grumpyoldman

Just so that I follow, the OP can expect long queues at the Thai Embassy Penang due to all of the Phuket longstayers. O.K., well, make it a couple day trip, have some great food in Penang. Why not? Sorry OP do not have a direct answer for you on required docs.

Was wondering why the pastrami on rye tripled in price.

Prices go up when you have three eyes and a tail.

If you are walking on Bangla toward the water, about halfway down, is there still the lefthand turn to a bunch of Thai stalls and seafood restaurants? Used to be some good food down there but I can imagine they might have done away with that section.

Looks a bit bigger than a longtail....

Bingo, move on to a different part of the island, better yet, as long as the weather is ok, catch a ferry to islands south, Lanta, Ko Muk etc.

Oh wow, ya, Richard and his wife, the owners, used to be my landlord. Thanks for this.

I'm with the OP, first times coming to Phuket were early and mid 90's, Rawai quiet, '95 or so surfed Nai Harn on a good swell BY MYSELF. Lived in Rawai off Soi Nanachart for 11 years 2005-2016. I'm sure this high season is a nightmare crowd-wise as we come out of the whole Covid restriction time, probably a lot of pent-up Thailand visit desires out there. I like earlier poster's suggestion of Koh Kho Khao, just a bit far from some of OP's requirements. Gulf coast is also a great suggestion, Prachuap and Chumpon. Not beachy but in my Thai travels really enjoyed Kanchanaburi. House on the river, fishing. OP, maybe rent your place out during high season, go to the Philippines or just elsewhere in Thailand, come back in June when it chills out a bit.

The Windmill Yannui Beach. .2 Kilometers to the beach, local markets in Rawai.

Some years back, a guy had just gotten to Patong on holiday, comes out of his hotel room on Soi Sansabai to hit the Bangla girlie bars, it's raining/flooding, a power line is down and old boy gets ZAPPED, dead. Bad luck.

Has to be a bus from Khok Kloi to Krabi. Most of the drivers for the hotels would love to pick up a little extra dead-head cake to Phuket Airport for guest pickup, have them drop you off there enroute, on the sly.

Yes, have to think there is some optimism for this post Covid, high season. Should be busy.