New to Phuket - any recommendations for a good night out tonight - Big fireworks / good atmosphere / parties, etc ?

Many Thanks, and Happy New Year.

Apologies for hitching onto your topic. Any good suggestions for a buffet style dinner tonight in the Kata or Chalong areas.

For the fireworks, probably Patong. If you want something less touristy and where locals go, go to Phuket Town, Saphan Hin, to be exact.

And you will be home sooner than that god-forsaken traffic exiting Patong.

LiK, what about the 800baht seafood buffet next to Chalong Tempen? No, no, serious suggestion.

Karon beach got some good djs playing tonight and counting down or Patong if you want more action..

There are two big events in Phuket Town: the PPAO's 'Colorful Countdown" at Sanamchai (the protesters have finally given the area a break) with live entertainment and lots of food. I checked it out last night and the Carlsburg Draft (with a pretty pourer) was the nicest beer I have tasted for some time...

At Saphan Hin the Red Cross/'Nice things of Phuket' has been underway since December 25 and runs through January 5, when Sek Loso will give a live concert. He's a top-rank rocker in Thailand.

LiK, what about the 800baht seafood buffet next to Chalong Tempen? No, no, serious suggestion.

Is that the place with the rats running about ? Think I'll give that a miss. But thanks anyway.

No, that was the Korean bbq on Chao Fa East.

not sure but i think Surin beach will be packed,

walked Kamala beach this afternoon and u can see a dozen BIG motor yachts moored offshore

Who in their right minds would drive into Phuket town tonight?

^{Thanks for the information....}

^{Somtamnication - Regarding the seafood buffet - drove past it today (well - crawled), looks quite new - is it actually anygood, in your experience ?}

^{What was on offer, and is it an 'eat all you can' affair ?}

^{Again, Happy New Year.}

I have no experience there. Others have gone and said it was pricey but good. There is a thread in the restaurants topic pinned at top of this forum. It is all you can eat. Seats look comfortable and spacious between tables.

As an expat, I would never pay that for a seafood buffet. But you may enjoy it.

Thanks for that, mate.

Myself, as an expat here for many Years already, I wouldn't normally pay that either - but I have been extremely shocked by the price of seafood here (amongst other prices) - across the board - from supermarkets, to the fresh markets, to the restaurants here - unbelievable for an island in the middle of the ocean.

Is it really supply and demand, with all the fancy hotels here / obviously loaded tourists, or are they just taking the piss ?

I've taken the missus out for a couple of meals already, and have been disappointed by the quality, aswell as hit hard in the wallet, to say the least.

Bog standard restaurant in Rawai - a small plate of prawns fried in garlic and pepper - 350 baht. I'm used to paying around 80-100 baht in other areas of Thailand.

With that in mind, maybe not such a bad deal at 800 baht / all you can eat, if you like seafood - as I unfortunately do.

Can you recommend any alternative, good, reasonably priced buffets here ?

800 baht for a seafood buffet? holy cow! that is cheap! they ain't making money on me hahah...