Critical subject, excellently written. Let's see what comes.

Posted by juswunderin on May 27, 2015 15:36

'to try to establish a rival online booking site to prevent the cut-throat competition.'

So a small local rival site offering higher prices is meant to compete with mega sites like Expedia, hotels and booking dot Com? Either:

a) You explained it wrong

b) People who thought this was a good idea should be removed from any decision making positions due to reasons of mental deficiency

Posted by Lashay on May 27, 2015 15:57

som nam naa....

Posted by dave on May 27, 2015 16:07

This is excellent news - as I have said many times the only way that change can happen on Phuket is a collapse in the tourist market, which will force the scammers to go elsewhere or rethink their strategies. This will give authorities the chance to build again without having to pander to those who wield the power today. Take away their income and you take away their power.

Short term loss for legitimate businesses is regrettable but the only way to ensure sustainable recovery.

Tourists - stay away !

Posted by Discover Thainess on May 27, 2015 16:37

The editor says that we can not return to the past, but you have to see the reality in front its not the chinese who will safe the Phuket economy. Lets REGULATE sunbeds and restaurants, let them pay for the space they rent like we know it in many places in the world, use that money fex to have a daily cleaning of our beaches, life guards, thats the way you will bring back prosperity and quality customers, the europeans who spend money in Phuket, I know the editor not like to hear this but he will have to see the reality

Posted by Eric on May 27, 2015 16:50

For over a decade Phuket tourism industry has bluntly ignored what tourists, expats and even the consuls say. Dare I say, been downright arrogant in their ignorance.

Being fed fairytale statistics of ever increasing arrival numbers, no matter how badly they treat the tourists or how many they cheat. Not to mention crime and justice.

Many of those are now desperately seeking explanations OTHER than their own behavior, as it's always someone else's fault.

If one would list all the factors that currently speak against visiting Phuket, it would be a mighty long list.

Establishing a booking site with the aim to charge more ?

Oh I'm sure it will be an amazing success.

I've said it many times before and will say it again - the only way to force change for the better on Phuket is a total collapse of the tourism industry.

All signs point towards this being just around the corner.

Who knows, maybe one day tourists will be able to pay the same prices as Thais, enjoy affordable and safe public transport, trust the police to be there to protect them and the courts to deliver justice.

Enjoy clean, unpolluted beaches without Jet-Ski mafia, enforcement of safety standards across the board. Not being electrocuted by the pool through shoddy wiring.

I know this is pure utopia but I believe all of the above needs to happen before tourists even consider returning to Phuket.

Once a tourist destination ruins it's reputation, like happened to Rhodes or Goa, it's incredibly difficult to convince tourists to return.

Why would they take such a risk ?

People want to enjoy a carefree and relaxed holiday and there are plenty of other places in the sun that offer just that.

If those in power really want to fix the problem, organize a public hearing in ENGLISH and invite expats, consuls and all key players of the industry to join.

Let the foreigners on Phuket finally have a voice, without the fear of reprisals.

Posted by Herbert on May 27, 2015 17:00

This is not a surprise. This is logical and predictable market forces.

Lets say you like fresh fruits. You always goes to the same store to buy your fresh fruits. One day the store tells you they have decided not to sell fresh fruits anymore, but to sell nuts instead, and because of this, they say, you now have to forget about fresh fruits and start to eat nuts.
You dont like nuts so what will you do? You will start to look for another store to buy your fresh fruits, right? And for sure there will always be other shops ready and happy to welcome you as a new customer and offer you the fresh fruits that you want!

This is what is happening to Phuket!

People dont want overpriced tuk tuks and taxis that are acting like they owns all the streets and parking spaces. They want a well established and low priced transport system. Low priced airport coaches to the most well known beach cities and tuk tuks/songteaws at reasonable prices driven by friendly drivers with proper driving licences and that dont occupy every street and parking lot.

People dont want noisy and polluting jet skis all over the beaches and sea, owned by unfriendly scamming thugs. Get rid of them all as in other places in Thailand!

People dont want to sit on beach carpets without umbreallas. They want sun chairs and umbrellas to protect them against the strong sun. And they want to be served with food and drinks, because they are here on holiday, right!

People dont want filthy beaches and polluted water running in to the sea near the beaches. They want clean beaches, with trash bins, and without polluted water flushing in to the sea.

People dont want to feel they are overpriced and cheated all the time. They want fair prices.

People want their saftey to come first, not the greed of the people organizing trips or driving mini vans.

Fix this problems and Phuket will again have a very bright future that will benefit everyone, both people living here and people visiting as tourists!

Dont fix it and this will go much more bad!

Right now, Phuket are not offering the fresh fruits that people wants...

Posted by PhuketFriendly on May 27, 2015 17:04

'to try to establish a rival online booking site to prevent the cut-throat competition.'

A Thai website to compete with the likes of Agoda? Fat chance that will be competitive. Have you looked at a Thai website lately?

Posted by Scudman on May 27, 2015 17:29

Or could it be that travelers are intentionally going elsewhere considering all that is in the news?

Of course it doesn't help that the greed element continues to play a part in their tiny brains ... yeah keep on concreting what's left of paradise and see how many people will want to visit ... Singapore you are NOT and Singapore you will NEVER be because of the lack of vision and greed.

There's already an over-supply so why build more. How much more damage will your greed do to this island before nobody comes; that is the way you are heading.

Phuket is dying and those who keep on building refuse to see it ... the greedy are blind and eventually they will lose money.

What Phuket needs is less roads, less population, less tourists, a sustainable eco-tourism industry.

Sadly that's not what greedy people want ... they care about money here and now and the island pays the price.

Posted by Graham on May 27, 2015 17:43

.
Unresponsive senior civil servants to public complaints, bribes paid by greedy business-people to officials to skirt laws and regulations in their favors, thugs controlling public places such as jet-ski operators, taxi-cartels, beach-encroachers, and so on... Are the main causes of decline in number and in "quality tourists".

Posted by Whistle-Blower on May 27, 2015 17:50

Everyone can discuss this till they're blue in the face ... but it comes down to one word : GREED

qualified by 'grab all you can today & forget about tomorrow'.

Tomorrow never comes ... BUT in the case of Phuket, it has arrived with a vengeance.

Posted by Logic on May 27, 2015 17:57

I couldn't have said it better!!

''The changes that repeat-visitor tourists wanted most - reducing tuk-tuk and taxi fares and cutting extra commissions and rip-offs - have not happened"

Posted by hotgem on May 27, 2015 18:07

"'The battle to the bottom means that Phuket no longer benefits,'' Khun Kritsada said. ''The customers are the ones who are better off these days.''

Does this person have any concept whatever of what is meant by 'the service industry.' Is it a given that customers should NOT benefit from services they pay for? Sheesh...

Posted by Sam Wilko on May 27, 2015 18:22

PF,
So in summary, the place has gone completely nuts?

Posted by Manowar on May 27, 2015 18:24

Khun Kritsada Tansakul if you put your hope for the better in the hands from people who are themselves partly to blame the worsening tourisme figures you should not expect to get effective solutions.

Posted by phuketgreed on May 27, 2015 19:02

I used to visit Karon regularly but got fed up with the tuk tuk rip off fares the stinking bags of garbage leaking onto the street or ripped open by stray dogs, no pavements to walk on and motorbikes speeding along the only pavement on the beach front. One soi in Karon has become blocked by local business so badly that no traffic can get through at night. What would happen if emergency services needed to get to a fire or accident? I have met lots of tourists in the Canary islands who used to holiday in Phuket but having discovered cleanliness, cheap pricing and air conditioned mercedes taxis at half the cost of a tuk tuk, they won't be going back.

Posted by Don on May 27, 2015 19:03

Hahaha, Island officials do not scramble for solutions. In contrary, island officials themselves do anything to make tourists not come or not come back. No normal modern public transportation, no busline connecting all the west coast beaches. Jet ski beach disturbance. Limousine/taxi/tuk tuk prices, the highest in the world. Worn out illegal hotels/guesthouses, many of them not answer normal fire safety requirements. The dirty polluted water in Patong Bay, as many local 'institutions' still release untreated water from kitchens, laundries, toilets into the bay. 'Black water' at other beaches. No law enforcement in many fields. If people complain, the answer is mostly.."we know, but no budget".. "No budget" are on Phuket ( the richest province of Thailand) the magic words to remain passive and do nothing. So far I see not a single official "scrambling".

Posted by Kurt on May 27, 2015 19:10

Personally I think the tipping point was reached some time ago, not just now!

Posted by Anonymous on May 27, 2015 19:11

Oversupply.
It is time Phuket officials start to realize that Phuket Island has to be a good fair host, no rip-offs, no dual pricing, clean beaches. Why are the Phuket beaches dirty? Phuket Island in decline has to pick up fast that the island has to be a honest host for tourists.

Posted by Kurt on May 27, 2015 19:31

All the above comments have been made SO many times. But do they listen? No, they chunter on about a rival website and making all resorts,hotels, and guesthouses "legal".
When, oh when will they get it through their heads to actually listen to the customer?

Posted by jimbo34 on May 27, 2015 19:42

The title says "Island Officials Scramble for Solutions"... that's scary. Much of the problem lies with said "Island Officials". They are the very last people that should be involved in making a better future for Phuket. Oh dear...

Posted by Duncan on May 27, 2015 19:49

Ed

You are quite correct - no one does listen to tourists - we have to vote with our feet. As soon as my house is ready in krabi I will be moving on, and I hope others do the same.

As soon as there are no tourists and no income, there really will be no need to listen to us ever again.

Posted by Discover Thainess on May 27, 2015 21:45

most topics that keep people away been discussed.

Garbage hasn't the place has turned into a dump, uncontrolled billboards, someone put one up in my neighbors driveway the other evening. Nai harn is a mess, discarded food packages everywhere especially the lagoon end and unfortunately most of the garbage is from Thai people.
Plastic bags and polystyrene are over used and abused. There are many natural alternatives to polystyrene which are bio degradable and made in Thailand, cassava is just one. Was recently in India and tourist area's and parks no plastic bags anywhere, either paper or another product which never got the name but was told was reusable and degradable.
A little bit of investment, thought and education could change all that and help with the incinerator problems which have been there for years but not addressed.

Phuket has become the Costa del sol of Asia, they have not been able to reverse there position there doubtful they can do here unless they get really serious and deal with all the problems addressed in the article.
Better they concentrate on other areas in the Andaman and not focus on phuket

Posted by Michael on May 27, 2015 21:49

Kurt asks: Why are the beaches dirty? A year ago they weren't. Why? Because the chair vendors cleaned up. Why? Because it was in their interest to do so.

Posted by Ken Freed on May 27, 2015 22:51

I have been coming to phuket for 14 years but will not come back again because the beach beds and umbrellas have gone and I like the beach but need shade. Also the ripoff tuk tuk and taxi drivers overcharging.will have to go to another country

Posted by tony on May 27, 2015 22:51

Well, Phuket is overpriced and the fact the occupancies AND room rates are dropping means that the current strategy of attracting tourists with cheap packages is only slowing down the process but in fact most business should prepare for some huge challenges in the future.

As real estate prices reached ridiculous levels, there will be a need for corrections in the market. Most people who took loans with banks will suffer, those who invested with the support of banks will suffer. We will see plenty of ruins, empty and unfinished buildings and abandoned businesses.

However this will bring new opportunities as well, mostly for the ones who have tons of money already and who will be able to buy off competition at ridiculously low prices. Phuket is still far away from reaching the bottom but the process started and now becomes visible.

By the way, here a list of some new hotels in pipeline for Phuket:

- Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach
- Amtada Autograph Collection by Marriott Phuket
- JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa Chalong Bay
- Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Chalong Bay
- Novotel Phuket Town
- The InterContinental Phuket Rawai Beach
- Four Seasons Phuket
- Park Hyatt Phuket
- Hyatt Place Phuket, Patong
- Four Points by Sheraton Phuket
- Aloft Phuket Patong
- W Retreat Phuket
- Sheraton Phuket Kalim Beach Resort -Jan 2018
- Hilton Phuket Patong Resort
- Nikki Beach Phuket
- Manathai Surin Phuket
- The Royal Phuket Yacht Club(reopen)
- DEDA Resort & Spa
- Patong Bay Hills Resort
- Bandara Beach, Phuket
- Fisherman Harbour Hotel & Spa Patong
- Andakira Crest Tri Trang (Dec 2015)
- Keemala Phuket
- X2 Vibe Phuket Patong Hotel
- Rosewood Phuket
- Centra Bangtao Resort Phuket (2016)
- Centara Grand Moringa Resort and Spa Phuket
- Days Hotel Phuket Town
- The Beachfront Phuket and Best Western Plus

Posted by Jakub P. on May 27, 2015 23:49

Im a proud Doomsayer as stated in phuket money number one. Tourists there is a full plane coming in now no problem Rip em off another plane will come this is the official thinking. Now its gone tits up simple blame someone else, tell them the figures are up there gullable and will believe us. make as much money you can in 2 weeks another plane will arrive no problemn this is reality.

Posted by william on May 27, 2015 23:54

Ken Freed

please don't lobby your beach chair businesmen fruends, and don't non-senses:

beaches of Phuket were always dirty as hell,
beach chaos operates removed only big pieces of garbage , all medium and small were left - that standard was as far from Blue Flag clean beaches as from the Moon.

Actually, you never seen actual pollution level when sunbeds removed - it is same as in inside the garbage bin, as you could with sunbeds deployed at high tide only 10% of beach surface .

Province should employ beach cleaners who twice a day scramble over each inch of the beach , it is a quite small money , say 40millions per year - since province collect directly room tax 1% is just nuts in comparison what money tourists bring into.

Before we heard not less idiotic stories how beach cleaning organized , e.g. in Karon - that tuk tuk drivers should be allowed their practices because they "care about environment" by cleaning (voluntarily and occasionally ) beaches .

In Surin there were no trash bin at all, 'cause "they're not nice"(citing President), and because tourust then are allowed to drop garbage on the sand as sunbeds operators will clean it in the end of the day.

Alice in Wonderland stories indeed!

Posted by Sue on May 28, 2015 01:13

Having just returned last week from my 37th trip to Phuket I'm sad to say that I have never seen it so quite,despite all the airport arrivals, the beaches at Patong are filthy, going to Paradise beach the small salas that sold food and drink on the edge of the beach before the big climb to Paradise are gone but the concrete and other litter remains, that whole beach has been blocked off to the public and the monstrosities being built, 10++ I counted are making it like NYC.
Arriving at Paradise beach all the loungers are off the beach and In rows on the sand that was the volleyball field, looks like a cattle market.
Strangely you have to go through a pay point even if you want to go to the public beach, this can't be legal?
I found something about the Thais have changed, gone are the humble smiling happy soles, and we left with an arrogant bunch of rude no longer service orientated people.
More and more I hear that Vietnam and Cambodia are like Thailand was 10-15 years ago and sadly this might be my new destination of choice.
Sad being a creature of habit!!

Posted by Gregg P Cornell on May 28, 2015 01:23

I am not sure I understand. In the off season the price of rooms should go down. If needed, way down. The Thai model of upping the price to maintain total profit margin when tourist numbers drop is ridiculous. You cannot sell last nights vacant room. As for the reasons, they are varied with some being out of local government control (collapse of the Rouble) to ones that are, like clean beaches/water, and public safety. I think the hotels do an excellent job on delivering good value. It is the corruption in local government that takes a piece of everything and ignores all it possibly can (clean streets, and beaches). That is the reason why Phuket has lost its reputation of a fun holiday destination. Bars keep increasing the price of drinks, costs go up, the environment gets more polluted, value goes down. Who wants to swim/sunbathe at beaches with garbage in the water, not to mention raw sewage being dumped into the klongs and sea. People are creatures of habit and your best advertising is word of mouth. If people have a good time at a reasonable price, they will return again and again. If they have a bad experience they will not return and tell everybody about it.
It is time for local government to re-invest its tax collections in public works, a proper sewage system, roadside and beach garbage collection, year round lifeguards and not stuff as much as you can skim into secret bank accounts and home safes.

Posted by Tuna on May 28, 2015 02:00

Well at least the problem & the solution have been well spotted!
It must be ALL those pesky illegal ROOMS! Ban them now to save Phuket tourism!

''The only way back up is for the Governor to crack down on the illegal accommodation that is making legitimate competition impossible.''

Posted by Vfaye on May 28, 2015 02:21

The powers that be seem to think they have a over supply compete for for highest market share issue, fact is there is less vacationers ask Why? they got sick of being cheated every day, of corruption of no safety standards no practical transport system thug tuk tuks & jet skis, beach regulations that only favor sales merchants yep plenty of room availability.

Posted by slickmelb on May 28, 2015 02:51

Where to even begin.. Its mind blowing..

"Phuket's competitive pricing edge - the element that worked so well for so long - is finally being undermined. Fresher competing destinations do not have to deal with excessive commissions and corruption."

AKA 'its no longer cheap'

''The battle to the bottom means that Phuket no longer benefits,'' Khun Kritsada said. ''The customers are the ones who are better off these days.''

Clearly a believer in free markets !! Improve services ?? Offer more ??

"THA officials are hoping they can corner a greater share of revenue by creating their own booking agency through Sipa."

No create a cartel.. An insiders club (probably with a 'fee' to join unless your a connected sort) Set minimums.. Agree to not compete !!

Because booking.com asiarooms expedia etc are clearly going to be overtaken by a thai government project which offers higher priced rooms !!

So much of what is wrong with the system, is summed up in this thinking.. Its stunning really.

Posted by LivinLOS on May 28, 2015 05:57

Lashay you hit the nail on the head. Much easier of course to treat the symptom than the cause....

Posted by another_overseas_scot on May 28, 2015 07:46

Having just read all the previous comments I agree with most of the comments. I have just returned from Phuket (my35th trip) and quite probably my last. By not having beach chairs & umbrellas westerners are generally unable to stay on the beach for extended periods in the direct sun. As someone pointed out we are on holidays and would like food & drinks served on the beach. This has been denied to tourists. Most used to go for a cheap holiday however the last few trip have proved to me that Phuket has now out priced it's self. Coming from Australia where Sydney and Melbourne are the 4th and 5th most expensive cities in the world it is cheaper to drink here than in Thailand. The way the officials are trying to destroy Surin beach is the last straw. Cambodia and Vietnam is now the choice of a lot of tourists. I feel for legit business's who have no control of the success of their business. Corrupt officials have officially ruined Phuket. I just cannot see any recovery. So sad.

Posted by Sad on May 28, 2015 07:53

To my knowledge and experience agreed with numerous expats saying that there is no dumping of prices at all on the island of Phuket. That regards hotel rooms as an excellent example how Thais are doing business. The lower amount of customers the more reluctant the owner is to give a discount. If,and I do not really think so,there is someone dumping prizes on rooms it is the ones who are taking in the masstourism from china and other lowbudget travellers The owners probably crying blood to have to do so and that's why the whining in the article. They probably had to go down from 1500 baht, of a already overpriced room, to 1450 baht.Do not think for a second that GREED is gone from Phuket.

Posted by A Joe on May 28, 2015 08:57

So with resorts reporting an average of 40% occupancy and it being a lower percentage than last year how can the tourism authority claim increased tourist numbers at the moment... where are they all staying if these numbers are to be believed?

Posted by DG on May 28, 2015 10:39

I'm with you Sad! "Coming from Australia where Sydney and Melbourne are the 4th and 5th most expensive cities in the world it is cheaper to drink here than in Thailand." Some bars now want around $7.50 AUD for a beer.. and if you want to buy a lady a drink then it's about $10. I've even had bar staff come back and try to tell me that I was undercharged and that they want more money! A lot of the quieter "off Bangla Rd" bars are no longer here. Now large building sites. I will no longer be here either. Last time for me.

Posted by Laser on May 28, 2015 11:08

@ A Joe

Expats, much like myself, in general have no idea of hotel prices since we LIVE here and have our own houses.

Why would any of us stay in a hotel ?

You are asking the wrong people about hotel prices. All you have to do is to use any of the major booking sites to see what the current selling prices for Phuket hotels are.

As to prices other than hotels or tours, if anything, they are only getting more expensive.

The article however only talks about hotel price dumping.

Posted by Herbert on May 28, 2015 12:03

Good article, locals are interested in local news, which has influence on their daily life.

The problems such as oversupply, lack of beach chairs and smiling happy vendors, will make it hard for business to survival.

However the tipping point, when things started to go downhill was nearly a decade ago.

Posted by Sherlock on May 28, 2015 12:07

Laser

you are bit infected with naivety ...
Lady's drink trap is still not well developed as around the world, they are always way too expensive.

Back to my European country, you or ably would be charged 4EUR for your beer, and 40EUR for "lady drink" juice. Then she will repeat it few time, and when established good rapport with you will order bottle of change that may cost anything between 200EUR-1000EUR.
If you don't have enough cash, you will we escorted to a nearest ATM.
If you reject to pay your bill, bouncers will kick sXXt out f you until you will do. And then will throw you to street.

You may try to call police, but, frankly, few operators understand English well, and you may have trouble to to explain what happened , also you may qualify as "drunken tourust call" and they simply will ignore it.

Even if police will arrive in the end, it s very likely that the bar is actually owned by their boss - as most of such establishment,many there were good preparations made before together with lawyer - bouncer will tell you misbehaved, crashed furniture etc., attacked other gusts, rejected to pay a bill, was to drunk to stand on your own on 2 feet etc. In the end you will be charged and put into a cage, waiting for a court in few weeks. Prosecutor normally play along with police , and a court as well as this court serves this district and there are 2 or 3 judges who usually adjudicate such kind of cases. In the end you may pay fine and even some compensation to bouncers.

The SoCal target is very drunk tourists and those who doesn't speak good English, as they are unable to articulate their complaints at all.
Some of them are getting bills for the evening 1-2-3,000EUR.

Even if you will last well into the morning, the girl around 5AM will break your dreams and will inform you in assertive manner that she will now, as she is not prostitute and husband is waiting at home - and this may be very genuine statement.

I don't know how much you spend on weekend partying in Australia - for me on average it is like 150EUR per person on drinks and cover charge - no extravagant drinks here, just Chivas, water, juice alike - and excise rates are quite low, the very minimum is 30 EUR, if you move around clubs then you may incur extra charges on taxi and cover charge.
I don't think you should budget in Phuket 500THB for the night out.
On those case when I leave for such enterprise I have at least 10,000 THB in cash in my pocket, for just-in-case.

Posted by Sue on May 28, 2015 13:53

Sue,
I can now understand why you left Prague and my former misunderstanding when you mentioned "kicking tools." I had no idea it referred to the receiver of the punishment.

Posted by MoW on May 28, 2015 15:58

Continue building more resorts! The beautiful island of Phuket is victim of its own success and the result of greedy people (thais and foreigners) building more and more hotels that have destroyed the destination and opened the door wide for mass tourism and penny pincher's to visit the island....!!

Posted by Jack Mairoo on May 28, 2015 17:42

Well, "Island Officials" you'll have to start from the very beginning. Think to yourselves, "What is the most important thing to Phuket?" The answer is, it's NATURAL BEAUTY. A gorgeous island surrounded by beautiful beaches. But it's beauty is being destroyed by pollution in the water, garbage EVERYWHERE and GREEDY developers putting up CONCRETE BUILDINGS EVERYWHERE. If I want to step outside for a relaxing walk to take in Phuket's natural beauty, I risk; being hit by a car or motorbike as there are NO SIDEWALKS, being attacked and bit by the increasing number of wild dogs running free, stepping on broken glass at the beach as Bangtao and Laypang Beaches are COVERED IN GARBAGE and my views are increasingly being ruined by the endless concrete strip malls, shop houses, hotels...WHATEVER, going up EVERYWHERE. GREED is definitely ruining this island and it's natural beauty. How very, very sad.

Posted by Paradise on May 28, 2015 20:17

@ Paradise

You are wrong. The number of stray dogs has decreased significantly, mainly thanks to the sterilization efforts of Soi Dog.

10y ago you would be chased by a pack of stray dogs when driving through Patong on a motorbike in the night. Nothing even remotely like that today.

Please do not distort the facts.

Posted by Hebert on May 28, 2015 23:36

@ Herbert.
HI mate. I agree with you as an old expat done 10 years in patong and 9 up north. If you look for example at Agoda the average monthly pay is about 3500 us dollars a month or 115000 baht for a hotel room. Funny thing is that on the big booking agencies the prizes look like they are slashed by 25 percentage. You and me would never pay 115000 baht a month, would we? Now I have only looked at 3 agencies sites and the prizes are the same. So, I agree with you that we found other places. But, my friend, in my experience even if you walk in to a guesthouse for example on Nana, just pick one, and you will see no discount. So what is the fuzz about???Take all the new hotels at the end of Nana to karon or the ones south of jungceylon. Just try my friend and they will not let a room for a month under 30000 bath and that is a hole in the wall.For just a case, try to walk in at the near empty hotels (85 percent vacanses)at the end of nana south and try to get a bargin. If you can get a room under 35000 baht a month give me a call. And those places are near empty. A little further south is a few places that charge 45000 baht a month. I tried to get it for 30000 but they just say go away cheap charlie. They had 10 rooms rented out of 55. I can go on and on but you get the picture.I can name about 25 hotels and 45 guesthouses that do not give a baht in discount even with 25 percent bookings. I know villas on Nana that the owners do not give one baht discount so obviously the landlords are not start to suffer yet. They will not do so even in 10 years after sucking farangs dry for years. But then again go to the sites mention in the article and pay 135000 for a month with a 25 percent discount.

Posted by A Joe on May 29, 2015 03:15

A Joe, Herbert,

it seems you are involved in unsubstantiated discussion in regard of dynamics of room rate.
It is not possible to determine it in a reasonable way by analyzing some individual hotels etc.

The only trusted source for that is some reputable research that has been performed in accordance to the right methodology, e.g. by C9 - the latest one was issued in February, 2015
http://goo.gl/SyWCZ3

And 3500USD per month is an average room rate, or well below it, according to research.

Actually, it is great rate.

Last spring I stayed in Phang Nga few month, on the border of green season at rate close to that and find the rate very good.
This year it was the end of the season, so rate was lower, but still not dumping price.

If you stay at good hotel e.g. in Koh Lanta any way you will pay 6-7,000 per night even in low season.

No need to mix up stay in hotels with an accomodation for long time rent.

Posted by Sue on May 29, 2015 07:17

A Joe. I don't know then you was in Patong, but now (and also last low season) you can easy get a room for 8.000 baht a month in Nanai. Incl. cleaning and electric. Just take a walk.

Posted by Anonymous on May 29, 2015 08:16

Well, shut the gate and turn off the lights. Every one seems to think it is all over and no one is coming back. I will be back, and will not give up on Phuket. Seems all the talk is just on Patong, and yes that is the main tourist bit, but I and most of my friends may spend 1 day in 10 in Patong. Phuket is so much more than Patong. Yes there is much to do. It will take some work but Phuket is worth it. Lets hope sooner rather than later.

Posted by Davemc60 on May 29, 2015 11:16

Hi Anonymous. Yes it is correct that there is possible to find rooms up in Nana for 8000 baht not the best one (very small) but often quite newly built. Times I have been using them I had to pay for water and electricity. (watch out for the cost per units).These accommodation could mmaybe also be consider the so called illegal accommodation mention in the article and do not affect the so called price war that is discussed. I stick to my point. Try to get a decent price if you walk in at an nicer hotel. They are all near empty (except the massturist ones) and offer a years rent up front. You would never get a discount. That goes for all the empty condos too own by private owners that can only use agencies and not make private deals for rental due to the greedy agencies who want their cut. Phuket is madly overprized and when all the accumulated money in the pockets of the owners,by years of greed, runs out and interests have to be paid,halleluja the good times roll again with sensible prizes and no grabbing middlemans.

Posted by A Joe on May 29, 2015 15:13

@ Herbert

Stop jumping to conclusions about people whose personal experiences you know nothing about.

"10 yrs ago you would be chased by a pack of stray dogs when driving through Patong on a motorbike in the night. Nothing even remotely like that today."

You are wrong.

At least you had a motorbike so you could safely drive away. 10 yrs ago... sounds like you've been here a while old-timer.

In the very short period of time I have been in Phuket, I have personally been once attacked and once threatened by a pack of dogs. Both times, totally taken by surprise, meaning they came running out of nowhere and both times in daylight. One time on the beach where I was attacked from behind and the other time on the street where I live. I was petrified and it scares me to think what a child would do if ever caught in the same situation. I don't scare easily as we've always owned dogs in our family but these dogs were from my worst nightmare.

And that Herbert, is MY fact.

Posted by Paradise on May 29, 2015 20:47

Well well, the editor would always make fun of anyone who would say that no sunbeds = no tourists oh and he never would agree with anyone who would mention the reality of how Hotels and resorts are loosing buisness - Instead we would get antagonistic articles written to try to go against what the norm was saying (and witnessing).

Posted by Charlies on June 1, 2015 09:58

Charlies,
The drop in tourist numbers is not solely related to unbrellas but is the cumulative result of many issues that have remained unresolved, despite the may promises, for many years.
I believe a lot of people are just fed up with all the talk and no action and its just easier to go to one of the many other similar destinations. When it appears action is being taken, there appears to be no logic or direction as to what they are trying to achieve.
In the current situation of confusion and the constant change of what is permissible on any given day, it is just easier to go somewhere else where authorities understand tourism.

Posted by MoW on June 1, 2015 15:10

Was in Phuket (patong) a week ago at the end of a 3 month trip around Asia, have been before. Never again. Never seen such rampant ripoffs everywhere. You really feel you are being gouged every where you go in Patong.Transport a complete joke, food and drinks expensive. Beach dirty. Greed on a grand scale

Posted by flyblown on June 2, 2015 15:58

@ Paradise

Your own words

" increasing number of wild dogs running free "

" In the very short period of time I have been in Phuket "

By your own admission, you are not qualified to gauge if their numbers have increased or decreased.

What you experience in a very short period of time is statistically insignificant.

Soi Dog conducts actual headcounts for over a decade already and they, unlike you, have hard data to back up the fact that the numbers of stray dogs have decreased significantly.

I do appreciate the attempted personal slur/insult by referring to me as "old timer".

Yet another sign of you knowing very little or nothing about the demographics of Phuket.

FYI there are a lot of foreign professionals on Phuket, some barely in their 20s when moving to work here who have stayed on, some for over a decade by now.

Who knows, I might be one of them

Signed

Your Friendly Old-Timer

Posted by Herbert on June 2, 2015 16:47

@ Paradise

FYI there are no wild dogs on Phuket, or even in Thailand. Just domesticated dogs. Stray or kept.

Wild dogs are something totally different, like the Dingo in Australia or the African Painted Dog.

My problem with your comment was you distorting facts. If you want to be an armchair quarterback, better get your facts right first.

Don't take my word for it. Just check with Soi Dog but I guess you would dismiss them as Old Timers too.

Posted by Herbert on June 2, 2015 17:57

Everyone who predicted this situation was called a fool who was living in the past. The fool had to look to the perfect situation in Australia. If Australia is so perfect what is he doing here? Thai woman perhaps?

Posted by hanshammer on June 2, 2015 18:17

Hotel prices BETTER stay low and get even lower if tourists are to come at all. This thanks to the hugely overpriced restaurants and transportation in Phuket. The total price of a holiday here is pretty high by international standards. Plus, Phuket is hardly a destination with a premium "feel" to it. Patong smells most of the time, sidewalks are a bad joke. Traffic is horrible..It feels cheap and "developing world" in style, and so is actually vastly overpriced right now.

Posted by christian on June 2, 2015 21:13

I and my wife from Finland have been in Patong and Karon 10 years but are not coming again because there are no more sunbeds.

We have now reserved next holiday in Phang Nga.

Posted by Artsi on June 3, 2015 15:08

Yes there are sunbeds and umbrellas. We have been there in January 2015.

Posted by Artsi on June 3, 2015 18:48

@Ed

yes, on W. coats in Phang Nga there are umbrellas&sunbeds

BUT at teh same time there is nowhere such density of tourist hordes like on Phuket - as one of issues at such destination liek Phuket is if to give everyone sunbed&umbrella, it will cover more sand than available surface ..

Posted by Sue on June 3, 2015 23:41

@Ed

There is a choice of policy responses to manage beaches under an anticipation of ever grueling number of incoming tourists, it defends whether Phang Nga will continuously add visitors - probably yes,mans whether Phang Nga officials were serious when they were talking about introducing barriers to curb on rise of tourists numbers in Phamg Nga as long as there is no capacity of infrastructure (beaches can be regarded as an infrastructure in wider sense too).

Or, after some time, they will have to apply "Phuket solution" to beaches.

There is a lot of vacant lots a,on the shore,second line, third line , where currently in the moist jungle conditions mostly dwell Giant Scorpios, but I can imagine that it will remind a kind of Clearwater, FL in regard of density of development.

There are also examples of related policies implemented in other countries - the president of Palau said that number of visitors from the Greater China (PRC+HO+Taiwan+probably Singapore ) is too big, so he sent like 2yrs ago polite letter canceling number of charter from Republic of China (Taiwan) on clear grounds - "too many incoming tourists".

Posted by Sue on June 4, 2015 07:34

Most of my friends don't want to go to Patong anymore because of the new rules at the beach.Several friends stayed in Patong for 3 months. The are all looking for a new holiday destination.

Posted by phet on June 10, 2015 16:06

I have been visiting Phuket twice yearly since 2002, but I decided in 2014 that I will not come again, the silly banning of beach loungers and umbrella's was a very bad idea, .So tourist decline can hardly be a surprise.

Posted by doolittle UK on June 26, 2015 20:08

I had been coming to Phuket at least twice a year for the last several years. However since the removal of the lounge chairs on the beach I will no longer come. I prefer to go to Nha Trang, Vietnam where I am more welcome plus they also have beach chairs for their visitors.

Posted by Len James on August 25, 2015 21:02

Same thing should happen to Pattaya.
No as good as before as a Sin city , and does not have the potential to be a family resort since its overbuilt , we can hardly see a tree now.
It has no precise scope and seems to grow like a tumor.

Posted by Anonymous on August 27, 2015 03:54