Kimera

How much is approx cost of renting a 4WD Jeep ( air-conditioned ) or a 1.5 litres sedan for 2 days on Sel-Drive basis in Phuket ?

We would be staying in a hotel in Patong area.

Do you recommend that we look at the usual multi-national companies; Hertz, Avis etc OR we negotiate with local rental companies ?

What things we decide / discuss carefully with a local car rental company, before signing the contract ?

Its only 2 days go with the big boys Avis etc. Feel safe anyway, you are talking such a small amount of money saved whats the problem? its got to be cheaper than your home country

Please do not drive without the appropriate license. In the event of a collision involving bodily injury, your insurance will be void. You will face a large bill and may be detained as a flight risk. Invest the small amount of funds in your home country (usually the local auto association does it) and drive somewhat worry free.

The highway code does not recognize an infraction receipt as a "temporary" license. An infraction is allowed to be levied for each and every driving infraction. If in doubt consult the code or legal counsel.

What you will pay in "fines" will be more than the cost of the license.

Well said! Not sure where you are but the IDL in the UK costs £7.50 for 1 year from the AA, most other countries have similar! It's the way to go

Hi there

I am going to be purchasing a brand new scooter in the coming weeks and am just looking for recommendation on brands models as I don't have a clue really. Think I'll get either a Suzuki or Honda and am looking for something clutchless but not automatic gears.

Something "powerful" or tuned (i.e. sports model) would be good too and some space under the seat for a helmet or whatever would be good.

Anyone got any recommendations on whether I should Honda or Suzuki or specific models?

Thanks

Honda Air Blade, it has what you want, space under the seat, sporty looks and performance, however IS twist and go and expensive

theres at least two or three for sale in my street. pm me and i will give you details.

Same in our street and I'm sure many others, we are in Thalang central island

I need a cheap car, but reliable for short drives, that has good air conditioning, is automatic... any info on this Wingroad? I see them all over...

How much are they in Thailand, new? Is there a deluxe model??? i doubt it... any info appreciated!

And what about a USED one? what's the story on that?

p.s. if you do hire a car for a few days and ya like it you might be able to buy it after cos its low season and money is thin on the ground.

keep us posted!!

good thought funfun, but I'd say stay away from buying cars for hire, even if you do like it for the few days of driving it. For me (and I'm sure many others), cars that i rent are like test vehicles for things i've always wanted to try, but wouldn't do with my car aka slamming on brakes from 120kph, reversing then flicking around then putting it back into a forward gear, e-braking around corners, the scandie flick, etc.....

last time i rented a little honda city from chiang mai - pai - mae hong son - chiang mai, oh did i put that car through the gauntlet. Thousands of turns (literally), 90-degree, 180-degree, you name it.... it was gear one-two-one-two for hours and hours.... but I gotta say the car didn't break down on me and only when I got back to chaing mai to return it did i notice the clutch slipping.... but for 1000 a day, i got my money's worth.

Needless to say, even if I had 'liked' the car, i would not recommend buying that particular one as funfun may have suggested, but rather searched for a second-hand car of the same make and model that hadn't been rented out to hundreds of people...

God I hope your American, your not from the UK I hope

Last time I looked it was that faux marmite brought in from NZ.. Not vegamite but the plastic tubbed red top 'marmite' one !!

Still getting real marmite brought from UK !!

thanks for the reply that tastes better

hi guys.

hopefully im going to be moving over the phuket in the next couple of months. im going to teach english. im probably getting 30000 baht a month.

few questions

how much is a single bed apartment with air con thats half decent?

what is the best way to get the said apartment (are there estate agents for locals and different for the tourism industry?

how easily can i live on 30000 baht; will it be easy to go out on weekends and live relatively comfortably (i dont need a maid or any post colonial cr8p like that)

Thanks in advance for the help.

With 30,000 you will live well! You will be able to rent a small house 6-10,000 baht 1 month, price depends where you are on the island, best way to find it, get here to the area you want to live in, find a hotel, talk to the people, hire a m/c and ride around You will find I am sure what you need , Good luck

thanks for that - thought it sounded too good to be true. A couple of friends here also thought it sounded dubious. Going back to my "home" country in a couple of months so will try for a genuine one there.

no need to wait till you get to your home country apply for one on the net got mine in 7 days.

all you need is a valid driving license.

you scan the application form driving lincense (etc) you can get for 1 or 3 years only cost for 3 years is $125/us.

have rented cars in spain france u/k and thailand with it,even been stopped by MIB in udon and told it was ok,happy days

You do not state your home country but--The Uk IDL is £7.50 for 1 year only issued by the AA. However you can apply out of country download the form

I am in Phuket right now on holiday from Pattaya and I can't believe how quiet it is. In Bangla Rd. some bars are not even open, why is it so quiet? Went into quite a few places, some places very expensive but no action? I wonder how can they survive.

I live in Pattaya and it's busy every night, what is Phuket bar operators doing wrong? 100/120 baht beers and no customers? Lady drinks 150 baht, rip off!

I went into VIP Asia last night, was in there until 1AM, 3 farangs and at least 25 staff.

I know it's the rainy season but very few people here, double the price and some very snobby ladies too?

Why is it so quiet and why do they charge so much?

Yes you are right! Why? but according to the powers that be in Phuket on their last press release... the flights into Phuket are full and the hotels are 90% full.. thats it then!

1. How much does on average a taxi charge for airport to a hotel in Patong ?

2. Are metered taxis available on the airport exit, like we can find them on Suvarmbhumi aiport in BKK ?

Andrep

It's 450 to 500 baht. The booth is just outside the glass doors when you exit the customs/baggage area to the right (a small waiting area and mini-mart is on the left). Or that could be closed and the booth could be located to the far right, but there's only one open at one time and they both seem to be run by the same company. The prices are posted in clear sight so there's no ripoff there.

Get a taxi (a car); not a limousine and not a group van.

Two swindle attempts to watch out for:

(1) "It will take a long time to call for a taxi; if you take the minivan it's available now". Don't do it. Wait 15 or 30 minutes if you have to; this happens most often late at night but don't fall for it; not only are you getting ripped off in price but it takes a lot longer (the van will be packed with people and stop at every person's hotel) and leads to swindle #2:

(2) In the group van, it will stop at a shophouse because the driver has to go to the bathroom or pick up something (wink-wink), then you get bombarded like sitting ducks to get sucked into some tourist trap offer. Not only is it very time-consuming but they can get pretty nasty at times.

Just pay the damned 450 or 500 baht and be done with it. It takes you door to door. Every time, I'm totally amazed watching people (for some reason, mostly Aussies) haggle and bargain and complain over 50 or 100 baht and they are going on vacation and going to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars/euros.

Iggy

Its hard really to understand if you convert the 500baht into uk £ its £7 ish for a 25+ K trip -----in the uk you would not travel 5K, Yes I know there is a difference in values but but whose values ??

Both marmite and soya milk are available at Tops at Central. Don't know about herbal teas but I imagine they are also available there.

Is it Real-- Marmite ?

Thai consumers continue as the world's top saver

This is ludicrous, with the exception of the rich, Thais save nothing. Partly because they have very little to save and also because the concept of tomorrow is just not there.

This is reminiscent of the mid '90's when the media were hyping up the Asian model for such a great economic success. The mediocre economic magazines were plastering their front page with the benefits of high saving, a lot of crap were printed. Then in the summer of 1997, everyone know what happen, and there were certainly no saving either individuals or corporate to bail out the country.

Too bad we live in an era of mediocre media being TV, magazine or newspapers.

I would have to disagree that the Thai concept of tomorrow is not there, else why in the provinces do the parents try to insure what they have passes to the children, in most cases before they die ! The concept of inprovement is definately there!

Howdy...

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get to phi phi from phuket and hows the best way to get there//??

Also how much does a elephant trek cost....

also anyone know how the weather is doing in phuket at min

BBC weather will give updated forecasts 5 days ahead

SOLD

thanks 4 the interest

NO thank you -----------see PM

Have been offered 35k by Toyota as a part exchange price for my 1.3 Suzuki Caribbean. Its a white 4 seat one with aircon, 1989, green book, Tax & Ins till end Oct.

Body work is rough but ot be expected for that age of car and price. Mechanically its not let me down in the last 7 months.

Cheap runner for the wet.....

Im out of Phuket until 3rd Sept What you have is just what Im looking for, Please PM me..

who knows 1 day I may get chance to come out and visit phuket ...

You need to get away my friend, come to the Island, As the Thais say I cannot see when I die!

Wondered what all you fellow people do here on this wonderfull island ?

For me .... have a product supply company to the developments here .

And for you ???................

Well I take the family to beach, visit friends shop at Tesco, Big C oh and Super Cheap and mostly enjoy being on this Island , Sad Eh?

Any recommendations on where to go for tattoo?

Best be careful my friend, London would be good ! no easy and safe way here,

My experience is limited, but I've never seen a katoey refused entry anywhere.

Yes, and you mostly you can see what you are getting a Katoey! but other people Well Now?

i really can't understand it

does no life & internet access = troll

there must be a reason for it...........

Maybe the posts feed the trolls because you tell them not to ! You have a fine flag there my friend

Hi All,

I am sure this has been asked many times, but myself wife and baby son are planning to sell up in the Uk after my 50th in April and retire to Phuket.

We have a house already for 3 years in land and house park in chalong, but when we come to live full time we are considering buying a bigger house in the park, my question is should we rent our exsiting house or just sell it, i know new build sites are all over the island on we are at saturation point and spoiling the place, but thats another issue.

Is the re-sale market good enough for me to show a profit on the sale, as most of our thai friends opt for the rental point of view ?

your thoughts gents

You should make a profit after 3 years and the rental of the property (you give very little in the way of details) 2/3bedroom etc ? 8000 to 1500baht monthly, do you need the capital or the income,? your Thai friends would favour the rental way, that is the Thai way , income and its there for their children

are you sure you want one? Think of the humidity - you'll get a betty swallocks

Oh I love sticking to things!!! Thanks for the input,

Does anyone know where I could buy a traditional leather armchair (or something like) on Phuket Island,

It sounded better than putting " I always make people feel warm n fuzzy"

Yes I understand you are very welcome

when i feel warm and fuzzy I normally turn heating down

You sure this works with fussy?