
madmitch
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"There were 15 million visitors per year or 1.2 million visitors per month before Covid-19. After Covid-19 restrictions were lifted there are now about 40,000 visitors per day.” 40,000 per day is 1.2 million per month. So Phuket tourism is back to pre-covid levels already and it's the middle of low season! Amazing!
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Will the Thai authorities ever tighten up on entertainment licenses?
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
A business of this size would probably not be required to submit such documents upfront though it's possible an insurance company might require a survey, which should point out the deficiencies. Policies also contain endorsements relating to health and safety so insurers are protected if the insured blatantly ignores regulations. But I believe it's already been ascertained that no public liability cover was in place and as most small businesses buy a package I'd assume there was no fire insurance either. -
Could you afford to live in the UK compared to Thailand?
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Whilst the OP might be poorly written and researched, it has prompted quite a reaction on here and that's what it's all about. I've been back in the UK for a year after 18 years in Thailand so am probably in a better position than most to comment. The obvious expense differences are in property, either rent or purchase, eating out, fuel and utilities. Groceries are probably a little more expensive but my partner, who's here at the moment, believes that most meat is no more expensive here that in Thailand. I'm not talking Waitrose of high street butcher prices, of course, but lower end supermarkets. Even bananas are the same price here. If you eat a predominantly Western diet, grocery shopping in the UK is probably cheaper than Thailand but add a few more exotic ingredients and the tables soon turn. I bought a secondhand car for 70,000 baht. 10 years old. The GF expected an unserviceable old banger but she was surprised to see a decent runaround that would cost around 250,000 baht in Thailand.. I think people's circumstances should be taken into account. Not everyone is living off a UK state pension, renting a cheap bungalow and living off noodles and phad khaprow. If you are then don't even think about returning to the UK. Unfortunately I am one of those idiots that sold my house. I'd be totally self-sufficient had I not done so, however the proceeds funded my lifestyle in Thailand, including a business the GF now runs. But it was a huge financial mistake. I have a private pension, no state pension yet, and savings but I am also a professional in my field and have been able to pick up lucrative contract work whilst still calling myself semi-retired. This has enabled me to pay a high rent in West London. I have no school fees to pay and no medical insurance costs (though I have kept a basic policy with a very high excess on the go in Thailand as I probably will return sometime and don't want to end up unable to buy insurance). NB the OP's comment about being unable to register with the NHS is simply untrue. All you need as a National Insurance number and proof of citizenship. My daughter works part-time in a restaurant and attends a school (free). She funds her own clothes and expenditure and even gets child benefit. There are aspects of Thai life I miss but I'm enjoying pubs, English beer, gigs, theatre, the arts, country walks, and free public transport (being over 60 in London). Yes, I'd spend less in Thailand but money is not the be all and the end all for everybody. I'll be back sometime, when I no longer want to work (or nobody wants me!) and when my daughter finishes her education. -
Without showing the questions that were asked and a proper comparison, the article is rather meaningless. I wonder what the term loyalty means, for example. Loyalty to whom?
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I don't know if this accident was caused by one of the vehicles taking a shortcut by cutting across the lines in the middle of the road. This is a very common practice on Kata Hill. Many parts of Patak road now have posts or even a wall in the middle of the road. I've never understood why parts Kata Hill were left without.
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Hardscrabble lottery vendors hit by digital revolution
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Many people that get their tickets officially from the Government then sell them off en masse to "sub-agents", who pay the 80 baht. They then sell for a higher price to make their profit and I believe even some of them resell in bulk. It's a difficult one. On the one hand the digital sales have probably demonstrated that Thailand should create a more modern lottery but what happens to those making a living? At the moment they're in between and that's possibly the worst situation for all concerned -
She'd been living in Thailand for four years. Not sure if travel insurance would have been available to her. As was mentioned previously, liability insurance should be compulsory but the limits on Thai policies are generally quite low. In the UK £1m is the absolute minimum you'd purchase and it is really quite cheap to buy. Sadly, in Thailand, a court is likely to award a higher payout for defamation than for death or injury. There appears to be blatant negligence here but without insurance the victims will get minimal compensation from the owner.
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Why can’t we watch the Premier League earlier in Asia?
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Fans in the UK are already unhappy at the way Premier League games are staggered for broadcasting purposes. It's already a nightmare for away fans getting to a ground for a midday kick-off and midweek evening games are essential simply to fit in the number of games during the season. The Asian broadcasters are fully aware what they're getting for their money and don't forget that in Asia you get every game shown, whereas back at home there's only a selection of games each week on live TV. -
Growing concerns about sleep called Coronasomnia
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in COVID-19 Coronavirus
Thailand News? Really? -
Well known Phuket pub ordered shut for 30 days following shooting death
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in Phuket News
Always amused at the name of this place whenever I drove past. But I like 70s sitcoms and Carry On films! -
Aeroflot to Resume Moscow-Phuket Flights in October
madmitch replied to snoop1130's topic in Phuket News
The newspaper we can't quote had a quote that this daily flight to Phuket would be the precursor to other flights from Russia and we could expect a million Russians in Thailand by the end of the year. I don't think they're very good at maths! -
Thailand’s PM says tourist numbers to triple in 2023
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Don't forget, Aeroflot are returning to Phuket on 30th October and according to the newspaper we can't quote, one flight per day for two months will increase the number of Russian tourists this year from less than 80,000 so far to 1 million! That's the sort of maths we're dealing with here! -
Paying to see the rock stars in Thailand could be risky
madmitch replied to webfact's topic in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
What a pointless article! If a band cancels a gig, the punter gets his/ her ticket money refunded. Bands and promoters take out insurance against such cancellations, and the cost of this in the current climate is one reason for the high ticket prices. I remember when Bangkok was a cheaper place to watch gigs. Not any more it seems. -
Tourism Authority Targets 30 Million Tourists in 2023
madmitch replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
Meantime British Airways announce they won't be reinstating their LHR-BKK flights until next year at the earliest. How many other airlines have taken a similar stance or are flying fewer planes into Thailand? -
Try any of the outlet places, e.g. 71 Outlet or the shops at the Premium Outlet Mall.