Constant Negative News

[N47HAN]

Although I agree with the papers reporting all the negative aspects on this island in the persuit of change and improvement for us all.

But , could they set aside one day of the week just for reporting something positive ?

I guess it might prove to be difficult in this persuit of positive information , but hey at least give it a try.

Just look through the last several pages in the news section and try and find positive reporting.

Unless of course they are actually owned by some tourism arm of Bali or Malaysia and hell bent on reporting constantly how bad this place is.

[NamKangMan]

Ever heard the saying, "If it bleeds - it leads?"

Negative news sells more papers.

[george]

Maybe contact the newspapers direct and ask them to dd some positive news, maybe with a few examples of some "good news", if available?

[phuketsub]

There is an apparatus for reporting "negative" news (police radios, using rescue workers as reporters, etc) that does not exist for positive news. I think you will find most news editors on the island would love the chance to report something positive for a change, but they need to be made aware of it...

[Somtamnication]

No money in positive news.

[stevehaigh]

i suggest going to your local beach, dig a hole approximately 30x30x30cm, insert head, replace sand, wait 10 minutes (a snorkel maybe a good idea)

[Felt 35]

I think the reason goes deeper than only write about news which are positive for the society as a group.

[Dr Robert]

ok for arguments sake I will provide some news:

• approximately 700,000 Thais are HIV positive, but this number is decreasing.
• using condoms and practising safe sex will reduce the chances of contracting HIV significantly
• current retorviral treatments are improving both the quality and the quantity of the lives of those living with HIV.

Now do you find those news items positive or negative or you dont you care?

If you have HIV you will find the news positive

If you dont have HIV you probably wont take much interest in that news-dont care.

If you are a discriminatory bigot you will probably find the news negative

Point being?

Isnt it a matter of perspective and personal interest that makes news positive or negative?

[Shot]

ok for arguments sake I will provide some news:

• approximately 700,000 Thais are HIV positive, but this number is decreasing.
• using condoms and practising safe sex will reduce the chances of contracting HIV significantly
• current retorviral treatments are improving both the quality and the quantity of the lives of those living with HIV.

Now do you find those news items positive or negative or you dont you care?

If you have HIV you will find the news positive

If you dont have HIV you probably wont take much interest in that news-dont care.

If you are a discriminatory bigot you will probably find the news negative

Point being?

Isnt it a matter of perspective and personal interest that makes news positive or negative?

"Point being?

Isnt it a matter of perspective and personal interest that makes news positive or negative?"

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

The answer to your question is: NO

I hope your not a real Dr.

[Guest]

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

.. was that based on real events or was is fictive?

[Shot]

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

.. was that based on real events or was is fictive?

Fortunately its fiction. I’m just pointing out to the good Dr. Robert, that only an insane person would agree with his statement.

[NamKangMan]

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

.. was that based on real events or was is fictive?

Now if he said a bus full of foreigners crashes on Patong Hill - that would be fact, not fiction.

How many times has it happened?

[Shot]

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

.. was that based on real events or was is fictive?

Now if he said a bus full of foreigners crashes on Patong Hill - that would be fact, not fiction.

How many times has it happened?

Very true

[NamKangMan]

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

.. was that based on real events or was is fictive?

Fortunately its fiction. I’m just pointing out to the good Dr. Robert, that only an insane person would agree with his statement.

Isn't it all about how you view life? Is the glass half full, or half empty?

What about if the story, immediately preceeding your fictitious story, was:

"Today, a deceased bus driver was hailed a hero, despite the death of his young passengers. The bus driver, swerved to avoid a collision with another bus, thus, saving the lives of all aboard the other bus."

One could view this story as still extremely tragic, which it is, but another may view it, albeit with remorse, but in a positive light, as many other lives were spared.

[Shot]

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

.. was that based on real events or was is fictive?

Fortunately its fiction. I’m just pointing out to the good Dr. Robert, that only an insane person would agree with his statement.

Isn't it all about how you view life? Is the glass half full, or half empty?

What about if the story, immediately preceeding your fictitious story, was:

"Today, a deceased bus driver was hailed a hero, despite the death of his young passengers. The bus driver, swerved to avoid a collision with another bus, thus, saving the lives of all aboard the other bus."

One could view this story as still extremely tragic, which it is, but another may view it, albeit with remorse, but in a positive light, as many other lives were spared.

Yes, there is good to be found in many stories, but not all.

Edited October 29, 2013 by Shot

[LivinginKata]

Time to knock the bickering between 2 of our members on the head. 4 posts removed.

[lavender19]

Just been back to Phuket for the first time in a while.Took two mates and their wives over as they had never been before.Tried to talk them out of it but they insisted. on going.

First day rained so much that the truck go stuck in half a meter of of mud and crap on the back road by Patong hospital.Never seen such a mess in all my life.

Finally got to the hotel after about 3 hours of traffic chaos, sitting having a well deserved beer we witnessed the farang hotel owned having to pay off the tourist police for their services ??.

Headed off to Phuket town the next day via Patong to be greeted with a 2 1/2 hour sit in traffic because of an another accident on the hill then an hour at central.

The place is a complete joke.I pity these people who spend their hard earned money on a holiday to end up spending half their time sitting in traffic jams.

By this time we had all had enough so sat in traffic for another 2 hours to get out of the hell hole.

The positive news is that.

That is six people who have vowed never to return.

[pagallim]

Just been back to Phuket for the first time in a while.Took two mates and their wives over as they had never been before.Tried to talk them out of it but they insisted. on going.

First day rained so much that the truck go stuck in half a meter of of mud and crap on the back road by Patong hospital.Never seen such a mess in all my life.

Finally got to the hotel after about 3 hours of traffic chaos, sitting having a well deserved beer we witnessed the farang hotel owned having to pay off the tourist police for their services ??.

Headed off to Phuket town the next day via Patong to be greeted with a 2 1/2 hour sit in traffic because of an another accident on the hill then an hour at central.

The place is a complete joke.I pity these people who spend their hard earned money on a holiday to end up spending half their time sitting in traffic jams.

By this time we had all had enough so sat in traffic for another 2 hours to get out of the hell hole.

The positive news is that.

That is six people who have vowed never to return.

I think that you need to re-phrase your post, as all your grief is centred around Patong, and I would agree that it is indeed a joke.

Conversely, a friend of mine has had his adult daughter with partner, plus 2 friends, over here from Australia for the past week. They've had a great time, done some good tours, had great food, and are loving every minute (they leave on Friday). Admitedly, they haven't been exposed to Patong, but of course that's where local knowledge comes in.

You, having that local knowledge, have let your friends down by exposing them to Patong rather than the broader Phuket.

[NamKangMan]

Just been back to Phuket for the first time in a while.Took two mates and their wives over as they had never been before.Tried to talk them out of it but they insisted. on going.

First day rained so much that the truck go stuck in half a meter of of mud and crap on the back road by Patong hospital.Never seen such a mess in all my life.

Finally got to the hotel after about 3 hours of traffic chaos, sitting having a well deserved beer we witnessed the farang hotel owned having to pay off the tourist police for their services ??.

Headed off to Phuket town the next day via Patong to be greeted with a 2 1/2 hour sit in traffic because of an another accident on the hill then an hour at central.

The place is a complete joke.I pity these people who spend their hard earned money on a holiday to end up spending half their time sitting in traffic jams.

By this time we had all had enough so sat in traffic for another 2 hours to get out of the hell hole.

The positive news is that.

That is six people who have vowed never to return.

I think that you need to re-phrase your post, as all your grief is centred around Patong, and I would agree that it is indeed a joke.

Conversely, a friend of mine has had his adult daughter with partner, plus 2 friends, over here from Australia for the past week. They've had a great time, done some good tours, had great food, and are loving every minute (they leave on Friday). Admitedly, they haven't been exposed to Patong, but of course that's where local knowledge comes in.

You, having that local knowledge, have let your friends down by exposing them to Patong rather than the broader Phuket.

Yet another "Patong isn't Phuket" post.

Of course, all the tourist come to Phuket to see Rawai.

Edited October 30, 2013 by NamKangMan

[KarenBravo]

Yet another "Patong isn't Phuket" post.

You disagree?

[NamKangMan]

Yet another "Patong isn't Phuket" post.

You disagree?

Bangla Road in PATONG is Phuket's biggest tourist attraction. It's what most, if not all, tourists who come to Phuket, go and see, by day, and by night.

Many believe they should stay in, or near, Patong, because of this. Are they misinformed?

If their opinion of Patong is poor, they will pass this opinion onto others when they go home.

That opinion will be Phuket is terrible - not Patong is terrible but Rawai is nice.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Just been back to Phuket for the first time in a while.Took two mates and their wives over as they had never been before.Tried to talk them out of it but they insisted. on going.

First day rained so much that the truck go stuck in half a meter of of mud and crap on the back road by Patong hospital.Never seen such a mess in all my life.

Finally got to the hotel after about 3 hours of traffic chaos, sitting having a well deserved beer we witnessed the farang hotel owned having to pay off the tourist police for their services ??.

Headed off to Phuket town the next day via Patong to be greeted with a 2 1/2 hour sit in traffic because of an another accident on the hill then an hour at central.

The place is a complete joke.I pity these people who spend their hard earned money on a holiday to end up spending half their time sitting in traffic jams.

By this time we had all had enough so sat in traffic for another 2 hours to get out of the hell hole.

The positive news is that.

That is six people who have vowed never to return.

I don't doubt your story and, like everywhere, I am sure Phuket has dissatisfied customers but I must say that I am very rarely stuck in traffic in Phuket and most people I know that visit (be it Patong or elsewhere) say that they have had a great time.

Each to their own I guess.

[pagallim]

Yet another "Patong isn't Phuket" post.

You disagree?

Bangla Road in PATONG is Phuket's biggest tourist attraction. It's what most, if not all, tourists who come to Phuket, go and see, by day, and by night.

Many believe they should stay in, or near, Patong, because of this. Are they misinformed?

If their opinion of Patong is poor, they will pass this opinion onto others when they go home.

That opinion will be Phuket is terrible - not Patong is terrible but Rawai is nice.

Bangla isn't Phuket's primary tourist attraction. The beaches and scenery are.

My estimation is that there are far more people interested in diving or MMA training than there are in seeing the 'delights' (sic) of Patong, and I wager the number of tour buses heading to Laem Promthep every sunset far outweigh the number of tour buses heading to Bangla Road.

I think your judgement is perhaps clouded NKM. We know you've been a Patong resident for quite some time, without involvement either in an emotional or permanent residential sense, and you rarely seem to visit other parts of the island (perhaps due to your stance on the public transport issue). I do recall a comment you once made about regularly observing from a bar, tourists being drunk and getting on their hired motorcycles to ride home at 2 a.m. That alone make you the exception and certainly not the rule of the typical Phuket expat.

Permant expats (in my opinion) who choose to live in Patong if not having a commercial reason to do so, enjoy living as a tourist. Nothing wrong with that if that's what they want, but as permanent expats, they're in the minority.

[Guest]

I have missed pagallims's analysis and comments on this forum.

However if we isolate Patong from the rest of the island, I believe that diving is minority and MMA is miniscule of the interest of the visitors. Most of the visitors do not even know those are possibilities on this island.

NKM is tuned to everything there is to complain about public transportation in Patong, but he is far from typical bar butterfly who is able to talk nothing else than rugby scores.

There is also benefits of pushing the bad news to become international news. That's one way to make the change.

Many of us wish to push the island to get better. If we do this by ourselves, we make no difference. What could be better way? To join some of the volunteer organizations on the island?

[NamKangMan]

Yet another "Patong isn't Phuket" post.

You disagree?

Bangla Road in PATONG is Phuket's biggest tourist attraction. It's what most, if not all, tourists who come to Phuket, go and see, by day, and by night.

Many believe they should stay in, or near, Patong, because of this. Are they misinformed?

If their opinion of Patong is poor, they will pass this opinion onto others when they go home.

That opinion will be Phuket is terrible - not Patong is terrible but Rawai is nice.

Bangla isn't Phuket's primary tourist attraction. The beaches and scenery are.

My estimation is that there are far more people interested in diving or MMA training than there are in seeing the 'delights' (sic) of Patong, and I wager the number of tour buses heading to Laem Promthep every sunset far outweigh the number of tour buses heading to Bangla Road.

I think your judgement is perhaps clouded NKM. We know you've been a Patong resident for quite some time, without involvement either in an emotional or permanent residential sense, and you rarely seem to visit other parts of the island (perhaps due to your stance on the public transport issue). I do recall a comment you once made about regularly observing from a bar, tourists being drunk and getting on their hired motorcycles to ride home at 2 a.m. That alone make you the exception and certainly not the rule of the typical Phuket expat.

Permant expats (in my opinion) who choose to live in Patong if not having a commercial reason to do so, enjoy living as a tourist. Nothing wrong with that if that's what they want, but as permanent expats, they're in the minority.

"Bangla isn't Phuket's primary tourist attraction. The beaches and scenery are." - the water is now polluted and the beaches have rubbish on them. Then, you have to deal with all the touts and sunbed sellers, and if you want to go to a beach that is clean, and not full of tourists, you have to deal with the transport issue here. Either way, the tourist end up unimpressed.

"My estimation is that there are far more people interested in diving or MMA training" - I don't see many Chinese and Indians into MMA training. Some Russians like to dive, maybe stevenl can comment on how many Russian customers he gets.

"I think your judgement is perhaps clouded NKM." - I've often been accused of this, or similar, but it's hard to deny that Phuket has changed a lot over the last couple of years. That's all of Phuket, not just Patong. I have an opinion on what has caused those changes, and a prediction for the future of Phuket, should no positive change be implement here. I'm sure you have read these in other posts.

"We know you've been a Patong resident for quite some time, without involvement either in an emotional or permanent residential sense" - each to their own. Many are happy to hook up with girls from Issan who are only there for the money for their family and an easy lifestyle, maybe even a big pay day - I'm not. As for my "residential sense" - I'm happy for you to suggest a visa for me, as an under 50's and self funded.

"you rarely seem to visit other parts of the island (perhaps due to your stance on the public transport issue" - I often ride to various parts of the island, sometimes just for the "ride" itself, stop, have lunch, with a nice view, it's great. I think it's sad that I have to ride to Kata and stay in a cheap guest house for the night, because that is cheaper than transport to and from Patong, which is only a short distance away. I, and many I know, would go out at night, up and down the coast, more often, if there were baht buses or metered taxis, but there are not - so, I think this comment has some truth. I have some friends who own bars down the coast - they understand why I do not visit often. The transport issue is effecting their business with my custom, as I am sure it is with many tourists and other expats.

"I do recall a comment you once made about regularly observing from a bar, tourists being drunk and getting on their hired motorcycles to ride home at 2 a.m." - yes, I've seen it many times, however, it can be dfficult to pick a tourists from an expat. I remember one time, I was sitting in bar on Soi SanSabai, a foreigner (tourist or expat - who knows) was that drunk, the parking guy got his motorbike for him, he got onto his bike and immediately fell over. The parking guy helped him up, and some bar girls came out and escorted him into the bar - ironically, he ordered another drink. One must think, if there were baht buses, would this guy have even bothered riding to Patong for his night out. I don't drive/ride whilst intoxicated.

"Permant expats (in my opinion) who choose to live in Patong if not having a commercial reason to do so, enjoy living as a tourist." - I can't speak for other expats, but, yes, I currently still like living in Patong, and as a "tourist" - it's a great lifestyle. As for "commercial reason" - why would I buy land I can own, enslave myself to a Thai landlord with a business, and the BIB, and the mafia, and a Thai women, etc etc. No, not being negative, just calling it as I see it. No offence to to other members.

"Nothing wrong with that if that's what they want, but as permanent expats, they're in the minority." - as this generation of "permantent expats" pass on, who will be the next permanent expats? I don't see the Russians, Chinese and Indians buying bars, businesses and property, the way the westerners did a decade or so ago. Phuket, in it's current, and ever worsening form, who knows who the next expats will be, and why.

I have addressed you very pertinent post. Whilst you may not agree, I hope you appreciate the honesty in my reply.

[Guest]

"Nothing wrong with that if that's what they want, but as permanent expats, they're in the minority." - as this generation of "permantent expats" pass on, who will be the next permanent expats? I don't see the Russians, Chinese and Indians buying bars, businesses and property, the way the westerners did a decade or so ago. Phuket, in it's current, and ever worsening form, who knows who the next expats will be, and why.

I have addressed you very pertinent post. Whilst you may not agree, I hope you appreciate the honesty in my reply.

I must say that I enjoy honest opinions on this forum. Those are rare.

What comes to the Russian, Chinese and Indian unwillingness to invest to bars and properties in Phuket - could it be that they are simply smarter than the previous owners? They don't want to invest as those businesses are going downhill anyway?

[KarenBravo]

"Nothing wrong with that if that's what they want, but as permanent expats, they're in the minority." - as this generation of "permantent expats" pass on, who will be the next permanent expats? I don't see the Russians, Chinese and Indians buying bars, businesses and property, the way the westerners did a decade or so ago. Phuket, in it's current, and ever worsening form, who knows who the next expats will be, and why.

I have addressed you very pertinent post. Whilst you may not agree, I hope you appreciate the honesty in my reply.

I must say that I enjoy honest opinions on this forum. Those are rare.

What comes to the Russian, Chinese and Indian unwillingness to invest to bars and properties in Phuket - could it be that they are simply smarter than the previous owners? They don't want to invest as those businesses are going downhill anyway?

Don't know why you include Russians in an "unwillingness to invest in bars and property". The Russians are the top Caucasian buyers of villas on the island, albeit for a holiday home.

The answer to your question is that these three nationalities, that now make up the majority of tourists coming to Phuket, have much stronger ties to their countries than most Europeans have with theirs. They wouldn't dream of ever living in Thailand. There is a much greater willingness to become an expat if you are of European ancestry.

Edited October 31, 2013 by KarenBravo

[IrishIvan]

 

"Nothing wrong with that if that's what they want, but as permanent expats, they're in the minority." - as this generation of "permantent expats" pass on, who will be the next permanent expats?  I don't see the Russians, Chinese and Indians buying bars, businesses and property, the way the westerners did a decade or so ago. Phuket, in it's current, and ever worsening form, who knows who the next expats will be, and why.

 

I have addressed you very pertinent post.  Whilst you may not agree, I hope you appreciate the honesty in my reply.

I must say that I enjoy honest opinions on this forum. Those are rare. 

 

What comes to the Russian, Chinese and Indian unwillingness to invest to bars and properties in Phuket - could it be that they are simply smarter than the previous owners? They don't want to invest as those businesses are going downhill anyway?

 

 

Don't know why you include Russians in an "unwillingness to invest in bars and property". The Russians are the top Caucasian buyers of villas on the island, albeit for a holiday home.

 

The answer to your question is that these three nationalities, that now make up the majority of tourists coming to Phuket, have much stronger ties to their countries than most Europeans have with theirs. They wouldn't dream of ever living in Thailand. There is a much greater willingness to become an expat if you are of European ancestry.

So why is there a Chinatown in every major city I go to?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[KarenBravo]

Different.

You can't compare the Chinese emigration patterns over a couple of centuries with them coming to live in Phuket.

Using your own logic, I could point out that more cities than not, don't have Chinatowns, therefore etc. etc.

[monkeycountry]

A bus full of school children crashes and bursts into flames. Children are seen attempting to get out of the inferno, but they are burned alive. No one survived the crash.

.. was that based on real events or was is fictive?

Fortunately its fiction. I’m just pointing out to the good Dr. Robert, that only an insane person would agree with his statement.

But what if it was a bus full of taxi drivers, jetski guys - or perhaps red shirts?