Patong is dead.

[DrDave]

17 minutes ago, phuketjock said:

I have been observing this thread for some time now and it seems to me

that most of the posters think Patong consists of Nanai rd., Jungceylon and

Bangla rd. area? Btw I still find decent food in the Islander off Bangla.

There is much more to Patong than these areas.

For info Dr.Dave the 9th floor has been closed since last week due to fairly

serious electrical fire in the kitchen but the owner is claiming closed for

" maintenance " .

Several Fire engines in the car park last week tell a different story, why lie about it??

 

 

The OP by Hansgruber (whatever happened to him, anyway?), and the majority of the subsequent discussion has been about the economic health of Patong. It makes sense, then, that much of the discussion would be relative to the main commercial areas of Thaweewong, Bangla, Sai Kor and Nanai roads, as well as Jungceylon.

 

You're right - there's more to Patong than these areas, especially some of the nicer residential areas on the outskirts, but we've been primarily focusing on the economic stability and future outlook of the business community.  

[NamKangMan]

On 04/03/2017 at 3:30 PM, xylophone said:

Jumping around a bit here, but it is all about Patong..............

 

I notice that the "Jeffers" restaurant in Jungceylon has closed, as has the Nike store almost opposite, although I'm not sure why?

 

If the quality of the tourists here at the moment is anything to go by, the above wouldn't be a surprise although "Jeffers" should fit the bill. Although don't know if the influx of Russians these days could even stretch to this and as if to qualify that remark, I witnessed a spectacle in Big C that really epitomised that as there was one low rent Russian female who was absolutely mouthing off at a poor Thai girl at the checkout, shouting out loudly and angrily in Russian about something or another and it was embarrassing – – so much so that I went up to the woman and stood in front of her and motioned her to calm down as well as uttering the word "shhhhh".

 

It seemed to work for a few minutes, but when I was a short distance away, she started again.

 

Over the past few days I have observed quite a few Russian folk at the Big C checkouts and along with the bottles of beer which they are trying to buy outside of hours, they have just a few packets of crisps or a couple of plastic wrapped food items, presumably for eating back in their hotel room.

 

So with the cheap Chinese and low rent Russians, this place is certainly attracting the high-rollers – – yeah right.

 

As others have mentioned on here, there are many small businesses which are suffering and shutting up shop and it looks like the NANAI COWBOY, the leather working and shoe shop in Nanai Road, about 100 m before the junction with Soi Sainamyen is all but gone (still open though, albeit in a reduced shop space).

 

I have used him several times before, especially to fix shoes which are very comfortable and I don't want to throw away, and he seems to be able to fix anything from trainers/runners through to sandal type shoes as well as boat shoes, not to mention high heels (not that I wear them anymore!!). He also makes shoes, boots and jackets etc, so I implore anybody who has anything like that which needs repairing to go along and use him, because it would be a shame to see something like that shut, because he is an artisan and leather workers and shoemakers are a rare breed these days.

 

I really fear for many of the small businesses on the fringes and wonder how much longer they will last, and when you even have smaller hotels in the new main drag closing, perhaps the writing is on the wall.

 

Bangla inspection scheduled for this evening.................

 

 

 

My recent observations are similar to yours, XP.

 

What amazes me, and yes, I know we are in "Amazing Thailand" is that with all the closures and for sale signs, and the majority of the tourist market now being cheap Chinese package holiday makers, NOT ONE SINGLE THING has been done, by any department, to address the huge change in the tourist demographic, which in turn, effects the local Phuket economy.

 

Unless they have an ace up their sleeve, and I have suggest previously, that "ace" could be casinos, the Phuket economy is surely contracting, and rapidly, with nothing being done to stop the decline.

 

 

[chrisandsu]

24 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

 

 

My recent observations are similar to yours, XP.

 

What amazes me, and yes, I know we are in "Amazing Thailand" is that with all the closures and for sale signs, and the majority of the tourist market now being cheap Chinese package holiday makers, NOT ONE SINGLE THING has been done, by any department, to address the huge change in the tourist demographic, which in turn, effects the local Phuket economy.

 

Unless they have an ace up their sleeve, and I have suggest previously, that "ace" could be casinos, the Phuket economy is surely contracting, and rapidly, with nothing being done to stop the decline.

 

 

Excellent points . Personally I think the white market has been bled dry and has no more room for growth . Chinese is the new market but the wealthy Chinese are not dumb enough to buy property they can't own. They are heavily investing in countries where they can own . The city I live in is being bought up by the Chinese at an alarming rate . Multi million dollar homes bought with cash ! 

[Old Croc]

Many believe there is a casino in Phuket, already built, waiting for the go ahead.

http://www.thephuketnews.com/police-raid-casino-island-32332.php

[xylophone]

Don't know that the cheap Chinese and Russians would have enough money to spend in a casino, but then again perhaps it would attract a different sort of clientele (highrollers for example) which may be better for Patong in the long run?

 

I did venture out into Bangla a few evenings ago and it was much the same as my other reports, with the road itself being very busy, and a few of the bars lining it were reasonably busy, however the majority of the bigger bars and Sois were not doing good business at all and I was surprised that Soi Freedom was as empty as it was, especially as the band were playing.

 

Having said that, New York bar was not as full as usual, neither was Monsoon and as for Tao, it's lucky that this bar is not just the owner's sole source of income otherwise he would have been bust by now!

 

As I was walking down Bangla carefully avoiding other folk, one of the Russian women (I won't say lady) in a red dress holding a sign promoting a Russian go go bar stepped backwards into my path and I stumbled just a little after catching the back of her shoe. Her fault, but the filthy look that I received afterwards, despite me saying sorry, was enough to stop you dead in your tracks. 

 

Sometimes I get tired of Bangla and the bar scene, yet other times I welcome the opportunity to catch up with friends and have a laugh, and also watch the world go by, doing some people watching......but at least it is nightlife and it is there if I want to use it, whereas I would miss it if it wasn't.

 

I did mention the Jeffers restaurant in Jungceylon closing down, well that has now reopened on the level above the "Le Siam" restaurant in the centre circle of Jungceylon, replacing the Joe Louis restaurant and I'm not altogether sure that it is the best place for this restaurant because if you didn't know where to look for it, you really wouldn't see it!

 

The little red "ex shipping container" at the rear of Jungceylon which used to sell "Fries and Sausages" and was sold to the owner who has now opened "Patty Moos Authentic burgers" (or something of that ilk) continues to do next to no business, just like its predecessor. And as for new restaurants, the Japanese one next to YaYoi continues to struggle.

 

There are quite a few "for sale/rent" signs up around the place, and despite this, a new bar has opened up in Nanai Road and I've yet to see one person it; Amigo's bar advertises that it is open at 9 a.m. up until......., however a few times when I've been past it at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., it is still closed? I wonder if these people have run businesses before?

 

Le Scoglio restaurant continues to do next to zilch business and an Italian/Thai restaurant almost opposite, "Baoli" seems to have closed its shutters, whereas there seem to be a few cheap eateries opened up in Nanai 8, frequented by the cheap French/Africans who seem to "colonise" this end of Nanai.

 

Other than the mention of a casino, there would appear to be nothing, as already has been stated, to attract the calibre of tourists to Patong which would see it thrive and improve in many respects. It would seem that the people at the top end of the "graft money pipeline" are satisfied with their takings at the moment, although I have heard on the grapevine that this is not the case!

 

 

[Bulldozer Dawn]

On 3/12/2017 at 7:51 AM, Old Croc said:

Many believe there is a casino in Phuket, already built, waiting for the go ahead.

http://www.thephuketnews.com/police-raid-casino-island-32332.php

 

Excuse the pun, but my money is on the yatch club at Nai Harn being converted into a casino.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

I had the unfortunate circumstances of having to go to the Phuket airport this week to pick up some cargo.  I was also going to spend a night or two in Phuket town and Patong.  However the irrefutable sh**fight that now constitutes the airport and the horror of the new tunnel works cured me of that inclination.  Witnessing a motorbike road death was the straw that broke the camel's back.  As soon as I had my cargo in hand I hightailed back off the island of death.

 

Highlights of my trip:

 

1. Vehicle searched at Sarasin checkpoint
2. Witnessed horrible accident just on the island.  Old muslim man riding honda hit by white vios.
3. 1 hour traffic jam because of another accident at new orange cone u-turn set up north of airport turnoff.
4. Had to park outside the airport because not sure where cargo was to be picked up.  Parked in designated zone way south of Airport entrance.  Approached by three minvan drivers and told I could not park there.
5. Walked back to front of airport.  Stopped by military guys and asked why I was walking and not in a taxi.
6. Saw staff member from aviation company that was delivering my cargo.  Asked where the collection point was and told (100% sure) that it was inside domestic terminal.
7. Navigated the temporary steel steps up and over the front fence to get into terminal.
8. Outside the domestic terminal overheard a very attractive late twenty something girl asking a tout how much for a cab to Karon.  The guy told her it was 2,000 baht.
9. Had to take off my belt, glasses, car keys, wallet, phone, and steel caps to make my way through the x-ray.  Noticed that all of the security staff were female and wearing hijabs.
10. Went to the office of the aviation company inside the terminal and showed a copy of my cargo ticket.  Told that the collection point was not in the airport but back out on the main road (100% sure).
11. Walked back out to my car and on the way stopped by the Military again.
12. More death stares from minivan drivers but pleasantly surprised no flat tyres or other damage inflicted on my car.
13. Drove to the cargo office and parked outside.
14. Staff inside cargo office advised that plane 1.5 hours late (fortunately I did not have to wait too long because I was running late also because of aformentioned adventures)
15. While waiting in cargo office minivan guy came in and told me I was parked in his spot.  Girls in office told me to ignore him.
16. Cargo arrived and put in my truck.  Minivan had parked me in, so had to get one of the girls from the office to watch me so that I could reverse out via a small gap.
17. Stopped at 7 eleven to buy a coke and cashier tried to short change me 200baht from 1,000 baht note.

What a horrendous scene the tunnel works are for new tourists arriving in Phuket.  The giant rusting old pile drivers are like a scene out of a mad max movie. 

Edited March 22, 2017 by Bulldozer Dawn

[NamKangMan]

10 minutes ago, Bulldozer Dawn said:

I had the unfortunate circumstances of having to go to the Phuket airport this week to pick up some cargo.  I was also going to spend a night or two in Phuket town and Patong.  However the irrefutable sh**fight that now constitutes the airport and the horror of the new tunnel works cured me of that inclination.  Witnessing a motorbike road death was the straw that broke the camel's back.  As soon as I had my cargo in hand I hightailed back off the island of death.

 

Highlights of my trip:

 

1. Vehicle searched at Sarasin checkpoint
2. Witnessed horrible accident just on the island.  Old muslim man riding honda hit by white vios.
3. 1 hour traffic jam because of another accident at new orange cone u-turn set up north of airport turnoff.
4. Had to park outside the airport because not sure where cargo was to be picked up.  Parked in designated zone way south of Airport entrance.  Approached by three minvan drivers and told I could not park there.
5. Walked back to front of airport.  Stopped by military guys and asked why I was walking and not in a taxi.
6. Saw staff member from aviation company that was delivering my cargo.  Asked where the collection point was and told (100% sure) that it was inside domestic terminal.
7. Navigated the temporary steel steps up and over the front fence to get into terminal.
8. Outside the domestic terminal overheard a very attractive late twenty something girl asking a tout how much for a cab to Karon.  The guy told her it was 2,000 baht.
9. Had to take off my belt, glasses, car keys, wallet, phone, and steel caps to make my way through the x-ray.  Noticed that all of the security staff were female and wearing hijabs.
10. Went to the office of the aviation company inside the terminal and showed a copy of my cargo ticket.  Told that the collection point was not in the airport but back out on the main road (100% sure).
11. Walked back out to my car and on the way stopped by the Military again.
12. More death stares from minivan drivers but pleasantly surprised no flat tyres or other damage inflicted on my car.
13. Drove to the cargo office and parked outside.
14. Staff inside cargo office advised that plane 1.5 hours late (fortunately I did not have to wait too long because I was running late also because of aformentioned adventures)
15. While waiting in cargo office minivan guy came in and told me I was parked in his spot.  Girls in office told me to ignore him.
16. Cargo arrived and put in my truck.  Minivan had parked me in, so had to get one of the girls from the office to watch me so that I could reverse out via a small gap.
17. Stopped at 7 eleven to buy a coke and cashier tried to short change me 200baht from 1,000 baht note.

What a horrendous scene the tunnel works are for new tourists arriving in Phuket.  The giant rusting old pile drivers are like a scene out of a mad max movie. 

 

A lot of what you experienced on your visit is an everyday occurrence here.

 

Certainly reminds me of the frog in boiling water saying. 

 

How many expats here are just immune to it now?

[simon43]

@Bulldozer Dawn, did you get a chance after all that hassle to relax on the nearby Naiyang Beach? :)

[madmitch]

@BulldozerDawn

 

Are you sure you are posting in the right thread? All very interesting (seriously) but you didn't set foot anywhere near Patong!

[Old Croc]

I had to pick up some cargo one time.

I made a point of finding out where to go before leaving home and had none of the hassles described above. I certainly wouldn't have allowed myself to be misdirected into the passenger terminal.

I was held up for some time while customs opened the boxes and tried to work out how to extract money from me, but no problems other than that.

Never been stopped at the checkpoint. Always unfortunate when someone gets squished in front of you, but it's part of life, and death, in this mad country.

[NamKangMan]

On 23/03/2017 at 7:21 PM, Old Croc said:

I had to pick up some cargo one time.

I made a point of finding out where to go before leaving home and had none of the hassles described above. I certainly wouldn't have allowed myself to be misdirected into the passenger terminal.

I was held up for some time while customs opened the boxes and tried to work out how to extract money from me, but no problems other than that.

Never been stopped at the checkpoint. Always unfortunate when someone gets squished in front of you, but it's part of life, and death, in this mad country.

 

"I was held up for some time while customs opened the boxes and tried to work out how to extract money from me" - so, picking up your cargo was a pleasant experience, was it? 

 

"it's part of life, and death, in this mad country" - Thailand isn't "mad" it's just lawless, mainly due to corruption, thus, it remains 3rd World.   

Edited March 28, 2017 by NamKangMan

[Old Croc]

[NamKangMan]

On 23/03/2017 at 2:31 PM, madmitch said:

@BulldozerDawn

 

Are you sure you are posting in the right thread? All very interesting (seriously) but you didn't set foot anywhere near Patong!

 

I have always said, "Patong is coming to a beach near you."  

[xylophone]

I arrived back here from a stint in Vietnam, a place I will not visit again, and decided to visit Bangla, this after a three-week (or thereabouts) break from it.

 

Caught a motorbike taxi along Nanai Road and nothing has changed there, with Don's barbecue being empty, Don's pool bar being empty and Don's new bar, Yes Bar, also being empty; these along with a few other bars on Nanai being devoid of punters, apart from the Offshore Bar which had less than a handful of farangs in the place.

 

Certainly Nanai Road looks dead, however it's been heading that way for a while as I have said previously.

 

Was in Bangla at 8 p.m., heading towards my usual Italian restaurant and Bangla was certainly less crowded than in previous visits, but that's to be expected as we are heading into the low season.

 

The band in Tao was trying to work up some enthusiasm whilst playing to no-one and the band in Hot Chili was doing likewise, even though there were about four or five people in the place. Having said that, Bangla has never really hit its straps until about 10 p.m. onwards.

 

My usual Italian restaurant was about half full, whereas the one next to it was empty and one opposite had just a few diners in it. The restaurant just after the entrance to the Soi always seems to do good trade, although I can never understand why because having eaten there a few times, it is nothing special – – nor was the special of the day which I once ordered and which turned out to be almost raw pork fillet, which they refused to change saying it was their signature dish for the week. Never went back.

 

The other Italian restaurant was also empty, or was it closed?? Didn't really take note of that!

 

Took a walk up and down Bangla and the same scenario as before seems to be constantly repeated, with bars like Kangaroo bar being well frequented, the same with Smiley Bar although that does vary quite markedly, and reduced punters in the Aussie bar, but then that's been happening for a while – – and on that note the bars attached to it and down what was Soi Gonzo were empty all except one.

 

Soi Freedom seemed fairly busy early on in the piece until the ladyboys came on the stage and people started drifting away, and this was exacerbated by the fact that for 10 minutes after they left the stage, some piercing, screaming, thumping type music emanated from the speakers and just about cleared the bottom end of the Soi – – such a shame because the Filipino band were about to play and they were playing to just bar staff mostly until a few more punters drifted in.

 

Has always amazed me how the management of some of these places can't really see what's going on and allow idiots to take over the music, which is the case in Soi Freedom, but then TIT.

 

Walking home about 1.45 a.m. Bangla had thinned out quite markedly and although there were a few people in both Monsoon and New York venues, there certainly seemed (from where I was standing) like a dearth of customers in resurrected Tiger and new Tiger complexes, whereas the band in Tao were now playing to 3 punters!

 

Just a note on Soi Sea Dragon, nowhere near its past dizzy heights and the most prominent thing in this Soi nowadays is the constant harassment from the guys outside of the go-go bars, really getting in your face with their placards and so on and blocking your way, and this is even more prevalent these days because more of these go-go bars have opened up – – it is a pain.

[LivinginKata]

I passed the Amigo Bar on Nanai yesterday abiut 13,00 and I was surprised to see it open again. I guess some mug bought the lease .... ??

[xylophone]

15 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

I passed the Amigo Bar on Nanai yesterday abiut 13,00 and I was surprised to see it open again. I guess some mug bought the lease .... ??

Seems that way and it's been empty most of the time except for a few punters on rare occasions........obviously the seller relied on "the bigger fool principle" to move it on!

[DrDave]

22 hours ago, xylophone said:

Seems that way and it's been empty most of the time except for a few punters on rare occasions........obviously the seller relied on "the bigger fool principle" to move it on!

Since the sign outside of Amigo says "Restaurant & Bar", we stopped in one afternoon while running errands a while back to have a look at the menu. Well, there's no menu, and we were told that they only prepare about 4 Thai stir fry dishes. So not much of a restaurant, I guess.

[NamKangMan]

On 20/04/2017 at 4:50 PM, xylophone said:

Seems that way and it's been empty most of the time except for a few punters on rare occasions........obviously the seller relied on "the bigger fool principle" to move it on!

 

"obviously the seller relied on "the bigger fool principle" to move it on!" - also applicable to the Phuket property market at the moment. 

[NamKangMan]

On 20/04/2017 at 4:26 PM, xylophone said:

I arrived back here from a stint in Vietnam, a place I will not visit again, and decided to visit Bangla, this after a three-week (or thereabouts) break from it.

 

Caught a motorbike taxi along Nanai Road and nothing has changed there, with Don's barbecue being empty, Don's pool bar being empty and Don's new bar, Yes Bar, also being empty; these along with a few other bars on Nanai being devoid of punters, apart from the Offshore Bar which had less than a handful of farangs in the place.

 

Certainly Nanai Road looks dead, however it's been heading that way for a while as I have said previously.

 

Was in Bangla at 8 p.m., heading towards my usual Italian restaurant and Bangla was certainly less crowded than in previous visits, but that's to be expected as we are heading into the low season.

 

The band in Tao was trying to work up some enthusiasm whilst playing to no-one and the band in Hot Chili was doing likewise, even though there were about four or five people in the place. Having said that, Bangla has never really hit its straps until about 10 p.m. onwards.

 

My usual Italian restaurant was about half full, whereas the one next to it was empty and one opposite had just a few diners in it. The restaurant just after the entrance to the Soi always seems to do good trade, although I can never understand why because having eaten there a few times, it is nothing special – – nor was the special of the day which I once ordered and which turned out to be almost raw pork fillet, which they refused to change saying it was their signature dish for the week. Never went back.

 

The other Italian restaurant was also empty, or was it closed?? Didn't really take note of that!

 

Took a walk up and down Bangla and the same scenario as before seems to be constantly repeated, with bars like Kangaroo bar being well frequented, the same with Smiley Bar although that does vary quite markedly, and reduced punters in the Aussie bar, but then that's been happening for a while – – and on that note the bars attached to it and down what was Soi Gonzo were empty all except one.

 

Soi Freedom seemed fairly busy early on in the piece until the ladyboys came on the stage and people started drifting away, and this was exacerbated by the fact that for 10 minutes after they left the stage, some piercing, screaming, thumping type music emanated from the speakers and just about cleared the bottom end of the Soi – – such a shame because the Filipino band were about to play and they were playing to just bar staff mostly until a few more punters drifted in.

 

Has always amazed me how the management of some of these places can't really see what's going on and allow idiots to take over the music, which is the case in Soi Freedom, but then TIT.

 

Walking home about 1.45 a.m. Bangla had thinned out quite markedly and although there were a few people in both Monsoon and New York venues, there certainly seemed (from where I was standing) like a dearth of customers in resurrected Tiger and new Tiger complexes, whereas the band in Tao were now playing to 3 punters!

 

Just a note on Soi Sea Dragon, nowhere near its past dizzy heights and the most prominent thing in this Soi nowadays is the constant harassment from the guys outside of the go-go bars, really getting in your face with their placards and so on and blocking your way, and this is even more prevalent these days because more of these go-go bars have opened up – – it is a pain.

 

"I arrived back here from a stint in Vietnam, a place I will not visit again" - why is that?  Where did you go in Vietnam?

[CharlieH]

Posts removed.

 

Stop with the bickering please.

[NamKangMan]

 

XP, where did you go in Vietnam, and was it "Dead" or busy with western tourists?

 

[xylophone]

13 hours ago, NamKangMan said:

 

XP, where did you go in Vietnam, and was it "Dead" or busy with western tourists?

 

Good day NKM, felt I needed a break from Patong so decided upon Vietnam because it's a place I had always thought I'd like to explore for a number of reasons, one of them being that it could act as a potential "bolthole" should I decide to leave Patong/Thailand.

 

Went to Da Nang and also visited Hoi An and wasn't impressed with either of them! Obviously Da Nang is the biggest and although supposedly the third largest city in Vietnam, it was pretty well dead as regards tourists, with just the occasional party of Chinese and Koreans encountered.

 

There is certainly a lot of building going on in Da Nang with new hotels going up everywhere you looked, so obviously they are gearing up for the tourism trade?

 

Hoi An was a disappointment because supposedly the prettiest part of the town and one which is said to be the drawcard, the area alongside of the river, was actually just full of small, cheap souvenir shops and the occasional pub/restaurant. Not only that this place was full of tourist buses and one can only assume they came from Da Nang, which will have easily swallowed up this amount of tourists without anyone noticing (I certainly didn't).

 

People are friendly however pubs and bars as we know them here are few and far between – – did find a couple of great restaurants though, one French and one Italian, so that went some way to making up for the disappointment of the visit.

 

I think it also cemented in my mind the fact that I am a small town person and I dislike cities.

 

All in all, nothing to go back for!

[NamKangMan]

On 22/04/2017 at 2:31 PM, xylophone said:

Good day NKM, felt I needed a break from Patong so decided upon Vietnam because it's a place I had always thought I'd like to explore for a number of reasons, one of them being that it could act as a potential "bolthole" should I decide to leave Patong/Thailand.

 

Went to Da Nang and also visited Hoi An and wasn't impressed with either of them! Obviously Da Nang is the biggest and although supposedly the third largest city in Vietnam, it was pretty well dead as regards tourists, with just the occasional party of Chinese and Koreans encountered.

 

There is certainly a lot of building going on in Da Nang with new hotels going up everywhere you looked, so obviously they are gearing up for the tourism trade?

 

Hoi An was a disappointment because supposedly the prettiest part of the town and one which is said to be the drawcard, the area alongside of the river, was actually just full of small, cheap souvenir shops and the occasional pub/restaurant. Not only that this place was full of tourist buses and one can only assume they came from Da Nang, which will have easily swallowed up this amount of tourists without anyone noticing (I certainly didn't).

 

People are friendly however pubs and bars as we know them here are few and far between – – did find a couple of great restaurants though, one French and one Italian, so that went some way to making up for the disappointment of the visit.

 

I think it also cemented in my mind the fact that I am a small town person and I dislike cities.

 

All in all, nothing to go back for!

 

Fair play to you XP, and I commend you for at least going and having a look around.

 

How many expats here have only been to Phuket and Issan.  (no prizes for guessing why they went to Issan)

 

They have nothing to compare Phuket to, yet, they say it's the best place in Thailand / South East Asia.   I have a laugh at these guys.

 

Many are "boiling frogs" here, and we must self assess. 

 

For me, I have never seen myself as having a right to live in Thailand, past that little sticker in my passport, so, I have always had a Plan B, or "bolt hole" as you say. 

 

If we were to look at the Governance of Phuket, in a subjective light, it becomes clear that this island is heading backwards.  So sad for an island with soooo much potential.  

 

Alas, many frogs continue to slowly boil in the water, with some frogs even saying the water is not even hot. 

[xylophone]

13 hours ago, NamKangMan said:

For me, I have never seen myself as having a right to live in Thailand, past that little sticker in my passport, so, I have always had a Plan B, or "bolt hole" as you say. 

 

If we were to look at the Governance of Phuket, in a subjective light, it becomes clear that this island is heading backwards.  So sad for an island with soooo much potential.  

Agree with the "Plan B" scenario and that's why I have also investigated Siam Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, because anything can change in this country, from attitude to xenophobia to governments to military and there could be no rhyme nor reason as to why it happens – – and of course us "visitors" may well be the 1st to have to go!

 

Closer to home, sure the powers that be on Phuket are only interested in lining their own pockets and that becomes blatantly obvious the longer you stay here and know a little bit about it. As regards Patong, well IMO this is a place which could have well turned into a tourist's delight and a high-class destination, but again greed has prevailed and Patong has been absolutely ruined by this, lack of planning, lack of strong governance and the inability to see past the easily available "baht/dollar/whatever".

 

I choose to stay here for the time being because I have gotten used to it and I have my own routine, friends and acquaintances and enjoy the restaurants and the occasional night out and who knows maybe I'll see my time out here because I have the ability to see past its shortcomings and enjoy what I enjoy.

 

Having said that – – – – –because of the TIT factor I will always have a "Plan B/bolthole" lined up!!

[simon43]

Quote

 

Having said that – – – – –because of the TIT factor I will always have a "Plan B/bolthole" lined up!!
 

 

 

That's a sensible idea, but where is this elusive, plan B bolthole?  You mention that Vietnam wasn't to your liking, but what about the Cambodian cities that you mentioned?  Anywhere else on your radar?

 

I can't say that I had a plan B lined up when I left Phuket.  Phnom Penh is somewhere that I go to from time to time. The centre of town near the riverside has improved over the years, plenty of nice restaurants, cheap but decent guesthouses etc.

 

Although I'm in Myanmar right now, Yangon and Mandalay are not on my plan B ==> Yangon is too crowded and Mandalay has no green spaces within the city.  I find Naypyidaw pleasant enough for now, albeit the place lacks any decent/basic shops etc.

 

If I had the time and money, then I'd get the Subway franchise for Naypyidaw and open a branch in the shopping centre here.

Edited April 24, 2017 by simon43

[xylophone]

55 minutes ago, simon43 said:

That's a sensible idea, but where is this elusive, plan B bolthole?  You mention that Vietnam wasn't to your liking, but what about the Cambodian cities that you mentioned?  Anywhere else on your radar?

I quite liked Siam Reap when I was there last and I do have friends who have relocated to Sihanoukville and to quite like it, so there are two options.

 

I have been to Singapore and it is not for me and I thought about places in Malaysia, however I have a friend who has a family there and who spends quite a bit of time in various places there and he doesn't recommend it.

 

Spain could be an option for a short while until I got my bearings and Myanmar doesn't appeal on the face of it, however I have yet to visit.

 

Obviously the Philippines looms large and although I have visited Manila a couple of times and didn't like it, I don't really know what the likes of Cebu could offer?

 

I suppose I could always journey back to NZ and find a nice place in the country, but then again it would be boring, so for the time being I have to hope that Patong (and Thailand) doesn't implode!!

 

 

[DrDave]

10 hours ago, xylophone said:

I quite liked Siam Reap when I was there last and I do have friends who have relocated to Sihanoukville and to quite like it, so there are two options.

 

I have been to Singapore and it is not for me and I thought about places in Malaysia, however I have a friend who has a family there and who spends quite a bit of time in various places there and he doesn't recommend it.

 

Spain could be an option for a short while until I got my bearings and Myanmar doesn't appeal on the face of it, however I have yet to visit.

 

Obviously the Philippines looms large and although I have visited Manila a couple of times and didn't like it, I don't really know what the likes of Cebu could offer?

 

I suppose I could always journey back to NZ and find a nice place in the country, but then again it would be boring, so for the time beingver I have to hope that Patong (and Thailand) doesn't implode!!

 

 

The problem with finding an alternative to Patong is that most of us have grown accustomed to all of the creature comforts available to us here. All manner of shopping from hypermarkets to local talads, hospitals and good healthcare, restaurants and bars, not to mention good beaches and recreational activities just minutes away. It's very hard to find something with all of those qualities in the tropics with a reasonable (low) cost of living.

 

As I've said before, if I were looking for a plan B, I'd be looking into one of the Caribbean islands, or possibly Mexico. Islands like Grand Cayman, Dominica, Barbados, Roatan and even the USVI and BVI look to be good choices for retired expats.  A good mix of creature comforts and a tropical environment, however the cost of living would be higher. I've been to Vietnam a few times, and felt that while Hoi An and Hue were nice places to visit, they probably wouldn't be suitable as a retirement destination.

 

In our case, we have a specific need to return to the US, so we've sold the house here and will be relocating to Florida over the next few months.

 

Hopefully Patong and Phuket in general will remain a viable expat location for the long term. While it may get worse before it gets better, I really don't think it'll completely implode. I would envision a scenario in which Patong is snatched from the brink of disaster at the last moment by smarter people who have deep vested interests here. As for the government at the national level - who knows? 

[xylophone]

Decided that a visit to Bangla would be on the cards so did exactly that last night and for the report, well read my report #1877 because except for the bit about the restaurants, everything else was the same apart from there being fewer people all round.

 

That of course doesn't apply to Tao because at 10 p.m. there were four people listening to the band and at 1:30 a.m. there were five people listening to the band!!

 

Behind the "resurrected Tiger" bar complex I counted 20 bars which were empty and two which were occupied by bar staff, though with no customers and of course there were the six large bars fronting it which did have punters in, though none in any great numbers.

 

I was told by a bar owner friend that Taipan had been shut down for a few day and word on the block seems to be that it was for after hours trading?? Don't know quite what the story is, however this would seem very strange if it was for this reason because Taipan has always ensured that there have been enough funds to supply the powers that be with "Tea" so that they can stay open late, so maybe the amount of tea which was needed to be bought was excessive? Or something else is in play and knowing a little about what happens here, it could well be that they were shut to be taught a lesson and to teach others a lesson.

 

In a while of course, the affected establishments will be approached with regards to staying open late and having to pay the necessary tea money in order to do so, but probably greater amounts. Rumours abound that the transfer of the governor out of Phuket was because he had advocated a later closing time, and of course this would have reduced the tea money income quite markedly.

 

On to other things and the Italian style restaurant at the south end of Nanai which I think was called Baoli has reopened as something else, but without a name and also seems devoid of customers as does the other Italian restaurant which has been closed for about a year now, Santa Christina, which after a short flurry of activity seems to have changed hands/cuisine and is now open, but serving what sort of cuisine? There are some blurry pictures on a sign above the entrance to the "restaurant" but quite what they are it is hard to determine.

 

And speaking of Italian restaurants, Lo Scoglio also at the south end of Nanai continues to underwhelm with nary a human in sight in the restaurant although small four-legged furry creatures are often seen running around just outside of it!

 

Cheap food and cheap rooms abound at the moment with Thai meals at 90 baht just off Bangla and at 80 baht in Nanai and rooms to be had for the cost of a few beers.

 

Chinese nowhere near as abundant as before, so let's hope that continues and on a purely selfish note, I look forward to the low season, however I do feel for the genuine small business owners who are trying everything to make a go of it, but not so much for the incompetents who open small businesses for no other reason than they can – – reminds me of the old saying, "why do dogs lick their d1cks; because they can".

Edited April 26, 2017 by xylophone

[Bulldozer Dawn]

On 1/1/2017 at 3:28 PM, NamKangMan said:

 

 

"Could it take 10-20 years for any real competitor to emerge/develop and threaten Phuket?" - ahhhh, where do you think all the western tourists that Phuket has lost over the last 2 years are going????

 

In my opinion, Phuket's biggest competitor will come from Vietnam.  (tourist numbers up 26% - and I would suggest, that's tourist with money, not "zero baht" Chinese package holiday tourists)

 

I also notice Vietnam's budget airline, Vietjet, is gaining more and more international routes, and frequency of flights.

 

While Phuket refuses to change, their competition has been developing their tourism industry, rapidly.

 

This is the type of places being built, particularly in Vietnam, whilst Phuket still allows its same old scams and extortion, with higher prices for poorer service.

 

http://www.thegrandhotram.com/

 

By not moving forward, Phuket is actually slipping backwards. 

 

On 1/1/2017 at 3:28 PM, NamKangMan said:

 

 

"Could it take 10-20 years for any real competitor to emerge/develop and threaten Phuket?" - ahhhh, where do you think all the western tourists that Phuket has lost over the last 2 years are going????

 

In my opinion, Phuket's biggest competitor will come from Vietnam.  (tourist numbers up 26% - and I would suggest, that's tourist with money, not "zero baht" Chinese package holiday tourists)

 

I also notice Vietnam's budget airline, Vietjet, is gaining more and more international routes, and frequency of flights.

 

While Phuket refuses to change, their competition has been developing their tourism industry, rapidly.

 

This is the type of places being built, particularly in Vietnam, whilst Phuket still allows its same old scams and extortion, with higher prices for poorer service.

 

http://www.thegrandhotram.com/

 

By not moving forward, Phuket is actually slipping backwards. 

Just thought I would pop back in to let you know that a couple of weeks ago I booked Vietjet flights for a holiday for me and my girl from Bangkok to Hanoi.  The ticket cost was 106 Baht.  No not a typo.... One hundred and Six Baht.  Local brewed beers in Hanoi are 20 baht a bottle.  Looking forward to the trip.