We plan to be in Phuket in mid-December. I have a 12-year old daughter who is in a wheelchair as well as 3 other children. Am looking for a decent place to visit with them. Would like a hotel with a nice pool that is also beach front. Am fine to spend a bit extra on this to make it special/do-able for my daughter.

Would also like to understand the beach rules I've been seeing mentioned - will there not be any vendors on the beaches anymore? Was really looking forward to a beach massage. What about the chairs/umbrellas? Are these available when you stay at, say, a Marriott?

Any information regarding handicapped accessibility is welcome.

Should be beach massage available in the 10% zone. For sure I see them at Kata beach.

No hotel is allowed to place umbressas and chairs on any beach.

Handicapped accessability will be a challenge as sidewalks etc are a nightmare of disrepair in some areas. You should look for a hotel which is handicapped friendy. Not my area of knowledge, hopefully some other member can advise.

This TA thread might be worth a read.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293920-i5037-k657563-Wheelchair_accessible_hotels-Phuket.html

While there are not beach chairs on the bach most beachside hotels will have them available right next to the beach, usually in a nice setting, with some shade and f&b service available. Massage is also not a problem - again, not on but right next to the beach.

Some hotels with nice beach side area with chairs include Dusit Thani in Laguna Phuket and JW Marriott in Mai Khao. Centara Grand in Karon has a small water park which will be fun for the kids.

Good luck!

Bangtao might be a good idea, and not the Laguna area as you are pretty entrapped there, but the other end as it's all pretty flat (for the wheelchair), plenty of restaurants on the main drag and a huge beach.

I think for value you might look at Andaman Bangtao Bay Resort, then there is the Best Western Premier and also Bangtao Beach Chalet.

Right around the corner is Nok&Jo's Restaurant, they have a big Saturday night buffet as well as that time of year I think they have a Thai dance show also.

Depended on how your family is organized.

It is you are organized as a family. on the east site of the island there are many places that have ll you need. when you refer to your situation and the need you have many places can help you ou or point you to the hotel or resort that has.

In general in Thailand it is a crime to have a wheel chair to move around or being having a handicap. Simply they not have the facilities.

rent a car with driver to relax all and have extra hands as well a driver. not so expensive

Have a great time

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With four kids, judging by your avatar they are a handful, I would suggest a beachside resort with all amenities.

Three suggestions here:

However, high season prices could be a deal breaker.

"Would also like to understand the beach rules I've been seeing mentioned - will there not be any vendors on the beaches anymore?"

We would all like an answer to this. Even the governor who is apparently making these decision's doesn't seem to know.

Kata Beach Resort might be another option. Has the pool right there, kids might like the wave machine park, also, for years I have seen a couple of other wheelchair people, seems they like the path adjacent the road & beach that goes in front of Club Med.

Hey, there's another, Club Med Kata Beach, they have a whole bunch of organized kid activities too.

Anantara, Marriot Mai Khao or Holiday Inn Mai Khao...all have exceptional staff to look after you, large walkways and direct access to the beach.

Kata Beach Resort might be another option. Has the pool right there, kids might like the wave machine park, also, for years I have seen a couple of other wheelchair people, seems they like the path adjacent the road & beach that goes in front of Club Med.

Hey, there's another, Club Med Kata Beach, they have a whole bunch of organized kid activities too.

Yes, I would agree with Kata Beach resort, bit less pricey (but still 4 star level) than some of the others already mentioned. Child friendly and I know for a fact that there are massages on the beach under the tree line. Also have venders hiring beach mats, brollies, and cold drinks. Plenty of very close by shops, restuarants, etc and the sidewalks are in quite good condition(for Thailand). The area municiple offices are right opposite the resort hotel so they tend to keep everthing in good order.

http://www.katagroup.com/kata-beach/

Agoda showing a US$ 91/night special offer - not so bad

There are nice beach resorts in Kata, but, if they plan to venture out of their hotel, the many narrow streets and lack of footpaths there make the place very difficult to navigate.

For someone in a wheelchair the necessity to travel on the street to get anywhere would be extremely dangerous.

Does it have to be Phuket?

If not i would recommend Fishermans village area in Bophut koh samui.

One way street full of restaurants , shops, bars and now the mini plaza /shopping mall.

Beach where all the larger hotels are is nice and still get massages on the beach for couple of hundred baht.

As a wheelchair user this area was the reason i stayed there and now live there.

I would endorse Club Med Kata and also Holiday Inn Patong - family friendly . Went to both with kids in the past 8 weeks