London Lowf

I am sure the OP meant XMax’s or TMax’s – Nmax is just a little commuter scooter.

I think the problem with these guys is a build-up of excess testosterone as I don’t think that’s it’s in their psyche to take advantage of the local female entertainers (you never see them on Bangla) and so they need an alternative release.

Yes, they are mildly annoying because of their arrogant attitude, but ultimately quite harmless to everyone apart from themselves. Can’t you just ignore them? – if they were that bad they would all be in the morgue.

I’ve noticed that most don’t even know how to sit on a bike, let alone ride one quickly and safely – feet forward and arms locked out straight is a giveaway of a clueless rider. The only thing they know how to do is tweak the throttle in a straight line, and unfortunately many of those bikes have unsilenced exhausts which causes the annoyance.

Quite frankly, little Thai guys on souped-up Honda Waves on the residential backroads of Kamala make at least as much noise, and there are more of them!

By down the pan, I meant the quality!

One of the culinary highlights of my visits to Phuket was their rather pricey "Universalle" pizza but I had one in the beginning December and the toppings were very sparse. The cheese was virtually undetectable - I expect it to be "stringy" as you eat into it straight out of the oven, but not even close. Annoying as, even after a nine-month absense, I am recognised there.

I went back a week or so later in case it was just a "blip", but just the same so I won't be returning.

Same owner/manager, so I guess they are cost-cutting? Maybe you'll be luckier?

Anything else interesting in there ????

The Green Mango is opposite Da Moreno?

I've enjoyed Da Moreno's pizzas for the last five years before they went down the pan this visit, and never saw more than one punter in Green Mango - invariably sniffing around the rather attractive bargirl.

A cigar shop?

Not sure, but wasn't there one in JungCeylon.

(I think Zippos just take standard flints - nothing special!)

@ nasa123

Not nice, but those pictures just look like a typical open sewer - same as in all the tourist towns here and most of the "developing" world.

Capitalism - a double-edged sword.

It provides the man on the street with the financial means to then get screwed!

1 minute ago, TheDark said:

One can calculate the amount of Chinese tourists visiting Phuket, their spending habits and make an estimate how much money does Phuket lose if the Chinese tourists do not visit Phuket. That's the most simplistic way.

 

More comprehensive estimates also include how much hotels and attractions must drop their prices to compete to lure tourists, while other companies are doing the same.

 

Furthermore there can be studies, how far fetching the spread of coronavirus is going to be in the future. What is fear factor Thailand gains for being one of the major tourist destinations for Chinese tourists. How people from other countries think, how safe is Thailand to visit this year.

 

So yes, it's possible to estimate the impact to Phuket tourism. Those who really know how to do it, can do it far better and with far more indicators.

Yes, that all makes perfect sense, but TIT and normal economic theories and practises are not used here.

Pathetic - quick search reveals a room rate of around 7,000 for tonight!

@ smedley - Having read your confusing post and then your signature I will say no more.....

Fake news!

How can anyone estimate the impact of this on Phuket tourism - might as well ask the posters on here!

One, two, three, GO!

5 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Ok. Try another beach?

Or read the travel forums before you go?

Yes, Surin is trashed but 90 % of tourists are mugs and they will continue to go there.

The normally instantaneous Eakkapop Thongtub was a bit slow on the scene this time - even the recovery truck beat him to it!

Mind you, a very minor ding by Patong Hill standards - and it's been so long since I've read a report like this that I thought they had built the tunnel!

12 hours ago, mok199 said:

I hope those weren't the endangered Daisies....Are you really willing to compare House plants to Coral???

WHOOOSH!!!!

That's the sound of something going way over your head!

I would go to the beach and ask a vendor.

Same on Layan and Nai Yang, so probably many other west coast beaches. Looks like turds floating in the water from a distance, but closer inspection reveals just clumps of seaweed.

Also, hundreds of dead fish along a stretch of Nai Yang today, so no idea what caused that.

4 hours ago, legend49 said:

These eggs were stolen recently so why would these Muppets advertise turtles have just laid more eggs??? Say nothing and you may get to see them hatch.

Exactly - I was at Nai Yang a few hours ago and saw the new enclosure 75% complete and at least two  guards standing watch.

I wondered what it was, but the authorities have very kindly put up notices in both Thai and English explaining. I believe the Chinese use these eggs in their "black magic" so a good job the notice wasn't also in their language!

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I live in Rawai and yes we are past the so called 7 days but I can tell you the police have been very active late at night, Friday they were in 4 different locations it seems from about 9pm onwards I was told of somebody being fined 50,000 Baht for DUI 

One of the places they had a road block was outside the old Davinci's facing 7/11 

That's in complete contrast to the Patong~Kamala road. Been stopped once in six weeks, whereas a year ago it was at least once a week.

One thing to bear in mind is that places might be busy at one time of day and dead at others.

I haven't eaten in Backside (yet) but I am a sucker for the crab meat soup in the Thai restaurant opposite, and Backside was completely empty on my two visits this week although the bar next door is always busy - but I eat at about 11pm, so maybe I miss the rush!

I can't compete with the regulars on here for in-depth local knowledge, but this visit I am very surprised to see vacant spaces at the Banzaan night food market. I would have assumed that there would be a waiting list to get a patch there?

It was always very popular with the Chinese, who seem to go crazy for the seafood, but their numbers are apparently dwindling?

Conversely, I don't recall EVER seeing a Indian in there, and I eat there about four times a week when I'm here.

There's a small lake in Layan (with a pump and pipe to fill up the tankers, so does that count as a "dam"?) and I have never seen it so high in five years of visits - it's full to the brim.

There - a positive post on Thai Visa Forum!

In a Western civilised country she would have grounds for a civil action, but..............

And by the way, it is easy to get up-ended by a small pet - the cat that has adopted me is constantly trying to trip me up to remind me that she needs food.

PS: But at least, looking from afar (which is all I ever do) the vendors and beach loungers on Kamala do seem to keep to their designated areas.

So many jetskis though!

Kamala is a great place to stay, but I spend my beach days at Layan or Nai Yang and my evenings at Patong - perfect!