spent 3 weeks on Phuket a few years ago august-sept.

wind was non existant, gear for hire was good, if you were still in the Eighties.

Patong beach maybe OK as a spot. but crowded with swimmers and jetskis and para sailers.

good luck

stay away from anything that looks geared for mainline tourists.

look for places to eat that Thais are eating in. and eat Thai food.

Not only is it great, but Dinner for 2 will probably set you back $1.20.

wine and spirits are expensive.

look to hire a Suzuki 4wd from a local family. ie; all thai families are businesses. And haggle on price like you've never haggled before.

we were buying items at 1/5th the price at the end of 3 weeks, compared to when we first arrived. Nothing brings down the price quicker than walking away.

Patong beach is home for all the gay bars so if you ride a Bow you will feel at home

We stayed at "the Chedi". which was brilliant and luxurious and quiet. It's the off season so better rates. However aside from the included breakfast we learned real quick not to eat there.

Don't drink the water, keep your mouth shut in the shower, use bottled water to wash teeth. Macdonalds at Phuket town tastes crap.

enjoy the landing at Phuket airport.

Check with the boys from Kiteboarding Asia ... Mika is their instructor there at the moment (he started off over there around about last August I think)... too expensive to hire gear (nowadays, they do have the latest gear by the way) ... winds similar to Samui - fickle at that time of year, but still possible to luck out sometimes ... check info on www.kiteboardingasia.com ... if you want to know anything else about prices for hire cars, bikes, general info etc... just let me know...