NamKangMan

40 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Hi.  I have some idea, thank you, and a condo in Rawai beach... NOT Patong.    However, I also like Patong if I am in the right mood.   The food is generally more expensive in Phuket than CM in the normal Thai places and even on the street stalls, and I find the food less delicious (I do like the taste of the northern foods).  

 

Are you in Phuket?  Have you spent any time in Chiang Mai and eaten food here?  Are you vegetarian and sampled the vegetarian places here in CM and Phuket?  

 

I love Phuket!!!  I live there several months of the year.  Have many friends there too.  Beautiful place.  I live the rest of the Year Chiang Mai.  Have had a condo in Phuket for 11 years already and been there every year.

 

The OP was asking if it was CHEAPER there... and if there were many VEGETARIAN restaurants to go to eat.  You think there is a bigger choice of vegetarian restaurants in Phuket than Chiang Mai... and on average they are no more expensive?

I never mentioned Patong in my post.. why is everyone saying I am talking about Patong?  I live out in the sticks in CM in a rural village surrounded by rice fields and very rarely run into another farnag.. I stay well away from the tourists zones in general.   In Phuket we have a condo in Rawai Beach, and we have friends over the island.. so we travel about there a lot.  

 

Look, there are very nice restaurants there, but, in my experience they are on average more pricy then here in Chiang Mai.

 

I am sorry to have offended all you Phuket people (who seem to have a Patong phobia) , but I was only answering OPs questions, which, I note none of you who have quoted my post have bothered to do.  

 

Do you really think Phuket has as large a selection of vegetarian eating places as CM?  Do you really think, on average, that the food is cheaper in Phuket than CM?  

 

 

Good post.

As a visa runner, I also travel a lot, thus, I am able to make direct comparisons between Phuket (yes, that's the whole island, not just Patong) and other parts of Thailand, and other cities in South East Asia.

Sometimes, I really do question when is the last time some members of the Phuket TV Forum actually even left the Phuket Province. 

6 hours ago, stevenl said:

Again a poster who seems to be confused between Phuket and Patong.

 

Overpriced food, poor quality food, no vegetarian places, I'm sorry, what's the point of posting if you really have no idea.

Yes, to clarify for the OP, Patong IS on the island of Phuket, and IS in Phuket Province.

Patong IS NOT in a different province.

I hope this clears this up.  ????

13 minutes ago, ricklev said:

 

Mmmm, interesting.  I didn't know about the blade at the back. 

So it's actually got 6 blades.  ????

I'll buy one and give it a try soon.

3 minutes ago, Olmate said:

 Oz born Brit living in Oz, Brit Embassy? Brit parents ?Still no roo blood ..

I don't think anyone is sure who David Mclean is at the moment, including himself.  ????

41 minutes ago, ricklev said:

I'm sorry, you will all hate this, but the Gillette Fusion is the greatest advance in shaving technology in history.  Bitch if you want, but that thing gives a perfect shave with no possibility of a cut in about 30 seconds.  You don't even have to rinse it once when shaving.  In fact it takes longer to put on the shave cream then it does to shave it off and leave a perfect close shave.  It never clogs up and the blades last for months.  

Given that the angle of the columella (the skin between the nostrils) is around 90 degrees to the top lip, with 5 blades, how do you get something so wide right up to the base of the columella to shave the whiskers there? 

You must have to really pull your nose up, from the nostrils, and stretch the skin to get in there.

I have no doubt on other areas of the face it gives a great shave, as did the 3 blade I tried, but under the nose was a tricky manoeuvre.

I could only imaging the facial contortions needed with a 5 blade. 

23 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Your a non believer, no point plus it’s way off topic unless the mob owns the condo! ????

Yes, I am a not believer, and no, it's not off topic, because the guy in the OP is claiming a scam against him.

It has nothing to with how street smart you think you are here. If we all think back to our first time here, for most of us that is before the internet was around, that extra drink on the bill, the "meter broken" on the taxi, the over charging etc etc was common, as it still is today. 

Also, some scams are basically state sanctioned, like transport on Phuket.

Just because a scam is small in cost, so is paid, in order to avoid conflict, doesn't mean it's not a scam. 

I freely admit I have had drinks put on my bill, and I didn't always ask the price first when buying something, so I paid a higher price.  Of course, I ask first now, and pay as I go.

I am really quite skeptical of of anyone who says they have NEVER been scammed here, as in, not at all, not for 1 baht.  I simply don't believe it.

Now, in relation to rent, it's not a common scam, but I have heard of many experiences where getting the bond back, in full, in near impossible, bordering on a scam. 

"The mob" doesn't have to own the establishment in order for an owner to try it on. They know it's small money for tourists, and foreigners have no rights here, so they will pay.

On 2/4/2019 at 2:08 PM, madmitch said:

Gillette do a five blade option! I do agree about the nose, takes some precision work!

 5 blades???? 

What's the advantage of all these extra blades?

Is it, as blade one becomes blunt, blade two cuts, as blade two becomes blunt, blade three cuts etc.  Does this make them last longer?

20 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

Hey, you brought up the jumping thing. You're going in circles now. 

 

Much as I wouldn't like exchanging witless barbs with you, I have more important things to do, like scratching my a**. 

Have a good evening. 

And a good evening to you to, sir. 

I very much enjoy reading your "global view of humanity" insights.  

Be sure to call past the Phuket Forum soon. 

29 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Still open for business I see, so here goes..........

 

Sticking with the title "Patong – the Wake" in the sense that it could mean mourning the passing of something, or part of a celebration I observed the following over the last couple of days: –

 

New buildings going up in Nanai road, whilst a couple of small guesthouses remain empty, if not almost derelict. I also noticed that the Sheraton Four Seasons work seems to have slowed up quite dramatically!

 

There would be more than a dozen empty shop units just off rat-u-thid road in front of a hotel called The Square, Patong, and these have been empty for approximately a year or more. Meanwhile some small shops in front of it, alongside of the B-Qik garage are just about unapproachable and feature a very large fence in front of them (displaying a for sale sign on the plot I think) as well as some unkempt, overgrown ground, so I bet the folks who bought into the little units/shops are overjoyed!

 

Touring round I noticed a lot of smaller businesses were shuttered, and I have to say that although the new and larger bars in OTOP look nice, there seems to be a dearth of customers, as there is with those that remain from the old days, yet building goes on unabated, with more bars and shop units coming available shortly by the looks of things.

 

Something I hadn't really taken much notice of was a very large seafood restaurant in that complex called Moong xxxx and it is huge, surrounded by small fish tanks and with seating upstairs and downstairs would have to seat in excess of 200 people. Now somebody either has a contract with some Chinese tour companies, or they are very optimistic about what the future holds.

 

I have no pity for the wealthy who seem to think that this place is a goldmine and try to "drown out" the small operator with their presence, but I do feel sorry for the everyday Thai person/family who come to Patong to start a small business, as it seems to be the dream of many an average to poor family here, but having seen quite a few fail, or in the process of failing, I do have pity for them.

 

One particular example which I noticed yesterday was a lady sitting alone in her relatively large "restaurant", which was previously a minimart of some description, staring out of the window at a time in the evening when she should have had some customers, but no, empty and she was looking forlorn, and to be honest I don't hold out much hope for a future for it as have seen it empty every time in passing.

 

The Italian restaurant further south about 200 m was a mirror image, with the owner sitting alone at a table, staring out at the road, which I had seen him do on many occasions, but unlike the Thai folk, he is an experienced foreign restaurateur and should have known what he was getting himself into, because I really don't see how this place has made anything like a profit, although I would love to be wrong.

 

And just to end this post on a high note, I observed something yesterday which I would have loved to have captured on camera.........there was a stall right alongside (within half a metre of the road itself) of a busy road selling "fresh seafood sushi" and as I sat there looking at this and watching all of the smoky diesel trucks, cars and motorbikes go past, I wondered if they were going to advertise it as sushi with free toppings of dust, dirt and diesel!

 

Anyway just then a couple of Chinese on a motorbike drew up alongside of this stall, and I thought they were going to buy some sushi, but no, not only was the male Chinese driver a bit wobbly on the bike, his passenger was having trouble with her helmet and observing her actions with this, I noticed that she had it on back to front, hence the reason she was finding it difficult to do the strap up. So she took it off, looked at it closely and put it back on again round the wrong way, only to motion her driver to wobble off again, which he did.

 

So a mourning or a celebration............the jury is still out!

I can't see how anyone could consider opening a large restaurant here now, without coming under the corporate umbrella of a Chinese tour company. 

Even then, they control the tourists, thus, they control the market, thus, they can use their superior bargaining position to secure the lowest price, per head, to maximze their own profits.    

It would have been funny to see the Chinese girl struggling to find out how to wear the helmet correctly, but on the other hand, there can be serious consequences to the couple having to be on a bike in the first place. 

Like so many farang backpackers before them, many of these young Chinese will die on the roads here. 

3 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

Precisely correct. That is what I would say. Now we have a meeting of minds it seems. 

Perhaps you could explain how one seeking attention receives the attention they seek, when they are dead????

You are describing someone who "self harms."

The media hasn't reported any instance of this guy self harming, just a threat of jumping, should entry be forced.

1 minute ago, RocketDog said:

I presume you consider me a fool because I have a global view of humanity in all its glory and don't jump at every chance to Thai bash. 

 

Your type also lives in every country on the planet. 

Big yawn..... 

Your posts indicate the opposite to "a global view of humanity." 

Your posts tend to indicate a narrow view of foreigners here. 

Let me guess, you consider yourself more Thai than a Thai, because you have more Buddha tattoos than the average Thai.  ????

12 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

No. The crux of the matter is that this guy is a drama queen and everybody is sobbing for him, right on cue.

 

How has be been so outrageously wronged?

Exactly how is a bloody receipt so earthshaking to him? 

How is it you know the FULL story????

What would your post be if he were to jump out of the window killing himself?

I suppose you would say that is the action of a "drama queen."   

7 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

Can you name a country where tourists are not scammed in one form or another?

Let the living beware. 

Big yawn..... 

You sent money for "sick buffalo" - didn't you?  ????

Ahh, another fool in paradise. 

3 hours ago, Olmate said:

You do rave on, and on. 

Always happy to have a chat with someone who claims they have NEVER, EVER, EVER been scammed here.  ????

9 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Phuket pattaya bkk all need atleast one stylish casino with entertainment and restaurants bars inside them.

i rather hang out in a fancy casino with foods and drinks then going to Bangla rd.

But I remember same thread 5 years ago and still zero progress.

I really don't know how long Thailand can hold out for.  They are losing serious money, at a time of great opportunity. 

Gambling is just another recreational activity that should be offered to tourists on their holiday.

Phuket claims to be "A World Class Tourist Destination" but doesn't even have a casino, and doesn't ever look like getting one.  

As you say, "no progress" here, at a time when neighboring countries, in direct competition to Thailand, are in overdrive, Thailand is stuck in first gear, which is as good as going backwards.

7 hours ago, Old Croc said:

I've been hearing for years this may come about after a major passing of the baton.

I've pointed out in these pages previously that one small island close to shore is already set up to revert from exclusive resort to cas. 

I've heard many stories as well.

I've heard particular floors of certain new hotels have been built with no rooms.  Just open floor plan. 

I have been told the elevator can not stop on these floors, as there is nothing there.  Apparently, these floors have been designed to be turned into gaming areas, once Thailand is allowed to have gambling.

7 hours ago, xylophone said:

I keep wondering when such an event will take place, this esp because of the powers-that-be love of money (and corruption).

 

Wouldn't be that hard to declare specific areas/zones as legal gambling enclaves whilst outlawing it elsewhere.

There has always been the idea that there should be "Special Economic Zones" where establishments can open past 2am, without having to pay "tea money" for the privilege. Eg. Bangla Road - Phuket and Walking Street - Pattaya.

These "SEZ's" could incorporate casinos. 

The argument that casinos will bring social harm to the Thai people has been addressed in Vietnam. 

Initially, Vietnamese were not allowed into the gaming area of a casino there, however, in recent times, Vietnamese earning over, I think it's $450USD a month, could enter the gaming area.  They have to prove this some how, and they have to pay a "cover charge" to ensure they are not just there for a photo op.  

9 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Yeah casinos instead of tuk tuks.

In my opinion, if the situation remains the same, and considering that under military rule, it still remained the same, the tuk-tuks will eventually kill their their own livelihood.  

The Chinese will be bused from the airport straight into a casino resort, and then bused around to various sights and activities, as they are now.  

Currently, they are "zero baht tourists."  No money in the Chinese now.  Put the Chinese in a casino, and watch the money roll in. 

I've been told it's already happening in Sihanoukville - Cambodia, with some 50 casinos there now, and I have personally seen it in The Ho Tram Grand out of Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam. 

http://www.thegrandhotram.com/casino/

Casinos in Thailand - it's not if, just when. 

20 hours ago, pagallim said:

Good thread with many insightful contributions.   Pity to lose it through someone's personal agenda.

I agree.

Those with businesses here do tend to push their own personal agendas, but it's easy to see through, so it's good the thread is still running.

The plastic bags doubled as bin liners for me, so were always disposed of properly.  Now I have to buy bin bags.  ????

Have you lost data, thus needing data recovery, or just need to transfer data?

What are your required specifications for a new laptop?

Mid range laptops these days come with an i7 processor, 1TB HDD, 8 GB RAM, HD screen.  These are the main specs people look for, and more than enough to handle day to day computing.   

14 minutes ago, Patong2 said:

Keep it going

 

I started the thread and have been amazed at the useful and insightful posts that have been posted.

Thank you to all who have contributed and added to my knowledge.

 

Patong is "a changing" as they say and for those of us who have visited or lived here for several years it is an unsettling experience.

However it still has plenty of delights for all comers but the old Patong has died along with Soi Crocodile.

 

There are still many good tales to be told over the coffin of what was the old Phuket.

 

Perhaps we need to look forward to a baptism of the new Patong?

"Perhaps we need to look forward to a baptism of the new Patong?" - I can't see the "Patong - The Resurrection" thread being started anytime soon, UNLESS, casinos are allowed here.  Then, Patong, and other parts of Phuket, will become a Macau, virtually over night. 

The Chinese are already coming here.  All they need to do now is give them something they like spending money on - gambling. 

7 minutes ago, Suradit69 said:

I have no interest in jet skis or lady boys on Beach Road or buying discounted emeralds or buying a "Rolleks" watch on Walking Street or swamp land in Florida.  Sometimes we have to exercise some common sense whether in Thailand or anywhere else.

 

People can be scammed, and are, in their home countries too. In most cases it's due to naïveté and poor judgment ... which why it's often referred to as being outsmarted.

 

 

 

 

So, if you catch a tuk-tuk on Phuket, late at night, after having a few to drink, and agree on the price of 400 baht (which is a scam within itself) but anyway, at your destination the driver says, "600 baht" and you start arguing the point, until it escalates to threats of violence, with other tuk-tuks starting to arrive on the scene, so you pay the extra 200 baht - have you been scammed, or not????  

12 minutes ago, SuperTed said:

I am starting a #GoFundMe campaign for David Maclean. All monies raised will go to purchasing food for David to make sure he has the sustenance he needs to survive this ordeal [, and related logistics].

 

The photo from today's news is most sympathetic; I can feel those donations coming! #FeedTilFreedDavidMaclean

 

We will need to sort out how to get the food up to him. I'm thinking of tossing stuff up; if anyone has a strong arm, please come down. We might also build a slingshot of sorts.

 

Will figure it out once I have raised the funds for the trip to PTY and set up the David Maclean Freedom Center at the Hilton Beach Road.

 

 

"We will need to sort out how to get the food up to him." - I suggest drone deliveries.  ????

If he stays holed up long enough, his building will become a tourist attraction, then the Thai landlady will increase the price of rent on his apartment, because he made the place famous.  ????

17 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

No problem until TAT come out and declare rabies free island

And then they will argue that the infected tourist must have had rabies prior to entering Thailand.  ????