Ping

Someone still remembers Patong Night Plaza? They tried to make people believe that Bang-La will be shut down and many tried to open a bar over there. Didn't last very long...

Was that the pretend mall just about opposite Cristine Massage on Rat-u-tit. I remember that, was empty/derelict for years then someone came up with the bars idea. There was some sort of club upstairs advertising Thai super models on show. Lasted about a couple of months. Derelict again for years and eventually demolished.

The failure of the Night Plaza was probably one of the reasons so many people (including on this forum) said that Jungceylon would not work. I don't think the upstairs area of the Night Plaza was ever occupied - but perhaps one or two boutique shops. Ocean moved a large supermarket into the back downstairs a fair time after the place had already opened - must have lost a lot of money. I recall wandering through the place a year or two after it was abandoned and all of the upstairs flooring was already destroyed (rippled). I seem to recall that they may have moved some sweat shops in there for a while. I think the problem was that in those days, it was in a bad location - out of the way. That was never going to be a problem for Jungceylon, because the area south of it had become established and it was handy to the centre of town.

Definitely, though I'm sometimes loathe to put queries on for minor issues. I wouldn't mind seeing a general 'Where to buy' thread pinned for small queries such as this, which would also simplify searching and could be used as a general informative read. Any thoughts?

Emancipated - he escaped from his owners? (Perhaps, emaciated..)

It seems your neighbour is a decent type. Hope the animal finds a good home...

Three tier pricing is in place at a certain international hospital here: Lowest pride: Thai national, Median price: Expat resident, Highest price: Tourist. That some hospital is one of those that complains about those tourists who don't pay their bills - the height of hypocrisy.

There have been two thefts - the theft of the original money and the theft by the hotel of the employees' wages. Disgraceful.

I can't be much of an Aussie, then - had never heard of them before today. I'll have to keep a look out...

^ 'Thai dishes are generally very quick and easy to make so it is quite sad that a business like this is unable to offer quality fresh Thai food.'

- I think I'd better send the missus (Thai) off to Wince Collection to learn food preparation - she typically spends at least an hour in the kitchen when preparing Thai meals.

555 great thread - and not an angry word! (Yet...)

^Probably not a bad idea - the missus says we should be able to get them at Banzaan Market, but if not, could order them.

OP please let us know if you have any luck - I would love to find some too.

I see. Wish I'd known about that a few months ago... (Sorry that I can't help you with the inf you are seeking.)

I got a passport renewal about a month ago - had to go to the embassy in BKK (you have to go personally for the interview). Took the application form that I'd done through the DFAT website and was in and out in 15 minutes. Passport posted to me and already in my hands. Bottom line, I don't think LC can help you with this. Read the DFAT (Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade) website for detailed information on the process.

Covers; Tesco on bypass - forget the price, but I think around B1200.

^I looked it up - you're right. Hadn't checked it because I understood it to be correct - nothing to do with making it up as I go, but there's no need for you to be polite on my account, is there.

(They used to be involved in Tesco Lotus.) I stand by my comments as to the quality and value of Top Charoen.

^Top Charoen are part of the Charoen Popkhand group. A very large, reasonably priced and reliable group (think Big C, 7/11, etc). Thoroughly recommended. Evidently, something went severely awry in your daughter's case, but I can assure you that it is not the norm. I've bought specs there for considerably less price than the mum and pop specs, with the same quality.

^Intriguing - you're describing food service just about everywhere in Phuket from when I first came here (about 30 years ago) - any resemblance between the food described on the menu and the food delivered was purely coincidental, and if your ordered 3 courses at once, they could come either all at once or in no specific order. Memories...

OK, so I don't have to worry about Th Immig in the first instance, I can sort it all out with Oz embassy. Thanks for your help guys.

I will be getting a new passport per Australian Embassy in Bangkok in a couple of weeks. I have to do my 90 day report at Patong (Phuket) Immigration next week. Is there anything
I need to ask Thai Immigration re documents, etc for transferring the visa (conversely, do I need to ask at Oz embassy for any documentation for the visa transfer to the new book when I get my new passport)?

Any advice as to the process would be greatly appreciated.

Regards - Ping

eezergood - did you need medical cert? When my missus renewed a couple of months ago, it wasn't required (but when I renewed mine last year, it was).

I was thinking he meant the third party insurance paper - apparently you are supposed to carry that (although I've never been asked for it).

Can't remember - most of them long gone. One of the ones I used to drink at as a tourist (which is still there physically) was the Bounty Bar in Bangla, near to where the Shipwreck Bar is now (it may be the same bar). I haven't had a drink at any of the bars in that location for many years, though (I don't frequent Bangla). Another place, but long gone, was the Hard Rock Café in Bangla, not far from where the Nordic Bungalows used to be. (It was not an 'authorised' Hard Rock establishment, but was a good spot.)

E: Forgot to mention Dirty Nellies in Nanai - started out tiny, but still there.

When I did my one year, I was specifically required to provide both my home licence and IDP. In fact, I have clear recollection of it because I got into an argument with the woman at the front over needing photocopies of all pages of the IDP (which repeat the English pages in several different languages on different pages) when all she need was the pages in English. A chat with the supervisor sorted her out. That was at Phuket. If you can get away without an IDP, good luck to you. The IDP is only valid when used in conjunction with a valid home licence; ie, you have to carry and present the two together. I understand Stevenl's argument re IDP's (per discussion in prior threads on this subject), but that was what was required of me.

^Perhaps I could have put it another way. The vast majority of expats living in Patong are well over 25 and seem to like it here. No, you don't often see them in Bangla, but I grow weary of people trotting out the old 'Patong cesspit' chestnut every couple of months, when many of us find much of the city very liveable. There are opinions I could express about Chalong, Rawai, etc, but to what end? Clearly, some people use this sub-forum to troll. I don't think the OP was doing so in this case, but he realised himself the potential for people being offended. He could have expressed his views in a far more innocuous manner - that is the point I was trying to make. Take it as you will - I have no further comment.

'It is a bit like saying Walking Street is the whole of Bangkok' unlikely since walking street is in pattaya

Yes, and while we are providing lessons in geography, perhaps 'bubblegum' should realise that Bangla is not the whole of Patong. In particular, I note this scrap of advice in the OP's post; 'So if you’re thinking of moving to Phuket and you’re older than 25 you should NOT think about living in Patong'. Then the Op kindly adds, 'Sorry if I offend'. I would have thought it more sensible for him to avoid offending in the first place by keeping his offensive comments to himself. Just who was it who appointed him the judge of where people should live? Better for his credibility to say, 'I don't like (Patong/Bangla/whatever)' and provide his reasons. Perhaps he doesn't realise that most people are capable of digesting information and then making up their own minds...