Phuketwan Photo Album Above
SPLASH JUNGLE is open, and the battles of wills is on. Will expat locals who are protesting about the entry price of Phuket's new waterpark hold out?
Or will the thrill of trying something new eventually triumph? Hot weather, coolish water . . . the mix is intensely desirable on Phuket.
And Splash Jungle is obviously fun.
In its short history, West Sands at Mai Khao has already had the occasional dust-up, blockade and stand-off. Yet these have all been resolved peacefully . . . . so far. Will this one be different?
As the newshound bloggers who have reported most of the issues surrounding the resort and the waterpark, we were generously invited along to try Splash Jungle for free . . .
Most of the Phuket media, of course, would never write anything even vaguely negative about Phuket. It is, as everyone who reads some segments of the local media knows, an entirely harmonious destination for tourists where nothing bad ever happens, and where life is just dandy.
Three of the Phuketwan team were at Splash Jungle on Friday, and we have the free caps and the free t-shirts to prove it, although we were vastly outnumbered by freeloaders from other organisations.
The workers who built the waterpark have also had their free day, and given Splash Jungle the thumbs up, although everyone now agrees they should come back to put in a few more shaded areas.
One seven-year-old member of our team drew the short straw and was forced, on pain of having to go to school instead, to jump on board a blue waterslide tube.
He then risked getting over-excited in a rush to beat a few bubbles to the bottom.
His verdict?
How happy can a seven-year-old get? Our interpretation is that even if we'd had to pay for it, he would have enjoyed himself immensely.
Strange as it may seem, we suspect some of the critics of the waterpark's prices would think nothing of paying more than the price of a family admission for a whole day of fun on a three-hour round of golf, or a diving trip to the Similans.
Or perhaps even for a big night out with a good bottle of wine.
However, because we didn't pay, this article is just like those food ''reviews'' where the restaurant foots the bill. You can't believe a word we write.
Our photographer, crazy as his angles get, can show you what to expect. But we can't say for sure, having been contented freeloaders, whether it's good value or not.
We've yet to get wet. All we can do is point at the seven-year-old team member and say: you'd better ask him.
Entry Price UPDATE
Latest as at Monday, January 25: Splash Jungle offers introductory rates at 1795 baht ++/adult and 1050 baht ++ /children (Height 100-130 cm). Free of charge for children under 100 centimetres. For all residents of Thailand (those who can produce ID) 1500 baht++ Introductory rates valid to April 30, 2010. Bus shuttle included. For more information or reservations, contact hotline: +66 076 372 111
Prices UPDATE: Splash Jungle Opening
Prices UPDATE It's opening on January 30. Here's the first exclusive review of Phuket's Splash Jungle, a world class waterpark that has enough space and rides for up to 2000 people a day.
Prices UPDATE: Splash Jungle Opening
Phuket to Greet US 'Fleet' of 6000 Big Spenders
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Phuket to Greet US 'Fleet' of 6000 Big Spenders
Phuket Expat Killing: Sea Eagles Man Charged
Latest A man well known by tourists on Phuket for his sea eagle photographs at Kata Viewpoint has been charged with the murder of a German expat in what appears to be an incident of road rage.
Phuket Expat Killing: Sea Eagles Man Charged
Phuket's Sky Dive Reef: Comeback on Track
Latest Phuket's sky dive reef, the artificial destination for divers off Bang Tao, is being improved with protective buoys and the addition of railway bogeys. It's a comeback that's on track.
Phuket's Sky Dive Reef: Comeback on Track
Phuket's New Nakalay, More Hesort than Resort
Latest As Phuket continues to grow and each beach becomes the next beach to be THE beach, the appeal of the island broadens and becomes more international. The newest offering: Absolute Nakalay.
Phuket's New Nakalay, More Hesort than Resort
Phuket Tourists Tell: Rampaging Elephant Horror
UPDATE A Swedish couple have given a first hand account of a ride on a rampaging elephant that casts doubts over the use of male elephants for tourist rides on Phuket.
Phuket Tourists Tell: Rampaging Elephant Horror
Phuket Has 4000 Illegal Taxis, Meeting Hears
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Phuket Has 4000 Illegal Taxis, Meeting Hears
aha. here it is. I check only the left column for new stories, and there is no entertainment... odd.
Superb article. One of the best to read.
Nice pictures of an empty (?) water park. I expected more people, who do not work there, or is it just not really open? But it looks nice. I guess they wait desperately for the navy...
Even with the lot of water, it still looks super hot to me. So much concrete, stones, how to enjoy a longer stay there? How long did you stay?
Please tell me, when you will visit again. I mean you know now, if it is worth the pain of parting so much money for a family...
I really wonder when the prices will be adjusted or we will see some family packages. Like this it is a cool thing for single young men in little groups.
Editor: We were there for the indoors/outdoors grand opening ceremony followed by a social gathering and some early slide testing, so unable to say really whether the place is value or not. Most media were onlookers. As an invitation only event, the real test would begin from Saturday. The park seems very safe. For people who have tried waterparks and like them, something new for Phuket. More shade areas definitely needed.
Posted by Lena on Saturday January 30, 2010 at 19:27