Hi there,

I have booked for my girlfriend and I to come to Phuket for 10 days on May 3rd. We are staying at The courtyard by Marriott at Kamala beach. Neither of us have ever been to Thailand before, so despite the excitement, I am also a little apprehensive. Sorry , I am sure you have answered similar questions a million times.... but I have a few!

I was wondering if there were many places to eat in Kamala?
How much would a taxi or tuktuk cost to Patong?
I understand May is the start of the "Hot wet" seaon, Will this impact greatly on our ability to go on boat trips?
Can I get to Railay Beach easily from Phuket?
How much can I expect to pay to get to Phi Phi?
Can anyone recommend a good Elephant Trek?
Is hiring a car recommended....or will I get lost?


During the May are the skies clear? I know that sounds like a stupid question but I'm a keen photographer and want to get some great pictures!

Again apologies for asking so many questions. But it has cleared my bank account and I'm really looking forward to it!

Hi Jamie

Firstly welcome to the forum!! I will try and answer your questions as best I can and I am sure others will be able to contribute. And don’t be apprehensive just be excited.

Not sure what made you select the kamala courtyard but it’s a nice hotel with good facilities, well presented, lovely staff and very well appointed rooms. There are plenty of good things about the hotel the only negative if you even look at it as a negative is the location to kamala and surin is not really walking distance for either to the main centres of town or the beaches. You would need to have a bike or take a tuk tuk or have a vehicle. Tuk tuk and or private car would run from about 500 to 650 depending on the driver and location. You can get some deals so that is just a guide give and take.

I personally like the hotel and its location, there are a couple of small restaurants and a small mini mart just outside the entrance but otherwise you would have to go into Kamala or Surin for more variety and better prices.

As for the weather you will most likely get a mixed bag some sunny days and rain but shouldn’t have too many problems organising boats trips for that time. I would wait to see how the weather is playing out once you are there before booking your boat trips. Phi Phi will cost anything from 500 baht to 2000 baht depending on how you go either ferry or speed boat and the islands and things included in the trip. You should ask at a few of the tour desks once you arrive and you will soon get a good idea on the price and inclusions. Railey would be better to go to from Krabi as it is a decent trip from Phuket.

I don’t do elephant trekking I personally don’t like but up to each person for that so wouldn’t be able to advise as to good one but there are plenty around. Cathy, Michelle, Alex or someone else may be able to advise on a place that looks after them and runs a good service. I think for your location it would be good for you to hire a car if you think you will use it and it’s not that easy to get lost if you were just to head up and down the coast. You could take things in at your own leisure but only if you feel confident. Otherwise there are private cars and drivers available near the hotel and around the towns that will give you a decent price and take you around without the worry.

Take a polarizing filter with you and I am sure you will get some great weather to take some very nice photos. Keep getting excited and counting down the days.

Any questions just ask I am sure someone will be more than happy to answer.

Cheers Darrin.

Darrin,

That's very helpful thank you. Picked the hotel as it was fairly cheap (around £100pp cheaper than anything else on offer) As I was treating my other half money was pretty tight!

Just out of interest is it a long drive to Ao Nang?

.

Jamie the Drive from Kamala to Aonang would be 1 and a half to 2 hours give or take. Have done the trip plenty of times and all depends on weather and road conditions but the roads are now pretty good to krabi and its a nice drive.

Cheers,

Darrin.

Thank's Darrin much appreciated. I think I may do that as I would like to do some exploring at my own pace.

How much can I expect to pay for a tailored suit out there?

Jamie, Kok Chang is nice for an elephant ride, the animals are well looked after, the views are fantastic and theres also a lovely bar there and nice clean toilets. Theres more info and directions etc on my link below.

We have also done the Krabi drive many times and love it. Plenty of stops along the way, garages (toilets) etc, also lots of good caves to explore you should also stop off at Bang Pat fishing village.
Cathy

dont waste your money,tailord suite yes a good one you will be lucky

the hand shake is allways good but that is all.i got a suit in perth last year $250 aussi very nice pants plus two shirts one if you shop around you will find some deals in your town to.if you still want to look in phuket and find a good one post it on your return i would like to know .i to would like to here about kamala and surin beach the last time i was there was 20 years ago but i am there in may to so i will take a look to we may pass in a tuk tuk .