Patong hotels, beach chair operators move to change Phuket’s reputation as expensive

By The Phuket News

 

Preechawut ‘Prab’ Keesin explained the joint move by local hotels and beach chair operators during a mass cleanup of Patong Beach yesterday (Aug 12). Photo: Prab Keesin / Facebook

 

PHUKET: Hotels in Patong and local beach chair operators have banded together to create deals to offer free inclusive tours and heavily discounted rates to tourists in the hope of creating a new image of Phuket as an inexpensive holiday destination.

 

Patong business figure Preechawut “Prab” Keesin explained yesterday that Patong tourism is still suffering heavily even though Phuket is already open for people from other parts of country to come and visit.

 

“Thai people still think of Phuket as an expensive place to visit, so we have to change their understanding by giving promotions, such as three-day hotel packages for B1,990, including a local tour,” Mr Preechawut said.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/patong-hotels-beach-chair-operators-move-to-change-phuket-reputation-as-expensive-76997.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-08-13

 

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Maybe they should also ask the tuktuk mafia to be involved. Would be good for a laugh

32 minutes ago, webfact said:

hotel packages for B1,990, including a local tour

I wonder if this includes gem shops, latex shops and other commission earning stops.

 

Guides and shop owners are also suffering right now.

32 minutes ago, dabhand said:

Maybe they should also ask the tuktuk mafia to be involved. Would be good for a laugh

Prab Keesin IS the tuk tuk mafia....

13 minutes ago, madmitch said:

I wonder if this includes gem shops, latex shops and other commission earning stops.

 

Guides and shop owners are also suffering right now.

"hotel packages for B1,990, including a local tour" 

 

I guess (I am afraid) this is meant by including a local tour... 

49 minutes ago, webfact said:

Patong hotels, beach chair operators move to change Phuket’s reputation as expensive

too late mates

the party is over

it takes years to build a reputation

you have done a good job on it

seems like only yesterday the target market were elite travellers..

 

and now its bottom feeders

 

bless.

 

1 minute ago, GeorgeCross said:

seems like only yesterday the target market were elite travellers..

 

and now its bottom feeders

 

bless.

 

The image of a crazy chicken with no head

running right to left comes to my mind

They can go.....themselves...sorry 200 per person for a chair plus table...500 baht to go a few hundred yards in a tuk tuk ..hope all these cockroaches starve..deserve every thing they get...thieves and nasty horrible..c...ts

Last, and final time I was  at that tourist trap,  wanted 600 baht  for tuk tuk to my hotel... I walked there in under 10 minutes.,,,         Stopped to look at some  undersize crayfish,  about the size of a prawn.."You like sir, ?  only 1500 baht to eat"       Incredible.!!!!!

23 minutes ago, baansgr said:

They can go.....themselves...sorry 200 per person for a chair plus table...500 baht to go a few hundred yards in a tuk tuk ..hope all these cockroaches starve..deserve every thing they get...thieves and nasty horrible..c...ts

You are right. But on the other hand there must be tourists paying such prices. Otherwise they could not ask for so much. 

Phuket low season is cheaper than Pattaya and many other areas and far more desirable.  

But they can't get rid of the overpriced mafia taxis/tuktuks to take you into and around Phuket! This is the most expensive thing in Phuket. 

42 minutes ago, stuarty said:

Prab Keesin IS the tuk tuk mafia....

 

 

Many published articles aligned with your beliefs.

 

Google

Fugitive son of former mayor promises to turn himself in 

 

 

 

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/pian-keesin-ex-mayor-and-accused-mobster-found-dead-phuket-home/

 

Lots more to be found.

15 minutes ago, Oldie said:

You are right. But on the other hand there must be tourists paying such prices. Otherwise they could not ask for so much. 

 

If they all decide to charge the same exorbitant price, the hapless tourist has no choice.

Articles suggest that Mr Keesin is influential in such matters.

24 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

Phuket low season is cheaper than Pattaya and many other areas and far more desirable.  

Low season has been extended. ☔

38 minutes ago, JusticeGB said:

But they can't get rid of the overpriced mafia taxis/tuktuks to take you into and around Phuket! This is the most expensive thing in Phuket. 

..but, but....Phuket has hills....

Why spoil a well-earned reputation?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

PHUKET: Hotels in Patong and local beach chair operators have banded together to create deals to offer free inclusive tours and heavily discounted rates to tourists in the hope of creating a new image of Phuket as an inexpensive holiday destination.

If it was priced fairly there would be no need for any discounts, and people would naturally come.

It's the prices that keep domestic tourism away... foreigners had no choice before.

Change with the times or bye bye.

Meanwhile there are bars on Bangla Road charging 140 baht for a beer. The place is an absolute joke and an embarrassment to the rest of the country !

Obviously, with no falang two-week millionaires arriving in the foreseeable future, Phuket is grasping at straws and trying to attract a few Thai tourists. Apparently, the few entertainment workers remaining there have already taken the initiative and (temporarily) reduced their fees by 75%!

 

Don't get too excited - once foreigners are eventually let back in (2021/2022 high season?) pricing will return to pre-pandemic levels, if not higher.

3 hours ago, stuarty said:

Prab Keesin IS the tuk tuk mafia....

Obviously looking to entice more potential customers for his vastly overpriced transport monopoly that ensures no competition by the use of the usual 'gentle' persuasion methods.

Look there is no price gouging here just ask anyone ....anyone where are you????

 

2 hours ago, Oldie said:

You are right. But on the other hand there must be tourists paying such prices. Otherwise they could not ask for so much. 

You need to use the past tense rather than present tense....you are partially correct....some did pay but thousands more didn't and never returned.

covid-19 makes you think! obviously!

6 hours ago, tlandtday said:

Phuket low season is cheaper than Pattaya and many other areas and far more desirable.  

May I correct that.......

 

20 years ago Phuket low season was cheaper than Pattaya and many other areas and had different things to offer.  

 

That's better ????

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Preechawut ‘Prab’ Keesin explained the joint move by local hotels and beach chair operators

First the wealthy, now the locals, they end up again with the homeless.

 

He saved the day. Light at the end of the tunnel.....dim witted ????

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai people still think of Phuket as an expensive place to visit,

 

Surely they change their mind soon...... Tirac, looks like graveyard..bah, kaban.

Its good to see they start to understand they do so bad for many years...

 

(sam nam na !)

 

 

 

If they make normal price (nothing sure...), how long they will do it ?

Patong is a nasty place late at night, I've traveled the world

too late all the regulars are now potless and out of work for years