Getting Around Phuket
On the move around Phuket
Okay, so now you’re here to explore. The island’s perfect for this with its state-of-the-art roads and gas stations a-plenty. There are great private driving tours up and down the West Coast as well as some interior explorations, not the least of all to Phuket Town. So if you wish to rent a vehicle, here are a few tips.
Drive on the left. Yep, just like in the UK: Although one of the most dangerous local motorcycle driving habits is to drive in the far left lane coming in the opposite direction. At first it seems bizarre but even foreign expatriates are guilty of this misdemeanor after a while. It’s unnerving so make sure your vehicle’s insurance is rock-solid.
When driving in Thailand, take it easy. Don’t take anything for granted. The unexpected is forever around the corner. An 8-year old on an out-of-control motorbike or a cell phone-wielding 20-yr old in a speeding BMW represents the same problem here: You’ll pay in case of an accident; the foreigner is always in the wrong. Stay well away. Drive defensively
Danger spots. When driving up Patong Hill, take extreme care at any time. This is an accident black spot. On either side of the hill, exercise extreme caution and keep your distance – especially if a heavy truck is climbing this insane gradient directly in front of you
Do not become aggressive. Thais may not be the best drivers in the world but they cannot and will not accept impolitesse in any shape or form.
Distances from Phuket Town
Airport: Km 32
Patong Beach: Km 15
Karon Beach: Km 20
Kata Beach: Km 17
Chalong Bay: Km 10
Promthep Cape Sunset Viewing location: Km 19
Sarasin Bridge (Mainland): Km 45
What’s the best way of getting around?
Hiring a vehicle is without any doubt the best way. The tuk tuk drivers have an expensive monopoly on the island’s transportation scene and the bus service is weak and all but non-existent after dusk. To hire a bike you’ll have to leave a deposit or proof of residence and no insurance is offered. Always wear a helmet as the driving here is dervish-like. Hiring a car/jeep is more expensive but insurance is provided. In all cases, please drive defensively.
What side of the road do I drive on? On the left, although many local expats joke that Thais drive on any side they want to.
!!!WARNING!!!
Drinking & Driving
In theory, drinking and driving is against Thai law but in practice the law is simply not enforced. This may sound like an ideal situation for those allergic to a blue flashing light in their rear-view mirror but obviously things can go wrong while driving in an inebriated state. Every holiday break in Thailand is marred by jaw-dropping fatality statistics on the roads. Most fatalities are male foreigner on a motorcycle and inebriated. Go figure. Take a taxi or choose a designated driver.
Much as we’d love to state the opposite, Phuket is not, by any stretch of the imagination, safe to drive on. For some reason, road accident statistics here surpass other Thai provinces in a spectacular way and most of the victims are motorcycle riders. The heady mixture of alcohol, beautiful bar hostesses, endless parties and incomparable scenery doesn’t only affect visitors; the locals drive like the devil, too. The best advice is to drive defensively, although it should be mentioned that Phuket isn’t as bad as certain neighboring countries when it comes to bad driving and accident fatalities. The situation is such that the visitor should exercise great caution, especially at night.
Public Transport
From the Airport to Phuket Town and Patong Beach District
This route has been hotly contested by the tuk tuk drivers, several taxi companies and minivan concerns. At the time of writing, the concession has gone to a limousine firm so you may not have much choice as to how to get to your hotel unless it has arranged a pick up service for you. The fare is about 500 Baht (US $12.50) and not negotiable. To get from your hotel back to the airport, however, you can choose between a bus service, taxis, minivans, tuk tuks, local buses (songtheows) or motorcycle taxis. Of these, the songtheow is the cheapest but also by far the slowest.
Buses on the Island
As mentioned in our General Info section, buses on Phuket are called songtheows – meaning “two rows”. They’re blue-painted converted Nissan and Toyota pick up trucks and are flagged down with a downward beckoning motion of the hand. There are no set bus stops but people congregate to wait for them wherever there is shade. Cost: US $0.50. Songtheows do not run past sundown but some are available for private taxi hire. These buses leave from the Central Market in Phuket City every 30 minutes from 07.00 to 18.00.
Some bigger buses operating from Phuket bus terminal and the market commute between the West Coast beaches of Kata, Karon and Patong, shuttling over Patong Hill to PhuketTown and back. Again, the fare is cheap.
Phuket City itself has a Green Shuttle bus service running a comprehensive route around towndaily. It’s an interesting way to see this provincial capital. Cost: 10 Baht (US $0.25).
Taxis and Tuk Tuks
 |
 |
|
The public transport situation on Phuket has even the Governor perplexed. Basically, the tuk tuk drivers don’t want the taxi drivers, who in turn don’t want a bus service, which in turn stops running after dark when the tuk tuk drivers hike their fares despite being warned not to. See what we mean? As a result, everyone suffers, but none more than the public themselves. Even Thai university students claim to be gouged by greedy tuk tuk drivers, and that’s saying something. As previously mentioned, it’s really best to hire your own vehicle as soon as possible after your arrival but if you don’t want to do this please follow these tips when using taxis or tuk tuks.
• Always agree on the fare before setting off
• Every tuk tuk on Phuket is required by law to display a list of prices. If the route includes a hill then the fare is hiked. If the price list is not displayed then it’s not advisable to use that tuk tuk
• There is no need to tip at the end of the journey
• If your taxi has a meter, insist that it be turned on for short distances. This way you have no need to haggle over the price unless the taxi driver states a reasonable starting price. The only exception is if you book a taxi to the airport. In this case the fare at this time of writing is 250 Baht
• If the stated tuk tuk or taxi fare is considered too expensive, smile and walk away
Motorcycle Taxis
These chaps wear numbered red or green vests and you can flag them down almost anywhere. Again, always agree on the fare before setting off. They’ll be cheaper than tuk tuks (who isn’t?) but will ask a silly asking price in the hope of a quick buck. Haggle them down with a smile and a laugh.
Self Driving
Hiring a Motorcycle
A ubiquitous sight on Phuket is a sun-reddened Westerner thundering by on a big bike with a Thai girl (or two) on the back. This daily vista recently prompted a visitor to ask: “Do the bikes come with the girls or the girls with the bikes?” By the day, a bike will usually cost US $4 upwards for 100cc/125cc Honda “step through” motorbikes to US $8 upwards for bigger bikes and choppers. Weekly/monthly rates are negotiable. Please insist on a helmet, or two if you have a passenger. Motorcycle hire shops will not provide insurance so if you find yourself in an accident you’ll have to pay. Sensible options? Always drive defensively as most locals will not have had a driving education. Look out for people overtaking when you’ve already signaled right. Warning: If you ride a motorbike without wearing a helmet during the day in Phuket Town you’ll be stopped and fined by the local police. Then again, if you ride without a helmet at about 6.pm in Patong you’ll be stopped and fined. The process, without being disagreeable or overly expensive, is time consuming and time’s the one thing you don’t want to lose on your holiday.
Car Hire
This is the only way to go if you’re in a group or value your life dearly. Again, all the major car rental names are here, but if you want a cheaper deal expect to pay about US $15 + a day for a Suzuki jeep from local rentals; less if you’re renting long term. It’s best to thoroughly check out your rental car’s insurance policy; especially if you’re planning to drive off the island in neighboring provinces, where it might not be covered.
|
