having spent the last 10 days on holiday in phuket.

it's been nearly 4 yrs since we moved up to chiangmai, i just can't believe how phuket has deteriorated [for some improved no doubt] so much in such a relative short space of time, those responsible for what could have been the 'jewel' in the crown with regards to tourism in thailand are no doubt a lot wealthier, but at what cost.

couldn't wait to get out of the place, may suit some, but not me, not anymore.

I share your sentiment exactly. I was there recently after not having been in a number of years. I used to love Phuket and visited many times over a 22 year period of time. I too, could not wait to get out of there! They have destroyed the place with over-development and the influx of Russian tourists, scammers and mobsters from all over the world has made it a rather dangerous place. I spent the last day at Nai Yang. Even there it is becoming over-developed and all the signs are in Russian. I will NEVER go to Phuket again.

I share your sentiment exactly. I was there recently after not having been in a number of years. I used to love Phuket and visited many times over a 22 year period of time. I too, could not wait to get out of there! They have destroyed the place with over-development and the influx of Russian tourists, scammers and mobsters from all over the world has made it a rather dangerous place. I spent the last day at Nai Yang. Even there it is becoming over-developed and all the signs are in Russian. I will NEVER go to Phuket again.

and when china the country really opens up, that'll be the next mob vying for business, the russkies are well entrenched now, for me it's a powder keg thats getting bigger every month, when it goes there's going to be hell on, well glad i'm out of it.

I feel the same about Phuket and Pattaya. Have been going to both for about 15 years and have watched places decline to the point of my last trips to both, were my last.

The good news is, there is no shortage of places to visit in Asia, or even Thailand for that matter. Some of the smaller, less traveled islands will be next on my list. The local mafia, Russians, and corrupt city officials can have the other two places.

Pattaya I can understand, it is a brothel and not really a "jewel." It is called the "extreme city" for a reason. However, they really messed up by allowing Phuket to deteriorate. That place used to be incredible.

I was last in Phuket 5 years ago before the Russian Mafia. Wasn't impressed then and have no intention of going back.

Spent 11 days in Pattaya last February and couldn't wait to get home. I thought Hat Jomtien would be OK but it to has been overgrown. No intention of going back there either.

doppa welcome home.