hi JamesA
 

i would like to ask a couple for qn.

1.what is the weather in phuket in the early aug as im going there this sunday.

2.how much is it from patong to phi phi on a ferry?

3.restaurants recommendations?for both patong and phi phi.

thanks!

Take a look here for the weather: www.weatherbase.com

Probably as you would expect this time of year.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/weather...=2007731171026

http://www.tmd.go.th/en/province.php?id=75
gives a 60% chance of rain.

You can't get a ferry from Patong, you have to go over the other side to Phuket Town, ( about 150 from Phuket ferry ) but ask the local travel counters because if you have to get the ferry you would have to get to phuket Town zone anyhow so you are better off getting them to do the whole transfer from patong=Ferry and that makes life a lot easier, they pick you up by mini-van from patong straight to the ferry, it adds convenience, if you know your return they can sort that out for you all in 1 go !

Wherre are you staying in Patong ?

Restaurants in Patong ! - Opposite Royal Paradise there are lots of outside restaurants, in my opinion the best of those, about in the center is 'Red Boat', great Seafood and other Thai food, well priced, fast, and well cooked, also convenient to go across the road to the market stalls along Rat-U-Thit in front of Royal Paradise.
After that you can walk along past the top of Soi bangla to Jungceylon new mall. If you go a lot further south along rat-U-Thi one local Thai restaurant that has 'survived' is Nong's, that is nice local place, friendly and good food and the beer is still cheap.

I am not into the upmarket restaurants, sorry, if you have transport and go beyond Kalim heading in the direction of Kamala there is a no-name ( actualy i just don't know the name ) seafood place at the left, you would see all the cars parked, great seafood and spectacular views over Patong.

Down by Soi Post Office is Sea Hag, nice Thai food, small and friendly.

Sadly a lot of the old nice restaurants along the beach road have gone to be replaced by Pubs, Coffee shops and all that !

I know it sounds boring but we tend to head back to 'Red Boat' most times and simpky try different dishes, they have a particular great way of doing their prawns which is somewhat different, they keep the salty sea taste which is a bit unusual. It's easy eating but friendly and reasonable prices.

Do check the weather ahead of any ferry trip as you might not get a refund if you wake up to stormy weather and decide not to go, sometime they will go unless the warnings are out and boats cannot leave the piers, but do check the weather closely and I would only book late afternoon the day ahead.

wow james!u're just so cool!but can i know about the price of the ferry to phiphi?

is kata better or phi phi?

yeah,heard of the red boat.will try it!

and how about "central festival" where is it?

looking forward to ur wonderful reply!

I think the base ferry ticket is about 150 each way.

Central festival is in the center of the island in the strech of roads that include Lots/Big C etc, it's a mall.
There is not much point taking a tuk tuk all the way there and back unless you are realy into malls.

That used to be more popular but with Jungceylon right in Patong not much ned at all to head to central anymore, I don't know if Jungceylon do it in low season but they had a light/water show, lots of places to eat there are carrefour Supermarket, you've got Burger King, mcD, Strabucks and all that sort of place.

Kata is mainland beach south of Patong and Karon, 2 sections, if you want a busy beacch area 9 relative as this is right in the middle of low season 0 Patong would be the busiest and hotel price wsie the best bargains ( hope you got a massive bargain as the rates are just so low at the moment there ).

Rememeber 'Red' for restaurants as a great local restaurant in Karon is Red Onion.

thanks for the reply!

there's some more qn that i wanna ask (sorry)

1.i will have to bargain for the taxi fare which i'll take after i've reached the airport to patong-how much will it be?

2.oh,other than central festival is there any other cinema in phuket?what about phuket town?

im back from phuket!red boat was indeed incredible!the place is so nice and i took the trip to phi phi and khai island,the tour guide is friendly too!
i love phuket!definitely going back again!

Glad you had a good time. We'll have to try the Red Boat. I also note that in Siem Riep there is a good restaurant named the Red Piano.

And great food at the Red Oinion in Karon !

Glad it all worked out, there are so many places to eat in Patong is can get confusing but we had a tip and followed that for red Boat and we really liked the food, comes down to how it is cooked.

So where did you stay ? do add more when you have the chance as everyone is always very interested.

i stayed at blue marine,its not quite convinent becoz we always have to take the tuk tuk down to patong.one trip takes around 150baht.
so maybe i'll stay at holiday inn or royal paradise as it is nearer to patong.

and im so glad that it didnt rain!