Many off-topic troll posts have been removed from this thread.

 

It has been suggested that this topic be closed as it seems to have run it's course.

 

All in favour?

25 minutes ago, Jai Dee said:

Many off-topic troll posts have been removed from this thread.

 

It has been suggested that this topic be closed as it seems to have run it's course.

 

All in favour?

That would be a shame as I like posting on this thread, esp my everyday experiences in Patong (and some others seem to like it too). Closing it because one antagonist seems to have an agenda to follow, doesn't seem right, but if you and others think it best............so be it.

 

That's my "ten-pence" worth. Now there's a new thread name: Everyday experiences in Patong!

36 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Closing it because one antagonist seems to have an agenda to follow, doesn't seem right, but if you and others think it best............so be it.

I am but a lowly moderator... it's your forum... you guys are the forum... it's your call not mine.

 

As a couple of us mods have recently had to wade in with our mops and sanitize this topic somewhat, it would help if you forum members immediately used the report function to alert online mods to trouble... don't respond to antagonists, and don't feed the trolls.

 

This is obviously a popular topic with over 900 posts so it would be a pity to have to close it.

 

Up to you.

19 minutes ago, Jai Dee said:

I am but a lowly moderator.

But you do have a "good heart"!!

 

I'll abide (obviously) with what others suggest................

Keep it running, please. It hasn't done badly: 59 pages and it hasn't generally been a thread for bickering and more often than not it's stayed on topic, quite something for a long-running thread on the Phuket forum!

 

Keep the thread running.  The personal attacks against me are taken with a grain of salt.

 

After 59 pages of content, there's bound to be a bit of banter, which isn't always a bad thing.

 

All in all, it's a good thread. 

Keep it going

 

I started the thread and have been amazed at the useful and insightful posts that have been posted.

Thank you to all who have contributed and added to my knowledge.

 

Patong is "a changing" as they say and for those of us who have visited or lived here for several years it is an unsettling experience.

However it still has plenty of delights for all comers but the old Patong has died along with Soi Crocodile.

 

There are still many good tales to be told over the coffin of what was the old Phuket.

 

Perhaps we need to look forward to a baptism of the new Patong?

14 minutes ago, Patong2 said:

Keep it going

 

I started the thread and have been amazed at the useful and insightful posts that have been posted.

Thank you to all who have contributed and added to my knowledge.

 

Patong is "a changing" as they say and for those of us who have visited or lived here for several years it is an unsettling experience.

However it still has plenty of delights for all comers but the old Patong has died along with Soi Crocodile.

 

There are still many good tales to be told over the coffin of what was the old Phuket.

 

Perhaps we need to look forward to a baptism of the new Patong?

 

"Perhaps we need to look forward to a baptism of the new Patong?" - I can't see the "Patong - The Resurrection" thread being started anytime soon, UNLESS, casinos are allowed here.  Then, Patong, and other parts of Phuket, will become a Macau, virtually over night. 

 

The Chinese are already coming here.  All they need to do now is give them something they like spending money on - gambling. 

1 hour ago, Patong2 said:

Perhaps we need to look forward to a baptism of the new Patong?

And the way things are going, who knows what that might look like??????

 

Patongski or Patongchin? ????

7 hours ago, Jai Dee said:

I am but a lowly moderator... it's your forum... you guys are the forum... it's your call not mine.

 

As a couple of us mods have recently had to wade in with our mops and sanitize this topic somewhat, it would help if you forum members immediately used the report function to alert online mods to trouble... don't respond to antagonists, and don't feed the trolls.

 

This is obviously a popular topic with over 900 posts so it would be a pity to have to close it.

 

Up to you.

Good thread with many insightful contributions.   Pity to lose it through someone's personal agenda.

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

And the way things are going, who knows what that might look like??????

 

Patongski or Patongchin? ????

Patong-Sahib ????

13 hours ago, NamKangMan said:

 

"Perhaps we need to look forward to a baptism of the new Patong?" - I can't see the "Patong - The Resurrection" thread being started anytime soon, UNLESS, casinos are allowed here.  Then, Patong, and other parts of Phuket, will become a Macau, virtually over night. 

 

The Chinese are already coming here.  All they need to do now is give them something they like spending money on - gambling. 

Yeah casinos instead of tuk tuks.

2 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Yeah casinos instead of tuk tuks.

I keep wondering when such an event will take place, this esp because of the powers-that-be love of money (and corruption).

 

Wouldn't be that hard to declare specific areas/zones as legal gambling enclaves whilst outlawing it elsewhere.

2 minutes ago, xylophone said:

I keep wondering when such an event will take place, this esp because of the powers-that-be love of money (and corruption).

 

Wouldn't be that hard to declare specific areas/zones as legal gambling enclaves whilst outlawing it elsewhere.

I've been hearing for years this may come about after a major passing of the baton.

I've pointed out in these pages previously that one small island close to shore is already set up to revert from exclusive resort to cas. 

20 hours ago, pagallim said:

Good thread with many insightful contributions.   Pity to lose it through someone's personal agenda.

 

I agree.

 

Those with businesses here do tend to push their own personal agendas, but it's easy to see through, so it's good the thread is still running.

9 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Yeah casinos instead of tuk tuks.

 

In my opinion, if the situation remains the same, and considering that under military rule, it still remained the same, the tuk-tuks will eventually kill their their own livelihood.  

 

The Chinese will be bused from the airport straight into a casino resort, and then bused around to various sights and activities, as they are now.  

 

Currently, they are "zero baht tourists."  No money in the Chinese now.  Put the Chinese in a casino, and watch the money roll in. 

 

I've been told it's already happening in Sihanoukville - Cambodia, with some 50 casinos there now, and I have personally seen it in The Ho Tram Grand out of Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam. 

 

http://www.thegrandhotram.com/casino/

 

Casinos in Thailand - it's not if, just when. 

1 minute ago, NamKangMan said:

 

In my opinion, if the situation remains the same, and considering that under military rule, it still remained the same, the tuk-tuks will eventually kill their their own livelihood.  

 

The Chinese will be bused from the airport straight into a casino resort, and then bused around to various sights and activities, as they are now.  

 

Currently, they are "zero baht tourists."  No money in the Chinese now.  Put the Chinese in a casino, and watch the money roll in. 

 

I've been told it's already happening in Sihanoukville - Cambodia, with some 50 casinos there now, and I have personally seen it in The Ho Tram Grand out of Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam. 

 

http://www.thegrandhotram.com/casino/

 

Casinos in Thailand - it's not if, just when. 

Phuket pattaya bkk all need atleast one stylish casino with entertainment and restaurants bars inside them.

i rather hang out in a fancy casino with foods and drinks then going to Bangla rd.

But I remember same thread 5 years ago and still zero progress.

7 hours ago, xylophone said:

I keep wondering when such an event will take place, this esp because of the powers-that-be love of money (and corruption).

 

Wouldn't be that hard to declare specific areas/zones as legal gambling enclaves whilst outlawing it elsewhere.

 

There has always been the idea that there should be "Special Economic Zones" where establishments can open past 2am, without having to pay "tea money" for the privilege. Eg. Bangla Road - Phuket and Walking Street - Pattaya.

 

These "SEZ's" could incorporate casinos. 

 

The argument that casinos will bring social harm to the Thai people has been addressed in Vietnam. 

 

Initially, Vietnamese were not allowed into the gaming area of a casino there, however, in recent times, Vietnamese earning over, I think it's $450USD a month, could enter the gaming area.  They have to prove this some how, and they have to pay a "cover charge" to ensure they are not just there for a photo op.  

 

 

7 hours ago, Old Croc said:

I've been hearing for years this may come about after a major passing of the baton.

I've pointed out in these pages previously that one small island close to shore is already set up to revert from exclusive resort to cas. 

 

I've heard many stories as well.

 

I've heard particular floors of certain new hotels have been built with no rooms.  Just open floor plan. 

 

I have been told the elevator can not stop on these floors, as there is nothing there.  Apparently, these floors have been designed to be turned into gaming areas, once Thailand is allowed to have gambling.

9 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Phuket pattaya bkk all need atleast one stylish casino with entertainment and restaurants bars inside them.

i rather hang out in a fancy casino with foods and drinks then going to Bangla rd.

But I remember same thread 5 years ago and still zero progress.

 

I really don't know how long Thailand can hold out for.  They are losing serious money, at a time of great opportunity. 

 

Gambling is just another recreational activity that should be offered to tourists on their holiday.

 

Phuket claims to be "A World Class Tourist Destination" but doesn't even have a casino, and doesn't ever look like getting one.  

 

As you say, "no progress" here, at a time when neighboring countries, in direct competition to Thailand, are in overdrive, Thailand is stuck in first gear, which is as good as going backwards.

 

 

Still open for business I see, so here goes..........

 

Sticking with the title "Patong – the Wake" in the sense that it could mean mourning the passing of something, or part of a celebration I observed the following over the last couple of days: –

 

New buildings going up in Nanai road, whilst a couple of small guesthouses remain empty, if not almost derelict. I also noticed that the Sheraton Four Seasons work seems to have slowed up quite dramatically!

 

There would be more than a dozen empty shop units just off rat-u-thid road in front of a hotel called The Square, Patong, and these have been empty for approximately a year or more. Meanwhile some small shops in front of it, alongside of the B-Qik garage are just about unapproachable and feature a very large fence in front of them (displaying a for sale sign on the plot I think) as well as some unkempt, overgrown ground, so I bet the folks who bought into the little units/shops are overjoyed!

 

Touring round I noticed a lot of smaller businesses were shuttered, and I have to say that although the new and larger bars in OTOP look nice, there seems to be a dearth of customers, as there is with those that remain from the old days, yet building goes on unabated, with more bars and shop units coming available shortly by the looks of things.

 

Something I hadn't really taken much notice of was a very large seafood restaurant in that complex called Moong xxxx and it is huge, surrounded by small fish tanks and with seating upstairs and downstairs would have to seat in excess of 200 people. Now somebody either has a contract with some Chinese tour companies, or they are very optimistic about what the future holds.

 

I have no pity for the wealthy who seem to think that this place is a goldmine and try to "drown out" the small operator with their presence, but I do feel sorry for the everyday Thai person/family who come to Patong to start a small business, as it seems to be the dream of many an average to poor family here, but having seen quite a few fail, or in the process of failing, I do have pity for them.

 

One particular example which I noticed yesterday was a lady sitting alone in her relatively large "restaurant", which was previously a minimart of some description, staring out of the window at a time in the evening when she should have had some customers, but no, empty and she was looking forlorn, and to be honest I don't hold out much hope for a future for it as have seen it empty every time in passing.

 

The Italian restaurant further south about 200 m was a mirror image, with the owner sitting alone at a table, staring out at the road, which I had seen him do on many occasions, but unlike the Thai folk, he is an experienced foreign restaurateur and should have known what he was getting himself into, because I really don't see how this place has made anything like a profit, although I would love to be wrong.

 

And just to end this post on a high note, I observed something yesterday which I would have loved to have captured on camera.........there was a stall right alongside (within half a metre of the road itself) of a busy road selling "fresh seafood sushi" and as I sat there looking at this and watching all of the smoky diesel trucks, cars and motorbikes go past, I wondered if they were going to advertise it as sushi with free toppings of dust, dirt and diesel!

 

Anyway just then a couple of Chinese on a motorbike drew up alongside of this stall, and I thought they were going to buy some sushi, but no, not only was the male Chinese driver a bit wobbly on the bike, his passenger was having trouble with her helmet and observing her actions with this, I noticed that she had it on back to front, hence the reason she was finding it difficult to do the strap up. So she took it off, looked at it closely and put it back on again round the wrong way, only to motion her driver to wobble off again, which he did.

 

So a mourning or a celebration............the jury is still out!

29 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Still open for business I see, so here goes..........

 

Sticking with the title "Patong – the Wake" in the sense that it could mean mourning the passing of something, or part of a celebration I observed the following over the last couple of days: –

 

New buildings going up in Nanai road, whilst a couple of small guesthouses remain empty, if not almost derelict. I also noticed that the Sheraton Four Seasons work seems to have slowed up quite dramatically!

 

There would be more than a dozen empty shop units just off rat-u-thid road in front of a hotel called The Square, Patong, and these have been empty for approximately a year or more. Meanwhile some small shops in front of it, alongside of the B-Qik garage are just about unapproachable and feature a very large fence in front of them (displaying a for sale sign on the plot I think) as well as some unkempt, overgrown ground, so I bet the folks who bought into the little units/shops are overjoyed!

 

Touring round I noticed a lot of smaller businesses were shuttered, and I have to say that although the new and larger bars in OTOP look nice, there seems to be a dearth of customers, as there is with those that remain from the old days, yet building goes on unabated, with more bars and shop units coming available shortly by the looks of things.

 

Something I hadn't really taken much notice of was a very large seafood restaurant in that complex called Moong xxxx and it is huge, surrounded by small fish tanks and with seating upstairs and downstairs would have to seat in excess of 200 people. Now somebody either has a contract with some Chinese tour companies, or they are very optimistic about what the future holds.

 

I have no pity for the wealthy who seem to think that this place is a goldmine and try to "drown out" the small operator with their presence, but I do feel sorry for the everyday Thai person/family who come to Patong to start a small business, as it seems to be the dream of many an average to poor family here, but having seen quite a few fail, or in the process of failing, I do have pity for them.

 

One particular example which I noticed yesterday was a lady sitting alone in her relatively large "restaurant", which was previously a minimart of some description, staring out of the window at a time in the evening when she should have had some customers, but no, empty and she was looking forlorn, and to be honest I don't hold out much hope for a future for it as have seen it empty every time in passing.

 

The Italian restaurant further south about 200 m was a mirror image, with the owner sitting alone at a table, staring out at the road, which I had seen him do on many occasions, but unlike the Thai folk, he is an experienced foreign restaurateur and should have known what he was getting himself into, because I really don't see how this place has made anything like a profit, although I would love to be wrong.

 

And just to end this post on a high note, I observed something yesterday which I would have loved to have captured on camera.........there was a stall right alongside (within half a metre of the road itself) of a busy road selling "fresh seafood sushi" and as I sat there looking at this and watching all of the smoky diesel trucks, cars and motorbikes go past, I wondered if they were going to advertise it as sushi with free toppings of dust, dirt and diesel!

 

Anyway just then a couple of Chinese on a motorbike drew up alongside of this stall, and I thought they were going to buy some sushi, but no, not only was the male Chinese driver a bit wobbly on the bike, his passenger was having trouble with her helmet and observing her actions with this, I noticed that she had it on back to front, hence the reason she was finding it difficult to do the strap up. So she took it off, looked at it closely and put it back on again round the wrong way, only to motion her driver to wobble off again, which he did.

 

So a mourning or a celebration............the jury is still out!

 

I can't see how anyone could consider opening a large restaurant here now, without coming under the corporate umbrella of a Chinese tour company. 

 

Even then, they control the tourists, thus, they control the market, thus, they can use their superior bargaining position to secure the lowest price, per head, to maximze their own profits.    

 

It would have been funny to see the Chinese girl struggling to find out how to wear the helmet correctly, but on the other hand, there can be serious consequences to the couple having to be on a bike in the first place. 

 

Like so many farang backpackers before them, many of these young Chinese will die on the roads here. 

Decided to pop out on Friday evening to catch up with some friends at my usual Italian restaurant, which was very busy, as were the other restaurants in that little soi (Soi Patong Beach Resort) so it was good to see that some money is being spent, although I would have to say that none of the restaurants in that soi are anything other than mid-range dining (if that).

 

Bangla was reasonably busy, although I have seen it much busier in times gone by, but the two main sois were disappointing with regards to patronage. Indeed I purposely went down Soi Freedom as the band was supposed to be back and playing..........but no band and a not very busy soi, along with a few more closed bars!

 

I thought the band had been re-employed in order to draw back the punters, as that soi desperately needs something to be able to restore it to its former glory or something akin to that. Perhaps the band were on a visa run??? 

 

I did eventually call into Red Hot as they really do have a red-hot band there, but even that wasn't as busy as it has been and talking to a guy from Bahrain who had been there a few months earlier, he said that he thought one of the reasons that people weren't coming was because the drinks were so expensive!

 

Now that would have to be something coming from a visitor from Bahrain!

 

One saving grace for a friend of mine in his bar was that he has a deal with someone who runs a "Bartenders training course" and when a group of them go out on a bit of a pub crawl, his bar is one of those along the way, and on Friday evening there were apparently 76 attendees making their way to his bar, so I would imagine he was quite happy with the take that evening.

 

I was talking to a couple of friends about bars for sale and they both said that just about every bar would be for sale if the owners were approached? However it's probably more in line with how much the bar owners want for the places, with the ones down the sois being less attractive than the ones fronting Bangla, but another friend has his bar for sale, and this fronts Bangla, with an asking price of 7 million baht for a nine year lease, but no interest as of the last month or so – – perhaps the days of farangs buying bars are long gone?

 

Contradicting myself, because there have been three bars bought not far from me, however I suspect that they were nowhere near as expensive as those in Bangla, but there are still some folks (mostly farangs with Thai "partners") out there willing to take a chance..........until the money or the girl runs out.

 

It's very much a mixed bag all over as I said previously, and another example would be the little food kiosks outside of Starbucks at the back entrance of Jungceylon, with one being closed and up for sale for a couple of months now, and another just being erected almost next to it, selling Korean food (and this seems to be a spin-off from the large Korean restaurant, Maru, which has closed, alongside of Churrasco restaurant). However I've yet to see anyone buy anything from this kiosk.......... so I don't think it's going to be a moneymaking business!

 

All in all, a bit like a box of frogs; you never know where they going to go when you take the lid off, i.e. they are all over the place, a bit like Patong.

PS. Ask yourself..........would you buy a bar on Bangla for 7 million baht??

44 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Decided to pop out on Friday evening to catch up with some friends at my usual Italian restaurant, which was very busy, as were the other restaurants in that little soi (Soi Patong Beach Resort) so it was good to see that some money is being spent, although I would have to say that none of the restaurants in that soi are anything other than mid-range dining (if that).

 

Bangla was reasonably busy, although I have seen it much busier in times gone by, but the two main sois were disappointing with regards to patronage. Indeed I purposely went down Soi Freedom as the band was supposed to be back and playing..........but no band and a not very busy soi, along with a few more closed bars!

 

I thought the band had been re-employed in order to draw back the punters, as that soi desperately needs something to be able to restore it to its former glory or something akin to that. Perhaps the band were on a visa run??? 

 

I did eventually call into Red Hot as they really do have a red-hot band there, but even that wasn't as busy as it has been and talking to a guy from Bahrain who had been there a few months earlier, he said that he thought one of the reasons that people weren't coming was because the drinks were so expensive!

 

Now that would have to be something coming from a visitor from Bahrain!

 

One saving grace for a friend of mine in his bar was that he has a deal with someone who runs a "Bartenders training course" and when a group of them go out on a bit of a pub crawl, his bar is one of those along the way, and on Friday evening there were apparently 76 attendees making their way to his bar, so I would imagine he was quite happy with the take that evening.

 

I was talking to a couple of friends about bars for sale and they both said that just about every bar would be for sale if the owners were approached? However it's probably more in line with how much the bar owners want for the places, with the ones down the sois being less attractive than the ones fronting Bangla, but another friend has his bar for sale, and this fronts Bangla, with an asking price of 7 million baht for a nine year lease, but no interest as of the last month or so – – perhaps the days of farangs buying bars are long gone?

 

Contradicting myself, because there have been three bars bought not far from me, however I suspect that they were nowhere near as expensive as those in Bangla, but there are still some folks (mostly farangs with Thai "partners") out there willing to take a chance..........until the money or the girl runs out.

 

It's very much a mixed bag all over as I said previously, and another example would be the little food kiosks outside of Starbucks at the back entrance of Jungceylon, with one being closed and up for sale for a couple of months now, and another just being erected almost next to it, selling Korean food (and this seems to be a spin-off from the large Korean restaurant, Maru, which has closed, alongside of Churrasco restaurant). However I've yet to see anyone buy anything from this kiosk.......... so I don't think it's going to be a moneymaking business!

 

All in all, a bit like a box of frogs; you never know where they going to go when you take the lid off, i.e. they are all over the place, a bit like Patong.

PS. Ask yourself..........would you buy a bar on Bangla for 7 million baht??

 

Good post, XP.

 

A few things stood out for me.

 

"someone who runs a "Bartenders training course" - it that the young Scandi guys, and the "course" is basically a scam? 

 

"just about every bar would be for sale if the owners were approached" - I agree, and as the leases on these bars come to an end, the current leasee will walk away, and it will close down. 

 

The tourist demographics here have changed a lot in the last 2 years.  As some 3 year and 5 year leases approach expiry, in the near future, these bars will not be turned over, and will cease to operate.   

 

"there are still some folks (mostly farangs with Thai "partners") out there willing to take a chance" - I'm not so sure they are "taking a chance" as to purchasing an expensive hobby, or way of life. 

 

It's a phenomenon that everyone wants to have a drink with the boss of a bar.  For some farang bar owners, it's their 15 mins of fame in their life.  By buying a bar, they are instantly knowledgeable on all things Thailand, and are more than happy to BS to tourists with bad advice. 

 

Perhaps they are prepared to pay for popularity and attention, but for sure it's not a sound business decision. 

 

Maybe it's these type of people that will fill the void here.  Basically, they are buying a "money pit" or a "lemon" but at least they get bragging rights.  ????

 

"until the money or the girl runs out." - you forgot the other one, their liver / health. 

 

 

34 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

 

Good post, XP.

 

A few things stood out for me.

 

"someone who runs a "Bartenders training course" - it that the young Scandi guys, and the "course" is basically a scam? 

 

"just about every bar would be for sale if the owners were approached" - I agree, and as the leases on these bars come to an end, the current leasee will walk away, and it will close down. 

 

The tourist demographics here have changed a lot in the last 2 years.  As some 3 year and 5 year leases approach expiry, in the near future, these bars will not be turned over, and will cease to operate.   

 

"there are still some folks (mostly farangs with Thai "partners") out there willing to take a chance" - I'm not so sure they are "taking a chance" as to purchasing an expensive hobby, or way of life. 

 

It's a phenomenon that everyone wants to have a drink with the boss of a bar.  For some farang bar owners, it's their 15 mins of fame in their life.  By buying a bar, they are instantly knowledgeable on all things Thailand, and are more than happy to BS to tourists with bad advice. 

 

Perhaps they are prepared to pay for popularity and attention, but for sure it's not a sound business decision. 

 

Maybe it's these type of people that will fill the void here.  Basically, they are buying a "money pit" or a "lemon" but at least they get bragging rights.  ????

 

"until the money or the girl runs out." - you forgot the other one, their liver / health. 

 

 

My Problem with Bangla rd are these muscular 18 year old Scandinavian atlethes boys parading around making me look like fat old slow grand daddy. I better come to my right in Pattaya where i still am regarded as a very hansum man in comparison with the rest of the Pattaya old farang alcoholic trailer trash.

Nice to see you guys are behaving and getting along again... keep it up.

20 hours ago, Jai Dee said:

Nice to see you guys are behaving and getting along again... keep it up.

 

Funny how kids tend to get along when they are left unsupervised.   ????

22 hours ago, NamKangMan said:

"there are still some folks (mostly farangs with Thai "partners") out there willing to take a chance" - I'm not so sure they are "taking a chance" as to purchasing an expensive hobby, or way of life. 

 

It's a phenomenon that everyone wants to have a drink with the boss of a bar.  For some farang bar owners, it's their 15 mins of fame in their life.

As for my comment: "Ask yourself..........would you buy a bar on Bangla for 7 million baht??"

 

Probably purchasing a way of life/job/future with g/f, but whatever the reason he has had ''some expressions of interest''.............

 

20 minutes ago, xylophone said:

As for my comment: "Ask yourself..........would you buy a bar on Bangla for 7 million baht??"

 

Probably purchasing a way of life/job/future with g/f, but whatever the reason he has had ''some expressions of interest''.............

 

 

In my opinion, whatever the individual's motives, given the current situation here, it would not be a sound business decision to purchase. 

6 hours ago, NamKangMan said:

 

In my opinion, whatever the individual's motives, given the current situation here, it would not be a sound business decision to purchase. 

No sh1t Einstein.