i know so of the taxis would charge around 600 baht if there is only one occupant in their taxi so i was just wandering if there is anyway of avoiding getting stung?
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How Do You Get Around Phuket Cheaply
Started by harry8292, 2011-07-08 18:56
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53 replies to this topic
#2
FritsSikkink
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-08 19:42:20
rent a bike
buy a pushbike use a motorcycle taxi walk #3
coolhandjoe
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-08 20:02:05
I find using the local Tuk Tuk's is the cheapest and most convenient way for getting around Phuket.
The drivers are ever so knowledgable and friendly. #4
harry8292
Member Posted 2011-07-08 20:02:06
then why do taxis charge such a high rate if there is all these alternatives? it defeats the theory of supply and demand
#5
surangw
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-08 22:40:51
then why do taxis charge such a high rate if there is all these alternatives? it defeats the theory of supply and demand lassitude #6
Theo007
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-09 07:47:21
I was taught years ago never to ask " Why?" about anything in Thailand.
#7
californiabeachboy
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-09 07:56:02
In my opinion, there is no way to get around Phuket cheaply. I visited there a few months ago, because I was looking for a place to spend a few weeks each year in Thailand. I quickly realized Phuket is not for me, primarily because of the difficulty in getting around. Everyone I talked to in Phuket said - you have to either get a car or a motorbike (which has its own problems). For me, walking long distances is out of the question because of the humidity. I stayed in Kata Beach, which is a nice beach, as long as you don't want to leave the area.
#8
BlueSmurf
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-09 09:33:07
Rent a automatic schooter.Do not use those rip off tuk tuks..You can rent from as little as 3000 baht a month or 120 baht a day...
#9
duncanb
Advanced Member Posted 2011-07-09 15:06:37
Supply and demand as I recall applies in a perfect market where knowledge is perfect (people know the value of things and are free to choose other suppliers). In an imperfect market (people/tourists do not know the value of 600baht or so and the suppliers act as a cartel) Supply and demand falls flat on its face. that's if I am remembering my economics correctly!
then why do taxis charge such a high rate if there is all these alternatives? it defeats the theory of supply and demand #10
smokie36
Star Member Posted 2011-07-09 15:17:07
I find using the local Tuk Tuk's is the cheapest and most convenient way for getting around Phuket. The drivers are ever so knowledgable and friendly. Edit: Forgot to add...he's always smiling when he sees me...what a guy! #11
evanson
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-09 16:22:04
Rent a automatic schooter.Do not use those rip off tuk tuks..You can rent from as little as 3000 baht a month or 120 baht a day... #12
PattayaParent
Titanium Member Posted 2011-07-09 18:24:18
^and make sure it has enough power to get up the hills otherwise you'll be spending most of you time pushing it.
#13
DP25
Platinum Member Posted 2011-07-09 20:13:02
You can take the songthaew. It's like a giant tuk tuk/bus that goes on fixed routes, and you can get on or off anywhere on the route. It's like 20 baht from Phuket Town to any of the beaches. They don't go directly from beach to beach though. If you want to go from Patong to Kata you go first on the songthaew to Phuket Town and then get on a new one to Kata. They don't run at night so after sundown you're stuck with tuk tuks. It's a very cheap way to get around during the day though
Edited by DP25, 2011-07-09 20:13:33. #14
jackr
Titanium Member Posted 2011-07-10 10:09:45
Everyone I talked to in Phuket said - you have to either get a car or a motorbike (which has its own problems). Get yourself a bike. Many places will insure it at around another 50 baht a day. Said places will also fix it if it breaks down, though you get broken tyres fixed, naturally. A plastic pig can negotiate all hills on major routes in Phuket (and most minor ones), but avoid the Phuket Town-Patong run during rush hour. As said, the big songthaews periodically go between town and beaches, but don't go between beaches and are few and far between and finish early. The grubby tuk-tuk mafia made it so. Circumvent this by never using those parasites. 
#15
californiabeachboy
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-10 10:21:47
Which problems? Accidents, tons of them, by people (foreigners) who think that it is easy to ride a motorbike in Thailand. They may fix the bike, but they will not fix your body. Just be careful.
Edited by californiabeachboy, 2011-07-10 10:22:41. #16
Udox
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-10 16:24:17
To those who think renting a motorbike for 150 baht a day is the way to go, consider this:
Phuket police can sniff out a tourist half a km away and will pull you over asking to see your driving licence, and if you get past that - he will ask to see your insurance certificate, and then your current tax disc and in extreme circumstances (and if he is having a really bad day) ask for the owners manual or accuse the number plate of being dirty and unreadable (yes it really happens). Last week I spent over 30 minutes near the police post at Bangla Road in Patong watching the police pull motorbikes (only) over. Without exception - every single one they pulled over was a foreigner despite Thais driving past without helmets on or 4 people on a bike. Should you be fortunate not no get stopped and things are going great - I have heard people saying "I will be fine - I have been riding bikes for years" Yes - you may have - but the other tens of thousands on the road riding a bike haven't. The Thais have a unique driving style and is quite scary to the newcomer and if you do have a scrape - remember there is no insurance and as a foreigner/tourist involved in an accident - you already start with a disadvantage and will usually get the blame. Summary: there is NO easy and cheap way to get around Phuket (without getting ripped off or putting your life on the line) - and life in Thailand is cheap. #17
Semper
Platinum Member Posted 2011-07-11 12:37:54
To those who think renting a motorbike for 150 baht a day is the way to go, consider this: Phuket police can sniff out a tourist half a km away and will pull you over asking to see your driving licence, and if you get past that - he will ask to see your insurance certificate, and then your current tax disc and in extreme circumstances (and if he is having a really bad day) ask for the owners manual or accuse the number plate of being dirty and unreadable (yes it really happens). Last week I spent over 30 minutes near the police post at Bangla Road in Patong watching the police pull motorbikes (only) over. Without exception - every single one they pulled over was a foreigner despite Thais driving past without helmets on or 4 people on a bike. Should you be fortunate not no get stopped and things are going great - I have heard people saying "I will be fine - I have been riding bikes for years" Yes - you may have - but the other tens of thousands on the road riding a bike haven't. The Thais have a unique driving style and is quite scary to the newcomer and if you do have a scrape - remember there is no insurance and as a foreigner/tourist involved in an accident - you already start with a disadvantage and will usually get the blame. Summary: there is NO easy and cheap way to get around Phuket (without getting ripped off or putting your life on the line) - and life in Thailand is cheap. #18
LivinginKata
Kata Posted 2011-07-11 14:44:26
Get yourself a bike. Many places will insure it at around another 50 baht a day. Said places will also fix it if it breaks down, though you get broken tyres fixed, naturally. #19
katabeachbum
Star Member Posted 2011-07-11 15:04:32
To those who think renting a motorbike for 150 baht a day is the way to go, consider this: Phuket police can sniff out a tourist half a km away and will pull you over asking to see your driving licence, and if you get past that - he will ask to see your insurance certificate, and then your current tax disc and in extreme circumstances (and if he is having a really bad day) ask for the owners manual or accuse the number plate of being dirty and unreadable (yes it really happens). Last week I spent over 30 minutes near the police post at Bangla Road in Patong watching the police pull motorbikes (only) over. Without exception - every single one they pulled over was a foreigner despite Thais driving past without helmets on or 4 people on a bike. Should you be fortunate not no get stopped and things are going great - I have heard people saying "I will be fine - I have been riding bikes for years" Yes - you may have - but the other tens of thousands on the road riding a bike haven't. The Thais have a unique driving style and is quite scary to the newcomer and if you do have a scrape - remember there is no insurance and as a foreigner/tourist involved in an accident - you already start with a disadvantage and will usually get the blame. Summary: there is NO easy and cheap way to get around Phuket (without getting ripped off or putting your life on the line) - and life in Thailand is cheap. been riding bike every single day in Phuket for +8 years, thats approx 2800 days, and do not have your experience with the Police. Tax disc is of course visible on bike as law requires, plate is of course readable, and I do have valid drivers lisence for bike. However proof of Insurance is not required. Whenever I have been fined, it is due to riding without an helmet #20
stevenl
Platinum Member Posted 2011-07-11 16:06:49
To those who think renting a motorbike for 150 baht a day is the way to go, consider this: Phuket police can sniff out a tourist half a km away and will pull you over asking to see your driving licence, and if you get past that - he will ask to see your insurance certificate, and then your current tax disc and in extreme circumstances (and if he is having a really bad day) ask for the owners manual or accuse the number plate of being dirty and unreadable (yes it really happens). Last week I spent over 30 minutes near the police post at Bangla Road in Patong watching the police pull motorbikes (only) over. Without exception - every single one they pulled over was a foreigner despite Thais driving past without helmets on or 4 people on a bike. Should you be fortunate not no get stopped and things are going great - I have heard people saying "I will be fine - I have been riding bikes for years" Yes - you may have - but the other tens of thousands on the road riding a bike haven't. The Thais have a unique driving style and is quite scary to the newcomer and if you do have a scrape - remember there is no insurance and as a foreigner/tourist involved in an accident - you already start with a disadvantage and will usually get the blame. Summary: there is NO easy and cheap way to get around Phuket (without getting ripped off or putting your life on the line) - and life in Thailand is cheap. #21
TaoNow
Senior Member Posted 2011-07-11 19:41:54
Agree with Stevenl -- never seen the police stop just the "farang" on motorocycles in Phuket.
When I do get stopped on my motorcycle at a check point, the instant they see my Thai driver's license, they wave me on, usually without even reading it. Time and again. Place after place. In my experience with the police here for 3 years, they have been professional and courteous. #22
Klaasvaak
Advanced Member Posted 2011-07-11 20:16:28
And even if you get fined, for let's say 400 bath.
It's still allot cheaper then taxi's and rather give my money to a copper then the scum who are driving the taxi's #23
ESB7
Super Member Posted 2011-07-13 11:37:35
Rumour has it that the Pattaya Song Taew ""Mafia"".. are on their way to Phuket to take over and it will be 10 Baht everywhere
#24
LivinginKata
Kata Posted 2011-07-13 12:17:23
Rumour has it that the Pattaya Song Taew ""Mafia"".. are on their way to Phuket to take over and it will be 10 Baht everywhere 
#25
ESB7
Super Member Posted 2011-07-13 15:23:57
Rumour has it that the Pattaya Song Taew ""Mafia"".. are on their way to Phuket to take over and it will be 10 Baht everywhere |
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