I have a round florescent light fixture in my car park. I turn it on in the afternoon and can leave it on all night with no problems. Perhaps I have to flick the switch two or three times to get it to start.

At night it won't start. I can flip it 3 or 10 times no matter. It won't start at night.

Do I have a ghost or is there a logical explanation for this?

Logical would be the heat - but I can't think of a reason that should apply - maybe replace the ballast?

Is it linked to a passive infra red detector....which you may have set at the wrong time of day...i.e. Not dusk. In which case that would be a reason for it not to work.

Possibly low supply voltage at night, our village supply is lowest in the evening when everyone is home. Once the tube has struck it will stay on at much lower voltage.

You could try replacing the ballast with an electronic one, they're much more tolerant of supply levels.

Or you have ghosts.

I have also a round kind of light outside my house same as you experienced fixed the problem by changing only the switch the small one not the all box

I have also a round kind of light outside my house same as you experienced fixed the problem by changing only the switch the small one not the all box

Not at the fixture outside but at the light switch inside my home?

Yes the on off switch in side home. Mine also in side home

Thank you gentlemen with your help I have figured it out. There are three lights on that circuit. If I turn on the carport one first it goes on no problem. It will not go on if the other two are on first (which is normal at night). Another problem solved by ThaiVisa members and staff. Good job. Hip Hip Horrah