Best Part Of Phuket?

[boogiewoogie]

So... We gonna spend autumn/winter on Phuket, so we looking for best place to stay. Can anyone recommend good place for family with small kids,

It have to be not too noisy, not too far from calm beach, close to Carrefour/Big C/ Tesco(or reachable by short ride on a bike or tuk tuk). Any advices are very much welcome.

[LivinLOS]

Close to carrefore ?? If recent news is to be believed that will mean Europe..

But really if you need those Patong / Kathu services your limited to Karon Kamala or Kathu.. I would say Kamala with a family if you need the beach, Kathu (due to the QSI) if they are needing schooling.

[Just1Voice]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be to pick some place else for vacation. Unless of course, you like being harassed and seriously overcharged by the tuk tuk mafia, like being scammed by the tourist police, like being ripped off by the jet ski mafia, like the prostitutes approaching you, even when you're with your family, and like people constantly trying to sell you porn videos and dvd's when you're just trying to walk down the street with your family. And let's not forget the beaches which are littered with trash, broken glass and cans, and the bacteria in the ocean water from all the feces that has been flushed into it. And hotel workers who never heard of the famous "Thai smile", or have the faintest idea of what "courteous service" means. If none of that bothers you then, hey, have a great vacation!

[saintofsilence]

The best place is the exit door when you are leaving phuket out at the the airport.

Edited August 4, 2010 by saintofsilence

[Jimi007]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be to pick some place else for vacation. Unless of course, you like being harassed and seriously overcharged by the tuk tuk mafia, like being scammed by the tourist police, like being ripped off by the jet ski mafia, like the prostitutes approaching you, even when you're with your family, and like people constantly trying to sell you porn videos and dvd's when you're just trying to walk down the street with your family. And let's not forget the beaches which are littered with trash, broken glass and cans, and the bacteria in the ocean water from all the feces that has been flushed into it. And hotel workers who never heard of the famous "Thai smile", or have the faintest idea of what "courteous service" means. If none of that bothers you then, hey, have a great vacation!

Ah, you've been to Patong...

The best place is the exit door when you are leaving phuket out at the the airport.

You've been to Patong too? I just love to breath the fresh air in Thailand's two largest and most polluted cities. I think I'll move there!

As to the OP, Carrefore is going out of business and it is in Patong, not a family place. Big C and the large Tesco are in Central Festival area of Phuket Town, not very close to any beach. Transportation can be an issue on the island. With a family I suggest renting a car, you can get a monthly rate. Most people who live here long term, live near the southern end of the island. It's much quieter than the tourist areas. Naiharn has a nice beach. There is a Villa Supermarket and a medium sized Tesco in Chalong, not too far of a drive from the Naiharn area. There are other threads about areas to live or stay in Phuket, so do a bit of searching and reading on the Phuket forum. Or just come and check it out and find an area you like. Everyone's tastes and needs are different. Good luck. Hope you have fun!

[seanocasey]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be to pick some place else for vacation. Unless of course, you like being harassed and seriously overcharged by the tuk tuk mafia, like being scammed by the tourist police, like being ripped off by the jet ski mafia, like the prostitutes approaching you, even when you're with your family, and like people constantly trying to sell you porn videos and dvd's when you're just trying to walk down the street with your family. And let's not forget the beaches which are littered with trash, broken glass and cans, and the bacteria in the ocean water from all the feces that has been flushed into it. And hotel workers who never heard of the famous "Thai smile", or have the faintest idea of what "courteous service" means. If none of that bothers you then, hey, have a great vacation!

The best place is the exit door when you are leaving phuket out at the the airport.

has phuket really gone that low.

[WarpSpeed]

No it hasn't, but to answer to OP Kathu is the best being most centrally located, Carrefore is across town by some clip in Patong from the other major shops and malls which are much closer to Kathu where Tesco, Tops, Villa and some others are located also as mentioned, though probably not a concern for a holiday is that QSI international school is there and the British International school is also nearby and just far enough from the beach to be safe and quiet but not so far you can't be there in a few minutes...

[Capealava]

The only calm beach in near Patong is Kata beach. can swim in Monsoon season. Others are dangerous. No Tesco or Carrefore. Both are about 20 min away. You may have to choose between the beach and convenience.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Capealava

[petercallen]

If you want to have a good environment for your children you need to stop away from the main tourist areas.

The popular beaches on the west side of the island are dangerous in the monsoon season.

Most family's with children live in areas like Chalong or Kathu even if they work in the tourist areas because

they are more child friendly.

We live in Chalong, In our street There are kids from baby's to teenagers and its a mixture of expats and Thais.

The beaches here are calm and tidal , not good swimming beaches but good for kids to play on the sand and

splash around in the water

There is a Tesco Lotus and Villa mart here for shopping, bars and restaurants.

You will be able to find accommodation here close enough to walk to them.

You will be 10 to 25 minutes drive from most places you want to visit on the island.

You really need to budget for a car with children, you can hire a older model for around 1000 to 12000 baht a

month and this will work out a lot cheaper than tuk tuks if you want to go out regularly.

Rawai is very similar except it does not have tesco lotus and other shops like it as far as i know and as far

as children are concerned only someone who lives there can tell you that.

[petercallen]

The price quoted to rent a car should have read 10000 to 12000 baht a month in the previous post.

[bubblegum]

Most expats with children live in the Nai Harn, Rawai, Chalong trialgle. There is Villa market with very good products and there a 2 Tesco's, a big one near Chalong and a small one in Nai Harn that is open 24/7. Beaches near Nai Harn are nice bit have to beware of rip tides.

[katabeachbum]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be to pick some place else for vacation. Unless of course, you like being harassed and seriously overcharged by the tuk tuk mafia, like being scammed by the tourist police, like being ripped off by the jet ski mafia, like the prostitutes approaching you, even when you're with your family, and like people constantly trying to sell you porn videos and dvd's when you're just trying to walk down the street with your family. And let's not forget the beaches which are littered with trash, broken glass and cans, and the bacteria in the ocean water from all the feces that has been flushed into it. And hotel workers who never heard of the famous "Thai smile", or have the faintest idea of what "courteous service" means. If none of that bothers you then, hey, have a great vacation!

The best place is the exit door when you are leaving phuket out at the the airport.

has phuket really gone that low.

No.

I have been here more than 7 years but living 10 km from Patong in Kata is another world. Not the same thais, not the same tourists or expats

[katabeachbum]

The only calm beach in near Patong is Kata beach. can swim in Monsoon season. Others are dangerous. No Tesco or Carrefore. Both are about 20 min away. You may have to choose between the beach and convenience.

few hundred meters form Kata Beach is Big one, a small supermarket covering everyday needs. same location a Tesco Express. 5-8 minutes by car or bike is Villa Market and Tesco in Chalong. As long as Carrefour exists, financial news indicates they will be bought and continue, its 15 minutes by car or bike to Jungceylon shoppingcenter in Patong with Carrefour.

If you want to be on the beach most days, live close to the beach. A supermarket is usually not needed every day, and its sufficient for one or two of you to go shopping

[ESB7]

Airport departure lounge:lol: :lol:

[jdean]

The only calm beach in near Patong is Kata beach. can swim in Monsoon season. Others are dangerous. No Tesco or Carrefore. Both are about 20 min away. You may have to choose between the beach and convenience.

You are wrong. People drown at Kata Bech too!!

[jdean]

Consider Phuket Town. Reasonable accommodation is available. There are good parks in Saphan Hin and Sanam Luang. If you want a beach day you can take the local bus. The 10 Baht buses will take you to Big C and/or Lotus. Good food and restaurants, even veggie food. Generally it is cheaper for things than the beaches.

[WarpSpeed]

Actually there is a private beach in Patong I used to keep to myself but now I'm not there anymore I'll tell you about it. It's called Paradise Beach and they have their own little restaurant and a beautiful little beach if not a little bit rocky when the tide goes out so some dive booties are perfect to protect your feet. But there is a beautiful old tree there for beach shade with rope swing and it is surrounded by trees and large rocks very nice, with volley ball court too and the beach chairs and umbrellas as much as anywhere else.

It's a short drive from Patong proper and secluded on a protected tip so even in the monsoon season it is still clam waters, look it up when you get there and as was suggested a rental car for the period is really the only way to go instead of frustrating yourself with the Taxi mafia..Also when going to the beach give serious consideration before renting any jet ski's, as a rule the operators are scamming thieves..

Just reading again and Autumn/winter is on the edge of monsoon season which is in the summer..

Edited August 6, 2010 by WarpSpeed

[LivinLOS]

Run by a fairly offensive family who aggressively demand 200 baht to use the public (not private) beach..

Many expats used to use it, take people there, spend in the restaurant, and were supporters during the tsunami.. But since have been totally put off by the actions of the people running it.

Theres similar posts on here and Phuket info about the issue.

Theres also the 'only by longtail' beach on the other side of tri Trang peninsula..

[stevenl]

Just reading again and Autumn/winter is on the edge of monsoon season which is in the summer..

???

Reread the post, and know what you mean now.

Edited August 6, 2010 by stevenl

[Chainsaw]

Laem Ka and Ya Nui beaches in Rawai are ideal for kids. Decent snorkelling at Ya Nui.

Shopping? head down to Chalong circle, small Tesco/Lotus on the right and Villa Market just past the circle on Chao Fa Rd West.

Rawai is much less 'touristy' than most other places and has a more community feel about it.

In my opinion Rawai would be the best choice for you and your family. Good luck.

[Gonsalviz]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be to pick some place else for vacation. Unless of course, you like being harassed and seriously overcharged by the tuk tuk mafia, like being scammed by the tourist police, like being ripped off by the jet ski mafia, like the prostitutes approaching you, even when you're with your family, and like people constantly trying to sell you porn videos and dvd's when you're just trying to walk down the street with your family. And let's not forget the beaches which are littered with trash, broken glass and cans, and the bacteria in the ocean water from all the feces that has been flushed into it. And hotel workers who never heard of the famous "Thai smile", or have the faintest idea of what "courteous service" means. If none of that bothers you then, hey, have a great vacation!

I'll have to second that.

[Gonsalviz]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be to pick some place else for vacation. Unless of course, you like being harassed and seriously overcharged by the tuk tuk mafia, like being scammed by the tourist police, like being ripped off by the jet ski mafia, like the prostitutes approaching you, even when you're with your family, and like people constantly trying to sell you porn videos and dvd's when you're just trying to walk down the street with your family. And let's not forget the beaches which are littered with trash, broken glass and cans, and the bacteria in the ocean water from all the feces that has been flushed into it. And hotel workers who never heard of the famous "Thai smile", or have the faintest idea of what "courteous service" means. If none of that bothers you then, hey, have a great vacation!

Ah, you've been to Patong...

The best place is the exit door when you are leaving phuket out at the the airport.

You've been to Patong too? I just love to breath the fresh air in Thailand's two largest and most polluted cities. I think I'll move there!

As to the OP, Carrefore is going out of business and it is in Patong, not a family place. Big C and the large Tesco are in Central Festival area of Phuket Town, not very close to any beach. Transportation can be an issue on the island. With a family I suggest renting a car, you can get a monthly rate. Most people who live here long term, live near the southern end of the island. It's much quieter than the tourist areas. Naiharn has a nice beach. There is a Villa Supermarket and a medium sized Tesco in Chalong, not too far of a drive from the Naiharn area. There are other threads about areas to live or stay in Phuket, so do a bit of searching and reading on the Phuket forum. Or just come and check it out and find an area you like. Everyone's tastes and needs are different. Good luck. Hope you have fun!

No, I think they mean Phuket.

[Jimi007]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be to pick some place else for vacation. Unless of course, you like being harassed and seriously overcharged by the tuk tuk mafia, like being scammed by the tourist police, like being ripped off by the jet ski mafia, like the prostitutes approaching you, even when you're with your family, and like people constantly trying to sell you porn videos and dvd's when you're just trying to walk down the street with your family. And let's not forget the beaches which are littered with trash, broken glass and cans, and the bacteria in the ocean water from all the feces that has been flushed into it. And hotel workers who never heard of the famous "Thai smile", or have the faintest idea of what "courteous service" means. If none of that bothers you then, hey, have a great vacation!

Ah, you've been to Patong...

The best place is the exit door when you are leaving phuket out at the the airport.

You've been to Patong too? I just love to breath the fresh air in Thailand's two largest and most polluted cities. I think I'll move there!

As to the OP, Carrefore is going out of business and it is in Patong, not a family place. Big C and the large Tesco are in Central Festival area of Phuket Town, not very close to any beach. Transportation can be an issue on the island. With a family I suggest renting a car, you can get a monthly rate. Most people who live here long term, live near the southern end of the island. It's much quieter than the tourist areas. Naiharn has a nice beach. There is a Villa Supermarket and a medium sized Tesco in Chalong, not too far of a drive from the Naiharn area. There are other threads about areas to live or stay in Phuket, so do a bit of searching and reading on the Phuket forum. Or just come and check it out and find an area you like. Everyone's tastes and needs are different. Good luck. Hope you have fun!

No, I think they mean Phuket.

An amazing contribution to a thread that hasn't been posted to in almost a month... But thanks for your input.

[Colonel_Mustard]

I'd go for Cherng Talay.

[KarenBravo]

I'd go for Cherng Talay.

I wouldn't.

[Colonel_Mustard]

I'd go for Cherng Talay.

I wouldn't.

I would. Nice beaches, fairly quiet but still quite a few bars and restaurants, not too much in the way of sleaze and there is a Tesco's there (though not on the same scale as that in Phuket Town).

Edited October 6, 2010 by Colonel_Mustard