Attitude!

[Insight]

I'd hazard a guess at the majority of bad experiences posted here being based around (or on the way to) Patong. I also had a bad experience there at the beginning of this year, staying at a so-called 5* hotel - already wrote about it on this forum.

I'm still prepared to give the rest of the island another visit however. Every trip we took outside the Patong area was met with good service and without any negative incidents.

We hired a car from the airport, so that removed the need for Tuk Tuks to get ourselves around.

[Captain Chaos]

You stayed in Patong, didn't like it, so, you write off the whole of Phuket.

Patong isn't a good example of the rest of Phuket.

Is that clear enough?

Quite clear thanks - so why not just write that instead of enigmatic soundbites?

In any case, I understand that there are many other areas of Phuket and that Patong is not representative of the entire island. However, the airport will likely be most visitors' first impression of Phuket and - in my opinion - it will be a bad one.

And that, rather than Patong beach itself, is why I will not recommend to people that I know to go to Phuket...

Sort that pile of <deleted> out and I'll happily go there again.

[pattyboy]

I agree with those who have a poor opinion of Phuket, especially Patong -- what a hole. There are some nice areas of Phuket, but as people have pointed out, the real problem is with the business owners and their staff.

What ever happened to the old expression, "service with a smile"? In Phuket, it's "bilk you for all the money we can with a sneer".

My brother came to Thailand for his initial visit last year. We spent the first week in Phuket, and the attitudes of the people there made me embarrassed to say that Thailand is my home (away from home). Bro has traveled to a lot of countries and usually takes his holidays in Mexico or South America, so he has many places to compare with Phuket. Fortunately, he noticed a significant improvement in attitudes once we flew back to the Eastern Seaboard area, so he'll likely come back to Thailand again, but we both swore that Phuket was now permanently off our lists of potential vacation destinations in the future.

Now, when people ask about traveling to Thailand, I assure them that a trip would be worthwhile but not to waste their time and money in Phuket. The business owners there seem to think they have something that cannot be found elsewhere, but they're wrong. If they don't wake up soon and start to be competitive, both with regards to the level of service offered and prices charged, people will stay away in droves.

Edited October 9, 2007 by pattyboy

[Captain Chaos]

I'd hazard a guess at the majority of bad experiences posted here being based around (or on the way to) Patong. I also had a bad experience there at the beginning of this year, staying at a so-called 5* hotel - already wrote about it on this forum.

I'm still prepared to give the rest of the island another visit however. Every trip we took outside the Patong area was met with good service and without any negative incidents.

We hired a car from the airport, so that removed the need for Tuk Tuks to get ourselves around.

Good to hear that and the car hire idea is a good one - but I'd suggest could be hazardous for those who aren't familiar with Thai driving conditions and - potentially - having to deal with the cops. Well worth considering otherwise though...

[Sir Burr]

If they don't wake up soon and start to be competitive, both with regards to the level of service offered and prices charged, people will stay away in droves.

People keep saying that, yet, it never happens. Tourist arrivals just keep going up.

[Felt 35]

People keep saying that, yet, it never happens. Tourist arrivals just keep going up.

To bad but the best time in Phuket is when its school holiday, after a coup, devaluation or disaster

[Sir Burr]

Best time to visit Phuket is June through October. Rainy season. Whoops! I meant Green season.

[meadish_sweetball]

I've always made a point of not going to the most developed or famous places just because from my experience they are almost always the most annoying, expensive and unfriendly. I also used to travel in the rainy season as locals were more relaxed, there'd be fewer touts and generally a nicer feeling than during high season.

I would still be interested in how people think who do the opposite of me, and usually pick the busiest place. Do you find it works for you?

[JonnyF]

I agree that it is a shame the way things are deteriorating in some areas.

I want to get my ageing parents over for a couple of weeks but my main worry is the tourist areas and exposing them to the nasty side of Phuket - Tuk Tuk drivers, suit sellers etc.

I could avoid these places quite easily, but as I want to show them around the whole of the island and not keep them locked up in a 5 star hotel it is inevitable that they will meet these idiots and have their opinion of Thailand and Thai people tarnished.

I have been expecting (not hoping) tourist numbers to go down for a while but it doesn't seem to happen - I can't understand why...

[BillStickers]

Having said that there's been many a time when I have just kept walking when what I really wanted to do was turn round and knock the daylights out of the <deleted> that assumes that you can't understand what he's gobbing off about

Tuk Tuk drivers don't actually bother me anymore as I have decided to simply feel sorry for them being low life scum and cease to let it annoy me

A curious statement! Perhaps you need a break back in Scotland

whys it curious

after two years on Phuket i still think its a great place to be. Otherwise myself and my family would not be here. HOWEVER, the tuk tuk mafia are complete scum and deserve to be hounded off the island. Its not just the outrageous prices its the fact that they think they are allowed to do whatever they want to anyone they want with impunity.

I don't need a break in Scotland to realise that the tuk tuk scum in no way reflect the real people of thailand and yes, regardless of how it may offend your sensibilities, there have been several occasions when i have had to make an effort to keep walking rather than turn around. I'm sure that you are the "perfect" sticks & stones etc but i tend to take offence when low life talk about me and my family

**edited to add**

but as I've said I have moved past that now and simply regard them as something nasty in the gutter best to be avoided

perhaps you would care to socialise with them etc but most of the residents here including thai's don't see them as anything but a nuisance

Perhaps instead of behaving like a weegie with certain delusions of grandeur, you could try socialising with them and treat them like normal human beings, you might find that they are just that. I must admit they are pushy but they are all trying to make a living like everyone else. Just accept it and give them a break.

[simon43]

Please don't tar all of the island with the same brush! There are good hotels all over the island, but the ongoing problems with the airport and tuk-tuk mafia does no-one any favours.

1,300 baht from airport to Patong is a complete rip-off. The rate is more like 700-800 baht one way.

I pity the good hotels in the Patong area, because those that provide good service are let down by those that provide bad service, and the tuk-tuk issues etc.

There are some lovely areas of Phuket still to explore and unspoilt beaches to laze on

Simon

[bangkokrick]

Please don't tar all of the island with the same brush! There are good hotels all over the island, but the ongoing problems with the airport and tuk-tuk mafia does no-one any favours.

1,300 baht from airport to Patong is a complete rip-off. The rate is more like 700-800 baht one way.

I pity the good hotels in the Patong area, because those that provide good service are let down by those that provide bad service, and the tuk-tuk issues etc.

There are some lovely areas of Phuket still to explore and unspoilt beaches to laze on

Simon

I agree Simon but it's just a question of planning and things are much easier. I took my kids to Phuket in the 'green' season and we had a fantastic time. I booked the flights and accomodation from Bangkok including transport from the airport to the hotel so limiting the rip off with the taxis. We stayed in Karon which i think is a good position as you have a choice of Patong or the quiet side of the island. (Is it an Island?)

On the first day we went to get a tuk tuk to Patong as the kids wanted to go shoppng. The guy wanted 400B for the trip which was only 200B last year so i paid him and told him that this would be the last time i would get a tuk tuk. We immediately went to the car hire on the beach front in Patong and hired an almost new car, aircon,cd player etc for the princely sum of 900B per day. So the cost is only 100B more than the return trip to patong its a steal. This also gave us an option as to where we could go on the island on a daily basis, so basically we explored most places.

I have to say that the hotel and the staff were very pleasant well mannered and helpful. The food and service was also good and we always got a smile from the staff. We went to a few restaurants/bars around the viewpoint area almost everyday to watch the sun go down and we got to know the staff by name. I honestly dont have any complaints about the Phuket that we saw but then again we planned out the rip off merchants.

The kids want to go again next year so thats maybe why the numbers keep going up. I believe that there are many satisfied customers but you don't hear about them on this forum.

Cheers, Rick

[smartecosse]

Perhaps instead of behaving like a weegie with certain delusions of grandeur, you could try socialising with them and treat them like normal human beings, you might find that they are just that. I must admit they are pushy but they are all trying to make a living like everyone else. Just accept it and give them a break.

by the way i'm not from glasgow - if i was i wouldnt have walked away

socialising with tuk tuk mafia - no thanks I'll leave that up to you

socialising with the thais that have tuk tuk's down where i live - no problem at all but the ones in patong are a joke and aggressive to boot.

there is a difference between being pushy, just trying to make a living and what they have degenerated to in patong

i am glad that you go out socialising with the tuktuk scum in patong - good for you.

However i think you are flogging a dead horse - i can count on one finger the number of people that i know that think the tuks tuks of patong are acceptable and thats you

so keep wearing the "everything is rosy" glasses and have fun at your beach

Oh and by the way, where do you get off with saying "delusions of grandeur"................ because i dont aprreciate being bent over by some mafia tuk tuk driver and paying three times the price for a death defying ride in his tuk tuk than i would for a nice aircon taxi in other parts of the country? or do you think that it is acceptable for people to insult you and your family just because you dont want to buy a suit, take a ride in a tuk tuk or look at fake watches??

so anyway bill, you no where you can stick your patong tuk tuk's???

[stevenl]

Agree with some of the things said here. I don't like the tailors, the tuktuks are a pain the ass and the aggressive sales tactics of especially the small shops at the beach road are irritating.

But: changing reservations and not telling guests there will be construction going on: will happen anywhere in Thailand, and also in other countries. Tuktuks and taxi's trying to make more money than reasonable: will happen anywhere, I still recall a transfer from JFK to Manhattan where they tried to rip me off.

More meter taxi's all over the island would be excellent, and there are more points for improvement, but where not? All in all I am very happy living here, and most tourists I speak to are very happy coming here.

[chiang mai]

The people of Phuket are light years away from what a lot would consider "normal" Thais. Particularly in areas of tourism, where greed prevails.

You want the old Siam back? Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lopburi, even the southern provinces south of Surat Thani. Otherwise, the rest has been westernized to death and you will never enjoy it.

You knew full well that your family would be accosted by touts, etc etc. So why complain now?

After living in Chiang Mai for a few years and now in Phuket for the past few months I say the difference between the people of the two places is like night and day. I find people in Phuket to have far better English, much better manners, more willing to smile and yes, they are better drivers too. For me the hill tribe influence in somewhere like Chiang Mai means that the area is less sophisticated and not to be snobbish, intellectually lacking.

[Super Hans]

The people of Phuket are light years away from what a lot would consider "normal" Thais. Particularly in areas of tourism, where greed prevails.

You want the old Siam back? Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lopburi, even the southern provinces south of Surat Thani. Otherwise, the rest has been westernized to death and you will never enjoy it.

You knew full well that your family would be accosted by touts, etc etc. So why complain now?

After living in Chiang Mai for a few years and now in Phuket for the past few months I say the difference between the people of the two places is like night and day. I find people in Phuket to have far better English, much better manners, more willing to smile and yes, they are better drivers too. For me the hill tribe influence in somewhere like Chiang Mai means that the area is less sophisticated and not to be snobbish, intellectually lacking.

<deleted> to CM then.

The thing that really - and I mean REALLY - irritates me about tuk tuk/taxi drivers is their complete inability to distinguish between those that may, possibly, be looking for a ride, and those that OBVIOUSLY do not want a ride. When I see them I look away, look at the sun, navel gaze, tie my shoe laces, glance at my watch, get my phone out, do a waltz, in fact, do ANYTHING but give them any indication that I want their services. Do they think I can't see a great big line of red things straight in front of me? Do they think I'll cave in after the 60th "tuk tuk tuk tuk" and actually go shooting or to the zoo?

They are pests. If Phuket wants to market itself as a world-class holiday destination it should start acting so. The authorities need to; sort the rubbish/sanitation/drains, manage the traffic and get rid of the pesterers. I notice from the Gazette the governor has lobbied the government (sic) to allocate more money to Phuket to tackle traffic problems, including investment from the private sector if necessary. Why isn't the whole island given over to private finance? Private capital would make this place as good as it's billed, at zero cost to the public purse. Let's hope it happens.

[cotambear]

Why isn't the whole island given over to private finance? Private capital would make this place as good as it's billed, at zero cost to the public purse. Let's hope it happens.

lol - the whole island is controlled by `private finance` - ie the tuk tuks - that`s the biggest ball ache

stupidest post I`ve read in an age - sigh

The people of Phuket are light years away from what a lot would consider "normal" Thais. Particularly in areas of tourism, where greed prevails.

You want the old Siam back? Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lopburi, even the southern provinces south of Surat Thani. Otherwise, the rest has been westernized to death and you will never enjoy it.

You knew full well that your family would be accosted by touts, etc etc. So why complain now?

After living in Chiang Mai for a few years and now in Phuket for the past few months I say the difference between the people of the two places is like night and day. I find people in Phuket to have far better English, much better manners, more willing to smile and yes, they are better drivers too. For me the hill tribe influence in somewhere like Chiang Mai means that the area is less sophisticated and not to be snobbish, intellectually lacking.

<deleted> to CM then.

The thing that really - and I mean REALLY - irritates me about tuk tuk/taxi drivers is their complete inability to distinguish between those that may, possibly, be looking for a ride, and those that OBVIOUSLY do not want a ride. When I see them I look away, look at the sun, navel gaze, tie my shoe laces, glance at my watch, get my phone out, do a waltz, in fact, do ANYTHING but give them any indication that I want their services. Do they think I can't see a great big line of red things straight in front of me? Do they think I'll cave in after the 60th "tuk tuk tuk tuk" and actually go shooting or to the zoo?

They are pests. If Phuket wants to market itself as a world-class holiday destination it should start acting so. The authorities need to; sort the rubbish/sanitation/drains, manage the traffic and get rid of the pesterers. I notice from the Gazette the governor has lobbied the government (sic) to allocate more money to Phuket to tackle traffic problems, including investment from the private sector if necessary. Why isn't the whole island given over to private finance? Private capital would make this place as good as it's billed, at zero cost to the public purse. Let's hope it happens.

[Wellington]

TIP! Have a look at the latest issue of My Phuket. We list all the scammers, skimmers and pests in and around Phuket.

I missed The BP Hospital in your list!

Edited October 11, 2007 by Wellington

[basinview]

TIP! Have a look at the latest issue of My Phuket. We list all the scammers, skimmers and pests in and around Phuket.

I missed The BP Hospital in your list!

Listed all of the scammers ? you are joking of course

Some of the biggest scammers are farang - hey just ask Steven L & Chantal, they

can express it far better than I ever can as too the scamming that is going on

( and by the way not by THEM )

[Wellington]

TIP! Have a look at the latest issue of My Phuket. We list all the scammers, skimmers and pests in and around Phuket.

I missed The BP Hospital in your list!

Listed all of the scammers ? you are joking of course

Some of the biggest scammers are farang - hey just ask Steven L & Chantal, they

can express it far better than I ever can as too the scamming that is going on

( and by the way not by THEM )

Who is "them" in this instance

and I was NOT joking about the BPH

[fiddlehead]

Lots of complaining going on. I guess with a title like "attitude, what's wrong with these people?" its' going to bring out the whiners.

Been here 6 years now and have created a list this year of why i like Thailand compared to the US.

There are 35 things on my list positive for Thailand against 3 for the US. (no tuk tuks are one of the 3)

A few examples: smiles, food, weather, bringing up kids, prices, dentists, Thai women, etc.

I haven't been to Patong in over a year now. I only go when friends from home visit as i consider it a must see for a night anyway.

There are not too many places in the world like Bangla.

Yeah, the beach sucks, it is overcrowded and unclean from overuse. There are something like 16 other beaches on Phuket and so many are excellent. (compare the water quality at Nai Harn to your beloved Pattaya)

I think most will agree that the tuk tuk drivers suck. They do the most to give Phuket a bad reputation.

However, the rest of it is pretty ###### nice! (in 6 years, i've ridden on a tuk tuk once and that was in a huge rainstorm)

There's rarely mention on here of the sung taows. (sp?) (the trucks with open seating in the rear that charge 20-30 baht for a one way ride) Before i had a motorbike and a truck, i used them to go to town. Yeah they take a while but they are wicked cheap and no threatening drivers ripping you off.

I hear there are 6 million CCTV cameras in the UK now. Is that your idea of a nice place?

The beauty of all of it of course is that if you don't like it, you can leave.

6 million, aye?

[mrsouza]

TIP! Have a look at the latest issue of My Phuket. We list all the scammers, skimmers and pests in and around Phuket.

I missed The BP Hospital in your list!

Listed all of the scammers ? you are joking of course

Some of the biggest scammers are farang - hey just ask Steven L & Chantal, they

can express it far better than I ever can as too the scamming that is going on

( and by the way not by THEM )

Could you elaborate a little bit more what you are referring to?

Farangs in general or any specific scam?

[smartecosse]

( and by the way not by THEM )

so come on the, spill the beans its time to name and shame

who is THEM???

[Captain Chaos]

Lots of complaining going on. I guess with a title like "attitude, what's wrong with these people?" its' going to bring out the whiners.

Been here 6 years now and have created a list this year of why i like Thailand compared to the US.

There are 35 things on my list positive for Thailand against 3 for the US. (no tuk tuks are one of the 3)

A few examples: smiles, food, weather, bringing up kids, prices, dentists, Thai women, etc.

I haven't been to Patong in over a year now. I only go when friends from home visit as i consider it a must see for a night anyway.

There are not too many places in the world like Bangla.

Yeah, the beach sucks, it is overcrowded and unclean from overuse. There are something like 16 other beaches on Phuket and so many are excellent. (compare the water quality at Nai Harn to your beloved Pattaya)

I think most will agree that the tuk tuk drivers suck. They do the most to give Phuket a bad reputation.

However, the rest of it is pretty ###### nice! (in 6 years, i've ridden on a tuk tuk once and that was in a huge rainstorm)

There's rarely mention on here of the sung taows. (sp?) (the trucks with open seating in the rear that charge 20-30 baht for a one way ride) Before i had a motorbike and a truck, i used them to go to town. Yeah they take a while but they are wicked cheap and no threatening drivers ripping you off.

I hear there are 6 million CCTV cameras in the UK now. Is that your idea of a nice place?

The beauty of all of it of course is that if you don't like it, you can leave.

6 million, aye?

I am open to giving the place a fair go but my first visit was not impressive ... and first impressions last etc etc

Where are the song taows then? All I found were tosspot tuktuk drivers wanting 400 bt + for a 5 km ride ... I would certainly be more open to visiting again if there was a cheap way to get about ... that way you can have as much (or as little) of Patong as you wish.

CC

[Super Hans]

Lots of complaining going on. I guess with a title like "attitude, what's wrong with these people?" its' going to bring out the whiners.

Been here 6 years now and have created a list this year of why i like Thailand compared to the US.

There are 35 things on my list positive for Thailand against 3 for the US. (no tuk tuks are one of the 3)

A few examples: smiles, food, weather, bringing up kids, prices, dentists, Thai women, etc.

I haven't been to Patong in over a year now. I only go when friends from home visit as i consider it a must see for a night anyway.

There are not too many places in the world like Bangla.

Yeah, the beach sucks, it is overcrowded and unclean from overuse. There are something like 16 other beaches on Phuket and so many are excellent. (compare the water quality at Nai Harn to your beloved Pattaya)

I think most will agree that the tuk tuk drivers suck. They do the most to give Phuket a bad reputation.

However, the rest of it is pretty ###### nice! (in 6 years, i've ridden on a tuk tuk once and that was in a huge rainstorm)

There's rarely mention on here of the sung taows. (sp?) (the trucks with open seating in the rear that charge 20-30 baht for a one way ride) Before i had a motorbike and a truck, i used them to go to town. Yeah they take a while but they are wicked cheap and no threatening drivers ripping you off.

I hear there are 6 million CCTV cameras in the UK now. Is that your idea of a nice place?

The beauty of all of it of course is that if you don't like it, you can leave.

6 million, aye?

I am open to giving the place a fair go but my first visit was not impressive ... and first impressions last etc etc

Where are the song taows then? All I found were tosspot tuktuk drivers wanting 400 bt + for a 5 km ride ... I would certainly be more open to visiting again if there was a cheap way to get about ... that way you can have as much (or as little) of Patong as you wish.

CC

You can get them from Phuket town to pretty much any beach. Trouble is, to go from Patong to, say, Karon, you need to get one to Phuket town and then one over to Karon, so it takes all bleeding day - and they stop running after about 6pm, I think. That said, if you're a morning person and don't mind being squashed into an underpowered crate with a thousand screaming kids, they're pretty good and very cheap. They are also reasonably regular. It's just annoying they don't run from beach to beach - that would be ideal.

BTW - completely agree with you about first impressions - have overheard several people saying they'll not return, not least because of the smell. This HAS to be addressed IMO.

Edited October 11, 2007 by Super Hans

[Super Hans]

lol - the whole island is controlled by `private finance` - ie the tuk tuks - that`s the biggest ball ache

stupidest post I`ve read in an age - sigh

I've made stupider, believe me.

I would be cautious to say the tuk tuks are "private finance" - surely they are mafia or at best a cartel? Isn't private finance the antithesis of this, at least in spirit? 12 years as a civil servant taught me one thing above all else - if you want something doing on time and on budget, let the private sector do it. I actually suspect a PFI type scheme would work well here as it eliminates the likelihood of corruption, at least on a governmental level. The costs of building a road per km, for instance, are easy to calculate in whichever sector. The government only needs to monitor outputs and pay out on the final product - no need to get involved in any day to day dealings where corruption is likely to occur - let the private sector govern that and only pay out on satisfactory completion of the project.

There are obvious difficulties to overcome, not least no present democratic government and lack of clarity in terms of laws/regulation, but these aren't insurmountable in the long term. Ultimately, the island either gets its act together or it dies - holiday-makers will increasingly use their spending power to determine where they go and I doubt it'll be Phuket for much longer if the island doesn't drastically improve its infrastructure.

[maipleur]

After many years, I have had enough also. I see many threads on this forum that mirror your opinions OP and what I have noticed, is that it really is Phuket and not Thailand.

Im sick of the way you are treated in Phuket, the way you are looked at and the way the local or Phuket people think they are doing us favors.

They have no idea in regards to business practices and it comes down to education I think. The smart ones born in Phuket head to Bangkok and all the scammers stay or move to Phuket IMHO.

I have been setting up my new life in Bangkok of the last month and I must say it has been a breath of fresh air. I realize there will be some everyday problems, but so far it has been SUPERB!

Everything has been a very smooth transition so far and after tomorrow I will never have to return to this over priced and over rated hel_l hole again.

Before the flamers enter my post: If you are not in business and disagree, you will have no idea what Im talking about. Laying on the beach or golfing is not that stressfull. When you are here running companies and you rely daily on Thai input in all facets of your business, you are let down constantly. If you disagree or even become too successfull in the eyes of the Thais, you are threatened or ostresized from the group.

Bye Bye Phuket, Ill try not to let the door hit me on the ass on my way out!

HELLO BANGKOK!

Edited October 11, 2007 by maipleur

[roietjimmy]

Wow, you and I agree on something. There are just so many things that the local government and tourist industry could do that are low cost, but would reap enormous immediate benefits. 2 things come to mind; Rubbish bins so that tourists and locals could discard trash in them instead of on the street or on the beach. (Man it so pi$es me off to see the litter at the end of the day on the beach) and proper pedestrian crossings to facilitate beach access. Sit near the beach road in Karon or Patong and count how many elderly people or parents with kids nearly get creamed trying to cross. WOuld it kill the municipality to put up a pedestrian crossing with lights or even a stop sign?

Well this year, instead of dealing with the onslaught of tourist season, we're going to try something unconventional - a trip to Issan. I am going with my Thai friends that are treating this as a journey into the badlands. They have never been there and have been telling me stories all month just to scare me - sort of like Englishmen that go to Germany expecting some teutonic villian to greet them, or Americans that go to Canada expecting igloos and roaming hungry polar bears.

Let me know when your coming. If you're in the Roiet area we'll get together. We are fresh out of villains. Reading these posts I think they all moved to Phuket so your Thai friends will be disappointed.

[seonai]

Roiet Jimmy,

ow are the fish in the big pond in Roi Et? I love that place and always go 'boating' there with my son. His father is from Ban Din Dum (?) about 5kms out of the city

Sorry OP

[seonai]

On Phuket I have always been fine (tuk tuks excluded) as I speak fluent Thai so don't take any nonsense but I understand that it must be hard if you can't speak Thai. I immediately tell people I am married to a thai as well and that always helps - well I am married to a male thai so people are less likely to try to rip me off