Am I Seeing Things?

[IrishIvan]

I was driving down at Kata yesterday and was following a foreign bloke on a three wheel bike with some scuba tanks on the back, and I could have sworn he pulled into Ricks, Rick and Roll. There is a PADI sign out the front and it looks like a dive shop. I thought Ricks turned into a backpackers for women?

[hansgruber]

I saw there is PADI flags flying out front but it still has the rick and roll signs.

Place looks like it has an identity crisis.

[stevenl]

So you're following Joe?

[noob7]

Rick has Dive business now, too.

Check out his facebook

[stevenl]

I saw there is PADI flags flying out front but it still has the rick and roll signs.

Place looks like it has an identity crisis.

Yes, Rick did open a dive center there. I don't think it is going to last, but who knows. Joe is working for him and apparently driving around on a 3-wheeler.

Edited January 22, 2013 by stevenl

[hansgruber]

Rick has Dive business now, too.

Check out his facebook

Rick and rolls dive dormitory barstaurant?

What is it exactly? I thought Thais did mixed business but this takes the cake.

[noob7]

Rick has Dive business now, too.

Check out his facebook

Rick and rolls dive dormitory barstaurant?

What is it exactly? I thought Thais did mixed business but this takes the cake.

I got told, diving pays the bills better, as the dormitory/bar thing!

[IrishIvan]

So you're following Joe?

Well it definitely wasn't you, he was a lot shorter

[IrishIvan]

What the dive center called? Rick N Divers?

[Guest]

I got told, diving pays the bills better, as the dormitory/bar thing!

Ok. I thought he finally figured out that being an responsible divemaster or instructor is the shortcut to girls heart. That combined with owning an suite on dormitory.. maybe not the best business plan, but I'll still raise my hat for the innovative combination.

[Old Croc]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

[noob7]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

And with the 'Trike' and only tanks in there, A Tuk Tuk blockade is not to expect!

[madmitch]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

There are lots of travellers who want cheap accommodation so they can spend more on their diving.

Perfectly good business plan.

[NomadJoe]

I was driving down at Kata yesterday and was following a foreign bloke on a three wheel bike with some scuba tanks on the back, and I could have sworn he pulled into Ricks, Rick and Roll. There is a PADI sign out the front and it looks like a dive shop. I thought Ricks turned into a backpackers for women?

The hostel is still very much alive. That is where our divers mostely come from, although we get quite a few walk-in's since we became a PADI Dive Resort and the sign went up. We have both mixed and women only dorms, by the way.

So you're following Joe?

Could also be my DMT, or Rick.

I will publicly admit that I am a hypocrite for teasing Steve about his. I was resistant to it, but soon learned popping 300M down to the beach with it full of dive gear is just so dam_n convenient! A temporary solution until we get a truck, which should be soon.

So you're following Joe?

Well it definitely wasn't you, he was a lot shorter

Steve is about my height, but I don't think he drives his sidecar around Kata anymore. Farang DM's and instructors from Eurodivers doesto but just from Club Med

Edited January 22, 2013 by NomadJoe
business details removed

[NomadJoe]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

And with the 'Trike' and only tanks in there, A Tuk Tuk blockade is not to expect!

No problem so far. I transport people too. Several companies transport their equipment and students to the beach right in front of the tuk tuk rank, some in sidecars.

A couple years ago I was diving on Kata Beach north end same as where I usually do now. When we finished, the shops pickup wasn't available so the secretary came down to negotiate a tuk tuk to take us the 300M back to the shop. At first they agreed 200B. Then suddenly they decided no, they would not take us at any price. They did not want to transport the equipment for some reason (3 tanks and 2 soft bags of equipment) so the secretary had to drive around Kata asking all the drivers if they could take us. "Too dangerous" they told her. Eventually she found one that would do it for 300B. I have no doubt where that extra 100B went. Our Thai staff are getting pressure for the taxi rank across the street to use them, but they are too expensive so they still call friends. If anything, that is what is going to get us into trouble.

I saw there is PADI flags flying out front but it still has the rick and roll signs.

Place looks like it has an identity crisis.

Yes, Rick did open a dive center there. I don't think it is going to last, but who knows. Joe is working for him and apparently driving around on a 3-wheeler.

Thanks for the encouraging words, Steve.

Edited January 22, 2013 by NomadJoe

[NomadJoe]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

There are lots of travelers who want cheap accommodation so they can spend more on their diving.

Perfectly good business plan.

Rick found that after opening the hostel (24 beds) there was always a certain number of people that wanted to dive or wanted to learn, so we became a PADI dive resort. Most of our guests are actually more of the "flashpacker" variety. They are looking for a social setting. We had a young doctor from the states staying and diving with us last week for example. The true backpackers end up in the middle of nowhere at Hostel International in Chalong or Phuket Backpacker in Phuket Town at 150B a night with no atmosphere in the hostel whatsoever and 400B for a tuk tuk/taxi to anywhere worth going. We are 350 fan and 400B aircon and 300M walk to Kata Beach, and near the best food in Phuket IMO. They can even walk to Steve's place from here and book diving.

Edited January 22, 2013 by NomadJoe

[NomadJoe]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

We even had a wedding here today, presided over by a local dive instructor who is also a priest!

[Jimi007]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

We even had a wedding here today, presided over by a local dive instructor who is also a priest!

One stop shop. Has it all!

Just wondering where that marriage would be legal?

[NomadJoe]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

We even had a wedding here today, presided over by a local dive instructor who is also a priest!

One stop shop. Has it all!

Just wondering where that marriage would be legal?

Like all marriages in Thailand it is purely ceremonial until it is registered with the local amphur. Legal Thai marriages, whether Thai-Thai, Thai-farang, or farang-farang, are normally recognized throughout the world.

IrishIvan, judging by your avatar, nic, and interest in diving....you must know the priest.

[IrishIvan]

Makes sense to me.

If you're going to have a backpackers bar/accommodation business, it seems reasonable to also sell them tours, diving, etc.

We even had a wedding here today, presided over by a local dive instructor who is also a priest!

One stop shop. Has it all!

Just wondering where that marriage would be legal?

Like all marriages in Thailand it is purely ceremonial until it is registered with the local amphur. Legal Thai marriages, whether Thai-Thai, Thai-farang, or farang-farang, are normally recognized throughout the world.

IrishIvan, judging by your avatar, nic, and interest in diving....you must know the priest.

Well you might be confusing the priests country of origin, he is Scottish and I am Irish, and his first name begins with the letter S right?

[noob7]

We are 350 fan and 400B aircon and 300M walk to Kata Beach, and near the best food in Phuket IMO. They can even walk to Steve's place from here and book diving.

350 Baht, in a fan dormitory?

I think, my information, that diving pays the bill better, must me from a (cheaper) time before!

With this price, I think it's paying equally!

[NomadJoe]

We are 350 fan and 400B aircon and 300M walk to Kata Beach, and near the best food in Phuket IMO. They can even walk to Steve's place from here and book diving.

350 Baht, in a fan dormitory?

I think, my information, that diving pays the bill better, must me from a (cheaper) time before!

With this price, I think it's paying equally!

When you are doing your calculations, be sure to get current rental rates in the beach areas of Phuket.

[IrishIvan]

We are 350 fan and 400B aircon and 300M walk to Kata Beach, and near the best food in Phuket IMO. They can even walk to Steve's place from here and book diving.

350 Baht, in a fan dormitory?

I think, my information, that diving pays the bill better, must me from a (cheaper) time before!

With this price, I think it's paying equally!

When you are doing your calculations, be sure to get current rental rates in the beach areas of Phuket.

I think that is a very reasonable price for a dorm. BTW I think the dive shop will do well, you have the customer base there. You could market it like Koh Tao does, throw in the accommodation for nothing for people doing the zero to hero DM courses, all the customers will eat and drink there anyway.You also have people walking by as its a good location. Nice one.

[FritsSikkink]

Our Thai staff are getting pressure for the taxi rank across the street to use them, but they are too expensive so they still call friends.

That is an accident waiting to happen.

[NomadJoe]

Our Thai staff are getting pressure for the taxi rank across the street to use them, but they are too expensive so they still call friends.

That is an accident waiting to happen.

How so?

[FritsSikkink]

Our Thai staff are getting pressure for the taxi rank across the street to use them, but they are too expensive so they still call friends.

That is an accident waiting to happen.

How so?

Because you are steeling their trade.

[NomadJoe]

Our Thai staff are getting pressure for the taxi rank across the street to use them, but they are too expensive so they still call friends.

That is an accident waiting to happen.

How so?

Because you are steeling their trade.

We are using a cheaper alternative. The friends are black taxi's just like most of them are.

[hansgruber]

One thing is certain. The food in Ricks has gone waaay down hill.

I guess that's what happens when you have so many facets of business in one shop.

[NomadJoe]

One thing is certain. The food in Ricks has gone waaay down hill.

I guess that's what happens when you have so many facets of business in one shop.

When were you here? Must have been a long time ago. The food situation here has been evolving. The BBQ stuff is no more, hasn't been for many moons. We tried Thai food for a while, and in my biased opinion, it was excellent, but proved not profitable as a lot of spoiled food was thrown away. In the daytime Mon-Sat we have a girl that runs a deli, Bins Deli, out of the front cooking station. Basic farang breakfast/lunch items. She does daily deliveries to some regular customers around Kata.

Edited January 24, 2013 by NomadJoe

[petercallen]

One thing is certain. The food in Ricks has gone waaay down hill.

I guess that's what happens when you have so many facets of business in one shop.

When were you here? Must have been a long time ago. The food situation here has been evolving. The BBQ stuff is no more, hasn't been for many moons. We tried Thai food for a while, and in my biased opinion, it was excellent, but proved not profitable as a lot of spoiled food was thrown away. In the daytime Mon-Sat we have a girl that runs a deli, Bins Deli, out of the front cooking station. Basic farang breakfast/lunch items. She does daily deliveries to some regular customers around Kata.

If HG was there you could not have missed him, his Mercedes Benz 600 series would have been parked out front