33 replies to this topic

[lvdkeyes]

Phuket is one of the more expensive areas of Thailand.

[patong]

Thaimo, on 31 December 2009 - 11:21 AM, said:

I'm sure you are right, but many Thai cities offer the same. Even from Pattaya, just minutes south of the city, between Pattaya and Sattahip, there are several beaches that rival the beauty of Phuket.

Based on your user name I think you are a probably fan and staunch supporter of Phuket and I am not trying to put down Phuket itself. It's the rip-offs and shabby treatment of tourists that I'm putting down and Phuket needs to get its act together about it. If I was a traveler on holiday in Phuket and was subjected to these kinds of rip-offs and attitudes, that would be the last time I would ever be in Phuket.

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...

[Thaimo]

patong, on 01 January 2010 - 02:30 PM, said:

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...

Phuket does offer everything you say it does, and more, but that is not my problem about going to Phuket. Several cities in Thailand also offer all you cite. The problem is the public transportation problem. That problem is easy for you to overcome, being a resident. You said it yourself. My interpretation of what you are saying is that you have to rent a motorbike or car, as a tourist, in order to avoid being ripped off by tuk-tuks. Is my interpretation incorrect?

That is precisely the point I'm trying to make. As a tourist, why would I want to go to a destination that is so rampant with public transportation rip-offs that I would have to rent my own vehicle to avoid the problem, especially when Phuket is not the only city that offers what Phuket has to offer? And based upon the article that began this thread, even if I want to go to the added expense of renting a car I will still have to be very careful about where I try to park if I want to avoid incidents ranging from verbal abuse to being physically attacked. Knowing that those possibilities are not only real possibilities, but are quite likely to occur, then until Phuket gets serious and starts doing something substantial about it, in all honesty I really cannot think of a good reason to go to Phuket at all.

I don't think I am alone in that opinion. Defending the positive aspects of Phuket is not enough to override the feeling of preferring to go elsewhere.

A long time ago I had a boss who said, and I think he was right, "It takes at least 10 'atta boys' to counteract 1 'awwww shit.'" That's how I see the problem in Phuket. As long as the city continues to tolerate this problem, tourists and potential tourists are going to be alienated.

[patong]

Thaimo, on 01 January 2010 - 03:28 PM, said:

My interpretation of what you are saying is that you have to rent a motorbike or car, as a tourist, in order to avoid being ripped off by tuk-tuks. Is my interpretation incorrect?

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.

[Beer Chang]

Thaimo, on 01 January 2010 - 03:28 PM, said:

That is precisely the point I'm trying to make. As a tourist, why would I want to go to a destination that is so rampant with public transportation rip-offs that I would have to rent my own vehicle to avoid the problem, especially when Phuket is not the only city that offers what Phuket has to offer?

Makes Samui look better and better. But flights are expensive cause Bangkok Air is like the Phuket taxi mafia.

[lvdkeyes]

Some friends of mine were recently in Samui and they were not impressed. It's been 10+ years since I have been there.

[Thaimo]

lvdkeyes, on 02 January 2010 - 08:58 AM, said:

Some friends of mine were recently in Samui and they were not impressed. It's been 10+ years since I have been there.

It has been about that long for me too. But I do remember that I enjoyed it there. I have learned not to necessarily go by the recommendations of others. I think many of us have been to places recommended by friends and wouldn't go back again if it was free. And I'm sure the same applies to places friends tried to convince you not to go, but you loved every second of it.

I think whether you enjoy any holiday, no matter where you go, depends on what you are looking for and what you expect, compared with what you actually get, along with good or bad unforeseen experiences.

[lvdkeyes]

I have to agree with you about other's recommendations. When I was going to KL for the first time a know it all type told me, "Why would you go there? It is dirty and the people are dirty and smelly". When I came back from an extremely enjoyable trip, I asked this guy which KL he had visited. KL is nothing like he said. I found it to be a cleaner city than BKK and the people certainly were far from dirty and smelly. This same guy highly recommended a restaurant here in Pattaya. Three of us went to try it out and we all agreed that it probably was the worst meal we'd had in Thailand. When my bf asked the waitress (in Thai) what was good on the menu, she replied. "Nothing is good here.")

[Bob]

lvdkeyes, on 02 January 2010 - 02:48 PM, said:

When I was going to KL for the first time a know it all type told me, "Why would you go there? It is dirty and the people are dirty and smelly". When I came back from an extremely enjoyable trip, I asked this guy which KL he had visited. KL is nothing like he said. I found it to be a cleaner city than BKK and the people certainly were far from dirty and smelly.

Hard for me to believe that anybody would say that about KL. I thought it was an exceptionally clean city and the people were rather lovely. One morning, I spent a couple of hours just walking around taking photos of the buildings - some fantastic architecture there. Maybe the guy got his cities mixed up (and, needless to say, if the guy told me the sun rises in the east, I'd look to the west....).

[Beer Chang]

lvdkeyes, on 02 January 2010 - 02:48 PM, said:

When my bf asked the waitress (in Thai) what was good on the menu, she replied. "Nothing is good here.")

Classic!

[lvdkeyes]

It turns out she was right.

[Beer Chang]

Maybe that should be on the list from the thread 100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do

[lvdkeyes]

From the owner's point of view, yes; from a customer's point of view, it could be cause to leave the restaurant.

[patong]

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...ads-home-11986/