Hi, just returned from extended holiday in Phuket.

Am expecting to be shot down in flames for putting this on the forum, but I think people need to know what to expect if going there in the future.

Was expecting warm friendly people, but we found them few and far between. Quite aggressive or they couldn't care less about serving us.
The language barrier was huge and very frustrating.
We had heard that Thailand was relatively inexpensive, every restaurant, whether in Patong, on the beach, Karon or in Bangkok, were all western prices or more!
A light lunch for two(ceasar salad) with one beer and one coffee only cost us $40 AUD.
Even if our dollar was still 98c, I would call that expensive. Our Hotel was $200 per night, not exactly the Hilton.
The tuk tuk's are just a joke, $15 to drive us 2.5 klms. And that we had to bargain for, either pay their price or walk.

Sorry if I have burst your bubble if you love the place, but we certainly won't be hurrying back.

I have travelled quite a bit of Asia, and this is the first time I have posted on a travel forum with negatives. Not normally a winger but believe me, we had plenty to wing about.
Spoke to other Aussies whilst there (the only conversations we could have) and they seemed just as disillusioned as we were.

Enjoy what you call Paradise, but believe me, there are far better places to go for your holiday.

Sam

I am surprised at the prices you indicated you had paid- I have never had to pay that much and the choices of good accommodation and food were far less than that. The tuk tuk drivers ..... well, we all know about them in Phuket so no comment about that.

The poster has not registered, so there is nothing but their words to substantiate their visit, experiences and even motive. I allowed it to go up only because they sounded fairly authentic by what they said.