Summary after three days in Phuket/Khao Lak

[invisible999]

Hello folks

Decided to open a new thread with summary, the original thread I think can be used for people in similar questions/topic.

Before going further, I'd like to thank to Old Cro, grumpyoldman, LivinginKata and others for their very useful advices - you enabled us to enjoy our short vacation more than we could do it without your help. Thank you.

Now, let's go on. I and my wife just came back from our first trip in Thailand, particularly Phuket. Let me try to write down impressions while iron is still hot.

Before leaving I've done as much research as possible to try to make our stay enjoyable, yet avoid to overpay and avoid known pitfalls/scams. Probably spent no less than 100 hours on reading and checking different sources. After all this research here is what we did in 3.5 days:

- We rented a car from Thai Rent a Car. One of the smartest moves I'd say - we could travel anywhere we wanted and whenever we wanted not depending on local taxi mafia. After getting quotes like 1500THB return transfer from the airport, 300THB one way to Kamala (5 min ride), 1500THB for car/driver hire for 6 hours - you will see why renting car would make so much sense. At the end we travelled all around the island for two days seeing beaches and fancy places and on last day we went to Khao Lak NP and back. Totally we drove appx 450km. All this for 4600THB, for 4 days rental, including 800THB zero liability insurance, plus 560THB for full tank of gas.

- We took a sailboat tour with Phuket Sail Tours. One of the best (if not the best) day trips I had in my life. We had the whole sailboat for ourselves, had deserted beach on a small island as well. At the end watched sunset under the sail while having six (!) course dinner prepared by lovely local woman right on the ship. 4600THB for seven hours for two, including pickup and drop off from the hotel. Hard to beat that value.

- Toured the island: went to see Kamala, Patong (did not even stop after seen what it looks like, once we drove thru the Bangla rd), Karon, Kata. Had lunch at picturesque place Sabai Corner (once again - thank you!): grilled shrimp, vegetables, steam rolls and nam manao for two - it was a perfect lunch (800THB for total). After that toured fancy villa area between rd 4233 and Nai Harn, Nai Harn itself, Phromthep Cape, Rawai and ended walking around Old Phuket Town. Loved much the place (it was way better than overcrowded beaches) - we arrived just at the time when street market was starting. Enjoyed local street food, walked to saw Sino-Portuguese architecture which you see a lot around the region. It was interesting to see and compare local shophouses to others in the region. Left and arrived just before sunset to enjoy it.

- After driving around the island and understanding that Phuket is not the place we want to come back - overdevelopment, overcommercialization and in number of places you got just not best quality people in the world (I am talking both about tourists and locals) - we drove to the north to see Khao Lak. Glad we did - things were way more normal/natural there and this is the place/region more suitable for us. Went to see waterfalls, got a small detour on the way which enabled us to see the unspoiled beach and rubber tree farms. We went to tour Bang La On, Bang Niang and Khuk Khak to see the places where we'd like to stay next time and I think we found it. Plus, it seem that Bang Niang is the Thai equivalent of Santa Cruz - place which is near mountains and nature, where you go to enjoy deserted beaches and surfing, coffee, live music and just to relax while avoid hustle and bustle.

So... seems everything went perfect, until the very last moment. And if that would not happen, the special mentioning would be for the hotel we stayed - Surin Beach Resort. The place and views from rooms are just great and it is brand new hotel - opened just 1.5 month ago (construction still going on). Well, at the checkout they reception is telling us that we broke the napkin holder. Which we obviously did not - never touched it for three days we've been there. when I asked how much was replacement cost they could not figure it out and wanted to us to wait for management. Please note - we have a flight coming in 2.5 hours. Pretty much we are taken hostage - pay or miss your flight. And when we started to move towards the car been told that it is 500THB. For a napkin holder. Just paid and left, they will get 1* review on all travel web sites.

For us, we got a lesson - when going back to Thailand (and in other countries in the region as well) during check-in make inventory of everything in the room and give them back whatever is not needed, basically keep only towels. Check if TV and fridge are working even if you are not going to open/use it at all. So we got scammed for $15, but I think this is very low amount to pay to learn the lesson.

[LivinginKata]

Yes, smart move to rent a car - told you that.

As for the 'damaged' napkin holder - we have stayed at quite a number of hotels in Thailand every year for many years and we have never experienced damage charges. Also we never use the minibar beverages (bring my own), often I request the beverages been removed, but mostly I don't both asking, and we have never had any 'mistaken' beverage charges.

[eisfeld]

Great post invisible999!

It pretty much confirms everything that most expats living around here know:

- there are a couple of nice places if you know them

- Patong is a ... hole

- Phuket in general is overdeveloped and overcommercialized and going full steam ahead for more

- out north of Phuket you can find some really nice areas without travelling too much

- scams are everywhere. Even if something is not a scam, the staff usually don't know what customer satisfaction means (really, a new hotel presses 500THB charge on one of the first guests for something not their fault? plain stupid even if you had broken it)

- car/motorbike rental is a must

So yea, not surprising that someone who obviously spent time to do research in order to make his vacation as enjoyable as possible and indeed had not too bad of a time in the end decides that he wont come back.

[eisfeld]

Yes, smart move to rent a car - told you that.

As for the 'damaged' napkin holder - we have stayed at quite a number of hotels in Thailand every year for many years and we have never experienced damage charges. Also we never use the minibar beverages (bring my own), often I request the beverages been removed, but mostly I don't both asking, and we have never had any 'mistaken' beverage charges.

I also have never had damage charges in a Thai hotel or anywhere for that matter. And I could totally believe that this wasn't a scam.

But I found many staff lack the understanding if something would hurt the business more than following simple rules is worth.

Example: I went with 3 people (so 4 total) to a BBQ in Patong. The place was empty, yet they refused us to let us sit on a table that can accomodate two fires as two would eat seafood and two wouldn't. Reason being that the bigger table was for 6 people. I even offered to pay up for that. They declined. So we declined to eat there. It's something I encounter every now and then.

[bearpolar]

Thanks for the phuket sail tour recommendation, saved them up.

But i cant find what you described on their website

says 20 000b for up to 6

[LivinginKata]

Thanks for the phuket sail tour recommendation, saved them up.

But i cant find what you described on their website

says 20 000b for up to 6

I'm guessing that must be Captain Mark's older sail boat. He used to give special private rates when he was not booked up. Surprised he is still about given last years events with Phuket's rough justice.

[invisible999]

Yes, smart move to rent a car - told you that.

As for the 'damaged' napkin holder - we have stayed at quite a number of hotels in Thailand every year for many years and we have never experienced damage charges. Also we never use the minibar beverages (bring my own), often I request the beverages been removed, but mostly I don't both asking, and we have never had any 'mistaken' beverage charges.

I've been over 100 different hotels in last 12 years all around the world and never remember being asked to pay for 'broken' stuff.

Great post invisible999!

It pretty much confirms everything that most expats living around here know:

- there are a couple of nice places if you know them

- Patong is a ... hole

- Phuket in general is overdeveloped and overcommercialized and going full steam ahead for more

- out north of Phuket you can find some really nice areas without travelling too much

- scams are everywhere. Even if something is not a scam, the staff usually don't know what customer satisfaction means (really, a new hotel presses 500THB charge on one of the first guests for something not their fault? plain stupid even if you had broken it)

- car/motorbike rental is a must

So yea, not surprising that someone who obviously spent time to do research in order to make his vacation as enjoyable as possible and indeed had not too bad of a time in the end decides that he wont come back.

Well, let me clarify - I am not going to go back to Phuket, but for sure I am going to see Khao Lak and the rest of Thailand.

As for dealing with customers - the place is quite popular with Russian tourists, but these are mostly families (contrary to Patong). There were number of Chinese as well.

Probably this type of guests motivates hotels do some accounting. Another thing to add to my due diligence list for future...

Thanks for the phuket sail tour recommendation, saved them up.

But i cant find what you described on their website

says 20 000b for up to 6

I was talking about this http://www.phuketsailtours.com/tour_sunset.html

[invisible999]

Surprised he is still about given last years events with Phuket's rough justice.

Anything we should know/read?

[LivinginKata]

Surprised he is still about given last years events with Phuket's rough justice.

Anything we should know/read?

Sorry Mods - Off topic - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808321-aussie-expat-mark-pendelbury-granted-bail-in-phuket-murder-case/

[craigt3365]

Great trip report. We spent 3-4 days in Khao Lak last year. Loved it. Hotels are a bit pricey, as are the more popular restaurants. But the beach is fantastic. Next time, we're going to explore the areas north and south of there.

Thanks for your post!

[DrDave]

<snip>

Thanks for the phuket sail tour recommendation, saved them up.

But i cant find what you described on their website

says 20 000b for up to 6

I was talking about this http://www.phuketsailtours.com/tour_sunset.html

Thanks for sharing your experience - great post!

You mentioned that the cost of the sunset tour was 4,600 for two people. Their website quotes the price as 3,900 per person. How did you make your booking and get such a discount? Based on your post, I'm very interested in taking this or another one of their tours.

[1FinickyOne]

personally never had a hotel problem such as you had in decades of traveling here - sounds a bit beyond outrageous...

If you had so much fun in Phuket, I am sure you will really enjoy some of the less touristed places in Thailand...

[grumpyoldman]

Great followup invisible999 thanks for that.

The broken napkin holder sounds like a front desk/maid service scam, 250 each, I'd write directly to the GM and ask if he/she is aware that this is going on.

Am with you on Khao Lak over Phuket. I think if I ever reinvent myself here I will go that route. Next time you are there spend a couple days at Golden Buddha Resort off of Takuapa. Also, some really neat places are the national parks up in the Kanchanaburi area. Rent your car in Bangkok and go explore those parks up there,take a floating houseboat as accommodation, cheap as chips. If doing the Erawan Falls hit the trail by 8:00AM get to the to before the tourist masses arrive, enjoy serenity for a couple hours, start down when the bus groups start showing up.Glad you had a good time. Cheers, GOM

[invisible999]

Sorry Mods - Off topic - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808321-aussie-expat-mark-pendelbury-granted-bail-in-phuket-murder-case/

Wow, just wow. Thanks for sharing. No discussion about this here but it adds to picture.

[invisible999]

Great trip report. We spent 3-4 days in Khao Lak last year. Loved it. Hotels are a bit pricey, as are the more popular restaurants. But the beach is fantastic. Next time, we're going to explore the areas north and south of there.

Thanks for your post!

I am planning to. Chang Mai, Chang Rai and Hua Hin are in plans for next year, after I done exploring Vietnam (where I've been twice and still want to go) Laos and Burma (not been there yet). Hua Hin is in plans because of possible retirement\stay option (not I am planning to do next 15 years, but still).

What I figured out from this trip that I am firmly not a beach person. Never went to water in any of these beaches we visited. But my wife loves water and waves (she grew up on an island in Washington State) so I do not mind to stay next to water but there should be other options to explore. Khao Lak and Khao Sok should offer such option.

Thanks for sharing your experience - great post!

You mentioned that the cost of the sunset tour was 4,600 for two people. Their website quotes the price as 3,900 per person. How did you make your booking and get such a discount? Based on your post, I'm very interested in taking this or another one of their tours.

Sorry, typo - 6600 for two, not 4600 (on the website it is 3300 per person). No discounts are given but hell, whole boat for just two of us for 6 hours? Can I buy season pass with that price?

Also, I did pay via paypal 6000THB in advance using my credit card. Considering that 3% fee is payed by the receiver, I have no problem with that. I did not need to carry cash around and only paid 600 balance at the arrival.

personally never had a hotel problem such as you had in decades of traveling here - sounds a bit beyond outrageous...

If you had so much fun in Phuket, I am sure you will really enjoy some of the less touristed places in Thailand...

Thanks, looking forward. I am one of those who goes to a new place resetting expectations to zero. In this case, anything comes only with plus sign.

[invisible999]

The broken napkin holder sounds like a front desk/maid service scam, 250 each, I'd write directly to the GM and ask if he/she is aware that this is going on.

Sir, you are one wise man as I see - second post and both times right on spot with sound advice.

You know - I will do exactly as you suggested and I will send a paper letter addressed to their office (seems they have three properties around). Because these details eventually will seriously damage local tourist industry - people from middle and high income levels will stop coming (they in general do not like to be treated that way) and locals will be left with the busloads from inner China/Russia and westerners who are coming to go to the Bangla Rd. Good luck with that type of public - reputation is very hard to earn and very easy to lose.

[invisible999]

Great followup invisible999 thanks for that.

Am with you on Khao Lak over Phuket. I think if I ever reinvent myself here I will go that route. Next time you are there spend a couple days at Golden Buddha Resort off of Takuapa. Also, some really neat places are the national parks up in the Kanchanaburi area. Rent your car in Bangkok and go explore those parks up there,take a floating houseboat as accommodation, cheap as chips. If doing the Erawan Falls hit the trail by 8:00AM get to the to before the tourist masses arrive, enjoy serenity for a couple hours, start down when the bus groups start showing up.Glad you had a good time. Cheers, GOM

1 Take memories sign at the start of the trail.jpg

Thank you for all those advices - they will wait its time to be implemented.

Our next trip coming in just one month. We are arriving in Krabi, will get car and head north towards Khao Lak. For Golden Buddha - seems they are fully booked for our dates, but I will keep in mind.

As for floating houseboats - I've heard that at Khao Sok it is an option as well, but prices are quite biting (like 7000THB per night).

[grumpyoldman]

Great followup invisible999 thanks for that.

Am with you on Khao Lak over Phuket. I think if I ever reinvent myself here I will go that route. Next time you are there spend a couple days at Golden Buddha Resort off of Takuapa. Also, some really neat places are the national parks up in the Kanchanaburi area. Rent your car in Bangkok and go explore those parks up there,take a floating houseboat as accommodation, cheap as chips. If doing the Erawan Falls hit the trail by 8:00AM get to the to before the tourist masses arrive, enjoy serenity for a couple hours, start down when the bus groups start showing up.Glad you had a good time. Cheers, GOM

1 Take memories sign at the start of the trail.jpg

Thank you for all those advices - they will wait its time to be implemented.

Our next trip coming in just one month. We are arriving in Krabi, will get car and head north towards Khao Lak. For Golden Buddha - seems they are fully booked for our dates, but I will keep in mind.

As for floating houseboats - I've heard that at Khao Sok it is an option as well, but prices are quite biting (like 7000THB per night).

Floating houseboats on the river Kwae (bastardized English Kwai) 250thb a night for super basic (my style) nicer with aircon (I hate aircon) 500-1000.

For Krabi, head for Koh Lanta, the Best Western Maya is set on a really nice 3km beach, fire shows and beach restaurants very chill. Short trip into Saladan town to eat seafood on the rocking pier restaurants.Kantiang Bay area a nice little village too. Kantiang Bay Resort has different levels of accommodations.

Then from there use Tigerline ferry to get to Koh Muk or Koh Kradan, both heavenly. Enjoy. GOM

[seedy]

One post providing a link to another Forum removed

13) You will not post links to other Thailand forums, or forums which could reasonably be construed as competition to Thaivisa.com or its sponsors.

[csabo]

<snip>

Thanks for the phuket sail tour recommendation, saved them up.

But i cant find what you described on their website

says 20 000b for up to 6

I was talking about this http://www.phuketsailtours.com/tour_sunset.html

Thanks for sharing your experience - great post!

You mentioned that the cost of the sunset tour was 4,600 for two people. Their website quotes the price as 3,900 per person. How did you make your booking and get such a discount? Based on your post, I'm very interested in taking this or another one of their tours.

And the website says "Snacks". Where did the "6 course meal" come from?

[invisible999]

And the website says "Snacks". Where did the "6 course meal" come from?

Well, in the name it is 'sunset dinner cruise', so it is implies that it will be dinner provided right?

We actually got lunch snacks right after arrival even before we got on the boat (fried chicken wings with vegetables) and dinner menu was following:

chicken soup with mushrooms (I think it is tom yam)

chicken curry (great, not Thai spicy)

steamed vegetables

steamed shrimp

crabs (one per person)

fruits - pineapples and watermelon

Plus there were non-alcoholic drinks and beer but we don't drink alcohol.

I'm sure the dinner can be customized.

[ripstanley]

Great trip report. We spent 3-4 days in Khao Lak last year. Loved it. Hotels are a bit pricey, as are the more popular restaurants. But the beach is fantastic. Next time, we're going to explore the areas north and south of there.

Thanks for your post!

I am planning to. Chang Mai, Chang Rai and Hua Hin are in plans for next year, after I done exploring Vietnam (where I've been twice and still want to go) Laos and Burma (not been there yet). Hua Hin is in plans because of possible retirement\stay option (not I am planning to do next 15 years, but still).

What I figured out from this trip that I am firmly not a beach person. Never went to water in any of these beaches we visited. But my wife loves water and waves (she grew up on an island in Washington State) so I do not mind to stay next to water but there should be other options to explore. Khao Lak and Khao Sok should offer such option.

Thanks for sharing your experience - great post!

You mentioned that the cost of the sunset tour was 4,600 for two people. Their website quotes the price as 3,900 per person. How did you make your booking and get such a discount? Based on your post, I'm very interested in taking this or another one of their tours.

Sorry, typo - 6600 for two, not 4600 (on the website it is 3300 per person). No discounts are given but hell, whole boat for just two of us for 6 hours? Can I buy season pass with that price?

Also, I did pay via paypal 6000THB in advance using my credit card. Considering that 3% fee is payed by the receiver, I have no problem with that. I did not need to carry cash around and only paid 600 balance at the arrival.

personally never had a hotel problem such as you had in decades of traveling here - sounds a bit beyond outrageous...

If you had so much fun in Phuket, I am sure you will really enjoy some of the less touristed places in Thailand...

Thanks, looking forward. I am one of those who goes to a new place resetting expectations to zero. In this case, anything comes only with plus sign.

Do not travel to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai in February March or April. The smoke haze is very bad. I live near Phayao which is south of Chaing Rai and north east of Chiang Mai. It is bad here now as well.

Thanks for the great report.

[HidyHo]

I was talking about this http://www.phuketsailtours.com/tour_sunset.html

Thanks for sharing your experience - great post!

You mentioned that the cost of the sunset tour was 4,600 for two people. Their website quotes the price as 3,900 per person. How did you make your booking and get such a discount? Based on your post, I'm very interested in taking this or another one of their tours.

And the website says "Snacks". Where did the "6 course meal" come from?

Did you read the entire website? Because it also states that

"Around 5.30 pm we will have a delicious fresh cooked Thai meal aboard or on the beach, depending upon conditions on the day, and watch the sun go down. We will return to the pier by 7.30 pm, and you should be back at your resort by 8.30 pm. "

[sawadee1947]

thank you for the post.

I agree with you. And for me Khao Lak is most desirable. We spent 2 years ago 2 months over there, rented a "soldier's" house. This gave us free security. Every day we found a different "private" beach which was not a problem with 4wheel. So we got our own chairs and umbrella and our own 20km beach which we had to share with 2 or 3 other parties.

Nevertheless you can find nice places around Phuket...before the Chinese are coming or when they left or where no buses can go.

I'm there from March on (escaping CM) and will stay there for 4 months this time.

[hspace]

That hotel still has a sky high rating.

But some guy did get scammed for a "missing" beach towel. He still have a 6.7 rating though.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/surin-beach-resort-surin-beach.en-gb.html

"At checkout they wanted me to pay 1200 bat for 'lost' beach towel which was not there at all. I have refused and they have let me go."

[invisible999]

That hotel still has a sky high rating.

But some guy did get scammed for a "missing" beach towel. He still have a 6.7 rating though.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/surin-beach-resort-surin-beach.en-gb.html

"At checkout they wanted me to pay 1200 bat for 'lost' beach towel which was not there at all. I have refused and they have let me go."

Aha, so my case was not unique and they wanted $40 for a towel.

One word - AVOID!

[bearpolar]

The review states that they let him go. So they simply asked you nicely to pay and you forked over?

It's not like they are holding you hostage.. worse case they charge your CC and you get it removed.

[invisible999]

The review states that they let him go. So they simply asked you nicely to pay and you forked over?

It's not like they are holding you hostage.. worse case they charge your CC and you get it removed.

Look, here was the situation - we have a flight coming in 2.5 hours, we've been at checkout already for 15 min, they can't decide how much the napkin holder costs and and telling us that we have to wait. Only when I said what we are leaving and started moving towards the car than they are telling it is 500B and we have to pay.

And no, I did not have my credit card left at check-in. Plus, even if I had and they charged something there, considering that it is Singapore credit card where consumer protection is close to non-existent - good luck trying to get charges removed. Here recently was the story when guy lost card, someone run it buying $15000 of TV and photo equipment and bank told the guy that he has to pay because he did not immediately notice the bank.

[bearpolar]

So a receptionist tells you you should pay for something broken

she has no official hotel price list

they do not have your credit card info

What's holding you? Say f off and leave.

You basically fell for something even more common than a Nigerian King. Nothing to do with the hotel, just with a couple staff that have not been reported

[LivinginKata]

So a receptionist tells you you should pay for something broken

she has no official hotel price list

they do not have your credit card info

What's holding you? Say f off and leave.

You basically fell for something even more common than a Nigerian King. Nothing to do with the hotel, just with a couple staff that have not been reported

Tricky situation .... I don't know how I would react. We usually leave a cash tip to the room maid if we thought we were looked after. I guess if they pulled that stunt o me I would just pay and not leave the tip ... would work out much the same.