pktkid

I have been to Phuket 4 times in the last 2 months on business, and anyone who says it's back to normal is deluded.......

I'm sorry, but there is no way 9/10 businesses are back up and running.  I don't know the statistsic, but it certainly isn't 90%.  There's still lots of buildings that should be pulled down, pleanty more that still need repairing, then there's, many of the shops on the beach road havn't been repaired, the owners obviously were not insured......

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Well the Patong Beach Road I walked down just the other day was 90% up & running.

Womble you say you have been here 4 times in the last 2 months, when exactly was your last visit ? The reason I ask is that there has recently been a lot of business's open literally in the last couple of weeks, this was a surprise for me too, hence the reason for my update on here.

Woops ! Seems that my last comment caused offence to Sirburr !

Niche marketing to gays  and other groups prob could work.

The nett of it is the Phuket operators are going to have to deeply discount,they can afford it,to try and lure the Euros back,the Aussies from Bali etc.

By that I dont mean token lowering of Landing fees etc...that doesnt get passed on the the consumer who is going to weigh up risk of another wave  vs a bargain holiday etc.

Smart operators need to be creating outstanding value packages and keeping their rooms full and trying to make margin ops from value added services such as spas,food and bev,tours etc.

Basicly Phuket had ridden high on the hog for an average experience for too long.

Pattaya will own the sex tourist market with its plethora of nice new hotels charging under 1k baht a night.

Samui is enjoying the people who used to go to Phuket now.

Time they stopped whingeing and got their marketing strategy into gear.

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The gay market is something that the authorities have already looked at, starting with Asia’s biggest gay festival being held in Phuket during 4th - 6th of November.

Im pretty sure that Phuket will not be turning to the sex tourist to dig them out of trouble, the LT goal for Phuket has always been to steer away from this market and will remain to do so.

Even through hard times Phuket does not want the 1K a night sex pest !

Sheltered life indeed... Its well known in Patong that the TukTuk's simply consider themselves a law unto themself...

If you want somone roughed up who offers the lowest price service ?? You want somwhere smashed up who performs this ??? For collection menaces etc etc etc.. all can be done via the Tuk Tuk crowd..

Notorious for kicking off for little reason...

The idea its an innocent driver having to tow the line to pay off the big boss is complete imagination.. Otherwise why would they not be taking these 50 baht pickups when no one is watching or from Nanai etc when on thier own..

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Well guys, my congratulations goes out to you all, unfortunately you will have to share the prize of the wooden spoon amongst each other !!!

Its people like you who give this island a bad name, at a time when Phuket needs its tourists to come back you have to put your over-exagerted cr*p on the net ! You should take your "common stories" elsewhere off the island, maybe out of Thailand as your negative rubbish is not wanted, as if the industry is not damaged enough !!!

As for you Mr. Angry long timers who have forgotten the meaning of "jai yen" my guess is you probably deserve it, after 20 years seeing the same miserable farang squabbling over 20 baht I would be reaching for a lump of wood too !!!

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Here again, for the pleasure of the reading public is your shrill, hysterical reply which I found patronizing and insulting.

Is it any wonder that I can't take you seriously.

PS. I love the "Jai yen" bit 55555.

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Like I care that you dont take me serious ! You have nothing good to say about Phuket, your posts are all of the negative nature and you will even jump on anyone who has anything positive to say !

You posted negative & potentially damaging remarks which to which someone replied in a manner you didnt like, get over it ! Not everyone wishes to join you in your negative world.

If Phuket is as miserable as people like you make out then why do you continue coming back ? Actually, I dont want to hear the reply !

Case closed !

It is our duty as permanent and semi permanent residents (yes that includes you Sirburr) to ensure that we dont misinform the public by giving out the wrong signal.

We also owe it not to come out with propaganda. Everybody, including the government is saying it's quiet. You seem to be the only voice in the wildernes with your unbounded, baseless optimism.

Still remember your "pity the poor tuk-tuk drivers, they are being forced by nasty men to rip you off" post. Then, when three long term residents "dared" to say that wasn't so, you "ordered" us off your island.

Sorry, but after that post, you lost all credibility in my eyes.

The only duty I have is to me and mine, so, lay off with the lectures.

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Oh I see, so this is why Sirburr's remarks tend to be in disagreement with my posts. So its a personal thing, and heres me thinking you were one of those negative wingers !

I remember now, your were the one who was spreading over-exagerated trash about Tuk-Tuk drivers beating people up with lumps of wood ! I knew there was something but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it !

Oh dear, we do have some sensitive people on here dont we !

Have been in contact with friends who live in Phuket. They all say it's very, very quiet for this time of year.

Will be back in a few days to see for myself. Anyway, I like peace and quiet.

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Chalong, Rawai, Kata, Karon, Bangtao, etc are all very, very quiet. Patong (which represents the core of Phukets tourism) although not exactly booming is surprisingly busy and operating as normal.

It is our duty as permanent and semi permanent residents (yes that includes you Sirburr) to ensure that we dont misinform the public by giving out the wrong signal.

The likes of the BBC, CNN & Co. have done enough of that for us already !

Wow... sounds like the Phuket Tourism Association should hire you and fire their president who was interviewed for Channel News Asia on a deserted beach and spent 10 minutes outlining how dreadfully empty the whole island is.

Have tried, the only "non profitable" tourism job available for me was the Tourist Police !

3 Months is fine.

When you have the correct documentation, you can get the Licence on the day you apply, I went in the morning and applied and  picked up a few hours later.

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All depends which location you are applying and how busy they are, in Phuket you pick it up next day.

Here’s a tip for you, DO NOT try and get your DL renewed before your license expires, even so much as 1 day !! If so they will only increase it for an additional 1 year, instead of the 2nd term of 5 years.

And what a stupid look I got from the Thai girl behind the counter, sure, how ridiculous of me for wanting to renew something that had not yet expired ? It was a Friday and it was due to expire on the Saturday (they close Sat & Sun), of course she said I must come back Monday.

When I said to the girl behind the counter "But this means for 2 days I would be driving illegally ?"..... yes you can sort of imagine the blank expressionless reply on her face !

Amazing Thailand !

They may have been drinks that are put next to the Buddha, she was probably cleaning everything up and replacing old offerings. 

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Yes, this is a Buddha thing, shes not going mad ! Have had my shoes blessed many a time whilst walking down the Sois of Sin City !

Can a foreigner without citizenship or permanent residency open a bank account with Thai banks?

Which bank offers it to foreigner?

And which banks are nice?

I heard Thai Farmers Bank are good, so do Radanasin bank and Bank of Asia...

So which do i choose?

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Answer is ANY Bangkok Bank !

Seems to me that it should be International tourists that they should be aiming at persuading to come back... especially those who's culture doesn't hold the same VERY strong Thai/Asian feelings about ghosts and the spirits of the dead.

The Thai's and Asians will not change their cultural feelings....  it will take years for them to consider returning to Phuket etc.

ChrisP

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Drove round the back entrance to Jungcylon via Bangla road....

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Sorry, I meant Nanai Road

Seems to me that it should be International tourists that they should be aiming at persuading to come back... especially those who's culture doesn't hold the same VERY strong Thai/Asian feelings about ghosts and the spirits of the dead.

The Thai's and Asians will not change their cultural feelings....  it will take years for them to consider returning to Phuket etc.

ChrisP

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Did the rounds in Patong last night and have to say was quite pleased with what I seen ! Beach road was looking fairly busy (beneath all the Tuk-Tuks), lights where on in Banana Disco looking like it was getting ready to open. Beach front restaurants looking very busy, Savoey (beach road corner of Bangla) was full ! Laimai Beach with probably the best live band in Patong was booming, barely any tables left !

Bangla looking good, top marks goes to who decided to close off the road from each end preventing cars & bikes going down there, created a nice "walking street" atmosphere !

Lots of Asians, saw a big pile of Japs pour out of Thara Patong on Soi Seapearl, must have been at least a dozen in one particular group. Weren’t exactly looking paranoid or looking over there backs as if something was going to jump on them !!

Hearing that a few hotels are taking a lot of bookings for July & August so numbers is looking good.

Drove round the back entrance to Jungcylon via Bangla road, very impressive and can really see the magnitude of the place from this side, cant wait for this place to open !! Looks like the market section will be opening very soon, shops where being fitted out with some open already ! There was also some serious Buddha ritual going down there last too, lots of orange and gold with prayers bellowing out !

Was pretty cool to watch for a while !

This'll be fun to watch. Tuk-tuk drivers beating the crap out of other tuk-tuk drivers.

Personally, I don't think they will be able to recruit any from the existing drivers. They all stick together.

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Going by the date of this report (2005-06-04) this is not "new" news, I dont recall seeing this article ?

Still, should be fun if it does happen !

   And when it rains there it rains, much worse than the small refreshing showers we get in Phuket.  

Average rain-fall in Koh Samui = 200 mm per annum

Average rain-fall in Phuketi = 315 mm per annum

Source is Thailandholidayguide.com

You should check your facts first before posting.

Ranong, the province with the highest rain-fall in Thailand is only four hours by car to the north.

The South-west monsoon is responsible for bringing rain, so, it makes sense that where it hits land first, is where most of the rain will be dumped. ie. west coast of Thailand not east coast.

Do you work for the Phuket TAT as you seem overly sensitive to any remarks remotely anti-Phuket and you believe that anyone who says them has some kinda agenda.

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No, I dont work for TAT. As for those statistics you can read into that how you want, certainly not a statistic to rely on when chosing a holiday.

From my experience in both places Phuket is short spells of showers as Samui is constant. My guess is that Phuket will get the 315 mm in short blasts, with a large percentage of the rainfall being in the space of 2 months, as Samui is spread out. I would rather stay in a place where it hammers down for a month or 2 of the year than a place where its spread out over a whole year !

You could say that the website in which you obtained your info also clarifies this. “Rain season Samui, May – December (8 months), Rain season Phuket, June – October (5 months)". Which means Samui “rains” 67% of the year, compared to Phuket which only rains 33% of the year. Point is these statistics dont mean anything and can easily be turned around.

When it comes to rain, Phuket gets the nod from me as the driest and most reliable (from own personal experience, not from what a website).

And Sirburr, I think you pay too much attention to the people who post on here and there intentions rather than the actual subject itself. And yes, I belive that a lot of people DO have an agenda with some of there replies, just as I have with Samui.... the rain in that place made my life a misery !!

Bugger !.... its just started raining !

It is likely that people from Phuket will tell you anything to get you to go there, like 'it doesn't rain hard in Phuket in the rainy season'.

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And its not likely that someone who is bias towards Samui will not try the same thing ? And even posting TWICE !

I wish not to get into a dispute on which one is best as this does not help the original poster in his quest for information. Although I have to say such a blatant attack on Phuket tells me that someone has had a bad experience there ?

The poster did specify the word "rain" in his original message more than once which clearly means this is an important factor for deciding where to go. I have had 2 spells in Samui with my 1st spell during June 02 - August 02, 2nd spell was May 03 - Jan 04, as I have friends there I have also visited 3 or 4 times throughout 2004/2005. This place is the wettest place in Thailand !

Samui is a "young" place compared to Phuket because of the backpacker scene and has some fantastic nightlife, the downside of this is the large gathering of Thai males that can sometimes make you feel a little uncomfortable. This is brought on by the masses of young, drunken European girls on the island who behave in such a manner that easily attracts these undesirables in numbers.

Samui is a great place, nice beaches, good nightlife but if its dry weather your looking for then this is not the place.

As for cheap deals it goes without saying that Phuket will win hands down, Samui prices are considerably higher than in Phuket even pre Tsunami. Keep looking on the internet and you will find more good offers popping up.

Hi all !

I am planning to go to Phuket, Phi phi & Gypsy village for my honeymoon  in august this year ! But I am very confused as I have never traveled to this part of Asia . I am from India – Mumbai. Could you please help me out ?!

Travel dates are – 17th to 24th Aug 05

Planning to take NokAir from Bangkok as its cheep ! 

Q1. Is it a good idea to go to Phuket and Phi Phi in August ? Will it rain cats and dogs all the time ? 

Q2. We have heard that Koh Sumai is a better option as it doesn’t rain in August – what you say ?

Q3. We want to enjoy little bit of water sports like snorkeling – would all that be happening in Aug ? Or no water sports that time of the year ? And what about Viking caves – can we go there in rains ??

Q4. We want to party hard for first 3-4 nights  at least then we would like to go to a secluded island for 2-3 days! Our plan is – first few nights in patong beach and then 2 night in Phi Phi for relaxation (Holiday Inn) . Is that a good plan ?

Q5. We are getting a good deal with Andaman white beach resort on Nai Thon Beach (stay 3 nights there and get one night free in Phi Phi at Holiday Inn). However we are NOT sure if this place would be far from the happening party places in patong beach !!  not sure how far this resort is from all the party places and how we could commute from Nai Thon Beach To patong beach …….please sugget. 

Q6. We want to go to Viking caves , James bond island and Gypsy village. Are these places cool and adventurous ? Or you have better suggestions ?!  Thats all for the time being ! The list is long as it is !!

Thanks ..... mini.

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Whoever told you it doesnt rain in Samui during August they are lying ! I spent 9 months on Samui and it rained almost everyday, or at least it felt like it rained everyday ! And when it rains there it rains, much worse than the small refreshing showers we get in Phuket. One of the main reasons why I opted for life in Phuket as its much drier.

There are still plenty of water sports activities particularly in Patong, although low key. August is regarded as the busiest of the low season so the atmosphere for good nightlife should be ok for you.

As for “party places” I think you already know where you need to be for that, certainly not Nai Thon Beach !!

'The Residence' on Kalim Bay (just a hop from Patong proper) has very nice decked out 2 beds..

I think about 40k per month for serviced status, tho that may have been Longer term... Being low season may be haggleable..

Blue sky residence is so cheap you could get 2x studios (one with kitchen one without) for less money.. Small pool that doesnt get the all day sun but great budget place (put a buddy in there for a one month stay in nice new clean hotel style room with fresh sheets and daily maid for 10k !!)..

One of the beach front places has service apartments (2 bed) but cannot remember name (just location).. Scandinavian run 

Residence is the pick of the bunch..

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I have to say 2 bedroomed places in Patong are very rare. I spent 3 months in the Blue Sky Residence, great place and unfair to call it "budget", good value would be the better word. They also do not require a deposit which is extremely rare ! As the recent poster says, pool isnt much, very small & no sun.

I paid 10K a month for a small studio, fully inclusive and I have to say I was sad to leave, when high season comes they bump the price up to a whopping 30k ! I think they have 2 bedroomed places going for around the 25K mark, well they did last low season.

I know another one which is VERY cheap, right near the beach with good size pool. PM me and I will give you the details.

Just out of curiosty where are all these great deal, we went there last year in the off season and had a great time we happen to be into bowling and bowled at three different places with in a very short distance. The beach was pretty ( I believe we were in Patong) Had some great meals and sampled the night life one night. It was fun. But in checking the prices posted on the net at the moment I see very little difference in the rates we paid last year.

It all depends where it is your looking on the net. It is fact that a very large percentage of the information on the net is not regularly updated, what you must remember Thais are not the most efficient when it comes to this kind of "live" update, one of these in particularly are resorts.

Immediately following the Tsunami 90% of resorts in Phuket reduced there online rates to the previous low season rates, they did this as it appeared to be the most obvious way to go, afterall, they couldn’t exactly revert back to the last Tsunami ! There are a lot of resorts in Phuket which are selling accommodation (along with other business's) much less than the internet are saying, even there own websites.

Unfortunately Thais are still in the age of telephoning for a rate or simply walking thorough the reception doors. They are still not still quite aware of the awesome marketing power of the internet.

As for the “other” activities such as bowling, Patongs "Rock & Bowl" are giving games away for 50 baht per game between 3 & 6pm (I might not be exact there so please excuse me) or 5 games for 200 baht. The usual price is 80/90 baht a game. Of course such a deal will never be seen on the internet, my guess is that they dont even have a website !

So, there are deals out there but unfortunately only being marketed on a local basis, sad as it sounds you need to be here !

sadly its complete balls.

I'm in Penang today and went with a massive wad of all my Thai company papers,tax receipts,work permit etc to the consulate who said they havent heard of it and could only give a 1 year multi non B.

Not believing them I went to the Chulia street visa agents and tried to pay them 10,000baht to get this alleged new 3 year visa.Same story.Its bulls**t.

The consulate did say that if such a visa was issued it would be available from Bangkok NOT overseas consulates.

This all happened not 5 hours ago so its very current(and correct) information.

Where did this crazy rumour come from anyway??Its as bad as the one about needing 10k in cash to get a new 30 day tourist stamp.LOL

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Come on guys, give it chance to come into effect !! Little bit early to start calling it bulls**t.

The news came out from an article in the Bangkok Post.

Hmmmm, I wonder how much of this to believe.  Only last week I enquired about the availability of a property in a newly built complex I've seen under construction just as a barometer to whats happening on the island. It's nowhere near finished.  I was informed that every unit is already sold they range from 7-14 million baht and are only apartments and IMO offer little scope for appreciation in the short or medium term!!!!

This would be in stark contrast to those quoting the island as finished????  I realize that this isn't your 2 week hotel and all punter, but still it cuts across that being spouted by the governor.

As for comments made in regard it being over-developed, expensive and showing all the hallmarks of a mini-Bangkok to come, I couldn't agree more, it's exactly why I have said adios after approximately 3 years!  The rate of expansion and all the ills of a Hong Kong or Singapore are quite evident, and the traffic congestion appeared to be worstening by the week.

It's just a shame that the people in charge of the island haven't learnt by our mistakes with places of such beauty that have been ruined before.  It would be a good time for reflection on where they are taking the island but sadly I don't see anything of a positive nature happening until it's way to late and then if ever.

Mak

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So Phuket is the only the place in Thailand with "unfinished" property developments ? This has absolutely nothing to do with Phukets most recent events, if you take a look at other tourist areas its no different, if anything its worse !

All these people in charge such as the Governor dont have a clue, its simple as that ! Its short term negative panic and nothing else. Although Thais are very resilient when faced with such disasters they are a very negative breed and will always assume the worse, someone so much as slips off there motorbike the 1st thing they say is "Hes dead" !

Its not about hoping for recovery or wishful thinking, its plain & simple logic ! Logic says everything will be back to normal and the smart Thai business's know this.

As for the nature lovers out there theres no need to worry, there will always be somewhere else for you to go should Phuket become another Singapore !

dereklev

Guess that even if people put their businesses up for sale no one would be interested in buying! 

I am sure anyone who previously wanted to set-up a business on Phuket will wait at least a year to look for proper signs of a recovery. 

My friend from Hua Hin (who lost his bar there to a Thai "lady") was down in Phuket about a month ago, looking for a business. He said that anything that was up for sale was extremely expensive !! I have read before that Thais are extremely to take a loss on any sort of deal, but you would think what with the situation there now, that there would be some bargains around??

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There are far too many negatives out there ! Take my word Phuket will be MASSIVE in the next couple of years, the next high season will be no different from the last high season (prior to 26/12 of course).

The LT is looking even more rosy. Thousands of rooms have been lost in the surrounding areas, Kaolak, Pi-Pi making up the core of them, these are the places that will suffer in the LT and who will pick up all that lost business ? Yes, Phuket !!

This is why Thais in Phuket are not rushing to sell there business's, particularly resorts, they know that they dont need to take a loss. Although at present there is an over supply against demand this will be quite the reverse in the LT.

People expecting a drop in prices will be in for a surprise, as we are already seeing. The fact is it will (and should) continue to be the opposite !!

only one best value for money, the biggest and trustworty.

2checkout.com i use it myself. no problems yet after one year.

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From 2checkout.com:

There is a one time only set up fee of $49.00. After that, you only pay for sales. If you, sell nothing, you pay nothing. 2CO collects a 5.5% commission on each transaction plus a $0.45 charge per sale.

5.5% each transaction + $0.45.... Isn't it a bit expensive?

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Asiadebit/payzip also 5.5%, not cheap ! There must be cheaper out there ?

GBP strengthens to close above 75 baht, after getting close to 73 baht  10 days ago,

is this bad press on  Thai economy coming home to roost?  Is it just side effect of GBP v US$? Anyone have any ideas?

What about short term future?

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For the short term..... Friday !! Change your money then, the rate is always better on Fridays ! Maybe coincidence yeah but I have sent money over everytime on a Friday and its always better than any other day !

If anyone knows why I would be interested to hear myself

For the last 12 months its hovered around the 73/75 mark, I think it got to 76 at one point. Its 75.6 now (or as of 17th June), no doubt on Monday it will be 74 again

I have looked at Worldpay, which looks solid but expensive.

I've been looking for Mulitcard, but can't seem to find it. Someone told me they have good service and features. Anyone know where to find them?

Geo, am in contact with asiadebit now. Thanks for the tip

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Ubergnome, I have also just sent them an e mail through there site. Let me know how you get on so we can share.

For those people living in and around Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. Where do you go for your visa run? Nong Khai? Is it hassle free?

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Guys, its possible I will be doing my next visa run via Nong Kai, tied in with a visit to the gals folks.

As I will likely to be stripped of what cash I have by the vulture in laws (im about 2 years in arrears) I wont be staying in Vientiane and will be an "in & out" job. This is my 2nd time I have done the Nong Kai run, last time I obtained a visa from the Laos Consulate in Khon Kaen, im not so sure that I actually needed to do this, especially for my TG ?

Could anyone share any recent experience in this area ?

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If you live in or around KK then it a quick and convenient 15 mins at the Laos Consulate for a visa...I find this easier than messing around in Nong Khai or at the border. TG needs only a photo and form for a border pass....or just a Thai passport (no visa needed}

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Bugger !! I kinda knew that I didnt require one for the TG

Do you think if I ask (nicely) will I get my money back for the visa that I didnt need last time round for the TG ?