Southern Thailand
My boyfriend and I are going to Phuket in a few days.
We bought the air tickets three months ago at 1500 baht return per person.
Chalerm found a hotel on the Internet. It looks nice and affordable. This is the low season in Phuket so I don’t think we need to book in advance. But I will ask Chalerm to call them the day before we arrive, just in case.
I heard one Thai who went to Phuket recently could not swim “because wave too big”. I think they mean the currents off the beaches. I want to ban Chalerm completely from swimming off Patong to be on the safe side. But I know what he will say. “Never mind. If I die no problem”.
He always replies like that when I warn him about danger. And then I don’t know if he will listen to me or not.
Well, in any case I will tell him about the flag system on the beaches. They have red, yellow and green flags. Only when the flags are green is it safe to swim. But this being Thailand I don’t know how accurate the system is. I would rather Chalerm stayed on land.
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Our chosen hotel is suitably far from the beach. I can’t help but think about the tsunami. But, you might say, what are the odds of that happening again?
It will happen again. That fault line off Sumatra is unstable.
Any earthquake and we head to the hills. Any receding water on the beach and we are out of there. The Official Thai Government Warning System? I would not put my money on it.
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Enough worry. I hope for a fun trip. I wonder how the gay scene is. A southern Pattaya?
It looks like Paradise Complex is the gay place to be in Phuket. Soi Crocodile is post-op ladyboys? Is there anywhere else?
August 20th, 2007 at 10:38 am
SF, stop worrying and enjoy your vacation. It looks like 25-26 August will be your nicest days. Thunderstorms the rest of the time. For more info, go to www.phuketgazette.com. It is an English language newspaper and they have a good website.
I think you will find Phuket only a distant cousin to Pattaya…much less of a meathouse. Have fun!!!!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
The Paradise complex is the best gay place. The Superboy Club around the cormer is not worth the time of day. Paradise is a large complex and the MyWay bar has an excellent Cabaret show. I think the best beaches in Thailand are in Phuket, the west coast such as Patong. I felt very comfortable renting a motor bike and traveling around. My boyfriend doesn’t trust me on a motor bike but I’m well insured so I get my way. The beaches north and south of patong are worth visiting. I have been to Phuket several times and will continue to go back. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. I on the other hand am off to Bali in October as my Boyfriend has requested this as our holiday destination this year.
August 20th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
On Patong Beach the red flags will be out all day through the end of September. The waves will be near 2 meters; only surfers will go out deeper than their knees. That’s not such a big deal, but the constant wind from offshore isn’t much fun.
Still, Patong is a unique, funky little town. You’ll like it there, even in low season.
One warning: you will be much closer to the equator. The sun will fry you unless you make every effort to prevent it.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Does Chalerm wear a one or two-piece swimsuit ?
August 20th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Mike W: being insured will not protect you from accidents. Phuket has the highest accident rates in Thailand and motorbike accidents are the most common cause of death on the island. Lots of tourist go that way, they are quite helpless without helmets or experience. Another cause of death is undercurrents, they are strong enough to drag able swimmer far out and way under. Still it’s a nice place and I would not worry too much about safety
. Have a luvly trip Silom!
August 20th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Thank you. We will stick to shopping and bar-hopping.
I think Chalerm is wearing one of those whole body Victorian swimsuits.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Yeah SF have a great time. Neck to Knee lycra for Chalerm?
August 20th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
A friend of mine just returned from Phuket and confirmed the above: the waves are just too high to swim right now.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
pardon me, SF. but I had to do this…hehehe…
how about a burkini for fashion statement?
August 20th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I thought “burkini” was something you made up. But there seems to be such a thing.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:37 am
Pack your own bags. Last trip to Ko Samet for a few days at the beach my BF packed all dress shirts and long pants for me.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Looks like you didn’t click on my link (Click on my name) then you will see the most appropriate one! haha…