hey me too in november! :)

here's a great site:
http://www.phuket101.net/ 

Depends what you like really, I worked on ko phi phi for a while, we used to avoid Phuket town. If you go north though there's alot of nice countryside and there's various islands to visit. Krabi is nice too if you get that far.

Hey, i backpacked in Thailand for a month back in 2007 - my best advice is buy the lonely planet guide to thailand. It was the best thing i had when i went, if you havent already used a lonely planey guide, it states everywhere in thailand, but details where you can stay, eat and do - most importantly it details where is expensive, medium prices and where is cheap. 

Because I was only there for a month, I didnt see as much as i wanted, but i flew into Bangkok and went straight to Phuket (went to 'james bond island' checked out the local muay thai, visited temples, then from Phuket i moved onto Koh Samui (great to relax in but quite commercial), Koh Phangnan (party island - check when their full moon parties are on during your trip and MAKE SURE you go, you meet some amazing characters and the parties are legendary), Koh Tao (amazing if you like scuba diving - i got my PADI certification for open water and advanced diving here. swimming in beautiful tropical waters and they can take you further out for a sunrise dive with realy mild reef sharks). afterwards i flew back to bangkok and managed to go to kanchanaburi - i really recommend going to the tiger temple there. In bangkok make sure you check out the food markets (i cant remember if it was a saturday) but they are AWESOME, try literally one of everything and you will be stuffed full of good food :) 

FYI essentials wise, make sure you always have toilet tissue and dry handwash!!

i didnt get to go up north at the time as it was monsoon season and it was flooded. if you want any more info or ideas, message me! :) Hope you all have fun! x

hey stella thanks alot for ur usefull site its really great ..

when ur going in nov?

Thnaks Richard..

im looking forward to relaxing  vacation on beautiful islands..

i will be there from 2th of november until the 23rd.

this Phuket101 site is really great, yes, have you noticed on the right side the 'top 10...' list? 

Just give me your lonely plante guide - will you?!

;)

My tips for Phuket:

If you use a tour guide give them a proper tip (100 to 200 Baht, depending on how many of you in the group) as they get little or nothing from the up-front fee you pay.  This is often misunderstood and can lead to ill-will.

Don't rent a jet-ski - you will get scammed for damages and threatened if you don't pay.  This is a long running scam that the police have no interest in stopping.

Be careful with the taxis.  They are supposed to use meters, but they usually won't, so be sure to negotiate before you get in.  Don't get into an argument with them (dangerous) or complain about them (pointless).

Visit Tiger Bar on Bangla Road in Patong.  It's owned by a good friend of mine.

Finally: please don't judge the rest of Thailand based on a visit to Phuket.  The rest of the country is cheaper, more laid back, less controlled by Thai mafia and not so mercenary.  Except for Pattaya, of course, which is a special kind of shite.

Andy

I would also say get a guide, I have an ebook if you like I could send it to you. I would say do not stay in Phuket go a tiny island, if you are running away from people stay on a bigger island if you are looking for night entertainment.

Have fun,

Lidia

ya hv noticed its superb m gona use top 10 list..so u gona stay 3 weeks in phuket only? thanks again.

thanks alot andy fr tips.

sure will visit tiger bar..

thanks alot  lidia ...

plz send ur ebook if possible..which island u recommend?

after reading all this i would prefer to go afghanistan or india :P

Lived in Thailand for 10 years, great place as long as you stay away from trouble (drugs, fights, etc). Bret had some good tips but it is very easy to avoid those things. People are some of the nicest you'll ever encounter. Side note, red bull comes from Thailand :)

After reading this, I feel like cancelling my vacation and shut the doors and windows and just stay at home. Forever. 

Let's not get carried away.  Phuket has gone downhill in the last few years, and it's become more mercenary and expensive, but it's still primarily a family tourist destination.

If you spend all of your time in Thailand in backpacker party areas, you will see a lot of trouble and expose yourself to risk.  But outside of that,Thailand is not a dangerous place and the original Thai Red Bull (Kratin Daeng) has the same ingredients as the western version but with added vitamins.  And it never comes in a bucket.

Most people's experience of Thailand is that they feel safe and welcome both in the cities and the countryside.  Just be sensible, as you would in any place that you are a tourist.