Phuket, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[phuketandsee]

They don't really cover the truly ugly:

Phuket, Thailand is an island that's rapidly developing and changing. It's no secret paradise anymore, as tourists from all over the world come in droves to soak up the sun and play at the beaches.

We have lived in Phuket, Thailand for almost three months and have really enjoyed our time here. During our extended stay in Phuket, we have been able to observe what makes it such an attractive destination and also have been able to uncover some of the inconveniences and unattractive parts of life on the island.

Here is our guide to Phuket, Thailand: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cliff-hsia/phuket-thailand-the-good-_b_6936680.html

[hansgruber]

Meh. 3 months isn't the longest time to really see what the island is all about.

All you did was point out the obvious flaws in the bad part.

You could have compiled that list by reading thaivisa for a few hours.

[Somtamnication]

sigh..

[hansgruber]

sigh..

[madmitch]

Extremely shallow and somewhat obvious article.

[CiaranO]

as Hansgruber has pointed out you didn't need to come here for three months to be able to write your article.

But i would like to poke holes in this story:

The Pests - what did you expect when you traveled to a warm humid climate in SE Asia?

The Dogs - again a simple google would have saved you the 1000 dollar airfare. But i have been here 5 years now and never have had one issue with a dog - but maybe its your character they didnt like.

Walking - I would tend to agree on this point but it doesn't bother me enough to go write and an article in a newspaper about it.

Crowded streets - yes 100%

Cheap labor - did you interview these people? Have you got the evidence to make such a sweeping statement

The Crime - yes crime exists as it does in every part of the world.

Tourism - are you aware Phuket is a tourist destination?

Patong Nightlife - it is what is is - again have you heard of Google.

So sad to think you may have been paid to write this.

[beechbum]

Didn't bother reading it, does the author mention where he comes from?

[steelepulse]

Don't think the OP authored the story, he was just pointing it out.

>>They don't really cover the truly ugly:

I read the article earlier today off a link from google news. A quick perusing of Thaivisa Phuket forum will get you the bad and the ugly, while TAT will give you the glossed over good. Looked like the guy is earning money for his trip around the world with his kids.

[hansgruber]

Didn't bother reading it, does the author mention where he comes from?

http://www.livefamilytravel.com/faqs-for-our-gap-year-of-world-travel/

San Jose, California

[hkt83100]

Didn't bother reading it, does the author mention where he comes from?

I am sorry I did. Who will pay me for the wasted time of my life?

[bubblegum]

3 month's and he knows all the in's and out's WOW what a man !

Took me my first year just to find a nice house.

I guess with all those chips making factories in SF people really get smart fast ....

Pfffff what a <deleted>

[DLock]

I expected a lot more from a 3-month stayer.

It was weak and it may as well have been written by a 1 week tourist.

No depth or substance at all. Little useful advice, obvious and light.

D -

[robertthebruce]

When i saw the heading, i thought someone had noticed me and my other half walking the side walk... then i realised what the article was about..

[fiddlehead]

If he would have lived here longer, perhaps he would have added a few: (my additions)

The Good: Food, Variety of food, prices, internet fairly consistent (and cheap), Prices for things made in Thailand, Quality hospitals and dentists, Thai women, Interesting culture,

The (pretty) Good: Infrastructure not bad, not many beggars compared to nearby countries, many nearby attractions: (Phangna, Phi Phi, Railay, Khao Lak, many islands)

The Bad: Immigration office, Egos on the road, Life guard contracts end when high season ends (and weather turns worse), lack of public parks, high turnover rate for teachers, Thai people quite poor at English language, good schools are expensive, lack of parking and general zoning planning, tough language to learn, Immigration rules seem to be a the whim of the officer,

The Ugly: Trash, Traffic, bus and cement truck drivers, Traffic, Too many tourists, Chalong circle at rush hour, lack of enforcement of rules causes many accidents. (did I mention Trash?)

Also, I don't agree with his assessment of rainy season only being 2 months, nor that there are too many bugs, (go to Maine in June and compare!),

Anyway, feel free to add your own.

[phuketrichard]

3 whole months wow

congrads

loved this one;

The Bad

Not walker friendly

considering its 576 square kilometres (222 sq mi) I should say not LOL

He could have written this form his house anywhere in the world

[Pinot]

A great deal of travel writing is poor. I have a travel blog, I know poor travel writing. It's a shame it isn't better written. So simplistic you have to worry about Huffpo's standards. This is acceptable? Are they that starved for content?

I love living here in Phuket. I'm lucky to be retired here. There are problems in an emerging third world nation. But, Thailand has so much to offer, the best food, the best scenery, the best women and the most fun.

The secret to happiness here in LOS and specifically Phuket, is to remember the daily (sometimes hourly) mantra..."it doesn't matter".

Thais are going to do what they decide to do and don't care about our opinions. Just enjoy it and shut up.

[dotpoom]

sigh..

One up-man-ship....gotta love it...(but this is a real good one)...enjoyed too much.

[Rhys]

Explains it all, based or lived in San Jose, CA, USA...Hmmm many wonderful places and cities to see in that part of the country.... guess he and the family got tired of not being able to see the mountains as a result of the smog. Additionally, San Jose had a fine population of Mexican Americans...currently the influx of Vietnamese American have taken over the businesses and other areas of downtown San Jose.. all the way down to first street and SJSU.

Do agree a very poor article, nothing...of value..

Edited March 26, 2015 by Rhys

[mikecat]

I guess you knew, or maybe you didnt, that when you posted this the Thaivisa faithful would be their usual charming selves. Well, I think it is a pretty good overview of the place for someone living here for three months and would be a pointer to those planning to visit in the future. None of this is news to me but I can see it being useful for someone who hasnt visited before and its always good to hear other peoples points of view. After all this is what forums are about.

Lastly, I would suggest you get away from Phuket and other such places and go and see the real Thailand.

Thanks for making the effort of posting your views and pics

[Dannyboy666]

Explains it all, based or lived in San Jose, CA, USA...Hmmm many wonderful places and cities to see in that part of the country.... guess he and the family got tired of not being able to see the mountains as a result of the smog. Additionally, San Jose had a fine population of Mexican Americans...currently the influx of Vietnamese American have taken over the businesses and other areas of downtown San Jose.. all the way down to first street and SJSU.

Do agree a very poor article, nothing...of value..

. Been in San Francisco my whole life, I don't think I've ever been DT in SJ, people who are from SF. Do not go there...

[Aussiescott]

The ONLY thing that's kept me here in 4 years is work, the missus and some financial ties... urghhhh... i love the beaches, especially now since the sun-beds have gone, i'd rather be up North at the farm TBO... PATONG, is a cesspit, especially Bangla Rd, I prefer Kata along the west coast, but I do like it up in the mountain where we are away from everything....

As others have said, you really have to live here longer to give a, accurate appraisal of the place and i feel when you do, it aint gunna be a rosy one!

[hansgruber]

I guess you knew, or maybe you didnt, that when you posted this the Thaivisa faithful would be their usual charming selves. Well, I think it is a pretty good overview of the place for someone living here for three months and would be a pointer to those planning to visit in the future. None of this is news to me but I can see it being useful for someone who hasnt visited before and its always good to hear other peoples points of view. After all this is what forums are about.

Lastly, I would suggest you get away from Phuket and other such places and go and see the real Thailand.

Thanks for making the effort of posting your views and pics

You do realise the member who posted this isn't the author of the blog.

He just shared it with us to ridicule.

[Old Croc]

. Been in San Francisco my whole life, I don't think I've ever been DT in SJ, people who are from SF. Do not go there...

Seeing as how the OP is such a V.I.P., shouldn't we keep the SJ on the Q.T.? 'Cause if it leaks to the RA he could end up M.I.A., and then we'd all be put out as OT.

(apologies to RW)

[tolsti]

come on guys... its the Fluffington post we're talking about.... written for Amerkins simpletons. You can't really expect high standards of journalism. It's like expecting the Daily Mail to write interesting non-subjective pieces.

Edited March 27, 2015 by tolsti

[off road pat]

Yep, nothing new here ,...every body that reads Thaivisa or the newspapers know all of this....and it took him 3 months to come to that conclusion...!

and what's with the dogs ? never had any problem with stray dogs in Thailand.....just pick up a stick or a stone .....on the other hand my wife is afraid of big dogs....

[Somtamnication]

And no mention of all the other scams that abound in this here paradise.

[Badrabbit]

Lived in Phuket for 6 yrs, just come back from Prachup Khiri Khan, loved the laid back living and non ting tong driving style, people seem much friendlier than here, being retired it's a serious consideration to leave Phuket behind and a distant memory! happy for the time being though!

[northernphil]

Never been to Phuket and have no intention of going there . Too many ferlung with all their BS. Hua-Hin was the same which is why we moved way up North. Now what I need to know is .......is .there anywhere with a beach in LoS that is free of thousands of pink ferlung riding around on scooters with a tin of Chang in one hand. The smog this year was too much and I want to find a beach or island next year to excape from all this.

[hansgruber]

Never been to Phuket and have no intention of going there . Too many ferlung with all their BS. Hua-Hin was the same which is why we moved way up North. Now what I need to know is .......is .there anywhere with a beach in LoS that is free of thousands of pink ferlung riding around on scooters with a tin of Chang in one hand. The smog this year was too much and I want to find a beach or island next year to excape from all this.

What a load of crap.

Pink Farang??? <deleted>.

Haven't seen anyone ever riding with a beer except for local thais.

Plenty of nice secluded areas in Phuket and I find it amazing Phuket is judged entirely based on Patongs reputation.

Please don't come, we have enough cynics. We're full.

[Badrabbit]

Never seen pink Farang, have seen a couple of people riding with a can of beer, seen a few people walking in shops with no top on, Phuket being a major tourist destination is bound to attract some unsavory people, I've enjoyed the last 6 yrs here, no problems other than the growing traffic, I would like a quieter more laid back place some time in the future, for now Phuket is home!