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Being the Pattaya Otter’s look at all things Phuket.
Apart from choosing to go to Phuket due to the conveniently easy way of getting there, another reason was to see just how much it had changed in the nearly 20 years since I was last there.
Problem is, that was so long ago that my memory of it is quite hazy so it’s difficult to know for sure how much I saw this time is new.
But I think there is no doubt that there has been a huge amount of development over this time and not all of it for the better.
Even 20 years ago, it was not exactly a deserted island with just a few beach huts on offer to stay in. Patong Beach way back then was already developing a night life and several upmarket hotel chains had already gobbled up the prime sites on many of the beaches.
So the impressions this time are all relative and the first thing that struck me even when just being ferried by taxi from the airport was the volume of traffic. Again I can’t exactly remember what it was before but I certainly don’t recollect sitting in jams at traffic lights like we did this time.
However I don’t want to overstate this problem, it is still less than Pattaya and of course nothing like Bangkok and at least, unlike here, they appear to be trying to do something about it. On almost every road we covered, there was a widening process being undertaken with side lanes for cycles and motor cycles being installed.
And when already present they appeared to actually be used, and in the correct direction as well.
In fact the general standard of driving seemed a lot more orderly and disciplined than here in Pattaya (but then it would be difficult for it to be less so), and on the island’s main roundabout there was general obedience of the sign stating to ‘give way to traffic on the roundabout’ (we don’t dare put up such a sign at our infamous ‘Dolphin Roundabout’ – if we did, someone would probably run into it).
Not that it’s perfect of course, there was still the same preponderance of motor cyclists without helmets and several instances of ‘Thai driving’ in making two lanes out of one or three out of two.
Back to changes and the next change that hit me again whilst on the way to the hotel was the arrival of shopping malls and supermarkets – Tesco, Boots etc. have all arrived.
Our chosen beach, Karon, however still seemed relatively unspoilt. Yes there were beachfront hotels (ours was one of them) but they weren’t dominating the skyline and in-between were still some simple market shops – unfortunately all selling copy name brand ‘T’ shirts instead of something genuinely local.
Patong Beach by contrast was an eye-sore.
It was wall to wall bars and pushy touts and what made it worse was the narrow traffic filled roads and even narrower pavements.
If this is what you want from a holiday then come here to Pattaya instead. We can offer you all that, and almost certainly for less money (I didn’t stay to check) and at least a traffic free ‘Walking Street’ to do it in.
This was certainly one change not for the better. Let’s just hope they can confine it to this one resort and keep the remainder of the island for the rest of us.
Didn’t really get the chance to explore any other resort areas in detail. Passing though the main streets of Kata Beach it looked unfortunately like it was heading the way of Patong but was maybe not yet beyond redemption.
The one beach that looked really pleasant and quiet was Nai Harn at the South West tip of the island. But you’d either need the use of transport or alternately just want to spend your entire holiday on the beach there.
Phuket in fact seems to present a slightly schizophrenic image
Although difficult to judge on just a 5 day visit, there does appear to be an emerging resident expatriate population on Phuket and they appear to be the ones trying to keep an upmarket feel to the place, especially in terms of property prices. As are many of the people we met on our tours who mostly seemed to be family parties, clearly wanting a good quality holiday with the luxury touches they would expect in other parts of the world but at still a lower overall cost. It was noticeable in particular how favourably some Australians we met compared the value for money there against what they would pay back home. They also commented very favourably on the apparent lack of crime noticing items left out on street stalls that they said would be gone in an instant back in their country.
But on the other hand the major resorts of Patong and just judging from its look, Kata, appear to be trying to attract the single person in need of more than just sea, sun and sand, but at a higher price than we would charge them here in Pattaya.
Perhaps there is room for both and so long as they don’t actually have to meet each other, each will be happy. Let’s hope so.
Finally just a comment on the means of getting there, namely flying Bangkok Airways from Pattaya (U-Tapao) airport – well recommended. Ok there may be cheaper flights from Bangkok but you have all the hassle of getting there either by driving yourself, in which case you have to add the petrol, road toll and car parking charges, or by taxi or bus, in which case you have to add the cost of that.
And although simple, U-Tapao airport has all that you need for the short time you are there and again none of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
And the flight with Bangkok Airways was all that you would hope for, on time, pleasant good service, and reasonable food considering the short journey time.
Just remember that the stop in Samui is at an open air terminal that can get a little warm.
Final Postscript. Although we didn’t manage to find it, we are reliably informed there is a wonderful road sign somewhere in Phuket that gives you the vital information that ‘You are not here’.
And that’s the end of Phuket Tails for; well let’s hope not a further 20 years.
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