Phuket & Krabi Tips
Having just returned from a family trip to Phuket and Krabi, I thought I would compile a list of tips that you might find helpful on your next trip to these areas!
Ask for taxi/tuk tuk fares before you get in and make sure you are clear with your directions on where you want to go. Be aware a really cheap fare often entails a stop via a gem store or temple so be clear when you check prices that it is for a direct journey. If you get in a metered taxi make sure the meter is on so you don’t get ripped off on the fare.
Check if it’s cheaper to hire a private long tail boat for a day than go an organised tour. This will give you much more flexibility and if there is a group of you travelling, often the prices work out much cheaper as well. If you want to stay longer somewhere, move on, go back, do a bit more snorkelling or find that secluded beach - then this is the way to go.
Check prices of tours from local vendors before booking at your hotel as often you have a better variety and they are cheaper. As hotels have preferred suppliers, they tend to push particular products which may or may not suit your particular needs. It's wise to check and fun to boot.
If you plan on visiting the outlying islands around Krabi, check tides as some are inaccessible at high tide. This is where hiring a private longtail boat really comes into its own as you can visit the islands that are easily accessible at different times of the day.
Haggle. Start at less than half and go up from there. Of course this is the mandatory practice for trade and is expected. Be polite if you feel a price is too high and never be rude. At the end of the day everyone is out to make a living and haggling should be a fun and enjoyable experience.
Beware of touring on weekends when locals are also out and about as they love getting out just as much as everyone else does! Expect the beaches to be busier, the markets to be dynamic and generally more hustle and bustle around the place.
National park fees are required for visitors to the islands around Krabi. Make sure you have money for these as you will need to purchase a National Parks permit to visit many of them.
Buy a cheap waterproof dry bag for storage. You can pick these up cheaply from the markets and they are indispensable when travelling by boat anywhere.
Be prepared to get wet on a long tailed boat! Don't dress up when you are planning a day at the beach. In most cases you will have to walk out in the sea to get onto your boat anyway, so keep it simple!
We love to get our laundry done prior to leaving for home. Makes unpacking so much easier and it always smells so good. You can pay a little more for express laundry and ironing and it is always charged per kg. Never do laundry in the hotels unless you absolutely have to as they charge a packet. Of course you can always take your own soap to wash by hand or (if you are lucky) in a laundry provided by your hotel, but really who wants to do laundry while on holiday?
Don't expect to use credit cards in the market. In most cases it is strictly cash only. Credit cards in shops and restaurants are fine.
It's always polite to use some of the local lingo whilst overseas. I found when saying "thankyou" (Kop cun ka, the feminine or kop cun crab, the masculine) it always paid to use the feminine if you were unsure of the person’s gender. If you used the feminine to a male, he will just think you are a tourist and usually let it slide (perhaps correcting politely), but a ladyboy will be chuffed that you called him a girl!
Generally speaking, restaurants that are filled with locals are always well priced and offer decent food. Those full of Western tourists are more likely to offer Western style food which is often not a patch on what you are used to. I believe "When in Rome", and seek out the most authentic local eateries that I can.
Don’t have money out when you are negotiating….they will price based on what they see in your hand. If you are holding a hand full of 1000Baht notes you can almost guarantee the starting prices will be much higher than if you keep your notes to yourself.
Take advantage of complimentary water from the hotel. Not that water is expensive anywhere in Asia, but just keep drinking even when you think you aren't thirsty. Dehydration is a huge cause of sickness when people are travelling.
Forget recreational drugs of any description. Only a fool would even contemplate taking anything after all the national press from places such as Bali.
Take your eyewear prescription for cheap glasses. Frames are a fraction of the prices and the lenses are cheap as chips. Get a few pairs done up.
If you plan to get some tailoring done, take a dress, jacket, pants that you love and that fit you perfectly to be copied. Choose your fabric and they can be made up for you within 24 hours.
Follow your common sense, don’t take food or drink from strangers to avoid “spiking”. Be aware at all times in bars and nightclubs not only for this but for being pickpocketed as well. Don't leave your brain at home.
Be mindful of the local customs. Thai’s are modest people and you won’t see them topless on the beach or canoodling in public.
Do not mock the Royal Family as the Thai’s show a high respect for their monarchy and will not take kindly to having them being made fun of.
Do not just watch your manners watch your feet – it is rude to put them up or point them at someone and be particularly respectful of the monks. If you are female be careful not to brush against their robes, even accidentally.
Travel insurance is so important when you travel anywhere. No, you are not invincible, things do happen both while you are away and even sometimes before you go. Be smart.
Smart Traveller is a great initiative set up by the Government. Log on so you can be located at any time whilst away. This has proven super important during recent volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and civil unrest around the world.