THB total for example, from Phuket to Phi Phi. I feel that's an acceptable price when compared to the alternative and the time saved. Ł180 x2 for the 2 speedboat trips we would need is Ł90 per person for close to 2 hours on a speedboat. I don't see that as extortionate by any means.

seanthepilot

This is exactly what this thread is for. Thanks for posting what you found. Please, be sure to post afterwards with how you found the experience.

seanthepilot

http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-...cess-48508.php

New Metered Taxi system started today. Fingers crossed to see it thrive.

Tchiowa

Are these boat taxis? The pictures my brother in law sends me indicate it may have rained. A bit.

arlflyer

Thanks for the update!

travelcloud86

Hello,
My fiancee and I are planning to have a wedding in Phuket. We are from Los Angeles, CA, USA. Planning around the end of November 2015. We are really interested at hosting the venue at Sri Panwa resort. It is a pretty pricey resort and my fiancee is in love with the place. I am not sold on the cost. Do you know of any other hotels similar in terms of venue? If not, do you know if there are any other hotels nearby that would be affordable for our guest to stay? I would say between $50 to a $100 a night that would be nearby Sri Panwa?

SK AAR

So the meter rate to Patong is 500 B + airport fee, 100 B = 600 B? To Karon it is 600 B + airport fee, 100 B = 700 B?

Still quite expensive and certainly not comparable with BKK taxi rates. In fact I don't see much difference from the current rates. In Patong a private car to the airport is 600-700 B (depending on your negotiation skills).

Tchiowa

There is a video making the rounds, including on BKK Post, of a beach vendor throwing a tourist off the beach in Pattaya. Pushing her, kicking sand, etc. The article says that the junta has cleaned up the problem in Phuket but hasn't started in Chon Buri yet. I'm just curious from someone on the ground in Phuket about what they see. Is it working? Are things getting better?

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...-angers-public

CrazyInteg

delete

Jnb

First off, as this is my first post on flyertalk, hello everybody!

I'll be going to Thailand for 10days at the end of next week. I've been to Thailand two times before and, to some degree covered, most of the country.
However this will be my first time to go during rain season.

Me and the girlfriend will arrive in Bangkok next Saturday and spend 4 nights at the AETAS in Bangkok and then continue to Phuket on the 1st of October for 5 nights at the Sunsuri in Hai Narn. There was little flexibility with the dates and, considering the good Hotel and Flight rates, we decided to take our chances.

I realize the weather will be a hit or miss and we might a load of rain during our stay. In Bangkok, I reckon, this will not be a problem as we will mostly be shopping and exploring the restaurants of the city.
I would, however, like to hear something about other peoples experiences of Phuket during off-season. Any advice on what to do on a rainy day in the Phuket area is very appreciated! I would also like to hear some restaurant/bar recommendations. As our Hotel is a little bit out of the way, I was hoping that getting around with a scooter should not be problem, as one could just look for some cover and take a break if there comes any unexpected rain, correct?
Finally, does somebody know how the beach situation looks like in the beginning of october? Will most, if not all, of the beaches be red-flagged or are there some that are generally less prone to currents etc., where swimming will be possible?

Jnb

BigE

I don't mind the rainy season in Phuket. The rain mostly falls in bursts, anyway. Plus, the prices are generally much lower than in high season (even more so than other areas of Thailand).

But you ask a good question about swimming and red flags. I've found that Patong beach is usually swimmable then, but the beaches near the JW and Renaissance (Mai Khao) are usually not. That's my experience. I don't know about Nai Harn, but I'd definitely want to know in advance.

The other thing I'd want to know is how remote my resort is. Personally, I like to be able to choose from local restaurants rather than being stuck with the (universally overpriced) resort restaurants. The scooter would mostly take care of that problem, I suppose.

foofighters816

I definitely agree with BigE. You get to maximise your budget during the off-peak season. The place is scenic anyway. Scooter rental is definitely cheap and you could discover more alternatives once you're there. Check out the not-so-fancy local restaurants like the Ang and Esarn.