PART 1 Bangla/OTOP: ruclips.net/video/3u1OzavbVL8/видео.html Buy me a beer? bit.ly/3Le6Ex8 Flights: bit.ly/3STHLvf Phuket Hotels: www.agoda.com/region/phuket-province-th.html?cid=1898974
5:40 *A room at ฿600 5 minutes from the beach does not exist at Patong Beach* Hotel management is doing a public service in managing the expectations of the unsophisticated general public.
In this instance I paid 1200 baht online and was still rejected lol. But fair point and the hotelier is within rights, just prefer he removes his hotel from the online booking system for all concerned. 5 mins no but within around 10 minutes walk of Patong Beach I see approx 20 hotels currently under 600 baht, this one with rooftop pool for example: www.agoda.com/baya-hotel/hotel/phuket-th.html?finalPriceView=1&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1898974 So, can still find some 'relative' bargains in a bustling Patong high season (if like me one is happily 'unsophisticated' lol;) Cheers! STL
@@SideTripLife It has to be said that the noticeboard with the pointed ‘No ฿600 rooms near the beach exist’ fact was written in perfect English. For a budget hotel, this is truly remarkable. Perhaps a frustrated intending foreign guest wrote up the summary as a public service? 12:08 There is no way that a rudimentary hotel room is ordinarily worth anywhere near ฿1,500. ฿600 would most definitely be a fair price. If that. However, as the English are fond of pithily saying: Needs must. 4:27 You being ‘unsophisticated’? Oh, come off it! You are making sneaky economic theory commentary. 😉 March 2023 is the highest of high seasons, after 4 years since the previous high water mark of March 2019, before the dreaded pandemic came about. Apart from the Chinese, everybody wants to put Covid behind them and travel overseas. This post-pandemic crunch was always going to be inevitable. In any case, your practice of returning to Phuket in the low season is well taken indeed. I will be adopting this as my strategy for my Phuket 2023 holiday. With a beachfront facing room of course. Many thanks for making videos about your thinking towards Phuket, as your information is worth its weight in gold. 🏝️ 🛥️ 🇹🇭
Appreciate your measured reply S. For the record, a foreigner appeared and reiterated the hotel's new policy (also asked not to be filmed). I think we both will find a quieter Phuket along with more availability and reasonable prices after April. Enjoy your upcoming trip! Cheers, STL
Because he has no half naked women’s on his videos. Just look at either the RUclipsr it self light dressed or they ask the Thai girlfriend dress “lightly”.. for the videos
I wish they cleaned the beaches and environment like that in the Philippines. Mind you, when I was in Phuket years ago, the high tide mark looked like the locals dumped their trash cans along the beach, glad to see it’s improved.
I agree, too many people! I think I'd like to visit for 2 days max, then use it as a jumping point to stay further south, like Krabi. Looking forward to what u find next!
The south is still very packed, we just got back from Koh Tao and it was very full everywhere too! We haven’t been to Phuket in quite a while, always opt for Krabi instead……Great video STL, but too crowded for me…..
Been to Phuket in 'normal' high season and found many chill beaches, just this high season is a bit off the charts. Will be back to explore around the island later for sure. Also LOVE Krabi, any time!
Great video as usual with useful information. Have been watching your videos for a while without subscribing but have now subscribed today to support what you are doing. Thank you. You said that the plan was to find a condo in the Rawai area for a month but didn't see that in the video so I assume you didn't manage to find any condos available at that time? Looks too busy and crowded for my liking so might skip Phuket completely and head to quieter places in Bali or Malaysia.👍
Just spent 3 and a half months in Phuket, bouncing around from place to place. Part of it was by design and part because the island is jammed! Agoda is brutal. Don't ever "submit a request" unless it's way in advance. I tried a few times and it was always worse than a waste of time.
As always great video STL. It's sp strange. I'm a diehard Thailand fan but now I really want to visit Malaysia. Thailand can be hectic and we love it but Malaysia looked stunning and 'back in nature' for a lot of it if that makes sense.
Great video and thank you. Ive never officially stayed in a hotel described as 2xstars but to be honest that was a lot better than what I envisaged a 2 star hotel room would be like. Perfectly fine if you ask me! As for the rest of Patong me thinks the same as you. Think id prefer somewhere a tad less hectic
Hiya STL. Funny a few people have mentioned those peck-a-boo bathrooms recently. Great views from the rooftop pool. Your videos are always so informative. You are right. Lots of places are understaffed. East and west. Glad you found somewhere else. That is so cheap for doing laundry. I am with you loving the quiet end. Chilled vibes. Gorgeous sky. I seen those men before. Just hanging. Turns my stomach. I watch all your videos. So cheap for your food and beer. It looked good. Always good vibes. Look forward to your next adventure. I will always follow. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Nicky. Yeah I just don't get the 'Looky Loo' hotel trend (windows or cut-outs with views into hotel bathrooms from sitting/sleep area). Maybe I'm just old skool but prefer to do my bizness and let others do same in PRIVATE lol. I see in your latest vid Buddy goes off the deep end and there's lovely wild Parrots in the UK, who knew?? Loved the Ice & Fire track btw. Have a good one too! STL
another great video. Thanks for taking all of us along. I keep thinking I'd like to travel around like you do when i can make it to Thailand, but I always get worried about going alone. I am not sure how well I would handle that. I am a bit of an introvert and wall flower. For now, while I am still a full time care-giver, i just daydream about being away!
8:55 The further south you go in Patong Beach the dirtier the water gets. The further north you go in Patong Beach the bluer and cleaner the water gets.
Yep & that 'was' the plan actually, to head to Rawai area and get a monthly rental. But FB/AirBnb condos are scarce at the moment as are deals for short-term rentals in the area. No matter, will be back after April and looking fwd to it!
Definitely looks like a place to be avoided! Good luck where you go next, will be watching, somewhere quieter I hope, how about some more of Sumatra or other lesser known places?
THANKS for watching my Sumatra series Jules! Sadly very few of my core Thailand Beach Subscribers watched my Sumatra vids (but I absolutely LOVED visiting and filming there, well worth it;) So views be damned, I'll be heading back to Indonesia upcoming, stay tuned... Meanwhile, any of my Thai-centric viewers looking in, you may be interested in a wonderful place called TUK-TUK: ruclips.net/video/E_HO4RFs3ss/видео.html
i am just new to your channel Hi. ex UK but emigrated to Sydney many years ago, 2015 met a Thai lady and got married had a hotel and a bar on a separate site , cane back to Australia July 2018, still go to Thailand twice a year . Not been back to phuket since then, so many other parts of Thailand to explore. You mentioned the beach at the south end of patong , yuk. Apart frpm the immediate north end of the beach I would not put my toe in the water, there is a canal at the southern end that comes out and its water is the colour of a warship ie , dark grey. My mate just came back from there after a month and said 1000's pf Russians and Ukraine,
So many beautiful places to visit in Thailand. I enjoyed the end... where it was quiet and chill and the lantern went up into the night sky . 🌌 That was my favorite part of this video...& you enjoying yourself. It’s nice to enjoy oneself. The food looked great! 🤩 Question: Do you ever catch yourself talking out loud to yourself and your camera isn’t on?😏😂
Hey, STL! I really like your narration and style. I really want to know, WHAT DOES THE BIRD SAY in your intro? I can't make it out! Great job on all of your videos!
the season is finishing so it s very likely all the tourists in the south were coming back close to the airport preparing for their flights back. i am in patong right now and there is a lot of places available again already.
Have not been as yet, will do a day trip next time. Meanwhile, perhaps look at Google reviews of Coconut Island, there's loads of reviewers comments. Happy 21st/60th btw :)
Covid, Not enough Guests...... No Covid, Too many Guests..... Mmmm a quandary..... Still with a beach like that, Who cares? For me it would have to be a little quieter...... But I like the Ladies???? Another Quandary.... LOL..... Great Vid STL... As always.... :-))
Well I'm glad I watched this one. I'm making plans now to visit Thailand in February. I'm really not sure know whether I should plan an itinerary or just wing it. I live my life winging it pretty much fully retired in an RV. But this is my country and I speak the language. Thailand would be a different sort of experience. I'm not sure that I'd want to go there without any plans at all. Basically I'm on a scouting mission to see if Thailand is my new home. Phuket during that season would not be my idea of home. And I've been looking at online booking for hotels and now I am wondering if that is a good move.
This was main Patong Beach area in the busiest high season ever after reopening. I wanted a place near the beach with pool for around 40 bucks or less and not surprisingly these were all full up. There's usually cheap but cheerful accommodation a bit further up Nanai Rd (great area for best price rooms btw) or also look at Rawai area which many long stayers prefer.
Nice one STL. I rocked back into my old 6 year Phuket homeground last Friday night. Plenty of per night rooms around if you know where to go. I never use online booking. Now settled in to very well priced per month accommodation. Yes never seen Bangla so busy. But it was always very busy pre covid but currently "Next Level" as the RUclipsrs like to annoyingly say! No offense PD (-: Will be checking out the Otop bars tonight for the first time since returning. I've walked thru there millions of times but seldom drink there but I always like to have a look anyway. It's great to be back in Thailand after a 5 year break. I had tears in my eyes after getting thru the huge throng at the Phuket airport. Could t believe I was finally back. Mission Accomplished. Love you Thailand! There's Only One You! The Western World Sucks.
@@SideTripLife Thanks STL. Otop has always been very Aus orientated and now even more so. Quite incredible. For me I not travel all the way to a new country to only then surround myself with fellow countrymen . I had one beer there and continued my bar hopping all over town. Magic night!
Hooters, Hard Rock & the Irish Pubs are as expensive as in the West. If you want live rock music and cheap beers....Hippie Road Bar or Red Hot. If it's just a meal and beers you want, pretty much any where else will be cheaper.
40% of condos bought in Pattaya now are owned by Russians and the same thing is happening in Bali, with houses, villas and ground to build on. It's crazy.
4:11 Only 150 to 200 baht for a coffee plus a 10% service fee and 7% VAT fee. I never go there. Would rather visit a small Thai owned coffee shop and get my Green Matcha tea, Cappacino, or Thai milk to for 30 to 60 baht instead.
Yeh, absolutely no point getting all aggrevated about a situation you can't change. Just chill and accept it. That 2 star wasn't bad actually. Had everything you needed. Patong just far too crowded, not for me thanks but understand some people love that. Each to their own ✌🏻
Jeeeez I really hope Patong slows down in April like it used to do before the influenza-panic ^o^ Great for business ofc., but around 50-70% to many tourists for my taste :o
A simple google maps search / review section would have told you Many people were experiencing online booking refusal problems with that hotel - at least 2 months ago
Good advice. Was just so surprised to see a hotel with pool available I instantly clicked BOOK NOW!!! Normally would peruse the reviews. Live n learn, no biggee.
Patong looks like a madhouse 🙂... as you say, good for business and for the locals. I'm planning on returning in May, when I hope it's quieter, down Rawai and Nai Harn way.
For sure happy for the locals, just a bit too full on for me at the moment. But will return, after April. Btw, looked at your channel, enjoyed the retelling of your fungi experience, also your thoughts on 'Enoughness'. Cheers
5:40 *A room at ฿600 5 minutes from the beach does not exist at Patong Beach* Hotel management is doing a public service in managing the expectations of the unsophisticated general public.
In this instance I paid 1200 baht online and was still rejected lol. But fair point and the hotelier is within rights, just prefer he removes his hotel from the online booking system for all concerned. 5 mins no but within around 10 minutes walk of Patong Beach I see approx 20 hotels currently under 600 baht, this one with rooftop pool for example: www.agoda.com/baya-hotel/hotel/phuket-th.html?finalPriceView=1&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1898974 So, can still find some 'relative' bargains in a bustling Patong high season (if like me one is happily 'unsophisticated' lol;) Cheers, STL
Wait until it starts raining everyday and all the Russian charter flights stop, very different, your lucky to be here with the sunshine, not year round, when it rains , and it does,as miserable as anywhere else in the world.
Thks for sharing this! We are a fam of 5 so I’m going to stick to booking airbnb ahead…only with great reviews. Airbnb may cost more but not worth being homeless wandering with 3 tired kids 😅. I’ve heard of many places in SEA not honoring online bookings.😬 The affordable guest places rarely accommodate 5 ppl anyway😆
I get that reaction Bill, but please don't judge all Phuket by Patong in the highest high season I've seen in 20 years. There's many other chiller & more beautiful beaches around the Island, as we'll see on my next visit (AFTER April;)
PART 1 Bangla/OTOP: ruclips.net/video/3u1OzavbVL8/видео.html
Buy me a beer? bit.ly/3Le6Ex8
Flights: bit.ly/3STHLvf
Phuket Hotels: www.agoda.com/region/phuket-province-th.html?cid=1898974
5:40 *A room at ฿600 5 minutes from the beach does not exist at Patong Beach*
Hotel management is doing a public service in managing the expectations of the unsophisticated general public.
In this instance I paid 1200 baht online and was still rejected lol. But fair point and the hotelier is within rights, just prefer he removes his hotel from the online booking system for all concerned.
5 mins no but within around 10 minutes walk of Patong Beach I see approx 20 hotels currently under 600 baht, this one with rooftop pool for example:
www.agoda.com/baya-hotel/hotel/phuket-th.html?finalPriceView=1&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1898974
So, can still find some 'relative' bargains in a bustling Patong high season (if like me one is happily 'unsophisticated' lol;) Cheers! STL
@@SideTripLife It has to be said that the noticeboard with the pointed ‘No ฿600 rooms near the beach exist’ fact was written in perfect English. For a budget hotel, this is truly remarkable. Perhaps a frustrated intending foreign guest wrote up the summary as a public service?
12:08 There is no way that a rudimentary hotel room is ordinarily worth anywhere near ฿1,500. ฿600 would most definitely be a fair price. If that. However, as the English are fond of pithily saying: Needs must.
4:27 You being ‘unsophisticated’? Oh, come off it! You are making sneaky economic theory commentary. 😉 March 2023 is the highest of high seasons, after 4 years since the previous high water mark of March 2019, before the dreaded pandemic came about. Apart from the Chinese, everybody wants to put Covid behind them and travel overseas. This post-pandemic crunch was always going to be inevitable.
In any case, your practice of returning to Phuket in the low season is well taken indeed. I will be adopting this as my strategy for my Phuket 2023 holiday. With a beachfront facing room of course. Many thanks for making videos about your thinking towards Phuket, as your information is worth its weight in gold. 🏝️ 🛥️ 🇹🇭
Appreciate your measured reply S. For the record, a foreigner appeared and reiterated the hotel's new policy (also asked not to be filmed). I think we both will find a quieter Phuket along with more availability and reasonable prices after April. Enjoy your upcoming trip! Cheers, STL
Finally. A RUclipsr that doesn't make themselves star of the show. It's great to actually see your surroundings
True
Yep the talking heads are annoying.
Lot if RUclips’s lives their dream “ try to be a movie star “.
One of the best Thai travel channels on RUclips.
Thamks for your very nice video with god music and a lot of impressions
The tourist distroys, what he is looking for, by finding it ....
I do not understand why you dont have at least 500.000 Subs! Your Videos are great Sir. 👍
Because he has no half naked women’s on his videos. Just look at either the RUclipsr it self light dressed or they ask the Thai girlfriend dress “lightly”.. for the videos
Thanks
Thanks much Andy!
I wish they cleaned the beaches and environment like that in the Philippines. Mind you, when I was in Phuket years ago, the high tide mark looked like the locals dumped their trash cans along the beach, glad to see it’s improved.
17:34 We went to Sak & Sa tonight on your recommendation and LOVED it! Thank you
Great! Khun Sak is lovely and her place a lil gem for sure :)
looking forward to more relaxed places, thanks for sharing
I agree, too many people! I think I'd like to visit for 2 days max, then use it as a jumping point to stay further south, like Krabi. Looking forward to what u find next!
good stuff i always find your videos informative.
Really happy to see this place live up again. Thank you for another fantastic Blog.
Glad to see the second video and good you found a place😊Cheers.!
Thx, the ol' 2 star was just fine too as it turned out
Too busy now phuket, too much crazy people driving with no helmets or do accidents, and prices go up like crazy. I left too
A good watch! Hope you're staying in Thailand!
As always, a great video from you. Good job !
The south is still very packed, we just got back from Koh Tao and it was very full everywhere too! We haven’t been to Phuket in quite a while, always opt for Krabi instead……Great video STL, but too crowded for me…..
Been to Phuket in 'normal' high season and found many chill beaches, just this high season is a bit off the charts. Will be back to explore around the island later for sure. Also LOVE Krabi, any time!
great video. I'm thinking of moving to Thailand, but I want a beach view and not many tourists. Just a beautiful spot to relax.
I think I can show that, stay tuned....
Great video as usual with useful information. Have been watching your videos for a while without subscribing but have now subscribed today to support what you are doing. Thank you. You said that the plan was to find a condo in the Rawai area for a month but didn't see that in the video so I assume you didn't manage to find any condos available at that time? Looks too busy and crowded for my liking so might skip Phuket completely and head to quieter places in Bali or Malaysia.👍
Beautiful view and nice street 😮😊👍
I always look forward to your videos you're my favorite travel RUclipsr 👍
Wow!! Thanks!! (stl blushing;)
@@SideTripLife 😂
Just spent 3 and a half months in Phuket, bouncing around from place to place. Part of it was by design and part because the island is jammed!
Agoda is brutal. Don't ever "submit a request" unless it's way in advance. I tried a few times and it was always worse than a waste of time.
Interesting the south side of Pating - quiet beach drinks and few tourists on the beach
Those "mobility scooters" were "wheelchairs" - great to see people having fun 🌞.
As always great video STL. It's sp strange. I'm a diehard Thailand fan but now I really want to visit Malaysia. Thailand can be hectic and we love it but Malaysia looked stunning and 'back in nature' for a lot of it if that makes sense.
Thailand is quite in many areas
Such a busy place. Like that for 1 nigth, but prefer Bangtao or Surin for long term stay.
As usual excellent 👍👍👍
Great video and thank you.
Ive never officially stayed in a hotel described as 2xstars but to be honest that was a lot better than what I envisaged a 2 star hotel room would be like.
Perfectly fine if you ask me!
As for the rest of Patong me thinks the same as you. Think id prefer somewhere a tad less hectic
Thx & I agree, that 2 star was just fine, great location near beach too
Thailand 2 stars are better than a lot of U.S. chain motels.
Great to see you back in Thailand love the videos - we'll be in Samui and Koh Phangan in May - can't wait
May should be perfect! Enjoy!
I'm with you. Would much prefer quieter and more peaceful.
I spent 4 nights at the Mair Jarr in 2020 the South part of beach is nice, have a good trip. 🏖
Hiya STL. Funny a few people have mentioned those peck-a-boo bathrooms recently. Great views from the rooftop pool. Your videos are always so informative.
You are right. Lots of places are understaffed. East and west.
Glad you found somewhere else.
That is so cheap for doing laundry. I am with you loving the quiet end. Chilled vibes.
Gorgeous sky.
I seen those men before. Just hanging. Turns my stomach.
I watch all your videos. So cheap for your food and beer. It looked good.
Always good vibes. Look forward to your next adventure. I will always follow. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Nicky. Yeah I just don't get the 'Looky Loo' hotel trend (windows or cut-outs with views into hotel bathrooms from sitting/sleep area). Maybe I'm just old skool but prefer to do my bizness and let others do same in PRIVATE lol. I see in your latest vid Buddy goes off the deep end and there's lovely wild Parrots in the UK, who knew?? Loved the Ice & Fire track btw. Have a good one too! STL
@@SideTripLife I do not need an audience. LOL. So many parrots it is lovely. Love that track too. Happy weekend. Look forward to your next adventures.
another great video. Thanks for taking all of us along. I keep thinking I'd like to travel around like you do when i can make it to Thailand, but I always get worried about going alone. I am not sure how well I would handle that. I am a bit of an introvert and wall flower. For now, while I am still a full time care-giver, i just daydream about being away!
For me watching these videos is a way to visit vicariously. Hold the dream and the opportunity will come along. Happy travels.
Watch most of your videos 👍👍🤗thinking of Jan feb not 2 noisy
That brings back good memories:))
Thankyou really enjoyed 🤗
You’re welcome 😊
Gday STL - I’m back - full accommodation - now that’s great - again great detail - Phuket is happening - nice work 👌 RIP Hannes
Welcome back ANT. Yes, still can't believe we lost Hannes, RIP.
Goods stuff!
Well done on "it is what it is". 🙏
I stayed at baumanburi last July was a ghost town crazy to see it that busy
Yes, tourism went berserk this high season. Things have settled down more now (June 2023)
8:55 The further south you go in Patong Beach the dirtier the water gets. The further north you go in Patong Beach the bluer and cleaner the water gets.
Great video netherless ❤
Cheers Bill :)
Nice Video
Head to Rawai and Naiharn my friend. That’s where you’ll find your chill :)
Yep & that 'was' the plan actually, to head to Rawai area and get a monthly rental. But FB/AirBnb condos are scarce at the moment as are deals for short-term rentals in the area. No matter, will be back after April and looking fwd to it!
Definitely looks like a place to be avoided! Good luck where you go next, will be watching, somewhere quieter I hope, how about some more of Sumatra or other lesser known places?
THANKS for watching my Sumatra series Jules! Sadly very few of my core Thailand Beach Subscribers watched my Sumatra vids (but I absolutely LOVED visiting and filming there, well worth it;) So views be damned, I'll be heading back to Indonesia upcoming, stay tuned... Meanwhile, any of my Thai-centric viewers looking in, you may be interested in a wonderful place called TUK-TUK: ruclips.net/video/E_HO4RFs3ss/видео.html
Right on dude.
i am just new to your channel Hi. ex UK but emigrated to Sydney many years ago, 2015 met a Thai lady and got married had a hotel and a bar on a separate site , cane back to Australia July 2018, still go to Thailand twice a year . Not been back to phuket since then, so many other parts of Thailand to explore. You mentioned the beach at the south end of patong , yuk. Apart frpm the immediate north end of the beach I would not put my toe in the water, there is a canal at the southern end that comes out and its water is the colour of a warship ie , dark grey. My mate just came back from there after a month and said 1000's pf Russians and Ukraine,
So many beautiful places to visit in Thailand. I enjoyed the end... where it was quiet and chill and the lantern went up into the night sky . 🌌 That was my favorite part of this video...& you enjoying yourself. It’s nice to enjoy oneself. The food looked great! 🤩
Question: Do you ever catch yourself talking out loud to yourself and your camera isn’t on?😏😂
Thank you Eileen. A: If I catch myself talking out loud to myself for no reason that's the time to put down the camera and find a very quiet place lol
@@SideTripLife Lol 😁 You do a great job of sharing your thoughts out loud. 😃 Thanks for answering. 🎋
Hey, STL! I really like your narration and style. I really want to know, WHAT DOES THE BIRD SAY in your intro? I can't make it out! Great job on all of your videos!
"SAWADEE KHRUP" (Thai greeting: 'Hello/Welcome")
I had a condo in BKK is easy to get everything without worry and convenient to move around by bts sky train in the kingdom kap.🙏
Where are the backpackers? What a change!
Go back in may I'll be there 👌
the season is finishing so it s very likely all the tourists in the south were coming back close to the airport preparing for their flights back. i am in patong right now and there is a lot of places available again already.
Taking the better half to Coconut Island in January for her 21st (60th) have u been there and is it any good?
Have not been as yet, will do a day trip next time. Meanwhile, perhaps look at Google reviews of Coconut Island, there's loads of reviewers comments. Happy 21st/60th btw :)
I'm thinking about going to Koh Lanta. Have you been there???
Ages ago, was lovely. Plan to visit on my return.
Covid, Not enough Guests...... No Covid, Too many Guests..... Mmmm a quandary..... Still with a beach like that, Who cares? For me it would have to be a little quieter...... But I like the Ladies???? Another Quandary.... LOL..... Great Vid STL... As always.... :-))
why didn't you head over to old town if the beach was too crowded?
LOVE Old Town, but want to be nearer to the beaches
Well I'm glad I watched this one. I'm making plans now to visit Thailand in February. I'm really not sure know whether I should plan an itinerary or just wing it. I live my life winging it pretty much fully retired in an RV. But this is my country and I speak the language. Thailand would be a different sort of experience. I'm not sure that I'd want to go there without any plans at all. Basically I'm on a scouting mission to see if Thailand is my new home. Phuket during that season would not be my idea of home.
And I've been looking at online booking for hotels and now I am wondering if that is a good move.
This was main Patong Beach area in the busiest high season ever after reopening. I wanted a place near the beach with pool for around 40 bucks or less and not surprisingly these were all full up. There's usually cheap but cheerful accommodation a bit further up Nanai Rd (great area for best price rooms btw) or also look at Rawai area which many long stayers prefer.
Nice one STL. I rocked back into my old 6 year Phuket homeground last Friday night. Plenty of per night rooms around if you know where to go. I never use online booking. Now settled in to very well priced per month accommodation. Yes never seen Bangla so busy. But it was always very busy pre covid but currently "Next Level" as the RUclipsrs like to annoyingly say! No offense PD (-: Will be checking out the Otop bars tonight for the first time since returning. I've walked thru there millions of times but seldom drink there but I always like to have a look anyway. It's great to be back in Thailand after a 5 year break. I had tears in my eyes after getting thru the huge throng at the Phuket airport. Could t believe I was finally back. Mission Accomplished. Love you Thailand! There's Only One You! The Western World Sucks.
WELCOME BAAAAACCCKKK!!!
@@SideTripLife Thanks STL. Otop has always been very Aus orientated and now even more so. Quite incredible. For me I not travel all the way to a new country to only then surround myself with fellow countrymen . I had one beer there and continued my bar hopping all over town. Magic night!
That last part at the beach, which area might that be mate?
North end Suraj, really liked that spot too
That 2 star place doesn't seem so bad, really!
For sure JT, was just fine as it turned out
Memory master.
Hooters, Hard Rock & the Irish Pubs are as expensive as in the West. If you want live rock music and cheap beers....Hippie Road Bar or Red Hot. If it's just a meal and beers you want, pretty much any where else will be cheaper.
Great advice and tips right there, thanks
I loved Freedom Bar in Rawai. 70 baht sangsom cokes and live music every night.
Do you know Koh Lanta?
Will be visiting beautiful Koh Lanta on my return trip, stay tuned :)
40% of condos bought in Pattaya now are owned by Russians and the same thing is happening in Bali, with houses, villas and ground to build on. It's crazy.
I thought foreigners couldn't buy homes there. 🤔
power has shifted the west is dead east will rule the next 100 years Thailand will boom
Whom did they replace as #1 foreign buyers? Australians?
I'm planing on moving to Thailand for good and I might need your help in finding a month to month hotel or apartment.
12:40 Oyo always has very cheap and affordable hotels.
Too busy for my retirement but as always great video
4:11 Only 150 to 200 baht for a coffee plus a 10% service fee and 7% VAT fee. I never go there. Would rather visit a small Thai owned coffee shop and get my Green Matcha tea, Cappacino, or Thai milk to for 30 to 60 baht instead.
Do the hotel's take credit card?
17:30 that woman did NOT look happy about the boxing ad lmao
Just keep the tourists in Phuket and Pattaya please 🙏
I like how the Thais have there own preferred places to go.
Yeh, absolutely no point getting all aggrevated about a situation you can't change. Just chill and accept it. That 2 star wasn't bad actually. Had everything you needed. Patong just far too crowded, not for me thanks but understand some people love that. Each to their own ✌🏻
Jeeeez I really hope Patong slows down in April like it used to do before the influenza-panic ^o^ Great for business ofc., but around 50-70% to many tourists for my taste :o
HERE WE GO AGAIN !
A simple google maps search / review section would have told you Many people were experiencing online booking refusal problems with that hotel - at least 2 months ago
Good advice. Was just so surprised to see a hotel with pool available I instantly clicked BOOK NOW!!! Normally would peruse the reviews. Live n learn, no biggee.
That's y I always book online pay at counter..
Alex for the win! :)
That's the whole thing in Thailand they still charge the same or more for a reduced service .
You can't beat Vietnam in my experiences
Patong looks like a madhouse 🙂... as you say, good for business and for the locals. I'm planning on returning in May, when I hope it's quieter, down Rawai and Nai Harn way.
For sure happy for the locals, just a bit too full on for me at the moment. But will return, after April. Btw, looked at your channel, enjoyed the retelling of your fungi experience, also your thoughts on 'Enoughness'. Cheers
9:53 - Svenska köttbullar - Swedish Meatballs
TACK :)
@@SideTripLife Tack. Thanks. Gracias. Danke
I spent almost 11 years working in Russia, and I have a Russian colleague that lives in Bangkok and sells condos to expats.
5:40 *A room at ฿600 5 minutes from the beach does not exist at Patong Beach*
Hotel management is doing a public service in managing the expectations of the unsophisticated general public.
In this instance I paid 1200 baht online and was still rejected lol. But fair point and the hotelier is within rights, just prefer he removes his hotel from the online booking system for all concerned.
5 mins no but within around 10 minutes walk of Patong Beach I see approx 20 hotels currently under 600 baht, this one with rooftop pool for example:
www.agoda.com/baya-hotel/hotel/phuket-th.html?finalPriceView=1&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1898974
So, can still find some 'relative' bargains in a bustling Patong high season (if like me one is happily 'unsophisticated' lol;) Cheers, STL
Not for me it would have to be much quieter out of town where you can enjoy the same quality food without all that noise and with lower prices.
Thailand =)
Nice video
But to much ryzzia people in Thailand know.
Micke from 🇸🇪
Just left Phuket, the energy is to much. Krabi has been much more relaxing and authentic!
If the hotels paid a living wage they'd attract staff.
Wait until it starts raining everyday and all the Russian charter flights stop, very different, your lucky to be here with the sunshine, not year round, when it rains , and it does,as miserable as anywhere else in the world.
Nice job going with the flow. 👌When you don’t take perspective of a victim + focus on what’s right, traveling is awesome!
Thanks!
Looks like a concrete jungle
Patong is only one small part of Phuket with many other chiller, beautiful beach and nature areas (will for sure return and also show this upcoming)
Who's "WE", you mention "WE" are moving??
Thks for sharing this! We are a fam of 5 so I’m going to stick to booking airbnb ahead…only with great reviews. Airbnb may cost more but not worth being homeless wandering with 3 tired kids 😅. I’ve heard of many places in SEA not honoring online bookings.😬 The affordable guest places rarely accommodate 5 ppl anyway😆
Looks horrendous there.
1500.00 for 1 night? thats over 40.00 usd!
There wouldn’t be a labor shortage in Phuket, if they gave work permits to foreigners! 🤪🤣
OMG, I wouldn't go there if you paid me.
I get that reaction Bill, but please don't judge all Phuket by Patong in the highest high season I've seen in 20 years. There's many other chiller & more beautiful beaches around the Island, as we'll see on my next visit (AFTER April;)
There is So much more to Phuket than Patong lol
That s the worst parts of Patong.
Just gets grinding and boring with over crowded beaches
Philippines never see litter or dogs on the beach
Or you can spend alot less when you know the little tricks to play lol