Phuket Travel Forum

I will go to Phuket for a short vacation in mid May. I know it is low seaon but I just wonder why there seems to be very few ppl travelling to Phuket during that time. Any particular problem to go in May? What is the weather like? Would appreciate your tips and advice. Many thanks!

I think the tsunami is still in peoples minds but the resort is back up and running now. Not at original levels but it's getting there.

What the locals need is tourists, the best thing we can do is go there and spend our money.

I'm trying to explain that to my boss but they aren't having any of it at the moment :-(

The post tsunami is already over. Everyone is trying to build up the Phuket reputation as it once had. Many feedbacks from fellow tourists that Phuket is fine now. Even contacted some of my Phuket friends and the reply is overwhelming. However, on your question on why so few tourists visit Phuket in May. The answer is May-Aug is considered low season for tourism throughout Thailand with Phuket most badly hit as their GDP is solely based on tourism. I should say that more than 50% of Phuket population is heavily dependent on tourism. I recommend you going on May as May is their extremely and lowest season based on their tourism calender. Everything for prices from hotel to food and vehicle rental will plummet to their lowest in May. I am also planning to go there too. Phuket is my favourite short term holiday destination. Maybe if u plan to go in May too, we can be travelling partners.

There is a special offer to Phuket at the moment. This offer is in helping Phuket to rebuild after the tsunami tragedy. Tiger Airways is offering SGD$14.98/way to Phuket. The total amount is $SGD$97.96 for return tickets including airport tax and not including Thailand airport tax of 500baht. For the price of SGD$97.96, Tiger Airways is also giving away free 2 nights stay at Arahmas Resort & Spa, a 5* hotel just 15min away from airport. Its a good deal. I am going for it.

Tiger Airways homepage is www.tigerairways.com

My wife and I are going in mid-May as well. Not only did we get Tiger Airways flights for SG$15 each way, but they also threw in 2 free nights stay at Arahmas beach resort as part of a special promotion. I don't care what the weather is like, you can't beat that deal! We were also there in early March and had a lovely time.

Hi Joyce, reason why low season has less people is because during monsoon season, waters at certain areas are choppy due to the wind, which makes it unsuitable for some day trips out to the sea. Some operators for these day trips will stop during low season, but some will still operate, so no problem. If u don't mind rough seas or not intending to travel out to sea much, then u should go as low season is also the cheapest time to go and enjoy the beach.

Nick

Thank you so much for all the reply and opinion!

The reason I travel in May is that...well...I redeepmed a free ticket to Phuket with my mileage long ago and if I dun use it before June, it will expire. So I did not enjoy the discount flight ticket but I was amazed by the low price of hotels. I will go with my friend and we will stay in a hotel around Karon.

I really wish to swim in the clear sea and take a day trip to see the coral and play with fish in the shallow sea...not sure if it is possible to do that in a day trip?

By the way, any recommendation for spa? I have checked Hide-Away and Mind and Body, are they the expensive ones? Any nice spa you can recall?

Thanks again!

Hi Joyce, see my Phuket page on day trips recommendations to the islands. Lots of beautiful beaches and fishes!
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/87411/160bcd/

Spa wise, some spas are
http://www.cnhotelpatong.com/cnresort/lifespa.html
http://www.phuketdir.com/cannaceae/
http://www.tarntaraspa.com/spa_packages.htm#packages2
http://www.holiday.phuket.com/busakorn/spa.htm

Enjoy your holiday!

If you are planning to stay in Karon, i have no doubt that the best lodging karon offers is to stay at one of the 4 hotels location on the hill with the full view of karon beach at your diposal from your hotel room. These hotels are situated in between Karon beach and Patong beach, with 5 mins drive to Patong and 3 minutes walk to the beach.
The 4 hotels are:
1). Central Karon Village
2). Baan Karon Hill Resort
3). On The Hill Resort
4). Karon Bay View

1).
Central Karon Village is the posh and the more expensive of the lot. It should be a 4* hotel with lush environment, swimming pool and restaurant. The price is about 2000-3000baht/night (not accurate). The website is, www.phuket.com/ckvp or www.gothailand.com/central-karon-village

2).
Baan Karon Hill Resort is what in Thai standard a local 3* hotel with swimming pool and gym. They have rooms in cottages or in building. But no doubt the swimming pool has full view of the karon beach. I just check it out with my friend yesterday and they are offering at 1200baht/night with breakfast and 1000baht/night without breakfast. However, you need to mention that you are recommended by me. JK is my name. Website: www.baankaronhillphuket.com

3).
On The HIll Resort is the smallest of the 4 but its rooms are sitting atop the hill and surely a full view of the karon beach can be seen from your room. Although a small resort, the rooms are clean and even better than some of the 3* hotels available. The services are exceptional by the owner as the business and livelihood of the hotel is very much dependent on old customers from mostly Europe and US. No swimming but has a restaurant. The restaurant build on wood and is a relaxing place. The rate i am telling you is accurate too. 700baht/night without breakfast and 900baht/night with breakfast. You also need to mention my name in order to get this offer. The website is, www.phuketdir.com/onthehill

4).
Karon Bay View Resort also located side-by-side with the rest as the hill only has 4 hotels. It has no swimming pool with only restaurant. I have no much information on this hotel but the last time i check out the price is at 500baht/night without breakfast. No website found for this hotel.

All rooms have air-conditioning and water heater. If you have a little money to spare, Central Karon Village is a good buy. Else i do recommend Baan Karon Hill or On The Hill Resort. Motor bikes rental can be done at 100-150baht/day at the hotel. Contact information for On The Hill Resort and Baan Karon Hill Resort is available on my Phuket homepage.

As long as you appreciate there could be rain and the sea can be rough you will certainly still have a good time, there are some excellent bargains for hotels, look out and search for Phuket hotels last minute and you can find some amazing deals on accommodation SGD 40 will get you an air conditioned twin in a place with a pool, SGD 60 a better place and SGD 80 a very good place. Have fun!

I have been down to Phuket from Bangkok twice since the New year and everything is fine except some work going on along the beachfront in Patonf and Kamala, but just back from the veach all has been normal for a very long time, Karon and Kata were hardly affected at all. Cannot understand why people are staying away, so sad and unnecessary.

Hi Joyce,

Have travelled to Phuket twice in April and twice in May, weather has always been great, hardly seen at all. Returning again this year, similar to you using some frequent flyer poits to Singapore then booked with Tiger Air, around S$112 return with all taxes and fees. The really cheap seats are hard to find but the next level is only S$10-S$20 more each way, very good value, they fly once a day mid week and twice a day on weekends.

Many hotels in Phuket have great specials as well as the very cheap rates around 1000-1500 for a great 3-4 star hotel many offer deals like 7 nights for the price 4 translating to almost half price again. Graet hotels in Patong, Karon and Kata Beaches.

Yes the seas with be a little rougher for swimming particularly Kata & Kata Noi but if you like small waves it can be great as you are able to hire surfboards at both beaches.

All the tourist attractions are as normal, usually half the price. Look for the signs outside any travel office or Kiosk, particularly in Patong. Full day Speed boat to Phi Phi and surrounds is always a must, includes lunch, cost 1300baht in May 2004. With the slightly rougher seas the speedboat can be a bit bouncy but OK, if you prefer there is a slower larger boat doing the same trip(think it was around 700baht) but doesn't go into Maya Beach(The Beach), stops just outside for a look. If you take the big boat you can choose to stay on Phi Phi for a night or two and pick it up again next day. A few different boats sail to Phi Phi everyday and any travel agent in Phuket can do a booking including pick up from any hotel anywhere on the Island.

There is also a boat the Ao Nang Princess 2 that sails daily to Ao Nang & Railay Beach and chugs around the small limestone Islands very beautiful day trip for around 700baht. This part of Thailand is stunning. But I believe it now only sails in summer months Nov-Apr.

Good Luck, you will love Phuket in May.

Clifford

Shane, thanks for the suggestion re accomodation, I have booked one of your recommended hotel indeed :)

We will go for spa and thai massage for sure, just trying to find the best ones in terms of service and price...have anyone tried Body and Mind Spa? The package looks very attractive, but are they the expensive ones? Seems the price of spa varies a lot.