| Introduction
The main roads on Phuket are generally in good condition and well
marked with signs in both Thai and English. The mountainous terrain
limits the number of roads that cross the island east to west so
at times you will be taking a roundabout trip to your destination.
Thais are taught from childhood to maintain jai yen (cool heart),
public displays of anger are rather rare and generally do not achieve
the desired effect. As you attempt to travel around the island,
or anywhere in Thailand, you will undoubtedly be given ample opportunities
to develop this skill for yourself.
Thailand may be known as the
'land of smiles', but trying to cross the street anywhere in the
kingdom even at a marked crosswalk is literally taking your life
in your hands. Thais may pride themselves on their polite behavior
but while observing them attempt to operate motor vehicles, polite
is unlikely to be the first adjective that comes to mind. On display
daily are an array of driving skills, or lack thereof, that would
logically conclude with the driver being admitted to an asylum,
or being cremated. In a quirk of nature it seems those who operate
a motor vehicle like an idiot, or while drunk, or ‘hopped
up’ on amphetamines usually kill or injure the innocent.
None
of the above types of drivers are an endangered species on the island
and to observe them in there natural habitat just walk outside on
any street, you will not have to wait long. Fleeing the scene of
an accident when at fault has become almost expected behavior throughout
the kingdom.
While driving (or walking) the unwritten rule of the
road is the bigger and or more expensive vehicle always has the
right-of-way, and can drive on whatever side of the road that pleases
them. My intention is not to scare you, but to remind you that traveling
in a foreign country can be as perilous as it is pleasurable.
Motorbikes
The warm balmy climate, the natural beauty of the island, and the
winding mountain roads, all make Phuket a natural for cruising around
on a motorbike. Motorbikes are the most common mode of transportation
on the island.
Motorbikes are also the most common cause of serious
injury and death on the island. No statistics are available as to
the number of motorbike injuries sustained by visitors to Phuket
but the number is substantial.
Insurance is not available on any
rental motorbike. If it is damaged or stolen you will have to pay
it’s for replacement plus any property damage or injuries
caused to others.
Phuket has and at times enforces a motorbike helmet
law. The helmets available here are more for decoration then a serious
safety device, but the fine for a driver without one is 500 baht.
The daily rental rate for the small motorbikes like the ‘Honda
Dream’ is 200-300 baht. The larger bikes rent for 500-800
baht, but in both cases the locals will be quite happy to charge
the uninformed more.
Motorcycle drivers dressed in a green or maroon vest are providing
a short trip taxi service. They are at times the fastest and cheapest
way to get around. Simply wave one to a stop and ask for the fare
to your destination.
Tuk Tuks
 Tuk-Tuks are small red vans with open sides. The drivers have for
the most part been allowed to nurture their nefarious reputations
and continue to represent the largest source of complaints by visitors
to the Tourist Police.
The drivers fiercely fight any attempt to
make them use meters and all rates must be negotiated. A rainy day,
a late night trip, a navy ship in port, or just about any other
reason is an excuse to charge more.
The rate paid is by the distance
traveled not by the number of passengers. If the driver wants to
charge by the person wave him on and catch another.
Many Tuk-Tuk
drivers like to double as travel agents - Don’t Do It!. They
will normally only take you to a place that will pay them an commission.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, Tuk-Tuks are not a good source
of information unless you enjoy being taken for a ride.
Bus
 There is a daytime bus service (songthaew) to most parts of the
island. Songthaew (means two rows) which refers to the two wooden
benches that run down each side of this colorful wooden-body public
transport vehicle.
All buses run on a loop route between a beach
location like Patong and back to the songthaew stop on Ranong Road
in Phuket Town. The bus fare between Patong and Phuket Town is 25
Baht, and the travel time is about thirty minutes.
It is unfortunate
they do not circle the island on the new ring road or travel from
beach to beach, for example to travel from Patong seven kilometers
south to Karon beach you must first take the songthaew 15 kilometers
to Phuket Town transfer to another songthaew and ride approximately
20 kilometers to Karon Beach. Any effort to improve the bus service
and or extend the hours of operation is violently opposed by the
Tuk-Tuk drivers who insist the competition will cut into there business.
Compared with tuk-tuks a songthaew is generally a safer ride, with
fewer hassles, from a driver who is more likely to be sane and sober,
and at a fraction of the price of a tuk-tuk.
Car Rental
Cars and jeeps can be rented at numerous locations around the island.
A valid international driver’s license or a state license
from one’s own country is all that is required.
Rates begin
at 800 baht per day with unlimited mileage. You pay for the gasoline.
Most major hotels are serviced by Hertz and Avis car rental companies.
The most expensive place to rent a car is at the airport. If a vehicle
is rented at one location and dropped off at another, there is a
usually a 500 baht charge. Private owners of jeeps parked along
beach roads in Patong and Karon Beach charge 800-1000 baht per day
not including gasoline. The price includes first class insurance
which covers both parties.
When renting a vehicle, be aware that
you are liable for all damages to the vehicle, read the fine print.
Make sure you car is insured for accidents caused by another party
that then flees the scene of the accident.
Long Tail Boat
The ubiquitous longtail boat is found wherever there is water in
southern Thailand. The current version with the motor mounted on
the back is just the latest modification on this ancient but quite
seaworthy craft. Often called the workhorse of the Andaman Sea,
longtails are used in to provide a number of marine services.
While
not as flashy or fast as modern speedboats, a voyage in a longtail
boat is an interesting experience and a great way to take short
sightseeing trips. The one serious disadvantage of the longtail
is the almost complete lack of safety equipment such as lifejackets.
Longtails are not advisable while traveling with small children
or non-swimmers. Rental prices average 800 baht per hour for a short
trips and up to 3000 baht for an entire day.
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