|
By Foot
Once here, getting around Patong is a breeze. Most hotels are
within close proximity to the beach, entertainment, restaurants,
shopping and activity centres, which makes getting round on foot
the best option.
Tuk Tuk
For those times when you just don't want to walk, opt for a tuk
tuk or small taxi truck. State your destination and agree
on the price before setting off! A trip within the Patong area
shouldn't cost more
than 50 Baht, but for trips further afield, anything up to 400
Baht can be expected - depending on the distance, the weather
and your bargaining skills!
Song Taew
If heading off to other beaches and sites around the island,
either take a tuk tuk or catch a local songthaew
or bus. The local buses (painted bright blue for easy recognition)
will have their destination written in English on the outside
of the bus and run regularly between the hours of 7.00 am and
6.00pm. There are no designated bus stops, which means you have
to flag them down in the middle of the street. In Patong, your
best spot for flagging one down is along Phra Baramee Road outside
the tourist police box. Standard cost for trips to Phuket Town
or North to Surin and Kamala are approximately 15-20 Baht, and
you shouldn't take one if you are in a hurry to get where you
want to go.
Hire Cars and Motorbike
Private cars, jeeps and small motorbikes can be hired from most
major hotels, and from private dealers off the street. If you
really want to explore, having your own vehicle is the best way
to go. It's important to check that full insurance coverage is
included and that you have the appropriate licenses at hand in
case of accident. You don't want to find yourself liable for damages
and medical bills or worse. A Thai or an international car or
motorbike license is mandatory for the purposes of claiming successfully
for insurance in case of accident.
 For
serious bike enthusiasts, the area around Patong offers lots to
enjoy. Cruise out of the town on smooth roads that bank and curve
around lush green mountains looking out over the Andaman Sea and
visit some of the smaller areas outside the main tourist strip.
There are bike shops in Patong that specialise in road cruisers
and dirt bikes for those who want something more challenging than
the traditional Honda Dream favoured by most tourists and locals
alike. Check out the shops along Rat-U-Thit Road. A word of warning
- needless to say those who ride motorcycles should take extreme
care when riding the roads in Thailand. Not only is there an extreme
disregard for traffic regulations which leads to unexpected and
dangerous behaviour on the roads, but during the rainy season,
bike riders often come to grief when damp roads become slippery
to ride on due to oil spill build-ups. It is therefore recommended
that the inexperienced rider elect the safety of a standard vehicle
as the means for enjoying touring around Patong and elsewhere
on the island.
Motorcycle Taxis
During the day and night, groups of motorcyclists can be seen
lurking on street corners or cruising the streets wearing coloured
vests and trying to get your attention. These are the motorcycle
taxi drivers who will take you anywhere around town for a fee.
Again the price can vary depending on the distance you want to
travel and your bargaining skills. Not the safest mode of transport
but can be convenient.
|
