Patong2

Big problem for everyone, sorry I do not have any answers for you.

Flooding in Patong has been bad for the second night in a row and seemed to peak at around 4am this morning.

People crossing Sai Kor 3 Rd (the "new" road that runs behind Jung Ceylon) were up to their thighs in water at one stage. Too deep for motorbikes and quite a few cars stranded. Lets hope the rain eases and the water goes down quickly for everyone. People trying to get home from Bangla Rd clubs etc could not get a motorbike taxi or car it appears.

18 hours ago, hadock said:

could be     Naiharn Sea Condominium

Yes it looks to be that. 

Ugly colour scheme that we see when we eat at Chez Nous.

Have you been down to Nai Harn and looked around that area?

Trekking in Nepal at 73?

and taking sensible precautions before you go!

Really admire your drive to keep enjoying yourself, hope you have a great trip.

At 72 I spent quite a bit of time at 10,000' & 11,000' and we just take things quietly for the first 2 days but people have different tolerances. Up at 14,000' makes you a bit breathless and I don't think I could have carried even a small back pack but I was only there for the afternoon to spot animals.

Like to see a report when you get back.

Have seen and been amused by the chaos of overhead wiring around Phuket.

Multiple wires all in a tangled birds nest and I wonder how the poor technician could ever work out which wire to work on.

Love the sparking in wet weather and make sure I keep clear.

But what puzzles me is why unused wires are not removed?

Do they not have a copper content now?

If they do, how come they aren't stolen and melted down for scrap as happens in other countries

I was surprised to see the posted fare to Patong still at B800 when we arrived a couple of weeks ago

With the price of gas up so much and the exorbitant price of new vehicles in Thailand I don't think that is unreasonable. 

We had 5 luggage bags and delivered to our underground carpark lift entrance. I am happy with that service for that price.

11 hours ago, proton said:

19 years not 25 and they have done very little apart from bigging themselves up as canine super heroes. I don't recall seeing any dogs in Phuket in 1997, why trust their numbers anyway when they will not even discuss the stray population? It really is a case of peeing in the wind.

My action plan- mass culling for several months nationwide.

The 25 years referred to the time I had been seeing street dogs around Patong but longer actually.

I have no connection with Soi Dog Foundation nor have ever contributed but perhaps I should.

I became aware of them due to a loud conversation that took place at the Surin Bay Inn (I think)  restaurant about 2 weeks after the Tsunami and a loud Australian woman was sounding off about dogs in Bali or somewhere and saying these people at the table should be doing this and that etc.

Being as cynical as I am, I said to my wife what a bunch of tossers, we have 1000's of people homeless, injured and many dead and they are worrying about a few stray dogs. 

Over time, on various visits to Patong, I gradually noticed the packs of dogs which were around and on the beach and were scabby, with hair falling out, some crippled and scarred and generally in an appalling condition and a few quite aggressive, they were diminishing in numbers.

Prior to Covid there were few dogs around and most appeared in reasonable condition. Earlier this year there were a couple of packs on Patong Beach in the morning but they were not a problem but certainly more than prior to Covid.

The reduction in number and the better health of dogs I have put down to the the reduction of breeding stock due to the intervention of Soi Dog Foundation.

I do agree with mass culling of homeless dogs but that is not going to get traction in Thailand.

Great to see all these solutions expounded.

But the reality is Soi Dog Foundation is actually doing and achieving something.

The improvement in Patong and even surrounding areas over 25 years is astounding and impossible to deny.

Other methods might work or be a lot better so if you think you can do better

start now and tell us your action plan.

14 hours ago, Doctor Tom said:

Then why stay with them?  No issues with SCB 

Because we were on tourist visas for about 20 years and were visiting sporadically.

Now just use it for day to day stuff because we have cards and haven't bothered to close it.

Transfers & Visa funds are in BKK

Great believer in using more than one bank, if you have a problem with one you still have access to funds.

Kasikorn bank allow a joint account but would not let us have internet banking on it???

If we want internet banking it has to be an individual account according to the main branch here.

Had exact same problem with a hearing aid repair and DHL in New Zealand

Except they demanded the equivalent of B9,900.

Just their error inputting it into the NZ customs classification

Your problem is probably the same, input error.

DHL refused to correct, I refused to pay, we already had the repaired aid so we left it up to DHL to sort.

Beechbums right

Rawai Seafood market is excellent and places upgraded

Better if you take a Thai lady with you and get her to buy the food (with the farangs distancing themselves). You will get fresher  and far cheaper prices and just take it to one of the several restaurants for cooking.

Always look forward to it

On 6/11/2022 at 3:58 PM, zzzzz said:

you got ripped off for 500 baht< the certificate of residency is FREE
you also forgot to  mention a medical certificate ( 100-200 baht)
and you had to take a brake an color test
 

Yes we got asked for a medical certificate and luckily we had brought all our papers for a visa app including the medical certificate.

The 500 baht was annoying but we wanted it on the day and we were able to use the same cert for a bank account as well.

In Patong, I had to go over to Phuket town to the DL office renewed in January and was about 7 months after it expired.

I had to produce evidence of place of residence ( from immigration and cost B500)

and be there in person with passport.

At that stage I was on a 60 day tourist visa.

Simple enough once I went back to Immigration and got my proof of residence.

Just noticed an "Otto Steak & Seafood" while wandering around today.

Above Rawai on the road to Promthep Cape there is the "Gold Shooting Range"

Opposite that is a road that runs back down to Rawai.

This place was 103/43 on that road.

On 3/20/2022 at 9:31 PM, Timbob said:

For breakfast I highly recommend Zebra Cafe:

 

https://goo.gl/maps/4CYLGceJ1bnSexM97

Thanks Timbob

We have tried it after your recommendation and found it excellent.

The English breakfasts with additional black pudding are excellent as is the chilli con carne

and the owner is very friendly and personable.

Just trying really hard to succeed and doing it right.

The "mag" and "gold" wheels on some of the delapidated vehicles do surprise me.

What does puzzle me is why does anyone around my area (Phuket) drive on low profile tires when the roads are so poor and when the vehicle is lowered how do they get in and out of many driveways?

The stupid prices of Tuk Tuks have meant we never use them with about 4 exceptions in more than 20 years.

Drove down Rat-U-Chit Sunday night and from before Bangla till well after Jung Ceylon there was wall to wall Tuk Tuks waiting for fares. Had to be 50+ lined up. How do they make a living? Swung into Beach Rd and as well as the Tuk Tuks on the way there was another huge queue at the beach end of Bangla.

There are a few more tourists but can't imagine there is a living to be made driving Tuk Tuks in Patong.

3 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

I don't see that persons on here are just waiting-to-die when they discuss the implication of 2 country immigration, citizenship, US social security,  matters of estate, and other issues which are realities you cannot just make for yourself.

Agree entirely

People who go to Thailand or another country or keep getting out of their comfort zone have a good chance of not only living longer but enjoying life more, in my opinion. seems to be working for both of us.

On 1/26/2022 at 12:53 AM, habuspasha said:

I would urge you to add two factors to your view of "reality."

One is the degree to which life expectancy has grown over the last 50 years thanks to miracle medicines and biotics, and greater health/nutrition awareness.

Equally important in my mind is an awareness of how we shape our own reality.  I've become particularly aware of how people my age follow an aging script which has them gradually slump over, do less, and imitate their grandfathers.  If you think you only have a few years left and your life in narrowing down, it will.  If you think you're still on the upswing, who's to say you're not.

Good attitude and as we get older and look around us it is amazing how many people are waiting to die.

To heck with that.

Stay reasonably fit, eat reasonably healthy and above all have something to look forward to when you wake up tomorrow.

Still too much to enjoy on this lovely planet