I'd just like to post a comment or two on this tour agency. This year, for the first time, I used Carolina Travel to book a fishing trip. No problem there whatsoever; I found Sarunya to be quite nice, if a little too fawning in approach. I mentioned that I had read good reports on the Forum about the agency. The fishing trip cost 1500BHT. (Sarunya said she'd got a “special discounted price” for me from 1800 BHT). The trip was very well organised by Prasert Seri and I had no problems there. As a matter of fact, I would recommend it as a very relaxing way to spend a day, away from it all on a boat!

The problems started with the driver she got for me for an afternoon tour of Phuket. This cost 800 BHT for four hours, and, stupidly, I handed over a 1000 BHT (200 tip). She says it was her brother, but I don't know if this was literal or figurative.

The guy had quite good English. And from the outset of the journey, he acted a little too friendly with me for my liking. He just dove straight through Karon, Kata, etc., and though I was draped with cameras, gave no consideration to scenery I might have liked to photograph. (I’ve used drivers over the years who, through experience, would always realise that the tourist would like to stop at scenic locations). When I requested a stop, he seemed quite irritable, more like a disgruntled fellow traveller than one who had been hired to do a job. I enjoy photography, and like to be able to take the time to get a good photo. That’s really why I hired a private driver instead of doing a whistle stop tour of the island.

I did the shooting range, and close by, a very pathetic, tacky and overpriced (400 BHT) snake show. I wanted to get out of the place but my driver seemed to be in no hurry to leave. I think he had friends here, and wanted to chat. I ended up asking him could we please leave now and get on with the trip.

Back in the car, just to be friendly, I asked about some Patong seafood restaurants. “No!, best seafood restaurants in Phuket town, my friend has restaurant, I take you some evening, we go for food, then maybe girls?” Well, sorry, folks, that was enough for me. So this guy wants a farang to show him a good time? I suspected should I be so foolish to take this offer, I would be the one footing the bill.

On the way back to the hotel, I suggested sunset at Promthep cape. No, this was not on, not enough time. Dismissed the idea completely. Then he produced some X-rated DVDs and asked did I want to look at them on the player in the car. Er, no thanks. Just because I’m a guy travelling alone, doesn’t mean I’m here for one thing.

He was most persistent in asking what I wanted to do tomorrow, the next day etc.. He asked me did I need a ride to the airport when I was flying home. Did I want to book him now? All this was done in a very pushy manner. I am the type who likes to make it up as I go; I don’t like making too many plans. So I found this very irritating.

I did not offer a tip when we arrived at my hotel.

As an addendum to this story, a couple of days later I met two friends who wanted to do the same fishing trip. I chose a random tour operator, not Carolina Tours. We got the exact same trip for the same price (1500 BHT). And no-one tried to tell us they had got us “a special, discounted price.”

Maybe it’s best to make up your own mind about tour operators.

People should when hiring a car with driver tell them where you want to go and where you want to stop before you start your journey, I have been lucky on my 2 trips to Phuket as we had met a nice young local Thai who has taken us everywhere in Phuket , he is honest and reliable and he only takes us where we want to go.
With regards to Carolina Travel , if your not happy with their service by all means go to another travel agency , but I will continue to use their services as they have been excellent to us on our past 2 trips.
Cheers,
Stewie.

I agree with Stewie. When hiring a driver we have always set out exactly where we want to go and the time that we require from them. We have had 2 drivers through Carolina and have had no problems. We will continue to use Carolina as we have always had excellent service.
STEVE

This is not something I have not done before, Stewie. Drivers I have hired in the past, in Chiang Mai and Bangkok have been exactly that; a hired driver for a given period of time. They have NEVER acted with impatience as I set up photographs or simply took my time looking about. Actually, some of them quickly realised the type of places I was interested in photographing and made great suggestions. Surely this is the reason for going for a private car in the first place? Of course I told him where I'd wanted to go. And if I wanted to stay in one place for as long as I wanted, well that's my decision. The driver has been paid for a fixed period of time, to take me where I want to go. Remember, I've paid my fee, and how I spend the four hours is "up to me." If you read my post again, you will see where the problems were.
Joe

Morning JoeH, you just got back from your trip?

Anyway sad to hear bout your bad experience. I was lucky to always get a good local guide arranged by the hotel, and i made sure they speak English and understand where i want to go during a certain period. The guide i got for my friend during my trip in October was very good, he even bought some cakes for the kids while having lunch in Phuket Town near the roundabout and Clock Tower. We tipped him cause he was really friendly and good.

As for Carolina Tours, i have heard stories also, they are not the cheapest also.

Cheers mate.

We must be one of the few who over all our trips have never used Carolina Tours. Not for any reasons though, I guess like anywhere no matter how good something is it does not mean they are always perfect. Its a shame your driver was like that. Better luck next time!!

Well Joe, next time you go, if you want a good driver that will drive you around for a full day for 1,000 baht, let me know, as I have one.

Never had any trouble with them, although maybe having a thai fiancee who does all the talking helps..

Bit of a hit and a miss thing with drivers unless you have used one before and are happy to do so again.

We have been using the same tuktuk driver for 6 years and he is such a lovely person, alway's friendly and welcoming.

Have never used Carolina tours so cant comment. Cheers, Ronnie.

Tina, who do you get as a driver? I tried to get Mae (think that was his name - his wife is Nuch) but he is unavailable. His wife said they could get me another driver - a lady called Poo. Do you, or anyone else for that matter know of Poo? I am a bit nervous.

I don't know Poo, but Nuch and Mai would not recommend someone they don't trust. I do know of a few other drivers. We head back to Phuket tomorrow night, so while I'm there I can check up their daily rates for you if you'd like.

When I want to tour the Island I usually just stop a tuk tuk driver in the street and do a deal with him. Usually there is four of us together so the price per person is very cheap. The driver normally asks for b600 and I agree but I also tell him there is a little extra in it if he does a good job. So far I have had no problem in getting any of them to take me to where I want to go and he has no problem waiting all day for me if necessary.

Before we start off I agree the time I want to come back to the hotel at. I also show him the route I want to take and the places I want to stop at.

I have never had a problem with either the trip or the price which at the end of the trip I usually give him a b1000.

Just recently I used a young guy who parks his tuk tuk on Sol Bangla just outside Soi Patong Resort. Nice Clean Tuk Tuk. I much prefer a tuk tuk to a taxi as I like the open air.

Before we start the journey I always tell the driver to drive slowly. Any time he speeds up I bang the cabin of the tuk tuk. Never put with poor service from these guys just terminate the trip and get someone else off the street.

1000b is a lot of money to a tuk tuk driver so they are normally very glad to earn that for one trip. I never use a driver that hangs outside the hotels and I never allow stops at rip off places i.e gems etc. We only follow the route that I have set out.

Again we have never used Carolina tours, we just pick random guys on the street and tell them were we want to go if we dont like the price we walk away but having said that we are regular travellers to Phuket.Last year we did a one off to Sri Lanka and it was bloody awful ripped off beyond belief and followed for money by dodgy sri lankans,what ever you think of Phuket it is paradise compaired to this HELL HOLE.

Hi,

We always use different agents each year. It doesnt matter who you use because if your bartering skills are right you will always get a good price. There is no such thing as a special price just for you in Phuket. lol