First time in Phuket since 2017 - no thanks!

[simon43]

I went to visit ex #3 a few days ago, driving down from Chachoengsao and stopping overnight in Khao Lak on route, (which was as lively as a morgue BTW). I duly arrived at ex's little hotel, close to the airport, and then early the next day I went for a leisurely drive in Mai Khao and Nai Yang localities. to see what has changed since I lived in Phuket previously.

 

Well of course, a lot has changed! Whole green areas in Mai Khao have disappeared under building sites, shops and condo buildings (most of them empty and already falling apart).  I asked in Mai Khao village about renting a house that I saw.  The price they asked was completely stupid >> so much for so little!

 

I saw nothing at all that might keep me in Phuket ????  Even the local women did nothing to encourage me to linger!  I left after 2 days....

 

Right now, I'm in Kanchanaburi, a nice town that I previously visited some 15 years ago.  I'm staying right by the river, and a morning jog and then car-drive confirmed to me that Kan hasn't yet been 'ruined' (in my opinion), by unsightly building projects.  My quest to rent a detached house with a big garden for my radio antennas is resulting in a choice of suitable houses with a monthly rent of precisely 3,500 baht.  Phuket was ten times that amount ????  (BTW, there is nothing wrong in paying Phuket prices if you are happy to pay those prices.  I have enough income to pay Phuket rental prices, but I am unwilling to 'waste' my hard-earned cash on a property that cannot justify - in my opinion, a monthly rent of 35,000 baht).

[Lacessit]

I thought you were in Mauritius, or was it Turkey? You do seem to move around a lot, itchy feet?

Visiting any ex of mine I'd put in the same class as having a colonoscopy without sedation.

[simon43]

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I thought you were in Mauritius, or was it Turkey? You do seem to move around a lot, itchy feet?

Visiting any ex of mine I'd put in the same class as having a colonoscopy without sedation.

I like to move around!  It's good to have travel memories (both good and bad).  Since last year, I have been in Laos, Turkey, Mauritius, Thailand (Pattaya, Chachoengsao, Phuket, Samui, Kanchanaburi).  My online teaching and the fast AIS mobile internet speeds means that I'm not restricted to one geographical location.

[spidermike007]

Phuket and Samui have long been over priced. I left the Southern islands after years of paying higher prices for nearly everything. 

 

And both are now a pale shadow of their former selves. Some would say that is a good thing. I would estimated Samui is about 20% of what it was previously, in terms of nightlife, restaurants, etc. It is going to be a long time until they recover to a significant degree. Many years. 

[Felt 35]

Too late now Simon the window was open under the main pandemic and Phuket actually nicer 2020-21 than before the Tsunami and then the after rush with tourist who finally found Phuket on the map.

Felt????

[bkk6060]

3 hours ago, simon43 said:

My quest to rent a detached house with a big garden for my radio antennas is resulting in a choice of suitable houses with a monthly rent of precisely 3,500 baht.

What do you plan to do all day in Kanchanaburi for months on end?

But I think I get it, after 3 divorces you probably just want to be left alone.

[OneMoreFarang]

Phuket is a ripoff since decades.

Does anybody expect that the locals decide something like: Nobody likes this place anymore. Let's be nice, get rid of the crazy prices and make everybody feel welcome?

Or is it more like: We didn't make any money in Covid times. Now those stupid suckers come back. We have to charge them more to compensate for our losses...

[CANSIAM]

Rent 35,000 Phuket ? I just got a very clean 40 sqm guest room with satellite TV, air conditioning , a fan, big fridge, electric cooker, hot water for 8000 / month in Karon. There's 35 - 70,000 a month if thats what blows your hair back ! 

[BusyB]

Nice to read your post again Simon43 ...

 

Should that not be 'my ex-hotel' ... I seem to remember something about that with the lady who now runs it ...?

 

I've never considered Kanchanaburi for living and it just didn't get on my travel agenda in all those years. Maybe worth a closer look later this year ... 

 

[simon43]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

What do you plan to do all day in Kanchanaburi for months on end?

But I think I get it, after 3 divorces you probably just want to be left alone.

I teach science online (7 days a week).

I have my ham radio hobby, construct antennas, receive weather satellite pictures, built electronic projects etc

I have my educational charity to help students in Myanmar

I'm learning/improving my Burmese (written/spoken) with a plan to return to Myanmar as an educational volunteer with VSO after I start to receive my UK state pension in 3 years from now.

 

Lots to do.  As for the 3 ex-wives, you're right! ????

 

The only hotel/guesthouse that I could claim as my ex-hotel is Phuket Airport B&B, which was 'stolen' from me by a drug dealer, with the support of some of his drug customers (the Saku police).  The other 3 previous projects were built/owned by my Thai wives from the outset.  The first project/business was part-owned by me, and I got my 50% share of the sale proceeds ????  

 

So from the above, you can guest that I don't really have 'love' for Phuket!

[marin]

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

I went for a leisurely drive in Mai Khao and Nai Yang localities. to see what has changed since I lived in Phuket previously.

Did  you go anywhere but the north of the island?

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

Right now, I'm in Kanchanaburi, a nice town that I previously visited some 15 years ago. 

So now you are in amphur Muang and you are liking it. That is good. Wait until the hot season. ????

[simon43]

28 minutes ago, marin said:

Did  you go anywhere but the north of the island?

So now you are in amphur Muang and you are liking it. That is good. Wait until the hot season. ????

Since I previously lived in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan and Naypyitaw (in the 'hot zone' of Myanmar at 45 degrees in the hot season), I don't see what the problem will be ????

[marin]

^ Of course you dont Simon. You seem to know most everything. Just be prepared as it is the hottest place in Thailand. 

[Tony125]

34 minutes ago, marin said:

^ Of course you dont Simon. You seem to know most everything. Just be prepared as it is the hottest place in Thailand. 

Don't think he knows most everything   as he wouldn't be diviorced   3 times.

[SAFETY FIRST]

7 hours ago, simon43 said:

First time in Phuket since 2017 - no thanks

 

Even the local women did nothing to encourage me to linger

This would be the last straw, can't stay if the chicky babes are doing it for you. 

 

Come over to Pattaya, lots of beautiful young ladies here. 

 

 

Anyway, too many Dodgy people in Phuket. 

We don't have those types here in Pattaya. 

 

 

[GreasyFingers]

Simon, from the number of people that attack your lifestyle makes me think they are jealous of you.

[The Hammer2021]

7 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I thought you were in Mauritius, or was it Turkey? You do seem to move around a lot, itchy feet?

Visiting any ex of mine I'd put in the same class as having a colonoscopy without sedation.

A circumcision without anaesthetic?

[The Hammer2021]

5 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

This would be the last straw, can't stay if the chicky babes are doing it for you. 

 

Come over to Pattaya, lots of beautiful young ladies here. 

 

In general  Pattaya is more fun, more friendly,  cheaper, better restaurants,  GREAT RESTAURANTS,  better bars, cheap taxis. Even the smell of the drains and raw sewage is better

[The Hammer2021]

1 hour ago, marin said:

Did  you go anywhere but the north of the island?

So now you are in amphur Muang and you are liking it. That is good. Wait until the hot season. ????

If they have air conditioning so what. I lived and worked in the Gulf where its hotter and more humid! Extreme weather conditions are irrelevant as long as you are not working. But monsoon are more stress than heat.

[Lacessit]

 

 

19 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

A circumcision without anaesthetic?

Close, my exes were disposed towards castration.

[anterian]

Simon seems like a younger version of me, I was a science teacher, electronics was my hobby, particularly Aerial systems and power supplies. I have been married three times, love travelling but no longer physically possible. 

[KIngsofisaan]

4 hours ago, CANSIAM said:

Rent 35,000 Phuket ? I just got a very clean 40 sqm guest room with satellite TV, air conditioning , a fan, big fridge, electric cooker, hot water for 8000 / month in Karon. There's 35 - 70,000 a month if thats what blows your hair back ! 

The key word is Guest Room!

[marin]

45 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

If they have air conditioning so what. I lived and worked in thIne Gulf where its hotter and more humid! Extreme weather conditions are irrelevant as long as you are not working. But monsoon are more stress than heat.

Interesting so was I. 12 years in my youth. For me its a different heat here but I found Saudi dry and here much more humid. The wife is from Kanchanaburi and we go often. But even with land there I would not want to live there. March through to June is simply to hot. 

 

Simply my opinion, hoping Simon wont move again. 

[CANSIAM]

10 hours ago, KIngsofisaan said:

The key word is Guest Room!

A mint room with sea view, much more liveable than the 10-20k houses around and available....

[ExpatOilWorker]

Give Koh Tao a try.

[sitta]

On 6/29/2022 at 5:44 PM, spidermike007 said:

Phuket and Samui have long been over priced. I left the Southern islands after years of paying higher prices for nearly everything.

So where to now, Pattaya or Hua Hin?

[intheheartoftheheart]

Just checking in from Samui. I have never seen it so dead. I'd estimate a good 50% of the businesses are permanently shuttered in the main tourist areas. Farther out in Mae Nam it's even worse. I don't mind--not here to party--but it likely means the locals are suffering. Not sure what's next for this island.

[Troy Tempest]

On 6/29/2022 at 8:44 AM, spidermike007 said:

Phuket and Samui have long been over priced. I left the Southern islands after years of paying higher prices for nearly everything. 

 

And both are now a pale shadow of their former selves. Some would say that is a good thing. I would estimated Samui is about 20% of what it was previously, in terms of nightlife, restaurants, etc. It is going to be a long time until they recover to a significant degree. Many years. 

Samui is massively improved since before the pandemic.

 

Sure many businesses went bust in the tourist areas such as Chaweng  (which always was a Cess Pit anyway) and Lamai where the restaurants were mostly owned (RENTED) by Wannabe Farangs.

 

I disagree with the poster above!....I have lived here permanently for over 12 years so I think I am qualified to judge.......The other parts of the island are doing very well and in Maenam for example nothing much has changed. The locals are doing very well in the main.

 

Long may it last!

[Troy Tempest]

10 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Give Koh Tao a try.

Before you Die???

[grumpyoldman]

Hi Simon,

 

you and I met many years back when I was riding the motorcycle around the island selling wine. Agreed, Phuket is definitely "not what it used to be", that being said, no where is.

 

What you said about Khao Lak, perfect, I like quiet beaches. When I need to see friends in Phuket or get in the party mode, will jump the bus, get a hotel room.

 

Good call on Kanchanaburi. I spent some time there, loved it. Can imagine a little place near the river, fishing kit, cooler of drinks. Fish on the grill. Enjoy brother, cheers, GOM