Rawai - is it dead at the mo? also whats the situation regarding the new drink driving laws?

[KarenBravo]

I'm gob-smacked that anyone could think I was serious. It was meant to be "witty".

Edited December 31, 2015 by KarenBravo

[louse1953]

I know better brigade,i drive better when i've had a few.Maybe you shouldn't drive when you have had no alcohol,if you drive better after you have had a few. I am amazed so early into the NY,the arrogance and ignorance of some people.

[louse1953]

Cheers all... think some of you have got me wrong, I dont plan on getting lashed and driving around, I was talking a few beers but your right... push bike it is lol

" Another thing I wanted to ask, when I last visited you would rent a motorbike and drive from bar to bar etc"

Is that what you do in your own country of origin?

If not, why not ?

Not at all, think you got me wrong mate,

Happy new years to you all you miserable set of ******* (joke)

That's what we all say.One more Teeluk,and when the lil head starts doing the thinking,all hope is lost.

[louse1953]

The risk level associated with drinking and driving in Thailand means it's not worth it. It's not a matter of tut-tutting, just common sense.

The only positive outcome one can get is getting home unscathed and unchecked.

The negative outcomes can include:

1/ Getting caught by the police. As a falang, you are a prime target for the heftiest fine they can think up. Loss of licence also.

2/ You're in an accident, no-one injured. Police will breath-test you, you will be liable irrespective of whose fault it was, and your insurance company will walk away.

3/ Someone is injured in an accident. You will be paying their hospital bills. See (2) as well.

4/ Someone is killed in an accident. If it's you, your problems have ended. Your next of kin's won't have. If it's someone else, your problems are only just beginning.

If you want to drink, fine. Just do it at your own place, sleep over at a mate's place, or get a taxi if you want to cruise the bars. It's simply not worth the risk.

"or get a taxi if you want to cruise the bars" - and there lays the problem. There are no proper taxis. Hence, the OP's post, and let's be honest, we all know where he's coming from.

It's the reason why the road death toll is huge on Phuket, and we rarely ever hear about those left in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives.

Also, in my opinion, it's the single biggest cause of Phuket's loss of the western tourist market. Basically, criminals controlling the freedom of movement around the island of everyone.

It's a disgrace.

Bugger me,an economy run on the premise of being able to drink and drive.Surely you Phuket drinkers can work a deal. out.

[louse1953]

Phuket is not the place to bar hop, unless by foot.

If you ride / drive whilst intoxicated - you run the risk of being extorted for a large bribe, or, arrested and put in a cell over night, and then fined.

Or, worse still, you crash and seriously hurt / kill yourself - no travel insurance.

Or hurt / kill a Thai - then you are potentially looking at losing your life savings.

But, worse than all of this, you may have to catch a Phuket tuk-tuk who will charge you 1000 baht to go about 2 kilometers, and if you don't pay, he will break your arm.

Now, can you see why Phuket is struggling to attract western tourists and it's quiet, very quiet?

"If you ride / drive whilst intoxicated - you run the risk of being extorted for a large bribe,"

Extorted? Wherever the money ends ups, I hope you get "extorted" for all your worth for putting others' lives at risk.

There in lay the problem, Suradit69.

The BiB here will take 10,000 baht and let you continue on your way.

A friend of mine was riding drunk a while ago, the BiB asked him for 10k to "fix problem." He was escorted to the nearest ATM, handed over 10k, and rode off.

Makes you wonder the lowly amount a drunk Thai would pay for the same crime and accident waiting to happen.

a Thai wouldn't be stupid enuf to pay 10k.10 <deleted> k,man musta been drunk.

[Valentine]

The 10k fine is about the official figure for drunk driving, at least it was about 12 years ago. A Thai lady I know was fined that amount by the court. It was also the amount of bail money she had to post in order not to have to spend the night in jail although the next day the "court appearance" involved having to sit in a jail cell all day & then pay the fine at around 5pm. Around the same time a Thai guy I knew had the same experience except he had to spend the night in jail as he could not post bail.

In the 90s when Soi Sunset was full of open air bars & used to rage from around 1am until daybreak a friend of mine was so drunk when he tried to get on his motorbike he collapsed in a heap all tangled up with a policeman who sitting on the next bike. The officer dutifully helped him to his feet & steadied him on his bike before giving him a push to get going.

[bazza40]

In Phuket, approximately 30% of all road accidents are caused by drunk drivers.

Therefore approximately 70% of all road accidents are caused by sober drivers.

I'll let you figure out which is the safest state to drive in.........

Love your approach to statistical analysis - must remember it.

[grumpyoldman]

The 10k fine is about the official figure for drunk driving, at least it was about 12 years ago. A Thai lady I know was fined that amount by the court. It was also the amount of bail money she had to post in order not to have to spend the night in jail although the next day the "court appearance" involved having to sit in a jail cell all day & then pay the fine at around 5pm. Around the same time a Thai guy I knew had the same experience except he had to spend the night in jail as he could not post bail.

In the 90s when Soi Sunset was full of open air bars & used to rage from around 1am until daybreak a friend of mine was so drunk when he tried to get on his motorbike he collapsed in a heap all tangled up with a policeman who sitting on the next bike. The officer dutifully helped him to his feet & steadied him on his bike before giving him a push to get going.

Saw something similar in Kata, late 90's used to be a place we'd hang out, 99 Club or something, the soi was where the Andaman Coffee Club and Sugar Mali Resort are now. Some Euros across the way had been drinking all day, one goes to get on his bike and completely falls off and lands on the bike next knocking it over, all his mates in hysteria.

His mates come over and lift up downed bike, and help supermao onto his own bike. As this occurs one of the friends grabs and pockets the keys. Supermao spends about 20 minutes trying to figure out why the bike won't start, friends have since retired back to the bar.He ended up buggering off and staggering back to a nearby guesthouse.

[glassdude007]

My motorbike trip around Rawai last night was normal same as last year.....

The only sign of Police activity was at the bottom of the hill near the Or Ba tor office same as every 7 days of What ever its called...

Flashing lights haplessly put in roadway...Police all sitting at table reading newspapers etc etc..Doing nothing basicly...

More of a traffic hazard than anything else....

Cheers and Happy New Year

[Jimi007]

It has been very busy around Rawai and Nai Harn for the past few days. There are very few, if any actual police in this area. They'd have to get off their ass and drive down from Chalong. Mostly volunteer Civil Defense people in their tan uniforms around here... Hopefully everyone goes home by Monday in one piece!

[stevenl]

It has been very busy around Rawai and Nai Harn for the past few days. There are very few, if any actual police in this area. They'd have to get off their ass and drive down from Chalong. Mostly volunteer Civil Defense people in their tan uniforms around here... Hopefully everyone goes home by Monday in one piece!

Yes, many Thai out and about.

[bkmbkk]

If you are stopped in a police Check Point (blow over limit for alcohol) there are most likely no option of bribing your way out.

Now they will put you in the local jail for the night.

Next day you will pay a fine at local police station and transferred to Phuket town waiting jail cell.

You sit there with other prisoners and wait for your turn to pay another fine.

After you are free - unless they confiscate your car / bike (I read they do that now as well)

1 day lost, and very uncomfortable procedure.

Never again !

I know above first hand

[ryanhull]

If you are stopped in a police Check Point (blow over limit for alcohol) there are most likely no option of bribing your way out.

Now they will put you in the local jail for the night.

Next day you will pay a fine at local police station and transferred to Phuket town waiting jail cell.

You sit there with other prisoners and wait for your turn to pay another fine.

After you are free - unless they confiscate your car / bike (I read they do that now as well)

1 day lost, and very uncomfortable procedure.

Never again !

I know above first hand

What fine did you pay and will they even take a rented bike off you? like I say I am push biking it now but interested to know... also, did you not see the checkpoint ahead and stop? or was you tanning it? cheers

[bkmbkk]

If you are stopped in a police Check Point (blow over limit for alcohol) there are most likely no option of bribing your way out.

Now they will put you in the local jail for the night.

Next day you will pay a fine at local police station and transferred to Phuket town waiting jail cell.

You sit there with other prisoners and wait for your turn to pay another fine.

After you are free - unless they confiscate your car / bike (I read they do that now as well)

1 day lost, and very uncomfortable procedure.

Never again !

I know above first hand

What fine did you pay and will they even take a rented bike off you? like I say I am push biking it now but interested to know... also, did you not see the checkpoint ahead and stop? or was you tanning it? cheers

I paid total 11000 Bht

I saw the Check point too late and was not too concerned as I speak Thai and did know about the tee money previously worked (now not) - I was in a car.

Car or bike does not matter - we where 6 guys caught same time, the others where on bike.

It is new practise they also take the vehicle, but I would imagine they do not care if it is rental or not

You will clear that with owner

[ryanhull]

I paid total 11000 Bht

I saw the Check point too late and was not too concerned as I speak Thai and did know about the tee money previously worked (now not) - I was in a car.

Car or bike does not matter - we where 6 guys caught same time, the others where on bike.

It is new practise they also take the vehicle, but I would imagine they do not care if it is rental or not

You will clear that with owner

Ouch, so they took your car? what was the price to get it back? man you should obviously have not been drink driving in the first place but if you was surely you would have seen the check point and pulled up, speaking Thai is'nt going to do you much good is it? anyway you live and learn I guess, cheers

[eisfeld]

Some people just have to learn it the hard way I guess. The problem is that there is an unlimited supply of idiots.

[grumpyoldman]

My motorbike trip around Rawai last night was normal same as last year.....

The only sign of Police activity was at the bottom of the hill near the Or Ba tor office same as every 7 days of What ever its called...

Flashing lights haplessly put in roadway...Police all sitting at table reading newspapers etc etc..Doing nothing basicly...

More of a traffic hazard than anything else....

Cheers and Happy New Year

I'll second this and Jimi007, I rode to Nai Harn Beach in the evening NY's, rode back for dinner to somewhat central Sai Yuan, rode back to the beach for the festival and midnight fireworks, rode home, no cops, only brown shirt parking people.

[beechbum]

My motorbike trip around Rawai last night was normal same as last year.....

The only sign of Police activity was at the bottom of the hill near the Or Ba tor office same as every 7 days of What ever its called...

Flashing lights haplessly put in roadway...Police all sitting at table reading newspapers etc etc..Doing nothing basicly...

More of a traffic hazard than anything else....

Cheers and Happy New Year

I'll second this and Jimi007, I rode to Nai Harn Beach in the evening NY's, rode back for dinner to somewhat central Sai Yuan, rode back to the beach for the festival and midnight fireworks, rode home, no cops, only brown shirt parking people.

Thirded....

[Rimmer]

A profane troll post has been removed

[eisfeld]

I get the feeling that Rawai and Naiharn recently got quite popular with the Thai population.

Saw loads of Thai famalies on Rawai beach eating or having a picnic as well as swimming on the left side of Naiharn beach during the past week.

Quite nice.

It seemed busier because of that than the previous years. On the other hand I think there are less western foreigners around.

The Gypsie village feels every year slightly more like a drug infested crook hole. From the guys trying to charge you for parking on public land to some very rude beggars and dirty restaurant staff.

[beechbum]

I get the feeling that Rawai and Naiharn recently got quite popular with the Thai population.

Saw loads of Thai famalies on Rawai beach eating or having a picnic as well as swimming on the left side of Naiharn beach during the past week.

Quite nice.

It seemed busier because of that than the previous years. On the other hand I think there are less western foreigners around.

The Gypsie village feels every year slightly more like a drug infested crook hole. From the guys trying to charge you for parking on public land to some very rude beggars and dirty restaurant staff.

There's always lots of Thai families at Nai Harn on weekends, nothing new about that IMO.

[The Big Mango]

Same for the rawai beach front restaurants always way more Thais than farangs

[eisfeld]

I know there have always been many Thais enjoying these places, what I wanted to say is that there is a trend: growing Thai visitors, declining westerners. I could be wrong of course.

[steelepulse]

Ever since the loungers have been cleared off of Nai Harn, more Thai families have been coming on Sundays. Over the long holiday weekend, there were more cars in the car park than I've ever seen before, thanks to more tourists renting cars and the 100,000 baht scheme for Thais.

[Dorion]

If you drink...Don't drive.. if you care little about your own life you have no right to feel the same way about other people's loved ones....Walk home or get a Taxi like the people who care about you do.

Ditto!

My wife and I live in Rawai where there are lots of little bars in walking distance from one another. The best choice is to walk if you are going to have more than one drink. Actually, you would do well to not drive at all because it's too easy to have another and another even after planning to just have one. Most of the tourist areas in Phuket are similar - you can walk to bars and walk back to your hotel, condo, whatever. Just watch out for the tuk-tuks going the wrong way on the edges of the road where sidewalks should be but aren't, motorcycles too, - just stay out of the roadways and keep to the imaginary sidewalks as best as you can. Cheers!

[stoneyboy]

If you drink...Don't drive.. if you care little about your own life you have no right to feel the same way about other people's loved ones....Walk home or get a Taxi like the people who care about you do.

Ditto!

My wife and I live in Rawai where there are lots of little bars in walking distance from one another. The best choice is to walk if you are going to have more than one drink. Actually, you would do well to not drive at all because it's too easy to have another and another even after planning to just have one. Most of the tourist areas in Phuket are similar - you can walk to bars and walk back to your hotel, condo, whatever. Just watch out for the tuk-tuks going the wrong way on the edges of the road where sidewalks should be but aren't, motorcycles too, - just stay out of the roadways and keep to the imaginary sidewalks as best as you can. Cheers!

Herein lies the problem,you try to avoid doing the wrong thing by not drinking and driving by walking on foot, only to have to run the gauntlet of being mowed down trying to make your way back to your home or hotel on imaginary pavements.

Poorly lit streets,people riding the wrong way,people without working lights and numerous other hazards to many to mention make it nearly as dangerous as drinking and driving in the first place.

While I don't condone drinking and driving/riding sadly there is a fine line as to what's actually the safest option sometimes.

Due to the lack of adequate public transport and hassle free traveling options whereby you don't get fleeced for being a Farang.

Edited January 6, 2016 by stoneyboy

[grumpyoldman]

Surprise visit by an old college pal this week, took him around Rawai Tuesday night. After hitting a few stops ended up at the Banana bars, he said "well not really a whole lot going on around here eh?".

I said "ah man, I think we're early still" but then i looked at the time, it was 11:45, so not that early, really very few about. The most interesting thing was seeing one of the most haggardly ladyboys just about get into some boxing with one of the female bar owners, otherwise, dull as do*sh*t........

[ryanhull]

Surprise visit by an old college pal this week, took him around Rawai Tuesday night. After hitting a few stops ended up at the Banana bars, he said "well not really a whole lot going on around here eh?".

I said "ah man, I think we're early still" but then i looked at the time, it was 11:45, so not that early, really very few about. The most interesting thing was seeing one of the most haggardly ladyboys just about get into some boxing with one of the female bar owners, otherwise, dull as do*sh*t........

Ty for the update mate, to be honest I had a feeling it would be dead this time of year... can I ask what is the Banana bars? worth going too? cheers mate

[Jimi007]

Surprise visit by an old college pal this week, took him around Rawai Tuesday night. After hitting a few stops ended up at the Banana bars, he said "well not really a whole lot going on around here eh?".

I said "ah man, I think we're early still" but then i looked at the time, it was 11:45, so not that early, really very few about. The most interesting thing was seeing one of the most haggardly ladyboys just about get into some boxing with one of the female bar owners, otherwise, dull as do*sh*t........

Oh good, "high season" is over already! Maybe I'll go out! I pretty much stayed home for the "7 days of danger."

[KarenBravo]

A good "bell-weather" bar for the Rawai area is the White Hart.