Patong

[pagallim]

As mentioned, Patong, particularly Bangla Road, is Phuket's biggest tourist attraction, and yes, it's overpriced and outdated.

This is the impression the tourists get. I get a laugh out of watching the first time tourists cover their mouths as they walk near a drain and get a big wiff of the sewer smell along Bangla Road. Truly world class.

Sure, along the coast there are nicer beaches, and nicer areas, but then the tourists run into the tuk-tuk rip off to get there. What a great interaction with the locals that is for them, throughout their holiday.

They come to Phuket expecting "The Land of Smiles" and leave Phuket thinking Thailand is "The Land of Sh*te." Phuket has become a terrible advertisement for tourism to Thailand.

Not without irony NKM, I read your comment about sewer smells, and of course recall that you live there.

What I've seen recently, is a burgeoning demand for quality guesthouse/private villa type accommodation, amongst a really broad spead of nationalities. Many that I've spoken to have done research, and are aware of the typical pitfalls. Particularly the Russians, who have 3 month visas on arrival, are looking for value accommodation. I would suggest that the Russian forum network for information and advice exceeds anything that TV can offer.

[nedkellylives]

Every time the subject of time share touts comes up, the same old "they have no work permits" is mentioned.

I don't know about today but, four or five years ago, many of them had work permits. I'd be surprised if that is not the case t

Who do you think you are fooling, apart from yourself

They do not have work permits and everyone knows this who lives here

I can assure you that non-Thai touts did, in the past, have work permits. I cannot say if this is the case at the present time – I don't know.

It might be a good idea to comment on things you actually know something about.

I had a neighbour who was a time share tout and he told me the company claimed to have work permits for there employees but no one ever saw them

IF stopped by the BIB you just told them the name of the company you worked for and they let you go on with your business

So i do know something about it, do you?

[NamKangMan]

As mentioned, Patong, particularly Bangla Road, is Phuket's biggest tourist attraction, and yes, it's overpriced and outdated.

This is the impression the tourists get. I get a laugh out of watching the first time tourists cover their mouths as they walk near a drain and get a big wiff of the sewer smell along Bangla Road. Truly world class.

Sure, along the coast there are nicer beaches, and nicer areas, but then the tourists run into the tuk-tuk rip off to get there. What a great interaction with the locals that is for them, throughout their holiday.

They come to Phuket expecting "The Land of Smiles" and leave Phuket thinking Thailand is "The Land of Sh*te." Phuket has become a terrible advertisement for tourism to Thailand.

Not without irony NKM, I read your comment about sewer smells, and of course recall that you live there.

What I've seen recently, is a burgeoning demand for quality guesthouse/private villa type accommodation, amongst a really broad spead of nationalities. Many that I've spoken to have done research, and are aware of the typical pitfalls. Particularly the Russians, who have 3 month visas on arrival, are looking for value accommodation. I would suggest that the Russian forum network for information and advice exceeds anything that TV can offer.

What gets "flushed" in Patong, you swim in down the coast. :)

"Many that I've spoken to have done research, and are aware of the typical pitfalls." - why would they chose to holiday in the most expensive place in South East Asia (Singapore aside) which has so many "pitfalls?"

The western market realises this now. What happens when the Russian and Chinese market realise this? What market does Phuket target then?

[grumpyoldman]

"thought I would have a little rant!! feel better now! "

Another TV helpful MIRACLE

[nedkellylives]

Every time the subject of time share touts comes up, the same old "they have no work permits" is mentioned.

I don't know about today but, four or five years ago, many of them had work permits. I'd be surprised if that is not the case t

Who do you think you are fooling, apart from yourself

They do not have work permits and everyone knows this who lives here

I live here but do not know this - maybe I am the exception!!

You call yourself patongphil and do not know how the TST operate , do you really mean it or are you just trolling

Patong is the most likely place to meet these losers

[macahoom]

Every time the subject of time share touts comes up, the same old "they have no work permits" is mentioned.

I don't know about today but, four or five years ago, many of them had work permits. I'd be surprised if that is not the case t

Who do you think you are fooling, apart from yourself

They do not have work permits and everyone knows this who lives here

I live here but do not know this - maybe I am the exception!!

You call yourself patongphil and do not know how the TST operate , do you really mean it or are you just trolling

Patong is the most likely place to meet these losers

Heaven help us!

[eezergood]

Totally aside, Patong is very quiet at the moment

[xylophone]

Totally aside, Patong is very quiet at the moment

Tourist and spending wise according to friends in business here. I think that the coming "high season" will be a shock to many.

Heaven help the unsuspecting folk who lease the bars now on offer in the re-vamped Soi Eric (now Soi Freedom?) or the rebuilt "old" Tiger, as the days of making a living from the bars are long gone except for a lucky few.

[eezergood]

Totally aside, Patong is very quiet at the moment

Tourist and spending wise according to friends in business here. I think that the coming "high season" will be a shock to many.

Heaven help the unsuspecting folk who lease the bars now on offer in the re-vamped Soi Eric (now Soi Freedom?) or the rebuilt "old" Tiger, as the days of making a living from the bars are long gone except for a lucky few.

LOng term rentals & self service apts are being filled. Just look at the 7-11's and family marts, packed with people filling their bags

[hansgruber]

I just came back from patong and I wanted to stop and eat something but its just too impossible to park.

Can't be stuffed parking in Jungceylon every time and walking.

You have these lazy bludger taxi drivers playing checkers in the hut whilst one barks orders on where I should park.

How can business survive when customers can't reach them?

Also, why do people pay the big rent for beach rd? The view is of little red tuk tuks and rental bikes.

Sidewalk littered with vendors selling hammocks and sarongs.

Patong is broken and can't be fixed.

[NamKangMan]

I just came back from patong and I wanted to stop and eat something but its just too impossible to park.

Can't be stuffed parking in Jungceylon every time and walking.

You have these lazy bludger taxi drivers playing checkers in the hut whilst one barks orders on where I should park.

How can business survive when customers can't reach them?

Also, why do people pay the big rent for beach rd? The view is of little red tuk tuks and rental bikes.

Sidewalk littered with vendors selling hammocks and sarongs.

Patong is broken and can't be fixed.

"How can business survive when customers can't reach them?" - ahhhh, that Phuket transport issue again.

As a farang business owner here, you can run a great operation, but if a tuk-tuk driver is going to charge a tourist 400 baht to go for a 250 baht meal, for example - tourist will not go.

So, you can have a nice bar/restaurant in Kata, for example, but what tourist is going to pay 400 baht from Patong to Kata, and possibly 800 baht back from Kata to Patong, to visit your establishment?

[NomadJoe]

One thing I find a bit amusing about the whiners here on the subject of Patong and especially the time share touts.

I just took my family to Vegas and was approached no less than 12 times in 2 days by time share touts.

They were in the entrance to most of the casinos, on the streets downtown, and at all the bus stops.

I could'nt help thinking about how few of them there are comparably in Phuket yet, how strange that these people would try to talk a family into spending so much of our quality day time of our vacation to sit through some 3 hour demonstration to buy a share of a place that's known for it's smut.

I also kept thinking that they have balls to be doing this so openly as the cops really should be chasing them away. (but they wear suits so I guess it's ok)

Patong is calm in comparison when it comes to time share touts.

What is amusing is that Patong is being compared to Vegas now! (I hate the touts there too. And you forgot to mention the "massage" and "escort" touts selling thinly vailed prostitution services by handing out small cards with scantily clad women and phone numbers on them)

[IrishIvan]

One thing I find a bit amusing about the whiners here on the subject of Patong and especially the time share touts. 

I just took my family to Vegas and was approached no less than 12 times in 2 days by time share touts. 

They were in the entrance to most of the casinos, on the streets downtown, and at all the bus stops. 

I could'nt help thinking about how few of them there are comparably in Phuket yet, how strange that these people would try to talk a family into spending so much of our quality day time of our vacation to sit through some 3 hour demonstration to buy a share of a place that's known for it's smut. 

I also kept thinking that they have balls to be doing this so openly as the cops really should be chasing them away. (but they wear suits so I guess it's ok)

Patong is calm in comparison when it comes to time share touts. 

 

What is amusing is that Patong is being compared to Vegas now! (I hate the touts there too. And you forgot to mention the "massage" and "escort" touts selling thinly vailed prostitution services by handing out small cards with scantily clad women and phone numbers on them)

I find it amazing that there are Russian hookers on these cards too. I would think the local women would not like this

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[dogpoo]

One thing I find a bit amusing about the whiners here on the subject of Patong and especially the time share touts. 

I just took my family to Vegas and was approached no less than 12 times in 2 days by time share touts. 

They were in the entrance to most of the casinos, on the streets downtown, and at all the bus stops. 

I could'nt help thinking about how few of them there are comparably in Phuket yet, how strange that these people would try to talk a family into spending so much of our quality day time of our vacation to sit through some 3 hour demonstration to buy a share of a place that's known for it's smut. 

I also kept thinking that they have balls to be doing this so openly as the cops really should be chasing them away. (but they wear suits so I guess it's ok)

Patong is calm in comparison when it comes to time share touts. 

 

What is amusing is that Patong is being compared to Vegas now! (I hate the touts there too. And you forgot to mention the "massage" and "escort" touts selling thinly vailed prostitution services by handing out small cards with scantily clad women and phone numbers on them)

Vegas must be a <deleted> hole as well then!!

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[hansgruber]

One thing I find a bit amusing about the whiners here on the subject of Patong and especially the time share touts. 

I just took my family to Vegas and was approached no less than 12 times in 2 days by time share touts. 

They were in the entrance to most of the casinos, on the streets downtown, and at all the bus stops. 

I could'nt help thinking about how few of them there are comparably in Phuket yet, how strange that these people would try to talk a family into spending so much of our quality day time of our vacation to sit through some 3 hour demonstration to buy a share of a place that's known for it's smut. 

I also kept thinking that they have balls to be doing this so openly as the cops really should be chasing them away. (but they wear suits so I guess it's ok)

Patong is calm in comparison when it comes to time share touts. 

 

What is amusing is that Patong is being compared to Vegas now! (I hate the touts there too. And you forgot to mention the "massage" and "escort" touts selling thinly vailed prostitution services by handing out small cards with scantily clad women and phone numbers on them)

Vegas must be a <deleted> hole as well then!!

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It is. The crime rate is ten fold of Phuket.

Last time I visited Vegas the concierge told me to stick to the strip and avoid the side streets as this is will get me mugged.

Also. Hotel staff help criminals with tips on guests that can be robbed or wearing expensive watches etc.

Pretty scary hearing this before venturing out.

[dogpoo]

One thing I find a bit amusing about the whiners here on the subject of Patong and especially the time share touts. 

I just took my family to Vegas and was approached no less than 12 times in 2 days by time share touts. 

They were in the entrance to most of the casinos, on the streets downtown, and at all the bus stops. 

I could'nt help thinking about how few of them there are comparably in Phuket yet, how strange that these people would try to talk a family into spending so much of our quality day time of our vacation to sit through some 3 hour demonstration to buy a share of a place that's known for it's smut. 

I also kept thinking that they have balls to be doing this so openly as the cops really should be chasing them away. (but they wear suits so I guess it's ok)

Patong is calm in comparison when it comes to time share touts. 

 

What is amusing is that Patong is being compared to Vegas now! (I hate the touts there too. And you forgot to mention the "massage" and "escort" touts selling thinly vailed prostitution services by handing out small cards with scantily clad women and phone numbers on them)

Vegas must be a <deleted> hole as well then!!

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It is. The crime rate is ten fold of Phuket.

Last time I visited Vegas the concierge told me to stick to the strip and avoid the side streets as this is will get me mugged.

Also. Hotel staff help criminals with tips on guests that can be robbed or wearing expensive watches etc.

Pretty scary hearing this before venturing out.

I'm not going there then!

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[robertthebruce]

One thing I find a bit amusing about the whiners here on the subject of Patong and especially the time share touts.

I just took my family to Vegas and was approached no less than 12 times in 2 days by time share touts.

They were in the entrance to most of the casinos, on the streets downtown, and at all the bus stops.

I could'nt help thinking about how few of them there are comparably in Phuket yet, how strange that these people would try to talk a family into spending so much of our quality day time of our vacation to sit through some 3 hour demonstration to buy a share of a place that's known for it's smut.

I also kept thinking that they have balls to be doing this so openly as the cops really should be chasing them away. (but they wear suits so I guess it's ok)

Patong is calm in comparison when it comes to time share touts.

What is amusing is that Patong is being compared to Vegas now! (I hate the touts there too. And you forgot to mention the "massage" and "escort" touts selling thinly vailed prostitution services by handing out small cards with scantily clad women and phone numbers on them)

Vegas must be a <deleted> hole as well then!!

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Apart from the Gambling Casino's Vegas is a dump...

[fiddlehead]

"Apart from the Gambling Casino's Vegas is a dump... "

I certainly didn't want to change the thread to a Vegas thread, but there are some good shows in Vegas for kids. We saw a good one at the Excalibur and there are some amazing food choices (AYCE Alaskan King crab and Maine lobster for example) Great free shows here and there too. (fountains at Mirage, pirate ship show at Treasure Island, etc)
So, I don't consider it a dump.

But I was totally surprised to find many more timeshare touts in Vegas than I've ever seen in Patong. They seemed to be everywhere: inside casinos, at bus stops and at that downtown covered street.
That's all I was trying to compare.
So sorry to the OP for having this turn into a Vegas bashing thread instead of his (or her) point about Patong.

[grumpyoldman]

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just damn funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"......

[NamKangMan]

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just dam_n funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"......

For those saying Patong is "a dump" - let's for one minute say it actually is a dump - are you proud to say you live only a few miles from "a dump?"

Why do you chose to live so close to a dump. "Rubbish" spills over from a dump.

Do you realise, if it wasn't for Patong, a lot of the quieter areas of Phuket, where many of you live, would probably not exist, and certainly wouldn't have any bars, restaurants, accommodation etc etc?

[grumpyoldman]

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just dam_n funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"......

For those saying Patong is "a dump" - let's for one minute say it actually is a dump - are you proud to say you live only a few miles from "a dump?"

Why do you chose to live so close to a dump. "Rubbish" spills over from a dump.

Do you realise, if it wasn't for Patong, a lot of the quieter areas of Phuket, where many of you live, would probably not exist, and certainly wouldn't have any bars, restaurants, accommodation etc etc?

I live closer to the Saphan Hin dump that I do Patong.

So then with your logic A+B=C if it weren't for the Saphan Hin dump (A - being Patong and Saphan Hin, B-the spillover, C conclusion) there would be no bars, restaurants, accommodations, etc?

Liked the limerick NKM but this post is out there. Some offense taken?

[NamKangMan]

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just dam_n funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"......

For those saying Patong is "a dump" - let's for one minute say it actually is a dump - are you proud to say you live only a few miles from "a dump?"

Why do you chose to live so close to a dump. "Rubbish" spills over from a dump.

Do you realise, if it wasn't for Patong, a lot of the quieter areas of Phuket, where many of you live, would probably not exist, and certainly wouldn't have any bars, restaurants, accommodation etc etc?

I live closer to the Saphan Hin dump that I do Patong.

So then with your logic A+B=C if it weren't for the Saphan Hin dump (A - being Patong and Saphan Hin, B-the spillover, C conclusion) there would be no bars, restaurants, accommodations, etc?

Liked the limerick NKM but this post is out there. Some offense taken?

Maybe we all live in a dump. It's just the level of rubbish where you live in that dump that differs.

Remember when many called Pattaya a dump. Now, tourist who used to holiday here, go there, and expats who used to live here, live there.

What's that make Phuket then?

Edited October 27, 2013 by NamKangMan

[falkan]

swimming pool at bangla last night what a mess...

[KarenBravo]

I was in Bangla yesterday evening.

The Slow Loris and Iguana touts were still there, but, there was a group of ladies from the rehabilitation centre talking customers out of having their pictures taken and handing out information cards.

Good on 'em. Had a chat with them and they know it's a hopeless task. The people who are charged with getting these parasites off the street are paid to look the other way.

On the whole, Bangla had lots of rubberneckenpeepenlookers, but, bars were nigh on empty, except for the Australian themed places.

[KarenBravo]

PS.

You would think that the BiB would snatch at the opportunity to rid the streets of wild-life touts. It is such a soft target that affects few people I would have thought it irresistible to be able to point at an irrefutable success story.

Guess they are not willing to give up this relatively small amount of money.

If they can't fix this, then there's not much hope for all the other stuff that they are supposed to be sorting out.

[dogpoo]

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

 

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

 

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just dam_n funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"...... 

 

For those saying Patong is "a dump" - let's for one minute say it actually is a dump - are you proud to say you live only a few miles from "a dump?" 

 

Why do you chose to live so close to a dump.  "Rubbish" spills over from a dump. 

 

Do you realise, if it wasn't for Patong, a lot of the quieter areas of Phuket, where many of you live, would probably not exist, and certainly wouldn't have any bars, restaurants, accommodation etc etc?

We wouldn't be living here if that was the case!! I live far enough away to avoid having anything to do with that dump! If it wasn't for all the building and the very poor roads, smell, lake when it rains, time share touts, ladyboys, ping pong disgusting shows, very expensive food, very expensive drink, dirty beaches, Tuk Tuks, jet skies, motorbike rental rip offs, it would be a lovely place!! Have I missed anything?

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[dogpoo]

 

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

 

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

 

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just dam_n funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"...... 

 

For those saying Patong is "a dump" - let's for one minute say it actually is a dump - are you proud to say you live only a few miles from "a dump?" 

 

Why do you chose to live so close to a dump.  "Rubbish" spills over from a dump. 

 

Do you realise, if it wasn't for Patong, a lot of the quieter areas of Phuket, where many of you live, would probably not exist, and certainly wouldn't have any bars, restaurants, accommodation etc etc?

 

I live closer to the Saphan Hin dump that I do Patong.

 

So then with your logic A+B=C if it weren't for the Saphan Hin dump (A - being Patong and Saphan Hin, B-the spillover, C conclusion) there would be no bars, restaurants, accommodations, etc? 

 

Liked the limerick NKM but this post is out there. Some offense taken?

I like Sapan Hin I go there most days to sit by the sea, watch the boats, watch the fisherman, it's always cleanish, never smelt anything other than the sea, lovely place!!

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[stevenl]

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just dam_n funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"......

For those saying Patong is "a dump" - let's for one minute say it actually is a dump - are you proud to say you live only a few miles from "a dump?"

Why do you chose to live so close to a dump. "Rubbish" spills over from a dump.

Do you realise, if it wasn't for Patong, a lot of the quieter areas of Phuket, where many of you live, would probably not exist, and certainly wouldn't have any bars, restaurants, accommodation etc etc?

We wouldn't be living here if that was the case!! I live far enough away to avoid having anything to do with that dump! If it wasn't for all the building and the very poor roads, smell, lake when it rains, time share touts, ladyboys, ping pong disgusting shows, very expensive food, very expensive drink, dirty beaches, Tuk Tuks, jet skies, motorbike rental rip offs, it would be a lovely place!! Have I missed anything?

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Yes, you missed a reference to your fellow expats

[NamKangMan]

I believe Fiddlehead's point was the timeshare tout comparison with Patong.

Other than that Vegas is certainly not "a dump", Patong is.

No nasty sewer smells coming up in Vegas, and those being told you're going to be mugged if you go off the strip (?), thats just dam_n funny. Maybe the same type of advice Rhianna got on the show she was going into, "no it's nothing special, just watch out for greased flying bananas, they could give you HIV"......

For those saying Patong is "a dump" - let's for one minute say it actually is a dump - are you proud to say you live only a few miles from "a dump?"

Why do you chose to live so close to a dump. "Rubbish" spills over from a dump.

Do you realise, if it wasn't for Patong, a lot of the quieter areas of Phuket, where many of you live, would probably not exist, and certainly wouldn't have any bars, restaurants, accommodation etc etc?

We wouldn't be living here if that was the case!! I live far enough away to avoid having anything to do with that dump! If it wasn't for all the building and the very poor roads, smell, lake when it rains, time share touts, ladyboys, ping pong disgusting shows, very expensive food, very expensive drink, dirty beaches, Tuk Tuks, jet skies, motorbike rental rip offs, it would be a lovely place!! Have I missed anything?

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Sad thing is, all of what you mention, IS fixable, but it appears, never will be.

You should expect Patong to spill over to wherever you are living on the island.

As Pattaya became a city by the sea, Phuket will become an island city - basically, as they say - Pattaya 2.

The construction taking place, all over the island, tends to show this.

[xylophone]

One thing I find a bit amusing about the whiners here on the subject of Patong and especially the time share touts.

I just took my family to Vegas and was approached no less than 12 times in 2 days by time share touts.

They were in the entrance to most of the casinos, on the streets downtown, and at all the bus stops.

I could'nt help thinking about how few of them there are comparably in Phuket yet, how strange that these people would try to talk a family into spending so much of our quality day time of our vacation to sit through some 3 hour demonstration to buy a share of a place that's known for it's smut.

I also kept thinking that they have balls to be doing this so openly as the cops really should be chasing them away. (but they wear suits so I guess it's ok)

Patong is calm in comparison when it comes to time share touts.

You actually enjoy being approached by these people 12 times! Have you been to Patong these days? the place is a disgrace and it will at some point drive people away from Phuket, so these people have the balls to be doing this so openly in front of the police, I was by the beach yesterday, there were a group of timeshare touts standing next to a policeman, that should tell you something! they have no work permits and are pests! anyway I have the choice to go there or the choice to stay away, can you guess which one I choose?

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"the place is a disgrace and it will at some point drive people away from Phuket" - ahhhh, the traditional western market is already detouring Phuket for other destinations in Thailand, and what few come here this high season, if there will be a high season, it will probably be their last time here, until Phuket is fixed.

It's just Patong, seriously it is filthy!! What sort of impression do tourists have of Thailand when they are dropped of in a war zone, yea the place looks like a worn torn city, stop <deleted> building, repair the thousand of huge holes in the roads, get rid of the time share nuisance and lower prices to make it attractive to visitors, did I just say attractive, it will never happen the greed is imbedded!!

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Quote: "What sort of impression do tourists have of Thailand when they are dropped of in a war zone, yea the place looks like a worn torn city......"

That very thing echoed through my mind yesterday when there were huge swirls of dust blowing in the faces of tourists and locals alike because of the inept and inadequate building going on, not just the fiasco which is the Middle Road, but with lots of other building going on.

I wonder how many other tourists are thinking like this, especially when a friend told me he had overheard a holidaying Australian couple saying, "what the hell are we doing in a sh-t-hole like this?"

To compound matters, from my perspective anyway, it had been a couple of bad days, taking 25 min to travel 2 km along Nanai road was just one of the annoying aspects. If you add the fact that I had ventured out into Bangla Road the night before to catch up with a friend at his bar, however he wasn't there so I went walkabout. Tried the new Soi Eric and apart from the first three bars on the left-hand side going in, and the first two on the right, the rest of the place was pretty well dead. I stopped to have a beer with another friend at a bar and had to move on because the music was too loud and that seemed to be the main gripe of many of the farang bar owners, however the owner doesn't seem to want to know about it.

Was going to venture into Soi Gonzo, but didn't because it was empty, so went to a very quiet bar off a side road and had a drink there and at least it had his own music so you could have a conversation, which was a welcome break from the pounding music of other places.

Was eventually making my way back to the car, walking down the side of New Tiger, when a young lady called out to me as she knew me because she had worked at a friend's bar. I wasn't going to stop for a drink but I did, and also bought her one and for some reason I decided to check the bill, and was horrified to find a cost of 700 baht for the two drinks, plus a beer and a cocktail. Obviously wasn't right so I queried it and it was corrected with an explanation of sorry, the cashier is new.........yeah right.

And to top it off, the relatively quick access to Jungceylon (unless you want to go halfway round the island to get there) is via a mud road in which the mud can be knee deep in the worst conditions and it is rather like competing in a motocross race. It must be deep because I saw a small truck get stuck in it!!

Yes I am still here for those people that say why don't I move, and if it wasn't for the good friends and the girlfriend and her daughter, I could well be on my way, but I am hoping, hoping that it just cannot get any worse. The powers that be have spoilt this place through greed and ineptitude and it is such a shame because it could have been a retirement haven for a lot of expats, not to mention a quality place for high-end tourists.