Shopping and nightlife, Phuket

Please bargain when buying clothes and other stuff from the street vendors. The normal price of a t-shirt should be around R150 Baht. Some vendors ask for R600 Baht. So be careful don't settle on any price. I suggest not buying on the first day. Check out the prices first then you get an idea of the actual worth of a product. Also i found its cheaper and easier to bargain if you buy in bulk from a single vendor instead of buying products at different vendors.

I really mean it, dun help anybody that come to you who at first, addressed himself as a taxi driver (my case, he's "Ah Kau", a local chinese). He offers to chauffer us round the town with minimal charges THB10 per person (we have two pesons together).

That's our first day in Phuket, we met him on our way strolling back from restaurant back to hostel after early dinner.

After journey started, (he's actually driving sedan car, not taxi or etc) he brought us to a souvenir shop. Asked us to help him to get a coupon stamped. He claimed that he could get cheaper petrol / petrol subsidy with the stamps. We did as asked. The shop is selling all kinds of souvenir that are very very costly. We came out within 5 minutes.

Then he drove us to a local travel agency after leant that that was our first day in the island and we are looking for travel packages to neighbouring island. Yeah, we ended purchased day trip tpo Phi-Phi islands from the "recommended agent" @ THB900/person, which he told that is cheap.

Finally, he draopped us at a shopping complex in the town as per our requested and collected his fee before leaving. He promised to come and see us again the next day, to bring us to another travel agent for our other "programmes".

We went to Phi-Phi island as per booked, the trip was okay. Everything just acceptable. But after returned to hostel, our hostel's manager told that our package should be THB 200 chaeper than our purchased price.

Unique Suggestions: After all, tourists' motive is to have fun. THB 200 isn't too much but try to avoid this.
So if u meet another ah kow and don't mind go for a "taxi trip", hope onto his car BUT reject all his offers promoting any "programme" to u.

Fun Alternatives: there are bunchof tour agent in Patong. Go get a more competitive priced one there!

Although Visa and Mastercards are widely accepted, the vendors may impose a 3% charge compared to paying cash. This is commonly the case in car rentals and tour bookings.

Unique Suggestions: Bring only the cash that is covered by your travel insurance and the rest in travellers' cheques. That way you have the best of both worlds - the convenience and liquidity of cash and the security of credit cards and traveller's cheques.

That is a big, new shopping mall in the middle of Phuket.

Others maybe would put that tip under "Shopping tips", but I think it has more of a tourist trap.

The Mall offers shops and restaurants like "The Body Shop", "Starbucks", "Zen Restaurant", "Fuji Restaurant" and other department stores for clothes and interior design.
Nice to look around, but certainly nothing new, nor special for Thailand.
Also they have prices that rival these in my home, switzerland (that is to say: pricey, priceyer). The customers I saw where hence in the most not Thais, but Europeans, Americans and many Japanese.

Oh, one more thing: they open quite late, about at 10 in the morning. If you are earlier, you will have to wait (see picture)...

Adress:
74-75 Moo 5
Chalermprakiat Rd.
T. Vichit, A. Muang
Phuket 83000

Unique Suggestions: Have a look around, say to yourself that you can get the same things for the same prices at home.

If you need to eat something: The Fuji Restaurant at the top level is something that is ok for eating. They offer Japanese food and sushi for quite reasonable prices.

Fun Alternatives: Go out and have a look at the local markets. Much more fun.

If enjoying a beer at an ourdoor table, you will have people come up to you selling all sorts of trinkets: hats, shirts, cigarette lighters, etc. These items are generally over-priced junk, and if you even bother to show passing interest you will have others swarming around you with their goods. On the one hand, you could say these folks need to make a living, but you don't have to entertain them if you are trying to enjoy your meal or drink.

Male locals will wander around Soi Bangla waiting for innocent tourist (like me) to pass by
Telling you about their special Ping Pong show and how you can have a free preview for 10mins
I thought it was harmless to look so I went for it... 10 mins of my time won't kill
I stepped in and i saw like 5 sexy ladies dancing by the pole... BY THE POLE
They were just sashaying their hiips left and right calling it dancing
I was told the show will start in 3 mins so I ordered drinks
When the show started, the lovely ladies exited the stage and guess who stepped in?
ITS YOUR MAMA! I mean its better to watch pros doing the show
But I swear these ladies were waiting for their retirement!
Goodness, it was a rip off... and they can still go round collecting tips from everyone in the room!
I gave them B20! Hahaha.... That's like S$0.80!

Unique Suggestions: Go in a large group and have a good laugh
Give them like B10-B20 tip and watch then give you 'the face'
Its hilarious!

Fun Alternatives: I wish I could turn back time and watch the man-ladies strut their stuff
Don't have to go to Simon Cabaret and the price's pretty steep and the cab fare ain't cheap either
Just head down to Soi Bangla and go for the 'Tiger Show'
Its just equally entertaining!

Well it's not a secret that Thailand is famos for sex tourism, but it's been the worst in Patong Beach !!!!
The night-life district is crowded with hookers, real young girls sometimes ....
... and they tend to touch every male being, even if he's obviously walking with someone ....

Unique Suggestions: Just stay calm ;)

Fun Alternatives: Don't go to Patong Beach (at night)

Street Vendors can be pretty annoying and pushy! Don't let yourself get talked into buying something, especially do not let them give you a bad conscience

Fun Alternatives: Walk straight through and just "overhear" all the "hi"s and compliments ..... it's mainly fishing for customers

2 more images

If you go to Simon show then beware of these lovely lads! The line up for photos at the end of each show. You pay to have a shot with them but be careful you don't get more then you bargained for. Its common for them to jump into the picture just before its taken. So you might find yourself paying for more than one - it could be 4! They also will grab, yell and even scratch to get their money.

Unique Suggestions: Make sure you dont take the picture of all 4. Be firm, say "No!" and agree on the price first.

Fun Alternatives: All it can be a bit overwhelming to have a group of drag queens yelling at you, it still was lots of fun and really recommend you go. Its something you wont forget!

During shopping, bargaining is a must. This is not for the faint hearted. You really have to bargain a quarter of the quoted price.
If you take more things you can really get a more cheaper price.
Walking away from the shop will definitely help, you will definitely get the price you want. If they didnt call you back.. too bad. : ) Check the things in another shop, at least you know whats the bargaining price.

You can get a good bargain at the Panyee village rather than at Patong area. I got a few good bargains there which I could not get at Patong area.

Avoid the shops in front of the beach area, go to the alley shops and less accessible to the tourists.

Unique Suggestions: There is this good spouvenior shop that gives good price and bargains. I found it by accident while walking to the shopping area Patong Top.
The shop is manned by 2 young ladies who really look like they need all the help they can get.Look out for a small lane directly opposite Patong Top sign. There is a new hotel being built there. Just look out for Patong Top sign, cross over and walk in the small street. The shop is between a hairsaloon and an empty silk store. I do hope the directions are good enough.