phuketsub

Where is this on the island? All I get in my area (Rassada) are swiflets and what are either sea eagles or Brahmini Kites

As a trained hydrologist who has been following water-related issues in Thailand for 25 years, I cannot help but feel dread at the prospects for the Thai capital in the face of global warming (anthropogenic or otherwise) and the other important issues mentioned in this well-thought-out piece.. Thais need to learn a lot more about draining off floodwater, and practice a lot less of draining the minority, tax-abiding citizen of his or her hard-earned baht.

Building the Suwannabhumi Airport on a former swamp largely contributed to increased flooding in Lard Krabang, which says a lot about the Thaksin family's understanding of the issues involved. That is just one small example of how poor planning, unregulated construction and unbridled corruption are all conspiring to make a real calamity there (one that will make 2011 look like nothing) highly probable at some point in the future. I just hope is isn't in my daughter's lifetime.

Bangkok is an alluvial floodplain; these words in themselves carry the meaning of why it is tenuous to build anything thereupon, let alone skyscrapers and underground mass transit systems. For the record, it is not fair to pin this one on the current administration, as those that came before it are all complicit.

I do wonder why so many people are obsessed with Mayan Calandars, "vapor trails" and so much other bullcrap when the real issues are so very ominous.

Fyi, the Soi Dog clinic schedule is on display in front of the Tessaban Building at Saphan Hin. They have quite a few coming up.

When are we going to get a new Haad Yai - Phuket service?

The last carrier that tried in , the poorly named Happy Air, suspended it over a year ago,,,

Now both of these are great drinks! I will start lookin in enrset

Give it a shot! (literally)...On the topic of rum, does anyone have a copy of the book The Rum Diaries?

Everyone keeps telling me it is a must read...

for the record, the new bus terminal is in Rassada, not Koh Kaew.

I have had some really nice interactions with tourists here in the past few months, most of whom approached me for similar info, directions, etc.

However, I have stopped approaching tourists who are standing by the side of the road with a map, confused and seeking help from a clueless motorcycle taxi driver who is holding the map upside down.

Every time I tried to help in cases like this all I got in return was rudeness, so I stopped trying. Just wonder if anyone else has had similar experiences.

I came up with a new killer drink yesterday involving rum and coffee ice cubes, the key being the coffee ice cubes.

I just made the coffee ice cubes on a whim when I saw an empty ice-cube tray sitting next to my coffee-filled french press machine.

After you make the cubes, just pour a high-quality rum over the cubes.

If you keep the rum in the freezer too, the end result is the coolest drink (it is indeed superchilled) and the coffee in the cubes give it a kick not unlike Vodka/RedBull, but it's much nicer on the palate.

I had never heard of coffee ice cubes before, but there are some references to them on the Net.

If anyone gives it a go, please let me know what you think.

On a related topic, I was down at the Land Transport Office yesterday to have my motorbike and car licenses re-issued after(Doh!) losing my wallet. The lady there was extremely helpful and speaks
English well. She explained to me that I needed the Certificate ofResidence to complete these tasks, then mentioned that my DriversLicense was up for renewal in a few weeks time and suggested that I wait
until and do them both at the same time to save on the expense. I asked if my police report for the stolen wallet would suffice if I gotstopped for any reason, and she said that was up to police. I have decided to take the risk, since I don't need to drive that much.

Shealso mentioned that the information on the Gazette website did not specify the Certificate as a requirement, which was a constant source ofwasted time for both applicants and their staff. I took the info fromPhuket Direct website, which also doesn't specify it as a requirement. Anyway, just a heads up for anyone who needs to renew a license or replace a lost one.

@ Jimi007

Fair call and good luck to you.

My approach is to walk in like a nameless and faceless farang, pay my 300 baht and leave.

I do not want to "know" them, and I do not want them to know me.

Having said that, I might give it a go next time.

If you go in nameless and faceless you get treated like you're nameless and faceless. My Thai has gotten a bit better over the years, and some of the guys know me. I go in dressed nicely and treat them with the respect they are due and try to make it as enjoyable as it can be for an immigration office visit. I'm usually in and and very quickly, compared to most. But then again it helps to have all your paper work in order and filled out before you get there... It can actually lead to mutual respect.

This is my experience there as well. In the past, the main problem I always had was getting them to tell me EXACTLY what documents I needed, in my case for extending my 1-year permit to stay based on marriage. In the past I have often turned up with documents I did not need (prepared at time and expense) and without the ones I did need. The requirements seem to change year-to-year. The volunteers will give you a short list, but it is not comprehensive.

But yesterday I asked for and received a comprehensive list (fortunately I can read Thai) from they guys in the back row, which I expect to make my life a lot easier...

Tangentially, I always find it interesting how Phuket Immigration seems to be set up like an offensive formation in NFL football.

I am still a bit lost on all this, but interested.

My car is about 15 years old and has some rust/dents, etc, on the bumpers and doors. I don't care what it looks like; in fact I like heading into a congested intersection for a game of chicken with fancy Fortuners and coming out the winner -- because they know I don't give a flying puck about getting another scratch.

What I am interested in is maintaining the structural integrity of the car as long as possible. Can this so called "wrapping" help in this regard?

I suspect this one to go the same way as the investigation, called for by 13 embassies, to explain what happened to all the millions they donated to the tsunami victim identification process

There is a fantastic sea food restaurant not far from mission hospital, if you pass mission hospital on your right, turn right at the lights and follow that road until you come to the restaurant on your left, we consider this to be the best sea food also consider it to be better than Laem Hin!!

The name of the restaurant you refer to is Paknam Seafood. The road it's on is called Rassadanusorn Road. It's good and not too expensive. It is a real hit with Thai bureaucrats. They also have another branch at Wongwian Nimitr (Seahorse Circle), but I have never eaten at that one.

The best eateries and nightlife near Chalong in my opinion is Phuket town. One of the reasons I don't understand why people chose to live in Chalong over Phuket town.

Nightlife:

Timberhut, Sofa, Sunaeha, Phukana, Roxy Bar etc

I tend to agree with this. Chalong is sort of a hybrid: half Patong ripoff, half Phuket Town non-ripoff. Personally I prefer the full-on experience of Patong (but only once in a great while) than anything Chalong has to offer. I am not impressed with any of the nightclubs or bars in Phuket Town, though. I think there is a real opportunity there for someone who can get the location and set-up right for a good expat hangout (think dart boards, pool tables, pretty girls, good music and room -- most of the bars in Phuket Town are too cramped and too loud).

Tango Bar (subsequently Boatyard) was a good hangout, but too remote to pick up much passing traffic...I guess that's why it closed. Anyway, if anyone finds a new hangout please keep us informed.

Phuket Land = Pandora's box

Uncle Tom...I detect a hint of racial overtone! Anyway, will give it a go. Sang Som is out of the question for me. It makes me break out in red splotches -- the last thing I need...I know of a few others who get the same effect.

If you drink enough rum, you just might need that option.........

If I overdo it, I'll need to stop completely...and that would be a more miserable existence than living at SuperCheap!

Thanks for all your comments. I went back into the aforementioned
SuperCheap this afternoon and I am afraid I have to admit my original
post has some misinformation. It only cost 575 baht there, which I guess
is quite reasonable.

While I was in there I noticed a sign in Thai that sort of blew me away. The SuperCheap on Surin Road is now offering accommodations. It's true. You can live at Supercheap, or just above it, for 2,000 baht/month.

Anyway, the attached pic has the phone number if anyone is at or nearing rock bottom.

I wish getting rid of termites were that easy.

I think this should be a candidate for most amusing topic thread ever.

I have acquired a taste for Havana Club rum from Cuba, but the only place I know that sells it is the Supercheap minimart in Phuket Town, where it's 650 baht/bottle. I know minimarts tend to be a ripoff where alcohol is concerned. Does anyone know of a place that sells it more cheaply?

Any other useful rum-related info also welcome.

see http://www.airportbusphuket.com/timetable.html for the schedule

It'll be VERY interesting to see the reaction when they start the new Airport Bus to Patong and Kata-Karon

thanks for that...anything info that flies in the face of the tuk-tuk mafia is welcome in these parts

I have accounts with Kbank, Krungthai, and Krungsi.

I found the service at both Kbank and Krungthai exceptional.

I have had a lot of problems dealing with Krungsi, but I bank there religiously twice each week.

My teller is stunning from head to toe...

KBank is good and they have a good network of ATMs.Their online banking system is also very good and has made my life a lot easier since I started using it about six months ago However, they also seem to get hacked and robbed more than the other banks.I never had any problems with Krungsri when I dealt with them. Stay away from UOB.