Thai Army must clear all Phuket of all illegal structures, buildings, bars, restaurants, hotels, resorts from all public lands before proceeding the same way to all coastal provinces of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand without forgetting all National Parks and National Forests all around Thailand.
It will be the best advertising forever to promote Thailand as the best adventure holiday in South-East-Asia.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on July 15, 2014 17:35

I arrived today back home to Phuket, and the arrivals lounge was so so,quiet, once leaving, it was a delight no hassle,from anyone not even taxi drivers..... Took the Airport Bus into Phuket town with no haste either only 90 baht, result or what...

Posted by Robert on July 15, 2014 17:37

"As a result, Phuket is suffering a potentially serious outbreak of condomania."
I'm sorry...I had to look twice at this as at first I thought it was pronounced "condom mania"

Posted by zig on July 15, 2014 17:47

It will be interesting to see the figures after the August 12th crackdown

Posted by rich on July 15, 2014 18:30

'Phuket is suffering a potentially serious outbreak of condomania'

I love that word & the sentence it is used in. Most of us have been stating that this uncontrolled development, possibly some illegal, has contributed much to the overcrowding, pollution, scarring & water shortages of this once more picturesque island.

Another item the military should look at closely is the farang time share touts (louts) who are probably operating illegally. In the past, I have sat & listened to their loud & brazen bragging in bars at the end of their 'hard working' day, detailing their 'exploits & successes'. Through burning ears & with gritted teeth I might add.

Surely the Thais are well capable of selling their own country, in country?

Posted by Logic on July 15, 2014 18:35

Thailand must go back to democracy very quickly, better today than tomorrow! People are just afraid to go to a country which is ruled by a military dictator. Where there is no freedom of expression and no freedom of the press. It's not "bad internantional publicity", the international media is just telling the truth, what's really going on in Thailand.

Posted by Volker on July 15, 2014 18:36

Its been very obvious for some while that numbers would be down. And its not going to be a one off either.
There are usually swarms of australians around at this time of year, but i've barely been aware of 'Strine accents these past few months.
With Australia, and others in the West still giving out warnings about travel to Thailand, its inevitable that tourism is suffering.
And how its suffering!
Everywhere, i see empty hotels, restaurants, and bars. In fact, i see many closing down.
And there's all the makings of a banking crisis with all the lending to people building condos and guesthouses, that are just lying empty. Thailand has a bumpy ride ahead, for sure.

Posted by jimbo34 on July 15, 2014 18:36

"Clearing the beaches and taming the taxis and tuk-tuks are positive measures that should enhance Phuket's appeal to travellers everywhere, at least in theory." Taxis and tuk-tuks, yes, most definitely! Clearing the beaches, which I and friends who regularly visit Phuket from Khao Lak but NOT for the beaches, wholeheartedly support and never thought we would see, remains to be seen. Airport passenger arrivals in June are not surprisingly down as decisions to go to Phuket are more likely to have been based on the protests and the fear of what the military coup might mean as opposed to what it has remarkably achieved. However, accommodation and flight bookings for the High Season starting in November and in particular the Peak Xmas/New Year period, will be the real test. TAT will have to do some serious marketing and promotion activities and revision of how it has allowed Phuket to be sold in the past. Brochures in the UK at least and on-line images and information which potential visitors peruse have all been printed or built into websites for the forthcoming season months ago and depict the various beach areas and resorts with loungers, sun shades and dining with feet in the sand. The reality is that many bookings will have been made, based on visitors' expectations from the images and information already "out there." If they have booked based on this now false expectation or are returning visitors unaware of the changes will they be disappointed by what they find and not return? Or, as is hoped, will they be overjoyed with the return of the beaches to how Nature intended? There has to be a happy, controlled and regulated medium as in many destinations worldwide, surely.

Posted by Alan on July 15, 2014 18:42

Blind freddy could see this coming, far far to many hotels built, to many condos, bad infrastructure, water being one, bad unfinished roads, ad still on septics, zero smart planning, no parking.

Posted by Dan Daly on July 15, 2014 19:20

The fact that one can only buy very basic travel insurance whilst the country is under martial law probably has a lot to do with this. I did read a few days ago that the TAT were offering insurance cover for 650 baht per person which was available on line, but nobody can find out about it, or what it covers. The TAT should provide more details. Many people will not come here without full insurance cover.

Posted by Pete on July 15, 2014 19:22

In theory.. but perhaps not in practice. Tourists flying halfway across a planet want a bit of comfort, why go to an island with no choices but mile after mile of empty beaches? Especially when return visitors have had their favorite amenities removed. The possibility also exist numbers were always fudged before.

Posted by The Night Mare on July 15, 2014 19:24

Thanks for the invaluable update, Alan. Good stuff.

Posted by Sam Wilko on July 15, 2014 19:46

@Logic

I usually approach real-estate scam touts by asking them to confirm these credentials, and then, before they proceed with unfolding their marekting script, I ask them whether they have working visa and take picture of them on smartphone. They usually disappear from the their business base right away.
Should have send their pics next time to Immigration and Labor Office immeditely, will check email addresses of the agencies and will do that with next approach of touts.

Posted by Sue on July 16, 2014 00:33

@Robert

100THB?
http://www.airportbusphuket.com/ticket.html

Posted by Sue on July 16, 2014 00:35

It is not the military administration that worries the West but rather they are all in favor cares not find discount services on the beaches. You have to regulate rents chairs and umbrellas.

Posted by gigitour on July 16, 2014 00:51

Sue, please explain under what law you have the right to ask another person for their visa details or their credentials. Isn't this just another case of you drawing out what could be a simple exercise of ignoring them or telling them to $&@% off.
Unless of course you have found the old brown uniform handed down through generations.

Posted by Manowar on July 16, 2014 06:05

Phuket should get used to lower tourist numbers as it will continue! I know at least 9 people who live here now moving to either Cambodia or Vietnam because of the way Thailand now is. Thailand is a mess, it wants falang money but not the fallings. It is clearly a very racist country with one price for Thais and a more expensive one for fallings! Anywhere in a civilised world this is clear racism. I do love Thailand but i think its future is now very limited and will get worse with less and less people coming here, its beaches are extremely dangerous with very little safety measures for tourists and what with the persecution of fallings regarding visa's, small overstays, bans, very hard to get work (because it "steals work from Thai's" Yawn!) Cambodia and Vietnam are just as beautiful, the people there very welcoming, not as many silly rules designed to make fallings feel unwelcome, and a hell of a lot cheaper to live! I hope Thailand recognises what it is doing before the damage can't be fixed

Posted by Mr Wolf on July 16, 2014 09:07

Sue

Yes that's how much they charged me for a single ticket, to Phuket town... 90 baht is a good deal,they even asked which part of Phuket town I was heading too, so they could drop me off near my Hotel ?? Amazing or what.. That's service now, and leaves a good impression with me..

Posted by Robert on July 16, 2014 09:31

@ Rich

I would guess the impending August 12th business has already bitten .... I know a LOT of people who use 30 day stamps to remain in Thailand. There must be many many thousand in Phuket, and they are all flying in and out, maintaining the 'arrivals' statistics.

Posted by geoff on July 16, 2014 09:40

If it is the "high quality" tourist that stay in good hotels and leave a lot of money behind, then it is bad news...but if it is the low quality tourists, that stay in a cheap room, buy their beer at 7-11 and rent a motorbike, well then it is good news.

Posted by Sailor on July 16, 2014 11:13

I'm intrigued to see how TAT spin the drop in numbers. If there is one organisation in Thailand who puts out inaccurate stats and info, it is the TAT. Time and time again.

For all the commentators bagging over development - hotels, resorts, condos etc. If there are no controls on building such, then its the relevant authorities that need to be called to account, not the developers.

Assuming the developers are developing legally, then they have every right to do so. If they are developing illegally... well, they deserve what will, one day, come their way.

Posted by Duncan on July 16, 2014 11:15

@Manowar

Under the same law when you catch burglar in your house, Manowar, and red-handed handed to the police. Foreign Employment Act 2008 Section 50 with according Criminal Procedure Act provision and Ministerial Regulation on reserved occupations.
Read books, not only comics!

Posted by Sue on July 16, 2014 11:49

Sue , once again you prove yourself as having lost the plot. Don't go looking for it, you won't find it.
As previously stated and despite the fantasy land in which you live, you do not enforce the law nor do you have rights to enforce requests upon others. In you family history this may have been acceptable and maybe this is just a gene that has been passed on in addition to the one which results in one writing absolute rubbish.
I don't need to read comics because I read enough of the rubbish you write and hence we generally laugh at you, not with you.
The foreign employment act has nothing to do with you other than to comply if applicable, you are not employed to enforce it otherwise this would be a long and drawn out procedure and get mixed up with irrelevant facts.
For someone who has an obsession with writing so much, either you don't read, don't understand or don't get the hint!

Posted by Manowar on July 16, 2014 13:31

@Manowar

If you misread the connotation, here is comprehensive explanation:
no foreigner can obtain a work permit that would allow him to do a real estate tout "job" in Thailand, so inquiring for it is a quite friendly reminder to that person , as an alternative to record a conversation with marketing narrative and take a pic of a tout, then to turn from BangLa, where during the day I last time met a tout, right to Thaweewong Rd. and report it to Immigration station right there - then they will appear on BangLa in 10minutes.

Look in the mirror - your comment is of 892 symbols with spaces, or 167 words, much longer than mine.

Posted by Sue on July 16, 2014 15:10

@Sue:
"Look in the mirror - your comment is of 892 symbols with spaces, or 167 words".
Educate yourself girl, symbols are words not letters. If you have to count everything, including spaces, then you are in desperate need of psychological help to cure you of such, as well as your authoritarian habit.If you are familiar with Foreign Employment Act 2008 Section 50 with according Criminal Procedure Act provision and Ministerial Regulation on reserved occupations, then you are definitely in the wrong profession. Just out of interest from your last comment, do you work in BangLa?

Posted by Pete on July 16, 2014 16:07

PW Ed You make a snide remark I'm "suspicious" then state what I did, numbers are fudged by Govt authorities. I well remember Finance Minister Kittirat being caught out last year on exaggerating SEC numbers.

Posted by The Night Mare on July 16, 2014 16:18

@Pete
Finally, in 2014 educate yourself up to 21st century IT skills, that you don't have write such non-sense about counting symbols/words!
Microsoft Office and other software, Like Google Docs counts symbols and words, I just copied in Manowar comment and copied out result - which Google Docs spells counting result like "symbols with spaces". Whole process of measurement and pasting back results takes 7 seconds.
You should write to California if you are unhappy with that.

P.S. Can believe that in 2014 there happens such uneducated people by internet who have no clue about "Word Count" function.
P.P.S. You should not call me "girl", as my nick is not Anglo-Saxon name, it may mean something very different.

Posted by Sue on July 16, 2014 16:39

Sue, again, where does it state in any law that you, Sue, has the authority to request ( ask, demand, require view of, need to visibly see) an individuals ( a person) visa or personal information ( birth certificate, passport, visa, work permit, identity card, library card, medical card, credit card,)
Requesting such information, or demanding , would lead the person to believe that you(sue) were a person having authority to request provision of these documents ( refer to above " personal information") whereas in fact you are requesting this information acting under false pretence and without legal authority. A crime in most countries, subject to incarceration ( gaol, jail, put behind bars, thrown in the slammer,)
Also, in your case , demanding with menace, obtaining by deception, invading a persons privacy, demanding under false pretences, acting as a person having authority, soliciting personal information in a public place, illegal use of a digital image without approval, disturbing the peace and quiet enjoyment of the public,using a public place to conduct your business without authority ( the business of annoyance), inciting the public undertake illegal activities..
You are a disaster just waiting for the right lawyer to take advantage and it would be so easy and just pure fun.
You could spend the rest of your days In chains, although I'm sure TNM already has that intention and dictionaries would forever reference you as:
Sue - (1)the institute of legal against a person, typically for redress or (2) a person in Thailand, currently detained for acting without legal authority. (3) the act of production of repeated written garbage having no purpose,point or relevance.

Posted by Manowar on July 16, 2014 17:08

@Sue:
???P.P.S. You should not call me "girl" ???.
OK, fine. Life ain't easy for a boy named Sue!

Posted by Pete on July 16, 2014 17:27

I cant make up my mind but part of the experience of Phuket or in fact the experience in most tourist areas of Asia are the touts, the umbrellas, food, the excitement of a different country with no rules. all was fine by me. If you didnt like it...dont go there.

Posted by Martin on July 16, 2014 17:36

"Foreign Employment Act 2008 Section 50 with according Criminal Procedure Act provision and Ministerial Regulation on reserved occupations."
I didn't know burglary was covered under this act as a reserved occupation. If so, I would assume oxygen theft to be the same?

Posted by Manowar on July 16, 2014 19:20

@Manowar

Stealing oxygen in fact can be very serious problem:
one guy from Northern Europe whom I am acquainted with, had a habit to steal AALL oxygen from the room. Theft of oxygen became especially apparent when you return to that meeting room after one hour outside. People used windows to replenish stolen oxygen.
The guy could steal oxygen e.g. even Inna situation when you are sitting , talking with some business partners, and then he start to walk there-back - and then everyone realizes: theft of oxygen took a place just right now.

So I am strong proponent of the law punishing theft of oxygen,e.g.like in Malawi (Aceh model of the law I do not like a lot). And of course, you have a right on self-defense to detain an apparent perpetrator until police arrive and a right to preserve an evidence like sealing a room before it is checked by authorities.

Same guy was chewing tobacco , and when driving at front seat in my car thrown "a product" of after-chewing through the window of my car - for a pleasure of observing "a product" glued to a rear side of a car.
So, therefore I put him 3 conditions if he want to go with me in my car:
1. don't steal oxygen from inside of my car, above a consumption for breathing and by breathing.
2. don't chew tobacco in my car,
3. don't clean your nose with a finger when in my car.
He chosen to walk by feet.
Chewing tobacco in EU fortunately is allowed only in a single country.

But still no EU harmonized rules on cleaning nose in public with a finger.

But for foreigners real estate touts in the Kingdom rules are very clear, just sometime public need to help agencies to enforce them.

Posted by Sue on July 16, 2014 22:31

The decline in arrivals at the airport suggest that tourists are finding another way to enter Phuket. I've never seen the immigration office so busy, even higher numbers than seen in the high season. For the last few weeks the long term stay section closes at 10.30 am and on Tuesday at 9.50am one hour twenty mins after opening. The short term section is equally busy so just what are we in for when the high season begins?

Posted by seht1912 on July 17, 2014 07:03

There is going to be much more of this every month so get used to it.

The place will be desolate by the end of the year.

Posted by Anonymous on July 17, 2014 07:51

The comment section of this site is now absolutely hilarious, gone are the days of "doomsdayers" etc, now it's full of complete and utter "lost the plotters". Sue, since when does a story about decrease in airport arrival figures turn into an issue of stealing oxygen?? Time to go home i think, and take a break from the sun, i fread to think where you'll in in a year from now!! CRAZY!!

Posted by phuket madness on July 17, 2014 10:28

Sue, sad to hear you have been deprived of oxygen so often. This does explain your current situation.
I should know better and I can only apologise to other readers of this expected result.
I am glad that your friend chose to walk by feet and although I am not familiar with any other means of walking, it probably allowed him some form of enjoyment without the requirement to wear ear muffs and it sounds by all accounts he was able to pick a winner!

Posted by Manowar on July 17, 2014 10:39

Typo Ed, typo, same as in some of your news stories, nobodies perfect!!!!

Posted by phuket madness on July 17, 2014 11:35

@phuket madness

It is Manowar who actualized an issue of stealing oxygen in response that I will make pics of real estate touts and send them to enforcement agencies.

I was so kind to oblige and elaborated to Manowar on this hot topic.

However it doesn't change the fact that foreign real estate touts can not exist in legal way even theoretically , as for such occupation there is a ban for foreigners .
Next time when I am approached by one, who operates not from motorbike but from "permanent base" like during the day in BangLa, I will try to take efforts to picture him/video of marketing script and send it right away to appropriate agencies.

Posted by Sue on July 17, 2014 13:58

@Manowar

I actually was worrying about you, as it was you who has risen a topic about theft of oxygen , probably it being of acute concern for you.

But for foreign real estate touts - some of whom could be your friends, as I understood : they should not be surprised what happen next after giving marketing speech, as I will efforts to make recording of it and submit to agencies - even - as per advice - without rising issue of their work permits , as such can not exist for their occupation.

Posted by Sue on July 17, 2014 14:06

Good on you Sue, keep taking the medication!!!!

Posted by phuket madness on July 17, 2014 14:59

Sue, just to let you know because it obviously got lost somewhere, it's slang for someone who lives, consumes oxygen but provides no useful purpose. An oxygen thief would therefore be involved in the "occupation" of oxygen theft which is different from oxygen consumption, chewing tobacco, lack or air flow in meeting rooms, nasal habits or about some guy driving a car on a road trip.

Posted by Manowar on July 17, 2014 15:03

Sue, well I need to add to yesterday's post, offence under the electronic surveilence, listening devices and recordings act and entering a public place with the intention to illegally use such device with the intention to coerce a person to commit the offence of being an illegal worker.

Posted by Manowar on July 17, 2014 15:40

With all respect Your Honour, I was driving my bike down the street when this lady, who I now identify as Sue, appeared in my path causing me to pull over. After some conversation she asked me if I would like to earn some money while on holidays.
I immediately advised her this would be an illegal act as I do not have a work visa. I was told by Sue that this is not a problem and is just accepted by authorities.
She handed me some scratch cards and asked me to learn the sales pitch which she also provided to me. She asked me to read it out while she recorded it so I could hear if I sounded confident or not.
That, your honour, was the last time I saw Sue until I arrived in this court and the recording you played just played was the one Sue requested I make with her. I have heard this is a scam run by long term residents to coerce innocent tourists such as myself to sell real estate but really we are being scammed into paying the cost of a sales training course.

Posted by Manowar on July 17, 2014 15:57

The airport will get even quieter as all the Visa Runners will not be going, perhaps people selling their holiday villas, perhaps people moving their multimillion dollar boats etc. The change in the visa rules solves some problems but also is ironic as Thailand says they want quality tourist or foreign people, so if I have a million dollar boat or a million dollars in the bank the longest I can stay is 30 days and then only for certain nationals as a tourist. Thailand is so into money so why don't they say if you are rich already then you probably do not want to work therefore if you have 50,000USD or above when you arrive at the boarder or wish to do a Visa Run we will let you. The change is visa rules will undoubtedly get rid of so much of the foreign rubbish but also some of the rich few foreigners. Phuket is going to be seriously hit economically especially the bars.

Posted by Fiesty Farang on July 17, 2014 16:05

As someone who actually knows a bit about the beach restaurant business. Most Thais don't make a lot of money, but the number 1 reason why wealthy Australians come here is that they can sit on beach and have cheap meal and drink, not to mention the Thai atmosphere, Balli is closer so invest there Aus has more beautiful Beach's than you can count without rubbish everywhere, but my Thai will suffer as Aussies stay home.

Posted by Furussia on July 18, 2014 20:15

One of the reasons the Phuket passenger numbers dived is that like many, I discovered a better & cheaper & friendlier Thailand up country.

However, I was about to give up the rent of the house in Phuket I have had for 18 years (where my 2 daughters were brought up), but in light of the improvements brought about by the military (if they continue long term), now intend to keep this property as a holiday home & visit twice per year once I retire.

Posted by Logic on July 19, 2014 13:51

But Australia does not have Soi Bangla , a place for the kids to choose a " babysitter" to look after Dad!

Posted by Manowar on July 19, 2014 14:24

Perhaps the 'decrease' is a result of the wind of reality finally blowing through. The trend of consistent increases month after month, year after year, is not sustainable. Especially when little new infrastructure has been added to deal with ever increasing numbers. Phuket had already been stretched to the breaking point for years with out-of-control corruption leading to out-of-control development and pollution, ending with the complete spoilage of the beaches. In reality, the ever increasing tourist numbers were a massive bubble waiting to burst. Time to take stock and prevent the over-run and degradation from happening again. The drop in tourist numbers is a good sign.

Posted by Beach Swimmer on July 25, 2014 10:38