Transportation options

[1happykamper]

I have been living in Thailand for 3 years. I like the idea of being an expat in Phuket but getting around the island concerns me.

 

If I remember correctly the taxi fare from the airport Phuket town was 1.700 baht? A short taxi ride of just 5 minutes ...about at 300 baht . Correct? 

 

I am not at all keen on riding a scooter on Phuket... Just too fast and crazy for me. Yes.. I could buy a car.... But parking it at each destination... Was not easy when I rented one before.

 

So how does one get around the island to visit freinds... Explore... Or check out another beach? What are my options? Song taew? Bus? What exactly? Or... Is there a more pedestrian friendly town that the need for transportation is just not needed very often? Cheers.

 

 

 

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[stevenl]

I have lived here for quite some time now, and can't imagine living here or anywhere else for that matter without own transportation.

[pagallim]

Phuket is a very diverse island, so depending upon what your needs are for day to day living and socialising, best to choose an area which reduces the amount of travel.   A small car would be by far the best option, both for safety and the occasional inclement weather.   Unless you're going regularly to the tourist centres such as Patong, Kata and Karon, parking typically isn't such a problem.

 

What makes Phuket stand out from similar places are it's options.   Having your own transport maximises those options.

[NamKangMan]

51 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I have lived here for quite some time now, and can't imagine living here or anywhere else for that matter without own transportation.

 

This is because you have become accustomed to NOT having a proper public transport option. 

 

Case in point, why would you ride a motorcycle, or drive a car, around Central Pattaya when you can go anywhere there for 10 baht?

 

 

[NamKangMan]

44 minutes ago, pagallim said:

Phuket is a very diverse island, so depending upon what your needs are for day to day living and socialising, best to choose an area which reduces the amount of travel.   A small car would be by far the best option, both for safety and the occasional inclement weather.   Unless you're going regularly to the tourist centres such as Patong, Kata and Karon, parking typically isn't such a problem.

 

What makes Phuket stand out from similar places are it's options.   Having your own transport maximises those options.

 

"Having your own transport maximises those options." - don't you mean "having your own transport is your ONLY option."  

[stevenl]

3 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

 

This is because you have become accustomed to NOT having a proper public transport option. 

 

Case in point, why would you ride a motorcycle around Central Pattaya when you can go anywhere there for 10 baht?  

For once, one time, I will react to you.

 

You're wrong, it is because I prefer own transport. I used to live in downtown Amsterdam and downtown Rotterdam, both with excellent public transport. And I used it from time to time, but also had and used my own private transport. There now is an option of a publ;ic bus going from close to where I live in Rawai to close to where I work in Kata. But I prefer my own transport.

[Hummin]

I would not choose Phuket because of the traffic there, and that is the first reason, and the second reason is lack of cheap public transportation. I drive motorbike myself when down there, but realize it is as much stupid as last time I was there. Phuket is ruined totally! 

[1happykamper]

I would not choose Phuket because of the traffic there, and that is the first reason, and the second reason is lack of cheap public transportation. I drive motorbike myself when down there, but realize it is as much stupid as last time I was there. Phuket is ruined totally! 

We share the same thought... My question was more of a sanity check to see if I was missing any information about Phuket.

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[1happykamper]

 
This is because you have become accustomed to NOT having a proper public transport option. 
 
Case in point, why would you ride a motorcycle, or drive a car, around Central Pattaya when you can go anywhere there for 10 baht?
 
 

So Pattaya has song taew i take it? What other Thailand beach towns have this option. This topic ... for me... Is an important factor in enjoying a relaxing and carefree time..

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[NamKangMan]

11 minutes ago, stevenl said:

For once, one time, I will react to you.

 

You're wrong, it is because I prefer own transport. I used to live in downtown Amsterdam and downtown Rotterdam, both with excellent public transport. And I used it from time to time, but also had and used my own private transport. There now is an option of a publ;ic bus going from close to where I live in Rawai to close to where I work in Kata. But I prefer my own transport.

 

You miss my point, there is NO PROPER PUBLIC TRANSPORT here, thus, one has no option.  Everyone must have access to a vehicle here - as you do.  this is why the traffic is so bad, as well as parking, noise pollution, air pollution, accidents, and road death. 

 

On your own admission, you used public transport in your home country, why don't you just admit that Phuket, a so called "World Class Tourist Destination" offers close to ZERO proper public transport options that are not controlled by a transport cartel.  

 

 

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

So Pattaya has song taew i take it? What other Thailand beach towns have this option. This topic ... for me... Is an important factor in enjoying a relaxing and carefree time..

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Hua Hin and Ao Nang Krabi have, but if beach and nightlife is important, then? Ai, dependes on what kind of night life you prefer. Hua Hin have hips of beer bars, and so, and Ao Nang Krabi last time I was there, have not so much. 

 

Hua Hin do not have much of a beach with clear water, but beer bars, and Ao Nang have Islands with nice beaches but no nightlife to talk about. No shopping at Ao Nang, but Hua Hin have great shopping. Pattaya I would not use beach at all, but have good nightlife and good shopping + the best choice of food. 

[1happykamper]

Hua Hin and Ao Nang Krabi have, but if beach and nightlife is important, then? Ai, dependes on what kind of night life you prefer. Hua Hin have hips of beer bars, and so, and Ao Nang Krabi last time I was there, have not so much. 
 
Hua Hin do not have much of a beach with clear water, but beer bars, and Ao Nang have Islands with nice beaches but no nightlife to talk about. No shopping at Ao Nang, but Hua Hin have great shopping. Pattaya I would not use beach at all, but have good nightlife and good shopping + the best choice of food. 

I appreciate the comments and help. Hua Hin as alsi been on my mind... Even more-so now I know about the songtaews there!

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[stevenl]

1 hour ago, 1happykamper said:

So Pattaya has song taew i take it? What other Thailand beach towns have this option. This topic ... for me... Is an important factor in enjoying a relaxing and carefree time..

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There is your mistake, Phuket is not a beach town.

[Chefgno]

One thing you would need to look at is traveling to the airport for 1700 baht. You got ripped off.

I lived in Rawai for 3 years and never paid over 1,000 baht, door to door, Rawai to the airport.

 

Sorry, you were ripped

[Jimi007]

10 hours ago, stevenl said:

I have lived here for quite some time now, and can't imagine living here or anywhere else for that matter without own transportation.

I couldn't agree more! I have two cars and a 1977 VW Bus insured and registered in California and two motorcycles and a truck registered and insured in Phuket. If I want to go for a cruise on a motorcycle, I can. If I need to go grocery shopping or take my dog to the Veterinarian or go to the airport my truck has a carryboy cover on the back. Great for when it's raining too. I can't imagine living with out my own transportation anywhere! 

[Jimi007]

6 hours ago, Chefgno said:

One thing you would need to look at is traveling to the airport for 1700 baht. You got ripped off.

I lived in Rawai for 3 years and never paid over 1,000 baht, door to door, Rawai to the airport.

 

Sorry, you were ripped

I've paid more. 1,000 Baht is a decent deal still here. The rates have gone up and I've lived in Rawai for 12 years. But lately we need to hire a minibus to and from the airport as we take our dog and her rather large flight kennel with us on our flights. I am somewhat amused that some Muslim minibus owners allow our dog to ride in their vehicle. Some have refused in the past. And some of the looks we get at the airports, especially at BKK are rather amusing! 

[NamKangMan]

On 4/26/2018 at 4:28 AM, Jimi007 said:

I couldn't agree more! I have two cars and a 1977 VW Bus insured and registered in California and two motorcycles and a truck registered and insured in Phuket. If I want to go for a cruise on a motorcycle, I can. If I need to go grocery shopping or take my dog to the Veterinarian or go to the airport my truck has a carryboy cover on the back. Great for when it's raining too. I can't imagine living with out my own transportation anywhere! 

 

Once again, if you could go all around a beach area for 10 baht, or from beach to beach, for say, 40 baht, 24/7, with no more than a few minutes wait, would you use that system, and if so, would that not decrease your need for having your own vehicle/s? Note I said "decrease" - not "replace."

 

Now, keep the above in mind, should one wish to consume some alcohol, and why would you use your own transport?

 

It's criminal that tourists coming to Phuket, a so called "World Class Tourist Destination" that there best transport option is to also have their own transport, which most of the time is a motorcycle, which ends in tragic circumstances for many.  

 

 

[VocalNeal]

8 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

Once again, if you could go all around a beach area for 10 baht, or from beach to beach, for say, 40 baht, 24/7, with no more than a few minutes wait, would you use that system

 

Like the baht buses in Pattaya?  All the personal car drivers there complain about them.  

[Old Croc]

Perhaps this topic could be closed.

The OP has admitted he wasn't really interested in Phuket and the advocates for other centres have jumped on the usual rubbish from the forum troll and it has become another bash Phuket thread.

Discussions about other places could best be continued on their local forums..

 

[Rimmer]

Topic is starting to go of fthe rails

//CLOSED//