Sun_Smile

We (incl two kids) are leaving for a reserved 5 nights Bangkok tour in mid November. Plan to visit Phuket for four nights afterwards.

Q1. We would like to do Phuket City Sightseeing Tour, Phuket FantaSea Show with dinner, Phang Nga Tour, Phi Phi Tour (Viking Cave, Maya Bay), 4 in 1 Safari Adventure 4 hours, and maybe Krabi tour and go back to BKK from Krabi. Is this schedule doable?

Q2. We are checking flight info between BKK and HKT. Our travel agent said there is no promotion this early. All existing promotions deadline is 10/31. They suggested us to wait until September. Do you think we!|d better wait or just go ahead book through Thailand Air website?

Q3. We usually book hotels via priceline. But in this case, if we have to arrange transfer between hotel and airport, and have breakfast on our own, we might as well book a five day tour which incls transfer and breakfast through a travel agent. Which way is more suitable?

Thanks for advice.

simpsonc510

Wow! Sounds like a lot to include in Phuket, if you ask me. I've been to Phuket three times so far. It has been for mostly R & R, but we have included some sights. I'd say go to Phi Phi, and that will take up most of a day on one of the scheduled tours. It is really beautiful.

I have no idea what you might see on a Phuket City tour as, in my visits there, I didn't notice anything that would warrant a sight seeing tour (in my opinion).

I am not familiar with the Phang Nga Tour or the Safari Adventure. I've heard of the Fantasea show but have not seen it.

Are you staying all four nights in one place on Phuket or moving from place to place everyday? You'll be spending time packing and unpacking if you are moving to a new hotel each night. Will you rent a car or travel with a tour group on a bus or something?

As far as booking flights in advance, I have always booked them as late as the day before I fly and have never had a problem getting seats. The ticket price does not change if you buy it the day before. It is the same price as one purchased a month or two ahead. You can fly in "Royal Executive Class" (business class) for such a small price difference that we always fly in that class. We get tickets from a travel agent in Bangkok and make all arrangements after arriving in country, except for our first night or two in BKK.

dywong

It appears that you are from Hong Kong, in which case I 'll pass on the airfare questions. As for your plans in Phuket, I will offer that we returned last month to Phuket primarly because last year we didn't have time for Fantasea. Now having done it, we wonder what all the hype was about. Perhaps we are jaded, but the Fantasea grounds were no more impressive than your typical amusement park in the US, but without the rides or other attractions. Other than the theatre, the grounds seemed to consist of a very large and oppulent buffet area, lots and lots of tourist shops, lots of carnival game booths and a "ride the elephant" concession. The buffet dinner was less than impressive and the rest could easily have been skipped as we soon all got either bored or frustrated. As for the show, it was fun to watch and marvel at how they get the animals to do things, but the only thing that our kids (7&10) talked about afterward was how funny it was that the elephants had to do their business while on stage and so forth. not exactly what I had in mind when I paid extra at the hotel to sit in a "preferred" section. My only suggestion is to not expect too much, decline the buffet and do dinner elsewhere.
In regard to the rest of your Phuket plans, for each of the places you mention I'd allocate a day at least which may not leave you with much time to enjoy Phuket. However, you will enjoy Krabi very much and I'd recommend staying there for a nite or two if you can.
Getting back to BKK from Krabi is no problem and the drive over from Phuket takes less than two hours these days unless there is lots of traffic.
I've never used priceline for a hotel in BKK. Since we have young kids, my wife insists (and she's right on this) that we get a serviced apartment. They are very reasonable and allow a lot more versatility and breathing room with kids than a hotel. Ours had breakfast included, so that was not a problem. The kids enjoyed taking the private tuk tuk so that was an added bonus.

JamesA

There is little if anything to see in Phuket own ( which is on the other side of the Island to the main beach areas ).
Skip the buffet with Phuket fantasea, not worth it, just do the show, book it local with any streetside agent in any resort area, cheaper.
Sea Canoe is good.
If you want a busy resort then patong ( Holiday Inn by the way is brilliant for kids, very good kids facilities ), otherwise Coconut Village ( about 1/2 price of oliday Inn is nice ), Duangjitt Resort also quite cheap has great little bungalows in the garden amongst trees, couple of minutes walk to quieter part of beach but easy access to everywhere walking.
If you want a quieter beach but close to restaurants within walking distance try the Karon beach, 3 star basic but excellent on beach location.
The trouble with priceline is they have good deals on the big hotel groups, but yuo don't get access to all the other places, here are some local Phuket sites with cheap rates, local prices.

For flights fares on domestic are pretty much fixed, there are some promotions here and there low season but withtourists almost back to 'normal' flights are running fairly full. Thai is about B 5,700 return, Bangkok Airways about B 5,400, Phuket Air is cheaper around B 5,000 but only 1 or 2 flights as against Thais 13-15 flights per day, I would just book Thai.

http://www.freewebs.com/phuket_patong_hotels/

or

http://www.patong-beach-hotels.8k.com

JamesA

Did your agent tell you Dragonair start HKG-BKK in November? As they also fly to Phuket I bet you could get a deal with Dragaonair to BKK and back from Phuket, maybe worth checking. Gulf Air ware about HKD 1,800 return HKG-BKK, Emirates cheap too. Kenya Airways ex BKK-HKG are offering US$110 return from September, so should be cheap other way around too, but only 3 x a week, Gulf is daily.

Sun_Smile

Wow, Dear simpsonc510, dywong & JamesA, I precious every opinion you provided here and from previous postings.

I envy you can R & R, simpsonc510. This is our first trip to Thailand from US (not HK). We are so eager to see as much as we can. We made our plan based on tour agents? itineraries posted on the web. I think I was just too greedy. I even consider to take the simon show that JamesA recommended. Is the show suitable for children? The 4 in 1 Safari Adventure is mainly for our boys. Do you think it's good for an eight-year-old?

As far as the flight info between BKK and HKT, I mean local flights between Bangkok and Phuket. As we had booked the Bangkok tour from our travel agent, the international flight schedule was set. I think I can just wait and see if I can find good packages with air and hotel.

We plan to stay at one hotel for three nights. And maybe Krabi, or Phi Phi, or Maiton Island (ever heard of this one?) for one night. Please comment on these three places. I will do more research based on all your comments. And be back to ask for more help. Many thanks!

JamesA

Wow you are heading for a world record, if you have 5 days in Phuket just settle at a hotel in Patong/Kata/Karon and then plan trips how you feel, don't waste time with maiton resort, too far out if you have 5 days.
Also you will waste prescious time hiking around Bangkok looking for some flight/hotel package to Phuket.
Just boo Thai Airways return flights ( which are changeable without penalty ) and then book a hotel that is known and recommended, I could give you a list of 20-30, I lived there for several years (now in Bangkok ).
I would worry about tours and excursions once you arrive, every hotel has tour desk, prices are fairly fixed. With a short period of time, with kids, I would go for Holiday Inn/Cocounut Village/Duangjitt resort in Patong or the Karon Beach at Karon or the Kata Thani if you want more upmarket.
I would not be rigid on tours, wait till you arrive, relax on the beach/pool, go out in the evenings and then see how you feel, you might want a day tour canoe and caves, you might though think you would be happier with a book around the pool. You can still fill 2 solid days with tours.

Sun_Smile

JamesA, thanks for your input. Good to know Thai air allows changing schedule without penalty.

I won't have time to search phuket hotel and air tickets in Bangkok. So I will book it as you suggested. Where can we find transfer service between hotel and Phuket airport? Or is it better that we rent a car in Phuket?

Now, Maiton question again. If we put one or two more days, is it worth a trip there? How far is it from Phuket?

JamesA

Don't bother with a booked hotel transfer in Phuket. When you arrive Phuket is a small but very efficient airport. There is a taxi counter and the fares are 'fixed' to various hotels and resorts, costs about $12 for the car. Your driver then takes care of you, nothing to worry about.
Honestly, the Maiton IMHO is an unecessary hassle. You gain no benefit from being on the small 'island', there is certainly nothing special about it.
Just tell me your budget, whether you are thinking of a Holiday Inn type place or somewhere on the beach say 3-star. I don't think with the kids you want to be stuck too far away from things. Just as an 'example' take a look at Duangjitt, about half the price of Maiton or similar, the kids will love the Thai style cottage/bungalows, lots of play space, relaxed and informal, and just a few minutes to the beach, walking distance to shops and restaurants, plus very very easy for tours and excursions, it's a long url so cut and paste. The other good bet as I said is the Holiday nn though more concrete than trees/wood like the Duangjitt. The Maiton 'might' be good for a couple who want a real get away from it all but imagine having to boat to/from the place at night!
You know as well as I, keep the kids happy and you have a great vacation. At the Duangjitt you can hapily tuck-them-in and wander off for a late drink nearby without worry.

http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/duangjitt/details/

You can also check your budget and see what is available in your price range. Rates are local rates but they can price in USD and a very fast and personal with service. Get a cottages next to eachother and you will havea good all-round deal.

Thai domestic give a full 50% kids discount on fares, they have a flight every hour, mostly 747/777's so a good flight and easy. Your US agent can issue those tickets immediately, go for the 3 month valid ticket and you save about $8.

Now I just need someone to help 'us' with our Japan snow trip!

dywong

I'd also suggest the Chedi on Pansea Beach in Phuket. Although it may seem risky if you've never done it, my advice about getting to and from the airport is not to bother until you are there. I have never had a problem either getting a cab to the airport, or asking the hotel clerk in advance for a private car to take us to the airport or elsewhere when we leave. The charge is almost always very reasonable, even in Phuket. The idea of trying to to drive an unfamiliar car in a foreign country with my family makes me shudder even if I know where I am going.
Don't know anything about the place you are asking about, but there are lots a great places in Krabi. We stayed at Rayavadee but JamesA seems to know every place in the area. Make sure though that you plan a trip to Railay Beach- both of them- it will be worth it. I'd Stick with the day trip to Phi Phi if you have kids.
ps. to JamesA: I understand that there are private homes for rent on the north side of Railay. As the resident authority, do you know of an agent with access and can handle a weekly rental? it would be for next July. thank you.

sandi

Can't comment on how you plan to book air or hotels, though the flight costs are pretty much set and knocking yourself out to save $2-$5 is for me too much trouble - get them booked as soon as you firm up your hotel and final length of stay.

We did go into Phuket Town one morning from the Dusit Laguna Resort Complex - by taxi and driver waited for us at cost of $15 r/t. We had some last minute shopping to do and accomplished all quickly - total time was 2-1/2 hrs. to/from and shop. I don't know whether there is much to be seen by children, though there is a Swenson's ice cream parlor and a Boot's (from UK) pharmacy, and I believe I saw a McDonalds!!!

We did do the cruise on Phang Nga Bay which was a very enjoyable day. However, most of the participants (about 24 people) were couples, no children to be seen; so if this is the tour you want, do check if they even allow children on board.

Realize that it is very hot & humid in both Bangkok and Phuket (all of SEAsia, for that matter) and the children might actually prefer to be in the pool as often as possible.

JamesA

Dywong: I agree the Chedi is classic and I recommend it quite often, ideal for couples, for Sun_Smile I am thinking mainly of the kids. With our kids if they are happy then we get a great time.
I haven't heard of those places to rent on Railey, just watch July though! Rain..

simpsonc510

If you are taking kids, you might not want to stay on Patong Beach as it is the most crowded. I would recommend either Kata or Kata Noi. Both are smaller, with smaller resorts.

I've stayed at the Boathouse on Kata. It is more expensive than a lot of the places so I won't recommend it, even though it is a wonderful place to stay! It is right on the beach.

I was at Phi Phi in the summer of 2001 and saw a few places to stay, but there is very little to do once you are on this very remote island! It's small! You could walk around it in no time LOL. I would recommend taking a boat on a day trip from Phuket Town. You have plenty of time for snorkeling or getting a long tail or other boat to take you to Maya Beach (which is beautiful) in the amount of time you are on the island on a day trip. They will feed you a nice buffet lunch and rent you the snorkel equip.

Phuket is wonderful for R & R because it is an island with lovely beaches. I do hope you won't run yourself ragged and not get some beach time. Once you get there, you can decide just how active you want to be. I'd do Phi Phi and elephant trekking (short ride only), and I'd ride in a tsongtau (I think that's the name of it) to Patong to walk the beach and get in some shopping and maybe parasailing. Remember, the heat is going to knock you for a loop and that in itself will slow you down somewhat!

I hope you enjoy Thailand as much as I do!

simpsonc510...(I'm Carol, by the way)