Colonel_Mustard

Just saw Superman and it was great! Might go back tomorrow and see it again in 3D.

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I saw it in 3D today and wasn't impressed (not because of the 3D but the film itself) but each to his own.

Zombie movie?

Must be aimed at juveniles, then.

Will give it a big miss.

Also give after Earth a miss, a poor film and the acting by Will Smiths son leaves a lot to be desired!

My family and I quite enjoyed it and while it isn't going to win any awards or stagger you with its depth we all preferred it to the new Supeman film that we watched today.

@NKM

I believe you are correct that some businesses are hurting but where I differ is that I believe others are booming. The change in demographic to Russian and Chinese tourists has probably hit the typical Western hang outs in Patong/Kata/Karon but other businesses catering to those nationalities are doing extremely well.

I might be wrong but I suspect the average Russian spends as much in Phuket as did the average Brit/Aussie/American, they just spend it on different products in different places. Same with the Korean tourists.

I see no signs of an imminent recession here but if it would wake up the powers that be into tackling some of the island's problems, then that might not be such a bad thing.

I would be happy to hear where the Chinese and Russians are spending their money on Phuket and what businesses are booming.

Drive past the large jewellery shop on the bypass road and count the tour busses. Never seen as many before as in the last couple of years. Hotels and restaurants in the North West of the island are full of Russians and Koreans. Tour companies that offer the day trips. Go to Central and you'll see loads of them in the restaurants and walking around with plenty of shopping bags. Fantasea, Siam Niramit etc. Plenty are doing fine out of the Russians especially.

Some are buying real estate and quite a few are now becoming expats too. The number of Russian kids in Phuket's international schools is growing quite quickly. Judging from the numbers of Chinese/Koreans we get stuck behind every round, I'm guessing Blue Canton and the other golf courses are doing just fine too

There has obviously been a significant drop in Western tourists but I personally believe that has far more to do with the economies in their own country than it does with them being our priced/put off Phuket. It'll be interesting to see when their economies recover whether they'll start coming back in greater numbers again or not.

@NKM

I believe you are correct that some businesses are hurting but where I differ is that I believe others are booming. The change in demographic to Russian and Chinese tourists has probably hit the typical Western hang outs in Patong/Kata/Karon but other businesses catering to those nationalities are doing extremely well.

I might be wrong but I suspect the average Russian spends as much in Phuket as did the average Brit/Aussie/American, they just spend it on different products in different places. Same with the Korean tourists.

I see no signs of an imminent recession here but if it would wake up the powers that be into tackling some of the island's problems, then that might not be such a bad thing.

How on earth did you stick it in that dump for so long, only Pattaya is worse. Anywhere other than these two places has to be a move in the right direction. Went once in 1998 never again, just a rip off all around.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom gleaned from 1 trip 15 years ago.

For the benefit of those thinking of leaving, perhaps you could share with us the name of the wonderful paradise that you have found.

My wife will normally drive herself or use a reliable and trustworthy driver (they do exist!).

If you do use a taxi, NKM's advice about chatting on the phone for the duration of the journey seems like a good idea.

@ Colonel_Mustard

There are many factors, I'll name just a few.

Since 2008, the Global Financial Crisis, many retirees took a big hit to their pensions. Since then, the British Pound, Euro and US Dollar are all down, and the the baht has become stronger. These are facts.

Now, for my speculation. As "money go down - put price up" comes into play on Phuket, which already has the highest prices in Thailand, I can see how the rising cost of living, and the shrinking pensions and currencies, will start to knock a few off the island.

So, while some will leave because they are fed up with the place, others will have to leave, as they can no longer afford to stay here and maintain the lifestyle they have become a custom to. They will move to a similar place, Eg. Pattaya - where they can maintain a similar lifestyle at more affordable prices.

Not only is Phuket outpricing itself in the tourist market, but also for expats.

Ok I get it now thanks.

The few expats I know who have left, or are planning on leaving, are doing so primarily because they can't really afford to stay here. Some go, others come. Some get disaffected with the place, while others prefer it now to before. I have no idea on total number of resident expats but the numbers of kids in the international schools I know seem to increase year on year.

I'm also not really sure that Phuket is outpricing itself for tourists. The tourist numbers would appear to go up still each year (though with a different demographic). It probably is outpricing the budget traveller but that seems to be TAT policy anyway.

The beauty of Thailand is that you have the choice. Right now for me Phuket still remains the best option. When it no longer does, I'll move elsewhere.

I must admit I have never had problems with True and will stick with them for the house. Their range of channels looks quite a bit superior to CTH.

However, I'm thinking about having a CTH dish for my sala. It would be nice sitting outdoors with a beer watching the mighty Blues regain the title

Anyone know if there'a a CTH office in Phuket?

Moving from Phuket to Pattaya haha... Here is me thinking your moving to a place I call real Thailand but no your going to Pattaya.. Pattaya ain't no different than Phuket.. Rip off prices just the same.. You will soon get tired of Pattaya if you think Phuket is expensive to live there

If you really think pattaya and Phuket pricing is the same it is obvious you have never been to Pattaya....pattaya has more bargains available to include 10 baht baht buses, dirt cheap beer, cheap food, cheap girls, cheap rents, etc....Phuket is overpriced in every single area compared to pattaya...not even close.

Pattaya is certainly cheaper and if price is your only/main criteria, then it's probably a better bet for you than Phuket.

"Price" may end up being the "only/main criteria" for many here in the future.

I'm probably being a bit dim but I don't really get what you're trying to say with that post.

Moving from Phuket to Pattaya haha... Here is me thinking your moving to a place I call real Thailand but no your going to Pattaya.. Pattaya ain't no different than Phuket.. Rip off prices just the same.. You will soon get tired of Pattaya if you think Phuket is expensive to live there

If you really think pattaya and Phuket pricing is the same it is obvious you have never been to Pattaya....pattaya has more bargains available to include 10 baht baht buses, dirt cheap beer, cheap food, cheap girls, cheap rents, etc....Phuket is overpriced in every single area compared to pattaya...not even close.

Pattaya is certainly cheaper and if price is your only/main criteria, then it's probably a better bet for you than Phuket.

Many people seem to look for the negatives, In the 12 years I have been here there are certainly some things that have got worse (traffic most notably) but there are also other things that have improved my life (wider choice of facilities). Many of the issues that posters complain about, just don't seem to affect me greatly. I guess it all depends on your lifestyle.

If I were a single guy, without a car and living somewhere like Patong, then maybe these issues would be more of a problem. As it is, I live a family life in a very friendly, quiet, predominantly Thai area but with easy access to quality schooling, excellent sports facilities, reasonable shopping and nice beaches. I have my own transport and on the rare occasion I go out drinking at night I arrange for a driver. For what I presently need/want, I doubt I could find a better place to live in Thailand than Phuket.

As I age and my kids grow up and leave home my requirements will change and I may find a different place better suited to me, but for now Phuket remains the best place to live in Thailand (though I do occasionally get tempted by Bangkok).

Anyway I guess we're getting off the topic a bit, so farewell Bill and good luck to you both wherever you decide to go next.

I have no real problem living in Thailand.

However, living on Planet Phuket is a different question. I have listed the main issues, for me, on another thread, and they have been quoted by another member in an above post.

I, and possibly others, wait and wait and wait for Phuket to come into line with the rest of Thailand, sadly it does not appear like it will ever happen.

Since change is not coming to Phuket, many are changing their envioronment. Eg Big Bill - and a few friends of mine have already left Phuket.

Really, no one on Phuket is asking for Phuket to be like Singapore. All most want here is simply what other places in Thailand have, nothing more, nothing less, but all we get, year after year is more BS, with things getting worse and worse, and for that privilege, you get to pay the highest prices in Thailand, for everything.

So, if I had to pick an annoyance for only "Thailand" as opposed to "Phuket" - for me, I would say the Thailand visa laws. In my opinion, they are outdated, labour intensive and cumbersome, and in true Thai style, make visas a big money making industry out of farang.

I think most of the issues you listed for Phuket are also true of the most popular areas of Thailand. Phuket is far from perfect but then again so is everywhere else that I have lived or visited. Expats the world over seem to have complaints about where they are living.

Obviously you have had some bad experiences with the caddies here. Any course in particular?

As I said, I have never had any problems with them. They have all been friendly and willing but I don't really see them as true caddies but rather just someone to lug my golf bag round for a few hours and in this heat, they're most welcome.

I suppose that if you take a buggy, then they would be quite superfluous though.

If you're moving to Chiang Mai you are going to love it. Don't know what concrete pastures of the North you are talking about

Anyway I wish you good luck.

Doubt he'd be moving to Chiang Mai with all its smoke/smog as he mentions he's moving for health reasons.

And as for the poster calling Phuket, yet has Pattaya as his location, words fail me

Anyway Bill, good luck with your move, wherever it is that you're heading.

are you for real ? compared to phuket pattaya is paradise on earth, kuckily the most idiotic tourists still seem to flock to the pristine phuket beaches

That's funny most of the idiots I knew have already left for Pattaya

If you're moving to Chiang Mai you are going to love it. Don't know what concrete pastures of the North you are talking about

Anyway I wish you good luck.

Doubt he'd be moving to Chiang Mai with all its smoke/smog as he mentions he's moving for health reasons.

And as for the poster calling Phuket, yet has Pattaya as his location, words fail me

Anyway Bill, good luck with your move, wherever it is that you're heading.

I'm a member at Blue Canyon and while the course maintenance went off for a while it is gradually improving again though still not as good as in the glory days.

As far as I understand the ownership situation was resolved a year or two ago but the owners are trying to either bring in new investors or sell.

Although it is still not back to its best, the Lake's and Canyon courses are still the best courses on the island and only Red Mountain runs them close.

Because there is plenty to bitch about, as there pretty much is in every country.

whats being built at the cargo area of PIA?

Deleted. I thought you meant PIA as in the school but now realize you meant the airport.

Thanks for your replies. So basically it looks like the only realistic option would be for her to take her son on a visit visa and then apply under EX-1. It all seems a little dodgy for want of a better word.

It does seem a shame that the mother of a British citizen has no legal right to reside in the UK.

Any ideas on a legal expert who could help with this? Should it be one based here or in the UK would you think.

A good friend of mine died last year in an accident in Thailand and left behind his wife (a Thai national) and a 4-year old son (joint British/Thai passport holder). She would now like to take the boy to live and attend school in the UK and stay with her dead husband's relatives.

I assume the boy wouldn't need any kid of visa to enter the UK as he has a British passport but does anyone know what kind of visa the boy's mum would be able to apply for?

Ive never stepped foot in Phuket save for the bus station, Thap Lamu, Similian snd Ko Tachai

The annoying tourists are enough to keep me away but then you have the Thai mafia and the young English aggressive drunks.

But Ive have always seen it as a total ripoff.

Living on Phuket is more like living in Pattaya then living on Tachai.

What about Phuket wouldnt be a rip? Its a province totally fashioned on.tourist dollars.

BKK can be quite reasonable.

Newsflash: Phuket is not the only province with a beach.

Of course parts of Phuket are more geared towards tourists and are therefore more expensive. However, the part where I live is pretty much without tourists. I know that parts of Bangkok are also more tourist orientated and more expensive, while other areas are considerably cheaper.

Phuket is certainly not the only province with a beach but it is the only province with decent beaches and all the other facilities that I need.

Overall I have found my costs in both places to be quite similar (though it depends on which part of Phuket you are comparing to which part of Bangkok).

Of course lower prices can be found in Pattaya, the North or North East if you fancy any of those areas.

I quite like the idea of moving up to the North or North East for a quieter, cheaper life when I'm in my 60s but for now Phuket really is the only place that has everything I need, though Bangkok runs it a close 2nd.

I have children in PIA in Phuket and have been considering moving also.

BP seems to be very highly regarded but comes with the downside (for me at least) of being in Bangkok and with a very high price tag.

I am currently considering St. Stephen's in Khao Yai as well and will be visiting there in the next couple of months. Reports seemed to be generally negative until a couple of years ago and since then most reports seem to have been much more positive.

Sadly my electric bill is usually somewhere around 18-20,000 per month. Too many a/c units, fridges, washing machines etc being used.

I do have 8 people living here but it still irks me to pay so much.