Four days in Phuket, Thailand: a 'Biyahe ni Drew' itinerary

Thailand is one of the best places for Filipino budget travelers — airfare is affordable, night markets offer bargains, and you can find good food in both fancy hotels and street-side stalls.

Aside from Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, the coastal province of Phuket is a main destination for tourists. When Drew Arellano went there for GMA News TV’s “Biyahe ni Drew,” he got to try parasailing and Muay Thai, got a massage from an elephant, and loaded up on spicy tom yum soup.

Here’s the full itinerary used on “Biyahe ni Drew.”

Quick facts
 

• Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, but it’s still smaller than Singapore. You won’t have trouble getting around!
• The seal of Phuket shows Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon, two female warriors. According to local legend, they dressed as men and rallied Siamese soldiers in the late 1700’s, holding off Burmese troops for five years. You can pass the Heroines’ Monument on the main highway that connects the Phuket International Airport with Phuket City.

How to get there
 

• By air. Flying to Phuket from Manila takes around four hours. The “Biyahe ni Drew” team booked tickets with Cebu Pacific Air, a budget airline known for their seat sales! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
• Getting around Phuket. Once you’re in Phuket, car and motorcycle rentals start at 700 baht (P950) a day. You can also hire a tuktuk, their version of a taxi, to get you from Point A to Point B. However, tuktuk drivers are known to overcharge tourists; don’t be afraid to haggle and bargain to bring the price down. It’s practically standard procedure!

Where to stay
Mercure Phuket Deevana
239-14 Raj U Thid 200 Pee Road, Patong, Phuket, Thailand
This is where Drew and the crew stayed. Mercure is walking distance from Patong Beach, Phuket’s version of Boracay (their sand isn’t as white, though). The hotel compound is shaped like a square, with buildings bordering a large courtyard and swimming pool. Rooms for two start at 5300 baht (P7,133).

“Everything is open. When you’re walking along the corridor, pumapasok yung hangin,” says Drew. “Ang sarap talaga!” The only thing that might bother you is that there’s a glass window between your bedroom and bathroom. You can see right in!

99 Old Town Boutique Guest House
99 Thalang Road (Old Phuket Town), Phuket, Thailand
If you like old historical towns like Vigan, this is the place to stay for you! All buildings in this UNESCO-vetted town are in the Sino-Portuguese style. A room for two starts at just 730 baht (P1,000) a night.

Pros: Thalang Road comes alive in the afternoon with a daily food market, and it’s walking distance from Phuket’s biggest night market.
Cons: It’s 30 to 40 minutes away from Patong Beach, one of the biggest tourist draws.

The Vijitt Resort Phuket
Viset Road, Muang, Phuket, Thailand
If you want high-end accommodations, Vijitt is one of the most luxurious beachside hotels in Phuket. Proof: Each room has a personal pool! Rooms for two range from 13,500 to 22,500 baht (P10,000 to P30,000). Drew says, “buhay hari talaga.”

What to do
Thai cooking lessons
Mercure Phuket Deevana, 239-14 Raj U Thid 200 Pee Road, Patong, Phuket, Thailand
For 875 baht (P1,200), a chef will teach you how to cook two Thai dishes. This includes tom yum, a hot and sour soup with seafood and lemongrass. After the lesson, you can enjoy your creations and keep the chef’s hat and apron as souvenirs.


Swimming at Patong Beach
Patong Beach, Patong, Phuket, Thailand
Entrance to Patong Beach is free. At night, the beach is the place to be for party-goers. How much will you spend? It depends how much you’ll eat and drink.

Island-hopping: Coral Island
In Thailand, island-hopping is done with speedboats. From Patong Beach, you can head to Coral Island for swimming and water sports. Speedboat and entrance fees total 1000 baht (P1,350). Parasailing costs an additional 700 baht (P950). The ride itself lasts only three minutes.

Muay Thai lessons
Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp, 7/6 Moo 5 Soi Tad-ied, Ao Chalong, Phuket, Thailand (Open 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. It’s also known as the “Art of Eight Limbs” because it uses your fists, feet, elbows and knees! At Tiger Muay Thai, some of the trainers are competing MMA fighters.


Don’t worry if you aren’t fit. Tiger Muay Thai takes students from all backgrounds and fitness levels — we even saw a little boy! A week’s worth of beginner’s classes costs 3,000 baht (P4,050).

Get a Thai massage
A trip to Thailand isn't complete without a Thai massage. Drew's tip: the farther you go from Patong Beach, the cheaper the massage prices are. On average, expect to pay 500 baht (P675) per session.

Bungy jumping
Jungle Bungy Jump, 61/3 Moo 6, Vichitsongkram Road, Patong Beach, Thailand
Want to conquer your fear of heights? Try jumping off the 165-foot Jungle Bungy!

Where and what to eat
"Nagkalat ang chibugan. Kahit saang sulok makakahanap ka ng pagkain sa Phuket!" says Drew. On average, expect to pay around 220 baht (P300) per meal.

Kan Eang Restaurant
Kan Eang is a famous Thai restaurant in Phuket, and is a safe bet for a meal. As with all Thai restaurants, expect spicy and flavorful dishes!
Coconuts
Did you know that Drew Arellano finished off eight coconuts in a single day? That’s how good the coconuts of Thailand are. According to the team of “Biyahe ni Drew,” there seems to be an aftertaste similar to pandan after each sip.

"Actually, hurt ako kasi gusto kong ipagmayabang yung sariling atin—na mas maganda ang beach natin, mas masarap ang food natin,” he said, straw in mouth. “Pero I'm sorry… Mas masarap ang buko nila!" At 40 baht (P55) a coconut, you can have all the juice you want.

What to see
Buddhist temples
Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand, and you’ll see plenty of colorful, ornately designed temples. Even if you aren’t a Buddhist, you’re free to enter and receive blessing from the monks. Be sure to visit the Big Buddha (Yot Sane 1, Karon, Phuket 83100, Thailand; open 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM), where a monk will bless you and give you a bracelet that he himself made!

Animal shows


In Phuket, you can ride on the back of an elephant! Whether you’re a kid or a full-grown adult, you’ll love riding on the back of the gentle giants; entrance fees include bananas that you can feed the animals as you go around the park. There are also shows for cobra stunts; Drew saw one trainer kiss a king cobra! Prices vary per park, so shop around before making your choice. —Cristina Tantengco/CM, GMA News