Been busy so didn't get to head over to Kata a few weeks ago. I just took a couple of hours out of marking and headed off on the treadly to watch the game relatively nearby.

I did get over to Kata last Saturday to catch the return match, and got these places that you might like to look at.

BEACHBREEZE GUESTHOUSE KATA PHUKET THAILAND AND THE SHIP INN

: Southern Fried Rice ::: Budget Guesthouse & Restaurant :

They would probably be a little cheaper than Angus O'Toole's, but still offer OK digs. If your budget extends to a 1-200 baht a night more, O'Toole's would be a shade more up market.

Angus O'Tool's - Irish Pub, Restaurant, Guesthouse, Karon & Kata Beach, Phuket

They had another place near Kata, where I used to pop in for a beer after surfing. It was quite small so I guess business was too seasonal and they closed it.

The guys who own Angus O'Toole's, the Irish pub in Karon, are alright, and I reckon their lodgings should be ok too. I don't see as much of them as perhaps I should, but do drop by occasionally.

I think I know the Italian restaurant but cannot recall the name, and have never dropped in. There are several guest houses in the area that would be OK. Businesses there come and go.

Also consider near Kata Night Plaza, 150 metres to Kata Yai Beach, and 5-600 metres to the south end of Karon. It's guest houses are a better prospect now than a couple of years ago when it was surrounded by girlie bars. They have moved and it is quite genteel now. I'll probably be over that way to watch the All Blacks play the Springboks (rugby) at a sport's bar this weekend, so will get a few names.

Outside the Dec - Feb peak you should get rates of well under 1,000 baht a night, with a decent long stay discount. Now, in the depth of the low season 5-600 baht is common, and I have seen lower.

Hey Michael. Seriously thinking of another Thailand visit to Phuket. Do you have a recomendation of an inexpensive guest rm with a/c? want to do a 2 mth stay and limit the $$. Last visit was late 2008. Was thinking bout the Irish pub or "Italian" restaurant on the Karon beach area. Any suggestions?