Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:48 pm Post subject: Phuket vs. Pattaya

Doing a little winter getaway for a few days and it's been narrowed down to these two. It's an R&R trip. Yes I know there are like 50 or hundreds of better places out there.

Looking for:

Quality diving
Decent nightlife
Preferably a lack of ladyboys trying to pick me up
Plenty of other options during the day
Not swamped by Koreans (it's been nearly two years since I've been on vacation)

Alternatively, if you know of a better place that meets all of these requirements, tell me about it. I was thinking about the Phillipines but just couldn't seem to think of a place that meets all the criteria.

Zark · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject:

Phuket without a doubt.

Before I moved to Phuket - I drove down to Pattaya from Bangkok just to make sure I wasn't missing out on something. Lousy dirty beaches, major focus on the sex-tourism industry - and just not much to offer.

While Phuket too - has soi Bangla - there is much more to offer than sex tourism. Phuket is quite a large island and has lots of beaches that are not so well known, rural areas, country back roads - and just off the island are Krabi, Phi Phi, Khao Lak and much more.

Try

http://phuketdelight.com/

for more about Phuket.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

Curious George · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul, Korea

I lived in Thailand last year. Avoid Pattayah. Nastly beaches. Men just go there for the sex bars.

Phuket has good beaches but it also focuses on the sex trade if you go to the touristy bar area.

If you want to stay away from gogo bars and lady boys I would recommend Koh Samui or maybe Koh Chang.

SweetBear · Joined: 18 May 2003

Like Zark said ;
"While Phuket too - has soi Bangla - there is much more to offer than sex tourism."

Curious George:

"Phuket has good beaches but it also focuses on the sex trade if you go to the touristy bar area".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I assume you are talking about Patong ? There are many many many tourist bar areas on Phuket with great beaches and no shenanigans . It is a big island.

Cool

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Phuket.

Phuket has more to offer than Pattaya for the average person.

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Location: Bangkok

I've lived in both Pattaya and Phuket before, and Phuket wins hands-down. Pattaya does have nice places; there are upscale hotels near Jomtien that are absolutely beautiful. But for the most part it's utter crap. Phuket is great. Wonderful beaches and there's tons to do off of the island.

dulouz · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Uranus

Pattaya offers a life experience worth having. Its just not a vacation experience worth having. You should go because its one of those few times you can go to hell and live to tell about it.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

pidgin · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: Seoul

I'm sure it's not the bar girls.

pidgin · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: Seoul

Gotta' be the temples.

stumptown · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 6:37 am Post subject:

I agree about the dirty beaches, but that sex tourism stuff has to be seen to be believed. And also, what's with all the tatooed skinheads there? Is Pattaya some kind of Aryan nations exile? The acrobatic..uh...body part show on Walking Street is something to see just so you can say you saw it. I can't wait to go back and do it all over again. Walking street is nothing compared to that dirty dreadlocked patchouli scented pile of crap known as Khao San road. That place should be bombed, but save that falafel stand.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:03 pm Post subject:

Oh, right, this thread.

Yeah, I've been to Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Bangers (and have seen the ping pong show). The person I'm travelling with seems keen on one of these two places (I'd go to Chiang Mai but there's no scuba diving), so away I go. Sounds like Phuket is a more balanced place.

dmbfan · Joined: 09 Mar 2006

Hey all,

Ya know, Koh Chang is a great place to go, if you want to something different. It has great beaches, low prices, and has a fairly laid back atmoshphere; not bogged down with "starbucks families" and old men trying to relieve the glory.

I had an outstanding time, staying at a place called Chang Bar, on Whitesand Beach (upper end). The place is old, one of the first to open up back in the day. But, they treat you like family; free food when they cook, hospitality, and pretty much welcome you there as soon as you arrive. The bar is basic, but has character. Of course, there are a few gals that work there, but if you don't want it, it is not forced on you.

But, the problem is that Koh Chang is being discovered. I wish the "stabbucks families" would go elsewhere, and leave it for the backpackers. But, the same will happen, as did with Phukett, and Samui. However, there is still time to check it out.

And............check out out the Chang Bar. Bungalows for 200 baht.

Cheers.

dmbfan