Valentine

Go to the local land office in the Province/Amphur you have the land. They have a book with all the prices per rai for each district. Prices vary depending where the land is in each district. Just go to the land office and ask the poeple working there to help you out. Usually land prices at the land office is lower than what the land is acually worth. You usually can sell it for more than it says in the book depending on the area. Cheers

Thanks for the advice. We are in Phuket so will have to try & find someone to check for us.

I am hoping they will be able to issue & renew Thai passports. The annual chaos at the school or shopping centre when they visit Phuket is quite amazing. A couple of years ago I got passports for my kids & there was a large crowd waiting to get in before they opened. However, once we actually got to the processing stage, it was basically one stop at a desk with a girl operating a computer who took all the details, recorded fingerprints, took the photos, after which we paid at another desk & on our way. This part took perhaps 15 minutes but it was wading through the crowd, filling out initial paperwork & then waiting for the operator which took about two hours. Passports were then delivered to our home in under two weeks.

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

Not sure if I think they are making a false story out of nothing.. or if this is factual analysis ??

Certainly makes the governor look highly foolish as he makes firm denials and then moments later has to backpedal.

Discount the scaremongering attention seeking title of the vid.. But it would throw another angle on Thailands reaction to the refugee issue..

I thought the story about the submarine surfaced (no pun intended) quite a long time ago but never heard of any follow up. The shell of the mini sub looks quite old & rusty. However, with all the other bad news Phuket does not need this kind of story.

Seems to be a feeling of general malaise at the moment.

Not much life around in Phuket.

Hi Pete. Both Thai & foreign business people here, including myself, are seeing a downturn in sales & no new contracts on the horizon which may be contributing to the malaise. My sister in Dunedin is experiencing the same although she says friends who have regular paying jobs are not feeling any stress just yet.

By the way, you might have the choice of 2 Come On bars as I saw one in a small complex opposite the entrance to Land & House although it seems the one on the way to the pier is still open.

A couple of legal experts both Thai & farang both strongly recommended not going through the court if it was at all possible to avoid. My feeling is a Thai lawyer would be best suited to handle an agreement whcih can be legally binding which I think has to be done before you Amphur will accept your divorce. There is a Thai law firm, next to a 2nd hand bookshop on the right hand side of the road going to Phuket Town & not far past the the intersection at Dowrung Witthaya School (Chao Fa East). I always found the owner to have a genuine & sincere interest in helping.

My wife has some land in Phitsanoluk, chanote title, which she wants to sell but we have no idea on pand prices there. Can anyone advise?

I just changed my package from Platinum to Silver along with the Discovery package that Hirider mentioned but I lost a couple of movie channels, History, NG & Discovery but still have BBC E & Star World although I will be really annoyed if they drop BBC E at the end of this month like they have advertised as there are some great shows on it. Losing the sports channels does not bother as I am not interested in football & I can get plenty of rugby union from the cable service which is my preferred sport.

I finally managed to get through to True Visions in Bangkok. It seems many are calling in about the upcoming cancellation of BBC Entertainment. I was informed the contract is expiring & they are currently in negotiations to renew whcih seems odd considering the message which flashes across the screen. I look forward to many of the programmes on BBC E & to have it cancelled will make me look for alternatives. I undertsand it can be part of a satellite package.

On the road to Phuket Town from Chalong (Chao Fa East) there is a secondhand book store on the left at one of the lights...

Phuket Zoo traffic lights?

I am pretty sure I have seen it there.

We can play on words as much as we like but "for the betterment of all" is exactly that. When business is struggling or goes under there is a huge knock on effect as people lose their jobs & it affects all from the noodle sellers to the families in Issan or elsewhere who are suddenly burdened with grandkids whose parents can no longer afford to support from Phuket. In some cases these same people will have to go back home to the farm creating additional burdens for the family or some of the girls will end up in an already overpopulated bar girl scenario. Crime can certainly be expected to increase as many will seek other means to get money & criminals do not distinguish between those in business or not.

Yesterday I visited two of my regular Thai suppliers, one said straight out that business was bad, the other said they were busy fullfilling existing contracts but had no new contracts on the horizon. I think you will find this kind of talk typical around the island.

For the sake of my family's livelihood I applaud any efforts which may help businesses survive which in turn will help ensure the general populace stay employed.

I think most people object to the word "Summer". I don't think they have thought this campaign out thoroughly.

Maybe you all did not know, but we Phuket is in the Northern Hemisphere and May - Sept is Summer on Phuket Island. It's called summer time in the UK, but many days are cold and rainy, but it's still summer there. I always liked the 'Green' season idea. Also Low season is good. You are all making too big a deal out of this...

I agree, technically it will be summer & I prefer green season but the reality is we should not be focusing on a word but rather the fact there is a group of people trying to promote Phuket for the betterment of all.

I have True & cable but will downgrade True soon. I get annoyed with cable's 3 sports channels as at times they show the same thing on two channels, have one channel just displaying a Supersport logo, the other night halrway through a 20/20 cricket match they switched to a boxing match which was already in round 5 & then did not even go to the end of the boxing but switched over to VW car racing. Normally on weekends they have been showing Super 14s rugby but when I called to ask them why they were not showing it they responded immediately by switching over to a South African schoolboy game. In my opinion cable only has one decent news channel which is BBC.

What they (TAT) should do, Valentine, is cater to local punters as well. We keep businesses afloat during the low season and we should be treated like royalty, not scum. A major Korean tour company is now catering to Thais going to Korea, as incoming Koreans are very very few.

We do, after all, return often to a business, whereas a tourist comes and then leaves, forever, never to come back, after they see the real Phuket.

A major self preservation method of marketing is to introspect, see what was done wrong and right, and then rebrand. But Thais love to shoot themselves in the foot and blame the shoe manufacturer!!

But claiming that the rainy season is gone, is both wrong and so very deceitful.

Good to see constructive comments & I like to believe the attitude of the ticket seller on Phi Phi is not the norm. My Thai lady was shocked when I told her about it but I suspect she is in a minority. Anyway that topic opens up a whole can of worms which has probably been thrashed to near death although we should not give up but as we are supposed to be talking about summer in Phuket let me include some remarks from one of the guys involved in the promotion which is with his consent.

"Am expanding the site to make sure its clear and descriptive, also to add activities on what to do for kids, families, couples etc on great days, raining days.

No issue , some good comments and no word is perfect, but this at least standardizes it The other issue is that all weather sevices, weather channel etc use wrong forecasts and do not show what its like here, additionally the weather at natai is different to patong, as it is in Cape panwa and Ao Po.

We will have streaming webcams so they can see all locations themselves, its simply a case of we love Phuket all year, and are promoting that."

Despite all the frustrations Phuket is still a great place to live or holiday & I can certainly relate many tales where I have been on the receiving end of genuine acts of kindness.

Valentine, keeping your head in the sand is also doing the future incoming guests a disservice.

If the low/rainy season has NOT been canceled, then your friend has no Bhudda-given right to claim it as such, for monetary gain.

If there was a marketing campaign aimed at getting the tuk tuk mafia under tight control (metered, prices clearly visible), dangerous undercurrent warning flags not missing, double pricing, etc etc, then visitors could give Phuket a more serious try than that idiotic slogan your friend and his cronies came up with.

Even though I generally have no use for tuk tuks & see the tuk tuk mafia as a major negative aspect, along with double pricing, making guests pay for Xmas dinner whether they want it or not, this list could go on & on. Here is a copy of my post to the travel forum.

Phi Phi Family ferry's schedule, which I used yesterday, leaves Phuket at 8.30am & returns from Phi Phi at 2.30pm. I undertsand this is the cheapest option & I paid 150 Baht, at the pier, going out as my foreman bought the tickets. Coming back I was spotted by the ticket seller & had to pay 300 Baht, the reason being that all tourists pay this price. When I stated I was there to work & showed him my work permit the reasoning changed to "I don't care, you are not Thai".

Despite the negatives there has to be many more positives which is why we are here? Although I thought their slogan was a little weird, I am not a marketing person, but what I can see is that there are people who are trying to highlight the positive aspects of Phuket come rain or shine & I repeat their website does not try to hide the fact of monsoon rains.

Some people seem to think the recession will bring the local business owners to their senses. No it will not, but it will inflict a lot of misery. The bar landlords, hotel owners, big business operators may see their extravagant lifestyle slightly affected but for the rest of us it is a serious prospect. I have a fairly meagre lifestyle & have to find more ways to trim it which affects my family & others whom I normally do business with. So far our business is still running & have not had to lay anyone off but if I did then the trickle down effect is compunded which if multiplied by countless others one can begin to see the magnitude of the problem.

Phi Phi Family ferry's schedule, which I used yesterday, leaves Phuket at 8.30am & returns from Phi Phi at 2.30pm. I undertsand this is the cheapest option & I paid 150 Baht, at the pier, going out as my foreman bought the tickets. Coming back I was spotted by the ticket seller & had to pay 300 Baht, the reason being that all tourists pay this price. When I stated I was there to work & showed him my work permit the reasoning changed to "I don't care, you are not Thai".

Any know of a really good car details shop in Phuket, need it for outside and inside (leather seats) of my car

I recommend the big car care place on Samkong, mid way between Bangkok Phuket & Vishara Hospitals, opposite Steak 50 restaurant. Their detail prices not cheap, but they do a good job. They have a comfortable waiting lounge, but I usually go over to Steak 50 for my lunch. Beware.. very busy at the weekends.

It is called Meguier's & I agree it is a good place & comfortable if having to wait. They also have an internet connection there. I don't know about a full detail price but standard car clean price is comparable to elsewhere & cheaper than the likes of Big C. If you buy a bottle of their wax you can bring it with you when you go & get a reasonably priced clean & wax.

Does anyone have any info on ferry times from Phuket to Phi Phi out of Rassada Pier?

I've looked through ThaiVisa.com and done a search online but can't seem to find reliable information.

Help?

In all my years on Phuket I have never been to Phi Phi but will be making a day trip today & I believe the ferry leaves at 8.30 or 9am. I do know this, you are much better off buying your ticket directly from the ferry operators at Rassada Pier although I understand there may be a dual pricing scheme in effect.

Yeah, yeah......I know.....it'll never happen.

What will happen is we will see all the bar and restaurant prices go up as the Thai business owners make a futile attempt to make the same money as previously, but, with fewer tourists.

Watch tuk-tuk prices go into four figures.

I fear prices will go up across the board & have already seen a couple of examples with no real reason as inflation is quite low & high fuel prices cannot be used as an excuse anymore. As in Sir Burr's comment it possibly refelcts the mentality of not getting as much business therefore increase the price to make up for it rather than maintaining prices or even offering lower prices to keep existing clientele & draw in more. As some have suggested let's hope the tourist industry offer some genuine discounts & truly get behind the promotion. The tuk tuk crowd could truly give themselves & Phuket a much needed public relations boost by coming up with reasonable fares although the sun will likely burn out before that happens.

To any other posters please do not say it is a con. Check the website, there is no intent to deceive or hide the fact about monsoon rains. Anywhere in the world, summer does not necessarily mean no rain.

This is the time to cast out the cynical side of our nature & sincerely highlight the positive aspects of Phuket, of which there are many, otherwise why would we be here.

Frankly, I think it is deceitful. Luring the tourist money in with what to anyone in the know is complete bullshit.

It's the rainy season and to call it summer is misleading at best and a complete falsehood at worst.

Attract business in honest ways. More special activities, special packages and discounts.

Check the website http://www.summerinphuket.com/summer-phuke...mer-season.html as there does not seem to be any intent to deceive as it points out the facts of monsoon.

I know one of the guys involved in this & I believe there is a genuine concern out there to be pro active & help promote Phuket because many will be affected by the downturn which is shaping up to be the most serious we have faced. I realise some of you out there are happily retired & financially independent but for those of us who depend on business here to make a living the outlook is not pretty. To batten down the hatches & ride out the storm may be OK but the storm could be a long time blowing hence the reason to be pro active. Facetious comments may get a small chuckle but will not help although constructive comments will.

I really think if he has serious brain trauma his only hope is to get him to Singapore or back to the west. I just don't think neurological care is up to 21st century standards here. good luck.

A few years back a friend of mine had an accident on the road above Le Meridian, we were supposed to meet for dinner in Patong. He apparently came off his bike, skidded on his face & came to an abrupt stop against a large rock & he was wearing a helmet. Two days later he called me from Phuket International Hospital saying the only feeling he had was in a finger on one of his hands & that they were just getting him ready for medivac to Singapore which at the time I thought was the best for him. This was the first I knew of his accident.

After spending a long time in Singapore with no results he was eventually sent back home to Adelaide where he entered a specialist clinic. His brother contacted me to get a report from the hospital to help with an insurance claim. I read the report & there was recommendation that he not be moved for at least two weeks due to intense bruising of spinal nerves. About two years after the accident he improve dto the point where he had some movement in his fingers which is basically where he was before he left Phuket. Shortly thereafter he requested to be taken off life support & subsequently died.

Is this a case of well intentioned people doing the wrong thing based on the fact they did not think Thai medical standards were up to scratch? I often wonder the outcome had the physicians advice at Phuket International been followed.

I am not far from the circle. I spent the first 7 or 8 years in Patong & glad to have escaped over the hill to Kathu 10 years ago as Patong was starting to deteriorate badly. However, I do still enjoy a very occasional jaunt to Patong when friends are visiting.

Gotta go & do some work just now but yes we can keep in touch & meet up later in the year.

I would love to shop at Villa more often but finances preclude this.

I was at Villa yesterday about 11.00. I was the only shopper ...

Were the shelves well stocked? I must admit recently I have observed in both Homeworks & Home Pro Chalong excessively more staff than shoppers & the realtively new "The Future" looks destined to go the same way as Courts. Big C & Lotus still look very busy most times but cannot comment on Carrefour as I rarely go there.

If shopping in Tops make sure you have a Spot card, easy & free to get form their service counter, as price reductions with the card make many things comparable in price to those at Big C & Lotus. Occasionally imported items go on a two for one basis as they cannot sell due to high price, akin to what they do in Marks & Spencers sometimes. Lady Pie pies in Tops are normally priced much higher than Villa so like anything it pays to shop around. For basic foodstuffs & everyday household items I get from Big C or Lotus. I have only been to Villa once but to me it seems to have a better range of imported products than Tops. I would love to shop at Villa more often but finances preclude this.

Ten years ago I met a swiss man, who told me about his dengue-fever experiences he had. He first went to the International Hospital at the bypass road. He got a room, but nobody cared for him. There was nothing they did. The next day he let him transfer to Phuket International Hospital. There they cared better. This was his report. At this time I only know that Bangkok Phuket Hospital charge like a seven star hotel. I would be afraid to go there in an emergency. Can anybody give advice on this, where to go in Phuket? I don't understand this. Phuket International Hospital & the international hospital on the bypass road are surely one & the same. From what I can see in the hosptals here whether they are "international" standard or not, much of the patient caring is done by relatives as the nurses' duties just seem to be to check for vital signs & administer medications. If looking for something cheaper Mission Hospital may be worth considering.