So far I’ve heard Nai Harn beach has a ball drop and Central has some free Thai concert/countdown. Any others anybody knows about far away from Patong?

Kamala beach and all its restaurants and beach clubs are packed with revellers. Lots of families.

 

The fireworks at Kamala beach seem to last longer every year. Musta been a 20minute show last year.

 

 

1 hour ago, ChasingTheSun said:

Kamala beach and all its restaurants and beach clubs are packed with revellers. Lots of families.

 

The fireworks at Kamala beach seem to last longer every year. Musta been a 20minute show last year.

 

 

Are the klongs packed with fecal matter as well? The evening stench last time I was there had me dry reaching. 

1 hour ago, hansgruber said:

Are the klongs packed with fecal matter as well? The evening stench last time I was there had me dry reaching. 

Welcome to Thailand, where EVERY klong is “packed with fecal matter”. You may want to stay out of Thailand if that kind of thing bothers you.

If you are in Phuket now, most of the klongs across all the west coast beaches have dried-up at this time of the year(dry season), so it is actually an excellent time to go for a dip and watch the cute little fishies dancing around your toes.

 

26 minutes ago, ChasingTheSun said:

Welcome to Thailand, where EVERY klong is “packed with fecal matter”. You may want to stay out of Thailand if that kind of thing bothers you.

If you are in Phuket now, most of the klongs across all the west coast beaches have dried-up at this time of the year(dry season), so it is actually an excellent time to go for a dip and watch the cute little fishies dancing around your toes.

 

I'm well aware of the klongs. It doesn't bother me at all because I don't swim in the sea here anymore. I once got an ear infection that took nearly 2 months to cure and many rounds of antibiotics from swimming at Kata beach. 

Kamala beach is the worst beach on Phuket though. It stinks. 

1 hour ago, hansgruber said:

I'm well aware of the klongs. It doesn't bother me at all because I don't swim in the sea here anymore. I once got an ear infection that took nearly 2 months to cure and many rounds of antibiotics from swimming at Kata beach. 

Kamala beach is the worst beach on Phuket though. It stinks. 

 

Kamala beach is actually one of the best major beaches, if not the best major beach, overall on Phuket.
 

Kamala beach offers crystal clear water during the calm dry season, its not too big and not too small, its well serviced by many types of eateries/bars, and its a relatively safe beach to swim at during the monsoon season(little if any undertow and a long shallow incline). 

 

Those are probably some of the reasons why three international 5 star hotels were built on Kamala beach in the last several years.

 

Can you name a better major west-coast beach than Kamala Beach?
 

It sounds like you have a very weak immune system and its probably wise to stay away from all beaches. 
 

not to mention kamala beach is one of the only beach resorts that actually was a village LONG before the tourists ever arrived. The only beach that has any thai feel to it still and not just a concrete jungle of shop houses

Been my home since 96.....

1 hour ago, phuketrichard said:

not to mention kamala beach is one of the only beach resorts that actually was a village LONG before the tourists ever arrived. The only beach that has any thai feel to it still and not just a concrete jungle of shop houses

Been my home since 96.....

You forgot Maikhao.....

1 hour ago, schlog said:

You forgot Maikhao.....

Another nice beach. 

 

Unfortunately, or fortunately, not really a “main beach” in Phuket as it is VERY far from where the vast majority of tourists/residents go.

20 hours ago, phuketrichard said:

 

Been my home since 96.....

Plenty of us have lived here for a long time, why do you feel the need to mention it so often?