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Phuket sunsets, made with Mr Marley in mind, above Kata Noi beach

Phuket's High Season: More Rich, Please

Thursday, December 9, 2010
THERE is only one surefire way to know whether Phuket is set for a good high season or a bad high season. Visit the Small View Point Restaurant and Bar on the road from Cape Promthep to Kata.

It seems hard to believe now, but the Small View Point Restaurant began early this century as a space just two metres by four metres with a great view of Kata Noi beach below. It was perfect for sunsets.

There are those who say the After Beach Bar opened almost at the same time. Back in 2009 along came the Baan Chom View, even bigger and more modern.

Virtually each year, the bars grow in some way. If there is no extension, no additional stretching out towards the sea, no growth for extra customers, we reckon that Phuket is destined for hard times.

On the basis of this year's enlargement into the airspace above Kata Noi, Phuket seems set for another good high season.

We've been in touch with the spirit of Mr Bob Marley, who is known to have moved to Phuket after dallying at every beachfront around the world from Barbados to Bali.

''Mon, I love it here, looking down on Phuket,'' he told us. ''Buffalo soldiers everywhere, taking in every sunset. No Phuket, I cry.''

These days, Mr Marley's spiritual home away from home continues to attract more visitors each year.

Chart Panai, almost as much a feature at the After Beach Bar as Mr Marley, told us that the bar now has 40 tables. More are probably on the way.

At the lower end, The Baan Chom View is more modern and, as a parable for Phuket, tends to attract travellers who like everything to be an improved international version of the traditional island thatch and bamboo model.

With the tenth anniversary looming soon, there is noparty planned because not even the spirit of Mr Marley can recollect the precise day the first bar opened. Phuket was like that back then.

Among our favorite memories is of an early menu, where rice was misspelled as ''rich.'' So we ate fried rich with egg, fried rich with mixed vegetables, and a particular favorite, fried rich combination with shrimp.

For misprints and Mr Marley, this strip of sunset beach joints takes some beating. These days, you can even buy wine, although the old faves of pina colada in a coconut or mai thai in a pineapple are unlikely to disappear off the drinks list anytime soon.

Peak times are brunch and sunset, and the bars are open from 10am to 2am. Tell them Bob sent you, and expect a big night on the countdown to New Year's Eve this year.

After Beach: tel. 089 5947475. Baan Chom View: tel. 087 6280126, 087 6278368.

Comments

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So that's where Marley's ghost ended up? How very seasonal...

Posted by Sam W on December 9, 2010 15:36

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Seems like we're set for a bad high season judging by the few patrons in there. Anyway, a great free advertisement and I see they even let you into the kitchen. Enjoyed your meal?
Any chance you can stick to stories that are informative or newsworthy?

Posted by Pete on December 9, 2010 15:59

Editor Comment:

Bah.

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This is not a report but an advert

Posted by fs on December 9, 2010 16:16

Editor Comment:

Humbug.

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Let's pray that this year's improvement to that particular bar/restaurant will be below-deck, in its BOG (BATHROOM), which has always been frighteningly unappealing enough to dissuade me from inviting friends to the place...unless they've "gone" first and don't mind crossing their legs and eyes 'til they get home.

Like so much of Phuket, this bar/restaurant's grown in superficial capacity but the supporting infrastructure is foolishly weak & ignored.

Posted by Tired of the act on December 9, 2010 17:26

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Bah! Humbug! Yes, Scrooge also thought Christmas was a fraud, hence his riposte.
What a load of gibberish.

Posted by Pete on December 9, 2010 18:07

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This is something I would call an "Infomercial"

Why not - it's a great location, though I have to say the food is not something to write home about.

Posted by Chris on December 9, 2010 19:55

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Is this the restaurant where the idiots step in the middle of the road trying to stick menus in your face when travelling past on mopeds or in the car.

Posted by doris on December 9, 2010 22:30

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The last time I was there I was taken aback by the sheer volume of trash they have tossed below on the hillside. Did your reporter bother to go look?

Posted by mike on December 10, 2010 10:07

Editor Comment:

Who is ''they'' Mike? Your friends?

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Does this bar not clearly breach Phuket building code? Would it not be time for some investigative reporting and show how some tourist venues rape the island? Please support sustainable tourism instead of short-term profiteering.

Posted by concerned on December 10, 2010 10:28

Editor Comment:

What evidence do you have that the bar(s) breach the building code? If you don't have evidence, why rely on suspicions and guesswork? While you're at it, please elaborate on what makes for ''sustainable'' tourism. Everyone's idea on that topic is different.

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I thought this article was just a fun puff piece. A bit playful with the story of how rice was written as "rich" and talking about sunsets. Not hard hitting, but part of the overall tapestry that makes up a news site.

Posted by Anonymous on December 10, 2010 12:42

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Was this written by you editor? If it was, why don't you do more free-style writing like this, instead of attacking people's comments? Your writing style with this article is quite witty and engaging. Unfortunately you come across as arrogant and rude nearly all other times. Who knew that Phuket Wan had a sense of humor?

Posted by sailorgirl on December 17, 2010 14:04

Editor Comment:

We're not here to impress anyone, sailorgirl. Among other things, we challenge the false impressions that many people try to perpetuate about Phuket. What you perceive as ''attack'' is merely an attempt to sort fact from fiction without wasting words or time. Nothing rude or arrogant intended.


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