jdean

The Wine connection has been busy since the day they opened. I've eaten there several times and have always been happy. Some affordable wines for sale too! I'm just waiting for them to start some wine tastings.

If you have more time than money, you can take the train from Bangkok to Nong Khai. You can then take another short train ride into Laos where you can clear Laos immigration and pay for your visa on arrival. You can then take a short bus ride to Vientiane. I think that Second Class Air Con trains are quite safe for single women, also comfortable and you save the price of a hotel room for the night.

Usually if we have a lot of rain one day, we will get some sun the next. So if you stay more than a few days you are likely to see the sun!

At the very least use the same policy I advocate for tuk tuks and jet skis, DO NOT PATRONIZE THEM!!

I can't help you our for the full seven days but one afternoon you can do the mini golf course decked out in dinosaurs. It's at the top of the hill between Karon and Kata beaches.

Is Galaxy still a gay disco? I saw it moved to south end of the new road behind Jungceylon.

Galaxy moved to Soi Dtan (means dead end road in Thai) , south of Jungceylon, a while back but wouldn't call it a gay disco. It has a young mixed crowd, mostly Thai. There are other clubs in that area too, often staying open late, depending on the prevailing political winds. Baan See Fah is very gay friendly. Soi Dtan is no longer a dead end road. The new north/south road is now completely paved and runs all the way from Phrabaramee Road at the north end and continues to the road to Karon on the south end. Going north to south you will pass Patong Hospital, a little further along on the left you will see a Family Mart, in the front of a new area called Likit Plaza. Two units behind the Family Mart is the new location of James Dean Bar and Guesthouse. Next you you will come to Baan Zaan, the fresh produce market. Across from it is what will be the new Tiger Disco and bar beer area. Already open is the Thai Boxing Stadium. Next on your right you come to the rear entrance of Jungceylon. It has a brand new club "Sound" opened by the same people as "Bed" in Bangkok. Continuing south you will pass rows of new shophouses until you get to the karaoke area and other bars, including Galaxy.

Hello everybody

Squash courts in patong? Where can I find a good one (also embedded in a hotel, but available for outsiders)?

Tks in advance

IKO

I know of one but it is embedded in a bar, not a hotel. Forget the bars name but it is on the southern end of the road that runs behind, JungCeylon, on the eastern side of the road. You can sit at a bar stool and watch the people playing in the single court.

I've never been to Phuket by plane (only by car) so have no idea if there are Meter taxi at the airport and how much would it cost from there to Kata beach?

The private taxis and hotel taxis quote it at 800 THB one way 3 people. Will it be cheaper with a meter taxi or are these fix prices?

Thanks for any info.

Amir

The Limousine Services are the first desks you come to after getting your luggage. For some years they have charged 550 Baht to Patong for up to 3 passengers. My friend just came from the airport a couple of days ago and it has gone up to 650 Baht.

If your driver is going to fast just ask him to please slow down. If that doesn't work offer him a tip and he will surely slow down.

I agree that Coyote is a nice place but not because of the food. The food is good but not Mexican as Americans know it.

BBQ Hut is alive and well. They moved to a bigger and nicer location just across the street from the Mercure Hotel. Same menu. Even my San Diego friends approve of their Mexican food.

Can I get a "letter of residency" for a Thai driver's licence in Patong?

(I have mobility problems).

Thank you.

Imm Patong stopped issuing cert res.

Immigration, Phuket Town, Saphan Hin, 2 nd floor (yepp stairs, no lift).

If you go with a friend to handle the docs, they will probably allow you to sign on the groundfloor.

As far as I can tell they have stopped doing anything at Patong Immigration. Anytime I go by there they are closed and if I ask someone in one of the adjoining offices they say it is closed and go to Phuket town

I always tell people that one of the great things about Phuket is that you can choose the level of luxury or affordability that you want. The choices are there for you to make and not many places can say that. I can eat Thai food for 30 Baht or gourmet for 3000 Baht. Up to you but at least you have the options.

I've been a member for quite a while but don't post that much, nor do I send a lot of email. I live in Patong and don't want a car and surely not a motorbike. Simply I walk or take public transport. So that is why I voted for the Brewery. It is possible to take the bus from Patong, then Chalong and then Rawaii as long as you start your journey before the last bus leaves. Seems most members drive cars and motorbikes.

as the topic title reads, i am looking for a 1 bedroom apartment for rent starting as of next month in Patong.

10,000 - 15,000 Bht please pm me

Thanks

I know of a 2BR townhouse for 13000 but only available from now until Oct. 15th. If interested you can PM me

Joel

As I know the Penang Consulate can change policies quickly and often, what's the latest on getting Tourist and O visas there?

Is there anything like there was years ago - a Thai airways bus that has a bunch of people for say 200 baht each?

There is an Airport Bus run by the government. It leave from the Phuket Town Bus Station to the Airport every hour on the hour. It's cheap and reliable. Going from the airport to Phuket Town is not quite as easy as you have to get yourself and your luggage over to the bus stop.

My partner and I are moving to Korat this summer and I was hoping that there were some kind of gay life in the city. While I know that Isaan tends to be on the conservative, and closeted side, I still thought there might be a bar or pub where we can hang out with other gay men and lesbians. He is from the area originally and we visited last year but didn't see or hear of anything remotely "gay" other than the local cruising spots which we are not interested in.

I traveled through there and stayed for one night in November in a hotel called V-One. I am sure that every male staff member that I saw was gay. Friendly as well. They have a lobby lounge bar where there was a singer with a guitar in the evening. I would definitely go there for a drink again.

i might have been encouraged to attend, had you posted notice about it BEFORE the event rather than after...

In a perfect world that should have happened. The actual date was in doubt just the day before so when it was sure the bar could open, it was just by word of mouth, sorry.

I'm quite familiar with the boy bar scene in paradise and the way the owners control their 'staff' but no need to go into details about that here .... this afternoon I tried locating the new location according to the map on the jamesdeanbar website but was unable to find it.... i'm sure i was in the right place but i'm guessing that there is no sign up and during the day when it's closed its just one of the 100 or more new shops opening there with the metal front door all closed up until they open in the evening....

maybe i'll try having another look again tonite... would be nice to find an alternative to the existing paradise area...

seems like a kind of backwards marketing strategy tho, if your intention is to generate future business from the general gay population, why focus your opening towards your existing 'competition' and not your potential new customers?

The opening event was basically for the other bar owners and some select clients. As you may or may not know,the gay bar operators are a close lot and this acts to restrict movement of the boys between the bars in the Paradise zone. By ensuring that alternative employment is limited, the working conditions can be kept in favour of the operators.

And now a question for the bar operator. Will you be able to offer a guarantee that your bar will not employ underage workers?

It seems a great many bars in Paradise have minors in their employ now and it is uncomfortable for some patrons, particularly the under 30 types.

Not such a bad idea to get away from the Paradise high rent zone. Depressing area just because of the noise and dirt. Best of luck.

Opening hour is 3PM. There is a sign that reads vertically down the front of the first 2 floors that says JAMES DEAN. Find the bar by going north on the new road from Patong Hospital towards JungCeylon. The first group of shophouses you come to on the left hand side is called Likit Plaza (although the sign for that is not up yet). There are 3 rows of shophouses, all decorated with a width of horizontal dark brown lengths of wood that go up the whole front of each building. James Dean Bar is in the middle row of shophouses and is 2nd in back of the front shophouse, Directly across from it is Hotel Sole. One of the front shophouses is open for business and is call Urban Patong, a rather smart looking guesthouse. If you see that you went too far.

The opening event was basically for the other bar owners and some select clients. As you may or may not know,the gay bar operators are a close lot and this acts to restrict movement of the boys between the bars in the Paradise zone. By ensuring that alternative employment is limited, the working conditions can be kept in favour of the operators.

And now a question for the bar operator. Will you be able to offer a guarantee that your bar will not employ underage workers?

It seems a great many bars in Paradise have minors in their employ now and it is uncomfortable for some patrons, particularly the under 30 types.

Not such a bad idea to get away from the Paradise high rent zone. Depressing area just because of the noise and dirt. Best of luck.

There will be no bar boys working at James Dean Bar, only just enough staff to serve the drinks. Phaithoon is the host, his nephew Rung is the bartender and Bien is the waiter, all over the age of 30!!

James Dean Bar (since 2535) had a Grand Re-opening on March 21st in a new location on the new north-south road. If you are on this road going from Patong Hospital towards JungCeylon, James Dean Bar is in the first set of shophouses on your left, in the middle row and two behind the front. Phaithoon and Joel are still there to welcome you!

Any advice on the best place to go for a Christmas dinner this year in BKK?

I've got 2 kids. so the entertainment and atmosphere is more important than the standard of the food, and we'll be having a home cooked Christmas dinner on the 29th anyway.

Any suggestions?

You could try the Londoner Brew Pub corner soi 33 . Give them a call or drop in and check it out .

web page is the-londoner.com .. Children under 12 450 Bht .. Adults 750 Bht plus Vat

I was at their Thanksgiving Buffet and it was fantastic! It is certainly suitable for families. I highly recommend it and their beer is good too.

Tavern On The Hill does a Christmas Day Dinner. They are on 50 Year Road on the mountain above Patong. A bit more expensive at 800 Baht but it is a sit down dinner with 3 courses, the main course being turkey and the trimmings. Although it's not a buffet, I ate there last year and no one goes away hungry! As they have limited seating you need to book in advance at phone number 076 296 527.

Your aware Dave recently died ??

Yes, I was at his funeral. Tavern closed that day but otherwise has been open for business as usual.

Tavern On The Hill does a Christmas Day Dinner. They are on 50 Year Road on the mountain above Patong. A bit more expensive at 800 Baht but it is a sit down dinner with 3 courses, the main course being turkey and the trimmings. Although it's not a buffet, I ate there last year and no one goes away hungry! As they have limited seating you need to book in advance at phone number 076 296 527.

There is Ray (British) at the Flying Handbag. Also Joel (American) at James Dean Bar, Olf (Swedish) at Connect, Knud (Danish) at Knud's Bar, Trevor (Australian) at Sby Sby and Patrick (French) at Rendezvous Guesthouse and Restaurant. These are all friendly resident expats and all have circles of friends you can meet.

I am a 62 year old American citizen living in Phuket. Is it possible for me to get an Non Imm "O" visa (maybe even multiple entry) for purposes of applying for a Retirement visa? Easiest to get to are Singapore, KL and Penang. I saw one post which said you can if you show a Thai Bank Account with 400,000 Baht in it. Someone else told me you can actually apply for the Retirement visa in Penang if you show the bank account.