Patong is dead - but what about the rest of Phuket?

[NamKangMan]

Sheraton is building a new resort at Ao Por. They do have a good taste of the location as the hill where they are building offers one of the best views of this area.

http://www.apexpcl.com/residential_detail_2.php

Looks a bit like Ao Por is going to be the most popular area on the east coast.

There is an interesting article in the top left hand corner of page 6 in the business section of The Bangkok Post.

The article can be viewed online. Forum rules prevent me from posting the link.

The article is about Phuket hoteliers, including foreign investors, selling their hotels to take advantage of high land prices here, with some investing that money elsewhere, including investing in neighboring countries.

To me, it reads like a "sell off."

[2fishin2]

NKM only thing I want to say....and Im sure you will come back with some obscure fuzzy argument is, just because a person visits a bar where a sex worker is employed does not make him a "sex tourist." And the two meal thing, hahahahahah your math is seriously fuzzy. Next thing you know immigration, hotels, taxis, are part of the sex tourism trade just because a sex tourist had to use their facilities. Oh better yet the airlines are in on it too. [emoji6]

[NamKangMan]

NKM only thing I want to say....and Im sure you will come back with some obscure fuzzy argument is, just because a person visits a bar where a sex worker is employed does not make him a "sex tourist." And the two meal thing, hahahahahah your math is seriously fuzzy. Next thing you know immigration, hotels, taxis, are part of the sex tourism trade just because a sex tourist had to use their facilities. Oh better yet the airlines are in on it too. [emoji6]

"Fuzzy logic" - really?

I agree, not everyone that visits a bar where prostitutes work are in the game. Sometimes they just want to relax and have a drink.

Ok, I'll address the businesses you mention.

Hotels - please explain to me the purpose of the "joiner fee" for hotels? Doesn't the hotel profit from this "fee?" Isn't this fee generated from the sex trade?

Taxis - so a sex tourist stays in Kata, for example, but wants a girl for the night. He catches a "taxi" into Bangla Road for this purpose. Doesn't the taxi driver profit from this? Bangla Road is Phuket's biggest tourist attraction, due to the adult nightlife. Are you suggesting taxis do not profit from transporting people to and from this tourist attraction?

Airlines - maybe you can explain to me why AirAsia has the Phuket - Udon Thani - Phuket route? Oh, that's right, to cater for all the legit Thai staff working on Phuket that are from Issan. No way AirAsia sells seats on this route to cashed up bar girls and profits from this route. Yeah, right?

Immigration - not really a business as such, but it has been argued that Thai immigration is a business / industry, so i will address it. Once a foreigner enjoys the sex trade here, or starts a relationship with a bar girl, he wants a longer stay visa, perhaps even relocate here. Usually it's the 30 day visa exemption with 30 day extension, or a 60 day tourist visa. Both cost money. Doesn't the Thai Government profit from these visa fees?

"the two meal thing" - do you think a sex tourist who takes a bar girl for the night, or his 2 week holiday, sits on plastic chairs on the footpath and eats noodle soup? Most will take them to restaurant, and then to a bar, or a nightclub, for a night out. Bigger money will be spend by him, on her, for food and beverage than her buying som tum for herself.

My point is, the guy isn't here for the sun and the beach first, and the sex second. He's here for the sex first, and many industries profit from this.

If there was no sex on offer here, he wouldn't come here in the first place. Get it?

"just because a sex tourist had to use their facilities" - can't you see "the flow on effect" from the sex trade into other industries, particularly the hospitality industry????

Edited June 17, 2016 by NamKangMan

[2fishin2]

^^^ NKM you have some strange personal logic. I cant argue with you because you dont seem to think like the rest of the people here. Please carry on and enjoy life [emoji2]

But you are incorrect, the majority of tourists who come to Phuket are NOT your version of sex tourists. And just because a person has a little lady for the evening does not automatically make him a sex tourist.

Is it possible to be a "long term sex tourist?"

Probably if they live in Patong [emoji2]

Edited June 17, 2016 by 2fishin2

[Guest]

While I support the idea of discussions taking it's own course, regardless of the original topic, it seems that the debate is now concentrated to the ghetto, which was explicitly excluded on the topic.

Maybe it's time to report what is going on in the rest of the province?

I'd say the North East corner of Phuket is developing. Roads are been widened, new projects popping up in Paklok area. The going forward attitude is strong.

[NamKangMan]

^^^ NKM you have some strange personal logic. I cant argue with you because you dont seem to think like the rest of the people here. Please carry on and enjoy life [emoji2]

But you are incorrect, the majority of tourists who come to Phuket are NOT your version of sex tourists. And just because a person has a little lady for the evening does not automatically make him a sex tourist.

Is it possible to be a "long term sex tourist?"

Probably if they live in Patong [emoji2]

I'll take your post as no response.

"you have some strange personal logic" - no, it's just an observation of the money flow. There are still many sick buffalo in Issan.

"you dont seem to think like the rest of the people here" - thank Buddha.

"Please carry on and enjoy life" - that's why I am here.

And just because a person has a little lady for the evening does not automatically make him a sex tourist." - sure, but would that person have come here in the first place, if the option for a shag didn't exist?

"Is it possible to be a "long term sex tourist?" - sure, why not?

"Probably if they live in Patong" - the sex trade is island wide, country wide, in fact. It's not restricted to Patong.

Here's a thought, have you seen Bangla Road, and surrounds, on an enforced Buddha Day? How much money is lost, due to the closure of the sex trade on a Buddha Day? It's not just the lost of money from alcohol sales.

Edited June 17, 2016 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

While I support the idea of discussions taking it's own course, regardless of the original topic, it seems that the debate is now concentrated to the ghetto, which was explicitly excluded on the topic.

Maybe it's time to report what is going on in the rest of the province?

I'd say the North East corner of Phuket is developing. Roads are been widened, new projects popping up in Paklok area. The going forward attitude is strong.

Agree, and it is again the same person that always derails topics.

[NamKangMan]

While I support the idea of discussions taking it's own course, regardless of the original topic, it seems that the debate is now concentrated to the ghetto, which was explicitly excluded on the topic.

Maybe it's time to report what is going on in the rest of the province?

I'd say the North East corner of Phuket is developing. Roads are been widened, new projects popping up in Paklok area. The going forward attitude is strong.

I'll bring the thread back on topic.

The Chinese package holiday makers are the main tourists coming here now. They spend very little money once here, and the majority of profit from them remains in China, hence, they are called "zero baht tourists."

I don't see them buying bars, restaurants, cafes, massage shops, businesses, and property here in the future, as westerners did before them.

i certainly don't see them taking a bar girl for a wife and sending her family money every month.

So, whilst the sex trade generated a lot of money for Phuket in the past, it may not in the future, as the Chinese do not indulge. This leads to a contraction in the local economy.

Did you read the article in The Bangkok Post I mentioned? Big hotels are on the market. The owners are looking to cash out and invest in other destinations. What does that say about the future of tourism on Phuket?

Development doesn't always equal profits. How many shop houses here have never been leased? There is already an oversupply of property, with more coming onto the market every month. This will put downward pressure on property prices here. Some, possibly many, may have to sell for less than what they paid, if they can sell at all.

It will take more than some beach encroachment clean up to bring the western market back to Phuket.

For these reasons, I see other parts of the island going in the same direction as Patong.

Edited June 17, 2016 by NamKangMan

[NamKangMan]

While I support the idea of discussions taking it's own course, regardless of the original topic, it seems that the debate is now concentrated to the ghetto, which was explicitly excluded on the topic.

Maybe it's time to report what is going on in the rest of the province?

I'd say the North East corner of Phuket is developing. Roads are been widened, new projects popping up in Paklok area. The going forward attitude is strong.

Agree, and it is again the same person that always derails topics.

And again, it is you with nothing else to contribute other than personally attacking me.

Why is it so surprising to you that some divers may also come here for a shag????

Edited June 17, 2016 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

While I support the idea of discussions taking it's own course, regardless of the original topic, it seems that the debate is now concentrated to the ghetto, which was explicitly excluded on the topic.

Maybe it's time to report what is going on in the rest of the province?

I'd say the North East corner of Phuket is developing. Roads are been widened, new projects popping up in Paklok area. The going forward attitude is strong.

Agree, and it is again the same person that always derails topics.

And again, it is you with nothing else to contribute other than personally attacking me.

Why is it so surprising to you that some divers may also come here for a shag????

Glad you agree it was you that derailed the topic.

If divers want a shag and go to Patong it is no surprise to me, does happen. But since this thread is specifically not about Patong it would be off topic

[NamKangMan]

While I support the idea of discussions taking it's own course, regardless of the original topic, it seems that the debate is now concentrated to the ghetto, which was explicitly excluded on the topic.

Maybe it's time to report what is going on in the rest of the province?

I'd say the North East corner of Phuket is developing. Roads are been widened, new projects popping up in Paklok area. The going forward attitude is strong.

Agree, and it is again the same person that always derails topics.

And again, it is you with nothing else to contribute other than personally attacking me.

Why is it so surprising to you that some divers may also come here for a shag????

Glad you agree it was you that derailed the topic.

If divers want a shag and go to Patong it is no surprise to me, does happen. But since this thread is specifically not about Patong it would be off topic

Point being, if Patong dies, the sex trade is not on offer to the same degree it was in the past, therefore YOUR customers decide to go diving somewhere else, where they can also have a shag.

This means YOUR business, which is not in Patong, suffers, which leads to "the rest of Phuket" suffering the same fate as Patong.

Admittedly, diving is not the best example of this, but hotels, guest houses, restaurants, cafes etc (mainly the hospitality industry) will suffer financial loss.

A lot of businesses on Phuket profit from the Patong draw card.

[Guest]

What is the feeling of the future in different parts of the island?

Do you see new hotels, road widening, residential developments popping up? I would guess so.

The part of the island I have lived for the past 6 years is changing. Maybe a bit too fast, but then again, it's nice to get more people, services and action to this part of the island. We have been the outback, where the Thai way of living hasn't changed yet changed too much.

Currently I see far, far more traffic in this part of the island, compared to what I saw 5, 3 or 1 year ago. Ao Por is becoming it's own new centre by itself.

Most likely the west coast locations still attract much more people to live in, but my gut feeling tells me that the change is much faster in the northern parts of the island.

[NamKangMan]

What is the feeling of the future in different parts of the island?

Do you see new hotels, road widening, residential developments popping up? I would guess so.

The part of the island I have lived for the past 6 years is changing. Maybe a bit too fast, but then again, it's nice to get more people, services and action to this part of the island. We have been the outback, where the Thai way of living hasn't changed yet changed too much.

Currently I see far, far more traffic in this part of the island, compared to what I saw 5, 3 or 1 year ago. Ao Por is becoming it's own new centre by itself.

Most likely the west coast locations still attract much more people to live in, but my gut feeling tells me that the change is much faster in the northern parts of the island.

The "ghetto" is spreading. You will be in it soon enough.

[Guest]

This is how it looks here at Ao Por.

The signs were posted first.

The first buildings at the viewpoint.

[SooKee]

One place outside of Patong that's sure dead now is Surin Beach, since it's been turned into the Beirut theme park.

Quite a lively place to go before with something different on offer and a bit of on upmarket feel about. Now??? Squat! I would expect hundreds of thousands of baht spent there on a monthly basis before.

The hotels there are feeling the pinch too with free services being laid on to ferry people back and forth to new, similar style venues in Kamala. Guess they'd have to really. F all reason to stay at a Surin beach hotel otherwise.

I guess people can always go socialise in the crappy, zero atmosphere, everyone looks the same, concrete beer bars in Bangtao as a consolation. Or just go spend their holiday and their money somewhere else while Phuket implodes.

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[Cylon]

No major traffic build up at Chalong Circle. Because they have done away with U turns. And a lot less traffic.

[stevenl]

No major traffic build up at Chalong Circle. Because they have done away with U turns. And a lot less traffic.

A lot less traffic, therefor no major traffic build up. It can be busy though coming from Rawai in the late afternoon, and if it rains in the mornings.

[KarenBravo]

Chalong and Rawai getting quieter and quieter.

Still a fair gathering at the Asia Bar and Jasmine Bar for market days on Mondays and Thursdays, though.

[bubblegum]

Drive around Rawai at 9 or 10 pm not a sole to see. But that's every year the same at this time, well the last 4/5 years.

[NamKangMan]

Drive around Rawai at 9 or 10 pm not a sole to see. But that's every year the same at this time, well the last 4/5 years.

I don't think Rawai can be dead, because it's never really been alive.

[2fishin2]

Drive around Rawai at 9 or 10 pm not a sole to see. But that's every year the same at this time, well the last 4/5 years.

I don't think Rawai can be dead, because it's never really been alive.

Actually Rawai is one of the best kept secrets in Phuket. Dont spoil it [emoji2]

[Guest]

It's nice to hear what is happening at different parts of the island. Let's expand the questions a bit more.

I know that us who have lived in the island have selected locations to live, which suites to our own preferences and expectations.

Sometimes our expectations are met, sometimes not.

So where do you live, what is important for you in your living environment? What did you expect your location to be? Did it happen?

Also, what should be done to make the place better?

[NamKangMan]

It's nice to hear what is happening at different parts of the island. Let's expand the questions a bit more.

I know that us who have lived in the island have selected locations to live, which suites to our own preferences and expectations.

Sometimes our expectations are met, sometimes not.

So where do you live, what is important for you in your living environment? What did you expect your location to be? Did it happen?

Also, what should be done to make the place better?

"So where do you live" - the outskirts of Patong.

"what is important for you in your living environment?" - access to to nightlife, restaurants, shopping and beaches, without driving / riding whilst intoxicated, or being ripped of by tuk-tuk drivers. (my work around is I get a lift from a bar owner friend, or his missus, in lieu of buying a few drinks in his bar)

"What did you expect your location to be?" - I expected it to be not the nicest place to live on Phuket, but the most practical for my needs.

"Did it happen?" - yes?

"what should be done to make the place better?" - Phuket desperately needs proper public transport.

Proper public transport would go a long way to luring the lucrative western market back to the island, drastically reduce the death toll on the roads here, spread the tourist and they money more evenly across the island, reduce parking and traffic issues, reduce accidents, reduce noise and pollution, give tourists more freedom of movement around the island, and generally give them a more pleasant and affordable holiday on Phuket.

Locals and expats would also benefit greatly, should Phuket be allowed to have proper public transport.

[LivinginKata]

Just noticed that the Big One supermarket in Kata has now closed down. Used to be the only proper supermarket in Kata for as long as I can remember. But along came Lotus, then SuperCheap, and now Makro. Big One just withered away these last few years .... only a matter or time, and the staff knew it.

[KarenBravo]

Just noticed that the Big One supermarket in Kata has now closed down. Used to be the only proper supermarket in Kata for as long as I can remember. But along came Lotus, then SuperCheap, and now Makro. Big One just withered away these last few years .... only a matter or time, and the staff knew it.

Same for the one 100m from Hayaek on Viset.

[LivinginKata]

Also hear that Swenson ice cream shop in Kata center has closed (not seen with my own eyes yet), with the Pizza Company next door closing soon.

Edited July 2, 2016 by LivinginKata

[sebastion]

Also hear that Swenson ice cream shop in Kata center has closed (not seen with my own eyes yet), with the Pizza Company next door closing soon.

Wow. That area has really gone down hill. I see the tuk tuks are making use of the construction on that road and parking their fleet across the lane.

[madmitch]

Also hear that Swenson ice cream shop in Kata center has closed (not seen with my own eyes yet), with the Pizza Company next door closing soon.

Rents too expensive there, I believe. Both part of the same company (Minor Group), as is Coffee Club who are just down the road and from what I've seen usually empty.

[sebastion]

Also hear that Swenson ice cream shop in Kata center has closed (not seen with my own eyes yet), with the Pizza Company next door closing soon.

Rents too expensive there, I believe. Both part of the same company (Minor Group), as is Coffee Club who are just down the road and from what I've seen usually empty.

Coffee club was gone nearly a year ago and wasnt owned by minor group. Its actually an aussie chain of cafes. They relocated that one to laguna area.

[KarenBravo]

Seeing what Taina road has become, especially compared to how it was, is heartbreaking.