My 1st Time To Thailand / Phuket

[TVBP]

Hi everyone!!!

I´m planning my first visit from Portugal to Phuket on 17th of August, and will stay with my wife for 10 days...

I´m really worried about the weather. Can anybody tell me if the rain is going to stuck me in the hotel for the all week?

Other thing is the sea conditions...if i go to a beach on the east cost of the island, will the sea be calmer?

Can you give me same east cost beach names?

Since i´m a very experienced motorcycle rider (i ride everyday to work), i´m thinking about renting one...

Where can i find the best prices?(i´ll be staying in Patong Beach or Kata Beach)

I´m sure i´ll have plenty more questions, but for now i´ll wait for you reply to this ones.

Thanks in advanced

[fiddlehead]

The rain will let you out of the hotel somewhat.

the east side beaches are calmer.

Motorcycles are for rent all over the place, just walk around and ask prices. Probably you will pay between 150 and 200 baht per day.

have fun.

ps. what will be raining in portugal on the 17th of August? (the 18th)

[TVBP]

The rain will let you out of the hotel somewhat.

the east side beaches are calmer.

Motorcycles are for rent all over the place, just walk around and ask prices. Probably you will pay between 150 and 200 baht per day.

have fun.

ps. what will be raining in portugal on the 17th of August? (the 18th)

Sorry, i didn´t understand your question....but if it´s about percipitation in Portugal during the month of August.....it doesn´t rain at all

[ScubaBuddha]

Hi everyone!!!

I´m planning my first visit from Portugal to Phuket on 17th of August, and will stay with my wife for 10 days...

I´m really worried about the weather. Can anybody tell me if the rain is going to stuck me in the hotel for the all week?

Other thing is the sea conditions...if i go to a beach on the east cost of the island, will the sea be calmer?

Can you give me same east cost beach names?

Since i´m a very experienced motorcycle rider (i ride everyday to work), i´m thinking about renting one...

Where can i find the best prices?(i´ll be staying in Patong Beach or Kata Beach)

I´m sure i´ll have plenty more questions, but for now i´ll wait for you reply to this ones.

Thanks in advanced

There has been an uncharacteristic lack of rain so far this low/monsoon/summer season, so you never know. In fact I would say the weather has been nicer during the last two months than during the previous high season.

fiddle is right about the bikes, unless you are looking to rent a big bike, then it will be more like 500-1200 baht a day depending what you want.

The east side is calmer, in fact usually more like a lake. Not much in terms of nice beaches there. If the break is too big on the west side, you can try Rawaii or Naharn beachs. They are unlike the west coast beaches in many ways. It might just be you and a sleepy fisherman on the beach.

You are wise to put some thought into the ocean conditions. It seems like comon sense, but we do have several drownings here each year, particularly at Karon Beach, so I will say unless you are a real good swimmer and can read the ocean and avoid getting trampled by the waves, I recommend you stick to Kata Yai (Big Kata) Beach when the surf is up. Kata Yai usualy has smaller waves. (Not Kata Noi (Small Kata) as it always seems to me to have bigger waves, more beach break and steeper pitch.)

There are lifegaurds on all the beaches here now, but it's a fledgling program so don't count on signs and flags to be accurate, and don't expect the Thai life gaurds to jump in to help you if you get in trouble. Use common sense and have fun!!

[TVBP]

thanks for all these info....keep it coming...

[Ping]

In a nutshell, the rain is fairly unpredictable. It can rain virtually non-stop for a week (uncommon) or once or twice a day. It's wise to factor in that it will rain at some point during the day for at least an hour. The upside is that if you get wet, you'll be dry half an hour later. It can be a bit iffy on a motor cyclem, unless you don't mind riding in the rain - you can rent a cheap 4WD (like a Suzi Caribbean) for 500 - 800 baht per day (depending on length of rental, your bargaining skills and where you rent it from). If you are staying in Patong, you'll find them parked along the beach road (Thaweewong Rd) just to the south of Bangla Rd. Goooogle for a Patong map, or try Google Earth. You'll need an International Driver's Permit.

Avoid the east coast - the beaches are mud flats at low tide and they're not suitable for swimming. As to the west coast beaches, as others said, the rips during low season can be very strong and catch you unawares. Tourist drownings are not uncommon.

[BigSnake]

Bring it on my friend don't worry about the weather, sure there will be a rainy day or two, but nothing that will keep you stuck in a Hotel and off your Bike, I would be more concern with speeding ten wheelers, drunk drivers, speeding tuk tuk and just plain old foolish, selfish drivers then the weather. Beware bike riding in Thailand can be very HAZARD to your health and even deadly, JUST a few short months ago two Experience farangs rider(England) if I recall correctly was kill, speed and booze mostly like the cause say the report, one just plain old careless driving, trying to make his superbike FLY, one more>a farangs in our town in hosptial broken rib, broken collar bone, normal driving, very safe, old water buffalo decide to make a U-TURN while crossing the road>sorry for the rant>nuff said Be safe.

[TVBP]

I´m also planning on going to some tours (phi phi etc).

Where´s the best place (cheapest) to buy the speed boat tickets?

[ScubaBuddha]

I´m also planning on going to some tours (phi phi etc).

Where´s the best place (cheapest) to buy the speed boat tickets?

Go to a few of the many kiosks offering tours to get an idea on prices which dot any tourist area My experience is they are all about the same.

[huggybear]

I´m also planning on going to some tours (phi phi etc).

Where´s the best place (cheapest) to buy the speed boat tickets?

If you are adept at riding the bike, get yourself to Rassada Pier in Phuket town and buy your ticket right there. Show up at 8:00AM and the boats usually go at 8:30.

If you can book ahead with Andaman Wave Master (call on the phone once here) the ticket goes from 1000 to 700. I'm sure that's where many of the desk tour operators make some nice money.

East Coast beaches? Huh? That's where the box jellyfish are in the murky mangrove waters, no?

[TVBP]

thanks again people for all the help...

another thing is...i used to practice Taekwondo and Kick Boxing, but it´s been like 4 years since i last trained...

Is it possible to attend to a single muay thay parctice...it´s an old dream of mine of when a was a martial art student...just to bring a great memory to Portugal? Keep in mind that i´m in a almost basic level again right now.

[pagallim]

Surely this has to be a troll.

[TVBP]

Surely this has to be a troll.

yeah..a troll that praticed tkd for over a decade, kick and MMA for 3 years.....

What´s up with that s**tty attitude?

If you come to Europe...feel free to ask me any questions you want....