We've been reading the Phuket Gazette, full of reports of raids in Patong on all the fake pirated goodies such as CD's, DVD'S, clothing , watches , etc. Is all this true.. we are heading there in 3 weeks, and we want plenty of retail therapy. Are all those things still available? If so, what are current reasonable prices?? Also, as we are travelling with 3 kids, can anyone tell us some great kid friendly reasonable restaurants to eat at in the Patong area?

Yes it true that the police have made a number of high profile raids on small stalls selling copy goods. However the number of raids have been small and the number of people selling copy goods remains large. But you'll have to look about for these sort of vendors in quieter spots and not along the high streets.

sweets down near the patong resort really good price especially if you have kids and plain meals as well as thai food

Hi, madam,
I am a traveling man same as you. Shopping in patong for fake cd, dvd, it is a paradise and bargaining is a must. one fake cd for music, ie., ranging from 50 THB or 2.2 USD each 4 USD and about restaurants, they are all expensive on the streets especially at the night market area and very dirty. Paradise for fruits, you can buy from the main road or second road of patong where across the banks (bangkok bank or Thai farmer bank)
Many european restaurants are allowed the smokers doing cigarette burning, it is not healthy for your kids at all. Having at your hotel is good and vary of foods and at reasonable price, hygenic and good for the kids. The prices are not ripp you off.
Always helpful,
Jack
thaivacationland@hotmail.com

As far as restaurants are concerned, I recommend Savoy Seafood Restaurant. It is one of the best in town!

Fakes are fakes, copies are copies. If you want something to work properly, don't buy a fake

The knock offs are not so open but now they have little picture books and they'll arrange to show you the item. I have a regular person whom I meet away from the street to view the goods. As for food. the Thai places behind Tiger and or course there is KFC, Mc Donalds, Pizza Company, and I know the two Irish pubs have good food for kids. Also on 2nd road between Bangla and Seapearl opposite Soi Paradise
"Two Black Sheep" some fine folks, Bill from New Zealand will see to it the kids get on well.
Might I recommend the Thara Patong hotelwww.tharapatong.com, as they have a TWO kiddie pools, you'll see other families there. The do have some kiddie coral service if Mom or Dan is off for a non kiddie sortee. There are some single guys out with the Thai Girls but everybody is low key and it is family friendly. I'm a regular there and like the low key atmosphere of having kids around. The beach is 5 min walk.

We were there in August,and the police came to the beach and confiscated all of the beach sellers products,they were back in 30 mins.A nice restaurant is the Islander on Soi patong resort,off Bangla road.Have a great holiday.Cheers.

Just another side of the coin.I have dvds that I have bought there after checking them on tvs still working years afterwords.Bought copy dvds at Big C as well from underneath the counter good ones about 150 baht.Can buy for cheaper if you buy a lot. Cheap silk shirts the same, still ok.Breitling watch copies bought 2 years ago.Working perfectly.
Rolex copies dont seam to last as long though again I have two that I have had for over two years that are still ok.One that I bought for 500 baht.If you want a copy watch go for breitling copies.Usually the heavier the watch the better.Always buy stainless steel anything else is prone to tarnish quick or wear badley.Very good copies can be found but the guys selling them are well hidden now!!Quite often have well hidden rooms at the back of normal shops.Prices of watches can varie according to quality and what models there are.Newer models(copies) cost more.And I can tell you back in the uk most people are well
fooled!!