Patong - The Wake

[xylophone]

13 hours ago, Agusts said:

Don't take my word for it, check TAT annual visitor numbers for Thailand and Phuket in particular over the last 10 years until this year Jan, the increase of tourists numbers coming here every year increased by quite a bit...

 

If you're only talking about Patong night life , girly bars and massage shops that don't give any massage ????, then that's true, they're going to the abyss, and no chance of recovery as far as I can see...

 

Saying that there are some really good discount going on now, San Miguel Light in Illuzion is 120b now, was 200, some other bars 70b, when it was 100 before (-40 or -30%). So when the borders open again we might get some bargain hunters coming in if they keep low prices that way...! ????

 

A couple of points on your post (I like your posts by the way).......it has been mentioned on here many times that the TAT numbers are "massaged" to suit a particular situation, and are not to be relied upon. Indeed it has been rumoured that transit passengers and the like are counted for both Phuket and Bangkok airports, so they don't actually visit the places or even spend money there?

 

And yes, this thread is about Patong, so that's where I have focused my observations, and the nightlife here has been one of the main draw cards for decades, and as far as I can remember, bars started going "tits up" around 2009-10-ish and even then there were many bars in the likes of Soi Gonzo, Crocodile and even Soi Eric which were struggling/closed.

 

And it got worse, despite more bars being built, but there was always a sucker or two around to buy a long lease on one of these bars by paying anywhere between three and nine years upfront as "key money", and what is now called Tiger Complex stands as a stark reminder of the high hopes/stupidity of landlords and bar owners alike, with the first two or three rows of bars in that once-packed complex, seeing a little bit of business, whilst the rest are dead.

 

I also remember the rush to buy bars next to the boxing stadium in middle road, when rumours were started that Tiger was about to close and parts of Bangla were going to be demolished, and this was going to be the next "Bangla Road/Tiger/party area"!!!!!!

 

I remember attending an opening ceremony there for one particular bar bought by an English guy and there were just three other bars in the whole area with someone serving behind them, with next to no customers, and this opening ceremony hosted a grand total of five of us, including the owner!! Needless to say the whole complex never took off, people (farangs in particular) lost money and so the circus went on.

 

If I look back at all of the bars and Sois which have folded, there is one common denominator (oops two) price gouging with regards to drinks and bar fines, and lack of customers........and  not to forget that outside influences (like the 2008 crash) can determine tourist/customer numbers. 

 

And one thing I found amazing here was that the farangs followed the usual Thai modus operandi, whereby when customer numbers dropped, prices went up to try and compensate!!!!

 

Even as I write this, I hear rumours that there are plans afoot to build a huge bar complex in vacant land on Soi Sansabai....... 
 

[ThePearl]

On 8/24/2020 at 9:24 AM, ChasingTheSun said:

Why are you claiming that Thailand is a “3rd world country”? 

"Thailand is classified as a developing country. Majority of Thai people work in agriculture sector. They hesitate to use the new technology, because they are not familiar with it. In developed country, technologies are the indicator of economic and people's wealth."

 

Why do you claim that Thailand has no significant property “rights”?

"Land ownership in Thailand is governed by the Land Code Act and under Thai land laws only Thai nationals are allowed to own land or have a confirmed right of possession of land. Foreigners may not own land unless there is a treaty or exemption allowing the foreigner to own land in Thailand (section 86)."

 

On 8/24/2020 at 9:24 AM, ChasingTheSun said:

 

In addition, why would you also claim that the many thousands of expats in Thailand currently living in houses/condos that they own (not paying rent on) are not “smart”?

Cannot answer for the individual

 

Plus, why do you believe that the millions of investors who have bought/sold foreign property(s) for real profits/income around the world are not “smart” either?

Don't know about the world markets, only reference I was replying to was Phuket.

 

 

[ThePearl]

On 8/24/2020 at 7:34 AM, xylophone said:

Just to make it clear, I was opposing the view of, "Great time to invest in real estate now"

agreed then.

 

[ThePearl]

On 8/25/2020 at 7:51 AM, xylophone said:

 

 

Even as I write this, I hear rumours that there are plans afoot to build a huge bar complex in vacant land on Soi Sansabai....... 

 

2010 was the start...2014 with the demise of beach chairs/clubs it was clearly noticeable in the decline from then on.........from the small beer bar complex at the southern end of Patong Beach it was quite apparent things where not good, with less customers and more importantly less yearly regulars...

More bar complexes in Patong, well unless they sell Baijiu and allow gaming........

 

[ChasingTheSun]

47 minutes ago, ThePearl said:

"Thailand is classified as a developing country.

Yes, Thailand is a developing country. It is good you corrected your post, as Thailand is by no means a “3rd world country.” 
 

50 minutes ago, ThePearl said:

Foreigners may not own land

Correct. Many countries have similar rules against foreigners owning the land. Singapore is another example of that restriction. I believe New Zealand also banned foreigners recently as well. This is a negative that needs to be considered when assessing an investment In Thailand or Singapore etc. 

 

However, foreigners can own a minority 49% of voting shares of a condominium complex(or shares of a company buying a house with land) and they are entitled to a proportionate share of the underlying land value in the case of an enbloc sale of the condo complex in Thailand. Foreigners are also covered by all the other significant property laws that protect Thais.

 

57 minutes ago, ThePearl said:

Cannot answer for the individual

Correct, it is good that you now recognize that it is impossible to generalize the success/failure of anyone’s experience.

 

59 minutes ago, ThePearl said:

Don't know about the world markets, only reference I was replying to was Phuket.

That reply is a bit confusing because you originally claimed that “smart” people only invest in their own local market, implying that global property investors are not “smart”.

[DrDave]

1 hour ago, ChasingTheSun said:

<snip>

However, foreigners can own a minority 49% of voting shares of a condominium complex(or shares of a company buying a house with land) 

<snip>

Note that minority ownership of a company purchasing land is no longer a viable option for most foreigners.

 

This was a tactic employed for years where a lawyer or estate broker would enlist local Thais to act as nominee majority shareholders, without investing any money in the company. These nominees were typically university students paid a few thousand baht for the use of their name on the company documents, and were required to sign a resignation letter kept on file to be used in the future should the foreign minority owner choose to change nominees or sell the company.

 

At some point, 10 or more years ago, the government got wise to this ploy and announced that they would be conducting audits of companies with foreign minority shareholders that had purchased land. The audit would investigate the majority (Thai) shareholders to determine whether they had actually contributed the corresponding majority share of capital from their own funds. If no proof could be provided, the purchase of the land would be deemed illegal.

 

In reality, I don't know how many of these audits were performed but the threat of an audit scared off most potential foreign buyers looking to buy land, and this illegal ploy is now seldom used.

[ChasingTheSun]

4 minutes ago, DrDave said:

Note that minority ownership of a company purchasing land is no longer a viable option for most foreigners.

 

This was a tactic employed for years where a lawyer or estate broker would enlist local Thais to act as nominee majority shareholders, without investing any money in the company. These nominees were typically university students paid a few thousand baht for the use of their name on the company documents, and were required to sign a resignation letter kept on file to be used in the future should the foreign minority owner choose to change nominees or sell the company.

 

At some point, 10 or more years ago, the government got wise to this ploy and announced that they would be conducting audits of companies with foreign minority shareholders that had purchased land. The audit would investigate the majority (Thai) shareholders to determine whether they had actually contributed the corresponding majority share of capital from their own funds. If no proof could be provided, the purchase of the land would be deemed illegal.

 

In reality, I don't know how many of these audits were performed but the threat of an audit scared off most potential foreign buyers looking to buy land, and this illegal ploy is now seldom used.

Foreigners can still be minority corporate shareholders to buy land/houses. Nothing has changed with regard to that.
 

However, the use of “phony” Thai nominee directors as a way to get around foreign ownership rules has been illegal for many years. Some foreigners have/do buy land/homes using these Illegal structures, but there has always been talk of cracking down on them. Not sure if there was ever a real crackdown,  or if its just talk of such.

[xylophone]

The subject of whether farangs can own land or not has been done to death on several long-running forums, and the law here is quite explicit on this, but then again this thread is about Patong and "the wake"......... 

 

I notice that the Japanese buffet restaurant, "Kin", just opposite Starbucks was being boarded up a couple of days ago, which doesn't surprise me because even in pre-Covid days, it was not frequented that much, so it makes a pretty dismal sight looking down what was once known as "restaurant alley" with only one restaurant now open (Wine Connection).

 

I mentioned Starbucks, and I wonder how long that will stay open because even though I do occasionally pop in there, I would be one of about three or four customers on a good day, and there have been days without any, so I have been told.

 

Also more shop closures inside, and even fewer customers in Big C, and taking a guess here I would say that's because a lot of the farangs have managed to get out of the place one way or another?

 

I decided to take a look in Patong Central a few days ago and that was empty apart from two or three farangs, so between this and Big C, the total number of customers would easily fit inside the smallest 7-Eleven.

 

One thing that has surprised me is the "optimism" of some small business owners here, because a few I have spoken to have said that even though they have no customers now, that is going to change in October!!

 

One lady I know has taken over the rental of two massage parlours and in October the rent is due to go up to 30,000 baht per month, per parlour and she is really hoping that business will pick up enough to support her, mainly because she has sunk everything into this little venture.

 

I asked her what she would do if the tourists did not come back and she just shrugged her shoulders. I have no money left she said.

 

Having said that, just this afternoon I caught up with an older lady friend of mine who owns a very lovely and well-regarded guesthouse and I was asking her about her business, and she was thinking that it would return to normal in about two years or thereabouts, so I believe she has it about right, and she has lived here most of her life.

 

I believe this is a more realistic assessment, and IMO the nonsense being published by various departments of the government here really does nothing to help the cause, because quite a few Thais I have spoken to really do believe them and are relying on business returning to normal ASAP (October for example?) so IMO they are in for a shock.

 

Sad times in this tourist reliant ghost town.

[Patong2]

We are eager to get back to Patong and contribute some spending to the Patong economy. We usually eat out 2x day and frequent the odd bar etc.

We can get as far as Singapore at the moment but from then on it gets too difficult.

We would willingly self isolate in our leased apartment and have locals who are happy to deliver shopping etc to our door let alone any Uber delivery or whatever.

The problem is we can get as far as Singapore but cannot enter Thailand (Phuket).

Our ages make it difficult to get a travel insurance policy to cover for Covid-19 although we have insurance and adequate resources to cover hospital bills in Thailand for even the worst of events so we would never be a drain on Thai hospital budgets.

 

So what is the solution? How do we get to spend money with our local retail friends in Patong?

 

It is all in the Thai governments hands, make it simple for longer term tourists 2-3 months to come and also longer term semi-residents on other visas. Then a recovery will start with little risk to the locals.

 

 

 

[Destiny1990]

3 hours ago, Patong2 said:

We are eager to get back to Patong and contribute some spending to the Patong economy. We usually eat out 2x day and frequent the odd bar etc.

We can get as far as Singapore at the moment but from then on it gets too difficult.

We would willingly self isolate in our leased apartment and have locals who are happy to deliver shopping etc to our door let alone any Uber delivery or whatever.

The problem is we can get as far as Singapore but cannot enter Thailand (Phuket).

Our ages make it difficult to get a travel insurance policy to cover for Covid-19 although we have insurance and adequate resources to cover hospital bills in Thailand for even the worst of events so we would never be a drain on Thai hospital budgets.

 

So what is the solution? How do we get to spend money with our local retail friends in Patong?

 

It is all in the Thai governments hands, make it simple for longer term tourists 2-3 months to come and also longer term semi-residents on other visas. Then a recovery will start with little risk to the locals.

 

 

 

You be highly welcome to transfer a huge donation over safely from abroad.. ????????

[schlog]

Patong is a mixed box in the last weeks. Xylo your reports are always 100% spot on.

 

Depressing with a lot shops closed and people fighting to survive. And on the other side it's relaxed friendly quiet natural like in deepest low season in the 90'.

 

Btw big c also shortened its opening hours. Now 10am again to my dislike.

[Agusts]

@Patong2 I read you can't self isolate in your own apartment or chosen accommodation, it must be in one of pre-approved and expensive government resorts... Costing you an arm and a leg for two weeks....! 

 

Patong had some Thai visitors recently, some from inside the island, and some from outside..., the food festival on the beach was kind of successful that now will stay for every Fri/Sat/Sun, a bit like Bangla food stalls, Thais like them and why not let some people make some money that way...

 

Many more people on the beach on Friday, though this damn rain put a damper on things this long holiday weekend. If anyone says shortage of water again....!!! ????, just manage the reservoirs and should have water for next 10 years...! 

 

Many people in Bangla last night, mainly Thais, illusion was particularly packed in comparison to last few months, still no upstair though..... There was a Thai group jumping up and down on stage to Thai music and getting the 95% Thai crowd very excited...., kudos to them adopting to Thai clientele, Patong and Phuket need these visitors in the absent of falangs. Although their pocket power is nothing in comparison and will not keep these places going...

 

And any beer , even San Miguel Light, was 60b in Kangaroo bar last night...!? I mean they are giving it away and you will be fool not to get up and go out and support them, leave generous tips instead...????. I was joking with a friend that that this is dual pricing, nowadays that Thais are here it's so cheap...lol ...????????

 

It is with a sad heart to report that the cinema in Jungceylon is closed now, unfortunately as I was the only person in a 300 seat theater some nights (!), they couldn't keep it going...! But the one in Festival still open, and you regret it if not see the Tenet, and Mullan on big screen that are now on... - different experience than on TV.

 

And that joker that was in charge of Phuket and kicked out to Phang Nga just made a half-ass unclear announcement for putting back on restrictions and lockdown for that province.....!? Seeking fame and wanting to be number one, unfortunately others not wanting to miss the party will join soon, Phang Nga has no border with Myanmar, and far from Bangkok, no idea what justifies that....!!! Future is bleak with these nuts running the asylum...????

 

Of course now there is talk of postponing Phuket Model opening next month due to finding one person in Bangkok with corona...!!!??? ????☹️

 

Like this we need a miracle for any recovery...

 

[xylophone]

2 hours ago, Agusts said:

Many people in Bangla last night, mainly Thais, illusion was particularly packed in comparison to last few months, still no upstair though..... There was a Thai group jumping up and down on stage to Thai music and getting the 95% Thai crowd very excited...., kudos to them adopting to Thai clientele, Patong and Phuket need these visitors in the absent of falangs. Although their pocket power is nothing in comparison and will not keep these places going...

Agree, as I was out and about last night in Bangla and surrounds, although when I was walking down a dark and empty Soi Sansabai I wondered if there would be any life in Bangla, but I was going there because I know a friend of mine opens her bar and I wanted to see if there was any chance of human contact!

 

Well I was very surprised because at the top of Bangla (not the beach road end) there was a stage and early on, there was a guitarist and singer and later on a full on rock group, with a few handfuls of people watching, sat at chairs and tables.

 

It seemed as if the road was operating in separate halves, with the top half and the stage et cetera, accompanied by a few bars, which later on had a few farangs sitting ogling the pretty dancers, and the bottom half which was quite busy, and from the Black Horse bar down towards the beach there were a number of bars open, including as previously mentioned by Agusts, Kangaroo bar (maybe our paths crossed somewhere along the line?).

 

Bar Funk was belting out the music, but mostly to a Thai audience, with just the smattering of a farang here and there, and there seemed to be some sort of Scooter club in attendance, as there were a number of scooters, a la, Lambretta and Vespa parked outside, and one old Thai guy pulled up on one of the original Honda 250 CB bikes that I remember from my youth, and looking at them with absolutely amazed as they were sitting there purring away without a trace of an oil leak, compared to the Triumphs, AJS and Norton's of the time which almost needed a drip tray under the bikes!

 

The guy had a chat with me and said it was the original bike from 60 years ago and even started it up so that I could listen to the engine and it was in good condition I have to say.

 

I'm not saying that this half of Bangla was back to its previous form, however it was good to see probably a few hundred people around the place.

 

I went back to Sansabai to visit a friends bar in the car park behind the boxing stadium, but it was closed, as were the majority of small bars in that area apart from one or two hardy ones which were unpopulated by customers, however the Hippie Road Bar was open, although almost devoid of customers, however the previous night had been different I was told, and as I knew the band, I got up and did a few numbers, before imbibing one too many rum and cokes and just as I was about to leave, the skies opened up.

 

I waited for about half an hour to see if it would clear, but it didn't so I walked down to the top of Bangla and got a tuk tuk home, and it wasn't a rip-off as the guy said it would cost me 200 baht, which I was quite okay with, and I was already wet through and just wanted to get home, so off we shot, and because he seemed like a nice guy I gave him a good tip, not only because of this, but I would imagine that any tip would be appreciated in these trying times.

 

In summary to a couple of other posts, many Thais who have businesses in the likes of Bangla are trying to make a go of it, and good on them for doing so, however I do fear that this "recession" will hurt their financial situation for quite some time to come.
 

[zzzzz]

driving thru 2nd road and beach road today, seems just about everything was closed, except maybe a few small shops and massage places ( are people really paying for massages nowadays?) Usually 7/11's are all open, but i see even them shutting down.

Bangla road might have people on weekends, no idea as i dont go out to Patong ever at night, but will that be enough for them to keep paying outrageous rents??

Central phuket had a fair amount of people today and when we left at 2 pm the car park seemed full of NON phuket cars.

 

Seems the grand opening for a few rich tourists to Phuket next month might be delayed.

SO thats it for this year

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-re-opening-to-be-postponed

 

I doubt they had 50 people signing up so this is a face saving move

[xylophone]

24 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

Bangla road might have people on weekends, no idea as i dont go out to Patong ever at night, but will that be enough for them to keep paying outrageous rents??

No I don't believe it will, however some landlords have come to the party and have reduced rents, but not others, hence the shutdowns. Some landlords have also reduced the rents in the rooms which were rented by the girls who worked in Bangla before they were out of a job, so that's a step in the right direction.

 

I do know of a few other businesses that have been given rent reductions, with these supposedly going to end in October when the "Phuket model" lets in hundreds of thousands of tourists – – yeah right!

 

Also last night there were a few seemingly non-Phuketians wandering around the place in Bangla and because quite a few of them looked Chinese, I asked one of the girls if they were local or not, and she said that they were coming down from Bangkok (or other places) for a two or three-day stay in Patong, and particularly liked to wander up and down Bangla and then onto the beach.

 

Quite agree with you regarding your comment on "so that's it for this year" and quite probably for next year as well, as recovery here will take a long time, not forgetting that recovery in overseas countries with regards to loss of jobs, income and savings will have also taken a hit, thereby reducing the number of tourists able or even willing to travel here.
 

[farang51]

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

Seems the grand opening for a few rich tourists to Phuket next month might be delayed.

SO thats it for this year

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-re-opening-to-be-postponed

 

I doubt they had 50 people signing up so this is a face saving move

I don't think they will have a problem getting people to come if they go ahead with the snowbirds plan. I would love to come, although with a few caveats:

 

Cheaper quarantine hotels.
A longer time visa to make it possible to stay for more than 90 days.
A cancel guarantee so I would not lose my money for the flight and the hotel if testing positive the day before leaving home.
I would not be amongst the first; I would wait to see what happens with the first batch.

 

Anyway, letting snowbirds in would probably not help Patong much. I guess most of us stay in other places than Patong. But it's a start.

[madmitch]

I had a drive through Patong this afternoon. There were quite a few on the beach, almost all Thais, probably there due to the food stalls which are currently open, I was quite surprised how many people were there, having read how quiet it is but it's a holiday weekend. But as I drove from south to north, after the area of the food stalls the numbers dwindled.

 

And onto Rat-U-Thit; I've never seen it so quiet. Hardly anything open, just a few people around, it was almost depressing when you think how lively this street would normally be, even in September. There were hardly any cars on the street.

 

I was going to venture into Jungceylon but didn't in the end. I wasn't surprised at the desolation on Rat-U-Thit but it was sad to see.

 

Domestic tourism's helped a little but from what I saw today, it isnt going to save many small businesses.

[Patong2]

19 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

You be highly welcome to transfer a huge donation over safely from abroad.. ????????

A bit committed at the moment with helping a Nigerian prince and his family who have a huge amount of money stuck in a bank and only money from me can get it out.

Mind you, we like animals, so if you hear of a really really sick buffalo?

[Agusts]

I believe if they open Phuket tomorrow with no restriction , the place will be absolutely full like last year...! This covid19 sure effected many people, but specially the poor, on the other hand the rich and many middle class on fixed salaries or pension , i.e. most tourists, are okay, in fact due to lockdown in their countries they have accumulated a nice sum and gagging to go out and spend, if they open up proper the surge of incoming will be much more than before...

 

But all this bull about 14 days restrictions and tests and so on will mean no chance of that, they made Thais so afraid they are scared of their own shadows, it all might come back and bite them on the ass one day - economically and via other social unrest...

 

 

[xylophone]

Veering away from the current posts a little, but still on the main subject of the thread, I noticed that there are quite a few buildings being demolished not only in Patong itself, but in the surrounds!

 

For those who know the area, the road from Patong to Kalim has an elephant trekking camp located up a small rough track, which is about 2 km north of the restaurant the "White Box" (at least I think that's its current name) just after a double bend.

 

Along that track were around 18 "shacks" and one small concrete block "shop", and workers from the elephant camp and also those who had employment in Patong lived in them........but no more.

 

According to one of the occupants, "the government" has decreed that the land is not to be utilised for buildings of any description and has ordered that everyone move out, and has also ordered the demolition/destruction of any structures. As I understand it, everyone has now moved out and I'm not sure about the demolition work as I haven't been up there yet.

 

You will notice that I put the words "the government" in inverted commas because I'm not sure if it was a government ruling or simply a landowner wanting to do something with it. Either way these people have been scraping a living there for around 20 years or more, and now they are homeless.

 

The occupants were already in dire straits as there were no tourists to fund the trekking, and those who worked in Patong in the hospitality industry have been laid off for months.

 

In these times of hardship, one would think that a bit of compassion would be shown to allow these folks to continue, at least until this current Covid crisis is over, and if this order to evacuate was government driven, then that would be possible, however if it was a private landowner, then all I can see is money being the main driver. Very sad.

[LivinginKata]

Drove about Patong yesterday. Noticed a few 7-11 and Family Marts shuttered up, some even cleared out of fittings. We have seen this in Kata and Karon a few months back. First time noticed in Patong.

 

Even the Kbank in Nanai Road cleared out of fittings. 

 

I can only see it getting worse. Domestic tourism just not working. Can't see real tourists arriving this year.

[billythehat]

On 9/7/2020 at 9:32 AM, Agusts said:

I believe if they open Phuket tomorrow with no restriction , the place will be absolutely full like last year...! This covid19 sure effected many people, but specially the poor, on the other hand the rich and many middle class on fixed salaries or pension , i.e. most tourists, are okay, in fact due to lockdown in their countries they have accumulated a nice sum and gagging to go out and spend, if they open up proper the surge of incoming will be much more than before...

 

But all this bull about 14 days restrictions and tests and so on will mean no chance of that, they made Thais so afraid they are scared of their own shadows, it all might come back and bite them on the ass one day - economically and via other social unrest...

 

 

<Snip>

i.e. most tourists, are okay, in fact due to lockdown in their countries they have accumulated a nice sum and gagging to go out and spend,"

 

'Accumulated a nice sum'...Good grief... 

[billythehat]

6 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

<snip>

"I can only see it getting worse. Domestic tourism just not working. Can't see real tourists arriving this year."

A well condensed appraisal of the reality of the current situation.  

 

[Agusts]

26 minutes ago, billythehat said:

<Snip>

i.e. most tourists, are okay, in fact due to lockdown in their countries they have accumulated a nice sum and gagging to go out and spend,"

 

'Accumulated a nice sum'...Good grief... 

What do you think happens to people money who receive a fix salary or pension month after month, and they can not go out to restaurant, bars, clubs, cinema, theatre, sports or any festival or music events, can't go on holidays or throw a party for various occasions, can't go out shopping and spend spend spend on useless purchases, like they usually do...!? 

 

 

[billythehat]

28 minutes ago, Agusts said:

What do you think happens to people money who receive a fix salary or pension month after month, and they can not go out to restaurant, bars, clubs, cinema, theatre, sports or any festival or music events, can't go on holidays or throw a party for various occasions, can't go out shopping and spend spend spend on useless purchases, like they usually do...!? 

 

 

Hmmmm...I note you don't have a firm grasp on the 'reality' thing. Maybe you're selling something; never mind, eh. 

[DrDave]

1 hour ago, Agusts said:

What do you think happens to people money who receive a fix salary or pension month after month, and they can not go out to restaurant, bars, clubs, cinema, theatre, sports or any festival or music events, can't go on holidays or throw a party for various occasions, can't go out shopping and spend spend spend on useless purchases, like they usually do...!? 

 

 

Certainly true in my case.  As a pensioner, no impact to income but we've been unable to travel (which is how we spend a considerable amount of money). By the end of this year, we would have already taken 2 one month-long trips back to Thailand and a couple of ocean cruises. None of that has or will happen this year, resulting in a considerable savings.

[xylophone]

10 hours ago, billythehat said:

<Snip>

i.e. most tourists, are okay, in fact due to lockdown in their countries they have accumulated a nice sum and gagging to go out and spend,"

 

'Accumulated a nice sum'...Good grief... 

Have to agree with your comment BTH, and not really sure if people will have "accumulated a nice sum" because they still have to live in the country they are in, shops are open and they still have mortgages to pay along with all other expenses.

 

Not only that, even if the people were wealthy, I really don't see wealthy people spending huge sums of money to get to a place where they will have to spend 14 days in expensive isolation, and the majority of restaurants are closed, entertainment is non-existent and the place (Patong) in general is looking very dirty and dilapidated.

 

If I was wealthy and living overseas, I could surely find a beautiful place, much closer to home, with an abundance of good restaurants, fine wine and fantastic scenery, not to mention great beaches, in which to spend my money.
 

[Agusts]

11 hours ago, billythehat said:

Hmmmm...I note you don't have a firm grasp on the 'reality' thing. Maybe you're selling something; never mind, eh. 

I was talking hypothetically, of course Thais are not about to let anyone in the country without restriction anytime soon, even the opposite, the so called Phuket Model trial is also postponed...!

 

You picked only a snippet of my post about "some" people having surplus cash and criticized it, I standby on that statement though, but of course the reality is economical situation in Patong and Phuket is bleak for the foreseeable future, no question...

 

Nevermind too.... ????????

[Destiny1990]

How about a poll where we the participants try to guess which Phuket hotel or bar will go bankrupt next ? 

[billythehat]

5 hours ago, xylophone said:

Have to agree with your comment BTH, and not really sure if people will have "accumulated a nice sum" because they still have to live in the country they are in, shops are open and they still have mortgages to pay along with all other expenses.

 

Not only that, even if the people were wealthy, I really don't see wealthy people spending huge sums of money to get to a place where they will have to spend 14 days in expensive isolation, and the majority of restaurants are closed, entertainment is non-existent and the place (Patong) in general is looking very dirty and dilapidated.

 

If I was wealthy and living overseas, I could surely find a beautiful place, much closer to home, with an abundance of good restaurants, fine wine and fantastic scenery, not to mention great beaches, in which to spend my money.
 

“Have to agree with your comment BTH, and not really sure if people will have "accumulated a nice sum" because they still have to live in the country they are in, shops are open and they still have mortgages to pay along with all other expenses.”
Yes, and that was the point being made. The wedged-up pensioners (gawd bless ‘em) will not be the saviours of Phuket or indeed Thailand.
 
“Not only that, even if the people were wealthy, I really don't see wealthy people spending huge sums of money to get to a place where they will have to spend 14 days in expensive isolation, and the majority of restaurants are closed, entertainment is non-existent and the place (Patong) in general is looking very dirty and dilapidated.”
Exactly.
 
“If I was wealthy and living overseas, I could surely find a beautiful place, much closer to home, with an abundance of good restaurants, fine wine and fantastic scenery, not to mention great beaches, in which to spend my money.”
That would rule out Eastbourne then. ????
 

So, let’s take a wee peep around the UK to suit the said requirements:
West country – beautiful but too many to many pesky tourists.
Wales – beautiful but full of the Welsh.
Scotland – stunning scenery but only 2 days sun per year.
West Midlands – no beaches but the curry options are endless.
London – you’d never know you were in England. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Hampshire – lovely and you can consider what many English claim as ‘going abroad’ when taking the ferry to the Isle of Wight. The Poles have found this island and now you can eat ‘continental’ in one of their restaurants. They serve a stew called Bigos which I’m told contains Bats & Bear; I haven’t yet tried this delicacy. Coloured sand beaches too.

 

Just a few there.