Phuket, Thailand

$1 US to 35 Thai Baht

July 19-30, 2023

When people envision Thailand, most think of Phuket. Long beaches covered with many fellow sun-burned tourists, open air restaurants facing the water, bars with young ladies at the ready to keep you company, overseen by a Buddha on the Hill. 

Although generally less expensive than similar foods and activities in the US, it is much more expensive than most of the rest of Thailand. Meals will run 350-700baht ($10-$20) pp instead of that total for 2 on Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. Lodging runs 1000baht+ ($30+) per night instead of 600-700 ($18-20). The beaches are beautiful, but crowded. 

We stayed near Karon beach, close to the southeast end of the island. The breaking waves were good for body surfing and jumping, but would be a little close for surfing, and were rough for non-swimmers. At low tide, the 5km long flat beach was great for walks on packed sand. At high tide, a long sidewalk parallels the water and the seaside road, allowing a walk checking out the sea and the businesses facing the water. Almost all of the businesses are on the far side of the road, leaving the seaside as an uninterrupted area to walk/jog or otherwise enjoy (exercise equipment has been provided as well). 

Two kilometers south of Karon Beach you find the calmer Kata Beach. Club Med takes up most of the beachside lodging. Great for them, but if not staying at Club Med, your hotel may be 2 blocks from the sea, but beach access may require you to walk 5-6 blocks. 

Uber is readily available, though Uber is not allowed curbside at the airport – they have to pick you up outside the main gate (Uber gives you directions across the parking lot, past the flags, and out the gate. In the meantime, you are harassed by some of the cab drivers telling you that you need to go a different way). It costs 1000baht from the airport in the north to Karon beach. 

On the mountain overlooking the beaches sits the Buddha on the Hill. There is a muddy, steep trail that will take you up from Karon beach, or a 400baht Uber ride to the top (we chose this and walked/slid down) the kilometer back to town. 

We couldn’t resist the day tour going out to the famous Phi Phi Islands. And apparently, neither can anyone else coming to Phuket. Our guide, Sally did make sure all of her charges returned in good shape, but with close to a thousand tourists running around at each stop, it must have been quite a challenge.

The tour included a stop at the famous Maya Bay here “The Island” as filmed starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s so crowded they don’t let anyone swim in the bay. 

The plus of Phuket – huge airport, transport by bus (100baht per person) that runs throughout the day up and down the length of the island, food is inexpensive by US/Europe standards, endless choice of restaurants and bars, a few with live entertainment any day of the week.

The downside – it’s crowded and a very long flight from the West (though a lot easier when given a free upgrade to business class like I lucked into on my second leg of the journey back to the states!)