News Forum - Phuket Entertainment and Night life still booming | Thaiger Stories

[AussieBob]

18 minutes ago, JamesR said:

I played a few times in Phuket many years ago, far too hot to be enjoyable and not good for you health to be out in the blazing sun for hours on end.

Plus I resent the high fees, I can afford them but I resent them, they cost about five time the price you pay in the UK.

You have to find a club that offers discounts for locals - which includes long term Expats not Tourists. Plus the option of joining a club reduces the costs a lot.  Tourist prices are ridiculous - and they refuse to drop them even though business has been declining since 2015. Vietnam and China much cheaper and better I have been told by mates you went there pre-covid.

[AussieBob]

18 minutes ago, JamesR said:

All around the world the death rates to cases ratio is down as this version of the virus is not as dangerous as previous versions as far as death is concerned.

True - and great to see.  But as far as I have seen, Sweden has a lower cases to deaths ratio than the others.

[Rob2010]

Headline might have read Bangla Road Entertainment and Nightlife still booming, but even if it were true (and it's not) there is slightly more to Phuket (and Thailand ) than Bangla Road, so feels at odds with the room as it were.

Spent over half an hour last night chatting to my driver taking me from Airport to Phuket Town (chosen co-incidentally specifically to be as far removed - physically and metaphorically - from Bangla / Patong  as poss - ) and was very surprised to hear him say that business is still very slow, even for the few weeks that they had Test and Go.

When I'm done here with Sandbox I head off to Ubon, where a family member was laid off - with everybody else - when the mayor closed Central Festival Plaza over two weeks ago. The mall has just re-opened, but unfortunately not restaurants (even without alcahol sales) - viewed themselves by local authorities as high risk.

Still a long, long way to go to real recovery (for the economy, as opposed to any Bangla Road refugees).

[Alavan]

34 minutes ago, JamesR said:

I played a few times in Phuket many years ago, far too hot to be enjoyable and not good for you health to be out in the blazing sun for hours on end.

Plus I resent the high fees, I can afford them but I resent them, they cost about five time the price you pay in the UK.

I agree.
I started golf in Phuket in 1996.
Although I temporaly rent a house on Loch Palm GC, I don't golf there any more. Far to expensive.
F.e. Red Mountain. 6000 green fee, i think 700 for golf cart (you can't play without), caddy fee, caddy tip, some drinks on the course... easily 8000 baht for a round.
I also see interest in playing the Loch Palm course diminuing (my rentedhouse looks on the T-off 9), every year less tourists playing.

[oldschooler]

1 hour ago, AussieBob said:

Take up golf at a good club - you will meet a better 'class' of Expats I found (and Thais).  But avoid the Expat 'golf clubs' that are basically rowdy boys having lots of beer while playing a game - a good indicator is that they have a bar as their HQ.  

Like the various “golf club” bars in Soi Post Office area Pattaya…. back in the mid 00’s before I discovered Phuket …or well - known deceased Patong hotelier golfer who downed a bottle of red each day  …..for breakfast.

[Rain]

Better class of expats....

[Grumpish]

23 hours ago, Rain said:

A myth that's repeated over and again.

Care to come up with something to back that up - just Google "tourism Thailand GDP" (which is what I did) and you will come up with a plenty of links that confirm the 20% ballpark number. And if you don't think that Phuket is dependant on tourism you have either never been there or kept your eyes shut the whole time.

[AussieBob]

23 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Like the various “golf club” bars in Soi Post Office area Pattaya…. back in the mid 00’s before I discovered Phuket …or well - known deceased Patong hotelier golfer who downed a bottle of red each day  …..for breakfast.

Yep - those are the ones I mean.  But I do agree about Phuket especially - the golf is very expensive on the island. 9 million visitors a year (at peak) and only a few golf courses - they can charge whatever they want and get away with it there.  I know an Aussie who lives near Chalong - he has been there over 20 years and when he first arrived he played 1-2 times a week. About 2010 it became so expensive he gave the game away.  

[oldschooler]

2 hours ago, JamesR said:

Yes, what you said above is what I have been seeing for years.

The longest I have stayed in one stretch is one year, the average is six months but this goes back over a 34 year period.

I know and have mixed with Thais from various social groups in Thailand from the rich and educated to the average so I have a broad knowledge of how the society is. (And the corruption).

I did think of retiring when I was around 50 to Thailand but leaving my assets etc back in the Uk, after three months of walking on the beach etc it soon dawned on me that was not possible due to it becoming boring.

The best thing for me is when ready to retire then just retire, not retire to Thailand or anywhere, but just retire from work and then travel as you please. 

But I will leave my property and assets in the UK as the rules can change in Thailand at anytime and as we have no rights or security then we are not really expats or actually retired there, we are just on one year visa extensions.

I have met people as you say who sold up in the UK and I thought I know what will happen in a few years time to you, you will be stuck in some cheap village in the middle of nowhere in Isaan or some place as that is all you can afford after spending the bulk of the money and will slowly become a moaner.

I met one bloke while having a beer, he said you lot come here, you bring your two week money and the prices go up making it hard for us, we can't afford these prices, I thought that is not my fault. 

And the number of farangs I have met crying into their beer due to having met am Isaan bar girl, buying her a house, car etc and then her doing a runner with everything is quite common, I stay well away from that sort. 

Liquidate Western Assets, Live like a Prince here with Houses / Yacht / Merc / Triumph etc. with capital spend of 10% of that. Draw down on the rest & pension & investment income to maintain a Great Life over 30 years until death. Leaving perhaps 10% wealth to your descendants. Not 90% ! Never saw the point of retaining one or two million pound / dollar western property over age 65, taking only rent. You are fast dying at that point, at least in Life Quality.

Or actually buying UK house when 72 when literally dying of critical illness, like one friend !  Because all his wealth stupidly held jointly with his equally sick wife whose intention clearly to leave it all to her (not his)  children …..they hate each other and should have divorced and split their wealth 20 years ago …….

Avoid to die at 75 , with joint held wealth, leaving all that unused wasted wealth to ungrateful relatives ……when you should have used it for living Your Independent Full Life. Stop believing you’re going to live forever…….plan and act to finish quality life (form of dying) around 80, with any excess a bonus.

[oldschooler]

10 minutes ago, AussieBob said:

Yep - those are the ones I mean.  But I do agree about Phuket especially - the golf is very expensive on the island. 9 million visitors a year (at peak) and only a few golf courses - they can charge whatever they want and get away with it there.  I know an Aussie who lives near Chalong - he has been there over 20 years and when he first arrived he played 1-2 times a week. About 2010 it became so expensive he gave the game away.  

Prompting me to visit (world class) Red Mountain / Canyon Clubhouse to check out terms and members. What’s the best day / time for that for best social recon? Living on and off / semi retired on Kata Hill bordering Rawai / Chalong since 2008. Patong before that since 2004.

[oldschooler]

39 minutes ago, Rain said:

Better class of expats....

Talking about those farang who are somewhat accomplished, wealthy or comfortable, with expanded open minds & rounded life experience , with rational conservative views vs. the dull desparate socialist thick semi -skilled uneducated bar / rest. operator types, all with equally thick Isaan ex bar girl wives, of whom I’ve had a belly full around my area during Covid.

[LoongFred]

11 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Talking about those farang who are somewhat accomplished, wealthy or comfortable, with expanded open minds & rounded life experience , with rational conservative views vs. the dull desparate socialist thick semi -skilled uneducated bar / rest. operator types, all with equally thick Isaan ex bar girl wives, of whom I’ve had a belly full around my area during Covid.

Where are you located? I agree that some Thais with falong husbands, put on airs and feel entitled. I feel sorry for their husbands who don't seem to know what's going on. The husbands need to learn Thai so they understand. That's why mia falong is derogatory.

However, we know many Thais with falang husbands that are very helpful and giving. These are also welcomed in the community and people speak well of them.

Noone in my hometown would refer to her as Mia falong.

[AussieBob]

10 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Prompting me to visit (world class) Red Mountain / Canyon Clubhouse to check out terms and members. What’s the best day / time for that for best social recon? Living on and off / semi retired on Kata Hill bordering Rawai / Chalong since 2008. Patong before that since 2004.

Mid-week - Tuesdays are usually a very quiet day.   Going there and asking for the golf director to enquire about annual membership will get their attention. A Monday to Friday membership is sometimes available at clubs. Ask also about what it actually covers - green fees? and cart? and caddy? (tip always extra). Plan a day out and go and see them all - take a pen/paper as some wont have a handout in English - memberships are usually for local Thais and business Expats - tourists are come and go (and pay the full rate).   Dont go more more than a year or two membership - and ask is it allowed to be sold on to another person - some cannot and some can. Also check out if any members are selling their membership (due to the business downturn). There are websites that 'sell' memberships - but they look a bit dubious to me. 

 

[Rain]

Ahh...

Nothing more satisfying than tourists, wannabe residents and short-time experts on all things Thai. 

Should be proud.

[oldschooler]

1 hour ago, Rob2010 said:

Headline might have read Bangla Road Entertainment and Nightlife still booming, but even if it were true (and it's not) there is slightly more to Phuket (and Thailand ) than Bangla Road, so feels at odds with the room as it were.

Spent over half an hour last night chatting to my driver taking me from Airport to Phuket Town (chosen co-incidentally specifically to be as far removed - physically and metaphorically - from Bangla / Patong  as poss - ) and was very surprised to hear him say that business is still very slow, even for the few weeks that they had Test and Go.

When I'm done here with Sandbox I head off to Ubon, where a family member was laid off - with everybody else - when the mayor closed Central Festival Plaza over two weeks ago. The mall has just re-opened, but unfortunately not restaurants (even without alcahol sales) - viewed themselves by local authorities as high risk.

Still a long, long way to go to real recovery (for the economy, as opposed to any Bangla Road refugees).

Central Restaurants mostly Open. Sizzler Weekend Salad Buffet my favorite. Bangla quite lively with no Covid enforcement.Live Rock Music at Red Hot & New York my favorite.No Nightclubs or Pole Dancing yet.Patong to Rawai IS Very Busy with Sandbox Tourists. Central also.

Phuket Town great choice for quiet traditional non -beach stay.Campus Roaster coffee shop,at Museum end Thalang Road, must be best in Phuket . Try BeerSound for live music with dinner, at other end Thalang Road (then turn right).Blue Elephant, gourmet Thai cuisine, a strong must for dinner …….

 

[JamesR]

2 hours ago, Rain said:

From the start, it was always very very low and consistence - and continues to be regardless of the variant or vaccination status. 

The obvious recognition of these things and learning curve doesn't seem to be kicking in. 

One thing it has definitely not been and that is consistent, a ver y large variation of cases and deaths over the  last two years.

[JamesR]

2 hours ago, AussieBob said:

You have to find a club that offers discounts for locals - which includes long term Expats not Tourists. Plus the option of joining a club reduces the costs a lot.  Tourist prices are ridiculous - and they refuse to drop them even though business has been declining since 2015. Vietnam and China much cheaper and better I have been told by mates you went there pre-covid.

Thanks for the info @AussieBobbut it is far too hot to play for me, you will fair better as you are used to Aussie heat and therefore Thai heat, we Brits are wimps when it comes to anything over 25C.

[JamesR]

6 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Central Restaurants mostly Open. Sizzler Weekend Salad Buffet my favorite. Bangla quite lively with no Covid enforcement.Live Rock Music at Red Hot & New York my favorite.No Nightclubs or Pole Dancing yet.Patong to Rawai IS Very Busy with Sandbox Tourists. Central also.

Phuket Town great choice for quiet traditional non -beach stay.Campus Roaster coffee shop,at Museum end Thalang Road, must be best in Phuket . Try BeerSound for live music with dinner, at other end Thalang Road (then turn right).Blue Elephant, gourmet Thai cuisine, a strong must for dinner …….

Sizzler salad buffet, one of my favourites. 

[JamesR]

1 hour ago, oldschooler said:

Liquidate Western Assets, Live like a Prince here with Houses / Yacht / Merc / Triumph etc. with capital spend of 10% of that. Draw down on the rest & pension & investment income to maintain a Great Life over 30 years until death. Leaving perhaps 10% wealth to your descendants. Not 90% ! Never saw the point of retaining one or two million pound / dollar western property over age 65, taking only rent. You are fast dying at that point, at least in Life Quality.

Or actually buying UK house when 72 when literally dying of critical illness, like one friend !  Because all his wealth stupidly held jointly with his equally sick wife whose intention clearly to leave it all to her (not his)  children …..they hate each other and should have divorced and split their wealth 20 years ago …….

Avoid to die at 75 , with joint held wealth, leaving all that unused wasted wealth to ungrateful relatives ……when you should have used it for living Your Independent Full Life. Stop believing you’re going to live forever…….plan and act to finish quality life (form of dying) around 80, with any excess a bonus.

Not everyone hates their kids.

So if we get sick at 80 we have to kill ourselves as we planned to live until 80?

Most people do not die suddenly at 80, it is around that age we are more likely to need long term quality medical treatment hence go back home.

Plus the money/assets is safer in the UK, I am allowed to go back anytime, no security in Thailand, the political situation can change in an instance as has been seen with the numerous military coups over the last few decades. 

[JamesR]

28 minutes ago, Rain said:

Ahh...

Nothing more satisfying than tourists, wannabe residents and short-time experts on all things Thai. 

Should be proud.

You are making it sound like you are the expert and the rest of us are wrong, we are just giving our opinion bases on our experience, no different to what you are doing.

[oldschooler]

19 minutes ago, LoongFred said:

Where are you located? I agree that some Thais with falong husbands, put on airs and feel entitled. I feel sorry for their husbands who don't seem to know what's going on. The husbands need to learn Thai so they understand. That's why mia falong is derogatory.

However, we know many Thais with falang husbands that are very helpful and giving. These are also welcomed in the community and people speak well of them.

Noone in my hometown would refer to her as Mia falong.

Fred, interesting to see that you are deeply embedded within a strong and varied mixed community here. Professional/ Academic types perhaps. I am in almost the opposite position,  living in Tourist Area. Have fairly selfish Property, Family & Tropical Lifestyle Reasons for being here; non - communal.

My architect Thai lady / young son and I are quite isolated here in my Kata Phuket Pool Villa. I have chosen now near zero non- family regular social contact and don’t move much beyond Kata area. Chosen not leave Phuket since March 2020 and until Covid hysteria done. Before that working overseas and here only for Family / Holiday Visits. 
 

My lady has strong local Thai working class contacts for house / life business with just two close uneducated lady friends. I have no Thai language. My lady speaks good English, less good reading & writing …..

[oldschooler]

11 minutes ago, JamesR said:

Not everyone hates their kids.

So if we get sick at 80 we have to kill ourselves as we planned to live until 80?

Most people do not die suddenly at 80, it is around that age we are more likely to need long term quality medical treatment hence go back home.

Plus the money/assets is safer in the UK, I am allowed to go back anytime, no security in Thailand, the political situation can change in an instance as has been seen with the numerous military coups over the last few decades. 

My case completely misunderstood here I see…… 

[JamesR]

4 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

My case completely misunderstood here I see…… 

I think my main point is no matter how long we stay in Thailand, it could be for decades, we are still only seen as visitors, no rights etc, pay you way and you can stay, but in the end we have to return home unless of course we die suddenly. 

[oldschooler]

4 hours ago, Artemis080 said:

I just pretend Patong doesn't exist. Phuket life is good and it's a great place to live. 

Bangla the tourists and sex pests can keep.

Patong has important value. Wouldn’t exist otherwise. Live Music , Beach, Shopping, Energy, Great Hotels.
Set aside the perceived negatives and it’s fine. Quiet Wanted ? Phuket Town or STAY Country Resort or Golf ! 

[oldschooler]

18 minutes ago, JamesR said:

I think my main point is no matter how long we stay in Thailand, it could be for decades, we are still only seen as visitors, no rights etc, pay you way and you can stay, but in the end we have to return home unless of course we die suddenly. 

We are all only “visitors” to this life .

Fit & Healthy so far and working on it.

Still plan to work on overseas projects.

Stopped enjoying the Covid retirement.

Will not be returning to a bleak country  to receive a few more low quality years connected to life support machines in a crap climate which will also try to kill me over a few freezing winters…. with family there watching me die….  

Will have high quality life or no life. Option perhaps to check in to CM care home to see out final years here on pain relief, if it comes to that. 
 

Have essentially provided for all my family by “ living will” launching them financially during my lifetime. House Deposits, University, Cars etc. UK Assets long since sold or transferred.
They’ve been told that’s it. Thai Assets all to my lady and kid here. Who are already made financially independent & secure.