Korean Job Discussion Forums

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

Hey, all. I'm going to Phuket in a couple of weeks and I wonder if anyone can tell me about booking some of the things I want to do when I'm there. I want to go elephant trekking, snorkeling, canoeing, bungee-jumping, surfing, para-sailing, and, if they have it hang-gliding. I'm going to be there for a little less than a week and I'd like to be on a different beach every evening. I wanna get out to Koh Phi Phi and Phang Nga bay.

My question is, should I book all this in advance or can I wait until I get there? Also, can anyone recommend a good travel agency based in Phuket that can help me arrange all this? What I'd like to do, if I can, is wait until I get there and go to a travel agent's office and arrange to start everything the next day. Any thoughts, ideas, opinions? Thanks in advance.

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

It will be easy enough to sort out when you are there. The are travel agents everywhere. Just poke your head in at one and they will sort you out quickly. Phang Na bay is brilliant! You can do all of those things, but I am not sure about hang-gliding.

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

You may be able to do all these things. You may be able to do none of them. Will it be the rainy season when you go? Rains run from about mid-June to late October. It'd be cool to watch somebody paraglide in a downpour, or even recline on a beach, on Phuket after he's flown all the way from SK. That, my friend, would be truly hardcore.

But don't let the rains deter you. When I lived in Thailand (just over 2 years), it'd rain every day during the season, but the rain fell only for an hour or two. I could set my clock by the rain it was so regular.

Just a point: the plane that crashed and burned last year on Phuket was landing in a monsoon. That was about a year ago.

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

That's what I've heard about the rain, too; that it'll rain off and on for an hour or two at a time. Better Bring an umbrella. huh?

Can the staff at the hotels tell me where I can do any of those things or where the nearest travel agent is?

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

rokgryphon · Joined: 12 Apr 2005

Hey, that is really a lot of things to plan on doing for one week in Phuket, doesn't leave much time for just laying on the beach. There is lots of info on online booking at www.phuket.com. Check that out. Depends where you are staying on the island, on how many people will be trying to get you to join their tours, but Patong is by far the busiest. The rain can last for several days as is being forcast now, but it is usually confined to a couple of hours of steady downpour as people have said. When exactly will you be there? What kind of hotels are you planning on staying at and what beach, it is not really worth it, in my opinion, to change beaches every night. Check out Paradise beach it is about a 15 minute scooter ride from Patong. That is probably the best route, stay in one hotel rent a scooter while you are there to get yourself around the island. You can drive the whole island inn just a few hours. The butterfly garden in Phuket town close to TESCO is worth checking out. Maybe I can give you some advice, I have spent quite a bit of time in Phuket.

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

I'll be there from the 29th to the 4th. I'll be staying in a hotel near Patong beach.

newinseoul · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Location: Busan

Look around Patong for the best deals on activities. I'd recommend taking a fast cruiser to Koh Phi Phi, and it will also take you to Monkey Island. The lunch on board is to die for.

Also would recommend doing some kayaking in Mangrove forest. You will be able to go into a cave and kayak around the inside of the forest. Fun stuff.

Your hotel may also be able to give you some discounts on day trips. White water rafting in Phang-Na is another must do if you get a chance.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

I stayed in a resort near Patong Beach.

I went elephant trekking --took 1 hour
parasailing-literally 5 minutes

They also had canoeing, jet skiing, etc etc....activities you can do right then and there without much planning.

sojourner1 · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:17 am Post subject:

Your guesthouse will most likely also be a travel agent who will set you up with trekking and ocean fishing and other possibilities. It's really nice in December, January, and February.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Be careful about the tours from the so called nice hotels. I can remember I paid 500 Baht for the same tour that these Walking ATM's who were staying at a nice hotel paid 800 Baht. All tours will pick you up at your hotel.

The best tour Five Islands in one day. 500 Baht including snorkeling equiptment and lunch. Kho Hong is the best. Be careful of the Sea Urchins
They are usually in clusters on the bottom. Either look before you step or wear the flippers. They are also on the huge rocks that jut out of the water.

Be careful of the Bargirls that look to good to be true. Most Isan ladies are short. If they are tall and act ultra femanin there's a good chance they're ladyboys.