IrishIvan

Parked my car at the one next to the irish pub. No problems

And plenty of parking again yesterday. I actually parked on beach road outside McDonalds

Doesn't it get clogged up when that big school empties out? And the market on the corner opposite Tesco doesn't help.,

That stinking fish market spawns every Sunday. Another addition to the traffic woes. It needs to be burnt to the ground with petrol. Only then will the stench and traffic be cleansed

So what's the story with Halpin? Any news? Any of his comrades gone up to see him at Phuket Provincial Prison?

Don't be surprised if this gets swept under the mat. Halpin has a lot of inside knowledge not only on his corrupt dealings but that of the police in Chalong. Some influential lawyers will also be concerned on where all this goes. In most countries Halpin could probably plea bargain but that's a non starter in Phuket. If this goes the distance which I doubt Halpin will release the corruption beast in Phuket. People have no idea of just how corrupt Phuket is. It seeps into every pore of the island.

The fact he got caught with that much heroin on his person, I don't think they can let it slide

It's all over the Thai/Phuket news channels. I am surprised the Thai linguists and general experts aren't confirming the story

Disagree. This is only about Bangkok. My 'linguist' is my Thai wife. Nothing yet on the media that this will spread to Phuket;

I will bet a beer on it. My Mia noi and Mia Luang are confirming it. The banks and all public services will be shut.

It's all over the Thai/Phuket news channels. I am surprised the Thai linguists and general experts aren't confirming the story

There is always a few farang on sailor bikes that hold up the traffic with their slowness. Add a few BBQ gai yang carts and nam keen 3 wheelers and it adds up to mayhem. They really should ban the samlors from going through the circle at peak times

Word on the street is there is going to be a complete stop work on the 13th of Jan. This includes all of Phuket public services, airports, banks and transport. Anyone else heard this?

Police standing at the circle add to the problem. I find I push through the hesitant Thai drivers and dumbfounded tourists on scooters quite quickly if the cops aren't there

..

Sorry Hans but this thread isn't about timeshare touts

Another good news story. Some decent tuk tuk drivers out there.

I've always said they are a misunderstood bunch

Some of the bikes I see farang riding are just death traps. Driving around on a 20 year old Honda dreams with bald tyres from 1996, rust baskets falling off, front brakes not working just to name a few.. it's no wonder that people come to grief

Agreed, in regards to the deathtrap wave brigade.......

Hey my Wave is only 9 years old so have a while to go yet.

As a matter of interest myself and the now missus were wiped off our bike by a 10 wheeler on the same hill on Christmas Day a few years back. Prick did not stop but luckily for us a Thai guy saw it happen and phoned the police at the checkpoint in Kathu who managed to catch the driver before he passed through.

This guy saved me a medical bill of over 300,000 baht and I will be forever thankful for his actions.

bikes are good for ducking up to the shops but commuting regularly is not stacking the odds in your favor. I bet you use the car more than bike after that incident Phil

Some of the bikes I see farang riding are just death traps. Driving around on a 20 year old Honda dreams with bald tyres from 1996, rust baskets falling off, front brakes not working just to name a few.. it's no wonder that people come to grief

So what's the story with Halpin? Any news? Any of his comrades gone up to see him at Phuket Provincial Prison?

A very lucky man. But who carries 500k about with them. No mention if a reward given.

If he was Pakastani i could understand him carrying 500k. Perhaps it was his sin sot for his bride to be. He is after all staying on Nanai road and won't be single for long in that area

Seriously, do we know what he was fishing for?

All the facts point to the fish being a large Barracuda

I thought curtain twitchers liked watching birds bathing too

However, some things with The Lighthouse can be directly compared with it's competition.

The geographic location is the same. The view is the same. The climate is obviously the same. The parking the same. The security is the same. The product (beer) is the same. I read they seem to have lost the niche yachting crowd - so the customers in the area are generally the same. The facilities and hygene are similar. Someone mentioned wifi - I don't know if they are offering it.

Anyway, that just leaves the price. If they are 5 or 10 baht more than their competition - ok, but 20, 30 or 40 baht more, can it be justified, and who is going to pay it?

What are you getting, that the customer nearby is not getting, for paying an extra 20%, 30% or 40% more for your beer?

The view is much better at the Lighthouse as you are about 1 m above the road and 2.5 m back from it, whereas the others are ground level or lower and right on the road, vehicles both block the view and spew exhaust at nose level, especially at afternoon 'rush hours' when one million mini vans pile through.

The Lighthouse has a large private parking lot at the rear.

The overall ambiance and quality of materials in the Lighthouse are light-years ahead of the others.

Up to the customer to decide whether these things are worth a small premium.

A few more cute staff and the place will be a gold mine. That's the one thing that Tamarind, Office, Escape bar have but the Lighthouse does not. Location is important but have a look around Phuket. It's not always the best location or the coldest beer. The best staff that makes the place. Owners will happily drop 10 million baht, but then baulk at paying a good staff member 350baht a day. Or even employing a few extras to hang around and keep the punters happy

I was down in Patong tonight. Plenty of parking on the beach road

They have wifi there and the food is good. Had a 'lighthouse breakfast' there a few days ago. 180 baht. I'll be back for sure

How do you get a "monk identification card?" Has anyone ever seen one?

You can get them on Kao Sun Road in Bangkok, aIong with fake drivers licences, and diplomas

A lot of fully clothed guys wash up on beaches with their flys undone. Yachties going for a pee on the back deck and then falling over the side

@ hansgruber

So ignore them and close the door. Problem solved.

My point being, it might happen once every 5 years, not like the other pests I mentioned. If it happened on a weekly basis, I would agree with you.

You're comparing apples to oranges.

Touts and the social miscreants you speak of don't annoy me because for starters I don't live in Patong, secondly, they do not knock on doors.

I'd actually prefer suit man knocking at my door, at least he has something tangible for sale unlike the Jehovah selling false hope.

I wish some bar girls would come knocking at my door. Now that would offer me faith baby!! And I would be willing to listen to a bit of Buddhism and ridiculous chanting too