Phuket’s wake-up call. The hard work starts here.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

They also constantly fail to recognize that living as an expat away from Phuket's tourist centers is only slightly more costly than living elsewhere in the country. There are still deserted beaches to sit on, and jungle hideaways where one can live separate from the crowds.

None of which are available to a tourist on a one week holiday, and the thread is about tourism, isn't it?

[Deli]

Nobody dares to take action coz of too much money involved in high places. Lost case and too late, Take it as it is or move on. No othr way aound. And I know Phuket since the early 90ies, when it was paradise

[Old Croc]

9 minutes ago, Grusa said:

Expeditiously?   No:-  Slowly, painfully and injudiciously I think.

Perhaps you mean exponentially?

You're quite right, I used the incorrect word.

Thanks for the correction.

[Old Croc]

 

14 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

They also constantly fail to recognize that living as an expat away from Phuket's tourist centers is only slightly more costly than living elsewhere in the country. There are still deserted beaches to sit on, and jungle hideaways where one can live separate from the crowds.

None of which are available to a tourist on a one week holiday, and the thread is about tourism, isn't it?

It's against the TVF rules to shorten a post so as to distort the meaning. 

My full post addressed the tourist issues as well as expat living, so your "none of which"  comment is misleading, and somewhat disappointing for a poster of your standing..

[Thaidream]

46 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Sure, they can increase tourism. But, the big spending Western tourists are gone for good, and the wealthy Chinese and Indians avoid Thailand, for a dozen good reasons. 

 

Thailand has shot itself in the foot too many times, and is now crippled, in terms of tourism. There is no coming back from this. The damage has been done. 

Agreed-  Phuket is suffering the same illness that is affecting Pattaya and Samui- all created by greed and a lack of any long term planning or effective zoning.

 

The sea is being destroyed in all the locations as it is dirty  and filled with polutants. Overbuilding is eampant and uncontrolled- there simply is never going to enough tourists to fill all the rooms.

 

The Taxi mafia with its overpricing and agressive nature and no allowed competition has created  constant chaos. Who wants to go on vacation and get involved in an altercation and the complete lack of policing reinforces lawlessness.

 

Constant police roadblocks allegedly for safety reasons are simply shaedowns for money

 

Aggresive and constant vendors; jet ski scams and high prices continue to turn off people.

 

Phuket and the other places like it are simply not fun.  The natural beauty of a place is one thing but throw in a poluted atmosphere; scams and stings and  a lack of any viable  order from the Government - makes the place unattractive to the Worldwide public. 

 The word is out on Social Media and the Internet of all the criticisms of Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.  Western tourists have already voted with their feet and it apears the Chinese and Indians are not far behind.

[drbeach]

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

Always amusing reading the typical one liners from expats from other parts of Thailand. The " I went there once, it was too expensive and I got ripped off. It's a shithole, I wont go back."  I get especially amused at the whining complaints from people who chose to live in the crowded, polluted, grid locked capital city!

 

These detractors compare tourist prices at a beachfront restaurant, at one of the world's most visited places, with the price of a bowl of rice at their local 7-11 in the wilds of the north!  Despite many proudly espousing their professions as an ajarn at a local school, they lack the basic understanding that prices reflect the popularity of a place, and that perhaps their readies aren't going to cut it when that place is the tourist side of Phuket.

They also constantly fail to recognize that living as an expat away from Phuket's tourist centers is only slightly more costly than living elsewhere in the country. There are still deserted beaches to sit on, and jungle hideaways where one can live separate from the crowds. The advantage is that, when desired, you have access to some of the best beaches, Islands, facilities (international hospitals and airport) and clean air in Thailand, indeed the world.  You decide on the lifestyle you want to have -  quiet, isolated, hedonistic, adventuresome or sporting such as diving, sailing, fishing, bike riding, etc.

Yes, Phuket has problems. Greed, unfettered development and the inevitable transport and traffic problems have grown expeditiously with the influx of tourists. That should be a matter of great shame to those responsible for this lack of control and planning. Governments in Bangkok, local Phuket Government, mayors, hotel and transport cartels, and the big families that run/own most of the Island have combined to line their pockets in the short term, to the detriment of long term potential.

 

 

 

I'm kind of inclined to agree with you.

 

Surprisingly, despite being very well traveled both in Thailand and all the neighboring countries, I have only been to Phuket twice. Once as a toddler as part of a family vacation (can't remember much of that) and once as an adult back in 2015. I actually found Phuket to be quite enjoyable. I was slightly wary at the beginning, but in the end it turned out fine. Beaches like Kamala beach are relatively uncrowded, just stay away from Karon or Kata.

 

I of course came by car, as I usually do when traveling around Thailand and the rest of the neighboring countries, which I'm allowed to drive my car to. It is quite easy to avoid some of the main rip-offs if you do your homework. First of all, unless you are very squeamish about driving here, drive yourself when in Phuket. If you don't have your own car or you arrive by plane, rent a car at the airport. All the major (and minor) car rental firms are represented. It will be cheaper and far more convenient than hiring a taxi. It also gives you far more independence. If you are used to driving elsewhere in Thailand, driving in Phuket is no more difficult than anywhere else.

 

Then again, if you're from Bangkok which is like the flattest city in the world with not a single hill anywhere except for what looks like some minor man-made slope at Mega Bang Na, (yes, Bangkok is so flat I actually notice such things as a 4-5m difference between the bottom and top of the slope at the parking lot there) then the hills of Phuket might be a little intimidating. Though unless you've never traveled anywhere with hills before (which is like pretty much everywhere else in the world), that can hardly be a reason not to drive in Phuket!

 

Other than that, be careful at the seafood market, which happens to be full of Burmese and Cambodian vendors so it's them who are trying to rip you off and not Thais. Still, even there all you need to do is have your wits about you. I went there and experienced zero problems.

 

Staying in good accommodation (say a 4 or 5 star resort) or an apartment, eating out at established restaurants or even at the Central shopping mall (although that may be boring if you're already used to doing so back in your home province) then the chance of experiencing anything negative in Phuket goes down dramatically and isn't any higher than anywhere else in the country.

[xylophone]

5 hours ago, Olmate said:

Beach chairs reductions were mandated ,there goes your main point straight up sunshine!

Or it could be construed as being part of his post and a reason why there are no longer the same amount of people here, because when all said and done they can always lay on the beach.

 

His observation is pretty spot on IMO.

[xylophone]

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

I can believe that overall tourist numbers have not declined, due to the influx of Asian tourists.  

 

What has declined, and I know this from checking the stats over the past 5 years for my ex's hotel, is that the average hotel room rate charged has fallen year on year.

 

A guest room that she used to sell for 1,500 baht a night now sells for 750 baht, because not only are Asian guests unwilling to pay 1,500 baht, the number of competitor hotels and guesthouses has hugely increased.  Many of these are unlicenced and do not pay the required taxes either, thereby creating unfair financial advantage.

 

It is a race to the bottom, nothing less.

I have recently seen rooms here in Patong for 250 baht a night Simon and I don't think I've seen them any lower than that since I've been here.

 

Certainly a haven for the budget travellers or should I say spenders and although I would normally include the Chinese and Indians in amongst that group, there seem to be a few small groups of indeterminable origin (and younger), but probably around the middle east area somewhere?

[LivinginKata]

Speaking as a long time owner of rental apartments in Patong and Kata .... I can tell you our business outlook is bleak .... very bleak.

 

The strong baht is a killer. The municipalities are trying to squeeze even more baht property tax for those of us who do register and pay.

 

We did have a good last high season in Patong but many long term guys left because they could not find work, pensioners have 30% cut in monthly money coming in, immigration rules are becoming crazy.

 

We are running about 30% occupancy right now. Given we own all our properties we can take it. But we see no return bookings from our long term friends.

 

Plus I have to tie up 800k baht for my one year extension for much of the year. Talk about health insurance, which I do have but no OPD cover. For me it's becoming very depressing.

[Old Croc]

44 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

Speaking as a long time owner of rental apartments in Patong and Kata .... I can tell you our business outlook is bleak .... very bleak.

 

The strong baht is a killer. The municipalities are trying to squeeze even more baht property tax for those of us who do register and pay.

 

We did have a good last high season in Patong but many long term guys left because they could not find work, pensioners have 30% cut in monthly money coming in, immigration rules are becoming crazy.

 

We are running about 30% occupancy right now. Given we own all our properties we can take it. But we see no return bookings from our long term friends.

 

Plus I have to tie up 800k baht for my one year extension for much of the year. Talk about health insurance, which I do have but no OPD cover. For me it's becoming very depressing.

Don't expect Australian visitors any time soon LIK, today the Aussie dollar just hit new lows, not seen since the global financial crises. Be lucky to get 20 baht for it now.

And my investments have dropped $8000 in value in a week thanks to the a-hole running the former great country of America.

[LivinginKata]

2 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Don't expect Australian visitors any time soon LIK, today the Aussie dollar just hit new lows, not seen since the global financial crises. Be lucky to get 20 baht for it now.

And my investments have dropped $8000 in value in a week thanks to the a-hole running the former great country of America.

 

I well know that. We have a significant hedge fund portfolio in AUD and also SGD.  No idea why you blame the leader of the USA. I blame all the European and Aus leaders for a piss poor job of running their economies.

 

Why this junta government have such a strong currency.  Strange .... no

[Old Croc]

3 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

I well know that. We have a significant hedge fund portfolio in AUD and also SGD.  No idea why you blame the leader of the USA. I blame all the European and Aus leaders for a piss poor job of running their economies.

 

Why this junta government have such a strong currency.  Strange .... no

I blame him for starting idiot trade wars with countries like China which greatly affects the Australian economy as a major trading partner. His recently announced new round of tariffs directly caused market crashes world wide.

Edited August 7, 2019 by Old Croc

[LivinginKata]

Just now, Old Croc said:

I blame him for starting idiot trade wars with countries like China which greatly affects the Australian economy as a major trading partner.

 

China needed faced up to for over 30 years. I agree with that, and I lost AUD 10,000 this week in my investments. But hey we are way way off the original topic.  All stop.

[metisdead]

An off topic baiting post and an off topic reply have been removed. 

[sunnyboy2018]

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

I blame him for starting idiot trade wars with countries like China which greatly affects the Australian economy as a major trading partner. His recently announced new round of tariffs directly caused market crashes world wide.

I doubt Phuket was on his mind.

[metisdead]

A post discussing prostitution has been removed:

 

17) You will not discuss the specifics of prostitution. Though Thailand has a visible sex industry, and acknowledgement of that fact is not forbidden, ThaiVisa is not the place to seek or give information on this topic, regardless of your sexual habits, preferences or orientation.

[sunnyboy2018]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

None of which are available to a tourist on a one week holiday, and the thread is about tourism, isn't it?

Few people travel thousands of miles for a week holiday. Why choose the arbitrary figure of one week? But there are quiet, clean beaches of the beaten track around Phuket quite accessible to people on short holidays.

[sunnyboy2018]

4 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Agreed-  Phuket is suffering the same illness that is affecting Pattaya and Samui- all created by greed and a lack of any long term planning or effective zoning.

 

The sea is being destroyed in all the locations as it is dirty  and filled with polutants. Overbuilding is eampant and uncontrolled- there simply is never going to enough tourists to fill all the rooms.

 

The Taxi mafia with its overpricing and agressive nature and no allowed competition has created  constant chaos. Who wants to go on vacation and get involved in an altercation and the complete lack of policing reinforces lawlessness.

 

Constant police roadblocks allegedly for safety reasons are simply shaedowns for money

 

Aggresive and constant vendors; jet ski scams and high prices continue to turn off people.

 

Phuket and the other places like it are simply not fun.  The natural beauty of a place is one thing but throw in a poluted atmosphere; scams and stings and  a lack of any viable  order from the Government - makes the place unattractive to the Worldwide public. 

 The word is out on Social Media and the Internet of all the criticisms of Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.  Western tourists have already voted with their feet and it apears the Chinese and Indians are not far behind.

Phuket and Pattaya are very different.  A lot of the generalizations you make are wrong.

[sunnyboy2018]

8 hours ago, Olmate said:

Beach chairs reductions were mandated ,there goes your main point straight up sunshine!

And vendors were driven off the beaches too. That ruined Samui for one of my friends

[ChipButty]

Some one needs to reel them taxi drivers in they have got a stinking attitude the ones from Patong 

[Joe Mcseismic]

Just now, ChipButty said:

Some one needs to reel them taxi drivers in they have got a stinking attitude the ones from Patong 

The army tried and failed spectacularly.

[spidermike007]

4 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Agreed-  Phuket is suffering the same illness that is affecting Pattaya and Samui- all created by greed and a lack of any long term planning or effective zoning.

 

The sea is being destroyed in all the locations as it is dirty  and filled with polutants. Overbuilding is eampant and uncontrolled- there simply is never going to enough tourists to fill all the rooms.

 

The Taxi mafia with its overpricing and agressive nature and no allowed competition has created  constant chaos. Who wants to go on vacation and get involved in an altercation and the complete lack of policing reinforces lawlessness.

 

Constant police roadblocks allegedly for safety reasons are simply shaedowns for money

 

Aggresive and constant vendors; jet ski scams and high prices continue to turn off people.

 

Phuket and the other places like it are simply not fun.  The natural beauty of a place is one thing but throw in a poluted atmosphere; scams and stings and  a lack of any viable  order from the Government - makes the place unattractive to the Worldwide public. 

 The word is out on Social Media and the Internet of all the criticisms of Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.  Western tourists have already voted with their feet and it apears the Chinese and Indians are not far behind.

Very good post. Thank you. A voice of reason. All of the above are rather indisputable facts. Not only does the lack of policing create problem of their own, when the police do get involved, especially when it is in regard to a scam, they are usually a part of the shakedown. The work of a local franchisee. I lived on Samui for many years. It was wonderful when I arrived, and positively toxic when I left. Traffic had become a nightmare, the roads far less safe, the island was way overcrowded, the locals had become far more jaded, less fun, and less lighthearted, and the entire island (with the exception of the mountains, inland from the Ring Road) felt like a five year old dishrag, with the locals demonstrating nothing in the way of local pride in the place. And with the disappearance of the mom and pop restaurants, nearly all being replaced by franchises, or higher end places, it was getting common to see pricing comparable to San Francisco or New York, but at far lower quality, and without the expertise. The taxis and extreme lack of public transport issues alone, have made the islands a poor choice for a good vacation. 

 

I still enjoy visiting, as I have friends there, and it is a nice change of pace. But, when I visit it makes me very thankful we left when we did. Nothing about the experience is improving. Kind of like Thailand in general, but far worse. 

[Olmate]

6 hours ago, xylophone said:

Or it could be construed as being part of his post and a reason why there are no longer the same amount of people here, because when all said and done they can always lay on the beach.

 

His observation is pretty spot on IMO.

Poster was clearly IMO suggesting the reason for fewer chairs on the beach was lack of bums! You know that’s not correct.It was bought about by folk lobbying to have chairs removed. Not sure his comments were spot on either re high season ending mid Jan!                                                  No point making things out to be worse than they are IMO.

[xylophone]

18 hours ago, Olmate said:

Poster was clearly IMO suggesting the reason for fewer chairs on the beach was lack of bums! You know that’s not correct.It was bought about by folk lobbying to have chairs removed. Not sure his comments were spot on either re high season ending mid Jan!                                                  No point making things out to be worse than they are IMO.

I see it as a part of the total package, so to speak, but then it matters not if we see things differently, because we both know things aren't looking too hot, visitor-wise, at the moment.

 

Will be interesting to see if the TAT projections come to fruition.

[ChipButty]

How about fixing the electric? this is stupid