And so the exodus of quality expats begins. This time it's personal

[oldcpu]

21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

Thanks, it is a great place to be if one can afford to buy a nice house in many of the unseen nice areas. 

 

This is so true.

 

and even some who live in Phuket for years - never fully explore the island to learn of some of the superb nooks and crannys.

 

 

21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

I can imagine it is not nice to live in very busy areas such as Patong, I can't understand why so many tourists go there and then imagine the rest of Phuket is like that, but that area is far from me and also away from the type of tourists who want to go to Patong.

 

Many tourists miss out on the splendours of Phuket, they ignore the 543 square kilometers of this island and instead, visit the few square kilometers of Patong. 

 

I concede I have a selfish mindset here, and I am happy to see the tourists miss out of such. They then cross off Phuket on their place to visit, and maybe pass on such on to their friends, and the more quiet very pleasant and nice upmarket location (on the beach, with fabulous view) is left unknown to them and others, such that we don't get over run with tourists.

 

So if there was an exodus, I would say let the exodus continue. 

 

However - such is far from the truth, with real estate booming in the island, with both rental prices and purchase prices soaring.

[JamesPhuket10]

2 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

This is so true.

 

and even some who live in Phuket for years - never fully explore the island to learn of some of the superb nooks and crannys.

 

 

 

I concede I have a selfish mindset here, and I am happy to see the tourists miss out of such. They then cross off Phuket on their place to visit, and maybe pass on such on to their friends, and the more quiet very pleasant and nice upmarket location (on the beach, with fabulous view) is left unknown to them and others, such that we don't get over run with tourists.

 

So if there was an exodus, I would say let the exodus continue. 

 

However - such is far from the truth, with real estate booming in the island, with both rental prices and purchase prices soaring.

 

"However - such is far from the truth, with real estate booming in the island, with both rental prices and purchase prices soaring."

 

That is the best part of it, my partner owns five properties in Phuket, and she is happy if rental and property prices rise. 

 

We have seen that property prices in this estate have risen as we see the prices of what houses sell for now. 

[JamesPhuket10]

On 2/17/2025 at 1:18 AM, DonniePeverley said:

It's not just the sheer number of tourists, but the quality of the tourists. I have never met horrific people like this in my life. 

 

It's like you take the worst set of Arabs, the worst set of Indians, draft dodging Russians, and the Benidorm Brits and bring them here to create chaos. 

 

Patong yes, try other areas and you will never come across those people.

[KhunHeineken]

On 2/9/2024 at 9:52 AM, Galong said:

Six of my very good friends have had enough of Phuket and all six are leaving because of traffic. Another friend and his family of four just bought a house a relocated here from the UK. After just a few months, they are already looking for ways to leave. 

How many of you have lost friends due to the 'progress' going on in Phuket?

Everyone has to access to a vehicle in Phuket, otherwise, you are at the mercy on the land transport mafia.  They have been slowly killing Phuket for years.

 

Little wonder that Phuklet has one of the highest road death stats in Thailand, which puts it on par with the highest road death stats in any country in the world.

[oldcpu]

31 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Everyone has to access to a vehicle in Phuket, otherwise, you are at the mercy on the land transport mafia.  They have been slowly killing Phuket for years.

 

The tax (land transport) Mafia are a PIA for certain.  However they are FAR from killing Phuket. Rather Phuket has been booming as of late, with lots of new development and rental and real estate prices soaring.   How can a place be booming and killed at the same time? 

 

I do agree no expat (nor tourist) likes the taxi mafia.

 

However,  there is now alternative transportation and not  just the taxi mafia,  which the taxi mafia tried to stop and they failed miserably.

 

I don't know where you get your information from Phuket being killed by (the highly annoying and over priced taxi mafia) but you are clearly out of date. Yes they still are annoying and they still dominate in Patong and some western beaches, but their hold has slipped massively elsewhere.

 

You are simply out of date.

 

 

31 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Little wonder that Phuklet has one of the highest road death stats in Thailand, which puts it on par with the highest road death stats in any country in the world.

 

Motorcycle death statistics are horrible across all of Thailand, and for certain Phuket is no exception.

 

[DonniePeverley]

10 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

The tax (land transport) Mafia are a PIA for certain.  However they are FAR from killing Phuket. Rather Phuket has been booming as of late, with lots of new development and rental and real estate prices soaring.   How can a place be booming and killed at the same time? 

 

I do agree no expat (nor tourist) likes the taxi mafia.

 

However,  there is now alternative transportation and not  just the taxi mafia,  which the taxi mafia tried to stop and they failed miserably.

 

I don't know where you get your information from Phuket being killed by (the highly annoying and over priced taxi mafia) but you are clearly out of date. Yes they still are annoying and they still dominate in Patong and some western beaches, but their hold has slipped massively elsewhere.

 

You are simply out of date.

 

 

 

Motorcycle death statistics are horrible across all of Thailand, and for certain Phuket is no exception.

 

 

 

Short term gain. You go to Phuket, enjoy it. Move there, buy property. Then they destroy the thing that made people move there by over building, by sanitising it, gridlocked public infrustructure like roads - and the people who bought the property regret it. 

 

Eventually you see a slow exodus. Happens all the time.

 

You need strong government to look after the long term future of a precious area that brings in vital tourism stream. 

[oldcpu]

3 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Eventually you see a slow exodus. Happens all the time

 

Perhaps.

 

Except in the case of Phuket more are arriving than leaving. 

 

I lived in Phuket from 1997 to 1999, and moved back here in 2016. Has Phuket changed since 1997? Yes.

 

But so have I changed.

 

I pinch myself every morning thinking how lucky I am having a beach front condo with direct beach access , far, far from the maddening crowds of Patong , Karon, and Kata, which most tourists only know.

 

Each to their own. 

 

I am happy there are those with your view. One less person to join the many who are coming here.

 

Enjoy where you settle. I am very happy where I settled in Phuket.

[JamesPhuket10]

11 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

Perhaps.

 

Except in the case of Phuket more are arriving than leaving. 

 

I lived in Phuket from 1997 to 1999, and moved back here in 2016. Has Phuket changed since 1997? Yes.

 

But so have I changed.

 

I pinch myself every morning thinking how lucky I am having a beach front condo with direct beach access , far, far from the maddening crowds of Patong , Karon, and Kata, which most tourists only know.

 

Each to their own. 

 

I am happy there are those with your view. One less person to join the many who are coming here.

 

Enjoy where you settle. I am very happy where I settled in Phuket.

 

I am happy with the detached house in Kathu, Phuket, not many tourists here, I hardly ever go to Patong, Karon, or Kata, but when I do go there I feel like I am on holiday even though they are just a few miles away.

 

Life here seems normal as most people living in this area are Thai, but I do like to go to the tourist areas now and then as it is like having a day trip to Blackpool, plus it feels like I am in Europe.

 

"Where did you go today", "I went on a day trip to Europe." 😃

[JamesPhuket10]

4 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

Short term gain. You go to Phuket, enjoy it. Move there, buy property. Then they destroy the thing that made people move there by over building, by sanitising it, gridlocked public infrustructure like roads - and the people who bought the property regret it. 

 

Eventually you see a slow exodus. Happens all the time.

 

You need strong government to look after the long term future of a precious area that brings in vital tourism stream. 

 

A nice generalisation, but incorrect. 

 

I know people who have been here 20, or 30 years, they love the place, I am new as I have only been living here 2.5 years, but have been visiting for six months sometimes over 35 years, not everywhere is as packed as Patong, etc, nice and quiet here in Kathu, of the three hundred and fifty houses in this private residential area maybe ten are farangs, the others are working Thai families. 

 

[KhunHeineken]

17 hours ago, oldcpu said:

The tax (land transport) Mafia are a PIA for certain.  However they are FAR from killing Phuket. Rather Phuket has been booming as of late, with lots of new development and rental and real estate prices soaring.   How can a place be booming and killed at the same time? 

 

I do agree no expat (nor tourist) likes the taxi mafia.

 

However,  there is now alternative transportation and not  just the taxi mafia,  which the taxi mafia tried to stop and they failed miserably.

 

I don't know where you get your information from Phuket being killed by (the highly annoying and over priced taxi mafia) but you are clearly out of date. Yes they still are annoying and they still dominate in Patong and some western beaches, but their hold has slipped massively elsewhere.

 

You are simply out of date.

Last I heard, Phuket had the highest road death of all the provinces in Thailand, and given that Thailand is in the Top 10 countries in the world for road death, that makes Phuket's roads the one of the most dangerous in the world.

 

The reason is, the tax mafia and their high prices pushes everyone into a car or onto a bike, even after drink. 

 

If that's not killing, what is? 

 

17 hours ago, oldcpu said:

Motorcycle death statistics are horrible across all of Thailand, and for certain Phuket is no exception.

Higher in Phuket, due to the tax mafia. 

 

Imagine the the drop in accidents if the tuktuks would drive around on routes like the baht buses do in Pattaya.

 

Why does it work so so well in Pattaya, but Phuket is not allowed to have a similar system? 

[zzzzz]

4 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I am happy with the detached house in Kathu, Phuket, not many tourists here, I hardly ever go to Patong, Karon, or Kata, but when I do go there I feel like I am on holiday even though they are just a few miles away.

 

Life here seems normal as most people living in this area are Thai, but I do like to go to the tourist areas now and then as it is like having a day trip to Blackpool, plus it feels like I am in Europe.

 

"Where did you go today", "I went on a day trip to Europe." 😃

never understood why someone would move to an island and not chose to live or at least visit the sea often?

I'd go crazy if i had to live in Kathu, if i was there, would prefer to be far up north

ahhh to each their own  🙂

as to taxi mafia being the cause of the accidents and road deaths> I seriously doubt it>
Motorcycles are the preferred method of getting around on this island, always has been 
not to mention the cost of one for many Thai familes

[oldcpu]

6 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Last I heard, Phuket had the highest road death of all the provinces in Thailand, and given that Thailand is in the Top 10 countries in the world for road death, that makes Phuket's roads the one of the most dangerous in the world.

 

You heard wrong.  Bangkok and Chiang Rai have higher motorcycle road deaths than Phuket.

 

 

6 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

 

The reason is, the tax mafia and their high prices pushes everyone into a car or onto a bike, even after drink. 

 

I seriously doubt that. 

 

Some statistics for you :

 

Thailand is #9 for road deaths globally, although it is #1 for motorcycle deaths.

80% of the Thai road deaths are motorcycle deaths. Less than 4% of those motorvycle deaths are foreigners

The most affected age group is 18 to 29 year olds

The deaths are predominantly male.

Most who died weren't wearing a helmet.

 

Now lets consider Phuket:

Again. Bangkok and northeastern provinces ( such as Chiang Rai)  have a larger amount of motorcycle road deaths. 

 

The point here is Taxi Mafia are not the cause of a high # of motorcycle road deaths in Phuket.

 

And as noted, the "hold" of the taxi mafua has in the most part been broken as internet taxi booking apps is pushing them aside. Only in Patomg and to a lesser extent Kata and Karon do the taxi mafia still resort to violence and intimidation to try and monopolize on their expensive taxi service. And their hold there is no longer what it once was.

 

However you also should know most expats don't need to use the taxi mafia nor motorcycles. Most expats have cars.

 

So while the remaining taxi mafia can still be found in noted areas, most Phuket expats don't give the taxi mafia a second thought as they are not affected.

 

Again, it reads that you are out of touch with the current Phuket situation.

[it is what it is]

Six of my very good friends have had enough of Phuket and all six are leaving because of traffic. Another friend and his family of four just bought a house a relocated here from the UK. After just a few months, they are already looking for ways to leave. 

 

they obviously have a very narrow minded view of thailand, why on earth would you choose to live in phuket in the first place? they were asking for trouble, and found it.

 

instead of running away they should have taken the time to travel, educate themselves, get to know thailand. 

 

tbh, thailand is better off without this people like this.
 

[Bday Prang]

"quality expats" 

[Patong2021]

Phuket is a bubble waiting to pop. If it hadn't been for the Ukraine war and sanctions on Russia, it would have popped  years ago. The Chinese are no longer there. The place owes its current prosperity to the presence of the  growing Russian and  Middle Eastern communities. That's who is buying the overpriced  new builds.

[KhunHeineken]

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

You heard wrong.  Bangkok and Chiang Rai have higher motorcycle road deaths than Phuket.

 

Per capita????

 

Link please. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

seriously doubt that. 

 

Some statistics for you :

 

Thailand is #9 for road deaths globally, although it is #1 for motorcycle deaths.

 

Phuket has the highest road death in Thailand of any province. 

 

Given Thailand is 9th globally, as a country, and Phuket is the No. 1 province for road death in Thailand, that makes Phuket's roads some one of the most dangerous in the world, if not the most dangerous. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

80% of the Thai road deaths are motorcycle deaths. Less than 4% of those motorvycle deaths are foreigners

Link please.

 

You do know, in Phuket, if you are still alive at the scene, but later die in hospital, it's not counted as a road death.  Yes, real 3rd World Country stuff.  Can't have ANYTHING tarnishing Phuket's tourism industry. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

The most affected age group is 18 to 29 year olds

So????

 

Dead are dead. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

The deaths are predominantly male.

So????

 

Dead are dead?

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

Most who died weren't wearing a helmet.

Ok. 

 

Interesting you don't touch on intoxication.

 

Ever asked yourself if if one would ride under the influence, if they could get home, or to their hotel, for 10 baht, like in Pattaya????

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

Now lets consider Phuket:

Again. Bangkok and northeastern provinces ( such as Chiang Rai)  have a larger amount of motorcycle road deaths. 

 

Per capita????

 

Link please.

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

The point here is Taxi Mafia are not the cause of a high # of motorcycle road deaths in Phuket.

Rubbish. 

 

I lived in Phuket a while ago.  The reason I moved to Pattaya was because of the taxi mafia.  They restricted my freedom of movement. 

 

They wanted 400 baht from Patong to Kata Beach in the afternoon, and 800 baht from Kata Beach back to Patong in the evening.  It's about a 5km journey, not to mention the robberies on that stretch of road at night. 

 

What myself, and some friends would do, is ride to Kata in the afternoon, get a cheap 500 baht hotel, have a few beers to be over the limit, stay the night, and ride back sober the next day. 

 

Yes, a destination only 5kms away was an overnight stay.  Such was the taxi mafia rip off. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

And as noted, the "hold" of the taxi mafua has in the most part been broken as internet taxi booking apps is pushing them aside. Only in Patomg and to a lesser extent Kata and Karon do the taxi mafia still resort to violence and intimidation to try and monopolize on their expensive taxi service. And their hold there is no longer what it once was.

Didn't you say there was no problem????

 

Now you agree they have a "hold" and use violence. 

 

You have contradicted yourself. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

However you also should know most expats don't need to use the taxi mafia nor motorcycles. Most expats have cars.

What about the tourists????

 

200 baht just to get into a Phuket tuktuk, with no air conditioning, and no seat belts, and then the price goes up from there, versus hiring a motorbike for a day for 150 baht. 

 

No wonder so many "Go Fund Me's " come out of Phuket. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

So while the remaining taxi mafia can still be found in noted areas, most Phuket expats don't give the taxi mafia a second thought as they are not affected.

Rubbish. 

 

Dated a few days ago.

 

Quality public transport in Phuket. 

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/03/09/russian-tourist-seeks-justice-after-assault-in-phuket-taxi/

 

On 3/11/2025 at 2:52 PM, oldcpu said:

Again, it reads that you are out of touch with the current Phuket situation.

Again, it reads like you own a business in Phuket and are downplaying the taxi mafia there.

 

I remember seeing all the coach buses for tourists some years ago.  It was that bad the tour groups chartered buses, and then ended up buying their own buses and hiring drivers, and offering transport to all the major tourist attractions in Phuket, just to protect the package holiday makers from the taxi mafia. 

 

For many tourists, using Phuket tuktuks only a couple of times a day was more expensive that the cost of their hotel room for the day.  

 

They don't call Phuket "Pirate Island" for nothing.   

[KhunHeineken]

On 3/11/2025 at 2:58 PM, it is what it is said:

Six of my very good friends have had enough of Phuket and all six are leaving because of traffic. Another friend and his family of four just bought a house a relocated here from the UK. After just a few months, they are already looking for ways to leave. 

 

they obviously have a very narrow minded view of thailand, why on earth would you choose to live in phuket in the first place? they were asking for trouble, and found it.

 

instead of running away they should have taken the time to travel, educate themselves, get to know thailand. 

 

tbh, thailand is better off without this people like this.
 

Like I said, the taxi mafia in Phuket are killing the island, literally, and economically. 

[KhunHeineken]

On 3/11/2025 at 3:16 PM, Patong2021 said:

Phuket is a bubble waiting to pop. If it hadn't been for the Ukraine war and sanctions on Russia, it would have popped  years ago. The Chinese are no longer there. The place owes its current prosperity to the presence of the  growing Russian and  Middle Eastern communities. That's who is buying the overpriced  new builds.

They will end up getting "jack" of the place eventually, just like the others before them, and leave. 

[oldcpu]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

Per capita????

 

Link please. 

 

 

Phuket has the highest road death in Thailand of any province. 

 

Given Thailand is 9th globally, as a country, and Phuket is the No. 1 province for road death in Thailand, that makes Phuket's roads some one of the most dangerous in the world, if not the most dangerous. 

 

Link please.

 

You do know, in Phuket, if you are still alive at the scene, but later die in hospital, it's not counted as a road death.  Yes, real 3rd World Country stuff.  Can't have ANYTHING tarnishing Phuket's tourism industry. 

 

So????

 

Dead are dead. 

 

So????

 

Dead are dead?

 

Ok. 

 

Interesting you don't touch on intoxication.

 

Ever asked yourself if if one would ride under the influence, if they could get home, or to their hotel, for 10 baht, like in Pattaya????

 

Per capita????

 

Link please.

 

Ask either Deep Seek or ChatGPT.  With ChatGPT on a browser, it provides its sources which you can check.

 

I find it ironic you pull misinformation out of thin air and ask others for their references.  Phuket is NOT #1.  Time for  you to research and update yourself.  Once again, you are out of date.

 

 

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

I lived in Phuket a while ago.  The reason I moved to Pattaya was because of the taxi mafia.  They restricted my freedom of movement. 

 

A while ago?? How long is a while ago?  Once again, you are out of date.

 

Yes, the taxi mafia is still there (in Patong, Kata, Karon), but one can descretly use online taxi apps to obtain cheaper transport in those areas.  Outside of those areas one can do so with FAR LESS disretion.

 

You are out of date.

 

Further, most expats have a car and don't think twice about the taxi mafia. You are also in a minority of expats if you had to use the taxi mafia in the past - and most definitely MORE out of date if you did use such in the present.

 

 

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

You have contradicted yourself. 

 

Rubbish.  You are out of date.

 

 

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

What about the tourists????

 

What about the tourists?  Last I looked, this thread is about "expats" ... Or did you fail to read the thread topic?

 

Once again, "Quality" expats have their own vehicles, and on occasion when they wish to go drinking and not drive, there are online apps where the expats 'in the know' simply arrange for online transportation and have NOTHING TO DO with the Taxi Mafia.

 

Those who don't do such are simply misinformed, like yourself.

 

As for the tourists, even thou this thread is NOT about tourists, if they want to they also can take advantage of online booking of transportation taxi services.

 

This is the year 2025.  Its time to get with the times.  The hold of the taxi mafia has mostly been broken.  Your failure to concede such indicates how out of touch you are on this topic

[oldcpu]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

Like I said, the taxi mafia in Phuket are killing the island, literally, and economically. 

 

Nonsense. Pure 100% nonsense.

[oldcpu]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:16 PM, Patong2021 said:

Phuket is a bubble waiting to pop. If it hadn't been for the Ukraine war and sanctions on Russia, it would have popped  years ago. The Chinese are no longer there. The place owes its current prosperity to the presence of the  growing Russian and  Middle Eastern communities. That's who is buying the overpriced  new builds.

 

Phuket is 'cheap' relative to Bangkok.  But I suspect you know that.   Are both over priced?  Possibly.  Possibly not.

 

Yes the Russians and Chinese (yes the Chinese ARE still in Phuket despite what you state) have helped drive up Phuket real estate prices. 

 

While its true the numbers of Chinese are less than in the past, they are still present in Phuket and they are still buying real estate.  It is NOT just the Russians' buying. Not by long shot.