15

I stayed at Kata Beach in June 1987 for a week, on the way to Europe. In those days, Kata Beach was very under developed and I stayed in a hut opposite the beach for about AUD$4 per night. There were about two groups of bungalows (huts) and a resort on the southern end of the beach. Just over the hill on the southern end of the beach were about 5 to 6 shops, resturants & bars. Whilst I was there, my mate and I got work as extras on a movie called "Good Morning Vietnam" for two days. I met Robin Williams who was a very nice guy and played the role of an U.S. Marine driving a truck. Most of the filming was set in a "Firebase" Set, somewhere else in Phuket. In case you're wondering, a Firebase is a fortified base with bunkers, attierlly?, weapons pits (fox holes) etc. Some of the Americans who were working on the movie, were actual Vietnam Veterans. Most of the extras where from all over the world, Australian, Canadian, American, British, European etc. The Producers were having alot of trouble getting enough extras to play US Soldiers and Marines, as there wasn't enough western tourists in Phuket in those days. I also thought at the time, most of the crew working on the movie, were very arrgonet and rude. I will have to post some photo's on my website, when I eventually get around to it....

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Hi travelers!
Thanks for this thread. I can glimpse some idea what it's like in Phuket in those early 80s.

Anyone remember how did we travel to Phuket in the 1980-81 from abroad?
Was it through Bangkok first, then by land, and boat? How long did it take from Bangkok by land, boat?
Which airlines had the route to Bangkok that time?

Reason I ask is I'm writing a short story about it and need some history fact.
Thanks in advance.
Fajar.

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Many people just took buses* from Bangkok or from Hat Yai if coming from the south, there was no need for boat as the island was connected by bridge. The bus journey from Bankok was about 16 hours or something like that . Thai airlines flew to Phuket .I also once read a story in an airline magazine about Thai Aiways and it showed a 1972 picture of a Thai Aiways check in counter with a promotional picture on the wall about Phuket Island.

* Buse from south of Thailand going to Bangkok were regularly subjected to attacks by armed bandits for quite some years.

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Fajar, night bus from Bangkok was common in those days, as Dave says, not always safe, and definitely not comfortable.

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Thank you for the info. In that case i would use by plane then.
Was there international flight directlu to Phuket in 1980.
I found some link about Dragon air but that was 1985.

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International flights to Phuket didn't start till later in the 1980's.
Foot Is Grey some of the private buses were quite comfortable and modern..

21

Dave, I suppose they weren't comfortable for me because the seat spacing wasn't designed to suit a tall farang, especially an overnight trip. However, the destination was worth the trip.

22

I just stumbled on this thread, and am glad I did! I recently read “Foxy Lady: Truth, Memory and the Death of Western Yachtsmen in Democratic Kampuchea.”

The book contains some info and descriptions of Patong Beach around 1978.

Apparently, the first Westerner living there was Jimmy Pearson, who arrived in 1974, after leaving the US Navy, and he has some interesting accounts. The book also has pics of Patong Bay, etc. in the 70s. Just a few shacks on the beach and hippies at that point.

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Jeff - did you buy that book in Thailand? Was going to download the kindle edition but there is a warning about it.

Thanks for the book info!

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Megafauna, Mine was Kindle, and it downloaded fine for me. If you're interested in the Khmer Rouge atrocities and the 70s hippie, drug-smuggling scene in SE Asia, it's certainly worth a read.

25

Thanks , hadn't heard of the book before , its also in paperback as well , here is LINK about it.

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just downloaded it - thanks!