Beer , Food , Transport Rental Prices In Kata

[Lerv]

Hi all from a long time lurker and first time poster.

I am thinking about a 10 day holiday in Phuket, Kata Beach to be specific, my other option is Ko Phangan but I have had great times in Kata before, my first Phuket visit was around 25 years ago and explored on trail bike, I have spent a fair amount of time exploring other regions as well, Isaan, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai etc.

My last visit to Phuket was around 5 years ago and I was blown away with the pace and level of development and change, including Kata.

My needs are simple and I will be bringing my wife, so I have some questions that only a local can answer, mainly regarding prices, I have an aversion to being ripped off.

How much can I expect to pay for a cold Singha in a bar?

Small bike or car rental eg. suziki 4wd?

Average meal price eg. tom yung gung, fried rice, steamed fish, bbq squid, is the food interesting now or has it also been westernized with sugar and watered down.

After reading the negative posts in this forum I feel a need to ask before booking.

Just to note my ex wife is Thai, she also holds negative views about her home country, for the same valid reasons as the expats in this forum!

Cheers and thanks

[katabeachbum]

dont worry, Kata is the same as 5 years ago .

some more hotels, some more restaurants, but you still get a good thai meal for 40-80 baht and singha in a bar at 60 baht.

honda waves for 100 baht a day, or auto bikes from 150 baht a day, suzuki jeep at 700 baht

thai food in some tourist places have been westernized, but in addition some pure thai restaurants have been established last couple of years

welcome to kata

[Lerv]

Hi Beachbum,

Thanks for the reply, seems like not a lot has changed in Kata price wise, perhaps a minor adjustment for inflation etc, accommodation is about the same as well, I don't go to the big fancy places, prefer to hang out low key.

As long as the beach remains ( and it is a brilliant beach ) and the food and beer are reasonable I will be there.

Cheers

[ivowatson]

Price for a cold Singha (there's even Singha Light now) between 45 and 120 depending on which bar, happy hour, season, etc. and tom yam gung is between 80 and 300 depending on the place. Never been to the Boathouse but heard many good reviews.

I think it's better to take insurance with the small car but if you don't prices are much lower (500 to 1500).

IMO the food is not so interesting because it's still 100% Thai food with (a little) sugar (and lots of msg) added to every dish. For water you have to pay now unless you like rain water which is still free but not everywhere available because there hasn't been any rain lately (check the excellent TV weather forecast).

You say your needs are simple so I assume your wife is okay with that and she doesn't need anything special like fancy clothes or jewelry.

I never heard of any Thai holding negative views about Thailand. I always thought it was not allowed. I hope you're not planning to bring her along.

I think you will enjoy Koh Phangan more than Phuket.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any more help.

[Lerv]

You say your needs are simple so I assume your wife is okay with that and she doesn't need anything special like fancy clothes or jewelry.

I never heard of any Thai holding negative views about Thailand. I always thought it was not allowed. I hope you're not planning to bring her along.

I think you will enjoy Koh Phangan more than Phuket.

Yes my wife and I have both simple needs, we are happy this way and travel unencumbered, often.

My ex is an educated Thai Lady, independent and stubborn, she holds strong and accurate views on all manner of topics, speaks her mind and acts, she has a very strong cultural and religious background, she prefers to turn her back on what has now changed forever, its all money money money now, vastly different to how it was years ago in Isaan, as has been outlined very well in previous forum posts.

I am not sure whether Kho Phangan has the diversity of attractions that Phuket offers, eg. food, beaches, scenery for road travel, I need to do more research, it seems that there is an isolated element to the beaches which I like and if there are less hassles then it could be a good option.

[katabeachbum]

Price for a cold Singha (there's even Singha Light now) between 45 and 120 depending on which bar, happy hour, season, etc. and tom yam gung is between 80 and 300 depending on the place. Never been to the Boathouse but heard many good reviews.

I think it's better to take insurance with the small car but if you don't prices are much lower (500 to 1500).

IMO the food is not so interesting because it's still 100% Thai food with (a little) sugar (and lots of msg) added to every dish. For water you have to pay now unless you like rain water which is still free but not everywhere available because there hasn't been any rain lately (check the excellent TV weather forecast).

You say your needs are simple so I assume your wife is okay with that and she doesn't need anything special like fancy clothes or jewelry.

I never heard of any Thai holding negative views about Thailand. I always thought it was not allowed. I hope you're not planning to bring her along.

I think you will enjoy Koh Phangan more than Phuket.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any more help.

Insurance on rental-cars

Most Suzuki jeeps with rear seat are more than 10 years old, hence the low rental price. I dont know any Insurance company wanting to issue full 1st class insurance for such vehicles. I see many rental jeeps have signs "insurance", its most likely b-sht, compulsary insurance not covering much

On the other hand, max value should be 150k baht in case its wrecked

[Lerv]

Insurance on rental-cars

Most Suzuki jeeps with rear seat are more than 10 years old, hence the low rental price. I dont know any Insurance company wanting to issue full 1st class insurance for such vehicles. I see many rental jeeps have signs "insurance", its most likely b-sht, compulsary insurance not covering much

On the other hand, max value should be 150k baht in case its wrecked

Maybe a good idea to get a more recent model in that case, great info and help guys, thank you, I prefer to have the risk of liability covered if possible.

[ScubaBuddha]

Sounds like you won't need them, but be sure to avoid the tuk tuks if you can. We hope to see a sea change in the extortionate fares and thuggish behavior, (doubtful I know) but until we do, I and others will continue to urge people to find alternatives. As well we are urging everyone to aviod the businesses which advertise with them.

[katabeachbum]

Hi Beachbum,

Thanks for the reply, seems like not a lot has changed in Kata price wise, perhaps a minor adjustment for inflation etc, accommodation is about the same as well, I don't go to the big fancy places, prefer to hang out low key.

As long as the beach remains ( and it is a brilliant beach ) and the food and beer are reasonable I will be there.

Cheers

yepp, despite the tuk tuks, rental cars scams and so on, you can still get a six pack on 7eleven at 150baht, enjoy it on lovely Kata Beach at sunset and have a delicous thai meal at 80 baht, not bad

I like eating beachfront, and have found out Kata Mama make proper (not westernized) thai food if you ask them to. Expect 120 baht though

[steelepulse]

Six pack of what KBB? Archa? Chang? Diet Coke? Have to agree on Kata Mama, but this year they are short staffed, so if you get there after 7:30 expect a long delay in getting your food.

[katabeachbum]

Six pack of what KBB? Archa? Chang? Diet Coke? Have to agree on Kata Mama, but this year they are short staffed, so if you get there after 7:30 expect a long delay in getting your food.

dont like Singha, so at 150 baht that would be Leo, but actually I think their 4 packs are 105 baht now, so 6 would be like 160 baht.

and my favorite San Miguel is like 200 baht for 6 now. ice cold 7eleven prices. approx 20-30 % cheaper in Makro.

Kata Mama having some staff problem in kitchen, so sometimes its an hour to get food even for late lunch. was bored of their thai food (westernized mak mak), until my gf told them I like it thai. Now I m a regular again

[Lerv]

Now we are getting to the nitty gritty, stuff that matters, cold six packs and beach + proper Thai food = happy traveller

[katabeachbum]

Now we are getting to the nitty gritty, stuff that matters, cold six packs and beach + proper Thai food = happy traveller

Welcome to Paradise

Despite all our complains in TV on all kinds of issues, Phuket and espessially Kata is a luvely place

[steelepulse]

I'll second that. Enjoyed a nice day at Kata yesterday with some sunset beers and friends.

[Lerv]

I'll second that. Enjoyed a nice day at Kata yesterday with some sunset beers and friends.

Well we are coming from Philippines where it is high season till June, recall Kata Mama is at the end of the beach, San Mig = tidy morning as well.

Looking good

[ScubaBuddha]

I'll second that. Enjoyed a nice day at Kata yesterday with some sunset beers and friends.

Was that after the beach volleyball?

[steelepulse]

Of course, where were you SB?

[ScubaBuddha]

Of course, where were you SB?

I know I know...Soon.