patong

Good news for Phuket travellers. Even more direct domestic & international flight from Phuket from Air Asia. Great, air travel is getter cheaper and more convenient. Phuket - Udon Thani flights start Monday PHUKET CITY: Thai AirAsia will launch a new direct flight service connecting Phuket and the Isarn town of Udon Thani on Monday, December 21. The new service, with a 1 hour and 40 minute flight time, will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapol Bijleveld said “Udon Thani is in the central part of the Northeast region. With its location, it is very easy to travel to Laos through neighboring Nong Khai province to view the unique culture of our northern neighbor.†As Thai AirAsia’s designated second air hub, after Suvarnabumi Airport in Bangkok, AirAsia’s Phuket operation already offers direct flights daily to Chiang Mai. The new flights are part of a regional expansion that includes daily direct flights from Phuket to Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta, as well as thrice-weekly flights to Medan. Source http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8134

And yet another follow up story, same subject. Phuket Tuk-Tuk Row 'May Hit Scandinavia Market' By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian Wednesday, December 9, 2009 THE POTENTIAL for the tuk-tuk stand-off on Phuket to damage the island's tourism industry became apparent today with the revelation of other big travel brands involved. A spokeswoman for Centara Resorts said that Turismo Asia, who act for the large Scandinavian travel group TUI Nordic, has been a target for tuk-tuk action, along with Phuket adventure tour brand Siam Safari. The spokeswoman, who asked only to be described as ''an agent from the hotel,'' told a meeting at Provincial Hall today that the tuk-tuk dispute posed a threat to Phuket's ''sensitive Scandinavian market.'' Share She said there was a danger that travellers would find alternative destinations if guests continued to be caught up in the tuk-tuk dispute. A two-page letter, signed by Centara Group Vice President Treerayut Jiratiwat, was handed to Vice Governor Smit Parawatwichai, who chaired today's meeting. Rest of the story -----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-tuk-tuk-row-hurt-scandinavia-market-11890/

Here is another take on the same story, from the other Phuket paper. Phuket Brands and Tuk-Tuks in Fares Stand-Off By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian Tuesday, December 8, 2009 TWO OF the best-known tourism brands in Thailand are embroiled in an argument with Phuket tuk-tuk drivers that has also involved police, and possibly will soon involve the island's governor. The brands are Centara, the expanding Thai resort chain that is part of the Central group, and Siam Safari, a well-regarded tour company that has been operating on the island for 20 years. The row came to a head about noon on Monday when tuk-tuk drivers blocked the entrance to the upmarket Centara Karon Resort Phuket. Rest of the story -----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-brands-tuk-tuks-fares-dispute-11885/

And what about Obama's promises. More open government, no more pork, blah blah. You got to laugh at these US politicians (from either party), so long as you are not a US tax payer. I bailed out of the UK 25 years ago because of the high taxes.

Must admit I prefer 20 baht & 50 baht notes to save lugging about change in my pocket. I never take coins of 1 baht or less in shops, just tell then to keep it. Try to use 5 & 10 baht coins as quick as possible. I carry quite a bit of small notes in my pocket as many vendors never have change, I often suspect they hope you will just say 'keep the change'. I know that taxi drivers in Phuket never ever have any change, and just drive off with your 'change' without further discussion. I always make sure I have change before boarding a bus, or buying small items in a mom & pop shop. No problems in 7/11 though.

What were they going to do with just 3 baht ?? Sound like a couple of bums. Guess they will go back to Sweden, sponge more social security money & benefits, and be back again.

The claim that they only make 300 baht/day compared with 3,000 baht before (?) is worth some discussion. Now, a Tuk Tuk would not even switch the ignition on for less than 500 baht/trip so I don't know where the 300 baht came from. Another thing is that there are far too many Tuk Tuks sharing the pie. And they are shooting themselves in the foot as more and more tourists are learning the truth and decide to hire a car or bike rather than face the daunting task of hiring/paying for a Tuk Tuk. I suppose much of the problem has been caused by tourists comparing taxi prices to their own country, and thinking oh that's not so bad. I'm guessing that's why the situation has gotten so much out of hand as the drivers quickly catch onto his attitude and get even more greedy. I myself would rather walk than take a Tuk Tuk, indeed I have often done that when having my car is in the shop. Sucessive Phuket Governors have tried to introduce a fare table to be displayed in tuk tuk, but on no, those ideas were immediately ignored. I keep on wishing that these guys will be tamed by the authorities, but I doubt it. Too much money to be screwed out of the tourists !!!

The Phuket Tuk Tuk mafia are well known for their high charges, belligerence, laziness, and a whole hosts of other critism. They won't allow a bus service between the beach area, indeed they roughed up the drivers when a service was introduced a few years back, the won't allow the meter taxis to operate in the popular areas. Now they won't let tour operators pick up their customers and transport to their bases. Oh no, the taxis must be paid. Her is a local high profile story in the Phuket Gazette ----> Phuket taxi drivers demand fare share Tuk tuk taxis in Karon, which number 400 in total. Karon taxi consortium representative Supab Prankaew: 'taxi drivers used to make up to 3,000 baht a day, but now they only make about 300 baht a day'. KARON, PHUKET: A group of Phuket taxi operators has demanded a ‘fair share’ of the tourists transported between a Karon hotel and local tour destinations. The demands follow a complaint from Centara Karon Resort Phuket that heated arguments at the hotel between taxi drivers and tour company representatives have scared off tourists and threatened to ‘tarnish Phuket’s image’ as a tourist destination. Representatives from Centara Karon Resort Phuket handed a letter of complaint to Phuket Vice Governor Smith Palawatvichai last week. The letter cited several recent public disputes between taxi drivers based near the hotel and tour company representatives. The rest of the story http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8111

Never said he died, just said he was a 'drowning statistic'. Must admit that the news report was over dramatic as the boy was not a 'drowning fatality'. I still wonder what this young boy's parents were thinking

I think that all the major banks are guaranteed by the Thai Government, but only up to 500,000 baht. A few years back it used to be 1 Million baht, but was halved to 500 k.

Yest another drowning here on Phuket Island, a young Thai kid, very sad. But I have to wonder why the parents were not supervising a young year old!!! Boy's Narrow Escape: Phuket Faces Beach Anger By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Phuketwan News Analysis AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Thai boy almost became the latest Phuket drowning statistic over the weekend . . . at a beach with no lifeguards. The whole holiday island has no lifeguards because officials continue to wrangle about contracts and tenders. In the midst of the tourist high season and all year long, the safety of visitors and residents should take priority. Share The boy almost became yet another drowning statistic at the southern beach of Nai Harn on Sunday. He was plucked from the water and recovered after treatment at Vachira Hospital in Phuket City. Rest of news story ----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/boys-narrow-escape-phuket-faces-beach-anger-11879/

Yes, I looked at that but only when you book a hotel package but when I costed out their price vs booking the flight and hotel separately (same flights/same hotel)to Vietnam it worked out a bit cheaper. So much for the 'free' flight hype.

Air Asia starting a number of new routes from Phuket later this month. Some really good deals if book by today. I booked flights up to Udon for my lady's birthday in January 2010. Cost me a total of 2,700 baht for 2 of us round trip. While I was on Air Asia's web site I noticed flights Phuket to Vietnam for 290 baht. So I ended up booking 2 round tickets in March 2010 for only 3,800 baht (includes the departure tax etc). What a deal. Can't wait for the Phuket Bali flights that have been promised.

Doubt she was smuggling drugs from UK to Thailand, and she did have a visa. Thai authorities did well to turn her away without any fuss.

Here is a local story that made me laugh. How low do the Phuket News guys need to go. Must have been a very slow news day. Guess no killings that day .... Phuket Toilet Dirty, German Tourist Mops Up By Phuketwan Reporter Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Phuketwan Photo Album Above A GERMAN tourist was so unhappy with the lack of cleanliness at a public toilet on Phuket that he did something most tourists wouldn't think of doing. He bought a mop and a bucket and cleaned the toilet himself. ''I usually have a regular two-week holiday on Phuket,'' said Rohloef Jeck, 55, who is staying at the Kamala Beach Resort. Share Mr Rohloef's daily habit is to go for a swim and a run along Kamala beach. He finishes by using the toilet near Kamala's tsunami memorial. Rest of this story -----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/dirty-toilet-phuket-tourist-mops-11824/

Suspect it is the 30 baht scheme.

Long live the King, I wish him a few more years. Then what ....

You know Phuket gets a bad rap for violence, and here is yet another case. You read "As the two men lay on the road, their assailants stopped and the shooter walked up and shot Tawatchai in the back of the head" and you have to wonder what the hell these people are thinking. Being drunk is no excuse. And from the location described this happened very close to Chalong police station. Have a good read at the report. Thursday, December 3, 2009 Another man shot dead in Chalong Mr Tawatchai and the location where he was shot early this morning. CHALONG, PHUKET: A drinking session outside a mini-mart ended in the drive-by shooting murder of a Nakhon Sri Thammarat man early this morning. At 6:30am Chalong Police were notified of a shooting near the entrance to Chao Fah West Soi 55. Arriving at the scene, across from the Infinity Car Finance Shop, investigating officers including Chalong Police Superintendent Chinnarat Rittakananond found a crashed motorbike with no license plates; a car parked with a bullet hole in it; and a large pool of blood on the street surface. The wounded, both men, had already been rushed to Wachira Phuket Hospital. One of them, 21-year-old Tawatchai Khuankiri from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, died en route from a single .38-caliber gunshot wound to the back of the head. The other, his 23-year-old uncle, Suridech Blengjidsatien, also of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. Under the seat of their motorbike police found a ‘sparta’ knife with a 50-centimeter blade. Subsequent investigation revealed that Suridech was drinking outside the Rungnapa minimart on Patak Road, not far from Chalong Circle, the night before. He ended up in an argument with a group of six men who were also drinking there. He returned to his home near the Dowroong School in Wichit, where he asked Tawatchai to join him and return to the supermarket for drinks. When they returned to Rungnapa, the men were still there. The two men eventually left, but they were apparently trailed by two youths on another motorbike. After they rounded Chalong Circle, the pair came up from behind and the pillion rider drew a gun and shot twice, hitting Suridech in the right arm, causing the motorbike to crash. As the two men lay on the road, their assailants stopped and the shooter walked up and shot Tawatchai in the back of the head. The two youths then drove off in the direction of Phuket Town. Police are investigating and presume the shooting was the result of Mr Suridech's earlier altercation at the mini-mart. http://www.phuketgazette.net/dailynews/index.asp?Id=8077

Silly cow. But then again I read somewhere (?) that she did it for the publicity = more paid interviews.

I beg to differ. Now I live in Patong where the Tuk Tuk mafia rule, and the meter taxis are scared off the streets of Patong with threats of violence. I thought Bangkok would be different and meters are used without asking. My last trip to Bangkok, no trouble with the taxi from Don Muang to Suk Soi 4 (Nana, off course). I was asked if I wanted to go the toll road, no problem, cost me 300 baht, including 50 baht airport charge, toll, and a small tip. Going back I thought 300 baht would be the max, but asking all the taxis parked in Soi 4 all asked 500 baht and siad a tip would be extra and expected (!!!), no chance of meter charge. Ok, so I walk to the main road, flagged down the first taxi, a young guy, though he would say no to meter, but he agreed. Cost 145 baht on meter, 75 baht in tolls, I gave 300 baht, and he was delighted with the 80 baht tip.No different in Hong Kong last year. Took the taxi from hotel in Kowloon to airport, no meter but pre-agreed price which was reasonable compared with meter price from airport to Kowloon. But on arrival airport, much more was demanded, in fact double price asked to cover his trip back to town. I just called a cop and he quickly agreed to the original price. Sheesh, ruined my day with all the hassle.

This is story that attracted my attention. Phuket Island has just started it's high season, an Aussie was drowned a few days ago, and the authorities pull the lifeguards off the beaches. Not that they were much use anyway, but at least it was something. Danger: Phuket Pulls Lifeguards Off All Beaches By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Phuketwan News Analysis THERE are no lifeguards on any of the beaches on the popular holiday resort island of Phuket as a wrangle about who pays for equipment and training places the lives of swimmers at risk. The island's administrative body, the Orborjor, has also taken away surf boards and other paraphernalia that could be vital if someone finds themselves in distress and signals for help. Rest of this story ----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/danger-phuket-pulls-lifeguards-beaches-11857/

Another motor bike related death - RIP Dutch crash victim's remains to be repatriated SAKHOO, PHUKET : The remains of Dutch national Klaas Verbeek, who was killed in a motorbike accident on Monday evening, will be repatriated to Holland over the weekend. Pol Maj Rassada Kleongwong of Tha Chat Chai Police, identified the driver of the vehicle that collided with Mr Verbeek’s motorbike as Pol Sgt Maj Thavorn Tongkham, who is assigned to the Tah Chat Chai Police subdistrict in Sakhoo. Sgt Maj Thavorn was off duty when the accident occurred, he said. The accident occurred on a curved, downhill stretch of Naithon Rd in Ban Layan, Sakhoo Village 3, Thalang district. Seriously injured in the accident was Mr Verbeek’s passenger, 40-year-old Mrs Kulchalee Tunsang. Mrs Kulchalee suffered multiple injuries including several broken ribs and a broken finger. She will require at least a month of in-patient treatment, staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital told the Gazette. Mr Verbeek lost control of his motorbike and crossed the centerline of the road, making it impossible for Sgt Maj Thavorn to avoid the collision by braking, Maj Rassada said. After the accident Sgt Maj Thavorn’s pickup hit a fence on the left hand side of the road and came to a stop, he said. Sgt Maj Thavorn remained at the scene of the accident, he said. Mr Verbeek’s remains were sent to Thalang Hospital. The injured Mrs Kulchalee was also sent to Thalang Hospital for emergency treatment. She was later transferred to the better-equipped Vachira Phuket Hosptial in Phuket City. Evidence from the accident scene, including damages to the pickup and skid marks, indicated that Mr Verbeek was at fault, Maj Rassada said. “The case will be sent to the embassy and public prosecutor, but there will be no charges as the responsible party has passed away,†Pol Maj Rassada said. Mr Verbeek’s friend and compatriot Edwin Van Der Mosselaar told the Gazette earlier that Mr Verbeek was a very responsible man who never operated a motorbike after drinking. Mr Van Der Mosselaar, who flew back from Chiang Mai to help Mr Vervbeek’s family repatriate his remains, was too emotionally distraught over the loss this morning to comment further or discuss if any memorial services would be held in Phuket. A source at the Dutch Embassy said Mr Verbeek’s family are working with Mr Van Der Mosselaar to repatriate his remains aboard an Air Berlin flight over the weekend. Mr Verbeek’s insurance will cover the expense, the source said. Source http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/

Technically you are correct that no visa is issued on arrival, but in reality an entry stamp will be issued, so the answer to the original question is Yes, assuming flying in and out of Thailand each time.

Might I suggest you start a Bush W topic. And, let's wait a couple of years, then the Obama jokes will be in vogue. Lastly, that's a terrible racist joke about Obama. Very bad form.

I'm not sure how many members live in the Phuket area, but maybe this news is worth an appearance here ----. Phuket Re-entry Permit Switch to Immigration HQ By Chutima Sidasathian Thursday, October 29, 2009 LONG-TERM expat residents on Phuket and tourists who want to stay for three months and come and go to other countries are being advised to arrange re-entry permits in advance at Phuket City Immigration headquarters. From Sunday, November 1, it will not be possible to do the paperwork required for re-entry permits at Phuket International Airport. News of the change comes as 10.3 million baht is being spent to upgrade the Immigration counter facilities at the airport. Eight more stations are to be added for arrivals, taking the total to 30, and two more for departures, taking the total to 20, completed by March. Rest of story ----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-entry-switch-immigration-11735/