Phuket

[ThePezDispenser]

Third lol

 

[standingroomonly]

Make sure you all celebrate at Ark Bar/Henry's/Green mango in Chaweng. So many good times there. Can't wait to go back next!

 

[Walshy_The_Goat]

You're in KS for New Years?! You lucky bastards!

You lads checking out a FM/HM/BM Party as well?

I remember me and a mate partied on at the Reggae Club across the river late one night. Later on as we left we noticed a spotlight in the sky, which the locals told us was the Ark Bar - which we'd heard a lot about - so we took off in pursuit of it about 2kms away. Only problem was we were sidetracked in our drunken state and I don't remember much else apart from being chased by ladyboys on scooters as we walked back to the hotel. Scary stuff!

So I take it the Ark Bar is something worth checking out? Spewing we didn't catch it. I'll definitely check it out when I head back to KS.

Seriously cannot wait to go back!

 

[AxelFoley]

Make sure you all celebrate at Ark Bar/Henry's/Green mango in Chaweng. So many good times there. Can't wait to go back next!

Yeah was there for three weeks in June and they were my favourite three venues...

Girls at Henry's were super fun, loved taking the piss out of them and stealing their cowboy hats...

 

[rizzo]

I'm off to Phuket next month with my girlfriend..

What should I get up to while I'm over there? Where are the places to go sightseeing. What tours should we do? I love thai food, where are some places to go to get nice authentic Thai?

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

BANGLA rd is where it's at really. There's a great little place in Patong to eat... I forget what it's called but it's at the bottom of the Novotel! Excellent food, great prices and you get treated like a king. Well at least we did the two times we went there because we were the only diners! Don't let that put you off though, the food was the best I had in Phuket.

Oh and make sure you understand what the Paradise Complex is before entering. I thought the whole complex was just made up of lovely generous Thai people until a thai guy came up to me, gave me a rose and said "flower for you" and kissed me on the cheek. Lucky the beer prices were cheap or I wouldve left much earlier

 

[footy75]

In fact, at this stage i'm planning on heading back early next year, but this time i'll most likely be travelling solo as my mates either have work or won't have the funds. Travelling with a bunch of friends was awesome fun, but has anyone done Thailand solo and how did you find it?

travelled there alone 4 times

it was cool but i prefer travelling with mates like i have around europe south america etc. much better fun.

 

[Eagle87]

BANGLA rd is where it's at really. There's a great little place in Patong to eat... I forget what it's called but it's at the bottom of the Novotel! Excellent food, great prices and you get treated like a king. Well at least we did the two times we went there because we were the only diners! Don't let that put you off though, the food was the best I had in Phuket.

Oh and make sure you understand what the Paradise Complex is before entering. I thought the whole complex was just made up of lovely generous Thai people until a thai guy came up to me, gave me a rose and said "flower for you" and kissed me on the cheek. Lucky the beer prices were cheap or I wouldve left much earlier

What for? Being a deadbeat bogan?

 

[rizzo]

What for? Being a deadbeat bogan?

Eagle.. You're the local Asia expert. If you have time can you PM me some info? Cheers!

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

What for? Being a deadbeat bogan?

Nightlife. Tell me where else in Phuket provides what Bangla rd does? Sounds like you've had a tough time there. Maybe precious souls like yourself can stick to sitting in your hotel room being miserable sods

 

[Affidavit]

Agreed Bangla rd is revolting and bogan city. Go to the islands like Phi Phi, Koh Sumi etc.

 

[Walshy_The_Goat]

Nightlife. Tell me where else in Phuket provides what Bangla rd does? Sounds like you've had a tough time there. Maybe precious souls like yourself can stick to sitting in your hotel room being miserable sods

I may have a somewhat linear view of the nightlife in Thailand, as apart from in Phuket and Koh Samui (excluding Black Moon Party in KPN), I didn't have the chance to regularly sample the nightlife elsewhere in any of the other places we stayed (Bangkok/Phi Phi).

But I reckon Bangla Rd in Patong is a great place to party if you can avoid those particular establishments that are massively overcrowded or are filled with muzzah tourists. Because of this, I think Patong nightlife is tarnished as a whole, but there are hidden gems. Eg. the best bars are those off the main strip of Bangla Rd. Personally, Hollywood is one of my favourite bars in Thailand, and it was much like those bars here in Melbourne, just without all the drawbacks - w***ers/entry fee/male to female ratio entry conditions/dress code etc.

 

[Walshy_The_Goat]

travelled there alone 4 times

it was cool but i prefer travelling with mates like i have around europe south america etc. much better fun.

Ah, awesome as!


I'm heading back to experience the party culture some more, and do a couple more touristy things that I missed out on during my first trip there.

On your 4 times going solo, did you travel there for business or pleasure? Also, did you stay in hotels or hostels and did you meet many other travellers whilst on your travels?

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

Agreed Bangla rd is revolting and bogan city. Go to the islands like Phi Phi, Koh Sumi etc.

Of course. Been to both islands a few times but I got the impression the question was about Phuket city. Everyone knows about phi phi and koh samui and I dare say he'll be doing one or both of them. Bangla road is no worse to Hindley street in Adelaide. I find it much easier to chat to randoms on Bangla rd then I do on any city street in Adelaide anyway! I've had a ball the times I've been there, but maybe that's because I've usually been with a group, either that or I'm not a soft ****. Bit of both I reckon.

 

[Affidavit]

Fair point. Simply Rizzo leave Phuket asap and head to the islands.

 

[jonoman89]

Bangla Rd is one of the seediest, bogan shitholes in the world.

But that doesn't mean it can't be a lot of fun. It is.

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

Too true. Though I can think of bigger shitholes in Australia than Bangla rd

 

[yaco55]

Actually going to Phuket and Ko Samui tomorrow.

Phuket - Depends on what you like. If you are a person who enjoys partying in a seedy environment Bangla Rd is no 1 in Thailand. You can do lots of short trips to underlying islands and of course you can stay in Karon/Kata for a quieter environment. Expect to see lots of OZ family groups in Phuket.

Ko Samui - Totally laid back feel with some lovely beaches. Still has a backpacker feel although it has become more upmarket in the last 10 years. Again lots of day trips can be made to the outlying islands or within the island. And I haven't included the Full Moon Party.

 

[Eagle87]

Nightlife. Tell me where else in Phuket provides what Bangla rd does? Sounds like you've had a tough time there. Maybe precious souls like yourself can stick to sitting in your hotel room being miserable sods

I live in Thailand. I have done more Thai nightlife locations than you have had hot dinners .... But yes, you go hard mate ...

If you want nightlife in Thailand, Phukets not really your best bet, by the length of a long straight. If you want a nice-ish island holiday with access to a bit of average nightlife with some packaged "sleaze" thrown in then do Phuket but avoid Patong other than for a night or two (depending on length of stay) to have a bit of fun sure ... But to state "Bangla Road is where it's at really", is to basically identify with the Jetstar bogans ... Which is fine, as long as one understands that ...

Go to Phuket, stay somewhere like Anantara, visit Promthep Cape, go to Nai Harn beach, do a trip to Old Town, play some golf, do a trip out from Phuket to various of the islands and sure go to Bangla for a night out but avoid the mafia run Tuk Tuks (instead just book a private taxi for the full day or night) and have some fun ... But if youre looking for a nightlife trip head elsewhere... The alternate argument is if your looking for an island holiday why go Phuket

I'll be there in 2 weeks for a mates wedding. We'll have fun and no doubt will have a pissy night in a couple of spots in Patong ... We'll also no doubt want to beat the shit out of 2 or 3 groups of Aussie bogans who will be an embarrassment to themselves and will continue to lower the standing in which we are all held there

If you want sleaze, go to Pattaya. Better nightlife too in reality. If you want island holidays head for Samui or even Koh Chang if you want less "spoiled"...

If you want extensive nightlife options then Bangkok but I'll admit it takes a bit of figuring out and most guys here for 2 nights with a lonely planet guide are up against it...

 

[Eagle87]

Actually going to Phuket and Ko Samui tomorrow.

Phuket - Depends on what you like. If you are a person who enjoys partying in a seedy environment Bangla Rd is no 1 in Thailand. You can do lots of short trips to underlying islands and of course you can stay in Karon/Kata for a quieter environment. Expect to see lots of OZ family groups in Phuket.

Ko Samui - Totally laid back feel with some lovely beaches. Still has a backpacker feel although it has become more upmarket in the last 10 years. Again lots of day trips can be made to the outlying islands or within the island. And I haven't included the Full Moon Party.

Can't agree with that yaco55 ...

It's also got dodgy weather this time of year...

Partying in a seedy environment is likely better enjoyed in Pattaya which also gives the option of BKK...

I know you're from HK, so BKK isn't of much interest but Bangla is pretty average in my view, shit even the high number of kathoey and "old" girls in bars is disappointing down there (by old, one means well, umm, travelled, cynical and less fun to drink with) ... It's just a tourist sleaze place, like Patpong in BKK - the one nightlife area avoided by anyone who knows better ...

 

[yaco55]

Can't agree with that yaco55 ...

It's also got dodgy weather this time of year...

Partying in a seedy environment is likely better enjoyed in Pattaya which also gives the option of BKK...

I know you're from HK, so BKK isn't of much interest but Bangla is pretty average in my view, shit even the high number of kathoey and "old" girls in bars is disappointing down there (by old, one means well, umm, travelled, cynical and less fun to drink with) ... It's just a tourist sleaze place, like Patpong in BKK - the one nightlife area avoided by anyone who knows better ...

I probably didn't articulate myself clearly enough.

Referring to Bangla Rd ( small strip ) as the most full on bar area in Thailand - as in noisy and busy.

Will take my wife ( Indo ) one night to have a look ( and bring the ear muffs ).

Must say that the wife enjoys Pattaya and Bangkok.

3 or 4 days is enough in BKK - Traffic does my head in.

Agree about Patpong - Too quirky for me !

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

I live in Thailand. I have done more Thai nightlife locations than you have had hot dinners .... But yes, you go hard mate ...

If you want nightlife in Thailand, Phukets not really your best bet, by the length of a long straight. If you want a nice-ish island holiday with access to a bit of average nightlife with some packaged "sleaze" thrown in then do Phuket but avoid Patong other than for a night or two (depending on length of stay) to have a bit of fun sure ... But to state "Bangla Road is where it's at really", is to basically identify with the Jetstar bogans ... Which is fine, as long as one understands that ...

Go to Phuket, stay somewhere like Anantara, visit Promthep Cape, go to Nai Harn beach, do a trip to Old Town, play some golf, do a trip out from Phuket to various of the islands and sure go to Bangla for a night out but avoid the mafia run Tuk Tuks (instead just book a private taxi for the full day or night) and have some fun ... But if youre looking for a nightlife trip head elsewhere... The alternate argument is if your looking for an island holiday why go Phuket

I'll be there in 2 weeks for a mates wedding. We'll have fun and no doubt will have a pissy night in a couple of spots in Patong ... We'll also no doubt want to beat the shit out of 2 or 3 groups of Aussie bogans who will be an embarrassment to themselves and will continue to lower the standing in which we are all held there

If you want sleaze, go to Pattaya. Better nightlife too in reality. If you want island holidays head for Samui or even Koh Chang if you want less "spoiled"...

If you want extensive nightlife options then Bangkok but I'll admit it takes a bit of figuring out and most guys here for 2 nights with a lonely planet guide are up against it...

Massive tldr, but isn't Anantara the other side of Phuket? It would be a bit pricey if you wanted to head to Patong a few days in your stay , not just for a night out but shopping as well. What can be done in Anantara, and can somone stay there more than 2 nights before they run out of things to do? And I'd say most traveling to Thailand would want to experience Thai culture and eveything it has to offer, not play golf.

 

[Eagle87]

Massive tldr, but isn't Anantara the other side of Phuket? It would be a bit pricey if you wanted to head to Patong a few days in your stay , not just for a night out but shopping as well. What can be done in Anantara, and can somone stay there more than 2 nights before they run out of things to do? And I'd say most traveling to Thailand would want to experience Thai culture and eveything it has to offer, not play golf.

You extol the virtues of Bangla Road and then mention going to Thailand to experience Thai culture??? FFS, make up your mind cos Bangla Road/Patong in general have little to do with Thai culture. One could argue most of Phuket hasn't much to do with Thai culture...

Phuket is a tourist Mecca for an island holiday with a bit of Thai thrown in.

Anantara is a lovely resort about 2/3 of the way between the airport (north of the island) and Patong. So at normal driving speed they'd be about 30 mins apart. It has a National Park on one side and Mai Khao Beach (the longest Beach in Phuket) on the other.

It's great for relaxing Thai style, beach walks and activities (although I reckon Nai Harn remains the best beach) and that whole island relaxation. For some people that includes golf, which is about as much a part of Thai culture now as it is in Aussie - unless you have some notion that Thai culture was locked in permanently in about 1920 and isn't able to modernize?

As for your distances and expense argument, what exactly is your point? Phuket is about an hours drive North/South and about 30 mins or more East/West, to see the whole range of the island you'll need transport of some kind. Either hire a car (from $40 a day) or hire a taxi (all day is about $5 more than a cheap hire car and you get a driver)...

If you don't have transport, you'll be like many Aussies who stay in Patong the whole trip and think that is Phuket!

Old Town isn't great as an example of Thai culture but it's a fair bit closer than Patong... get out and explore the island, get on a boat and explore its surrounds or get pissed in an Aussie pub in Bangla Road singing along to Down Under and kid yourself you've experienced Thai culture

 

[footy75]

Ah, awesome as!


I'm heading back to experience the party culture some more, and do a couple more touristy things that I missed out on during my first trip there.

On your 4 times going solo, did you travel there for business or pleasure? Also, did you stay in hotels or hostels and did you meet many other travellers whilst on your travels?

travelled for pleasure/holiday

i stayed in cheap hotels. usually for a month-got huge discount.

met lots of people

 

[Hawks92]

How do you know which tuk tuk's are mafia driven and which aren't? When I was up there, we always picked the loudest and brightest we could find at night