grumpyoldman

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This is what Phuket has to offer at 350 a night? A Rickety Bunk Bed (how about that pun!).

Geez, that's what Grumpy slept in when he was a kid and had to share a room with the stinky older brother............

No offense Rick but I think at 350, in the low season, with a little effort and bargaining, people will find a better room than that.

Watched a lady land a couple weekends ago and her sail landed right on top of an older German couple sitting in the chairs.

Wap! Came down right on them and their umbrella.

They came climbing out from under a little surprised, but not hurt. They were pretty good natured about it and had a laugh with the lady who was very apologetic.

I know some people that have a house up above Klong Nin, seems there are some other homes up there for rent. It's sort of upscale though so I think they wouldn't go for anything under 30,000thb per month.

Finding a rental via the internet is going to mean agent fees, you want to avoid that markup if you can. Possible for you to travel ahead of your family and suss out a place and then have them join? I'd say a comfortable two bedroom with most modern conveniences can be done for 20,000thb a month. Be sure to check the water heaters in the bathrooms for circuit breakers and quality wiring. Have some problems here regarding that.

Locations, Khlong Nin as mentioned, Kantiang is very nice and quiet, those would be my first couple of suggestions. Cheers, GOM

Short answer , Billabong which is guest friendly with a pool , family style hotel , take your chances with exteranious guest , have a problem which I doubt if you are not with an " In your face ' type of lady , you have various other choices presented to you .

Other posters are only being as helpful as they can under the circumcision .

Dumball can you clarify for me (?) as I'm confused.

You say guest friendly but then take your chances with extraneous guest? In your face type lady, huh?

Why spend an extra $25-50 for a pool?? waste of money.

Because when there is no beach, it's nice to take up lounge chair and do some reading in the afternoon by a pool?

From what I've seen here there is only one hotel suggested that has a pool, any others at a reasonable rate (30-60$U.S.) with a pool?

Ahh u want sit by the pool and pay an additional $25 for it

Short answer, yes. Any suggestions on a hotel with a pool that's guest friendly? Sort of reasonable up to 60$US? Good location?

The other night I get home from work, flip on the tube where my local cable company has about six sports channels and every single one of them is footy.

Now, overall not that big of a deal but all of them were replays.

So enlighten me, do you out there, the sports viewing public actually pull up and watch 2 hours of a match you already know the outcome of? You know so-and-so scores in the 50th minute do you actually watch the whole thing or is it just background noise at the bar?

I think I get more excited watching paint dry.............

For sure the Chaing Mai Downtown Inn deaths are a classic example of "Amazing Thailand".

6 people dead, no investigations, connected people pushing for cremations in a hurry.

What the hell, dead people can't post on Trip Advisor, right? No bad reviews there, "come stay at our 3 star Chiang Mai Downtown Inn our motto is, we hope you leave alive"!

V interesting stuff..thx all,,maybe I've been here too long and getting paranoid but given your views plus the 'strange' behaviour of the staff at the tesco aeon bank I'll certainly avoid that atm in future..dam shame 'cos it used to save me that pesky 150 baht charge!

Last year Siam Commecrcial Bank started a 20thb charge when you were using your card outside the province where your SCB bank account is. Can't understand, still in Thailand, but costs 20thb to use the ATM as soon as I leave Phuket.

Thats been the case for at least 6 years, also with BKK Bank

ESB7 I am going to politely disagree.

I have been travelling the region due to work for the past 6 years, using SCB ATM's and the 20thb charge out of province started when I happen to be in Phi-Phi withdrawing money, I'm pretty sure, November 2009. Could I be mistaken and it was only then I noticed, maybe, but I look at my ATM slips regularly.

No matter really, good thing about this thread is notifying everyone to stay away from that dodgy Tesco Aeon Bank ATM.

"Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution"

and you believe the upcoming election will be between the reds and the yellows? Maybe you could join CNN ;-)

Like I said before, the PT is distancing itself from the reds (and even Thaksin) because they realize even isan will not vote for them anymore

because 90% of the country knows now reds=violence.

The yellows are selling dogfood on astv to stay alive and have decided not to join the election because they know nobody (except the hardcores) will vote for them.

So what was this intelligent discussion supposed to be about again? Ah yes, who will win the election: red or yellow?

Or maybe you think the democrats are yellow because they have Kasit, a former yellow? Of course, during Thaksin's days in office the democrats leaned towards the PAD. Which reasonable, peaceful, clear thinking human being wouldn't have? Maybe you didn't notice but lately Abbhisit and the yellows haven't been the best of friends. Just watch, the democrats will put the PAD leaders in jail.

BTW, the outcome of the election is already known: the democrats will win and form a coalition with Newin or Banharn (or both).

Oh yes, and it's going to stay damned hot all week :-)

I must have missed something as we where discussing whitch parts of the population where supporting red and yellow.

Election is another matter

Headline from OP..reads THAI POLITICS...yes KBB?

Also from our most learned GOM...Otherwise as foreigners here we have no say but what's your take? If you had a vote which way would you go?

So.."i must have missed something as we where discussing whitch parts of the population where supporting red and yellow"

So ivowatsons post is as relevant as any here, yet you choose as usual to want it to go only your way. This along with your snide comment to me are proof of what i said about this thread originally..Yes?

You can get away with being a conceited narcissist, but if anyone else posts against you, you either try and belittle them, or claim "flamming'' and delete them....

if not for you and GOM to and froing and patting each other on the back ,this would be going as far as the average weather forecast thread..FACT.

I will not play your childish powertrip game on forum KBB,because of the uneven playing ground advantage you have by fact of your 'power'..

PS ivowatson...your right about the weather, that is unless it buckets down instead. Politics and the weather..Ho hum.

Look, this is exactly what I wanted to stay away from as we get enough of this around here.

If you guys think this is boring then please do go and comment on the weather, no fur off my nuts, although considering that's a pinned topic I wonder on the multiple posts there.

Thanks to all for posting relevancy here, ivowatson I do agree that these parties are mutating, as for your prediction, o.k., that's an excellent educated guess (hypothesis), will it come to fruition...........(?) not sure I can agree.

I have nice buns, so I'd definitely be doing you a bigger favor by tanning them in public.

Only if you are female 16-35. Otherwise you're just another idiot showing his man-a*s.

Please do us all a favor and keep that in your private residence.

Which brings to mind another topic but related here, who ever condoned men to wear a thong? I mean, o.k., if you're Borat and you are going for a laugh, but (no pun intended) otherwise, no one wants to see your man-a*s, o.k.?

There is one old dude at Nai Harn who we have dubbed "butt-man", for whatever reason for years this 70 something has been marching up and down the beach in the afternoon in a thong, his wrinkly old butt hanging out there. I keep wanting to pull up on the guy and say "gramps, you left the locker room in your jock strap"!

they are scammers! i dont care call me cruel but they extort money out of people by their wailing and punishing peoples ears...it is "aural assault"....giving them money only encourages them to return...i raise money for various charities and give to charities...i dont give to mugs like that....I cant stand them

I know you raise money for charities, I think your group stole my nic, no?

Just having some fun snamos, I don't believe you verbally say that to those people but the feeling regarding them is understood. Cheers, GOM

Definitely should.

It's a really good time of year here actually. Things tend to be cheaper, usually not so many people and you'll see more sun than rain.

Yes, I agree. It's a good time of the year as quieter/cheaper, and still plenty of sun most days.

And OP, I don't know if you surf, or want to learn to surf, but there are rental boards at Kata and lessons, good time of year for surfing.

This probably has more to do with the screeners, but Air Asia definitely takes advantage of the situation..........

I fly from Phuket to BKK with carry-on only, in my bathroom kit a bottle of mouthwash and some sunscreen. On the way to Bangkok no problem.

BKK back to Phuket, the screeners tell me the bottle sizes of my mouthwash and sunscreen too big, cannot let me pass. I tell them, I had no problems coming to Bangkok, why a problem going back? Sorry they say, have to check that if those bottles go.

Go back to Air Asia counter explain the situation, they say "sure you can check that, but it'll cost you 500thb". I say but the fee when I book is a lot cheaper than that. Again "sorry 500thb".

Mouthwash and sunscreen in the trash, what a waste.

In July it's a mixture of sun, clouds, and rain. How much sun or clouds or rain is anyone's guess. Some days you get a lot sun, other days a lot of rain.

Bit of a gamble then - ummm, should I or shouldn't I !!!!

Definitely should.

It's a really good time of year here actually. Things tend to be cheaper, usually not so many people and you'll see more sun than rain.

Highly recommend the head massages as well.

Hmmmmmmm.............before or after the three beers?

Why spend an extra $25-50 for a pool?? waste of money.

Because when there is no beach, it's nice to take up lounge chair and do some reading in the afternoon by a pool?

From what I've seen here there is only one hotel suggested that has a pool, any others at a reasonable rate (30-60$U.S.) with a pool?

stevenl, I'd prefer not to go gutter Bangtao Boy Bill R fashion, happy to compare my Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution to what you hold. For sure I took your post one step further as I found it to be pretty basic, in hopes of constructive converstaion, as opposed to being told I need reading comprehensive classwork.

Katabeachbum you are on a good track for sure. There are major transportation issues and it seems they only pay attention to Bangkok. Big skytrain stuff going on there, why not here? Seems actually that the Reds take more account of actual issues (health, farmer loan subsidies) which is a reason they are popular.

Is it the Reds who are the "people party" and the Yellows who are just the Bangkok Power Family's pawns?

the yellow kinda represent the educated, intellectuals

while the red wants to be the peoples party. For me it seems all wrong to invest major amounts in roads and infrastucture where very few people use it and make money for the country, while her in Phuket with major financial contrubtions to the countries economy, infrastucture recieves nothing. Public schools, roads and transportation, waste and water supply is a shame here.

In Thaksins Chiang May and part of Isarn, roads are fantastic, but no vehicles on it. Here it is a mess.

Public tap water to remote places with few houses, her no public tap water for most houses

But doing so, they have gained the support of half he country, The uneducated and poor half.

I agree.

But could you say, considering the Yellows represent the "educated, intellectuals" that they are the frontmen for the elite?

Absolutely if some party helps the poor and uneducated, especially if there is 500thb for each involved, they are going to get the majority.

I believe an earlier poster mentioned a representative government, where each constituency would have so many votes. This is probably a good plan, but do you base the amount of votes on how much money the constituency brings in or how many people there are? For Phuket I would hope they would base it on monetary value to the country as a whole, I sure would love to see a skytrain from the airport, to Heroines Monument, branching through Bangtao to Patong, over the hill through Kathu to Central and back to the airport.

"Dreaams, dream, dream dream, dreeaaams"...........

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

So you think it's clear as that eh? Draw a line straight at the top of Bangkok, "look north my young Red, Yellow Youth, head south". Hmmmmm...............

To clarify: just the read the above quotes. If in your opinion I am saying the same in my quote as you are in yours, I would recommend you follow a course comprehensive reading.

stevenl, I'd prefer not to go gutter Bangtao Boy Bill R fashion, happy to compare my Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution to what you hold. For sure I took your post one step further as I found it to be pretty basic, in hopes of constructive converstaion, as opposed to being told I need reading comprehensive classwork.

Katabeachbum you are on a good track for sure. There are major transportation issues and it seems they only pay attention to Bangkok. Big skytrain stuff going on there, why not here? Seems actually that the Reds take more account of actual issues (health, farmer loan subsidies) which is a reason they are popular.

Is it the Reds who are the "people party" and the Yellows who are just the Bangkok Power Family's pawns?

Those blind singers get told to <deleted> OFF when Im around...

You tell a blind guy and some old biddie to "<deleted> OFF " ? Do you consider yourself a friendly person?

The recent World Economic Forum report (which, as far as I know, has surprisingly, or unsurprsingly, being given no media comment here) listed one of the main obstacles to Thai economic development as being an unstable political environment.

So, for the reason of getting some consistency and stability into this country, if I had a vote, I'd be after retaining the present administration.

Thank you Lannatyne, I agree, some stability is really what the Dr. orders here.

stevenl, I still don't understand,,,,,,,,,,,,your immediate post was Phuket and the south yellow majority and Isaan and the north supported by reds. I realize you are out but if you happen to want to jump back in clarify for me as I'm missing something, as later you posted that is not what you meant. But no biggy if you don't want to jump back in.

Ping, no apologies necessary, I was glad to see you pop in as for the poster that said an intelligent thread here is somewhat ludicrous, I tend to see you (Ping) as one of the more intelligent posters here (when not drinking))..............purely a joke, just kidding around) which would invalidate the post that an intelligent thread would never work here.

Anyway, Abbhisit seems a wet piece of tissue to me, the Reds seem to put up stronger people, but then they are just so corrupt. But do the Yellows just hide their corruption better?

Had a good combination at The Family last night, a Greek salad, followed by some spicy laab. All very good. They've really increased the menu with all kinds of food, nice options there.

Yes, the majority who are born southerners are yellow. The red element is mainly people who have come here to work from Isaan. (I thought it was obvious.)

Thanks Ping, yes you and stevenl seem to just want to state the obvious. I was sort of hoping to start somewhat of an intelligent thread after seeing what has become of this forum, a bit depressing for me.

I tend not to see things as cut and dried as Northern Reds, Southern Yellows (yes stevenl you did post that). I think there are big power families that pretty much run the country. I see some of these "leaders" as demagogues (the yellow guy with the round head and glasses....Sondhi? Thaksin for sure) who when they really get taken to the cleaners by the others for bad politics, hide behind the monarchy.

Anyway, hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday and thanks for sharing. GOM

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

Basically, after seeing the troll posts, and BTB and BillR have their little name calling bit I thought I'd throw out something like a discussion piece as though we were sitting at a bar tossing down a few.

stevenl, thanks for the input, I do believe there are more reds here in Phuket than most people think. Yes, pretty clear to all that the Reds have thrown money to the farmers in the north for votes, setting some unrealistic health plans for them, making big noise about the Bangkok power elite.

So you think it's clear as that eh? Draw a line straight at the top of Bangkok, "look north my young Red, Yellow Youth, head south". Hmmmmm...............

I'm so bored with Thai politics.

Yea, you're right, riots, men in black, extra judicial killings, crony-ism, nepotism, assassination attempts, corruption, all very boring..............................