I Hate High Season Vol. 1.

[davejones]

Instant experts, they have been here for 2 weeks or done the obligatory "tour of Thailand" & can ask for Pah Thai or Green curry in Thai & suddenly they are experts on all things Thai!

Not as bad as the expats that have been here for 5-10 years, think they know everything, but actually know less than the guys that have been here for two weeks. LOL.

[davejones]

Why don't you leave Phuket for high season if it makes you so unhappy? Serious question.

some of us have kids in school and other commitments here.

LOL. There are schools all over the world. I assume you moved here from another country, so would be just as simple to move again. Lots of people with kids change towns and countries all the time.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Why don't you leave Phuket for high season if it makes you so unhappy? Serious question.

some of us have kids in school and other commitments here.

LOL. There are schools all over the world. I assume you moved here from another country, so would be just as simple to move again. Lots of people with kids change towns and countries all the time.

Looks like those schools from all over the world didn't really teach you that much.

[Jimi007]

Instant experts, they have been here for 2 weeks or done the obligatory "tour of Thailand" & can ask for Pah Thai or Green curry in Thai & suddenly they are experts on all things Thai!

Not as bad as the expats that have been here for 5-10 years, think they know everything, but actually know less than the guys that have been here for two weeks. LOL.

Brilliant! I love people that come post on a thread that they know nothing about and contribute nothing to it...

[crusader79]

Instant experts, they have been here for 2 weeks or done the obligatory "tour of Thailand" & can ask for Pah Thai or Green curry in Thai & suddenly they are experts on all things Thai!

Not as bad as the expats that have been here for 5-10 years, think they know everything, but actually know less than the guys that have been here for two weeks. LOL.

Brilliant! I love people that come post on a thread that they know nothing about and contribute nothing to it...

I'm guessing you've been in Thailand for 5-10 years

[pagallim]

Not as bad as the expats that have been here for 5-10 years, think they know everything, but actually know less than the guys that have been here for two weeks. LOL.

As one of the group you're describing, I think that you're right. I wouldn't know how much a tuk tuk costs, I don't know the problems with parking in Patong/Kata/Karon etc. I believe that I have zero chance of being beaten up by a taxi driver or being exposed to a variety of exotic animals to hold whilst being photographed, this while a ladyboy hovers in the background offering the opportunity to broaden my horizons. Call me naive, but I still think of ping pong balls as being crucial to a game of table tennis, a hotel balcony is somewhere to sit and enjoy the view/cold drink and not something to throw myself off, and a 'joiner' is someone who'll come to my house armed with a saw, chisel and hammer.

However, if it came to knowing great places to eat, beautiful and uncrowded places to visit, etc etc, if I was a betting man my money would be on me.

It's sad when I read comments from tourists who decide to remain and live their lives here as permanent tourists, eventually leaving with much bitterness. I always think of the posters with the most negative comments as having had a bad experience with a bar girl or ladyboy but just won't admit it, instead choosing to post and rant on a forum essentially for Phuket expat residents (but of course with good information for tourists). They are in the minority. People who remain here and are happy are those for whom their choice is dictated by perhaps an international standard education for their children, wide selection of shops including specialised ones, and enjoy great social lives with a broad range of international friends.

Edited February 12, 2013 by pagallim

[iSabai]

Not as bad as the expats that have been here for 5-10 years, think they know everything, but actually know less than the guys that have been here for two weeks. LOL.

As one of the group you're describing, I think that you're right. I wouldn't know how much a tuk tuk costs, I don't know the problems with parking in Patong/Kata/Karon etc. I believe that I have zero chance of being beaten up by a taxi driver or being exposed to a variety of exotic animals to hold whilst being photographed, this while a ladyboy hovers in the background offering the opportunity to broaden my horizons. Call me naive, but I still think of ping pong balls as being crucial to a game of table tennis, a hotel balcony is somewhere to sit and enjoy the view/cold drink and not something to throw myself off, and a 'joiner' is someone who'll come to my house armed with a saw, chisel and hammer.

However, if it came to knowing great places to eat, beautiful and uncrowded places to visit, etc etc, if I was a betting man my money would be on me.

It's sad when I read comments from tourists who decide to remain and live their lives here as permanent tourists, eventually leaving with much bitterness. I always think of the posters with the most negative comments as having had a bad experience with a bar girl or ladyboy but just won't admit it, instead choosing to post and rant on a forum essentially for Phuket expat residents (but of course with good information for tourists). They are in the minority. People who remain here and are happy are those for whom their choice is dictated by perhaps an international standard education for their children, wide selection of shops including specialised ones, and enjoy great social lives with a broad range of international friends.

Very nicely said Pags. Much truth in those words. I tend to think the majority of those living here have never even posted (or possibly heard of) TV. To judge Phuket, or Thailand in general, solely by what is posted here is far from seeing the entire picture.

And I tend to believe that the more negative and bitter posters would be the same no matter where they are or what they do. What's that old saying? "No matter where you go, you take yourself with you." (Or something like that... )

[LivinginKata]

Yes, very well stated pagallim. Completely agree with what you said.

[JetsetBkk]

"I Hate High Season Vol. 1."

Did anyone mention... it's too dämn hot!

[eezergood]

When do we get to Vol.2 ?

[hansgruber]

When do we get to Vol.2 ?

Not yet. Haven't got enough troll value that I hoped.

Had the usual bites but nothing stand out.

Edited February 14, 2013 by hansgruber

[LivinginKata]

When do we get to Vol.2 ?

Not yet. Haven't got enough troll value that I hoped.

Had the usual bites but nothing stand out.

[stevenl]

When do we get to Vol.2 ?

Not yet. Haven't got enough troll value that I hoped.

Had the usual bites but nothing stand out.

It's tempting but I won't chip in here.

[Jimi007]

"I Hate High Season Vol. 1."

Did anyone mention... it's too dämn hot!

I doubt it. Although is seems hotter than usual for this time of the year, it's only going to get hotter until May, when the rain might start again.

[eezergood]

When do we get to Vol.2 ?

Not yet. Haven't got enough troll value that I hoped.

Had the usual bites but nothing stand out.

Sounds like a challenge

[Jimi007]

Seems like low season may have kicked in again. I made a trip to Phuket Immigration, the main Phuket Town post office, and Prompan, then back home to Rawai in two hours. Maybe just a fluke and I got lucky? Anyway, that was in my truck, not on a motorbike.

[Valentine]

Seems like low season may have kicked in again. I made a trip to Phuket Immigration, the main Phuket Town post office, and Prompan, then back home to Rawai in two hours. Maybe just a fluke and I got lucky? Anyway, that was in my truck, not on a motorbike.

Many of the schools have closed for the holidays with a corresponding reduction in traffic. I also notice our infamous circle has not been too bad these past few days.

[steelepulse]

Yep, most Thai schools are out now. I'm sure it's high season in Central now.

[Guest]

I went to the immigration yesterday. At town it was pretty quiet, but riding southwards the Thepkasattri road, about midday, the road was jammed with cars.

[lavender19]

Seems like low season may have kicked in again. I made a trip to Phuket Immigration, the main Phuket Town post office, and Prompan, then back home to Rawai in two hours. Maybe just a fluke and I got lucky? Anyway, that was in my truck, not on a motorbike.

Many of the schools have closed for the holidays with a corresponding reduction in traffic. I also notice our infamous circle has not been too bad these past few days.

The roads may be quiet but unfortunately the shops /supermarkets are full of screaming brats running around.

[bubblegum]

"I Hate High Season Vol. 1."

Did anyone mention... it's too dämn hot! sweatingbullets.gif

Agree

[eezergood]

Just got back from a road trip to Khao Lak & Krabi! its like driving in heaven, then I came across the bridge & whack straight back into hell

[Jimi007]

Just got back from a road trip to Khao Lak & Krabi! its like driving in heaven, then I came across the bridge & whack straight back into hell

Yep that happens every time to me when on a road trip! Just got back from a motorbike ride to Villa Market, where they were out of the few items I was looking for yet again and the traffic was pretty busy. But not backed up to the Rawai Post Office like I saw a few weeks ago.

[IrishIvan]

Seems like low season may have kicked in again. I made a trip to Phuket Immigration, the main Phuket Town post office, and Prompan, then back home to Rawai in two hours. Maybe just a fluke and I got lucky? Anyway, that was in my truck, not on a motorbike.

Many of the schools have closed for the holidays with a corresponding reduction in traffic. I also notice our infamous circle has not been too bad these past few days.

The roads may be quiet but unfortunately the shops /supermarkets are full of screaming brats running around.

why would you go near a supermarket when you can get your TGF to do that fo you. Are you mad? I Wouldnt ever subject myself to that sort of torture

[eezergood]

Supermarkets not having what you are lookg for is a WHOLE other bag of worms!

[Jimi007]

Seems like low season may have kicked in again. I made a trip to Phuket Immigration, the main Phuket Town post office, and Prompan, then back home to Rawai in two hours. Maybe just a fluke and I got lucky? Anyway, that was in my truck, not on a motorbike.

Many of the schools have closed for the holidays with a corresponding reduction in traffic. I also notice our infamous circle has not been too bad these past few days.

The roads may be quiet but unfortunately the shops /supermarkets are full of screaming brats running around.

why would you go near a supermarket when you can get your TGF to do that fo you. Are you mad? I Wouldnt ever subject myself to that sort of torture

I do it just to annoy you and myself. I'm always appalled it seems when I go to Villa or the Chalong Tesco these days. The staff stands around picking their noses rather than checking the computer inventory and ordering, then actually stocking the shelves. But at least I was on my motorbike. The lame asses that decided to all the motorbike parking as far away from Villa as possible annoyed me a bit as well. I left without buying a thing and after a cold tall rum drink, we went out to dinner. It was excellent, worth the half hour wait. Life's a bitch if you let the small stuff get to you...

[lavender19]

Seems like low season may have kicked in again. I made a trip to Phuket Immigration, the main Phuket Town post office, and Prompan, then back home to Rawai in two hours. Maybe just a fluke and I got lucky? Anyway, that was in my truck, not on a motorbike.

Many of the schools have closed for the holidays with a corresponding reduction in traffic. I also notice our infamous circle has not been too bad these past few days.

The roads may be quiet but unfortunately the shops /supermarkets are full of screaming brats running around.

why would you go near a supermarket when you can get your TGF to do that fo you. Are you mad? I Wouldnt ever subject myself to that sort of torture

Because if I left to my GF I would end up with a trolley load of useless crap I did not ask for.

[Jimi007]

I will have to say that high season has finally come to an end on my far southern end of the island. I made a trip to Prompan and back in my truck with very little traffic. Of course it helps that tomorrow is Sangkran and many of the part time people have gone back to wherever... I like low season! Although it seems to be getting shorter...

Enjoy Songkran! Or just stay home if you're too afraid to get wet and have some fun!

[Jimi007]

Life is much better now! No backups at Chalong circle. My motorbike mechanic says he'll do the work I've wanted him to do since last year now, painting and restoring my old bike, if it's not raining. No one at Villa Market this afternoon. It's just so much more pleasant not to have to deal with all the Thais that aren't from here, and that come to make money off of the tourists...

[keestha]

Day before yesterday I zapped from Khao Lak to Rawai and back, very light traffic, looked like 100% low season, or would it still have been the Songkran effect, people not being back yet?

The beach in Khao Lak is suddenly full again though. I was told the very big 5 star Mukdara Hotel is full up since 2 days or so, maybe a mega group of Russians?

Edited April 19, 2013 by keestha