phuketrex

I used to go there a lot when it was just the rough trail over the hills but now it has become mega commerical and the last time I went 3 of us got the "treat like sh1t" treatment. We ate first at a table under the trees so they got 600 baht out of us for that. Then we wanted a swim so walked down to a shaded area of the beach at the east end and were changing on some rocks when the "owner" came along and demanded that we pay 100 baht each for a sunbed...but we didn't want beds. He then starts going on about the beach being private and that they clean it every day and we had to pay.

We argue back at him that we've just spent 600baht at his restaurant; we don't want beds and the beach is not private. He says us eating at the restaurant had nothing to do with it as it and the beach are "seperate"...now we were on the beach we had to pay. Then he asks where we'd parked our bikes and we pointed where they were with all the others..."private" he says again and the road to the beach is private property too.

The arguing went on for about 10 minutes, we refused to pay and finally he went off only to be replaced by his wife or partner and we had the same argument again till she went off.

OK I understand they've invested a lot of money putting the road in and building the restaurant but trying to charge people for something they don't want is not doing themselves any favours for future business.

We had our swim for an hour and I think we were lucky he didn't trash our motorbikes.

While we were there also saw a woman on her own come down onto the beach and sit on a towel near the waters' edge. Down HE came and started giving her hassle because she hadn't paid for a sunbed.

Never been back since.

Here's the ***** PRIVATE BEACH sign nailed to the tree>>>

It is a stunning beach but it's spoilt now with the masses going there and the hassle from the staff>>>

Been told by some of my massage friends they have to be out their shops by the end of March and the block they are in will be demolished and another hotel built there. It's the block of restaurants/massage shops just before the Banana Disco. Like Patong needs MORE hotels!!>>>

All bars should have one of these>>>

Crazy mixed up country isn't it. You can get arrested for playing Connect 4 for 10baht a game at a bar with a girl yet there is horseracing here...10000+ Thais gambling like crazy at the Bangkok meetings every weekend...there's the Lotteries...the boxing...the c0ckfighting...the.........

Maybe he's been watching clips on Youtube in Japan of men touching up women on public transport there. It's massive there. They even have clubs you can go to with a mock up of a train carriage and a girl wearing a school uniform stands in it and men pay to go and touch her up. That's Japan for you!

No doubt the perps will get their reptiles back...and iguanas aren't even indigenous to Thailand are they?

Latest I've heard is there is one guy going round Bangla with a kitten! :-(

Also saw a gibbon down at Tri Trang beach yesterday afternoon being used for "entertainment".

Gazette yesterday>>>

PHUKET: A Syrian tourist was stabbed in Patong on Tuesday night after an argument over an iguana turned ugly. Four Thai men were later arrested and charged for the stabbing and face charges of assault and grievous bodily harm.

According to Patong police, four iguana handlers ganged up on Mohammed Imed Arab, 20, after he got into an argument with one of the handlers on Soi Crocodile off Bangla Road.

Police said the Syrian refused to have his picture taken with an iguana when he was approached by one of the handlers. The situation quickly escalated into an argument, which was exacerbated by the language barrier and aggressive body language on both sides.

During the altercation, three other iguana handlers went to assist their friend and the Syrian was stabbed in the right side of his torso with a pocket knife.

The victim escaped his assailants by running into a nearby bar, where staff called police and paramedics.

Mohammed was taken to Patong Hospital and released earlier today.

The four male iguana handlers aged between 18 and 21 years old were arrested later that night in the Patong area. The four admitted to the attack and are due to appear in court to face charges.

Episode 8...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>>>

Boring without Howard in it.

Why was the other thread closed when there was still one Episode left to air? Aren't we allowed to talk about the series any more?

I believe this is the site for the new Tesco...about 300 metres south of Carrefour>>>

When he's not helping people running away from paying their bar bills he helps catch paedophiles too>>> http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/...d-Mr-Swirl.html

Well done.

Long interview with Mr Miller here>>> http://www.stickmanweekly.com/StickMarkII/...ExtremeCity.htm Comes across as being a "normal guy" whatever that is :-)

The BanZaan Plaza opposite Banzaan Market will be demolished within a couple of months. Don't know what's going up in its' place. Maybe the Tesco?

Jeeeeez. Why do people always assume there's an ulterior motive? I posted this because I've seen people asking on forums before if this was available here so I thought I'm doing a service as most people won't know this thing exists. Also in a previous life I worked with these things so it's an interest for me...and I'm not going to charter it on my own.

Been up to see the Advance Aviation set up at Nai Yang near the airport. They operate a EC130 Eurocopter here and it's available for charter flights.

It can carry 6 passengers...2 alongside the pilot and 4 behind.

They are very expensive machines to operate so a trip in one is not going to be cheap but if 6 people shared the cost it's not so bad if you treat it as a once in a lifetime experience or do it for a special occasion...maybe a treat on your little ladys' birthday.

I've flown many times in them...mainly Bolkow 105's landing on tops of lighthouses or on lightships in the middle of the English Channel...great fun!

Advance do a 30-minute trip from their base up and down the west coast of Phuket ...43335 baht = 7222 baht/person

...or 40-minutes out over the shrimp farms...Phang Nga Bay...James Bond island and the Muslim floating village...57780 baht = 9630 baht/person

...or 50-minutes out to and around Phi Phi Island...72225 baht = 12037 baht/person

The pilot is Thai and used to fly Police helicopters.

I might be interested in going myself to make up the numbers and share the cost.

It was in Koh Samui.

There are profiles of some of the "Thai Cops" as Bravo calls them on their website>>>

http://www.bravo.co.uk/shows/big-trouble-i...ops-gallery.php

And here's how Vera faked a rape at the Full Moon Party, but I guess that's fair play too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouaF_9tC5ME

Not many other people will find that on Youtube unless you add Trouble and Thailand to the title. Or is it because you don't want to certain people to see it ;-)

Easily the most damaging episode for Tourism. Bargirl drugs customer and steals his computers. Couple gets ripped off with bill for accomodation. Also a feature on the Scottish woman Lydia mugged in Bangkok and the voice over says she is still in a coma!...so Vera Productions didn't edit this very recently because she died more than 6 weeks ago!

Episode 7>>>

If you want to see a "proper" documentary on Thailand I suggest watching..."Love on Delivery" and the sequel "Ticket to Paradise" by Janus Metz.

You can google or find them on Youtube.

Some more info:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karin-badt/l...i_b_179282.html

Enjoy

RAZZ

If you search Love On Delivery on Youtube you get the Chinese movie Poh Waai Ji Wong which is actually very funny and worth a watch...has English subtitles. The documentaries you're referring to are Thai to Thy and its' sequel Thy to Thailand.

Gavin, can you confirm that during the JJ boatyard scene there were 2 Thai Policemen there?

They must have seen the SWAT team on Big Trouble in Thailand.

As for clipping a bystander...they already have done>>>

http://www.pattayaone.net/news/2009/septem..._28_09_52.shtml

Oh I'm certain it's rare...but I bet a few more have been lobbed at the trainers and missed...555.

At least they "have a life" and are properly treated, as your dog would be.

This one didn't share your view>>>

Monkey 'kills cruel owner with coconut thrown from tree'

The animal threw the missile from the top of a tree after becoming frustrated with his tiring labour, according to reports. Leilit Janchoom, 48, had employed the monkey to pick coconuts which he could then sell for around 4p each.

The animal – named Brother Kwan – found the work tedious and strenuous but Mr Janchoom refused to let him rest, dishing out beatings if he refused to climb trees. It is believed that the monkey eventually snapped, and targeted his owner from a high branch with one of the hard-skinned fruits.

Mr Janchoom, from the province of Nakorn Sri Thammarat in Thailand, died on the spot after being struck by the coconut, according to reports in a local newspaper. The dead man's wife said that the monkey had "seemed lovable" when they bought him for £130.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/...-from-tree.html

These 2 were chained to a tree in Soi BangTong...Kathu...when I passed today>>>