OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2025
OVERVIEW
We are continuing our ‘optimal loop’ through S E Asia.
Mid August through to the end of October is a difficult time for sun lovers to travel through S E Asia … it is Rainy Season almost everywhere.
We have just spent 3 weeks touring Northern Laos (Luang Prabang to Vientiane) … it rained (on average) about 1 day in 3 … for several hours on those ‘rainy days’ … sometimes all day.
We now head for Phuket, Thailand.
The Rainy Season in Phuket starts to clear from mid October. We land in Phuket in mid October.
WEATHER SUMMARY
In October, expect showers early morning every day. These should normally clear by about 10am. Expect showers again late afternoon about 4pm. Between 10am and 4pm is the best time to get out and about … although you might still be surprised by a short shower now and again or the rain may continue for most of the day about 1 day in 5. The worse weather kicks in as it gets dark … expect storms / thunderstorms every other night … these should phase out by the end of October.
As we progress through to the end of November, the weather starts to clear towards sunny days.
OUR ROUTE
The plan was to start in Phuket Town and to tour the southern part of Phuket Island on a rental scooter.
Even though it is raining, we are expecting to get a better ‘social life’ than we did in Laos.
<<< Let’s look at what Phuket has to offer at this time of year >>>
ABOUT PHUKET ISLAND
Phuket’s top earner is tourism, which has transformed the island into Thailand’s wealthiest province.
Expect prices to be higher than on the mainland.
HOTEL PRICES
During rainy season, many hotels discount their rack rates by as much as 75%.
December and January are high season and hotels charge full rack rate. As an example, in Patong High Season, you will be lucky to get anything decent (with aircon) for under 1,250b / US$40 per night.
GRANDPAckers will have to come in ‘Shoulder Season’. The Shoulder seasons are:
- Mid October through mid November; and
- Mid March through end April.
We are here in the first Shoulder Season. Come the 1st November, discounts on hotel rack rates start to disappear rapidly.
EXCHANGE RATE
The currency in Thailand is the Baht (the ‘THB’ or ‘b’). At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were:
| US$1 | EU€1 | GB£1 | |
| Published Wholesale Rate | 33.07 | 37.80 | 43.36 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Wise Debit Card) | 32.84 | 37.53 | 43.06 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Typical Credit Card) | 32.11 | 36.70 | 42.10 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Good ATM) | 32.10 | 36.70 | 42.10 |
Over time, these exchange rates will change. Please check the current rates.
For simplicity, think of a THB500 note as being US$15 / EU€14 / GB£12.
ATMs
ATM Fees in Thailand are ‘high’ compared with other countries. The Thailand Life provide an excellent write-up on this.
In summary, take out as much as you can in as few transactions as you can from the right bank: I take out THB30,000 from Krungsri ATMs. But, for many, this may be too much cash. The Krungsri fee was 250b (up from 220b last year). Your home bank will charge their own fees on top of that .
WISE DEBIT CARD
I keep my costs down by using a Wise Debit Card.
Wise allow me to withdraw up to US$250 per calendar month from ATMs without adding any of their own fees. Thereafter, I use whichever Debit Card provides the lowest ATM withdrawal rate (which is, usually, still my Wise card at 1.75%).
GETTING THERE
Phuket is well connected and it has its own International Airport … many international flights go ‘direct’ to Phuket without the need to connect / transfer in Bangkok.
That said, I flew on Air Asia from Vientiane via Bangkok to Phuket. I paid US$220 including 30kg of checked in luggage.
eVISA
Most tourists do not need an eVisa: you should get a 60 day Visa On Arrival (VOA).
THAILAND DIGITAL ARRIVAL CARD (TDAC)
However, you are required to complete a TDAC online within 3 days of your arrival.
After completing the TDAC, you will be emailed a QR code that you show (on your smartphone) at Immigration.
PHUKET AIRPORT
This is a modern and efficient airport. Processing is quick and easy.
On exiting to the Arrivals lounge, just follow the signs to ‘Public Bus and Taxis’.
AIS SIMCARD
At the airport, you will find SIMcard kiosks everywhere … for good reason, they charge you very high prices. This is well documented on the internet. Prices start at 699b for 7 days and 1 month starts at about 999b. I suggest that you do not buy a SIM at the airport.
They have free wifi in the airport that lasts 30 minutes. At the airport, you can use this to sort out how to get to your hotel. You may want to download Google Maps to your smartphone in advance to help you.
Once at your destination, go to an official AIS Store. There, you can buy a ‘5G The One SIM’ for 50b and a 1 month package for 300b.
This package gives you:
- 20gb of 5G; plus
- 60gb at 15mbs; plus
- Unlimited gbs at 1mbs thereafter; plus
- Unlimited free calls upto 15mins per call (all networks); plus
- Unlimited AIS SUPER WIFI (which allows you to connect to AIS public networks in places like malls); and
- Some other 1st month ‘freebies’.
You need your passport to register the SIM in the store. They will do this for you for free.
TOP UPS
The AIS Mobile App allows top-ups using foreign credit cards.
I already had a SIM Card from my previous visit to Jomtien Beach. Obviously, my previous plan had expired.
Before my arrival, I got onto the AIS App and topped up with 400b. I, then, purchased a 7 day 15GB Data Only package for 30b followed by a 1 month plan for 300b once that had expired.
TRANSPORT
Phuket is a large island and you need some form of transport.
Public transport is very limited and taxis and tuk-tuks are the only practical means to get around .. and, they are relatively expensive.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT / SHUTTLE BUSSES
The Phuket Smart Bus is a new addition to local transport and it is tailor-made for tourists. The service is from the airport to Rawai beach and back. It goes along the coastline and covers all the beaches on the west coast. You need the ‘rabbit card’ from ‘phuketpay’ to actually use the service, but the operator also accepts cash (though it will be more than what the actual fare should be) … but, it is still very cheap compared to other options. The maximum fare is 120b to Rawai.
Alternatively, the 4311 Public Bus connects the Airport to Phuket Old Town center. The maximum fare is 100b.
Public transport within Phuket is limited to a radial network connecting Phuket Town to the beach towns. There are a few full-size buses … most lines are operated with Baht Busses. There are no set stops. Pick up and drop off is ‘on request’. Most local bus services operate at half-hour intervals and stop at around 18:00.
Most operate from the local market at Ranong Road (Talad Sod or Ban San); those to major beaches go via Phuket Town bus terminal.
Beware, there are no “inter-beach-town” public bus connections, so you may find that you have to go to Phuket Town and back out again. If you are on the west coast, try and catch the Smart Bus instead.
Beware, the bus may drop you off at a bus stop somewhere in the middle of Phuket Town, where travelers will be immediately set upon by the rip-off tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.
TAXI / GRAB
Phuket has two types of taxi: conventional sedan-style taxis (yellow and red, with a “Taxi-Meter” sign on top) and GRAB.
Surprisingly, metered taxis can end up cheaper than tuk-tuks. However, they are often hard to find, and during peak periods their drivers will also ignore the meter and demand flat fares.
GRAB is an easier option and you get a set price in advance when you book on their App … however, they are also expensive compared to the mainland.
Many beaches have little shacks with “TAXI” signs offering quick transport at high prices. They are usually pricier than the tuk-tuks, with most fares exceeding 500b.
SONGTHAEW (BAHT BUS) / TUK-TUK
Small songthaew-style open-sided minivans (usually bright red / occasionally bright yellow) are called tuk-tuks.
They have no meter and tourists often get over-charged. Always agree a price before you embark and bargain hard.
Short hops should not cost more than 40 baht, but good luck getting from (say) Patong to Phuket Town for under 400 baht.
Beware: Tuk-Tuks are run by what locals call the “Thai Mafia” and they can charge the unwary 200b for less than a 1km run.
Beware: It is not unusual for the tuk-tuk drivers at the bus terminal to tell arriving travelers that the local bus service has finished, even though it hasn’t.
SCOOTER RENTAL
Renting a scooter / motorbike is a cost-effective way of getting off the beaten track. However, this is only recommended for experienced drivers.
Beware: Phuket certainly gets more than its fair share of accidents. In fact, the death and injury statistics are very high. More than 10,000 people are injured and over 250 killed each year in road accidents. Nine out of ten accidents involve scooters / motorbikes. Note: these sorts of statistics are not unusual in S E Asian countries where scooters are so numerous.
Motorcycle and scooter rentals start at around 300 baht / day, coming down for rentals of a week or more.
You must carry a valid driving license with you, or you’ll be fined 500b. Police can check for motorcycle licenses, and not having the correct license type may also result in a fine. Your license will be confiscated if you are fined … and returned to you when you pay the fine at the appropriate police station.
There can be police check-points on the way, and regular check-point locations include:
- The northern end of Patong Beach Road;
- Inside Patong Town itself;
- Chalong Circle; and
- The northern end of Karon Beach.
If you are wearing a helmet, the chances of being stopped should be low … but, they do keep their eye out for young tourists (who they know, most probably, do not have the required driving license).
Scooter / Motorcycle rental generally includes little or no insurance, so take extra care if you decide to opt for this option.
ALL SEASONS SCOOTER RENTAL
In Jomtien Beach, I rented a new 110cc Honda Scoopy for 3,000b / month (100b / day).
Before my arrival in Phuket, I contacted a number of Scooter Rental businesses for quotes. They all quoted a minimum of 6,000b / month. Except All Seasons.
All Seasons quoted 3,000b / month for a new Honda 110cc Scoopy. Because I am 6’3″, they swapped it for a bigger (but older) 125cc Honda Click for the same price. They delivered it to my Phuket Town hotel for free and collected it from my Phuket hotel for free. It arrived with a free full tank of petrol. They required a copy of my Passport, a valid Drivers License, and a 2,000b security deposit.
I got over 130kms per tank and only had to fill it up once at a cost of 140b.
EAT & DRINK
Expect prices to be about 25% more than elsewhere on the mainland. In places like Patong, expect that to increase to 50% more.
EAT
You will find few meal options for under 60b. Most prices start at 100b.
To get a better price, jump on your rental scooter and go where the locals go.
DRINK
Expect to pay 60b for a small 330ml local beer (e.g. Chang) and 100b for a large. You can buy a large for 60b in a minimart (e.g. a 7 Eleven).
Expect to pay 99b for a Cocktail in Happy Hour (local spirits).
PHUKET TOWN
ABOUT
Phuket Town is the largest town in Phuket Province. It has a population of 63,000 and is the economic hub of the island. The Chinatown area is worth a quick look and there are some great Thai-style shopping opportunities too. Overall, accommodation and food in the town is cheaper than near the beaches and can provide a refreshing change of pace.
Phuket Town’s low-key attractions are mostly related to its colorful Chinese history and heritage, found in the Chinatown (Phuket Old Town) area on the north-western side of the city around Thanon Thalang.
ACTIVITIES
Phuket Town is just a little too big to be covered comfortably on foot. There’s little organized public transport. There are motorcycle taxis but no tuk tuks. The local taxis are ordinary cars, which you will see at the bus stations. The fares are exorbitant to anywhere at all … I suggest that you use GRAB.
ACCOMMODATION
WHERE TO STAY
You are advised to stay in or close to Chinatown.
Agoda have several options withing GRANDPAcker price range at this time of year.
MY ACCOMMODATION
I planned to start and end my 6 week tour in Phuket Town. I was expecting the weather to improve over those 6 weeks. For my first visit, I decided to go for an up-market hotel that offered something to do on ‘rainy days’.
I used Agoda to book 4 nights in a Standard Double at S.B. Living Place located about 1km away from Chinatown.
I got a highly discounted price of 758b / US$23 per night excluding breakfast. This is the top of our GRANDPAcker price range.
I was on the 5th floor. The room was large. Everything worked.
The benefit of S. B. Living was that it had a good swimming pool and a well equipped gym.
CONCLUSION
This was not a ‘tourist’ area. There were few restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity.
I used my rental Scooter to get around but (as anticipated) I spent most of my time in Shopping Malls or at my hotel swimming pool and gym.
S. B. Living ‘served its purpose’ but I was not impressed by the area.
KATHU
ABOUT
Kathu is located in the center of the island between Phuket Town and Patong. It consists of 8 villages and 20,000 people.
Kathu is a blend of a traditional old villages with more modern areas.
Kathu is mainly an affluent, residential area with a lot of locals and expats choosing to make it their home.
ACTIVITIES
Kathu has a nice Golf Course.
You can visit the Mining Museum.
The Kathu Waterfall is also worth a visit (bring your swimming trunks … you can take a dip here).
If you climb up the Waterfall Steps, you will find another dipping pool.
ACCOMMODATION
WHERE TO STAY
GRANDPAckers will find few hotels within our price range. You will need to take what you can get.
MY ACCOMMODATION
I used Agoda to book a Deluxe Room at The Cheetar Hotel.
I got a highly discounted price of 585b / US$18 per night excluding breakfast.
I chose the Cheetar because it had free (safe) parking for my scooter, a swimming pool, and a gym.
My room was big and clean. Everything worked.
But, I didn’t like the location. The pool was small (and closed for repairs). The gym was very small, un-airconditioned, and only 3 pieces of equipment worked. The shower had no hot water … but if you waited for 5 minutes it might get warm.
CONCLUSION
This was not a ‘tourist’ area. There were few restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity.
I used my rental Scooter to get around but (as anticipated) I spent most of my time stuck in my hotel. On one of the 3 days, it rained all day.
The Cheetar ‘served its purpose’ but I would not come to this area again.
PATONG
ABOUT
Patong is one of the ‘party capitals’ of S E Asia with great nightlife and a great beach. This is a hedonist’s heaven … even on rainy days.
Patong is mostly made up of hotels, fancy restaurants, nightclubs, and various tourist attractions. The town has a very obvious sex industry that caters to all tastes. There is, also, a drug scene … the smell of weed is common.
This may not be a good destination for the average GRANDPAcker / Backpacker, Patong is targeting holidaymakers … but, let’s find out …
ACTIVITIES
- Bangla Road: The central attraction of Patong. There are many side roads and alleys which are good for cheap, relaxing drinks and nice food.
- Bangla Night Market: There is a night food market connected to Bangla Rd serving amazing sea food.
- Kalim Viewpoint.
- Robinson Wells.
- Tsunami Memorial Park.
- Snorkeling.
- SCUBA Diving.
- Day Tours to nearby Islands.
GETTING AROUND
It is not easy to cover Patong on foot but there are plenty of taxis and motorbikes to get you around. The cost of these is one of the main downsides to Patong as they are unregulated and they charge what they please.
The taxis have no meter and their drivers are notoriously mercenary. Short hops (of only 1-2 kms) typically cost 200b / US$6. Bargain hard in advance. The one-way streets can cause delays and increase fares.
Motorbike taxi rides within Patong start around 40b. Bargain hard in advance.
Tuk Tuks are abundant, but prices begin to add up for anyone staying longer than a day or two.
SUGGESTION: If you plan on travelling around Phuket it may be cheaper in the long run to rent a scooter or car. Otherwise, try and use GRAB.
ACCOMMODATION
There are many hotels in Patong … and lots of competition as a result … prices can be cheaper here than elsewhere on the island (especially when compared to the more southerly beaches).
WHERE TO STAY
GRANDPAckers will find many hotels within our price range at this time of year.
Anywhere near Bangla Road (the main ‘party’ street in the center of town) is likely to be noisy late into the night.
Anywhere on the edge of town is going to be cheaper but it is going to leave you at the mercy of the ‘Thai Mafia’ … I suggest that you include the cost of renting a scooter if you choose to stay in a hotel on the outskirts of town.
MY ACCOMMODATION
I had a rental scooter. I used Agoda to book a Deluxe Double Room at the Baan Orchid Guesthouse.
I got a highly discounted price of 445b / US$14 per night excluding breakfast.
My room was a good size and everything worked. The TV only had terrestrial channels but the internet was good enough to stream video.
CONCLUSION
Hotels are competitively priced but add another 25% to normal Phuket food and drink prices: a small 330ml Chang will start at 80b. A large starts at 120b. The cheapest meal starts at 80b … expect to pay 120b+ to get anything decent.
I don’t need to say too much about Patong … it is what it is.
You are never left alone. Touts try and attract your attention as you walk down the street. You can’t stop to read a menu without someone from the restaurant being immediately by your side.
Personally, I prefer more ‘homely’ destinations.
KARON BEACH
ABOUT
Karon (pronounced “Garon”) is the 2nd largest tourist beach in Phuket (3 km long). Karon is, arguably, one of the most up-scale of Phuket’s beach towns.
THE BEACH
The white-sanded Karon Beach is much less crowded compared to Patong Beach. Practically the entire beach is public.
Large resort complexes line the opposite side of the road from the shoreline, but the long, broad beach itself has no development.
The southern point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Bu Island.
Also, there is a wide pedestrian / bicycle path on the beachside of the road.
ACTIVITIES
Nightlife is laid back and confined to dining and a few beer bars.
The northern Nong Harn Lake is the largest beach side park in Phuket offering a nice exercise / jogging / cycling path.
ACCOMMODATION
Not many hotels have direct beach frontage – most are across a quiet road … or, set further back on or between the main road and the beach.
WHERE TO STAY
Karon is small, you can walk everywhere.
Most Restaurants, bars, tour companies and other non-hotel businesses are at the northern end near the traffic circle or near the south end on Bangla road.
MY ACCOMMODATION
I used Agoda to book 4 nights in a Double with Pool Access in My Friend’s House.
I got a highly discounted price of 605b / US$19 per night excluding breakfast.
My room was a good size and everything worked. The TV had cable movie channels and the internet was good enough to stream video.
CONCLUSION
I am glad that I booked this poolside room. It rained for 2.5 days out of 3 … so, the pool was a god-send.
The beach would have been great … on a sunny day.
Food & Drink prices are similar to Patong.
PATONG
I couldn’t find anything decent further south (in Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, or Rawai Beach) within GRANDPAcker price range for my dates. I decided to head back to Patong to regroup.
ACCOMMODATION
MY ACCOMMODATION
I used Agoda to book a Standard Room at the Jiraporn Hill Resort.
I paid a highly discounted price of 725b / US$23 per night excluding breakfast.
My room was big and clean albeit slightly out-dated. However, the TV had no cable channels and the WiFi was unreliable and slow.
It did its job … but, I would not recommend this hotel.
PHUKET TOWN
I gave up on the idea of touring Phuket on a scooter … it was not working … I found myself stuck in my hotel room on (too many) rainy days.
I decided to get back to Phuket Town and do some ‘condo living’.
ACCOMMODATION
WHERE TO STAY
The Old Town Center is around Thalang Road. The problem is that most of the accommodation is this area is over-priced or targeting backpackers.
I suggest that you look for somewhere within 1-2kms of Thalang Road.
MY ACCOMMODATION
I used BOOKING.COM to book 7 nights in a Junior Suite at the Sugar Palm Residency. The hotel had free parking, a swimming pool, and a gym.
I paid 835b / US$26 per night excluding breakfast.
I loved it. It was everything that you would expect from a modern condo complex. I was on the same floor as the pool and gym and the King Rama IX Park was on my doorstep.
I could get out and about on my Scooter to sightsee, go to shopping malls, or go grocery shopping.
In fact, I liked it so much that I abandoned the rest of my tour and extended my stay in the Sugar Palm by another 6 days.
CONCLUSION
Don’t be put off by the low ‘WiFi’ score. My Wifi was very good. If you need good WiFi, just ask for it when you book.
I can recommend the Sugar Palm if you are here at this time of year.
GETTING AWAY
I got online and booked a local bus from Phuket Town Bus Terminal 2 to Khao Lak. The price was 130b / US$4. I used GRAB to get from my hotel to Bus Terminal 2.
GRANDPAcking COSTS
Read About – GRANDPAcking Costs if you don’t know how to interpret my figures.
Costs are broken down into Cost Of Existence (COE) and Cost Of Living (COL):
- COE: Is the basic costs of just being there;
- COL: Is the additional costs that make being there fun.
MY GRANDPAcking COSTS
These were my actual costs:
To view the above spreadsheet in more detail, {right click} on it and choose an option.
AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE / (BLUE) TOP SECTION
I lost an average of 2.91% taking cash out of ATMs because I took out the maximum of 30,000b from a Krungsri ATM.
I lost an average of 2.90% on my Visa Credit Card.
I lost an average of 0.70% Wise Debit Card which I used to pay for my accommodation where possible.
COST OF EXISTENCE (COE) / (ORANGE) MIDDLE SECTION
ACCOMMODATION
I averaged 723b / US$23 per night for hotels excluding breakfast.
FOOD & BEVERAGES
I averaged 150b / US$5 per day. Please note that I eat to live, I do not live to eat … my costs are always significantly lower than other people.
SIM CARD / MOBILE DATA
I bought a AIS SIM Card and spent 400b on internet plans.
VISA EXTENSION / NATIONAL PARK FEES
None.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
My Backpacker Level Travel Insurance policy has been pro rata’d.
NECESSARY TRANSPORT
I spent just over 3,000b / US$93 to rent a Scooter for 1 month. The tank arrived full and I only needed to fill it 1 more time at a cost of 140b / US$4. That was enough petrol to travel up to 260kms.
The Scooter paid for itself just by saving me my inter-hotel transport costs. Having freedom of movement for a month was just ‘icing on the cake’.
COST OF LIVING (COL) / (BROWN) BOTTOM SECTION
LIVING COSTS
I averaged under 131b / US$4 per day on my evening beers.
IN / OUT COSTS
I spent 7,308b / US$233 flying in from Laos.
I spent another 540b / US$17 for GRAB taxis to and from the bus terminal to my Phuket Town hotel.
OTHER COSTS
I spent a further 1,918 / US$60 on shopping and other items.
GRANDPAcking SUMMARY
My COE was 984b / US$30 per day (45% of my daily budget).
My COL was 437b / US$13 per day (20% of my daily budget).
My Grand Total cost was 1,421b / US$44 per day (65% of my daily budget).
I had ‘Money to Burn’ … I still had over 765b / US$24 left over each day … I could have done heaps more and still stayed within budget.
YOUR GRANDPAcking COSTS
This would be your budget:
To view the above spreadsheet in more detail, {right click} on it and choose an option.
ORANGE COLUMNS / LEFT HAND SIDE
The left of the spreadsheet (orange columns) shows the costs for a GRANDPAcking Couple living to GRANDPAcking Standard using a Standard (Home) Bank Credit / Debit Card where possible and withdrawing cash from ATMs where cash is required.
These costs are for a 30 day stay in hotels in Shoulder Season (avoiding peak times such as Easter, Xmas and New Year).
COST OF EXISTENCE (COE)
ACCOMMODATION
Expect to pay 850b / US$26 per night excluding breakfast. It is very unusual for GRANDPAacker hotels to include breakfast.
FOOD & BEVERAGES
Expect to pay just over 800b / US$25 per day eating cheaply in local restaurants.
SIM CARD / MOBILE DATA
Expect to pay 350b / US$11 for a AIS SIM Card with a 1 month plan.
VISA
None.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
A typical Backpacker Level Travel Insurance policy has been pro rata’d.
NECESSARY TRANSPORT & SIGHTSEEING
It is assumed that you will walk everywhere.
SUMMARY
Your COE is about 1,764b / US$55 per day. This is 85% of your daily budget.
This means that you have only 316b / US$10 left to spend each day.
You will find that Phuket Town is ‘High Priced‘ compared to other GRANDPAcker destinations.
RIGHT HAND SIDE / PURPLE COLUMNS
The right of the spreadsheet (purple columns) shows the costs for a GRANDPAcking Couple living to GRANDPAcking Standard using a Wise Debit Card where possible and withdrawing cash from ATMs where cash is required.
COST OF EXISTENCE (COE)
ACCOMMODATION
Upgrade from a hotel to a condo.
FOOD & BEVERAGES
Use your rental scooter to get to cheaper places.
SIM CARD / MOBILE DATA
No change.
VISA
No change.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
No change.
NECESSARY TRANSPORT & SIGHTSEEING
A rental scooter at 3,000b / US$93 per month plus 140b / US$4 additional petrol.
SUMMARY
Your COE is about 1,680b / US$52 per day. This is 80% of your daily budget.
This means that you have only 426b / US$13 left to spend each day.
You will find that Phuket Town is still ‘High Priced‘ but you will have freedom of movement.
GRANDPAcking SUMMARY
Note how hard I had to work to get big discounts on hotel prices to pull those costs within GRANDPAcking budget.
You will find Phuket High Priced compared to other GRANDPAcking destinations.
If you switch from a hotel to a condo, you could bring in groceries and halve your breakfast and lunch ‘Food & Beverages’ costs (whilst still dining out each evening). By doing so, Phuket Town would become Mid Priced.
CONCLUSION
Could you afford to retire here on a GRANDPAcking budget? MAYBE. Would you want to? MAYBE.
Most people come to Phuket because of the mature tourist infrastructure (and hedonists head to Patong).
Beware: If you come in Peak Season, you will probably be paying non-discounted Hotel rates (look at the rack rates, above). At those prices, Phuket will become unaffordable for GRANDPAckers.
Beware: In Rainy Season (when you can get big discounts on hotels) you will get little ‘beach time’ … you may want to get accommodation that has a decent swimming pool (which will increase your hotel costs) … many expats just hang around in a pub all day.
Beware: Hotel discounts start to disappear fast after 1st November (look at how my cost per night for hotels increased as time progressed). As November progressed, I found it increasingly difficult to keep within GRANDPAcking budget. By increasingly adopting a strategy of only booking 1-2 days in advance, I was able to take advantage of ‘last minute’ discounts.
GRANDPAckers will need to come in Shoulder Season if you want to keep withing budget whilst getting a reasonable experience. This means that GRANDPAckers need to come either;
- Mid October through Mid November; or
- Mid April through Mid May; and
- Put up with a few rainy days.
Personally, I think that you get a better (and cheaper) experience in Jomtien Beach in this type of weather.
JOMTIEN BEACH
As a comparison, you could go to Jomtien Beach instead (read more here). There, at the same time of year, you can get a nice, modern, fully equipped 1 bedroom apartment / condo in a resort with free parking, swimming pool, and gym (similar to the one that I had at Sugar Palm, Phuket Town).
21,000b / US$650 per month (plus electric of about 1,500b / US$50 per month).
You do not have to put up with the ‘Thai Mafia’ and you can easily rent a Scooter for 2,500b – 3,000b (US$75 – US$93) per month.
Jomtien is flat and easy to get around. It is also cheaper than Phuket and it is easier to find your ‘local’ bar where you can socialise and meet like-minded people.
RECOMMENDATION
If you come in ‘Shoulder Season’, I suggest that you rent a scooter and find a nice condo for the whole duration of your stay with a swimming pool (and gym).
ALTERNATIVES
The reality is that, there are better and more affordable places for GRANDPAckers to go with bigger ‘Shoulder Seasons’.
If you don’t want rain, at this time of year, your only choice is Indonesia (read more here).
TTFN
