Its not really off season in Phuket as it will be full of West Australians at that time. ( Phuket holidays are always booked out from Perth) You would be best to book a bit more accomadation online,try "Sawadee.com" The prices are usully cheaper than other sites and are also usually cheaper than the domestic market and walk in rates, you can get some good rates and the site is totally safe in my experience.

Booking online inside Thailand is classed as "domestic" and the cheaper rates are only had through booking from outside of Thailand,something to do with the tourist dept and thats why you have to quote your arrival time and aircraft code.

I havent been to Phuket in a while but will be the same as elsewhere in Thailand where a certain section of a resort is reserved for package tourists,usually rooms around the pool area. So if you are going to do a "Walk in" then insist on seeing the room before you check in.

Are you going else where in Thailand? Or did you get a really cheap flight?

The reason I ask is that a package holiday to Phuket from Australia is usually a lot cheaper than flying in and getting your own,usually only a few hundred more than the flight only.

You will find it hard to get a hotel deal as cheap as a package for the same standard but there is plenty of places to stay to suit all budgets plus you have the flexibility to travel outside of Phuket if you want.

Den.