So I’ve been here a few days now and visited much of the west/south west of the island. Before I came I had lots of questions so here’s what I’ve found out as I’m sure it may be useful for others coming over here.
Smoking (tobacco) – you can still smoke pretty much everywhere in spite of Thai law. Even most beaches have smoking areas.
Jellyfish – I’ve been to Kata, Karon, Nai Harn, Kamala, Patong, Surin and Bang Tao. Haven’t heard or seen anyone being stung by jellyfish and I haven’t experienced it myself.
Roads – road surfaces themselves are really pretty good on the whole, much much better than the UK for instance. There are a few crazy thai drivers but on the whole the idiots on the road are invariably foreign tourists who don’t have any respect whatsoever and are absolute fucking bellends sometimes. Be careful.
Towns:
Patong – absolutely mental. Chaweng x 100 haha
Karon – popular with families. Feels quite large. Long beach front but feels a little developed and sterile.
Kata – I prefer to Karon. Beach is smaller (still pretty big) and it’s pretty busy but the town is smaller and easier to walk around etc. Some good bars. Ska Bar at the southern end of the beach is great for sundowners.
Kata Noi – another lovely beach, shorter than kata with a nice chilled bar/restaurant at the entrance
Kamala – older crowd. Town is much more chilled and pretty small. Beach is nice, busy but nice.
Surin – lovely beach, not much of a town.
Bang Tao – part of it is like a Disney resort, another part is like stepping back in time haha not even sure if I ever made it to the centre as I kinda got lost in the Disney like part and gave up.
