patong

I wonder if the Gazette report is just wild optimism by the TAT, or maybe it's because of all those wonderful news reports about Jet Skis, Tuk Tuks, and bar fights Phuket tourism in high gear with last-minute bookings PHUKET: For the last few weeks, a steady rise in the island’s hotel reservations indicate a strong start for the 2010 tourism season. According to the Phuket Tourist Association, which since 1980 began monitoring information and trends for the island tourism industry, hotel bookings have increased considerably compared with the same period last year. According to Phuket Tourist Association president Somboon Jirayut, between the last week of December 2009 and the beginning of January, vacation rentals and hotel room reservations increased, with up to 90 percent of those reservations being last-minute bookings. “With the high season just beginning, but already breaking records, the island’s hospitality business is encouraged. Many post-tsunami factors are contributing to increased tourism and luckily, Thailand's political climate has remained stable following the 2008 anti-government protests,†Mr Somboon said. Mr Somboon added that additional flights to Phuket from Australia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore were a significant factor in the increase of tourists. “Over the last year tourists’ behaviors have changed. In the past, most tourists made their vacation reservations at least one-year in advance. These days, however, most visitors book their rooms closer to their projected travel dates or even at the last minute,†he concluded. http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8215

After all the bad news reports coming out of Phuket Island, plus a world wide recession, then it's no surprise to me that tourists numbers remain low. Phuket's Best Seasons Still Up in the Air By Alan Morison Wednesday, January 6, 2010 LIKE A full 747 circling for a gap in the traffic, Phuket's signs of prosperity are in sight but out of reach. Will there be a recovery on Phuket? And if one is on the way, when will it land? The answer is accurate, but deliberately vague: not soon. Passenger figures for Phuket for December are hugely deceptive. International arrivals and departures jumped by 12.85 percent. Domestic traffic? Up by an astonishing 70.15 percent. Share Don't believe any of that nonsense. Bear in mind that December 2008 marked the invasion of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. Phuket, though, functioned as an escape route for many tourists who were trapped in the capital by the protest. While this year's December figures seem astonishingly good, do not be fooled. For the whole of 2009, international arrivals and departures were down by 4.91 percent, with the domestic side compensating a little by increasing 5.04 percent. The magic six million mark for passenger trips continued to elude Phuket. In 2008, the number of arrivals and departures totalled 5,730,748. Last year that figure nudged up to 5,779,918. As 2008 was the year of the Phuket airport invasion and the Bangkok airports invasions, you can see why that 747 is still circling. Tourists who did come brought less to spend and picked up discounts on their holidays on just about everything, except the tuk-tuks. By our rough rule of thump, which is a typo but an appropriate one, the Phuket economy remains adrift of the record 2007-2008 high season by about 20 percent. If you desperately need something to look forward to, Valentines Day coincides with Chinese New Year on February 14. Be prepared to have all the fun you can before Phuket slips into another prolonged low season. There are no happy landings scheduled just yet. Roll on, 2011. Source ----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phukets-best-seasons-air-11998/

Seems like there are only bad news reports coming out of Phuket. Hollywood-style bar brawl in Patong PHUKET: A bar in Patong was wrecked this morning when a vicious fight broke out between two gangs at 3am. The men, numbering at least ten, were all young and muscular and smashed wooden chairs and bottles over each other in the fight on Soi Happy off Rat-U-Thit 200 Pii Road, said Phuket Immigration Volunteer Mr Robin Lee. Three police officers, including Superintendent Col Grissak Songmoonnak, arrived on the scene soon after the fight broke out. “Col Grissak went straight into the midst of the brawl and brought the situation under control within seconds. He commanded the men to ‘stop fighting and sit down’. The brawlers were all handcuffed before being taken off to the police station,†said Mr Lee. Many of the brawlers ended up with cuts and bruises, but none of them seemed to have any serious injuries, said Mr Lee. Source -----> http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8208

Interesting twist to the story, although it's most likely he fessed and paid his 1,000 baht fine just to get home. Canadian confesses, pays fine at Phuket Court PHUKET: Canadian tourist Ivan Bob Anwar, who was involved in a punch-up with a Patong tuk-tuk driver earlier in the week, has been ordered to pay a 1,000 baht fine after confessing to assault charges. Mr Anwar, 51, paid the fine at Phuket Provincial Court earlier today after pleading guilty to charges of assault against tuk-tuk driver Tassanarit Damthong, 30. The charges against Mr Anwar followed similar charges filed by the Canadian against Mr Tassanarit on Tuesday, the day the altercation took place. Mr Tassanarit's preliminary hearing took place yesterday at Phuket Provincial Court, where he was granted bail. He will have to appear in court at a later date to face his assault charges. As for Mr Anwar, he paid his fine and got his passport back this afternoon. His case was fast-tracked through the court so he could return home and not have to extend his trip. At the time of writing, he was expected to fly out of Phuket this evening bound for Bangkok, intending to catch his connecting flight to Tokyo. Mr Anwar has for years worked in Japan as an English teacher. Source ----> http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8210

I believe that the 30 baht scheme is still available (only for Thai Nationals). Whether it was ever properly funded, that is debatable. This was a promise made by central government (I believe to honour an election promise by then PM Thaksin) but from everything I hear very little funding was made to the hospitals, resulting in understaffing, and no pharmacy supplies available in the hospitals. Here in Patong the government hospital is a joke. The old small hospital was replace by a big new modern hospital about 7 years ago and the initial reports from tourists using that facility were quite good. However in the last 2 or 3 years the hospital has become very very run down, dirty, poorly maintained, no doctors on duty, I believe that all the doctors resigned (from a local news report I read). These days all Patong hospital can do it basic first aid, and then ship patients out to either the government hospital in Phuket Town (Vishara), nd the tourists that can pay are transfered to the private hospitals in Phuket Town (Bangkok Phuket & Phuket International).

If you look carefully at Air Asia's terms & conditions then it might be possible to cancel your booking, pay a penalty fee, and use the credit from unused ticket on another flight. But I don't think you can do over the net, only by calling into an Air Asia office. I wish you the best of luck undertaking that challenge.

And now here comes the counter claim by the Tuk Tuk driver. Now he is filing charges against the tourist. UPDATE: Phuket tuk-tuk assault case PHUKET: A Patong tuk-tuk driver charged with assault for allegedly beating a Canadian tourist has been granted bail. Tassanarit Damthong, 30, handed himself in at Kathu Police Station at 3pm on Tuesday. He was arrested and charged with the assault of Canadian tourist Ivan Bob Anwar, 51. Mr Anwar claimed he was punched five times after refusing to pay 150 baht for a one-minute tuk-tuk ride from the north end of Patong to Kalim on Tuesday afternoon. For previous report click here. Initially denied bail, Mr Tassanarit was released yesterday after his wife posted 40,000 baht in surety. Both Mr Anwar and Mr Tassanarit arrived at Phuket Provincial Court at 1:30pm yesterday for preliminary hearings. Mr Tassanarit told reporters that it was Mr Anwar who struck first. After arriving at the destination in Kalim, opposite the Sunset Beach Resort, Mr Anwar became angry over the fare price and refused to pay, he said. The Canadian then rudely pointed a finger in his face and kicked him in the chest, the tuk-tuk driver claimed. Mr Tassanarit lifted his shirt for the Gazette to reveal bruising on his stomach, which he claimed to reporters was the result of Mr Anwar kicking him. After being kicked by Mr Anwar, he retaliated and punched Mr Anwar once in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the tuk-tuk, he said. Members of the Patong Tuk-Tuk "Club" who accompanied Mr Tassanarit to court yesterday said they planned to file counter charges against Mr Anwar. Mr Anwar’s version of events was very different. He told the court yesterday that Mr Tassanarit punched him five times after he refused to pay the 150-baht fare. Kathu Police duty officer Jongserm Preecha this morning told the Gazette Mr Anwar was at Kathu Police Station and will be charged with assault for kicking the tuk-tuk driver. He will not be able to leave Thailand until either the case is cleared or he confesses to the assault charge and pays a fine. Mr Anwar was due to leave Phuket at 10am today for his return trip to Tokyo, but he had to postpone the flight. Source ---->http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8207

That's Ok if you have the 800,000 baht in bank, or a certified pension of 65,00 baht/month.

The way I read it is that he agreed on a fare of 150 baht, which is exceptionally cheap in Patong, but then he realised it was only a one minute ride and tried to negotiate a cheaper price. Quite honestly this guy was out of order, but no way did he deserve a beating. He should have walked. Welcome to Patong

I think that's 20% per annum. Illegal loan sharks in Thailand charge 10% per month. So that's 120% per annum .. compounded. Not even close to 20% annum. Borrower BEWARE.

I don't think that a debt card can be used for Internet purchases, such as booking airline tickets. I might be wrong, correction welcomed.

Following from my last post, here is an interesting accident as reported in the Phuket Gazette. Wild car crash in Phuket Town PHUKET: Like a scene out of a Hollywood action movie, an out-of-control car plowed through market stalls in the Samkong area of Phuket Town yesterday morning, leaving scores of motorbikes damaged and one woman with a broken arm. Phuket City Police were informed of the accident at 9am. Arriving at the scene, opposite the Dairy Hut restaurant on Hongyok U-thit Rd, they found 10 damaged motorbikes, including a Honda Wave smashed beyond repair. A crowd of shocked onlookers surveyed the damage, which included a crashed Hyundai sedan that was later revealed to be an official vehicle of Vachira Phuket Hospital director Dr Jessada Chungpaibulpatana. Adding to the mayhem were fruit and vegetables scattered all over the road, from stores that are normally at their busiest at that time of day. Injured in the crash was 53-year-old Oronong Suriyawong, who was taken to hospital for treatment of a broken arm and other injuries. About 20 meters away in the middle of the road was the vehicle that caused the damage, a Toyota Altis with a damaged windshield, radiator and hood that was still covered with fruit and vegetable matter. The driver, 37-year-old Sutheep Rungruen of Rasada Village 6, did not try to flee the scene. She told investigators that before the crash she had visited relatives in the area. After starting the engine the car accelerated quickly, plowing through everything in its path. Police think that panic and problems with her footwear getting stuck beneath the brake pedal may have been the cause. Source http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8195

Here are the mos recent statistics for Phuket & rest of Thailand in the Phuket Gazette. makes for very grim reading. Phuket holiday road toll: 6 dead, 85 injured PHUKET CITY: Going into the last day of the ‘Seven Days of Danger’ road safety campaign there were six dead and 85 injuries from 79 reported accidents in Phuket. One of the dead was an Australian. Statistics from the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) show Muang District had the highest numbers, with four dead and 49 suffering injuries requiring in-patient hospital treatment. Drunk driving was given as the cause of 26 of the accidents island-wide and fully 85% of the mishaps involved motorbikes. There were 78,852 people inspected for traffic violations at police checkpoints, with 6,315 people arrested or fined. Thus far 745 suspects have been arrested on drunk driving charges. Mr Sun Chuntarawong, head of DDPM-Phuket, said the dead included 55-year-old Australian national Roger Quinn, who died from injuries suffered during a minivan crash on Phra Phuketkaew Rd in Kathu at 6:45 last night. Two others were injured, including another Australian. On Wednesday, 42-year-old Abhichart Limpipatsuwan died at Vachira Phuket Hospital from injuries sustained in a motorbike crash at 3:30pm. On Thursday, 30-year-old Prasobporn Archeewara-ngubroak succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorbike crash on Chao Fah East Rd on New Year’s Day. Although the fatality figures for Phuket are up, the latest nationwide statistics from DDPM-Thailand show a total of 3,289 accidents over the first six days, down 7.3 from last year. The total number of deaths (309) and injuries (3,563) were also down, 7.8% and 6.5%, respectively. Chiang Mai and Chanthaburi have the highest fatality figures, with eleven dead. Nakhon Sri Thammarat had the highest number of injured, 128. At the other end of the scale, Yasothorn province has yet to report even a single accident for the period. Source http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8196

Me too. I have asked about a Thai credit card in the past. Response I get from Thai Farmers (Kasicorn) is blank looks followed by not a chance. I just take the 'mai pen rai' attitude.

Still no difference as far as I can measure

No, I have not noticed any increase in prices. Long may that last

Too true, but this Icon pub is notorious for hard drinking Thais and for fighting. Not the sort of place that attracts holidaymakers.

What a surprise. Situation normal ...

Don't you just love the glamour of Phuket Yet another Phuket Gazette news story spreading the word about Phuket life, the wild west shootings, all part of the fun. I'm jesting, but it is a very sad reflection of the truth. Read on folks ----> New Year’s Eve shooting murder in Phuket RAWAI, PHUKET: Police are searching for the gunmen who shot and killed a man celebrating the New Year holiday early yesterday morning in what police believe was a revenge killing by rival gang members. Chalong Police Investigator Boonlert Onklang identified the deceased as 24-year-old Wanchai Withaya, a Chalong resident. Police received a report of the shooting at the popular Icon Pub, on the road to Kata in Nai Harn, at 4:30am on yesterday.. Chalong Police Superintendent Chinnarat Rittakananond and other investigators rushed to the scene, where they found a crowd of Thai and foreign tourists gathered around the body of the victim on the ground in front of the pub. Mr Wanchai was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town where he was later pronounced dead of bullet wounds with entry points at the right cheek and left ear. The caliber of the bullet has not yet been reported. Police questioned a close friend of the deceased, who said Mr Wanchai was among a large group of friends who went to the pub together to celebrate the new year. Mr Wanchai was employed as a gardener at a villa residence on Soi Suksan in Rawai, the friend told police. According to the friend, Mr Wanchai was drinking at a table when a man identified only as ‘Tor’ approached and slapped him in the face twice. After this, about 10 friends of the deceased attacked Tor in retaliation. Knowing Tor’s reputation and not wanting further problems, Mr Wanchai’s party quickly paid their bill and left, the friend told police. However, Mr Wanchai later returned with his uncle, hoping to make sure there were no hard feelings on the part of Tor, who has a reputation as a gangster, the friend said. As Mr Wanchai and his uncle were talking with Tor outside the bar, two Thai youths approached them on a motorbike. The man riding pillion shot Mr Wanchai twice in the head and the pair sped off. Chalong Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, which they presume to have been revenge. As of this morning they had yet to arrest any suspects. source ---> http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8184

I tried this place a couple of times. Terrible service, expensive, wrong location, and it's no surprise to me that this place folded. Phuket Brewery Closes, But the Venue Rocks On By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Sunday, January 3, 2010 THE PHUKET BREWERY closed on Christmas Eve . . . ending a bold attempt to give Phuket its first large entertainment venue. But the story doesn't finish there. On January 29, the ship-shaped but never quite ship-shape venue reopens as Long Lao Sang Chan, one of a chain of well-regarded entertainment venues throughout Thailand. The Brewery, which opened in November 2008, probably had the worst of the economic downturn to contend with in the following 13 months. Share As a trail-blazer, the venue did attract some of the biggest headline bands in Thailand. But other nights? It was always difficult to win a large enough audience to cover the costs of such a big venue. Now the boutique brewery, attached to a huge stage and an auditorium capable of comfortably seating 1850 on two levels, will be rented to the Long Lao Sang Chan group. The ''Whisky and Moonlight'' brand already has five nightlife venues in Thailand, four in Bangkok and one in Nakorn Sri Thammarat. Thai folk-rock of the Carabao kind is the specialty. It was hoped that the Phuket Brewery would eventually grow to the point where international acts with an expat audience could be attracted to perform on the island. It certainly had a perfect central location, opposite Tesco Lotus on the bypass road, with a huge car park and indoor and outdoor dining, as well as rooms for private parties. The opening night attracted 300 of Phuket's most prominent citizens. Because of the harsh economic times, the dream of international expat acts remained unfulfilled. But it isn't dead yet. The boutique brewery itself, which produced several varieties sold only at the on-site venue, is to continue. The brewery rocks on. source ----> http://phuketwan.com/property/phuket-brewery-closes-venue-rocks-11985/

Here is a follow up news story to the original topic -----> Phuket Tuk-Tuk Attack: Tourist Victim Heads Home By Phuketwan Reporters Sunday, January 3, 2010 THE Frenchman who told Phuketwan exclusively how a tuk-tuk driver allegedly bashed his family is due to fly out of Thailand for home tomorrow. Today ''Didier'' flew to Bangkok from Phuket in readiness for his return trip after a too-eventful holiday. The case against the man accused of wielding a metal beach umbrella stump, breaking ''Didier's'' arm and injuring his wife and father in the scuffle over a car parking spot, is to proceed. Lieutenant Chana Suttimas, of Chalong police, said today that the courts would issue a warrant tomorrow for the arrest of the prime suspect in the case, who has previously been named as Likit Teangtea. Police had enough information in the statements from ''Didier'' and his family to proceed with the case without him being here, Lieutenant Chana said. Police had previously been to Khun Likit's home to try to confirm his identity as the man who allegedly assaulted the French family. Khun Likit was not at home. With the whole of Phuket enjoying the New Year break, the first opportunity for the court to issue an arrest warrant will be on Monday. Back in July, Phuketwan telephoned the leader of the Karon-Kata tuk-tuk drivers. ''So you want to talk to me?'' the deep voice on the other end of the telephone said. ''Aren't you afraid of me? I am the tuk-tuk Mafia.'' He was joking, of course. The publication of the interview with Porntep Chamkawn that followed triggered a huge response across Phuket that has continued in the intervening six months with every article about tuk-tuks. The Boxing Day beating at the Karon Administration public parking lot has unleashed more criticism of the tuk-tuk drivers, especially from Phuket's resident expats. Since July, Khun Porntep, as head of the Kata-Karon Tuk-tuk Association, has introduced a number of reforms, including service training for drivers and a fare cut between Karon and Patong. However, the attack on the tourist family is a setback to what might have eventually proved to be an improved impression of tuk-tuk drivers. In good English, ''Didier'' told Phuketwan exclusively about the Boxing Day attack : ''It seems that the tuk-tuk or taxi driver came out of the little shed where all the drivers are sitting, and insulted us. ''He said we weren't allowed to park, it was reserved for the police. ''We said 'It's nonsense', because there was no sign. There were plenty of other cars. We actually left and were going to do some shopping. ''One specific gentleman, whom the police are investigating, came out with the bat as you can see there [pointing at the stump] the wooden and metal pole and went straight at me with all his strength and aimed at my head, trying obviously to kill me. ''I put my arm in front of me, so it broke my arm. My father jumped on him and got the bat away from him, so he went to get another one. ''He came back and tried to hit me again and missed me, he hit my wife and eventually my father disarmed him again, and he left and we left as well. ''As my arm was broken we called the police and we went to the hospital. It was operated on. ''I think this gentleman was under the influence of drugs. He did not look healthy at all. As I told you, I would prefer if our names were not mentioned.'' ''Didier'' told Phuketwan he had visited Thailand many times to holiday with family members who live here, but he will not be returning after the violent encounter. From now on, because of the assault, the Phuket family members will visit him in France. More problems for tuk-tuk drivers on Phuket have arisen because of a dispute with one well-known resort company and tour operators. The key appears to be that despite the economic gloom and tourists having less money to spend, the number of tuk-tuks has not decreased. Instead, more people have become drivers, meaning there is less money to share. Phuketwan has said that reform of the island's tuk-tuk cartels needs to come as part of a complete review of Phuket's long-term transport needs. Ten years into the 21st century, the island deserves a proper public transport system. Source http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-tuk-tuk-attack-tourist-victom-heads-home-11986/

Oh dear, I had no idea you were a 'moderator'. Why is that not obvious in your profile ? How many other moderators are there ? I only see Administrators listed. And getting back to the issue at hand, you are not exactly being welcoming and friendly to new members. I've made my point again, and now I'll zip it ..

No, you are correct. In no way am I trying to minimise this problem. I am only trying to offer solution to this forum's readers. Another good solution is to obtain the mobile phone number of an honest driver by recommendation or personal experience. There are a few honest private taxi drivers, even Tuk tuk driver, who prefer not to be involved by the 'mob' mentality of the others.

Over many years I have checked out other areas of Thailand such as Hau Hin/Cha-am, Pattaya, Chang Mai, with a view to living there. All places have a compromise, and I still like Phuket for it's infrastructure, scenic variety, and there are still low cost options if you look about. Take Patong, these days we have a world class Mall, Jungcyelon, with multi screen cinema, the ocean on the doorstep, and all the amenities of modern living. I know many visitors will knock Patong with too expensive, too seedy, bad service, blah blah.. But if you live here you can avoid all those negatives. I've never ever used a Tuk Tuk, I prefer my motor bike, or even the public bus into Phuket Town, if necessary I rent a car. No problems for me...

I frequently use Air Asia to fly about the region and the flight have always departed on time, in fact they often close the door a good few minutes early, and off the ground bang on time, always landing a few minutes earlier than schedule. What really impresses me is that make it very clear that passengers need to be at the gate 20 minutes before departure time. Now of this 'thinking about boarding' nonsense you often see on other air lines. Earlier this year I had to rush up to Bangkok at very short notice, arrived at Phuket airport, looked for the first departure, happened to be one-2-go (or one-2-crash as it's locally know). Amazingly we boarded only a few minutes late, but then we sat on ground for over 60 minutes. By that time I watched with annoyance the later Air Asia flight board, taxi, and take off. Never again ...