Storage In Phuket

[CrankyCarrot]

I'm looking at places to store a fairly modest amount of stuff in Phuket - like basically a laptop and a few other odds and sods that would fit in a microwave-sized box - and was wondering if anyone here has experience with this.

At some stage I may also stop renting motorbike/scooters by the month and invest in a 2nd hand one, so it'd be good to know what it costs to keep those locked up while I'm away also.

So far I'm aware of 2 places;

1. My Storage - a new and impressive looking facility just outside Jungceylon in Patong and,

2. Big Move Phuket - an older looking place in Chalong that seems to cater more to Thai people than farang, like the above place does.

It looks like my basic laptop and assorted other junk will cost 995 baht per month to keep safe in My Storage, and its 1000 at Big Move Phuket. The major difference is, BM Phuket said they'd happily store a motorbike along with the box at no extra charge. That seems like a pretty generous deal, especially considering it was something like an extra 2000 or so to do the same at My Storage (not sure of the exact figure, but I recall it was fairly substantial).

Any other places people here have used and would or wouldn't recommend? Has anyone used either of the above?

[KarenBravo]

There is a place right opposite the entrance to Wat Chalong. There is a sign advertising storage.

[CrankyCarrot]

Thanks Karen - will check that out too.

[petercallen]

WOW 1000 baht to store a microwave size box, sounds the right time to get out of renting apartments and start a storage business

If you are going to be here for awhile you are sure to make friends who will store it for you for nothing for a reasonable amount of time

[CrankyCarrot]

@petercallen - Mate, can I get you a beer? Where'd you say your place was again?

Seriously though - the My Storage place does seem pretty pricey, but the facilities are so secure they look like a futuristic hi-tech prison. I got the impression Big Move would store more than I had for the same price, it's just that at this stage I've really only got a 'microwave sized box' worth of things. Being able to store a motorbike as well sweetens the deal a bit though.

I've been renting bikes by the month at 3k - and I've seen working 2nd hand bikes for as little as 10k, so it seems like they'd have paid for themselves after 3-4 months of use. How much would you pay to store a scooter for a month?

[katabeachbum]

Safeway, Chao Fa west, at the entrance to Wat Chalong, left side of road coming from Chalong to Phuket town

A huge container is like 3k a month, so your box should be a fraction

[kurnell]

Safeway, Chao Fa west, at the entrance to Wat Chalong, left side of road coming from Chalong to Phuket town

A huge container is like 3k a month, so your box should be a fraction

Ha ha. Doesn't work like that. furthermore, is the container climate controlled? Proper storage facilities are worth the extra money and they should have pest control, security etc. I have a client in Phuket that opted for the cheap solution and $$$$ worth of stuff walked outa there and when questioned, the staff were on holidays. Reckon PUSCO is reputable

[CrankyCarrot]

@Kurnell - My Storage in Patong looks like it's climate controlled. The only thing I'd be concerned about in that respect is my notebook. It's too big and power-hungry to take on long trips so I want to park it somewhere safe along with a few other, cheaper things that I'd just be buying over and over again if I didn't hang on to them - eg coffee plunger, fan etc.

Big Move in Chalong appears to just be a big room with a metal cage around it.

" I have a client in Phuket that opted for the cheap solution and $$$$ worth of stuff walked outa there and when questioned, the staff were on holidays"

Where was that? At Safeway?

Are you saying that your clients things were basically stolen and they were never compensated?

[CrankyCarrot]

@katabbum - Safeway must be the name of the place KarenBravo saw the sign for. I'll have to swing by that place and check it out soon.

[petercallen]

@petercallen - Mate, can I get you a beer? Where'd you say your place was again?

Seriously though - the My Storage place does seem pretty pricey, but the facilities are so secure they look like a futuristic hi-tech prison. I got the impression Big Move would store more than I had for the same price, it's just that at this stage I've really only got a 'microwave sized box' worth of things. Being able to store a motorbike as well sweetens the deal a bit though.

I've been renting bikes by the month at 3k - and I've seen working 2nd hand bikes for as little as 10k, so it seems like they'd have paid for themselves after 3-4 months of use. How much would you pay to store a scooter for a month?

If you are only here on a tourist visa you may not be able to buy a bike in your name, i am sure one of the experts would know

If you are happy to own a secondhand bike why not rent a older bike, i do not know current rates but they did cost about 1500 baht a month

If you intend to stay here for extended periods why not check with the owners where you are renting, they may let you store it

at there premises as long as you are returning

[katabeachbum]

@petercallen - Mate, can I get you a beer? Where'd you say your place was again?

Seriously though - the My Storage place does seem pretty pricey, but the facilities are so secure they look like a futuristic hi-tech prison. I got the impression Big Move would store more than I had for the same price, it's just that at this stage I've really only got a 'microwave sized box' worth of things. Being able to store a motorbike as well sweetens the deal a bit though.

I've been renting bikes by the month at 3k - and I've seen working 2nd hand bikes for as little as 10k, so it seems like they'd have paid for themselves after 3-4 months of use. How much would you pay to store a scooter for a month?

If you are only here on a tourist visa you may not be able to buy a bike in your name, i am sure one of the experts would know

If you are happy to own a secondhand bike why not rent a older bike, i do not know current rates but they did cost about 1500 baht a month

If you intend to stay here for extended periods why not check with the owners where you are renting, they may let you store it

at there premises as long as you are returning

any visa/entrystamp or permit to stay qualify to have "Certificat of Residence" issued by local Immigration or you Embassy. Ad a copy of your passort, and you qualify to have any vehicle(s) registered in your name

[katabeachbum]

Safeway, Chao Fa west, at the entrance to Wat Chalong, left side of road coming from Chalong to Phuket town

A huge container is like 3k a month, so your box should be a fraction

Ha ha. Doesn't work like that. furthermore, is the container climate controlled? Proper storage facilities are worth the extra money and they should have pest control, security etc. I have a client in Phuket that opted for the cheap solution and $$$$ worth of stuff walked outa there and when questioned, the staff were on holidays. Reckon PUSCO is reputable

the 3k baht/month is a 20 foot shippingcontainer, used to ship all over the world and store goods for months, of course not climatecontrolled

Safeway also has small cages, at lower prices

and have been in business for a decade or so, owner aussie

[CrankyCarrot]

I guess I could look at renting longer term and leaving the bike with the owner. I've not seen anywhere in Phuket that rents bikes for 1500, new or old. The cheapest has always been 2500-3000. Will keep an eye out.

[BillR]

I have a box of shit as well. Would like to store it temporarily . Please advise.

[KhunHeineken]

My Storage is very impressive. They are climate controlled, pest controlled, and have several security features that are all the latest technology.. They also have a very good accounts system where you can pay your bill electronically, from your own country, straight into their account. They also offer a 15% discount for paying 6 months in advance. I believe there is a further discount for a 12 month lease.

The smallest locker they offer is 1 cubic metre. T hat's the 995 baht a month locker. This is more than enough space for you. If you have a mate, or two, you could share the locker together, but, obviously, you would need to trust each other, something that is now hard to do in Phuke,t with anyone. More that one person can access the lockers with different PIN numbers for the outside doors and then you just each have a key for your own personally supplied padlock on the locker.

They were expensive for storing a motorbike, because you had to rent a large room for the bike, so,tey changed that situation. Now, you put your bike in a garage size room with everyone else's and you show ID and they match the rego number before you can take it out. So, it's now cheaper to store a bike there.

With so many people having changes in their personal circumstances, so regularly here, I would not opt to leave your property with anyone and, unlike Peter Callen, I would be concerned to store anything, for anybody, unless I get to inspect it first. The same as you wouldn't bring a "package" over for a mate , without seeing what's inside first.

My Storage is a very professionally run business with a particular focus on good security and good service. You would only have to have a little $500 laptop stolen and that would have have paid for more than 16 months storage at My Storage. With such a large investment, they are here for the long haul.

I have no financial interest in the business, I was just impressed with it.

P.S. If anyone has a motorbike rental business,I think there would be a big market out there for selling the bike, instead of renting it, with a guarenteed buy back at the end, obviously based on milage and/or condition. Similar to camper vans in Australia. This is because of the higher cost of storing them, whilst away. Like the OP, I thought about just buying a 10,000 baht bike and then selling it for maybe what I paid for it, or 7,000 baht just to get rid of it. This is still cheaper than renting or storage.

[petercallen]

My Storage is very impressive. They are climate controlled, pest controlled, and have several security features that are all the latest technology.. They also have a very good accounts system where you can pay your bill electronically, from your own country, straight into their account. They also offer a 15% discount for paying 6 months in advance. I believe there is a further discount for a 12 month lease.

The smallest locker they offer is 1 cubic metre. T hat's the 995 baht a month locker. This is more than enough space for you. If you have a mate, or two, you could share the locker together, but, obviously, you would need to trust each other, something that is now hard to do in Phuke,t with anyone. More that one person can access the lockers with different PIN numbers for the outside doors and then you just each have a key for your own personally supplied padlock on the locker.

They were expensive for storing a motorbike, because you had to rent a large room for the bike, so,tey changed that situation. Now, you put your bike in a garage size room with everyone else's and you show ID and they match the rego number before you can take it out. So, it's now cheaper to store a bike there.

With so many people having changes in their personal circumstances, so regularly here, I would not opt to leave your property with anyone and, unlike Peter Callen, I would be concerned to store anything, for anybody, unless I get to inspect it first. The same as you wouldn't bring a "package" over for a mate , without seeing what's inside first.

My Storage is a very professionally run business with a particular focus on good security and good service. You would only have to have a little $500 laptop stolen and that would have have paid for more than 16 months storage at My Storage. With such a large investment, they are here for the long haul.

I have no financial interest in the business, I was just impressed with it.

P.S. If anyone has a motorbike rental business,I think there would be a big market out there for selling the bike, instead of renting it, with a guarenteed buy back at the end, obviously based on milage and/or condition. Similar to camper vans in Australia. This is because of the higher cost of storing them, whilst away. Like the OP, I thought about just buying a 10,000 baht bike and then selling it for maybe what I paid for it, or 7,000 baht just to get rid of it. This is still cheaper than renting or storage.

I would only store things for a couple of friends,most camper vans are rented in Australia, My name is not Peter Callen :jap:

[kurnell]

@Kurnell - My Storage in Patong looks like it's climate controlled. The only thing I'd be concerned about in that respect is my notebook. It's too big and power-hungry to take on long trips so I want to park it somewhere safe along with a few other, cheaper things that I'd just be buying over and over again if I didn't hang on to them - eg coffee plunger, fan etc.

Big Move in Chalong appears to just be a big room with a metal cage around it.

" I have a client in Phuket that opted for the cheap solution and $$$$ worth of stuff walked outa there and when questioned, the staff were on holidays"

Where was that? At Safeway?

Are you saying that your clients things were basically stolen and they were never compensated?

Can't say where sorry. Yes, it was stolen. Blatantly.

[KhunHeineken]

I would only store things for a couple of friends,most camper vans are rented in Australia, My name is not Peter Callen :jap:

My name is not KhunHeineken, either. :)

A lot of companies sell you the van, then buy it back off you when you are finished. This system is for the expensive over $100,000AUD campers bought by retirees, and for the cheap mini vans bought by backpackers. I have done a quick google search and this one was on the first page. Just scroll down to the "buy" section. There are many more companies. This system has been around for years. Once again, I have no financial interest in this company.

http://www.backpacke...-barn/index.php

[petercallen]

We recently rented a camper for 13 days in western Australia and travelled up as far as Port Headland

travelling along the coast and returned to Perth inland through Newman, Mount Magnet etc

98% of the motorized campers we saw of all sizes were rentals :jap:

[CrankyCarrot]

There's no question the best quality option would be My Storage - it's just that they're also the most expensive option - in most scenarios.

That said, if I can fit all my basic stuff - laptop, coffee plunger (I love my coffee), and a few other small things into their 995 a month box - and I don't store a motorbike - then the cost is actually 5 baht a month cheaper than Big Move and places like them.

Kurnell can't say which place I'd be paying to steal my stuff. dam_n it. Hmmm...Can you PM me or at least give the first letter? Colour of the building? Does it rhyme with 'wraith-pay' or 'pig groove'?

[petercallen]

We recently rented a camper for 13 days in western Australia and travelled up as far as Port Headland

travelling along the coast and returned to Perth inland through Newman, Mount Magnet etc

98% of the motorized campers we saw of all sizes were rentals :jap:

Our average cost per day for a 2 berth fully equipped and insured camper plus caravan park fees,

fuel and food was approx $240 or 7000 baht, backpackers do not buy or rent campers, they buy

a old van and put a mattress and icebox in it

[KhunHeineken]

We recently rented a camper for 13 days in western Australia and travelled up as far as Port Headland

travelling along the coast and returned to Perth inland through Newman, Mount Magnet etc

98% of the motorized campers we saw of all sizes were rentals :jap:

That's because most people can only afford a short holiday in Australia now. At a $1.10US to $1AUD, even the backpackers are a shying away.

In reverse (holidaying in SE Asia/Thailand) you can stay away maybe for 3 months to 6 months. I've met a few guys that have flexible employment that go home and work for 6 months, and then live in Thailand for 6 months.

If you were going to rent a bike for 6 months, wouldn't it be better to buy one, problem is, as mentioned, what do you do with it at the end of your stay? Most people who come to Thailand, return at some stage, but storage is expensive for a bike. Buying a bike also minimises the possibility of being scammed for a scratch or any accident you may have.

[CrankyCarrot]

If you were going to rent a bike for 6 months, wouldn't it be better to buy one, problem is, as mentioned, what do you do with it at the end of your stay?

This is magnified when you stay on a succession of tourist visas or visa-expemptions and have to leave every 30-60 days.

I was seriously considering going for an Ed Visa, except I'd still like to get out and see Camodia, 'Nam, Laos and Indonesia. I don't know if you get breaks in study or if the Ed visa even allows you to leave and re-enter the country.

Also, do you need proof of x amount of dollars in the bank to qualify for an Ed visa? Off topic I know, but if anyone knows off hand...?

[katabeachbum]

This is magnified when you stay on a succession of tourist visas or visa-expemptions and have to leave every 30-60 days.

I was seriously considering going for an Ed Visa, except I'd still like to get out and see Camodia, 'Nam, Laos and Indonesia. I don't know if you get breaks in study or if the Ed visa even allows you to leave and re-enter the country.

Also, do you need proof of x amount of dollars in the bank to qualify for an Ed visa? Off topic I know, but if anyone knows off hand...?

No bank balance for ED visa, multiple entry no problem, and most schools let you study when convinient for you

Read up in ThaiVisa Visa Forum, and you can learn it all

[petercallen]

I guess I could look at renting longer term and leaving the bike with the owner. I've not seen anywhere in Phuket that rents bikes for 1500, new or old. The cheapest has always been 2500-3000. Will keep an eye out.

There is a Yamaha Fino advertised on the PG web site for 15000 baht, under (Scooter For Sale Moving)

They have only been available for3/4 years so it wont be a old bike, only 5 months rental

[stevenl]

There is a Yamaha Fino advertised on the PG web site for 15000 baht, under (Scooter For Sale Moving) They have only been available for3/4 years so it wont be a old bike, only 5 months rental

In that case I can sell mine as well as almost new, even though it is 3 years old. And there are older ones as well.

[CrankyCarrot]

Fino for 15,000 sounds like a pretty good deal, although Fino's are kind of ...girly bikes, no? I saw some 2nd hand Yamaha Nouvos selling for the same price a while back, but I have a feeling they were way older and more beat up than that Fino. I was planning to buy a trusty Honda Click or similar if anything - they seem like good, reliable bikes that are cheap and easy to get repaired.

Sorry PCallen - you said it was for sale in the 'PG' section. Phuket G___? You mean in the classifieds?

In my case I don't think I can buy one right now, being on an extended tourist visa. You can always get these deals done irrespective of your circumstances if you know the right people though, right?

I should look more into the Ed Visa option (on the appropriate part of the forum). If I get one of those visas, I imagine I'd be able to own a vehicle legit - maybe even go get a real Thai drivers license. I hear those tests are a hoot.

[stevenl]

There is a Yamaha Fino advertised on the PG web site for 15000 baht, under (Scooter For Sale Moving) They have only been available for3/4 years so it wont be a old bike, only 5 months rental

In that case I can sell mine as well as almost new, even though it is 3 years old. And there are older ones as well.

No I got you, you mean 3 to 4 years, not 3/4.

[CrankyCarrot]

According to point #10 here, with an Ed visa, you can both own a car or bike and apply for a Thai license to drive it. That's good to know.

[petercallen]

Fino for 15,000 sounds like a pretty good deal, although Fino's are kind of ...girly bikes, no? I saw some 2nd hand Yamaha Nouvos selling for the same price a while back, but I have a feeling they were way older and more beat up than that Fino. I was planning to buy a trusty Honda Click or similar if anything - they seem like good, reliable bikes that are cheap and easy to get repaired.

Sorry PCallen - you said it was for sale in the 'PG' section. Phuket G___? You mean in the classifieds?

In my case I don't think I can buy one right now, being on an extended tourist visa. You can always get these deals done irrespective of your circumstances if you know the right people though, right?

I should look more into the Ed Visa option (on the appropriate part of the forum). If I get one of those visas, I imagine I'd be able to own a vehicle legit - maybe even go get a real Thai drivers license. I hear those tests are a hoot.

Phuket Gazette news web site , items for sale, the Honda Wave is a good reliable bike, The 125 has a more modern engine

than the 100 and is very cheap to maintain and very reliable