Phuket | Useful Info

Smile

Bargain with a smile and you will be rewarded. Many Thais work long hours, so they appreciate a smile and good humour - you'll get better bargains.

Beware of Touts

The Tourism Authority of Thailand warns against touting taxi drivers and tour guides who offer to take you shopping and receive commissions for bringing tourists to various places to shop. Often the experience is a waste of your valuable shopping time.

Also, beware of people approaching or calling you with offers of free trips or other prizes -- it's usually a timeshare sales representative trying to book you into a sales presentation, which you'll have to do if you agree to join its tour. Again, it could be a waste of your time.

Export Restrictions

Be aware that it is forbidden to take images of Buddha, deities, and some antique artifacts from the country without first obtaining approval from the Fine Arts Department in Bangkok.

Gems and Jewellery Advisory

There are occasional complaints from visitors about unethical jewellers who persuaded them to buy jewellery at an unreasonable price. There are also cases where gems purchased have turned out to be fakes. While such scams are largely carried out in Bangkok, there have been complaints about jewel purchases in Phuket.

To combat this problem, the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have formed a "Jewel Fest Club". The club aims to offer quality products at reasonable prices with a money-back guarantee if buyers are not completely satisfied. Some of the larger Phuket jewellers are in this program, so look for the Jewel Fest emblem while browsing the shop.

The TAT offers these tips for your protection:

• Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your presence in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam.
• Buying gems or jewellery to resell at double or triple the purchase prices is an impossible proposition under any circumstances. Buy jewellery only for personal satisfaction for your own use or for loved ones.
• Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding to buy. Never be in a hurry.
• Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable items with you.
• Do not believe special (jewellery) sales of any kind. Reputable dealers hardly ever offer sales and never send touts to lure tourists to their stores.
• There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry authorized by the government or any official agencies at any time of the year.
• The government does not own, operate, subsidize, or authorize any jewellery stores.
• As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words, promises, personal guarantees, unchecked documents, unauthorized verbal or written statements, casual references, encounters and the like do not constitute verification. Remember, you are your own best protection.
• Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations abroad are neither bound nor responsible for refunding goods that are bought in Thailand.

Packing and Shipping Services

Many of the larger shops are experienced at shipping abroad and will attend to all the documents such as insurance, customs and necessary permits. Parcel-wrapping service is available at the main post office in Phuket City (Montri Rd) and at post service outlets such as PostNet in Tesco-Lotus. For larger items or bulk shipments, check with courier services such as DHL (076 258 500/2) or TNT Express (076 220 799 or 076 216 396).

VAT Refund

Visitors entering the Kingdom on tourist visas are entitled to refunds of the 7% value added tax (VAT) paid on goods purchased at shops, department stores and other retail outlets displaying "VAT Refund for Tourists" signs, where tax refund application forms are available. Before leaving the country, visitors must present a completed VAT refund form, plus passport information and receipts, to a customs officer. Certain luxury goods must be shown to an excise official. Refunds may be in bank draft form or credited to a credit card. Call the VAT Refunds for Tourists Office (02 272 9388) for more information.

Visas

Visitors holding a valid passport or travel documents issued by a country included in Thailand's official list of eligible countries, can enter the country for one month without a visa. If you're planning a longer stay, you must apply for a Tourist Visa valid for 60 days, from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. Visa extensions can be applied for at the Immigration Department in Bangkok or in Phuket.

By Air

Several airlines now fly direct to Phuket's International Airport from international locations, making a stopover in Bangkok unnecessary, especially during the the high season (November - April.) It is still the trend for many tourists to come through Bangkok however, catching domestic flights via Thai Airways, which run regularly through the day, 7 days a week. Flight schedules can be found on the Thai Airways web page or Tel: (02) 232 8000 (Bangkok office) or (076) 327 144 (Phuket office).

Bangkok Airways operates flights to and from Koh Samui on the other side of the peninsula. The short 25-minute flight makes a quick getaway from Phuket (the alternative is a 4 hour drive and ferry ride!) Schedules vary with the season, so check before you plan your journey.

By Train

There is no direct train link to Phuket. Trains go to from Hualomphong Station in Bangkok to Surathani. From there you catch a bus to Phuket. Most tour companies can issue tickets which include the bus transfer from Surat. The train journey takes about 12 hours from Bangkok with another 4 hours from Surat to Phuket by road.

Trains have different classes which range in price, according to whether the seats are in a compartment and/or whether it's air-conditioned or fan. For train schedules contact the State Railway of Thailand Tel: (02) 220 4334. Advance tickets are available at all main stations or the Bangkok Advance Booking Office. Tel. (02) 225-0300 ext 5200-3.

Overland by Road

You can travel to Phuket from Bangkok by bus - a trip that takes about 14 hours. Daily services leave from the Southern Bus Terminal in Thonburi, with many private services available from almost any travel agent or hotel tour desk in the city.

For information on bus timetables contact the Southern Bus Terminal on Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok, Tel: (02) 435-1200, 434-7192. Most services will bring you directly to the Phuket Bus Terminal in Phuket Town, from where you can take a taxi, tuk tuk or local bus to most beaches on the island.

If you prefer to drive yourself, there are many car hire firms in Bangkok, including international rental companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis, which offer full insurance and advice on your routing. The road system is good and well sign-posted, but great care needs to be taken when driving in Thailand. Rules are often ignored!

By Sea

Many cruise ships departing from Singapore and Malaysia, include a stop in Phuket. Once you've arrived, there's a choice of cruises around Phuket island and to other south east Asian destinations. For more information please see our cruises page.

For private vessels entering Phuket waters, it is very important that all vessels must report upon entry to:

Phuket Port Control Center
2nd Floor Phuket Fishing Lodge Hotel
52/2 Moo 9 Tambon (Sub District) Chalong
Amphoe Muang, Phuket,
Latitude 7o 49' 0" N, Longitude 98o 22' 0" E,
Tel. & Fax. 66 76 381614.