Tonyks

As I have said previously I enjoy the PIBRF and I would like to say a big 'Thank You' to Andy for making it happen. I was very fortunate and honoured, last year, to be able to be part of the Groove Doctors set (which I thought was amazing - you may disagree). I hope that the Festival continues for many years and grows from strength to strength.

It s difficult to separate personal criticism from the publicised thoughts of people about an event that you organise and put a lot of effort into. I know this from my own past experiences. My initial intention was to offer constructive advice, not to slag off Andy and I apologise if he was offended in anyway.

I know from Colin that moves were made to include him this year but he is already committed to play elsewhere. This is something that can be built on for the next one. Let's listen and learn.

I can not be there this year but I do hope that it's a success and that the people of Phuket will rally round and support something which is still in its infancy, is a great idea, and has plenty of room to develop.

Complain, complain, complain! Why don't you whiners do something constructive in stead? Like calling Andy and offer your help! If you had any idea of the time and money something like this requires, you'd bea lot more appreciative of someone who is really trying. Nobody's perfect, and the more heads, etc. so stand up and contribute!

a) These are opinions and free speech is a right.

How do you know we haven't already offered?

c) Andy doesn't need help to ask Colin Hill to play or sell separate tickets.

d) These forums are full of whingers, it's what forums are for.

I watched the blues festival a number of years ago and it was a bit lame. Mainly geriatric farang bands well past their use-by-date. If I was Van Gogh I would have cut my other ear off.

However, Thai's trying to sing in English is much worse. The best bands were/are come from the Pines. Filipinos at least can articulate the words with some clarity.

Philippine bands tend to be technically accurate but without soul. I question their pronunciation abilities! There are many excellent bands around (Colin Hill Band , as previously mentioned) that can be used instead.

I agree with moving it away from the Hilton.

Last I heard they lost Ricky Zen as the MC. Shame. He did a fine job in previous years. I probably won't attend this year.

Ricky was saying at the end of the last one that it's hard work as the MC so he wasn't going to do it anymore plus the fact he'd opened his new bar.

I'll be away for this one so I'll miss Charlie Musselwhite. Typical!

How sad. My sincerest condolences.

They need to bring back the Soi Dogs Blues Band from BKK!

I agree completely. Jeff T and the boys are an excellent band and 2 years ago they were, for me, one of the highlights of the festival. Someone, somewhere must be willing to sponsor their return surely?

I agree that Colin and his band should be in the lineup. He plays a mean guitar.

Ooops, missed the 'Pukett' typo...sorry!! Guess it should have been 'Pluck-it' as we're talking about guitarists. Well, I was.

Once again the potential for a great and internationally recognised Blues festival has been missed. Admittedly Charlie Musselwhite is an acknowledged legend of the blues and is worth travelling a long way to see. Most of the rest of the line-up, unfortunately, is full of mediocrity. Having lost the generous sponsorship of Hotel Travel the Festival has struggled to maintain a good enough standard and relies on fill-ins. What's annoying is that this need not be so. There is a wealth of talent here on Puckett who could lift the game by leaps and bounds. The most obvious error in my humble opinion is the omission of The Colin 'Illy' Hill Band. Here is an Australian 'name' who has put a lot of energy into keeping excellent music live on Phuket and excites audiences wherever they go. His exclusion is a travesty.

Robert's Band (Robert's Bar - Karon) is another band who merit mention and should be included. Following on from the embarrassment which was last year's schedule. A mishmash of poorness topped by the cringing set which was the 'tribute' to Jimi Hendrix. I hope Jimi was listening to his iPod in heaven at the time.

The line up for this year should be pruned to George Cordeiro (USA) & The Fai Jang Blues Gang, The Groove Doctors (without Jimmy Fame who should really concentrate on writing books) and Charlie Musselwhite. Bringing back Cannonball, Eric Bibb and Mitch Woods would also be a masterstroke. Rich Harper, although a lovely guy and a talented musician, has now reached the point where a rest would be beneficial for both.

I'm sure that local companies would be willing to 'sponsor' a band and, with the correct marketing, this could be mutually beneficial to both parties. As it is the party is a damp squid which needs lifting by the tentacles into something Phuket should be proud of.

I know of many ideas that have been floated regarding the upgrade of the festival such as local Thai bands in the afternoon, a 'battle of the bands' for the early evening and then 2 or 3 big names to round off the nights. Performing artists of all types sharing their talent during the day is another option. With the demise of the Phuket Fringe Festival here is a chance to show off what Phuket has to offer.

I do enjoy and support the festival every year but it is a great opportunity missed in my opinion.

My biggest horror when swimming in areas with speedboats or jetskis.

As for diving, I am shocked that dive operators still do not advise their customers to use those inflatable "bananas" that mark resurfacing divers.

RIP

It should be normal practice to deploy a Surface Marker Buoy if anywhere near boat traffic.

It really is time that the Governor stepped in and did something about the Tuk Tuks. They are becoming a major source of trouble and need curtailing.

Vote me in as Governor and I'll do it!

Has anyone had any dealings, good or bad, with Healthcare International and their health insurance claims?

They are a Canadian Company, with offices in London and are part of the AXA group.

Can we ask where you found that information from ?

Googled them and did some research. I bought insurance from them because I thought that they were a UK company. They aren't! The hospital I was in don't have financial agreements with USA or Canada as they "don't pay up" apparently.

Has anyone had any dealings, good or bad, with Healthcare International and their health insurance claims?

They are a Canadian Company, with offices in London and are part of the AXA group.

That is very sad indeed. Condolences to all the families involved.

HEy Mister Man !!!!

Can you guess who this is ?

I too find the choice of rock classics to be tiresome, it's likle the B side of all the hits. I swear that program director did the Phuket's International Woman's

Club function last year and it was awful, every song was just hideous to dance to.

And I can't understand the cockney accent either , except when he slows down long enough to say something sexist .

He was going on about Maddonna turning 50 , "end of her attractiveness" and reason for rumours of divorce as far as his chauvanistic views go.

( This from a man who comes to Thailand to get women. )

btw I went to England last month and it was fantastic, men were falling over themselves when I went out to a pub. It was good to know I'm still a good looking woman. Of course I wore make- up and dressed really nicely, something I don't bother with anymore here in Thailand .. But it was great !

Maybe I really don't like it here anymore, great weather can only stand for so much - I miss a culture where I'm not seen as an alien and men think I"m good looking .

I think you need to check your facts about the man at 91.5FM before talking about him.

Why not text in a request then? That way they'll play what you want to hear. 08 9000 40 40

I used to have a retirement visa and my wife had a visa which was an extension of mine.

Now have a Non Immigrant B visa and a Work Permit. Does the wife have to get her own visa now or does she still qualify for a visa under mine?

I have tried to find this in past threads but failed. Sorry if this has been up before.

He did the first stage only. It has to be finished in three weeks. I AM NOT going back to BPI.

Any recomendation appreciated, either Thai or Farang.

Ta very much.

Does anyone know of a good FARANG dentist on Phuket.

I have just suffered the worst dental treatment ever in Bangkok International Hospital. 3 X-rays (2 were wrong!) and two injections in the wrong side of the mouth! When I pointed out the correct tooth he ran out of the room!!!

He then started the root canal treatment WITHOUT anaesthetic! I can not describe how painful that was. I have never heard a dentist say "Sorry" so often.

He then asked me to go back in three weeks! Any guesses as to my answer?

Urgent decent farang dentist required!!

Can someone please clarify what I need to do.

I have a work permit which I obtained 3 months ago on a Non B Visa.

I now have to do a visa run to renew it but I want it for one year.

I have been told that this can not be done in Penang. Is that right? Where can it be done?

I live on Phuket.

Thanks, help gratefully accepted.

Went back to Orchid Gardens (Off Sai Yuan road) the other day for breakfast and I have to say that it was awesome. I was really pleasantly surprised. HUGE breakfast for 99 Baht, 2 proper english sausages, real back bacon, not the stringy stuff you normally get, and eggs, baked beans with bread and butter. You can have black pudding too if you like that sort of thing. Also had an option for 'Fat Bastardos' but that was gut bustingly huge!

Lovely surroundngs too. Recommend you check it out.

Next week I start to write the new entertainment column in the Phuket Post and was wondering if anyone has any upcoming/ongoing entertainment events; be it live music, restaurants, opening parties or orgies.

I really like the live music thread on this forum and would like to put together a calendar listing what's happening in Phuket.

Hope to hear from you soon

Men in Black appear at The Burasari, Keith Floyd Brunch every Sunday from 12 til 4pm. Excellent food, free flow wine for 1500 Baht and excellent music!!

Next week I start to write the new entertainment column in the Phuket Post and was wondering if anyone has any upcoming/ongoing entertainment events; be it live music, restaurants, opening parties or orgies.

I really like the live music thread on this forum and would like to put together a calendar listing what's happening in Phuket.

Hope to hear from you soon

The Andaman Players are putting on a Comedy Dinner Theatre at The Green man on August 1st. Tickets are 1000 Baht (I think! You need to check with Howard) . Food and good funny stuff! They are also putting on 2 one-act comedies at Skippers (Royal Phuket Marina) with inclusive meal at Les Anges on 23rd August. Don't know cost of tickets yet but probably 1000 - 1500 Baht.

There is a Thai restaurant (sorry don't know the name) which is excellent value and superb Thai food just opposite the entrance to Rawai Temple and Norbu's Steakhouse. Their Sweet and Sour Pork is fabulous.

Good breakfasts can be had at Laguna on Viset Road and Orchid Gardens (Saiyuan Road).

The Restaurant that really does it for me is The Fashion Cafe on Chaofa Road East, halfway between Phuket Town and Chalong Circle. Ambience is very relaxing (sofas, bookcases, good, quiet music). The food is very good, varied and reasonably priced. Also has a lovely Spa at the back if you want to get your hair done after.

I recently posted a question here about the lessor having to be present when the lease is transferred. The answer I got was yes, which is what I was expecting. However, I have a clause in the contract which reads:

"The Lessee shall be allowed at any time during the term hereof let on sublease or otherwise transfer the lease rights to all or part of the land with structure to any other third party(s) whereby no further permission need to be obtained from the Lessor"

So does that mean I'm in the clear or will the Land people just laugh at me?

She doe snot have to be there when people view and subsequently offer etc but she has to be there when it comes to transfering the new lease or remainder of existing lease as she is the freeholder and thus has to agree to the transfer to new owner and sign to this effect.

Thanks. That's not what I wanted to hear!!

I own a 30 + 30 lease on a piece of land which I want to sell.

The owner of the company that own the original chanote on the land tells me that he has to be present if I sell the lease to someone else.

Is that true?