GiantFan

I've been here almost 10 years, but don't do the touristy things all that often. I didn't think they would drop it by 50%. Good to know for the future.

Friends in last week and even though they have been here many times, went down to a tour desk in Patong to see what was new and what sort of prices they were charging. Typical stuff like Cabaret show, Phi Phi day trip, Extreme Adventure, etc...

After a bit of talking about how I was a resident, was recommended by a Thai friend (a lie) and that I wasn't prepared to pay tourist prices we got down to brass tacks. On the few things that I was interested in, I was quoted a discount of between 30 - 50% off the published price. This was a bit surprising to me.

Did a Similans snorkeling day trip for THB 1900 vs. published THB 3800. Included transfer and food. Had a great time. Well worth it.

Didn't realize that such discounts were available with very little effort on my part. No idea what discount would have been offered if I went directly to the tour operator. Probably would have been closer to the published price. I assume the tour desk has a contract that gives them a preferred discount.

Just thought that some would be interested.

P.S. Don't know any tour desk operators personally. How much commish do they get?

The phuket stunt show had some of the 'biggest' investors on the island too. From memory they had Tai Pan bar plus a few others I think seduction and the old bangla boxing stadium crowd. It looks like stone henge now. And I expect 02 bar will be the same within 12 months. You want to wager a box of beer on it?

Not sure about Tai Pan, but doesn't seem likely. Those guys have a goldmine in Patong and everything works. Sorry if I am wrong.

I did know the boss of Rock City and he was involved in the catered food that was provided before the show. Maybe this is what you refer to.

I'm off to Penang early May. Firefly gets me to Penang around 6PM. Drop off PP and docs with agent that night after checking into hotel (Cititel about THB1600 / night). Day 2 is free and easy. Day 3 the agent picks up my PP in the AM and I am on a 2PM flight to Phuket (no need to collect at 2PM like KL). Overall, not a bad little holiday. You need to get off this island once in a while (although Penang is also an island?).

I'm looking forward to the Indian / Malay curries. My mouth is watering.

Sea pearl villas up the hill on the way out of Patong to Kathu have a helicopter and heli pad apparently. The Pilot was doing his sea survival training at the same time as me in bkk last year, he said they were gonna start doing tours over phuket and neigbouring islands. Could be them?

Oh great. Not only are they causing aggro on the ground but now in the air. What's next, a speedboat?

UPS sign still standing at Royal Place Condo catty corner to Tesco Lotus. I used DHL several years ago. Location was why. On Rat U Thit Rd. in Patong directly in front of the Paradise Complex.

When I am down Rawai way I try to stop at Archee Restaurant. Always a great meal. Good prices. I've been in a large group and because the kitchen is small, you may get your main when your buddies are already finished. Not a big deal to me.

Location: From Rawai Beach, go toward Phromthep Cape and it is a bit down on the left. Right near the turn off to Yanui Beach. Also, check TripAdvisor for a map.

I went to the Lotus Restaurant in the Laguna area with friends last week. I went for lunch and it wasn't crowded at all. I've read that dinner can be another story.

The restaurant has fish tanks as you enter, so you can pick whatever you want. The tiger prawns were delish. It is right on the beach in Bang Tao, so the view is pretty good as well.

If you are mobile, go into Laguna and follow the signs for the golf course. Go past the golf course and when you get to a T junction, make a left. The Movenpick is in front of you. Wind around it and you will see the Lotus Restaurant on your right. I had no problem parking (2PM).

For the last week or so, a small helicopter has been buzzing my house on the hills of N. Patong. This afternoon, about every 15 minutes. Comes over my house towards Patong Bay, turns to the left and then swings back a few minutes later and heads along Patong Hill Road toward Kathu.

I was thinking maybe that company out by the airport (Skydance?), but no way they can get from Patong to the airport, land, and then get back in 15 minutes. Bangkok BIB doing land surveys? Don't think so, they just came over again (6:10PM) and these guys are not working this late. I wish they would stop. Apocalypse Now flashbacks. This is the End!

Any ideas?

You had me going for a minute.

555

Walking down RUT Road in Patong many years back and a guy rolled up on a MB with his Thai GF and said "Do you speak English". I thought he was going to ask for directions and said Yes. Started the touting speech and said I wasn't interested. A few blocks down, he hit me again. I guess we all look the same. Finally down by the 2 Black Sheep (yes it goes back this far), he comes up to me again and before he speaks I say that I do speak English and that I already own a villa!

The funny thing was that he still asked me if I was interested in a timeshare.

Haven't seen this guy around in many years. Maybe he is gone or promoted to inside tout.

I have searched around for a local plumber over the years to clear drains, pipe leaks, etc... but I was never very happy. Many times the problem arose again after a few months.

On Saturday I had a clog in the kitchen sink (2nd floor) and a small flood occurred on my kitchen floor. I googled Phuket Plumbing (yes, Google is my friend!) and sent out emails to 3 - 4 companies explaining the problem. This morning at 8:30AM, I rec'd a call from Gary at Total Water Solutions. His guy came around at around noon.

Initial snaking didn't do the trick. I showed him the utility cubby hole in the ceiling of the carport and he determined the problem was downstream. He cut a hole in the blue PVC pipe on ground level and snaked it and the clog was freed. Unfortunately, another clog was between the cut and the grease trap. This was then freed. Grease trap was also emptied.

Everything was cleaned and tidied up and left in good order. About 8 man hours (a second man arrived to help). Cost THB 1,500.

It was happy with the experience. Knowledgeable Thai man with pretty good English (Gary mentioned he usually comes on jobs, but was busy on a project quote). I usually do DIY myself but steer clear of plumbing. Too messy and smelly. Girlie, I know. Give me a paint brush and a ladder any day.

I know somebody will mention the price, but when you need it done the price is secondary. I can now use my kitchen as per normal. Also, it is now nearly 6PM on Monday and none of the other companies has even bothered to reply to my Saturday email. I will recommend this company to my friends in the future.

Went up the hill yesterday and again today. Two buses now broken down opposite Patong City sign. One parked for several days in the dirt near the long overdue housing project just before Absolute (near where the mayor went down the hole).

I also saw a Pegas bus outside the Patong Police station that has been parked for about 1 week. Must be the one that failed to negotiate the curve on the hill and the driver did a runner. I would have thought that this would have been sorted with the BIB by now.

Many many places. Get your accountant / lawyer to get it for you.

Had 3BB out to the house a few weeks back. They checked the pole on the street and said all was OK. Then checked my connection at the house (about 50m away) and said it was a broken line. The line was installed by my contractor who built my house and is all underground. They packed up and left. A few days later, the line was working! Obviously, not a broken line.

Had some friends in town this week and went to No. 1 Restaurant in Rawai. Not sure of the road name, but you go south past Da Vinci and take the left at the bend that goes toward Rawai beach road / Islander (not toward Nai Harn lake). Past Bamboo House and a little up on the left (edited on the Right). Sorry

Food was good and not watered down. I had to drink 3 beers in 1/2 hour to cool off my tongue from the burn.

From their FB page

23 hours ago

We have some techinical issues with our on air transmission, which the tech guys are now on site, sorry for any inconvenience, online continues as normal, www.phuketfmradio.com

Didn't think of that. Checked their website and didn't see any notices. Gracias!

Seems to be down for the last day or two. Thought it was my home radio, which wavers from time to time, but this morning my car radio was also silent. What's up?

Thank you. Was wondering how to turn the ads off on AIS. Just did it. Horraay!

I have had Astro through Jaksat for 6 years and it works fine. Haven't really needed any service, but on the odd occasion I do (usually yearly renewal), they are responsive.

Initial fee to set up the dish / box / smartcard was about THB 15K when I first got it set up, but then around THB 15K / year for SD. No movie / cartoon channels for me. Add'l 2,500 baht / year for HD.

Kan & Lee's in Rawai (near Bamboo House) was advertising a 6AM start with some breakfast items. Not sure about Nacho's.

Does the Banana Mall have parking?

Had dinner at the new Wine Connection last week at Banana Mall. Parking lot didn't seem 100% finished, but you could park in it. Just get a ticket from the guard as you drive in and park downstairs. I spoke to the staff at WC and they mentioned to show my bill and the parking would be free. I estimate I was parked for 1 1/2 hours. It was free. Not sure if this will be the same process going forward.

I would agree with ssinlos. Was trying to get an ad rate card from 91 (as well as other radio, print, internet outlets) and after a week or more, finally got a reply back from the ad manager that said "we don't give out rate cards anymore". All the other media outlets provided it. If you want to sell something, you would assume your customer needs to know the price?

KB, you are correct. No land. Oh if it were so!

Purchased mince pies in the kiosk outside Villa last year (as mentioned above). Very good. Also found a few other Christmas type stuff (Christmas pudding, etc...) inside Villa near the checkout.