Korean Job Discussion Forums

[moptop]

I just booked tickets to fly into Bangkok and then Phuket. Should we (the 2 of us) book a hotel room ahead of time or should we just show up and hope for the best???? We'll be staying in the Patong beach area.

We are leaving Korea on Sat. Jan. 21st at 10:30 am, and then returning to Bangkok for a few days and flying back to Korea on Thurs. Feb. 2nd. Most of the hotels I have seen are a little on the pricy side (internet research). I don't know how busy they will be and I don't want to get either stuck with a crappy overpriced hotel or no accommodation at all!!!

My parents might be joining us and they thought a bungalow or suite might be nice to get together (hmmmm....we'll see about that). Does anyone know if theses are available? Do they have that kind of setup?

Any info would be appreciated for this first timer...

[Patong Dong]

Patong is a busy place with all sorts of accommodation starting from the beach road and running up to and top of the mountain. However, be warned that quiet bungalows on the beach are not one of the choices. If you are comfortable renting a motorbike, and don't need to be looking at the beach from your balcony the whole time, you'll open up a whole new range of places and prices. Nanai Rd. at the base of the mountains gets a lot of long-term expats and has more places with kitchens and multi-room set ups. There are clusters of secluded bungalow joints hidden around all over, but during high-season often seem to be booked out by returning Europeans. There is so much variety there that, if you can swing it, book a more central pricier room and get oriented first. Patong is largely an example of how a beautiful location should not be developed, so keep in mind nearby places like Karon and the Kata beaches just down the coast.

[brento1138]

Just got back from Phuket. The driver of our bus stopped at this place where they asked us where we were staying. Those who didn't have accomodation, they found places for no problem... (of course, they make a little commission off this so the price may be a tad higher). However, a girl I met on the bus got a place for I think 12 bucks a night... I paid 30 bucks a night for a sweet place, but I just wanted to live the good life that week. As for bungalows, I think those are harder to get, but I am not sure.

Anyhow, I think you are pretty much just safe showing up there, without booking in advance. If I were you, I'd head to Karon beach if you can't find anything in Patong..., or even Kata. Karon-Patong is only a 5 minute trip, costs like 200 baht in a taxi or a "tuk tuk"... and the place didn't seem crowded... just right, and it was high season. Oh, no American tourists it seemed... mainly Europeans.

This island is huge by the way. I personally didn't like Patong as much as some of the quieter places, however, there's more life and food options in Patong.

But to answer your question, just get on the shuttle bus from the airport and they will find you a suitable place if you need it... otherwise, you can just tell them you want to go to Patong (lie and say you are staying at the Expat or something, then look around yourself for what suits you). You won't be sleeping on the streets though, trust me on this one!!