Here are some of my thoughts after my first trip to BKK. Been to Phuket 4 or 5 times, it is tough to remember at this point.

Freelancers: I have never really fancied the freelancers in Phuket - either to ugly or big risk of getting lady man. In BKK, the freelancers were all over the place, most spoke english, and looked fucking hot. Also, they were cheaper than the bar girls (paid 2,000B). If you read my trip report, you will know that I ended up taking out waitresses which I consider a form of freelancer - I paid them more because they had fucking great attitude. Just ready to rip it up in a clean, polite way without being a bitch (like some of the dancers in BKK seemed to get after the drag out - i.e. bitchy and commanding, like who bought who bitch !!!). Overall, I think you'll get a better selection of gals in BKK just due to sheer number of freelancers.

Daily Schedule - absolutely nothing to do in BKK during the day (except massage !!!). i didn't go to sightsee. That is why I partied all night in most cases. In phuket, you have golf, go-carting, bungy (which I avoid), hanging on the beach or by the pool, diving, and a bunch of other stuff. If you want daily activity and then a fairly smooth easy evening (not too many drinks and one or two ladies), phuket is excellent. Last time I was in phuket, I actually kept a gal for a couple days (3,000B per day plus 500B bar fine each day).

English - seems like much more english is spoken in BKK than in Phuket. I was able to communicate very easily with every girl I was with in BKK. It has been the exact opposite in Phuket - the gal I kept for a couple days knew some, enough to understand humor and stuff. Otherwise, the only real conversation I remember with my gals is one with a Malaysian gal and english is the official language there. To me, in order to establish a strong attitude, one needs to be able to verbally communicate fairly well.

Pricing: Phuket seems to be a little cheaper than BKK with respect to the gals. I don't think I ever paid more than 2,000B for a massage at Christin's and I don't recall bar fines being 500B. I thought I always got 100B or so back. As far as long time/short time. Normally, I paid 1,500B for long and 1,000B for short. I paid double for my chick who knew some english and hung with me all the time (fucked about 5 times per day) - that was 3,000B. Some gals at NEP wanted 3,000B from me and that didn't include a morning session. I just laughed. All in all, the "savings" on the gals is not going to add up to a whole hell of alot, 500B here and 500B there. Mainly I point this out as I thought it would be the opposite (more $$ in Phuket that BKK).

To sum it up, with my lifestyle and preferences in mind (surely different than others), let me draw an analogy to auto racing. For different tracks, you set your car up different. In BKK, you better set your motor up to run some really high RPM's because the best way to go is redline full time. If you need a pit stop, fine sleep for day, but then get back on the gas and nail it.

In Phuket, there is so much going on that you will blow your motor if you use the BKK set up. I know, I've done it. You just can't go hard for most of the night, then play golf, stop off and go-kart, then get a massage, then have dinner, then party around the bars and finally drag out. Then, start all over again - you will not make it. You got to set your motor to run a long, smooth race. Don't pack too much in for one day and don't drink too much if you plan on activity the following day - my buddy nearly died when he was attempting to scuba hungover.

One last word and then I think I've reported all that I can based on my recent trip. This relates to my time on the beach in Phuket with the gal that I took down for a couple days. It was a really great time. I rented a couple of lounges and bought a round of beers for the thai dudes that were running the snack shop, sea doos, etc.. After that, I was the king out there with my little gal and numerous servants. It is a great way to go if you find the right girl (it took me 4 or 5 trips and probably 20-25 days in Phuket before I finally hit pay dirt).

good luck to all and let me know how the rest of you feel. obviously we all have different motivations and daily schedules. would be interested to hear other perspectives.

Whoa, Buick, buddy, you're paying too much.

I made three trips to Phuket last year and loved every minute of my time there. I'm picky about my women. I want good English, good looks, good attitude and youthfulness (~20 yrs old). I've taken bar girls and go-go girls for the night. I rarely discuss payment in advance, choosing instead to put a 1000THB note in their purse in the morning. Sometimes I've paid a bit more, but only for girls who've capture my heart.

If you want to pay more, go for it, but give it to them as a gift, not something you've had to negotiate up front.