Travel gay Asia, Phuket guide, 6th edition 2016

ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO

GAY PHUKET YOUR INDISPENSABLE GUIDE TO GAY PHUKET

6 Edition th

October 2016

Photo : Mark Lerhmkuhler

Contents Introduction Getting to Phuket From the airport to your hotel Getting around the Island Gay scene Beaches Gay bars and clubs map Gay Patong map Things to see and do Fast facts Emergency contacts For the very latest updates visit www.travelgayasia.com/destination/gay-thailand/gay-phuket/ Printing this guide This guide has been specially formatted to make it easy to view on a mobile device or tablet.

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Introduction Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. It is located in the Andaman Sea, just of the south west coast of the country. The island is 48 km long, 21 km at its widest point and connected by a bridge to the mainland.

The best sandy beaches are on Phuket’s west coast. Patong, Kata and Karon beaches are the most well-known but can get crowded during peak season. The beaches and resorts north or south of these central areas are more peaceful.

Getting to Phuket The vast majority of tourists arrive by plane.

Phuket International Airport, located towards the north end of the Island, is served by direct flights from many countries as well as flights from Bangkok and other regional Thai cities.

HOT TIP

It is possible to travel from Bangkok, Malaysia or even Singapore by bus, car or train. Train passengers get off at Surat Thani province and make the last leg to Phuket by road. It is also possible to visit Phuket by cruise ship.

Don’t lose your luggage receipts as there are spot checks at the terminal exit to ensure you only have what belongs to you.

Try to get a window seat as most flights approach over the beautiful Phang Nha bay before heading out over the sea for final approach.

From the airport Metered Taxi Taxis are a popular option, although by Thai standards, not particularly cheap. The average fare from the airport to Patong is 600 to 700 Baht. The fare is the rate displayed on the meter plus an airport fee of 100 Baht. The journey time to Patong is about 40 minutes. Some drivers may want to charge a flat rate. To find the official taxi rank, exit the terminal building and turn right.

Limousine Taxi A more comfortable ‘upmarket’ taxi option that can cost up to 800-1,000 baht.

Minivan A door-to-door shared commute, 300 baht/person. These minibuses leave after they fill up and drop passengers off along the way – so journey times will be longer.

Car Rental This is a great way to explore Phuket as there are many scenic roads. Car hire is not particularly expensive, but driving standards in Thailand are pretty poor so drive defensively and watch out for motorcyclists.

Municipal Airport Bus Operates daily 6:30-21:30, every hour, to Phuket town (but not to the west coast) and takes about one hour. Not a particularly helpful option.

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Getting around Phuket Taxi Phuket has two types of taxi. A “tuk-tuk” has no meter, so always agree on a price beforehand and bargain hard. Tuk-tuks are good for short trips around town that should not cost more than 40-50 baht. Metered taxis are a much better option for longer journeys. They are not easy to find on the street, so ask your hotel reception to phone for a taxi.

Mai Khao Beach

Nai Yang Beach

Nai Thon Beach

Car Car rental costs from 1,000-1,200 baht per day.

There are several rental companies in and around the airport. We recommend taking full insurance coverage and drive defensively. By law, you must have your driving licence with you when driving.

Surin Beach

Heroines Monument

Kamala Beach

Motorbike Motorbike or Scooter rentals start at around 200 baht per day. However, it is very dangerous and best avoided. Remember, motorcycle rental NEVER includes any third party insurance. If you are involved in a accident or injury or damage the motorcycle, YOU will be liable. You are required by law to wear a helmet. Traffic police are more likely to stop Westerners for not wearing a helmet as they are more likely to have the cash to pay the fine.

Phuket Town

Karon Beach

Kata Beach

Nai Harn Beach

Rawai Beach

Boat Longtail boats are a great way to do a bit of island hopping. Prices can be negotiated and should be around 500 baht per hour or no more than 1,800-2,000 baht per day.

‘Songthaew’ or bus There are few full-sized buses. Most lines are operated with ‘songthaews’ (essentially a converted pickup truck). The fare is from 25 baht and up, and there are no set stops.

Songthaews pick up and drop off as requested. There are no “cross-beach” connections, so traveling from Surin to Patong (15 min. by taxi) requires an hour long detour via Phuket town. Some drivers may try to charge tourists an excessive fee.

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Gay scene The main gay scene on Phuket is located in the west coast town of Patong. Numerous gay venues including hotels, restaurants, saunas & spas, bars & clubs are concentrated in and around the Paradise Complex. There is a well-established gay section at Patong Beach – just in front of La Flora hotel.

The week-long Phuket Gay Pride Festival takes place in April, attracting thousands of visitors.

Beaches Patong The main coastal resort town and most gay-popular beach on Phuket.

Kamala A quiet beach just 5 miles north of Patong.

Karon The second longest beach on Phuket, located 3 miles south of Patong.

Kata Kata Yai & Kata Noi in the south of Patong are considered amongst the nicest on Phuket.

Chalong Bay Phuket’s largest bay located in the southeast, popular with dive enthusiasts.

Mai Khao & Nai Yang Beach A beautiful 6-mile stretch of beach at the northwest end of the island.

Mai Khao Beach Nai Yang Beach Nai Thon Beach Surin Beach Pansea Bay Kamala Beach

Heroines Monument

Phuket Town Karon Beach Kata Beach

Panwa Cape Chalong Bay

Panwa Cape A peaceful spot on southeastern Phuket.

Surin Beach & Pansea Bay Two excellent beaches 9 miles north of Patong. There are two very popular beach clubs with chic bars & restaurants. Great place to spend an afternoon or evening.

When to visit Temperatures in Phuket hover around 28c - 32c all year. It's the amount of rainfall that changes.

Peak season (and driest) is from early December until mid-April (after the "Song Kran" - Thai New Year celebrations).

April & May are usually the hottest months, with some days seeing rainfall. June to October is the rainy season and the sea becomes quite rough.

November and early December can see slightly cooler, more comfortable temperatures (26c – 29c) and a mix of sunny and rainy days.

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Gay Beach Behind La Flora Hotel

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Thaweewong Rd.

Thaweewong Rd.

Soi Chalermprakiat

Had Patpong Rd.

5 Prabaramee Rd.

Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Rd.

Paradise Complex

Soi Nam Yen

Soi Sun Set

Soi Saen Sabai

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Ra

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Patong Sai 3 Rd.

ap

Soi Baan Zaan

1 The Sea Hag

78/5 Permpong Soi 3, Thaweewong Road Tel.+66 76 341 111 18.00 - 24.00

2 White Box

245/7 Prabaramee Road Tel. +66 76 346 271 17.00 - 01.00 Home Dining Café @ Club One Seven 9/9-10 Prachanukroh Road Tel.+66 76 366 359

4 The Surface @ La Flora Tel. +66 76 344 241 17.00 - 00.00

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Sawatdirak Rd.

Bang-La Rd.

Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Rd.

Restaurants

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Soi Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee 1

7 Soi Post Office

Soi Pine Tree

Soi Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee 2

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Soi Kepsup

Ruamjai Rd.

Prachanukhro Rd.

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Soi Dr.Wattana

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Simon Cabaret Show at 6pm, 7.45pm, 9.30pm Tel +66 76 342 011

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an

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or

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Rd

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Nanai Rd.

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Pisitkoranee Rd.

BYD Lofts Restaurant Bistro & Bar 5/28 Rat-U-Thit Road Tel. +66 76 343 024 07.00 - 23.00

6 Newspaper Restaurant

125/4-5 Paradise Complex Tel. +66 76 346 276

7 Ristorante Roma da Mauro 100/7 Thaweewong Road Tel. +66 76 302 099 Blue Mango Bar & Grill 97 Muen Ngoen Road Tel. +66 76 302 099 Baan Rim Pa 223 Prabaramee Road Tel.+66 76 340 789 12.00 - 24.00 Suay Restaurant 50/2 Takuapha Road Tel.+66 81 797 4135 17.00 - 23.00 Oriental Spoon @ Twinpalms Twinpalms Resort, Surin Beach Tel.+66 76 316 500 07.00 - 10.00, 16.00 - 23.00

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Paradise Complex Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Rd.

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Bars and clubs Sundowners Bar TEL. +66 76 344 215 17.00 - 02.00

1 Connect Bar & Restaurant

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2 Boat Bar

7 James Dean And Friends

Tel. +66 76 294 195 08.00 - 02.00 Tel.+66 76 341 237 21.00 - 04.00

3 My Way

Tel +66 81 978 4172

4 Tangmo Club Tel. +66 76 294 115 20.00 - 02.00 5 ZAG Club

Tel. +66 81 561 9114 08.00 - 02.00

08.00 - 02.00

8 OK Karaoke

Tel +66 907067622

9 Sundowner Bistro

& Lounge Tel +66 82 467 5652 08:00 – 02:00

Saunas and spas 1 Aquarius Sauna

Tel. +66 76 341 668

2 Spartacus Massage Tel. +66 76 345 517

3 Blue Dolphin Massage Tel. +66 76 341 611

4 Mein Schatz Massage Tel. +66 86 062 5386

Hiranyikara Spa Tel. +66 81 370 0202 Tara Sauna Tel. +66 76 220 172

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Things to see and do Most gay visitors spend most of their holiday soaking up the sun. But if your body can be dragged from its natural beach habitat, it will discover a great range of leisure activities on and around Phuket island.

Khao Sok National Park Thailand’s premier rainforest reserve that has more than 48 species of mammals including wild elephants, tiger and leopards.

Phi Phi Islands Made famous by the movie “The Beach” and now rather overdeveloped. However, Phi Phi islands are still a majestic sight to see and makes for an interesting day-trip excursion.

Phang Nga Bay Phang Nga Bay stretches out from the east coast of Phuket Island to Krabi. This bay is home to gigantic rock mountains rising from the sea – the most famous of which is called James Bond Island. Spectacular sights that are well worth a day trip to see.

Phuket Simon Cabaret If you fancy being entertained by some of Thailand’s best ladyboys, then book tickets to see this show. A real extravaganza of costumes and gorgeous performers. Shows twice a night at 7:45 and 9:30pm. 8 Sirirat Road, Patong Beach Tel. +66 76 342 011, +66 76 342 114

Scuba Diving The islands around Phuket offer some of the best diving spots in Southeast Asia. Of particular note is the close by Similan Islandswhere visibility can reach over 30 meters and leopard sharks and dolphins are a common sight. There are a number of PADI certified diving schools on the island that provide instruction and organise excursions.

Quick fact In tourist areas, most stores open from daily from 10 or 11am to 10pm.

The currency is Thai baht. ATM machines are widely available. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shop, hotels and most restaurants. Most tourist areas have currency exchange booths or banks.

Electricity - 220 Volts. Usually two round pins (European type). Most hotels offer adapters or they can bought at local stores.

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Phone and internet GSM phones work in Thailand, but using your own mobile to make a call or connect to the internet can be expensive. If you cannot contemplate a week without email, Facebook, Gaydar, or Grindr then consider buying a Thai SIM card. SIM and micro SIMS (for iPhone users) are widely available on a ‘Pay As You Go’basis. The SIM card will cost around 100 baht, but the price will include some credit. One-Two-Call from AIS offers some of the best rates for international calls.

Virtually all hotels offer internet access and WiFi, usually free of charge to guests.

Drinking water Drink bottled water.

Condom and Lubricants There are a number of Boots pharmacies that sell condoms and lubricants. The selection is limited so bringing your own supply is recommended. Poppers are illegal in Thailand.

Regrettably, Thailand MSM community has a very high rate of HIV infection, so safe sex with anyone you hook up with is critically important.

Travel Insurance Travel Insurance is essential in Thailand. You will be expected to pay for all medical treatment.

Emergency contacts Tourist Police 1155 http://www.phuket-tourist-police-volunteers.com/ Police 191 Rescue 1669

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