Patong is dead.

[jmccarty]

The Russians are broke. As are the Americans, the Brits, the Chinese, and most everyone else. (Except for the Nordic nations).

Have you looked at exchange rates lately?

[NamKangMan]

The Russians are broke. As are the Americans, the Brits, the Chinese, and most everyone else. (Except for the Nordic nations).

Have you looked at exchange rates lately?

Duplicate post removed.

Edited September 30, 2015 by NamKangMan

[NamKangMan]

The Russians are broke. As are the Americans, the Brits, the Chinese, and most everyone else. (Except for the Nordic nations).

Have you looked at exchange rates lately?

I note the post you quoted was made on the 31st Jan 2015.

What a difference 8 months makes in world economics.

Edited September 30, 2015 by NamKangMan

[mikey88]

Gee....that's wasn't my experience at all. I was there in Seotember for a week and again in June for a week... At Jungcelon quite often...it's was buzzing with people. Pretty much all Chinese. Bangla was packed etc etc...

[xylophone]

Donned the face mask because of the disgusting smog which envelops Patong, and set out on the motorbike yesterday, heading north down Nanai Road.

The new little "roller blind bar" at the entrance to Nanai 6 now has its sign up, but no sign of any activity for the previous five days – – maybe it's gone bust before it even started!!!

The Italian restaurant which opened up around nine months ago (?) next to what was once the "Beachhouse Bar" and which supposedly closed for the "low season" now has a "for sale" sign on it, which is not surprising because it never did much in the way of business since the time it first opened.

A little further north along Nanai Road after the Super-Cheap store I noticed a couple more small shops which have recently become empty, adding to the ones which have already closed...............if one adds all of this to the reduced patronage of bars like "Offshore Bar", "Dons Bar" and a few other small bars along the road, then takes into consideration the fact that many bars are struggling in Bangla, one certainly gets the feeling that all is not well in the Patong area of the Land of Scams Smiles, especially in the bar, restaurant and nightlife areas.

There have been posters here who have said that Patong has done its dash and because it hasn't adapted to the changing demographics, or indeed in its efforts to stamp out scams and corruption, then it is doomed. I didn't think that this would be the case, however as the weeks go on I really don't see anything to change that view, and the only thing that will give a different perspective is if the "high season" really is that..........

[NamKangMan]

Donned the face mask because of the disgusting smog which envelops Patong, and set out on the motorbike yesterday, heading north down Nanai Road.

The new little "roller blind bar" at the entrance to Nanai 6 now has its sign up, but no sign of any activity for the previous five days – – maybe it's gone bust before it even started!!!

The Italian restaurant which opened up around nine months ago (?) next to what was once the "Beachhouse Bar" and which supposedly closed for the "low season" now has a "for sale" sign on it, which is not surprising because it never did much in the way of business since the time it first opened.

A little further north along Nanai Road after the Super-Cheap store I noticed a couple more small shops which have recently become empty, adding to the ones which have already closed...............if one adds all of this to the reduced patronage of bars like "Offshore Bar", "Dons Bar" and a few other small bars along the road, then takes into consideration the fact that many bars are struggling in Bangla, one certainly gets the feeling that all is not well in the Patong area of the Land of Scams Smiles, especially in the bar, restaurant and nightlife areas.

There have been posters here who have said that Patong has done its dash and because it hasn't adapted to the changing demographics, or indeed in its efforts to stamp out scams and corruption, then it is doomed. I didn't think that this would be the case, however as the weeks go on I really don't see anything to change that view, and the only thing that will give a different perspective is if the "high season" really is that..........

"because it hasn't adapted to the changing demographics, or indeed in its efforts to stamp out scams and corruption" - interesting comment, XP.

In my opinion, it was the scams, and corruption, particularly the corruption attached to transport on Phuket, that has changed the demographics of the tourists here. (the Russians aside)

Basically, it appears the western market had finally had enough of all the BS on Phuket.

Edited October 7, 2015 by NamKangMan

[phuketlive]

The little bar on nanai 6 is going to open, not finished yet. was open today but not ready for customers.

Anyway, it's a dead area, nonsense...

The problem with scams here is that they keep doing it... Taxis etc.

Went to a pharmacy the other day to buy a medicine made in thailand, should be like 80 baths, thats the price in boots.

She told me 150 baths...

I went to another one on nanai, 130 bahts.

They don't mind trying to charge you double price here, with a smile!

so it will stay like this then, they will blame the problems on something else like they always do...

Edited October 7, 2015 by phuketlive

[xylophone]

The little bar on nanai 6 is going to open, not finished yet. was open today but not ready for customers.

Anyway, it's a dead area, nonsense...

The problem with scams here is that they keep doing it... Taxis etc.

Went to a pharmacy the other day to buy a medicine made in thailand, should be like 80 baths, thats the price in boots.

She told me 150 baths...

I went to another one on nanai, 130 bahts.

They don't mind trying to charge you double price here, with a smile!

so it will stay like this then, they will blame the problems on something else like they always do...

Hmmmm.......... the bar has already changed its name from the initial sign that went up, to the new one which is now installed and I noticed this morning that it has opened its "roller blind door" to the general public, however as you say, it is a dead area and is a nonsense.

On the other subject, I find that Boots is pretty fairly priced and if I want to compare I can check with Watsons just opposite in Jungceylon, or the one round the corner near the Big C customer service desk.

Of course the best prices are to be had at Supercheap, so just occasionally I pop up there to replenish my basic medical needs and in particular omeprazole, which is a damn sight cheaper there than it is in any of the pharmacies.

[DrDave]

Is the new "little bar on Nanai 6" called "Peace House"?

That particular bar just keeps re-locating along Nanai. This is its 3rd location in under a year. It started out years ago in that row of shacks between Nanai 8 and 10 (opposite what was once Dingo's, and occupied by mostly motocy repair and laundry shops), then moved to something more like a kiosk at the entrance to that strip of empty shophouses south of Nanai 10, and now is at Nanai 6. Never saw any customers in either of the previous locations, and can't imagine it'll do any better at Nanai 6.

[xylophone]

Is the new "little bar on Nanai 6" called "Peace House"?

That particular bar just keeps re-locating along Nanai. This is its 3rd location in under a year. It started out years ago in that row of shacks between Nanai 8 and 10 (opposite what was once Dingo's, and occupied by mostly motocy repair and laundry shops), then moved to something more like a kiosk at the entrance to that strip of empty shophouses south of Nanai 10, and now is at Nanai 6. Never saw any customers in either of the previous locations, and can't imagine it'll do any better at Nanai 6.

Perhaps a different one DrDave, because the one at the entrance to Soi Nanai 6 was, a few days ago, called "Booty salon", however now it's called "Longtime bar" although I doubt whether it will live up to this latest handle!!!

It opened up this morning and has balloons festooning what little bit of it there is, complete with about four Thai girls milling around inside and zilch in the way of customers.

[LivinginKata]

Is the new "little bar on Nanai 6" called "Peace House"?

That particular bar just keeps re-locating along Nanai. This is its 3rd location in under a year. It started out years ago in that row of shacks between Nanai 8 and 10 (opposite what was once Dingo's, and occupied by mostly motocy repair and laundry shops), then moved to something more like a kiosk at the entrance to that strip of empty shophouses south of Nanai 10, and now is at Nanai 6. Never saw any customers in either of the previous locations, and can't imagine it'll do any better at Nanai 6.

I see a bar re-open in Nanai 10 (if that's the name as I can see no road sign). To be honest I thought that where xyl was talking about. I did look a couple of days ago for that Nanai 6 bar (I assume that's what used to be know as Soi Tam Dee, never noticed it. New Family Mart on the corner (moved from across the road) and a few small shops opposite, not sure the pharmacy is still open, think the tatto guy already closed. The money exchange next to the Mart yet to open. I would guess there is some foot traffic in that location, but even usually busier areas of Nanai are really struggling.

[jmccarty]

The sun went down in Patong in about 2000. It became unrecognizable after that.

[Valentine]

The sun went down in Patong in about 2000. It became unrecognizable after that.

For me it really started in the late 90s when a single family controlled the council & all construction in Patong. If you were not using their construction company you had to pay a "fee" even for internal renovations. They had spies riding around checking all that was going on. The unfettered expansion of Patong began during this period.

[NamKangMan]

The sun went down in Patong in about 2000. It became unrecognizable after that.

For me it really started in the late 90s when a single family controlled the council & all construction in Patong. If you were not using their construction company you had to pay a "fee" even for internal renovations. They had spies riding around checking all that was going on. The unfettered expansion of Patong began during this period.

Yes, and then a prominent member of that family consolidated his control over transport here, and it's been all downhill for Phuket since then.

Edited October 11, 2015 by NamKangMan

[Valentine]

The sun went down in Patong in about 2000. It became unrecognizable after that.

For me it really started in the late 90s when a single family controlled the council & all construction in Patong. If you were not using their construction company you had to pay a "fee" even for internal renovations. They had spies riding around checking all that was going on. The unfettered expansion of Patong began during this period.

Yes, and then a prominent member of that family consolidated his control over transport here, and it's been all downhill for Phuket since then.

Are we talking about the same family? I am thinking about one who's name begins with M.

[schlog]

The sun went down in Patong in about 2000. It became unrecognizable after that.

For me it really started in the late 90s when a single family controlled the council & all construction in Patong. If you were not using their construction company you had to pay a "fee" even for internal renovations. They had spies riding around checking all that was going on. The unfettered expansion of Patong began during this period.

Yes, and then a prominent member of that family consolidated his control over transport here, and it's been all downhill for Phuket since then.

Are we talking about the same family? I am thinking about one who's name begins with M.

Nope. M. family was the one and the other the K. family.

[DrDave]

Yes, and the M family is still in the construction business.

The K's continue to own more than a few hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, as well as controlling transport.

Interesting to note that fewer than 8,000 votes were cast in the last election for mayor, as most Thais living in Patong remain registered in their home province and are ineligible to vote here.

[xylophone]

One of the downsides with the slowdown in Patong is that some good businesses also go under. I'm not talking about the numpties who open bars and restaurants and small guesthouses after the previous three or four owners have failed to make them work, because generally they deserve what they get.

I popped into the "Nanai Cowboy", the shoe shop/leather specialist at the north end of Nanai Road, to get some shoes fixed and he was telling me he has just about come to the end of it, with no customers.

I have used him on a few occasions before to fix everything from tennis shoes to sandals and he has always been good.........good quality work and reasonable charges. He also makes shoes to order, boots, leather jackets, belts and so on – – anything to do with leatherwork, and it would be such a shame if the shop closed, because artisans like that are hard to find these days.

If you've got any shoes (of any description) that need repairing, or fancy some shoes being made, or a nice belt for that matter and you are in the Patong area, why not pop in and see what he can do for you (for the record, I have no business interests or association with the owner).

[NamKangMan]

Yes, and the M family is still in the construction business.

The K's continue to own more than a few hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, as well as controlling transport.

Interesting to note that fewer than 8,000 votes were cast in the last election for mayor, as most Thais living in Patong remain registered in their home province and are ineligible to vote here.

Quite some time ago, before a Patong election, when Mr. K was running, yet again, I suggested expats encourage their missus to register to vote on Phuket, then, as expats, perhaps foreigners could have a voice in the Governance of Patong / Phuket.

With such a small registered voting base here, "we" could have had a voice, by proxy, and probably still could.

Anyway, with no positive change on Phuket, in the last 18 months under the Thai military, I don't see much chance for any real change here, regardless of who is in power, in the future.

Edited October 18, 2015 by NamKangMan

[tolsti]

Been away for just over a year now and coming back for a short (4 nights) visit staying on Nanai Rd at the Valero Guesthouse. I am not a night person by any means but looking to seeing how things are now. My 5 years on Nanai were very happy and whilst I accept change is inevitable I just hope that it is not unrecognisable.

[NamKangMan]

Been away for just over a year now and coming back for a short (4 nights) visit staying on Nanai Rd at the Valero Guesthouse. I am not a night person by any means but looking to seeing how things are now. My 5 years on Nanai were very happy and whilst I accept change is inevitable I just hope that it is not unrecognisable.

The guest house may not be operating, by the time you get here.

A lot of businesses closing in that part of town.

Edited October 20, 2015 by NamKangMan

[tolsti]

Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine!.... Ah well, lets see, seeing as I only booked last week and its only another 2 or so weeks away I reckon I'll be OK. And If I'm not then its easy.... walk along the road until I find one that isn't closed down. It's not as though I have paid any money yet.

[xylophone]

Been away for just over a year now and coming back for a short (4 nights) visit staying on Nanai Rd at the Valero Guesthouse. I am not a night person by any means but looking to seeing how things are now. My 5 years on Nanai were very happy and whilst I accept change is inevitable I just hope that it is not unrecognisable.

If you have only been away for about a year then I doubt if you will notice too much in the way of a change apart from less "activity" around the place.

True quite a few places have closed down, but some of them seem to have opened back up again (for a short while anyway) and that seems to be the cycle at the moment.............still a few empty shops around and a few empty restaurants, however it will be interesting to get your comments once you arrive here.

Perhaps the "biggest" changes will be the fact that the "cluster" of bars and restaurants opposite Don's barbecue have now been demolished and something else is going up in their place (don't know what); the 990+ apartment complex at the northern end of Nanai Road has come to complete standstill and the famous Beachhouse bar has closed.

Other small shophouse type establishments have also closed so although it won't look very different, it will have changed.

Edited October 20, 2015 by xylophone

[NamKangMan]

Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine!.... Ah well, lets see, seeing as I only booked last week and its only another 2 or so weeks away I reckon I'll be OK. And If I'm not then its easy.... walk along the road until I find one that isn't closed down. It's not as though I have paid any money yet.

I travel along Nanai Road regularly.

As XP says, in that area, there has been a revolving door of closures - openings - closures. Banzaan the same.

I would also be interested in your observations of the area, and Patong in general, at the completion of your visit, when compared to 1 year ago.

[2fishin2]

Been away for just over a year now and coming back for a short (4 nights) visit staying on Nanai Rd at the Valero Guesthouse. I am not a night person by any means but looking to seeing how things are now. My 5 years on Nanai were very happy and whilst I accept change is inevitable I just hope that it is not unrecognisable.

If you have only been away for about a year then I doubt if you will notice too much in the way of a change apart from less "activity" around the place.

True quite a few places have closed down, but some of them seem to have opened back up again (for a short while anyway) and that seems to be the cycle at the moment.............still a few empty shops around and a few empty restaurants, however it will be interesting to get your comments once you arrive here.

Perhaps the "biggest" changes will be the fact that the "cluster" of bars and restaurants opposite Don's barbecue have now been demolished and something else is going up in their place (don't know what); the 990+ apartment complex at the northern end of Nanai Road has come to complete standstill and the famous Beachhouse bar has closed.

Other small shophouse type establishments have also closed so although it won't look very different, it will have changed.

Its going to be parking for Macro of all the crazy things

[LivinginKata]

If you have only been away for about a year then I doubt if you will notice too much in the way of a change apart from less "activity" around the place.

True quite a few places have closed down, but some of them seem to have opened back up again (for a short while anyway) and that seems to be the cycle at the moment.............still a few empty shops around and a few empty restaurants, however it will be interesting to get your comments once you arrive here.

Perhaps the "biggest" changes will be the fact that the "cluster" of bars and restaurants opposite Don's barbecue have now been demolished and something else is going up in their place (don't know what); the 990+ apartment complex at the northern end of Nanai Road has come to complete standstill and the famous Beachhouse bar has closed.

Other small shophouse type establishments have also closed so although it won't look very different, it will have changed.

Its going to be parking for Macro of all the crazy things

Makro already has a parking area. Looks like it will be more shop/guest houses.

[2fishin2]

Just what is needed more shops or empty guesthouses

[tolsti]

Ask Don... He will tell you

[xylophone]

It's been a while since I posted regarding nights out in Bangla, and Patong in general, so here goes with another missive……….

Nanai Road has been fairly busy over the past few days with very large trucks which are capable of sucking out the crap in the drains, operating in the South end. IMO it's a bit like putting the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff because no sooner do they clean these things out, than the rains bring down mud and particularly sand and gravel from somewhere up in the hills – – quite where all the sand comes from I don't know but by the amount that comes down onto the road, you would think there is a very large sand quarry up in the hills!

So rather than stop this happening (by taking some action or another) we will have to wait for another downpour to get blocked drains and flooding again.

A couple of the small guesthouses which had closed down on the corner just north past Makro have now opened up again with new owners, obviously opening up in time for the "high season" so they can make their fortune – – yeah right!

And as for the Italian restaurant which opened up (again) on the corner of the small "Kasemsarp" estate, well I did see four people in it about a month ago and despite driving past scores of time since, at all hours of the afternoon and evening, the only inhabitants are the wait staff draped over the steps or across a table, so that is making zilch by the looks of things and I can't see it staying open for much longer.

Generally speaking I have seen more Russians around than in the past year, and of course the obligatory hordes of Chinese with their shopping carts full of 20 baht seaweed packs, noodles and other weird and wonderful cheapies.

Out in Bangla, there seems to be a slight pickup in business and as before, the bars Monsoon and New York seem to have got it just right as they are invariably full for most of the evening with the younger set.

Smiley Bar seems to be quite a firm favourite on Bangla now, especially as the band is the best one they have had to date.

A few more bars had closed down in Soi Freedom, especially the large double bar at the far end on the left-hand side, which makes it feel quite dead in that part of the Soi (obviously), however by all accounts the Soi owner has now decided that if someone wants to rent a bar they can do on a monthly basis and there will be no key money involved and that has revitalised a couple of them at least.

Having said that, the Soi has been busier over the last couple of weeks than it has for quite some time, and many of the visitors seem to enjoy the Filipino band and stay around for a few drinks whilst singing along and dancing to the music.

Took a walk in Soi Sea Dragon and noticed a new go-go bar called Harem, and I saw a photograph of the inside of it and it looks extremely well done and upmarket so perhaps I will visit it with a few friends over the next week or so. In addition to that on the opposite side of the Soi, a couple of bars have disappeared and a new "Diablo" go-go bar is opening up.

Generally speaking, whereas at one time, meandering my way home between 1.30 and 2 a.m. in the morning, Bangla would still be fairly busy, now it is nowhere near what it used to be, but as I said there seems to be a little pickup in the traffic/business, so maybe this there is some hope that this forthcoming" high season" won't be as bad as many people are anticipating (me included).

[DrDave]

It's been a while since I posted regarding nights out in Bangla, and Patong in general, so here goes with another missive……….

<snip>

Generally speaking, whereas at one time, meandering my way home between 1.30 and 2 a.m. in the morning, Bangla would still be fairly busy, now it is nowhere near what it used to be, but as I said there seems to be a little pickup in the traffic/business, so maybe this there is some hope that this forthcoming" high season" won't be as bad as many people are anticipating (me included).

Thanks for the update "X"; always enjoy your observations.

Over the past week I've noticed a definite uptick in the number of tourists on the beaches, and the one night last weekend I was on Bangla it seemed to be fairly busy (although I agree not so much as past years). I'm surprised to see as many Russians as there appears to be (but maybe many are from other Eastern European countries - the Slavic languages all sound the same to my untrained ear).

Mrs. Dave and I will be hitting Bangla tonight, hoping to catch some Halloween craziness, although IIRC, last year was fairly tame so not expecting much.