Patong is dead.

[xylophone]

I'm sure this must come up in other places on this forum as well, and there was a post mentioning a TAT reference that tourism is really up 15% this year, but in general how could someone know if tourism is down, or to what extent?

There is plenty of circumstantial evidence discussed here, about businesses going out of business, or places looking empty, but if related government agency numbers aren't a good reference what would be?

Of course the next point is always that Chinese tour-group tourists are replacing Russians or Europeans with more money, and I can't imagine any stats capturing tourists place of origin, and even if it did separating out travel by groups versus individual planning.

I just visited Samui two weeks ago and there was no way for me to get a feel for it tourism was slow there or not, especially since it's not a higher season. On the way back we stopped by Chumporn, a beach resort, and it was deserted, but more of the same, not sure if that would've been different a few years ago at this time.

While it may be possible that TAT's figure of a 15% increase in tourism could be correct, the real issue is whether there has been a corresponding increase in revenue. The consensus is that there's been a decrease in revenue year over year and that's what people have been discussing here.

A few years ago, it would have been nearly impossible to find a decent room for 500 baht in Patong during low season, let alone high season. It seems that many larger guesthouses and small hotels have been beaten into submission by the package tour companies just so they could keep their doors open. The hotels and guesthouses that are too small to participate in the package tours can't survive unless they can offer something truly unique to independent tourists. This is borne out by the number of newer cookie cutter small hotels and guesthouses that have closed, or are up for sale. Now, add to this the fact that a large number of the tourists coming to Phuket are participants in package tours, where they're told (and sometimes forced) where to shop, and where to eat, and we can see why small businesses like restaurants and bars are finding themselves in a world of financial hurt, and thus closing.

The comparison year over year goes like this: 15% more bodies in total, with a very significant number paying less for rooms, shopping and eating in tour-affiliated venues, and generally not drinking in bars, versus last year's number of bodies, all paying a higher room rate, eating, drinking and shopping in local independent venues.

As for stats concerning the nationality of arrivals - obviously Immigration has these, and I would expect that these figures are shared with TAT. I have no idea whether this is done, but it seems to be good business practice to require tour operators to report their monthly arrivals to TAT.

Spot on DrDave and a good explanation of what's going on here.

[Lumbini]

Overdevelopment of that island too fast butchered the island and it is now a showcase for how a beautiful destination ban become an very real nightmare

[phuketlive]

Cheap hotel rooms and visa restrictions.

No more easy student visas or tourist visa to stay here long time.

I know some people who would be here if they could but they cant.

6 months tourist visa and not more, so they go somewhere else...

I know you are not supposed to stay here with a tourist visa but many people were just spending money, nothing bad for people here but they chose to stop this so now many people left or come here only 6 months then...

[madmitch]

I'm sure this must come up in other places on this forum as well, and there was a post mentioning a TAT reference that tourism is really up 15% this year, but in general how could someone know if tourism is down, or to what extent?

There is plenty of circumstantial evidence discussed here, about businesses going out of business, or places looking empty, but if related government agency numbers aren't a good reference what would be?

Of course the next point is always that Chinese tour-group tourists are replacing Russians or Europeans with more money, and I can't imagine any stats capturing tourists place of origin, and even if it did separating out travel by groups versus individual planning.

I just visited Samui two weeks ago and there was no way for me to get a feel for it tourism was slow there or not, especially since it's not a higher season. On the way back we stopped by Chumporn, a beach resort, and it was deserted, but more of the same, not sure if that would've been different a few years ago at this time.

While it may be possible that TAT's figure of a 15% increase in tourism could be correct, the real issue is whether there has been a corresponding increase in revenue. The consensus is that there's been a decrease in revenue year over year and that's what people have been discussing here.

A few years ago, it would have been nearly impossible to find a decent room for 500 baht in Patong during low season, let alone high season. It seems that many larger guesthouses and small hotels have been beaten into submission by the package tour companies just so they could keep their doors open. The hotels and guesthouses that are too small to participate in the package tours can't survive unless they can offer something truly unique to independent tourists. This is borne out by the number of newer cookie cutter small hotels and guesthouses that have closed, or are up for sale. Now, add to this the fact that a large number of the tourists coming to Phuket are participants in package tours, where they're told (and sometimes forced) where to shop, and where to eat, and we can see why small businesses like restaurants and bars are finding themselves in a world of financial hurt, and thus closing.

The comparison year over year goes like this: 15% more bodies in total, with a very significant number paying less for rooms, shopping and eating in tour-affiliated venues, and generally not drinking in bars, versus last year's number of bodies, all paying a higher room rate, eating, drinking and shopping in local independent venues.

As for stats concerning the nationality of arrivals - obviously Immigration has these, and I would expect that these figures are shared with TAT. I have no idea whether this is done, but it seems to be good business practice to require tour operators to report their monthly arrivals to TAT.

The statistics are available for anyone to see.

http://www.tourism.go.th/home/details/11/221/25516

[Bangkokazy]

Interesting reading thanks Mad mitch

[DrDave]

The statistics are available for anyone to see.

http://www.tourism.go.th/home/details/11/221/25516

Some great information in that link!

A couple of surprising (to me) highlights from this March 2016 arrival data:

- Chinese arrivals were nearly 50% higher than arrivals from all European countries (including Russia) combined,

accounting for almost 30% of all arrivals.

- Malaysians accounted for over 10% of all arrivals.

- Japanese and Korean arrivals each were higher than those from UK, USA and Australia.

[KarenBravo]

I think we all know that tourism to Phuket is changing. Away from it's traditional markets and more towards other Asian countries.

As Asia gets more developed and life styles improve, foreign holidays become more popular. So, turning to these markets is inevitable and makes sense in the long term.

But, there are spots where Westerners are increasing

I see more and more retirees here every year. What with small government pensions and high costs in their home country, they come to Phuket for the good weather where they can get "more bang for their buck".

The most noticeable increase is are European couples and I figure as the immigration crisis in Europe deepens and the taxes to pay for it go up, we will see more of them.

The marine business, plus all the service businesses that go along with it are making money hand-over-fist. There are more yachts being based here and the marinas are virtually full. There is even a government initiative to build a whole bunch of new marinas around the Andaman, two of them for Phuket. Phuket will become the yachting centre of Asia........if it isn't already.

As for Patong; as long as it has a beach and is within close distance to an international airport, it will survive.

As for the individual businesses; if your traditional market customers are decreasing, then, your have to change your market. Adapt, or die. It's as old as evolution.

Edited May 17, 2016 by KarenBravo

[Sharp]

Pretty much spot on KB.. I've also noticed a 'marked' increase in the Arab in Phuket..

[LivinginKata]

Yes, spot on KB. As for adapt or die - I'll be dead soon enough, no point adapting

[NamKangMan]

I think we all know that tourism to Phuket is changing. Away from it's traditional markets and more towards other Asian countries.

As Asia gets more developed and life styles improve, foreign holidays become more popular. So, turning to these markets is inevitable and makes sense in the long term.

But, there are spots where Westerners are increasing

I see more and more retirees here every year. What with small government pensions and high costs in their home country, they come to Phuket for the good weather where they can get "more bang for their buck".

The most noticeable increase is are European couples and I figure as the immigration crisis in Europe deepens and the taxes to pay for it go up, we will see more of them.

The marine business, plus all the service businesses that go along with it are making money hand-over-fist. There are more yachts being based here and the marinas are virtually full. There is even a government initiative to build a whole bunch of new marinas around the Andaman, two of them for Phuket. Phuket will become the yachting centre of Asia........if it isn't already.

As for Patong; as long as it has a beach and is within close distance to an international airport, it will survive.

As for the individual businesses; if your traditional market customers are decreasing, then, your have to change your market. Adapt, or die. It's as old as evolution.

"I think we all know that tourism to Phuket is changing." - true, but could this because Phuket has not changed, so the tourism market has changed, and voted with their feet and their baht? The same poor infrastructure and scams here that have been going on for decades.

I've asked the question many times, yet to receive an answer:

"Name one positive thing that has been implemented on Phuket for the benefit of tourists, expats, and locals, in recent times?"

There was the airport bus, but its operation was restricted to such a point it hardly benefits the masses. There was the recent suicide hotline, but it is yet to be implemented. There has been the recent beach encroachment clean up, but that seemed to turn away tourists that wanted an umbrella and lounge.

How could Phuket lose such a huge slice of the western market and still refuse to implement positive change????

I agree Asian emerging economies are gaining a middle class and are traveling, but as mentioned on this thread, there is no point have big tourist numbers without the big tourist baht. You just devalue the Phuket brand.

You say Phuket is "turning to these markets" but look at the product they are selling to these markets - very cheap package holidays, eating and shopping in businesses that have Chinese interests. Profits staying in China or being remitted to China, thus, they are called, "zero baht tourists."

I agree there will be more European couples retire here, but no where near the numbers of the 80's and 90's, when Phuket offered a tropical island lifestyle, at a value for money price. As those retirees from that era pass on, their numbers will not be replaced by current retirees to the same degree, so I see it as a loss of expat numbers, not a gain. There's just too much concrete and traffic here now, and at a less value for money price, to appeal to the same number of retirees as Phuket did in the past.

I agree that Phuket's loss of retirees will be other "spots" in Thailand gain. We saw this with Hua Hin.

From what I see, I agree marine arrivals are on the increase, but in general, these tourists do not require accommodation, and have a galley (kitchen) on board. Supply, maintenance and spare parts businesses will do better as more boats visit Phuket, but I doubt much baht will be spread around the island by them.

It's your final comment that sums up Phuket as a whole for me, KB, and not individual businesses here, that I see constantly undermined by all the issues that have never been addressed here, due to a greedy minority being in control.

"if your traditional market customers are decreasing, then, your have to change your market. Adapt, or die" - for me, it's those in control of Phuket that have refused to adapt, and so their traditional western tourist market is dying. They continually stay with their same old corrupt money making ways.

That Singha beer that a bar on Bangla Road is selling is the same Singha beer that was sold on Bangla Road 10 years ago. Bars survived in the past, but they are dying now. The product, in this example a Singha beer, hasn't changed, but what has changed is the environment around that product, a Singha beer.

So, I don't think it's the individual businesses that must adapt to make them profitable again, but those in charge of Phuket must change to make ALL businesses across the island profitable again, otherwise, what's stopping the Chinese market declining in the same way the western market has, then what will Phuket's market be?

You can't keep playing musical chairs with tourist markets because eventually, when the music stops, the tourists will have found a chair elsewhere.

[simon43]

Agree NKM. In any business sector, if your business sector is doing well and your own business is doing fine, the last thing that you should do is to be complacent. Those businesses who previously marketed to 'western' tourists are now in trouble, due to the decline in tourist numbers from those markets.

But I fear that the same thing will happen with the 'cheap and cheerful' Chinese sector. I adapted my own little business to the Chinese sector and I'm doing fine, right now. But I am 99% sure that an event in the future, (either in Thailand or in China), will cause the flood of Chinese tourists in Phuket to dry up, - hence the introduction of signage in Mongolian and Swahili at my resort

The problem with the Phuket authorities is that they have been totally complacent for years, thinking that their cup will runneth over until the cows come home. Now they are so far behind in 'renovating' the island (flood prevention, tourist safety, wastewater management etc), that they have an almost unscalable mountain to climb.

[KarenBravo]

I think we all know that tourism to Phuket is changing. Away from it's traditional markets and more towards other Asian countries.

As Asia gets more developed and life styles improve, foreign holidays become more popular. So, turning to these markets is inevitable and makes sense in the long term.

But, there are spots where Westerners are increasing

I see more and more retirees here every year. What with small government pensions and high costs in their home country, they come to Phuket for the good weather where they can get "more bang for their buck".

The most noticeable increase is are European couples and I figure as the immigration crisis in Europe deepens and the taxes to pay for it go up, we will see more of them.

The marine business, plus all the service businesses that go along with it are making money hand-over-fist. There are more yachts being based here and the marinas are virtually full. There is even a government initiative to build a whole bunch of new marinas around the Andaman, two of them for Phuket. Phuket will become the yachting centre of Asia........if it isn't already.

As for Patong; as long as it has a beach and is within close distance to an international airport, it will survive.

As for the individual businesses; if your traditional market customers are decreasing, then, your have to change your market. Adapt, or die. It's as old as evolution.

I agree there will be more European couples retire here, but no where near the numbers of the 80's and 90's, when Phuket offered a tropical island lifestyle, at a value for money price. As those retirees from that era pass on, their numbers will not be replaced by current retirees to the same degree, so I see it as a loss of expat numbers, not a gain. There's just too much concrete and traffic here now, and at a less value for money price, to appeal to the same number of retirees as Phuket did in the past.

I agree that Phuket's loss of retirees will be other "spots" in Thailand gain. We saw this with Hua Hin.

There are already far more retirees here in Phuket than there ever were in the 1980's and 90's. This can only be achieved by more coming than are leaving (for whatever reason).

Maybe get out of Patong and check out Bang Tao, Surin, Chalong, Rawai and Nai Harn. You can't wave a stick without hitting a retiree...

[stevenl]

The statistics are available for anyone to see.

http://www.tourism.go.th/home/details/11/221/25516

Some great information in that link!

A couple of surprising (to me) highlights from this March 2016 arrival data:

- Chinese arrivals were nearly 50% higher than arrivals from all European countries (including Russia) combined,

accounting for almost 30% of all arrivals.

- Malaysians accounted for over 10% of all arrivals.

- Japanese and Korean arrivals each were higher than those from UK, USA and Australia.

I don't think there are any surprises in these stats, except maybe less Russians. Koreans, Japanese, Malaysians in great numbers has been going on for many, many years already. I think the number of Japanese is getting less though.

[xvend]

Agree NKM. In any business sector, if your business sector is doing well and your own business is doing fine, the last thing that you should do is to be complacent. Those businesses who previously marketed to 'western' tourists are now in trouble, due to the decline in tourist numbers from those markets.

But I fear that the same thing will happen with the 'cheap and cheerful' Chinese sector. I adapted my own little business to the Chinese sector and I'm doing fine, right now. But I am 99% sure that an event in the future, (either in Thailand or in China), will cause the flood of Chinese tourists in Phuket to dry up, - hence the introduction of signage in Mongolian and Swahili at my resort

The problem with the Phuket authorities is that they have been totally complacent for years, thinking that their cup will runneth over until the cows come home. Now they are so far behind in 'renovating' the island (flood prevention, tourist safety, wastewater management etc), that they have an almost unscalable mountain to climb.

Can you ever make a post without mentioning your 1 star hotel? It's blatant spam.

Edited May 17, 2016 by xvend

[xylophone]

Agree NKM. In any business sector, if your business sector is doing well and your own business is doing fine, the last thing that you should do is to be complacent. Those businesses who previously marketed to 'western' tourists are now in trouble, due to the decline in tourist numbers from those markets.

But I fear that the same thing will happen with the 'cheap and cheerful' Chinese sector. I adapted my own little business to the Chinese sector and I'm doing fine, right now. But I am 99% sure that an event in the future, (either in Thailand or in China), will cause the flood of Chinese tourists in Phuket to dry up, - hence the introduction of signage in Mongolian and Swahili at my resort

The problem with the Phuket authorities is that they have been totally complacent for years, thinking that their cup will runneth over until the cows come home. Now they are so far behind in 'renovating' the island (flood prevention, tourist safety, wastewater management etc), that they have an almost unscalable mountain to climb.

Can you ever make a post without mentioning your 1 star hotel? It's blatant spam.

Harsh call, IMO, xvend, after all the matter being discussed at the moment is about businesses, tourism, tourist numbers and nationalities, and he is in that very business and has first-hand experience, so why not mention it?

On top of that he is always open about the business he runs and the "whys and wherefores" thereof, and I for one enjoy reading his comments..........always good to get info from someone with knowledge and "skin in the game".

[dageurreotype]

Agree NKM. In any business sector, if your business sector is doing well and your own business is doing fine, the last thing that you should do is to be complacent. Those businesses who previously marketed to 'western' tourists are now in trouble, due to the decline in tourist numbers from those markets.

But I fear that the same thing will happen with the 'cheap and cheerful' Chinese sector. I adapted my own little business to the Chinese sector and I'm doing fine, right now. But I am 99% sure that an event in the future, (either in Thailand or in China), will cause the flood of Chinese tourists in Phuket to dry up, - hence the introduction of signage in Mongolian and Swahili at my resort

The problem with the Phuket authorities is that they have been totally complacent for years, thinking that their cup will runneth over until the cows come home. Now they are so far behind in 'renovating' the island (flood prevention, tourist safety, wastewater management etc), that they have an almost unscalable mountain to climb.

Can you ever make a post without mentioning your 1 star hotel? It's blatant spam.

Have to agree. Just one bloody post without your mentioning your business or 'inability to sell lucrative business' [sic] would add some cred to your posts.

As to the demographics, from that which I have witnessed, the Chinese are now being target-for-scam bait. Just this morning I was saddened to find it necessary to rescue a couple of Chinese girls from being harassed by two Thai guys on a bike the length of previously quiet Sai Yuan. They're all Asians after all and a tad timorous. Particularly when not in large groups. Same with most Russians really.

Phuket Town today had just one or two tourists in the Old Town area. I do sense desperation, and it's only the start of the low season. How it all pans out now is really anyone's guess. We shall all see .. shortly

[xylophone]

Agree NKM. In any business sector, if your business sector is doing well and your own business is doing fine, the last thing that you should do is to be complacent. Those businesses who previously marketed to 'western' tourists are now in trouble, due to the decline in tourist numbers from those markets.

But I fear that the same thing will happen with the 'cheap and cheerful' Chinese sector. I adapted my own little business to the Chinese sector and I'm doing fine, right now. But I am 99% sure that an event in the future, (either in Thailand or in China), will cause the flood of Chinese tourists in Phuket to dry up, - hence the introduction of signage in Mongolian and Swahili at my resort

The problem with the Phuket authorities is that they have been totally complacent for years, thinking that their cup will runneth over until the cows come home. Now they are so far behind in 'renovating' the island (flood prevention, tourist safety, wastewater management etc), that they have an almost unscalable mountain to climb.

Can you ever make a post without mentioning your 1 star hotel? It's blatant spam.

Have to agree. Just one bloody post without your mentioning your business or 'inability to sell lucrative business' [sic] would add some cred to your posts.

As to the demographics, from that which I have witnessed, the Chinese are now being target-for-scam bait. Just this morning I was saddened to find it necessary to rescue a couple of Chinese girls from being harassed by two Thai guys on a bike the length of previously quiet Sai Yuan. They're all Asians after all and a tad timorous. Particularly when not in large groups. Same with most Russians really.

Phuket Town today had just one or two tourists in the Old Town area. I do sense desperation, and it's only the start of the low season. How it all pans out now is really anyone's guess. We shall all see .. shortly

I do agree on your point regarding the Chinese being targeted now as I too have seen three instances where Chinese couples have been stopped by the motorbike OPCs (Outside People Chasers as they are called in the Timeshare/similar business) and I have watched for a short while whilst the OPC desperately tries to explain what it is all about. However by the look on the faces of the Chinese, they really don't have a clue!

Like you, and I have mentioned this in the past, I do sense not only desperation, but a sense of "tension" building and as you infer it's only going to get worse when the low season is in full swing.

[xvend]

Harsh call, IMO, xvend, after all the matter being discussed at the moment is about businesses, tourism, tourist numbers and nationalities, and he is in that very business and has first-hand experience, so why not mention it?

On top of that he is always open about the business he runs and the "whys and wherefores" thereof, and I for one enjoy reading his comments..........always good to get info from someone with knowledge and "skin in the game".

Skin in the game? He has no work permit (admitted several times on this forum) and a few sub-par bungalows NEAR THE AIRPORT. Not Patong. He has no skin in Patong, aside from maybe walking the streets as a TPV.

Yet, nonetheless, every post, and I do mean every one is either him talking about his Airport Hotel (or living out of his car when visiting family)

Edited May 17, 2016 by xvend

[LivinginKata]

Skin in the game? He has no work permit (admitted several times on this forum) and a few sub-par bungalows NEAR THE AIRPORT. Not Patong. He has no skin in Patong, aside from maybe walking the streets as a TPV.

Yet, nonetheless, every post, and I do mean every one is either him talking about his Airport Hotel (or living out of his car when visiting family)

I have to agree ... for so many years Simon has 'covertly' advertised his various guesthouses/hostels.

[DrDave]

Agree NKM. In any business sector, if your business sector is doing well and your own business is doing fine, the last thing that you should do is to be complacent. Those businesses who previously marketed to 'western' tourists are now in trouble, due to the decline in tourist numbers from those markets.

But I fear that the same thing will happen with the 'cheap and cheerful' Chinese sector. I adapted my own little business to the Chinese sector and I'm doing fine, right now. But I am 99% sure that an event in the future, (either in Thailand or in China), will cause the flood of Chinese tourists in Phuket to dry up, - hence the introduction of signage in Mongolian and Swahili at my resort

The problem with the Phuket authorities is that they have been totally complacent for years, thinking that their cup will runneth over until the cows come home. Now they are so far behind in 'renovating' the island (flood prevention, tourist safety, wastewater management etc), that they have an almost unscalable mountain to climb.

Can you ever make a post without mentioning your 1 star hotel? It's blatant spam.

I really doubt that Simon's target market is TVF members, so I don't consider it spam at all.

Yes, he shares more information about his business than most people operating a business here, but I find the majority of what he posts to be interesting and relevant, without being self-promoting.

[KarenBravo]

^

I'm with you.

[simon43]

OT for just 1 second:

In response to the accusations of covert advertising, can I point out that I haven't the slightest interest in promoting my business to TVF members. My target market are only those people who book rooms via the international, online websites (booking dot com etc). I don't even accept direct bookings and as far as I can remember, I have never had a single TVM member stay at my business. I do no advertising of my business to Thai people or expats in Thailand - they are not my target market at all.

I mention it when it is relevant to the discussion. If we're talking about the tourism/hospitality business in Phuket, then some input from a TVF member with on-the-ground experience seems reasonable.

@xvend, in answer to your comments, they are 2 star guest rooms and I wasn't aware that they are sub-par. I haven't worked as a TPV in Patong for years and the last time that I slept in a car in the UK was maybe 10 years ago. Please try to keep up and welcome to the forum

Back on-topic, I have noticed an increase in the number of Russian guests, which seems to correlate with the stats from TAT. Is the rouble recovering?

[DrDave]

<snip>

@xvend, in answer to your comments, they are 2 star guest rooms and I wasn't aware that they are sub-par. I haven't worked as a TPV in Patong for years and the last time that I slept in a car in the UK was maybe 10 years ago. Please try to keep up and welcome to the forum

<snip>

No need for the "welcome", Simon .

A single-digit post count with combative/confrontational content in several posts is usually indicative of someone who's been banned on TVF, and recently created a new email address and TVF member id.

[NamKangMan]

I think we all know that tourism to Phuket is changing. Away from it's traditional markets and more towards other Asian countries.

As Asia gets more developed and life styles improve, foreign holidays become more popular. So, turning to these markets is inevitable and makes sense in the long term.

But, there are spots where Westerners are increasing

I see more and more retirees here every year. What with small government pensions and high costs in their home country, they come to Phuket for the good weather where they can get "more bang for their buck".

The most noticeable increase is are European couples and I figure as the immigration crisis in Europe deepens and the taxes to pay for it go up, we will see more of them.

The marine business, plus all the service businesses that go along with it are making money hand-over-fist. There are more yachts being based here and the marinas are virtually full. There is even a government initiative to build a whole bunch of new marinas around the Andaman, two of them for Phuket. Phuket will become the yachting centre of Asia........if it isn't already.

As for Patong; as long as it has a beach and is within close distance to an international airport, it will survive.

As for the individual businesses; if your traditional market customers are decreasing, then, your have to change your market. Adapt, or die. It's as old as evolution.

I agree there will be more European couples retire here, but no where near the numbers of the 80's and 90's, when Phuket offered a tropical island lifestyle, at a value for money price. As those retirees from that era pass on, their numbers will not be replaced by current retirees to the same degree, so I see it as a loss of expat numbers, not a gain. There's just too much concrete and traffic here now, and at a less value for money price, to appeal to the same number of retirees as Phuket did in the past.

I agree that Phuket's loss of retirees will be other "spots" in Thailand gain. We saw this with Hua Hin.

There are already far more retirees here in Phuket than there ever were in the 1980's and 90's. This can only be achieved by more coming than are leaving (for whatever reason).

Maybe get out of Patong and check out Bang Tao, Surin, Chalong, Rawai and Nai Harn. You can't wave a stick without hitting a retiree...

Well, I have noticed more couples, but in a social setting, so hard to tell if they are holiday makers, or retirees.

I mainly do my shopping at Big C in Jungceylon. You can easily pick the expat / retirees, from the holiday makers, by what's in their shopping basket, and the size of their shopping basket.

If you say there is an increase in retirees down your way KB, I'll accept that. I just wonder how long Phuket will retain them. I know a few that have left already, but they did not have a western girlfriend / wife.

Edited May 18, 2016 by NamKangMan

[Bangkokazy]

Patong is dead is not dead, but these days we have a new generation with tourists. who demand different things than many of there don`t have. Today there are couples and families coming. Bar and go-go beer and drinks. is not that it's looking for.

[NamKangMan]

Patong is dead is not dead, but these days we have a new generation with tourists. who demand different things than many of there don`t have. Today there are couples and families coming. Bar and go-go beer and drinks. is not that it's looking for.

"Bar and go-go beer and drinks. is not that it's looking for." - no, they are looking for friendly locals, proper public transport, fast internet, reliable electric, good roads, safe activities and water sports, clean ocean and beaches, affordable prices for food and beverage, flood mitigation, shopping options, reliable water supply etc etc.

Will they come back to Phuket????

Edited May 18, 2016 by NamKangMan

[johnatong]

Patong is dead is not dead, but these days we have a new generation with tourists. who demand different things than many of there don`t have. Today there are couples and families coming. Bar and go-go beer and drinks. is not that it's looking for.

"Bar and go-go beer and drinks. is not that it's looking for." - no, they are looking for friendly locals, proper public transport, fast internet, reliable electric, good roads, safe activities and water sports, clean ocean and beaches, affordable prices for food and beverage, flood mitigation, shopping options, reliable water supply etc etc.

Will they come back to Phuket????

My "electrics' are reliable, the internet is fast and also reliable, the roads would be safer if doddering expats and holiday makers would cease driving, our food is affordable, the beach is clean , we are never without water !

Were the h*ll do you live ?

[Bangkokazy]

in my home country average family uses 370,000 ฿ on summer vacation two weeks we demand more than you have to offer.

[NamKangMan]

Patong is dead is not dead, but these days we have a new generation with tourists. who demand different things than many of there don`t have. Today there are couples and families coming. Bar and go-go beer and drinks. is not that it's looking for.

"Bar and go-go beer and drinks. is not that it's looking for." - no, they are looking for friendly locals, proper public transport, fast internet, reliable electric, good roads, safe activities and water sports, clean ocean and beaches, affordable prices for food and beverage, flood mitigation, shopping options, reliable water supply etc etc.

Will they come back to Phuket????

My "electrics' are reliable, the internet is fast and also reliable, the roads would be safer if doddering expats and holiday makers would cease driving, our food is affordable, the beach is clean , we are never without water !

Were the h*ll do you live ?

"Were the h*ll do you live ?" - Patong. You know, Phuket's main tourist area, with Phuket's biggest tourist attraction, Bangla Road.

My water and electric is fine, internet is ok, not great, and the cost of living here doesn't bother me.

My point being, for tourists staying in the tourists areas, what will their opinion of Phuket be, and will they be back?

Edited May 18, 2016 by NamKangMan

[Bangkokazy]

we do not travel to Thailand when it's summer in Europe.

is the rainy season with you there