Camping In Phuket

[drum]

ive never seen a camp site round phuket,would there be a market for for a camp site?

[Boater]

not really as accomadtion can be found so cheap....

but if you are into camping, just get your tent and pitch up somewhere

[fiddlehead]

There used to be one up at Turtle Cove about a mile north of the airport. (maybe 2)

But, they have since closed the operation due to lack of customers.

They didn't market it much but it was a great deal.

We would call them up, they would have a tent (big) set up and waiting for us, with 2 mattresses, blankets and pillows inside, a pile of firewood, sell us beer, and bring breakfast in the morning. All for 200 baht. (plus beer of course)

Since then, we have bought our own tent and often go to Thai Muang where there is a national park with camping or sometimes, we just camp along the beach there.

We have also camped on Phuket just north of Nai Yang beach (just south of the airport) We just go pitch our tent in the trees near the beach there.

We sort of prefer camping this way rather than in an established campground complete with crying babies, drunk partying, and fees.

Tents are cheap in Thailand.

Edited January 22, 2011 by fiddlehead

[simon43]

Well, 'cheap' can be a relative word ...

A few years ago I did offer tent accommodation. Actually, it was very popular and the revenue would completely cover the monthly electricity bill of the business.

But there were a few practical issues. When the sun rises in the morning, the tent rapidly becomes like an oven, meaning that all occupants need to rise early - which is not the typical lifestyle of students, who were the primary users of my tents.

And then there was the rain. Phuket had some unseasonable, wet weather, and my Chinese tents were not very waterproof, but at least the wet interiors encouraged my guests to be early risers

Finally, there is the question of location for the campsite. There seems little point in setting up camping facilities if the taxi/tuk-tuk fare to reach the site is more expensive than the cost of a night's stay. I was fortunate, because guests could easily walk from the airport to my little campsite.

Simon

Edited January 22, 2011 by LivinginKata
content removed

[fiddlehead]

Well, 'cheap' can be a relative word ...

A few years ago I did offer tent accommodation. Actually, it was very popular and the revenue would completely cover the monthly electricity bill of the business.

But there were a few practical issues. When the sun rises in the morning, the tent rapidly becomes like an oven, meaning that all occupants need to rise early - which is not the typical lifestyle of students, who were the primary users of my tents.

And then there was the rain. Phuket had some unseasonable, wet weather, and my Chinese tents were not very waterproof, but at least the wet interiors encouraged my guests to be early risers

Finally, there is the question of location for the campsite. There seems little point in setting up camping facilities if the taxi/tuk-tuk fare to reach the site is more expensive than the cost of a night's stay. I was fortunate, because guests could easily walk from the airport to my little campsite.

Simon

Two things to know about tents that might save you from a wet night.

Tents need to be seam-sealed. You can use silcone from a caulking gun if you can't get seam-sealer here.

(when you sew anything, it creates a small hole. That hole must be sealed)

#2: When you sleep in a single wall tent, and it is raining, you cannot touch the side of the tent. The moisture WILL come through.

ps. It doesn't matter how much you pay for the tent, they all need to be seam-sealed. (actually, really high-end tents are already done for you)

It only takes an hour and may save your trip.

pss. it pays to set up under trees like that NP near the airport (south) or the one at Thai Muang where we like to go.

And when it gets hot out, we go swimming in the sea. Works for us.

We've made a lot of friends camping all over Thailand. We prefer it over hotels for meeting fellow travelers and cooking our food over a fire, and generally just being in nature. (except hotel bathrooms are much better)

Many National Parks in Thailand offer camping.

[BillR]

You can camp out in front of the local markets with a large bottle of chang, all hours of the day

[zorro1]

would be interesting having to answer one of the three qualifying questions

You so handsum where you stay?

[falkan]

You can camp out in front of the local markets with a large bottle of chang, all hours of the day

or outside any minimart with stonetable-expats!

[ScubaBuddha]

That's one thing I really miss from California, the best camping in the world hands down.

I noticed tents around the periphery of the Nai Harn Bike Event. The MC announced that these were for anyone who drank too much and couldn't drive home. Great Idea.

...they would have a tent (big) set up and waiting for us, with 2 mattresses, blankets and pillows inside, a pile of firewood, sell us beer, and bring breakfast in the morning.

I wouldn't call it camping when the campsite is set up for you and they bring you breakfast. That's just called sleeping in a tent. ~

I have only "slept in a tent" once in Thailand. At the Odin resort in Phang Nga. An easy drive/ride from Phuket. They do rafting along the river. The thatch roof helped with he above mentioned issues of heat and rain. They have proper bungalows as well.

www.idinboutiqueresort.com

Edited January 22, 2011 by ScubaBuddha

[Old Croc]

I recall a young European girl, who was staying in a tent on a quiet beach near the airport, was raped and murdered a few years back.

[petercallen]

The only camping i have come across is at a really nice national park about half way on the direct route between Phang Nha and Ko Lak.

Entrance to the park was free with a small fee for camping.

There is plenty of very reasonably priced accomodation right at the enterance to the park