grumpyoldman

Thank you Presnock. Yes, have done some wreck diving in Subic. Got an open water cert in Phuket some years back. Did not have my Padi book on me when I went wreck diving in PI, the guy running the show asked "do you remember how to breath underwater?" Sure I say. Good2go.

Japanese businessman goes to the ophthalmologist for an exam. Dr. says " I see you have a cataract" Japanese man says "no I drive a Rincoln"

When I was working in Phuket,would see hotel customers overlooking Patong Beach and the first 10 meters into the sea during high season would be brown. Totally polluted. You would need to pay me to stay in Patong. Palm Resort Rawai gets $2200thb a night in high season, but that is a bargain, thank you for the tip. Cheers, GOM

March of last year, best value I could find Rawai way was a guesthouse on a side soi a couple blocks from Rawai Beach, $2800thb a night, 75$US. In the Philippines that same money got me a super deluxe room in a luxury hotel, view of the city in Manila, a great room with my own private deck over the beach in Boracay. But after spending 11 years in Phuket it was worth it to see good friends. Downside is that the population has tripled from when I lived there, total zoo. THB at 30 to the US dollar, probably just going to do the Philippines this year, Northern Luzon, Cebu, south of Cebu to dive with the whalesharks.

Is that why Tony Robbins doesn't spend time in Phuket, or is it the Russian invasion that's made the island too crowded?

Thats the program I'll be after. 4 months US, 4 months Khao Lak area maybe...., 4 months Philippines but not sure where. Going to check out Cebu and Northern Luzon early next year.

As earlier said, to each their own. Would prefer to live by the beach as opposed to an hour and a half RT to the beach. Road carnage in Thailand is horrific, have driven those roads a ton. Nice pics though KhunLA.

"But to each their own" Exactly. I actually prefer won ton soups, dumpling soups, fried rice etc., to a lot of other food. Not a money matter just preferences. Did have some decent Tandoori too.

I lived in Thailand 2005-2016, and after having experienced a few Songkran Holidays (water throwing festival in April) used to take that holiday time and fly to Angeles. So this was probably 2010-2014. Angeles was a ton of fun then. Great times in the bars, wild pool parties. I think Covid really did a dumper on the place, plus the Korean takeover; from what I see online (recent youtube vids) it looks dark, dirty and dreary. February this year, I did Manila instead, had a great time. Flew from there to Boracay for a week, back to Manila a couple nights, then a flight to El Nido, Palawan (great time !). In conclusion, at this point in time would recommend Manila over Angeles. Haven't been to Patters in 20 years, but good friends were there in June and raved about a really good time.

City Garden Grand gets my business. I had a great room with a view looking out over the city. Two blocks from Burgos, cheap food across the street at a noddle shop. I mention this because the rooftop restaurant, Firefly is very good, but really pricey.

Traffic in Phuket has gotten horrendously bad, although now being low season maybe it's lightened up a little? Anyway, you don't want family and kids spending half their holiday in a taxi, in traffic going from Nai Yang to Central, or Phuket Town. Had family from Sweden with kids stay in Karon. They loved it. When looking at the water it was the resort furthest to the right down the beach, used to be a Centara...it's the last one on the beach as the road goes uphill towards Patong. Great pools, kids had a blast. Low season ocean at Karon can be treacherous, so do be careful.

Pretty sure most of the big Phuket hospitals have mental health clinics. Maybe shoot email to the info at link of Bangkok Phuket or one of the others. Best of luck.

Complete speculation, but get out on that famous viewpoint ledge, turn around for selfie with phone, stumble, lose balance. RIP young guy, condolences to parents and family. Truly tragic.

Having a big problem with Listeria here in the U.S. in processed meat products. Could be the same there.

I was in Phuket at a local pub when a British muay Thai boxer got into it with a U.S. Marine, got whooped and embarrassed in front of everybody. He then goes to the nearest 7/11, steals a knife, follows the guy home and stabbed him to death. He did some years in Thailand but I think they ended up shipping back to the UK where he did some years but eventually let go. I imagine the same thing will happen here. Two years banged up in Thailand, shipped back to the U.S. where he'll get a sharp lawyer who will claim self defense, couple years, out. Just speculation.

Was accosted once for business by two African hookers right between Suk 3 and 5. Their B.O. was so bad my eyes started watering. Stunk worse than elephants. No thank you.

Yes, as mentioned above Tigerline from the Rassada Pier, Phuket town. Low season schedules might get tricky, also be aware the Andaman sea facing coasts of Krabi and Lanta take a beating during low season as well as garbage blows in. i.e. I know Hat Napparat at this point probably has minimal, wet sand and will have a bit of trash. Lanta gets real quiet.

All good, I saw rentals. Beach person here, I've had lunch in PN town, wouldn't really think to reside there. To each their own, carry on !

May 30 last post? Seems the Xylo blog has dropped off since ol boy had his accident. Xylo, we hope your health is on the mend mister. I'm sure some of the pubs are missing those golden vocal chords. Maybe we should start a new thread "Reporting from Bangla", the sewer smells not as bad since the rains, girl drinks are still way over the top expensive, Suzie Wongs still a lot of fun, thwack!

Have not had major orthopedic surgery, but have used BPH and recommend it. Since the plan entails staying near home, I think you will be fine going this route.

I realize this is a sleepy forum, always has been, but thanks to flyingtiger as off of Simon's retirement post I've often thought of Khao Lak. Those links are helpful. VinneK probably long gone but I'm seeing a lot of offers other than million dollar properties.

Lo and behold, you remove the air particulates, shazaaam, all that disappears. Just had some friends return from Patters, they had a great time. A best buddy's wife had passed away a year earlier, a year of melancholy and then I think Pattaya was a good cure for the guy. I love Koh Lanta, not as much in the low season. Lots of places closed up as they take the brunt of the monsoon winds, but rest of the year, Lanta is great.

Has anyone used the "trying to put toothpaste back in the tube" cliche yet?

You don't have to live in dead central Ao Nang proper. On the way to Khlong Muang are nice little neighborhoods. As mentioned, Krabi town is not so densely touristy Anyway, the beach beats dusty hot Northern Thailand, although I have a softspot for riverside Kanchanaburi. Lots of tourists in Bangkok, would you say the same to someone who rents a condo there? Do you live in Thailand, if so, where?

Hi Simon, years ago when you and wifey #???? had the hotel by the airport I used to stop in and sell you guys wine. In my wine sales spent a lot of time in Krabi. I think Ao Nang is fine, especially if you say you won't have rent to pay (?). Grab a couple beers at beach rd. 7/11, kick it on Ao Nang beach wall for sunset, relaxing. The local Thai food spots are on roads behind Ao Nang beachfront. Krabi town not far away, I'll guess as time goes by you'll spend more time there as it's not the tourist throngs, tons of inexpensive food. Hop skip and a jump to excellent outer islands. Might see you there in a few years, considering it also. We'll enjoy geezer beers on the wall. Cheers! GOM