NamKangMan

And of course, NO investigation as to who accepted money to allow him to re-enter. 

@ XP

For your skin rash, not mater what it is, or from, try Prednisone.  You can buy it over the counter at pharmacies here.  25mg once a day, for a few days, should clear up your urticaria. 

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6007-9383/prednisone-oral/prednisone-oral/details

10 hours ago, the guest said:

I avoid phuket like the plague. The infrastructure is diabolical. Why tourists go there is beyond my comprehension.

Because Phuket's infrastructure is better than the infrastructure in China, Russia and India.  ????

Perhaps this threat should have been titled: "Are there any cafes left north of Chalong Circle?"  ????

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

This is the News Forum. I read it first every day to see what breaking news is happening  in Phuket.

It's quite annoying to see that a small incident from June has been revived so some can make inane comments about the people involved.

Also, rehashing old news, distorts actuality and gives the haters an opportunity to continue their sad campaigns.

Perhaps old topics could be closed after a reasonable time for discussion so they don't get dragged up again and again by people with an agenda.

I note the news section invariably starts a new thread for updates on any story anyway.

 

"Perhaps old topics could be closed after a reasonable time for discussion" - sounds like censorship to me OC.  Why should there be a time limit on a news thread????

"rehashing old news, distorts actuality and gives the haters an opportunity to continue" - not sure how it distorts "actuality" but we wouldn't want the "haters" to tarnish the tarnish on Phuket's already tarnished tourism industry, would we?  ????

On 11/11/2018 at 4:11 PM, schlog said:

Do we have a wake of Ping Pong Shows in Patong?

 

After many month i was out last night to play pool at newly moved Tasmanian Pool Lounge. 

 

While playing many older/middle age russian couples and lady group  masses entered and passed the security next door to the lounge.

Judging by the look of the guests i thought it must be a buffet restaurant lol.

 

But i was wrong. Asked the staff and they told me it's the Las Vegas Ping Pong Show. Later had a quick look inside and there were sure more women then man inside and it was full.

Last time when i was in a Ping Pong Gogo, it was Hard Rock in 1993, there were no girl guests inside only crazy guys.

 

Patong is steadily changing if we like it or not.....

 

 

"Patong is steadily changing if we like it or not....." - it's definitely changing / changed.  The thing is, the poor administration of the tourism industry, along with crumbling infrastructure, and the lack of the essential service - transport, as well as corruption at all levels, has caused the change, and unless the Phuket get a full and genuine make over, probably including casinos, the only future I see for Phuket is zero baht Chinese, Russian and Indian tourist. 

Phuket - The Jewel in Thailand's Crown has been allowed to be devalued to such a point that the majority of tourist coming here now are cheap package holiday groups. 

It would take major changes to lure back the lost western market segment, and I can't see that happening any time soon.

20 hours ago, billythehat said:

Sir, unfortunately I chose engineering as a career and not one in the legal profession and so I’ll have to take your word for the points mentioned. Come to think of it, I don’t think such legal expertise would have the slightest bit of difference concerning the machinations of dodging the bullet in Lalaland. Furthermore, the only brown envelopes dropping through my letterbox are ones demanding cash for one thing or another, perhaps pointing to an earlier wrong decision in career choice.

"I don’t think such legal expertise would have the slightest bit of difference concerning the machinations of dodging the bullet in Lalaland." - I agree.  The law in Thailand is what someone is willing to pay to make it, thus, it's lawless here.  

Between corrupt officials, corrupt police, corrupt lawyers, and "laws" skewed towards benefiting Thai's over foreigners, a foreigner really has no chance here, and even if they can secure a judgement in their favor, any monies they are seeking to be refunded are long long gone, and so is the Thai and / or his company that was involved.

As mentioned previously, many here have no idea what they have truly bought into, buy way of land tile structure. 

The "everyone else is doing it so it must be ok" mentality is well and truly alive here, which does not necessarily mean it's a wise purchase. 

8 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Correct - but nothing to stop a pax from just handing over some baht for a short ride. But I assume the 'smart' bus has CCTV recording the driving station. 

 

On a positive note I often see these buses and they look much busier, one looked quite full. That's a very good sign. 

I have been on one as yet, so I don't know if it has CCTV, but if the driver is stopping for passengers for a few baht cash, how long before the boss, or transport mafia, causes the practice to cease?

On 10/29/2018 at 5:26 PM, NamKangMan said:

 

I have stated before that Vietnam is Thailand's main competitor in the region, and if it is not now, it will be in the future. This does not even take into account Vietnam has casinos. 

 

As madmitch stated, Phuket doesn't feel like an "exotic destination" anymore, whilst Vietnam is offering just that experience, and at a much lower cost.

 

Take a look at the below link. 

 

I draw your attention to this line: "Total international arrivals in 9 months reached 11,616,490 arrivals, increase 22.9% over the same period last year."  I suggest that 22.9% increase will grow, exponentially, over the next few years.

 

http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/index.php/cat/1501

 

If you look at the below table, you will see Vietnam also gets their share of Chinese and Russians, but in my opinion, Vietnam has picked up many of the "high end tourists" that Phuket / Thailand now lacks.

 

http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/index.php/items/13302

 

In my opinion, Phuket no long offers a pleasant, value for money holiday, for independent middle class western tourists.

 

Also, I see Spain has once again become popular with Europeans, particularly Brits, and Bali is packed again with Australians, after the terror attacks. 

 

In my opinion, Thailand, but particularly Phuket, relied on it's reputation, whilst doing NOTHING to attract new tourists, Chinese / Russian / Indian package holiday tourists aside, whilst retaining repeat tourists.

 

I have asked the question before, yet to receive an answer:  "Name one positive thing that has been implemented on Phuket, in recent time, to benefit tourists, expats, and locals?"  

 

How can Phuket remain competitive when their competition is building it bigger, better, and faster????

 

Phuket failed to move, when their competition was moving forward, rapidly, which in the tourism industry, that's has good as falling behind. 

I was informed about the contents of the below link recently. 

It tends to show my question: "How can Phuket remain competitive when their competition is building it bigger, better, and faster????" to be factual. 

This is on top of a world record cable car, and Las Vegas style casinos resorts, and a new major airport being built.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-exploring-the-new-vietnam-street-circuit-in-hanoi.3qzWDYB0pqYWSo284QmO8A.html

On 11/2/2018 at 3:54 PM, LivinginKata said:

 

Yes there is a smart bus, BUT it only stops at one place at each beach town. And payment is by a prepaid card system. Fine for a savvy local, but not for a new tourist. 

"And payment is by a prepaid card system. Fine for a savvy local, but not for a new tourist." - the card system stops the driver from pocketing money from the passengers and telling the boss it was a quiet day. 

On 11/4/2018 at 9:45 AM, billythehat said:

Indeed, but it may be prudent to say that reference to ‘Strata’ (this is the plural of Stratum,) referring to geological formation, may not be entirely suitable for the debate here. Strata Title would seem to be appropriate for the point made. Outside of Lalaland, the term Freehold is completely understood in meaning and I thought you had a reasonable attempt to try and put this forward, but unfortunately the rule of law does not apply there if you are faranI would guess the average Somchai faresg; no better should property issues go pot-over-teacup either. In the UK, owners of the leases of flats can (for some time now) buy the freehold to the land from the freehold management and get rid of the thieving scum once and for all.

"Outside of Lalaland, the term Freehold is completely understood in meaning" - I agree, however, the use of the word "freehold" in Thailand, by anyone, or any company, is misleading.  Freehold DOES NOT exist for a foreigner in Thailand.  It's as simple as that.  Like I have said, condo's DO NOT float in mid air. 

"I would guess the average Somchai fares no better should property issues go pot-over-teacup either." - yes and no.  If Somchai owns a condo in a block that has foreign "owners" in it then he is, or could be, in the 51% which gives him more voting power.  If Somchai is in a condo block completely owned by Thai's, and the said Thai's own the land the block sits on, not a developer, then he shares equal voting power, and whilst he can also be out voted, at least it was a fairer system of majority rules, whereas, a foreigner will ALWAYS be in the minority, thus, even collectively, never having equal voting rights.

58 minutes ago, andygrr said:

 My usual advice is to take photo's of anything you are about to rent and then upon return take photos again 

proves return of bike, car etc and condition before and after, prevents false claims of damage. If someone else

returns it get them to take photos of return. I even take photos of any damage in a hotel room and report it to reception

and get reception to make a written note of any damage in the room. Even check the mattress in cheap hotels

I know a few people in the past that have been charged for a stained mattress. 

No doubt there are many scams on Phuket.  They don't call it "Pirate Island" for nothing.

However, documenting your every move, which I do not disagree with, does not make for a pleasant holiday experience. 

There are many other holiday destinations in the region where a tourist can have pleasant interactions with the local people, whether in passing, or during a financial transaction.  Not so on Phuket, where there are scams perpetrated by individuals, and state sanctioned scams. Eg. transport.

Over the years, how many western tourists have scammed here????  Eg. tuk-tuks, jet skis, bar bill, fictitious damage, over charging, changing the price, by the police etc etc etc etc.  Little wonder western visitors are not returning here.

The Thai's took a quick baht and wrecked many tourist's holidays along the way, and now they have the consequences of their actions, the Chinese.

The Chinese may be getting scammed, but not to the extent westerners were, and it's by other Chinese, so the scam money ends up in China, not in the hands of Thai. I suppose you could call them "zero Thai scam tourists."  ????

Phuket will be a case study in the future for how not to administer a tourism industry.  Eg. Nokia. 

"are waiting for a 1,200-ton crane with an arm 100 metres long and a 34m boat? - and not a moment too soon.  ????????

8 hours ago, grumpyoldman said:

???? + Flogging Horse emoji

But it's not like anyone is dying here because of it, or getting skin rashes and breathing difficulties.  ????

2 hours ago, Psimbo said:

That many dodgy characters in the picture its difficult to guess which one he is.

It's the one in the brown uniform at the back.  He funds the operation, and is staging "the show."  ????

13 minutes ago, Patriot1066 said:

So very true. But in Thailand I tend not to wear all the protective stuff I would always do in England as its soooooo hot. On the upside you don't feel quiet as safe without leathers on so probably ride a little slower and more cautiously?

"so probably ride a little slower and more cautiously?" - you may do so, but does everybody else????

On 11/1/2018 at 11:44 AM, Valentine said:

I wonder why this has not been reported in the Thai or English media

Because it's just "ANOTHER tragedy" among so many here.

On 11/5/2018 at 5:03 PM, Psimbo said:

Rubbish you can flag them down now. I see people along the main road in Kamala with the app on their phone- they know when the bus is coming and it stops for them. Chinese seem to have cottoned onto it fairly quickly. At the beginning there were few passengers- I have seen some now that are nearly, if not completely, full. The other day there were what appeared to be 3 working girls waiting for one as its a cheap way into Patong.

 

The taxi drivers outside the Big C really have a sulk on now- I love it. I realise that some people are gutted that the buses haven't been torched yet but hopefully they are the thin end of the wedge and we will see an extended service in the future. I even say a bus and minibus with I think Kata to Airport livery the other day- competition is good..

Sounds like all is now good for proper land transport for the tourists on Phuket.  ????

Come the next election, I'm wondering if Big Joke will be wearing a Red Shirt or a Yellow Shirt.  He's setting himself up to run for the highest bidder.

Ahhhh, a little bit of Beijing comes to Phuket.

"Tuk-Tuk. Tuk-Tuk."

          ????

On 11/4/2018 at 9:45 AM, billythehat said:

Indeed, but it may be prudent to say that reference to ‘Strata’ (this is the plural of Stratum,) referring to geological formation, may not be entirely suitable for the debate here. Strata Title would seem to be appropriate for the point made. Outside of Lalaland, the term Freehold is completely understood in meaning and I thought you had a reasonable attempt to try and put this forward, but unfortunately the rule of law does not apply there if you are farang; I would guess the average Somchai fares no better should property issues go pot-over-teacup either. In the UK, owners of the leases of flats can (for some time now) buy the freehold to the land from the freehold management and get rid of the thieving scum once and for all.

Yes, but the OP said it's "FREEHOLD" because it doesn't matter what land the condo is built on because it's "FREEHOLD" air space.  Like I said, Thai condo's must float in mid air. ????????

8 hours ago, Psimbo said:

Yet again no input from people on Phuket whio may actually be affected by stuff like this but we thank you for your irrelevant comments.

Crime effects everyone on Phuket, in one way or another.

6 hours ago, Just Weird said:

Well, considering that the collision with the pickup as a result of the mobile fracas was not planned why would a gun have been dumped?  Do you really think that in the split second before impact the rider was able to make the decision to dump it somewhere so effectively that it has not been found?

Geez...

 

I'm commenting on what was actually reported, I am not saying, categorically, what happened but it could be true, just as your opinion of events could reflect what happened.

 

Geez...

Or a member of the public picked it up off the road after the accident.  Could have been a few things that happened to it.

Just because police didn't find it, doesn't mean it didn't happen, or the gun didn't exist.

Geez........