Hello all, first post attempt I am a San Diego native who just sold my pipeline constuction company to start law school. I am wandering till Fall and have heard Phuket is cool from a friend who went. But all my research keeps bringing up prostitution and other sex tourism garbage. I want to surf, and see thai culture, meet locals; without the horrible prospect of the sicko freaks who come to Thailand for the young girls and the biz around it. Can anyone tell me about their trips and if it is totally impossible to have a good, clean, time in Phuket.
I am coming up from Indo for monsoon surf and want to spend a few weeks. I would love to meet people, but not that sort of stuff. Please advise a California boy who has never been outside of Mainland Mexico. Thanks all. You won't be falling over it at all. Don't believe everything you read in the western gutter press.
Every city in the world has plenty of prostitution too. In Phuket , most of the time, you need to go looking for it to find it. There are plenty of places to go, things to do, people to meet in Thailand and Phuket that are not connected to the sex tourism industry.
Steer clear of the obvious areas like Bangla Rd. If you steered clear of it in Mexico you can avaiod it here no problem. Coming from Indo don't get your surfing hopes up to much. Most from here dream of the waves in your neck of the woods. To be honest, I have never seen anything seedy other than Bangla Road in Patong at night.
Even then, it wasn't really "in your face". I found the Thai women respectful, although I am aware that's not everyone's experience. On the rare occasions I have been in Patong at night, I have never felt offended in any way. Quite amused by the lady boys, but admittedly, I haven't been there late at night. If you avoid Patong at night, your holiday will be fabulous, especially if you want to get to know some locals and appreciate their wonderful culture. If you keep your wallet in your pants you won't have a problem with prostitution Sorry, the beaches are open all year round and are never closed.
