Phuket

Phuket reviews

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• You can still get a budget beach bungalow on Phuket

  Mai Khao Beach is 10 km of golden sand backed by casuarinas immediately north of Phuket Airport - the longest, least developed and arguably the nicest beach on Phuket. There are only about half a dozen resorts along here and the Sirinath National Park bans even sunlounges within about 30m of the sand so that develpment is unobtrusive.
  
  I stayed at one of the budget places, Seaside Cottages and Restaurant about half way along the beach. My closest-to the-beach (30m) traditional thatched bamboo bungalow was 500 baht with outside bathroom in high season 2010. I think this is a bit dear but the Andaman is getting expensive and Phuket is not being left behind. Tents were set up for guests who requested them.
  My bungalow was clean, just big enough for two people and their gear, with a comfy bed and pillows. Outside bathrooms were 30m away behind the restaurant containing good cold water showers and western toilets. Very clean. Food and beer were 10-50% higher than typical budget bungalow restaurants. Quality and size of portions were very good and service excellent - the place got a steady stream of customers from other resorts. I am usually price sensitive but despite cheaper food 150m away I ate all my meals here. Host Malcolm and his Thai family are very laid back yet big on service.
  
  Only 150m south was Mai Khao's other budget property Maikhao Beach Bungalows. Their least expensive fan bungalows with bathroom were 900 baht Dec 2010 - they had similar with air-con for 1,200 baht - and a few bigger air-con rooms with hot water for 1,500 baht. Restaurant prices were maybe 20% lower than Seaside Cottages but didn't seem to attract the same number of diners. Overall, this place looked okay - I think I'll stay here next visit.
  
  The surrounding area is mainly fruit trees, vegetables, some rubber, grazing - but not intensively farmed. There is an historic Wat somewhere close, but I'm not big on temples.
  Ban Mai Khao is about 3km from Seaside Cottages - has a pretty good general store, a dozen or so houses and a school. Um, I think there was a dive shop - doesn't strike me as prime dive country.
  Thatchatchai Nature Boardwalk is about 1km past the big security checkpoint which all vehicles entering and leaving Phuket on the main road must pass thru. Continue on the outward lanes past the beachside seafood restaurants and turn right at the sign about 400m on. There is a visitors' centre with lots of info and a restaurant - the boardwalk with educational signs runs for about 600m thru the mangroves. While I was there a Farang girl was helping to complete website additions about the kayak routes which they plan to introduce soon.

  • Sights & activities
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  • Eat & drink
  • Traveller's scene
  • Romance
  • Value for money
  • I'll be back (or not)

  By tezza (dabbler)
  Written on 16th January, 2011 after a visit to Phuket in December, 2010

  Also reviewed by tezza: Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park, Coral and Raya Islands, Haad Sai Khao, Khao Lak, Ko Kho Khao, Ko Lipe, Ko Pha Ngan East Coast, Ko Samet, Ko Samui, Kuala Perlis,

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