Patong is dead.

[phuketlive]

it's crazy to see how stupid and badly educated they are...

How those people can live together behaving like this. Really disgusting.

And like said before, some streets dont have sidewalks but even when there is, they walk on the road...

[NamKangMan]

Wait until Thailand allows casinos, then see how many Chinese will be coming to Phuket.

Only a matter of time.

[DrDave]

Wait until Thailand allows casinos, then see how many Chinese will be coming to Phuket.

Only a matter of time.

What, no cheap package tours to Macau?

Unfortunately though, I think you may be correct about this. The upside might be that the casinos would keep them away from the beach towns.

[NamKangMan]

Wait until Thailand allows casinos, then see how many Chinese will be coming to Phuket.

Only a matter of time.

What, no cheap package tours to Macau?

Unfortunately though, I think you may be correct about this. The upside might be that the casinos would keep them away from the beach towns.

"Big Brother" keeps a close eye on Macau.

When Thailand eventually allows casinos, the Chinese will flock to Phuket.

Of course, none of their money will go to small business here, so tourism and hospitality will not be that much better off for it.

[Peterocket]

tourism and hospitality will not be that much better off for it.

Why is that? The Chinese are expected to bring in 5.6 billion baht into tourism and hospitality this year.

[NamKangMan]

tourism and hospitality will not be that much better off for it.

Why is that? The Chinese are expected to bring in 5.6 billion baht into tourism and hospitality this year.

Due to their large numbers, the Chinese tour operators beat down the price of EVERYTHING required by the tourists buying their holiday package to Phuket. This makes the holiday package more affordable for the masses in China, and can maximise the Chinese tour operator's profits.

Hotel rooms, meals in restaurants, transport, activities etc - all sold at a bargan price in order to fill the hotel, restaurant etc.

It sounds good for the hotel, restaurant etc as they believe the Chinese tourists will purchase items outside of what their tour package includes, but they don't, except for places like BIG C and 7/11.

Sure, their high numbers create some minimum wage Thai staff employment, but any profit margins in Thailand are kept small by the Chinese tour operators, who constantly play one hotel, restaurant etc off against another for the lowest room rates, cheapest meals etc.

As the holiday package purchase is paid to a Chinese company, in China, the bigger profits remain in China.

This is why these tourists are called, "zero baht tourists" because zero baht is really made from them on Phuket. Certainly, small business on Phuket makes nothing from them.

[VIPinthailand]

only big chains of hotel enjoy these bus arrivals packed with chicken.

normal people who have small business won't see their money. Thailand is dying little by little.

[simon43]

only big chains of hotel enjoy these bus arrivals packed with chicken.
normal people who have small business won't see their money.

Not always true. Maybe 80% of guests at my small resort are Chinese, mostly couples and families who are travelling independently.

[Kopitiam]

only big chains of hotel enjoy these bus arrivals packed with chicken.

normal people who have small business won't see their money.

Not always true. Maybe 80% of guests at my small resort are Chinese, mostly couples and families who are travelling independently.

Simon43, Just a matter of curiosity. Why would your Chinese tourists want to stay so far from all amenities in Phuket?

[2fishin2]

Update to Nanai Road Italian restaurant. Almost straight across another "Italian" place opened up under a guest house. Brick oven style cook outside. Ordered a calzone....they wont be in business long. Outside charred, inside not fully cooked doe mushy. Inside cold and most bland Calzone I have ever eaten. Almost no sauce. Nice guys but, dont know how to flavor food. Phuket and Nanai is picking up.

[simon43]

Simon43, Just a matter of curiosity. Why would your Chinese tourists want to stay so far from all amenities in Phuket?

Because my hotel is at the airport. Many, (MANY!) Chinese tourists arrive/depart from the airport during the night, and they want to stay for their arriving/departing night close to the airport, rather than travel to Patong/Kata etc. Plus many of them are travelling onwards to Krabi, Ao Nang, Khao Lak, Khao Sok etc.

[NamKangMan]

Simon43, Just a matter of curiosity. Why would your Chinese tourists want to stay so far from all amenities in Phuket?

Because my hotel is at the airport. Many, (MANY!) Chinese tourists arrive/depart from the airport during the night, and they want to stay for their arriving/departing night close to the airport, rather than travel to Patong/Kata etc. Plus many of them are travelling onwards to Krabi, Ao Nang, Khao Lak, Khao Sok etc.

Out of curiosity, just from speaking to your guests, how many, roughly, actually holiday on Phuket, compared to those that do not stay here?

Are you still selling? If so, have you had any enquiries?

Edited December 2, 2015 by NamKangMan

[Kopitiam]

Simon43, Just a matter of curiosity. Why would your Chinese tourists want to stay so far from all amenities in Phuket?

Because my hotel is at the airport. Many, (MANY!) Chinese tourists arrive/depart from the airport during the night, and they want to stay for their arriving/departing night close to the airport, rather than travel to Patong/Kata etc. Plus many of them are travelling onwards to Krabi, Ao Nang, Khao Lak, Khao Sok etc.

If (MANY!) of your Chinese guests are traveling onwards to Krabi, Ao Nang, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, etc., then they don't count as tourists to Phuket.

[xylophone]

Update to Nanai Road Italian restaurant. Almost straight across another "Italian" place opened up under a guest house. Brick oven style cook outside. Ordered a calzone....they wont be in business long. Outside charred, inside not fully cooked doe mushy. Inside cold and most bland Calzone I have ever eaten. Almost no sauce. Nice guys but, dont know how to flavor food. Phuket and Nanai is picking up.

Yes it does seem like there is a pickup in tourists here, although nowhere near the same as in previous years, however that's only to be expected as it is a high season, although I doubt whether this season will ever be considered "high" by anyone's standards.

I noticed that Italian place you spoke about and really don't know what drives people to do things like that when some pretty basic investigative skills would point to the fact that it would be a very risky venture indeed. Perhaps farangs with too much money and little sense or endeavouring to support a Thai GF?

Bangla last night was crowded however that did not translate to huge amounts of people in bars, especially those Sois leading off from Bangla, in fact most of Soi Freedom was just about empty last night, in contrast to the last two or three weeks, when it was buzzing and seemed to be "picking up".

The same scenario repeated itself in new Tiger and resurrected Tiger, where the first two lines of bars in new Tiger did have quite a few punters, however once past those the situation looked quite dire, with quite a few of the bars having no more than three or four farangs in them, with three times the amount of girls milling around them, and a few of the bars were just plain empty of punters.

There were quite a few folk sitting in the bars lining Bangla, however the old favourites like Blue Lotus and Black Horse were nowhere near their best being less than half full.

The battle of the noise, between the band at Smiley Bar and the singer and guitarist opposite at Heroes has reached a new peak with both of them trying to outdo each other, thereby creating a cacophony of sound in the middle of the road between these two bars, which did justice to neither of them. Certainly Smiley Bar had more punters in it (just about full at one time) but then they have an advantage because there are as many seats and tables on the pavement as there are in the bar, allowing the patronage to double because of this.

Soi Sea Dragon was full of guys and girls with placards trying to drag you into one exotic club or another and it gets a bit wearing when you are pushed and pulled all of the time. There were a few more folk meandering around, but nowhere near the amount from previous times.

As perhaps a sign of the times, Tums Bar, just inside of Soi Sea Dragon, which used to be a popular hangout for regulars and returning visitors, was empty except for two farangs, whereas at one time, once the witching hour of 2 a.m. was reached, the place would be absolutely full of folk, singing and dancing along with the live band – – no more, and those days seem long gone now.

The "ping-pong show" touts were out in force (30 or more?) and I saw three policeman walk down Bangla, and pull up a couple of the touts and ask a few questions, with one actually taking the "ping-pong" card from them. Unfortunately what they didn't realise was that once they had passed a particular point in the road, the other touts would come out behind them plying their trade, so as they were walking along supposedly trying to stamp this trade out, the touts were out in force following behind them – – it was then that you realise this was just a fiasco with no real attempt to stop this.

I would guess the only bars making any decent money at the moment would be Monsoon and New York, judging from what I've seen over the past few months.

Finally, I did visit the restaurant "Higher" the other evening and again had a great meal, and it seems to be doing very good business as last night it was almost full according to a lady friend at the door.

[simon43]

If (MANY!) of your Chinese guests are traveling onwards to Krabi, Ao Nang, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, etc., then they don't count as tourists to Phuket.

Huh? They stay in Phuket overnight, use services in Phuket, buy souvenirs and food/drink in Phuket. On what grounds are they not Phuket tourists?

As an aide, I was at Rassada Pier today. Last week, it was dead, almost no tourists. This week (new month), it was packed with foreign tourists.

Edited December 3, 2015 by simon43

[DrDave]

Yes it does seem like there is a pickup in tourists here, although nowhere near the same as in previous years, however that's only to be expected as it is a high season, although I doubt whether this season will ever be considered "high" by anyone's standards.

I noticed that Italian place you spoke about and really don't know what drives people to do things like that when some pretty basic investigative skills would point to the fact that it would be a very risky venture indeed. Perhaps farangs with too much money and little sense or endeavouring to support a Thai GF?

Bangla last night was crowded however that did not translate to huge amounts of people in bars, especially those Sois leading off from Bangla, in fact most of Soi Freedom was just about empty last night, in contrast to the last two or three weeks, when it was buzzing and seemed to be "picking up".

The same scenario repeated itself in new Tiger and resurrected Tiger, where the first two lines of bars in new Tiger did have quite a few punters, however once past those the situation looked quite dire, with quite a few of the bars having no more than three or four farangs in them, with three times the amount of girls milling around them, and a few of the bars were just plain empty of punters.

There were quite a few folk sitting in the bars lining Bangla, however the old favourites like Blue Lotus and Black Horse were nowhere near their best being less than half full.

The battle of the noise, between the band at Smiley Bar and the singer and guitarist opposite at Heroes has reached a new peak with both of them trying to outdo each other, thereby creating a cacophony of sound in the middle of the road between these two bars, which did justice to neither of them. Certainly Smiley Bar had more punters in it (just about full at one time) but then they have an advantage because there are as many seats and tables on the pavement as there are in the bar, allowing the patronage to double because of this.

Soi Sea Dragon was full of guys and girls with placards trying to drag you into one exotic club or another and it gets a bit wearing when you are pushed and pulled all of the time. There were a few more folk meandering around, but nowhere near the amount from previous times.

As perhaps a sign of the times, Tums Bar, just inside of Soi Sea Dragon, which used to be a popular hangout for regulars and returning visitors, was empty except for two farangs, whereas at one time, once the witching hour of 2 a.m. was reached, the place would be absolutely full of folk, singing and dancing along with the live band – – no more, and those days seem long gone now.

The "ping-pong show" touts were out in force (30 or more?) and I saw three policeman walk down Bangla, and pull up a couple of the touts and ask a few questions, with one actually taking the "ping-pong" card from them. Unfortunately what they didn't realise was that once they had passed a particular point in the road, the other touts would come out behind them plying their trade, so as they were walking along supposedly trying to stamp this trade out, the touts were out in force following behind them – – it was then that you realise this was just a fiasco with no real attempt to stop this.

I would guess the only bars making any decent money at the moment would be Monsoon and New York, judging from what I've seen over the past few months.

Finally, I did visit the restaurant "Higher" the other evening and again had a great meal, and it seems to be doing very good business as last night it was almost full according to a lady friend at the door.

Having a little difficulty figuring out which Italian restaurant you're speaking of. Is it the one that just opened their second location on the ground floor of a guesthouse (think Francis Ford Coppola and Marlon Brando), or one on the opposite side of the road?

We had dinner in our favorite pizza restaurant on Nanai last night, which might be our last meal there. Despite numerous no-smoking signs, customers were smoking. The owner was even sitting and chatting with one of the smokers. Few things irritate me more than trying to enjoy a meal out when some inconsiderate person decides that his need to smoke overrides the right of other customers to be able to taste their food and breathe clean air.

I know that Loy Krathong was an anomaly, but Soi Freedom was absolutely packed that night. The usual band was replaced by Thai karaoke, and there was a contest between the bars for bragging rights to the title of most beautiful costumed contestant. It was actually a lot of fun, and I was surprised to see so many farangs there enjoying the spectacle. On the other hand (and it really pains me to say this), Tao was empty. Only 3 or so tables occupied, and I can't put my finger on it, but the place just seemed to have a bad vibe despite having a band. We didn't even stay long enough to finish our beers. Hopefully this was just a one-off, as I really like this place.

One thing I've been wondering about - do the bars on Bangla seem to be doing significantly more business when the RCCL cruise ship is doing an overnight in Patong? I've got to believe a good percentage of those 3,000 passengers would be wandering around Bangla and environs when the ship is moored overnight.

As for Tum's Bar, I remember 9-10 years ago this was the place to be late at night when the other bars were closing. Small, cramped bar with a live band (similar to the old Coyote further down the soi), but for the past year or so, I haven't seen more than a couple of customers there at one time.

Reading your comment about Higher, I think it's about time to stop in for dinner again. I see that they're doing special dinners for Christmas Eve and New Years, but they seem awfully pricey at almost 3,000 baht. Will be interesting to see how well they do.

[2fishin2]

I wouldnt even call it an italian restaurant all though the owner is italian. Its across road from where the other one use to be actually right across from aussie divers and same aide of road 7-11 is. My girl has a hair shop cross corner from 7-11. There are people but, not like last year this time. Im sure it will pick up as the months go on but its a slow start for sure

[2fishin2]

Godfathers, bottom floor of Surin Guest House.

[taninthai]

I did a return journey on the bus yesterday krabi phuket krabi the bus station was pretty dead and on the roads passed loads of private busses full of Chinese tourists.

[xylophone]

I wouldnt even call it an italian restaurant all though the owner is italian. Its across road from where the other one use to be actually right across from aussie divers and same aide of road 7-11 is. My girl has a hair shop cross corner from 7-11. There are people but, not like last year this time. Im sure it will pick up as the months go on but its a slow start for sure

Yes I have seen that and wondered why they would start an Italian restaurant right opposite the other one, when it should have been plain for all to see that the previous one closed through lack of custom and this one surely cannot be far from doing the same again through lack of custom!

It sure is a slow start and word is that a friend who is in partnership with the owners of two bars in Bangla has stated that takings are 60% down on this time last year, and when you look at both of the Tiger complexes you can easily see that this could well be the case.

Other pointers include a room in what looks to be a decent and small hotel on Soi Nanai, advertised at 790 baht per night (in high season?) and a newly opened bar advertising happy hour from midday to 6 p.m. – – that is some hour, but with hardly anybody in it at all, then I suppose it is one way to try and attract custom.

Was out in Bangla on Tuesday evening and it was on the quiet side all round, although the usual Monsoon and New York bars were humming, albeit not to the same extent as before but crowded enough to make other bars wish that they had this level of custom.

Soi Freedom was quiet although from time to time a small group would gather in front of the band to hear a song or two and hear the old Kiwi rocker do his stuff, and from the last few visits I would ascertain that whereas once upon a time these types of beer bars would be reasonably full with older drinkers, not only out for a good time but also looking for some company, now the more prevalent younger set are not interested in that side of things, but more in having a good time and maybe skipping from one bar to another or one venue to another, especially if live music is being played.

As I said in another post, the demographics have changed, but the beer bars continued to be built along the same old lines and if you want another example of this, look at the bars at the back of both Tiger complexes and you will see quite a few empty ones/closed ones.

[phuketlive]

business is very bad for hotels. Talked to a friend working in a hotel near malin market, quite big hotel.

Last year they were full at this time, this month they are down 70%....

And same in other hotels, very bad they say, worse than last year.

[LivinginKata]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

[xylophone]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

I suppose that in amongst all of the doom and gloom, one or two folk might be doing okay, certainly the owners of Monsoon and New York would be doing well and perhaps the owners of the front bars in both of the Tiger complexes, however outside of those I can't see that being repeated many times?

Having said that, some bars along Bangla will be doing okay (perhaps Heroes or Smiley or the like) but that's not to say that their takings are not down on last year as they would have to be, judging by what I've seen in my forays down Bangla.

[NamKangMan]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

"he employs 140 people" - did he also tell you he now sells more sex than alcohol?

[LivinginKata]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

"he employs 140 people" - did he also tell you he now sells more sex than alcohol?

Yes, many of his 'staff' are sex workers. He freely acknowledges that. Who cares what he sells ... the topic is about business

[NamKangMan]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

"he employs 140 people" - did he also tell you he now sells more sex than alcohol?

Yes, many of his 'staff' are sex workers. He freely acknowledges that. Who cares what he sells ... the topic is about business

"many of his 'staff' are sex workers" - sounds similar to Pattaya.

I hear some of the successful bars are selling more than just sex and alcohol these days.

[NamKangMan]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

"he employs 140 people" - did he also tell you he now sells more sex than alcohol?

Yes, many of his 'staff' are sex workers. He freely acknowledges that. Who cares what he sells ... the topic is about business

Duplicate post removed.

Edited December 12, 2015 by NamKangMan

[geriatrickid]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

"he employs 140 people" - did he also tell you he now sells more sex than alcohol?

Yes, many of his 'staff' are sex workers. He freely acknowledges that. Who cares what he sells ... the topic is about business

I care. Basically, you are referencing a man who makes a living off the avails of prostitution. The common term is a pimp. Whatever way one wishes to describe it, the keeping of a bawdy house is technically illegal in Thailand. the General Prime Minister has assured all Thailand and the world that his administration has taking a bite out of crime and corruption. I am shocked to read of this activity and ask that you immediately report this to the authorities. In accordance with the military administrations stated position on criminal activity, immediate action would be taken. Failure to report criminal activity is a crime in Thailand.

Together we can put an end to crime on the island. However. it needs your participation. Act now. The General needs your help.

[LivinginKata]

Yes, many of his 'staff' are sex workers. He freely acknowledges that. Who cares what he sells ... the topic is about business

I care. Basically, you are referencing a man who makes a living off the avails of prostitution. The common term is a pimp. Whatever way one wishes to describe it, the keeping of a bawdy house is technically illegal in Thailand. the General Prime Minister has assured all Thailand and the world that his administration has taking a bite out of crime and corruption. I am shocked to read of this activity and ask that you immediately report this to the authorities. In accordance with the military administrations stated position on criminal activity, immediate action would be taken. Failure to report criminal activity is a crime in Thailand.

Together we can put an end to crime on the island. However. it needs your participation. Act now. The General needs your help.

Get off your high horse. Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. And I am not participating in your crusade. Bye ...

[xylophone]

I was talking to one on my long stay guests (9 years now) who owns a number of bars (I think 4) in and about Tiger 2. I was asking how was business. He astonished me by saying that he has just 'bought' another bar in Tger just this month. I assumed there was no key money these days, but he mentioned an eye popping amount for key money on a 3 year lease. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He seems to be doing well, mind you he works very hard, has developed a good facebook network, tells me he employs about 140 people. Also tells me that when he sacks anyone they immediately go to the Labour Office and make a huge compensation claim.

"he employs 140 people" - did he also tell you he now sells more sex than alcohol?

Yes, many of his 'staff' are sex workers. He freely acknowledges that. Who cares what he sells ... the topic is about business

I care. Basically, you are referencing a man who makes a living off the avails of prostitution. The common term is a pimp. Whatever way one wishes to describe it, the keeping of a bawdy house is technically illegal in Thailand. the General Prime Minister has assured all Thailand and the world that his administration has taking a bite out of crime and corruption. I am shocked to read of this activity and ask that you immediately report this to the authorities. In accordance with the military administrations stated position on criminal activity, immediate action would be taken. Failure to report criminal activity is a crime in Thailand.

Together we can put an end to crime on the island. However. it needs your participation. Act now. The General needs your help.

This post has to be a "wind-up" surely!!!!