Tips for Reducing Your Holiday Expenses in Phuket and Thailand by James Spellman (2)
Travel Insurance
Many visitors seem willing to travel to Thailand without travel insurance. The low medical costs in Thailand mean this is not such a big gamble as at a destination such as the United States where high medical fees and a litigious society make travel insurance an essential.
However, we really would recommend that new visitors to Thailand get some form of travel insurance. Things can and do go wrong and it is best to be protected.
Do not get travel insurance from your travel agent. They may offer good deals on package holidays but they try to make the money back on the extras and their insurance rates are overpriced.
Get your insurance from a local and reputable insurance broker. There are no international insurance brokers providing competitive travel insurance to all nationalities. Instead, you need to go to an insurance broker in your home country.
Price comparison sites are the quickest way to find a good a good deal. You need to find a site that covers your own country. So for example you could try here if you are a US Citizen or try here if you are a UK Citizen.
Rather than just getting an insurance package for your two-week holiday, it may be a good idea to consider an annual multi-trip insurance package. If you have more than one holiday a year or even a few weekends away then these can be very good deals.
Money Exchange
Do not change money in your home country before coming to Thailand. You will get a much better rate of exchange in Thailand. Bring an ATM card or travelers cheques. In fact, it is nice to have two sources of money in case of problems so why not bring both.
Do not exchange your money at hotels. They give bad rates. Exchange booths at airports also give poor rates. The best way to get money when you first arrive is to use an ATM at the airport.
Tours
The tour prices in Phuket are generally very competitive. These organised tours are a convenient and reasonably priced way to see Phuket's tourist attractions. There are many tour shops and lots of tours so the competition keeps the prices down. Just go to any tour shop and you are likely to find some good deals.
The only problem with booking tours is you do not know the quality of the tour service. The price may be competitive but if the experience is poor then you will still be disappointed. Most of the tour organisers provide a good service but there are also a few stinkers.
If you do not want to take a shot on an unknown tour company, you could book your tours in advance with Viators. Their prices are only a little above what you will find at the local tour shops and you have the benefit of knowing you are dealing with reputable tour operators.
http://www.knowphuket.com/
วันศุกร์ที่ 21 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2550
วันเสาร์ที่ 15 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2550
Tips for Reducing Your Holiday Expenses in Phuket and Thailand (1) by James Spellman
While we mainly aim this article at visitors to our part of the world in Phuket, Thailand, you can apply a lot of the advice to holidays anywhere in the world.
One of the great attractions of Thailand is that it is cheap. The Tourism Authority of Thailand can carry on pushing their vision of Thailand as a millionaire's playground for as long as they want but still the majority of visitors will be people who have a limited budget.
In this article, we will give a few simple tips to help you make your money go further. We are not talking about the sort of penny-pinching measures that backpackers use to make their tiny budget stretch a year. We are not going to suggest you eat noodles every day. After all, you are on holiday and holidays are meant to be enjoyed. However, most people have worked hard for their two-week holiday in the land of smiles and there is no reason why they should not get the best from their money. Here are a few simple tips to make the money go a bit further.
Accommodation
If you want budget accommodation then usually you can find good deals just by walking in off the street. Walk around the side streets of any of Phuket's beach resorts and you will find guesthouses. During peak high-season (Xmas & January) it is better to book in advance as there may not be any rooms available. Whatever you do, do not ask a tuk-tuk driver for a recommendation. They will just take you somewhere that pays them commission.
If you want mid to high range accommodation then you should book in advance. If you walk in off the street, you will pay more for your room. It may seem strange but it is cheaper to book in advance through a travel agent or internet-booking site. The internet booking sites have the best rates. An excellent tool for finding the best rates is Hotels Combined. This Australian based website does a price comparison across 30 internet-booking sites and finds the cheapest available rates.
If you are on a longer-term holiday of a month or more then it may be worth looking for an apartment. If you go further back from the beach (e.g. Nanai Road in Patong), you can find nice one bedroom apartments from 12,000 baht a month.
Flights
Finding cheap airfares is a little more complicated.
There is a lot to be said for buying a package holiday from a travel agent. They will use their buying power to ensure you get good rates for your hotels and flights. However, many people enjoy the flexibility and independence of booking their own flights.
We would like to give a link to a single site that provides cheap international flights across the globe. Unfortunately, it does not work like that.
The airlines do not give their cheapest tickets to the major international travel sites. They know that companies such as Travelocity & Priceline have the marketing power to sell tickets that are more expensive. Therefore, while these companies sell in more countries and cover more destinations, they do not have cheap airline tickets.
The airlines give their cheapest tickets to small independent travel agents. These smaller agents usually only sell flights that depart from their local country. So for example, if you are in the UK you could check cheapflights.co.uk and they will check for the cheapest flights from a range of small agents. You will probably find return flights to Phuket from £500 or less. If you try the major international travel agents then return flights start from $2,000. Therefore, whatever country you are in, check the internet or classifieds for your local travel agents and look around.
The best international internet-booking site is ebookers.com. This site covers most major destinations and sells tickets in most countries. While their prices are not the absolute cheapest, they are very competitive.
http://www.knowphuket.com/
While we mainly aim this article at visitors to our part of the world in Phuket, Thailand, you can apply a lot of the advice to holidays anywhere in the world.
One of the great attractions of Thailand is that it is cheap. The Tourism Authority of Thailand can carry on pushing their vision of Thailand as a millionaire's playground for as long as they want but still the majority of visitors will be people who have a limited budget.
In this article, we will give a few simple tips to help you make your money go further. We are not talking about the sort of penny-pinching measures that backpackers use to make their tiny budget stretch a year. We are not going to suggest you eat noodles every day. After all, you are on holiday and holidays are meant to be enjoyed. However, most people have worked hard for their two-week holiday in the land of smiles and there is no reason why they should not get the best from their money. Here are a few simple tips to make the money go a bit further.
Accommodation
If you want budget accommodation then usually you can find good deals just by walking in off the street. Walk around the side streets of any of Phuket's beach resorts and you will find guesthouses. During peak high-season (Xmas & January) it is better to book in advance as there may not be any rooms available. Whatever you do, do not ask a tuk-tuk driver for a recommendation. They will just take you somewhere that pays them commission.
If you want mid to high range accommodation then you should book in advance. If you walk in off the street, you will pay more for your room. It may seem strange but it is cheaper to book in advance through a travel agent or internet-booking site. The internet booking sites have the best rates. An excellent tool for finding the best rates is Hotels Combined. This Australian based website does a price comparison across 30 internet-booking sites and finds the cheapest available rates.
If you are on a longer-term holiday of a month or more then it may be worth looking for an apartment. If you go further back from the beach (e.g. Nanai Road in Patong), you can find nice one bedroom apartments from 12,000 baht a month.
Flights
Finding cheap airfares is a little more complicated.
There is a lot to be said for buying a package holiday from a travel agent. They will use their buying power to ensure you get good rates for your hotels and flights. However, many people enjoy the flexibility and independence of booking their own flights.
We would like to give a link to a single site that provides cheap international flights across the globe. Unfortunately, it does not work like that.
The airlines do not give their cheapest tickets to the major international travel sites. They know that companies such as Travelocity & Priceline have the marketing power to sell tickets that are more expensive. Therefore, while these companies sell in more countries and cover more destinations, they do not have cheap airline tickets.
The airlines give their cheapest tickets to small independent travel agents. These smaller agents usually only sell flights that depart from their local country. So for example, if you are in the UK you could check cheapflights.co.uk and they will check for the cheapest flights from a range of small agents. You will probably find return flights to Phuket from £500 or less. If you try the major international travel agents then return flights start from $2,000. Therefore, whatever country you are in, check the internet or classifieds for your local travel agents and look around.
The best international internet-booking site is ebookers.com. This site covers most major destinations and sells tickets in most countries. While their prices are not the absolute cheapest, they are very competitive.
http://www.knowphuket.com/
Momorable Experiences in Phuket
Phuket Hotels: Renders Memorable Experiences by Nancy Eben
Phuket, Thailand is the largest island in the country and Asia's most desirable island. It is rightly called as the 'Heaven on Earth' for its powdery, palm fringed beaches, wonderful coves and bays, and sparkling island-dotted seas. 'Pearl of the South' as Phuket is commonly referred to, is a unique mix of hustle and bustle, along with some great and awesome beauty.
The island offers many different looks and feels to the visitors to discover and enjoy, but it all depends on which part of Phuket Island one is visiting. To get a taste of the famous and vibrant nightlife Patong Beach is the place, with all the noise and just about any thing one might care to treat oneself. For a laid back and relaxing, time Kata, Karonk beaches are ideal wit its natural beauty. In fact, it is a tropical wonderland and offers something for just about everyone.
Phuket- Asia's most popular beach destination is blessed with amazing scenery, astonishing tropical sunsets and warm blue sea. Phuket's biggest attraction is its wonderful beaches, each having a unique character, but it has lots more to offer then its magnificent beaches and clean seas. For the adventure seekers there are the mangroves of the east coast and the inland jungles, nature areas and even waterfalls. Phuket also has the more conventional sight seeing options, such as museums and other attractions. Exploring the island on a hired moped bike is a unique experience and a wonderful way to get to know the island.
An exquisite selection of tropical beach hotels in Phuket, wide range of family resorts to simple good value hotels Phuket are available on the beaches. Phuket- has everything to create a delightful picture for a truly memorable holiday. It is the place to extend your horizons, go for diving in the Andaman Sea, play golf at the world famous golf courses, explore the tropical rain forests, enjoy the vibrant nightlife, or just take a quiet cruise around the magical Phang Nga Bay. This fun island has an unbeatable combination of natural beauty, superb hospitality and great value accommodation in hotels Phuket. There is plenty of accommodation available ranging from standard bungalow resorts to 5 star hotels in Phuket. Phuket caters to all tastes, every budget, and promises a memorable holiday in the exotic surrounds of one of the most exciting island getaways.
http://www.stayresthailand.com/
Phuket, Thailand is the largest island in the country and Asia's most desirable island. It is rightly called as the 'Heaven on Earth' for its powdery, palm fringed beaches, wonderful coves and bays, and sparkling island-dotted seas. 'Pearl of the South' as Phuket is commonly referred to, is a unique mix of hustle and bustle, along with some great and awesome beauty.
The island offers many different looks and feels to the visitors to discover and enjoy, but it all depends on which part of Phuket Island one is visiting. To get a taste of the famous and vibrant nightlife Patong Beach is the place, with all the noise and just about any thing one might care to treat oneself. For a laid back and relaxing, time Kata, Karonk beaches are ideal wit its natural beauty. In fact, it is a tropical wonderland and offers something for just about everyone.
Phuket- Asia's most popular beach destination is blessed with amazing scenery, astonishing tropical sunsets and warm blue sea. Phuket's biggest attraction is its wonderful beaches, each having a unique character, but it has lots more to offer then its magnificent beaches and clean seas. For the adventure seekers there are the mangroves of the east coast and the inland jungles, nature areas and even waterfalls. Phuket also has the more conventional sight seeing options, such as museums and other attractions. Exploring the island on a hired moped bike is a unique experience and a wonderful way to get to know the island.
An exquisite selection of tropical beach hotels in Phuket, wide range of family resorts to simple good value hotels Phuket are available on the beaches. Phuket- has everything to create a delightful picture for a truly memorable holiday. It is the place to extend your horizons, go for diving in the Andaman Sea, play golf at the world famous golf courses, explore the tropical rain forests, enjoy the vibrant nightlife, or just take a quiet cruise around the magical Phang Nga Bay. This fun island has an unbeatable combination of natural beauty, superb hospitality and great value accommodation in hotels Phuket. There is plenty of accommodation available ranging from standard bungalow resorts to 5 star hotels in Phuket. Phuket caters to all tastes, every budget, and promises a memorable holiday in the exotic surrounds of one of the most exciting island getaways.
http://www.stayresthailand.com/
วันศุกร์ที่ 14 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2550
Get around Phuket
Phuket is a large island and you need some form of transport to get around.
Phuket is a large island and you need some form of transport to get around.
- By bus
From Phuket Town there are frequent bus services to the other part of the island such as Patong Beach, Kata-Karon beach, Chalong Bay, Rawai-Naihan beach, Seaport-Aquarium, Mai Khaw beach, Surin-Kammala beach. The fare is 15-30 baht up on distant, by both full-size buses and by songthaews. Most of them stop at the central market (Talad Sod or Ban San) far from the bus terminal about 2 kilometer. On the way there is no bus stop, The passegers can request the driver stop everywhere or take of them out of the main way. So the local bus run very slowly. Almost local bus services stop at around 18:00.
- By taxi
Phuket has two types of taxi - millions (or so it seems) of small songthaew-style minivans (usually bright red, occasionally bright yellow) called Tuk Tuks, and a much smaller number of conventional sedan-style taxis (yellow and red, with a "TAXI-METER" sign on top).
The minivans are universally referred to as tuk-tuks (even though they have four wheels, not three). They have no meter, and their drivers are notoriously mercenary, so always agree a price beforehand and do bargain hard. Short hops around town shouldn't cost more than 40 baht, but good luck getting from Patong to Phuket Town for under 200 baht.
For longer distances the metered taxis are generally a better bet, so do your bit to break the iron grip of the minitaxi mafia and patronize them if you can. You can hail one by telephone on 076-232157.
There are also motorbike taxis. While you should never hop on the back of just anyone's motorbike, motorbike taxi drivers wear bright numbered vests and are usually the cheapest way to go. However, it is important to note that these are slightly more dangerous than a Tuk Tuk, for obvious reasons, and are not comfortable for long trips. However, if you just need to get around town, they are a great way to go.
- By car or bike
Renting a car or motorbike to explore the island on your own is a cost-effective way of getting off the beaten track. However, given the atrocious driving habits of most locals and the resulting carnage on Phuket's roads every year, the risks do demand careful consideration.
Motorcycle and scooter rentals start at around 150 baht/day, coming down to 100 baht/day for rentals of a week or more. Phuket police do enforce the crash helmet requirement, and also conduct frequent spot checks at which a driving licence must be produced. Many rental agencies will not require to see your licence. Whether or not you need an international licence or just your licence from your home country is unclear. So long as your licence from home is written in English, you should be fine. The current on-the-spot fine (you pay, you get a receipt and then they let you drive off - speaking from personal experience) for not carrying a licence is 300 baht. You may want to consider whether paying for an international licence is more expensive than just paying a fine or two while you are there.
Go Phuket
Phuket Island has an international airport and is also directly connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it's possible to arrive by air, road, or sea.
Phuket Island has an international airport and is also directly connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it's possible to arrive by air, road, or sea.
- By plane
There are very frequent flights to/from Bangkok as well as direct flights to many other airports in the region, including Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and direct charters to Europe and Australia in the high season.
Airport
The compact Phuket International Airport is located in the north of the island, and is Thailand's second largest hub. International departure tax is 700 baht payable in cash (there are several ATMs at the airport). Departure tax for domestic flights is included in the ticket.
Airport transfers
- Limousine (blue) taxis from the airport are expensive, costing 500-600 baht to Patong Beach or Phuket Town
- Metered (yellow) taxis (available outside the car park gates) cost 300+ baht
- Minibus services (basically door-to-door share taxis) charge 100-200 baht per seat. One realworld example is from airport to Chalong to 6 persons was 1100 baht and there was not possibility to lower it easily.
- Airport shuttle bus service (6:30-20:30, every 30 minutes) to Phuket Town bus station costs 52 baht; local buses run from there to all the major beaches until around 18:00
Flights
- Domestic flights
Several domestic discount airlines fly here, including Air Asia and Nok Air - tickets from Bangkok can cost under 1000 baht one-way if booked well in advance, or around 2000 baht (including taxes) if bought on the day.
- International flights
Malaysia - AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines have direct flights from/to Kuala Lumpur. Also, FireFly, a new Malaysia-based low-cost airline, has flights from its Penang hub to and from Phuket.
http://www.malaysiaairlines.com
Singapore - Silk Air has 32 flights a week. Low cost alternatives are AirAsia, Jetstar Asia Airways, and Tiger Airways.
Other low cost direct connections include Hong Kong, Jakarta, Macao, and Seoul.
- By bus
Buses to mainland destinations including Bangkok, Chumphon, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Satun, Sungai Kolok and Surat Thani use the BKS terminal off Thanon Phang Nga in Phuket Town.
The most reliable buses from Bangkok are those from the Southern (Sai Tai Mai) Bus Terminal. There are 2 private bus companies, Phuket Travel Tour and Phuket Central Tour and government firm, Transport Co,Ltd. The dodgy Khao San Road operations (which have a bad reputation for theft, and often turn out to include a "surprise" transfer to a minibus at Surat Thani) are best avoided.
From Phuket bus terminal to your destination, you can take of Took-Took or motercycle. The fare in town is about 10-20 bath.To the beach is about 100-200 bath up on your bargaining. If you like cheaper you can take a Took Took or motercycle to the market to take the local bus to the beach. You can save money but cannot save time.
- By boat
Ferry services connect from Rassada Port in Phuket Town to Ko Phi Phi and on to Krabi on the mainland twice a day, taking 90 minutes and costing 350/650 baht one-way/return, for each leg. It's usually a pleasant ride, but can be rather bumpy when it's windy.
There are also boats to Ko Racha (2 hours), the Similan Islands (9+ hours) and other islands in the high season only. Boats and yachts can be chartered at Chalong Pier, the Boot Lagoon and the Yacht Haven.
It's possible to visit Phuket by cruise ship. For cruises from Singapore, try Star Cruises.
Phuket Beach
One of the most popular tourist areas on Phuket is Patong Beach on the central western coast, perhaps owing to the easy access to its wide and long beach. Most of Phuket's nightlife and its cheap shopping is located in Patong, and the area has become increasingly developed. Patong means "the forest filled with banana leaves" in Thai.
Other popular beaches are located south of Patong. In a counterclockwise direction these include Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, and around the southern tip of the island, Nai Harn Beach and Bang Tao Beach. These areas are generally much less developed than Patong, and sought out by individuals, families and other groups with a preference for more relaxed and less crowded environs than Patong.
There are several coral islands to the south of Phuket, the Similan Islands lie to the north west, and Phi Phi Islands to the south east. All the islands are suitable for diving.
The major beaches from north to south of Phuket Island are:
Bang Tao - long, very quiet beach
Surin Beach - an up-and-coming destination
Laem Singh Beach - small bay with stunning views, between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach
Kamala Beach - a quieter beach to the north of Patong
Patong Beach - the largest beach resort, known for its nightlife
Karon Beach - a quieter beach to the south of Patong
Kata Yai Beach - busy, clean tourist beach with good surf
Kata Noi Beach - quieter sister of Kata Yai
Ao Chalong - home to Phuket's most popular yacht anchorage
Rawai Beach - set off point for lots of local islands, popular with locals for eating on the beach
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