Advising friends on Phuket

[kjun12]

I have a bad feeling toward Phuket from personal experiences and from the news. The only thing that will ever change that place is if the tourist dollars stop flowing. Considering this, I think that we expats should do what we can to prevent Phuket from enjoying the larges of unwary tourist whom they then rob and mistreat. In an effort to do my part, I am sending the following to all of my friends and to travel magazines in the US. I encourage you to do the same.

I have now lived in Thailand for five years and still enjoy it very much. During my stay I have learned something and think you should know about it. Most Thai people are good average people who are basically honest and kind. Unfortunately there are Thais who do not meet these standards and are really just dishonest thieves. Phuket, which is, without a doubt, the place many people go to when looking for a fun time at the beach is, also, a haven for many of these bad people. Phuket is a rotten place with an abundance of crooks, hoodlums, liars and thieves. The taxi and tuk tuk drivers are amongst these bad guys and will try to overcharge you at every chance. They recently beat a German tourist almost to death, causing him permanent brain damage. I strongly advise that you avoid the Phuket. There are many other beach areas that are more lovely than Phuket and you are much less likely to be robbed or injured at these beaches. Check out some of the following for more information on problems in Phuket:-
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http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/535753-pregnant-aussie-teenager-beaten-robbed-in-phuket-ladyboy-attack/
http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2012/article12435.html
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/535698-phuket-tourist-cheats-spark-foreign-diplomat-intervention/
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/aussies-tell-phuket-jet-ski-scam-nightmare-14443/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2137061
http://www.orientexpat.com/forum/22759-atm-scams-rife-in-phuket/
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-taxi-drivers-settle-resort-attack-compromise-15183/

[Beachlover]

Khun12... I don't disagree with what you say. The corruption, rip off and non-caring culture is so ingrained in Phuket, the place has become almost toxic.

But I'm not sure I would go so far as to actively boycott the place and tell everyone not to go.

It would also be more positive to suggest other places to visit, instead of Phuket.

What do you think? Where would you go instead?

[Neal]

Using hotel transportation and services for enjoyment, Phuket can be a very nice palce to spend your vacation. Rip offs are everywhere including Phuket.
Always have your eyes open and if it is suspicious, just say no thak you or that you have changed yor nind and decided not to.

Enjoy the gay area of Phuket and have agreat time!
:party

[joe552]

Visited Phuket once, and while the beach was good, I felt the gay services were less than Pattaya. So I'll continue to holiday in Pattaya.

[kjun12]

Beach, since I'm older and don't enjoy the hell raisin as much as I used to (read that as I just can't do it anymore) it is very easy to go elsewhere. I like Koh Lipe. It has a very beautiful beaches and one can walk around since it is small. I enjoyed Krabi and Trang a lot. Not a lot of hell raising at either place and especially Trang is very quite and that can be enjoyable. Also, I have never felt like there was any attempt to rip me off at either of the places I mention. I still feel that the only way to change Phuket is to stop people from feeding the corruption there. Stop the money from flowing and then the politicians will make the police do their jobs.

Boss, I'm not a raging fan of Pattaya but I don't feel that it is on the same level as Phuket in rip-offs and danger. Pattaya is a sex pit but Phuket is, in my mind, a very bad place. Pattaya has redeeming factors which make it much better.