Advice on Thailand (Patong)

Oreo12_2

Off to Thailand 5 weeks today :j. We are going to Patong.
Anyone with advice regarding booking any trips ie is it cheaper here or over there? What trips are best bearing in mind im taking my 10yr old daughter. What is the best way to get from Phuket airport to Patong and how much will it roughly cost? Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Doshwaster

I'm not sure I'd be taking a 10 yr old daughter to Patong. It can get fairly wild there. There are other resorts on Phuket such as Karon and Kata which are much quieter (and cheaper)

Some ideas for tours in the Phuket area: http://www.phuket-travel.com/destinations/

You really need to do a tour which includes Phang Nga Bay - James Bond Island (Ko Tapu), kayaking in the sea caves and the floating fishing villages. Phi Phi is OK but it's a real tourist trap. Just don't book any tours in advance, there are dozens of travels agents in Patong so wait until you get there to book in person to get the best deals. If somewhere isn't willing to give you a big discount then walk next door - and watch them run after you. The tours are typically great value for money.

For a transfer from the airport, first contact your hotel to see if they can arrange anything. They may have a shuttle bus or can book you a reliable driver. Taxis everywhere on Phuket are extortionate and much more expensive than Bangkok.

littlereddevil

I would avoid Patong like the plague with a 10 year old. That said the trips are fantastic.

Oreo12_2

A bit late to avoid it, we leave in 5 weeks

soil_2

My advice on Patong would be 'don't'.

Where exactly are you staying? Can you cancel and rebook somewhere else in Phuket?

penrhyn

http://www.phuket.com/nightlife/patong-beach.htm


Best to go with your eyes open.

This looks good however

http://www.thai-blogs.com/2011/05/05/splash-jungle-water-park-in-phuket/

pleasedelete

We did the James Bond island/ fishing villages/ temple tour in January. Cheap and cheerful. Ok for the money.

We went to Phuket just for 1 day on a cruise and docked at patong beach. We have spent a lot of time in Malaysia and Asia (lived there and singapore but never been to Thailand/Phuket) We all left saying thank goodness we had never been their on holiday (sorry).

Sleezey sad old European men everywhere.

Oreo12_2

from all accounts Patong isnt nearly as bad as it used to be, i had my daughter in NYC for her 8th birthday and everyone said i was crazy, it was the best holiday ever and certainly no problems of any kind. Im just looking for advice on trips etc etc

penrhyn

Have you been to Thailand before?

pleasedelete

I have been to NYC and Patong this year. There is no comparison unless you took her to strip clubs, exposed her to street prostitution, transvestites and drugs everywhere you turned in the USA.

Just go prepared. Think what you will say to explain it all (mine are teenagers and they were open mouthed). Avoid town at night etc etc

I am sure that you will have a good time but just think about what it is appropriate to see. I am sure that a decent hotel will be fine.

As I said the trip to the island was fine (the island is just that nothing special unless you are a bond addict). That part of the country about an hour away looked interesting. Rubber trees were fascinating.

pleasedelete

It is also a good time weather wise. Not too hot and not too rainy. It will rain but not monsoon. I love the rain in Asia as it's warm.