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Wasn't there for the BBQ but sounds like it was a great day. Any thoughts about having one on a public holiday when the bars are (mostly) shut - eg Queen's birthday on Aug 12. Perhaps at a central/suitable beach area such as Kamala, Karon or Kata Yai or Noi?

Thanks - the one in Chalong sounds like the go.

Well, my tuppence worth. The majority of the various posters' opinions are, of course, correct - even where they differ - from their own perspective and that is the real issue. I have been a regular to Phuket since the days when the only international telephone in Patong was the one in Thanon Songroi Pee Rathutit. They had the seedy old Nordic Bungalows off the open sewers of Soi Bangla, which also hosted the Hard Rock Cafe (no relation to the chain). From recollection, the Expat was there and so was Faulty Towers (but it opened from the other side and it was paddocks where the current entrance is located). It used to get busy during Songkhran but you could stay dry if you had your wits - impossible these days (and they didn't use the talc or ice the water). The same proportion of farang were as boorish as is currently the case, there are just more people generally, so the yobbo element is more noticeable. The touts in those days came in the form of people with drugged snakes and animals (still a minor problem) and hoards of little children annoying you to buy chiclets. If you made the mistake of buying some, or giving them a ten baht note to get rid of them, you would immediately be surrounded by all their little friends tugging at your shirt.

Patong has grown-up while Karon and Kata have changed to a considerably lesser extent. Kamala has seen considerable development, but the waterfront work was, of course, a result of the Tsunami. The actual part you drive through has changed little (just a few more bars and restaurants).

Patong is certainly not the place it used to be, but I do not consider that it is any worse - just a bit nosier, more hectic and offering a far greater variety of restaurants and entertainment options than was formerly the case. True, the tuk tuks are a problem - they used to be ten baht to take you around the block and only 40 baht from Kathu to Patong. Unfortunately, we have to face the fact that it is unlikely there will ever be a songthaew service directly between Patong and Kata/Karon for reasons that have been discussed to exhaustion in various forums.

I still love Patong, Kata, Karon, and the rest of the island. Yes, it has changed and there are many more massage parlours; the suit touts have always been there but their numbers seemed to have increased; and the tuk tuks that used to circle the main streets and beep farang pedestrians (as in, 'Do you want a tuk tuk?') are now static and the driver's actually ask (although there are a heck of a lot more of them).

For people who do not like change, or are put off by the touts and yobbos, I understand your views. For those who enjoy the greater variety of entertainment, etc or the more hectic pace of Patong during high season, I understand your views as well. However, if you insist the place is now a dump, then perhaps you should be charitable enough to accept that perceptions are rarely shared universally. I think that it is a great pity that someone who doesn't like a place should write a lengthy critical diatribe in a forum that should bring people together in appreciation of this wonderful country and its people. It really is a simple as observing the rule that if you don't like it, then leave. Why vent - what can you achieve that is positive?

Why vent?

Simple: 8444+ views and 167 reply posts.

The folks have got something to say.

You claim to understand their views, so what's yer problem?

So what if they have noticed things and removed their rose-tinted specs.

Let them speak, let them discuss - information can come out of it.

They are not claiming to have their "perceptions recognized universally," they are

just saying "This is my view on this."

That's all. End of.

The purpose of any real Forum is so that people can state and discuss their own opinion on

a given subject, and not feel that they have to 'brown-nose' up to a way of thinking,

contrary to what they really feel about something.

"I think that it is a great pity that someone who doesn't like a place should write a lengthy critical diatribe in a forum that should bring people together in appreciation of this

wonderful country and its people."

Jeez, pass me the bucket Mother Teresa! Appreciative? Of what exactly?

First things first: The topic of this thread was taken from another forum and pasted here by a Thai-Visa member. This thread topic was not written for this forum. Clear enough?

So, sit back and smell the coffee Sir......

They treat their own beautiful country like one big rubbish dump, a corrupt military junta

government, laws to remove the devil-dog farangs from the country, the foriegn business act, the ever increasing wealth gap between the rich and poor, the fact that women, although usually the backbone of families, are still cast as second-class citizens, the muslims in the south, blatant open racisism and double pricing, the Thai embassy here in London is starting to tell people that the VOA is going to be scrapped. Yup! You heard that right, the visa on arrival is going to be withdrawn and any future visitor to Thailand, be they tourist, business, teacher, or otherwise, you will be expected to pick up (as a minimum) a tourist visa from the embassy prior to arrival, more hassle, more greed, more danger with bombings, censorship of all media (including the internet), etc, etc, etc, and it's getting worse.

And finally, that old chestnut;

"If you don't like it, leave"

So what are you really saying? "Don't spoil my party in my adopted 3rd world country".

So how do think they REALLY see you 'farang white boy/girl'? Perhaps you can't.

Let me tell you something. People are leaving and I just don't mean the people that may

disagree with your blinkered hippy sentiments.

People that own businesses that also employ Thai's, are leaving and investing elsewhere.

20% property slump? Who's gonna buy all those condo's and employ the locals then. Thai's?

Within the last year, billions of baht has been wiped off the value of Thai stocks, whilst

outside investment (bound for Thailand) has been stopped and switched to other SEA countries.

Yes, Thailand was a beautiful place once, but everything has its' season.

Now the party really is over.

Smell the coffee Sir, it smells very bitter indeed.

Chock dii to the good people of Thailand.

Billy the Hat, you may find that people will consider your views if you keep them impersonal. Enough said.

With respect to Cali, I have Vista and the only incompatibility problem I had was with a bluetooth dongle. Changed brands to an Asus dongle and no problems with any other hardware. Software problems with DAP (Download Accelerator Plus) and Office 98 - will not work at all. I am now using OpenOffice (free! and an excellent package - as good as MS Office for my purposes). Despite some minor problems, I have found the move to Vista well worth while. BTW, I am using a 965P DS4 board and it is excellent. The 965P-DS3P board is also an excellent board. With the GTS and one hard drive and DVD drive, you will get away with 400 watts (right on the margin) but I would recommend headroom of at least 500 watts.

Galaxy has been around for years. They used to have a reasonable presence in sound cards. As a brand name, it's fine. If you can get a good deal, go for it.

Laem Sing is okay (if you don't mind the short walk back up the hill)

Rental period also makes a difference - far better range of options for 12 months than for 3 months.

... and while we a re on the subject, does anyone know where you can get tee shirts printed to order?

I'd be more worried if the tide ebbed unusually - I'd be off like a rocket for higher ground.

Well, my tuppence worth. The majority of the various posters' opinions are, of course, correct - even where they differ - from their own perspective and that is the real issue. I have been a regular to Phuket since the days when the only international telephone in Patong was the one in Thanon Songroi Pee Rathutit. They had the seedy old Nordic Bungalows off the open sewers of Soi Bangla, which also hosted the Hard Rock Cafe (no relation to the chain). From recollection, the Expat was there and so was Faulty Towers (but it opened from the other side and it was paddocks where the current entrance is located). It used to get busy during Songkhran but you could stay dry if you had your wits - impossible these days (and they didn't use the talc or ice the water). The same proportion of farang were as boorish as is currently the case, there are just more people generally, so the yobbo element is more noticeable. The touts in those days came in the form of people with drugged snakes and animals (still a minor problem) and hoards of little children annoying you to buy chiclets. If you made the mistake of buying some, or giving them a ten baht note to get rid of them, you would immediately be surrounded by all their little friends tugging at your shirt.

Patong has grown-up while Karon and Kata have changed to a considerably lesser extent. Kamala has seen considerable development, but the waterfront work was, of course, a result of the Tsunami. The actual part you drive through has changed little (just a few more bars and restaurants).

Patong is certainly not the place it used to be, but I do not consider that it is any worse - just a bit nosier, more hectic and offering a far greater variety of restaurants and entertainment options than was formerly the case. True, the tuk tuks are a problem - they used to be ten baht to take you around the block and only 40 baht from Kathu to Patong. Unfortunately, we have to face the fact that it is unlikely there will ever be a songthaew service directly between Patong and Kata/Karon for reasons that have been discussed to exhaustion in various forums.

I still love Patong, Kata, Karon, and the rest of the island. Yes, it has changed and there are many more massage parlours; the suit touts have always been there but their numbers seemed to have increased; and the tuk tuks that used to circle the main streets and beep farang pedestrians (as in, 'Do you want a tuk tuk?') are now static and the driver's actually ask (although there are a heck of a lot more of them).

For people who do not like change, or are put off by the touts and yobbos, I understand your views. For those who enjoy the greater variety of entertainment, etc or the more hectic pace of Patong during high season, I understand your views as well. However, if you insist the place is now a dump, then perhaps you should be charitable enough to accept that perceptions are rarely shared universally. I think that it is a great pity that someone who doesn't like a place should write a lengthy critical diatribe in a forum that should bring people together in appreciation of this wonderful country and its people. It really is a simple as observing the rule that if you don't like it, then leave. Why vent - what can you achieve that is positive?

Kamala is empty ... the beachside places north from town center are all closed for the season. Nice to have a break from the insanity even though Kamala gets more families etc than many other places around here!

apparently last night's storm tossed up tons of sand on the road through Kalim ... pretty nice to have te new season start!

I can't stand high season in Phuket and I know many others feel the same way. I far prefer putting up with the rain from time-to-time rather than the chaos of high season. It also has the advantage that low season in Phuket is autumn/winter in Melbourne (Oz).

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