Quiet in Patong?

[Pompal 09.]

To support Phuket, Patong in particular, I am coming back on 22 Jan. (I was in LOS in Dec and left just before X'mas). This time, I think I will bring more cash and spend more. If possible, give out some small cash to children wondering on the street.

As I don't plan to go diving and would not bring my diving gears, I want to fill up my luggage rooms with children clothes, and bring it over to orphans/children affected by the tragedy. Does anyone know any NGO/charity group in Phuket that would help to pass the clothes to the affected one ? Please advise if you have relevant information. Together with my friend, I would be able to bring about 100 sets (each comprise a T-shirt and a shot) suitable for kids ranging from 3 to 10 years old.

 

[malibutan]

Can anyone give me a straight forward eye witness account of what's going on in Phucket at the moment?
What perceneforum.xxxe would you say is up and running at the moment?
What perceneforum.xxxe of bg's are in town at the moment?
What perceneforum.xxxe of bars are currently open?
Is the town getting better daily, weekly or monthly?
I'm getting confused between newspaper reports and bms reports. Some one please fill me in on what is actually happenning!!!

 

[Nostalgic for Disaster]

I know usually around this time of the year is the peak season for phuket but I find it strange that with what had happened, they are still maintaining 'peak season price'. I'm not looking for an opportunity of a bargain but with patong being so quiet and some buisness are down along beach road.. The tourist that DID NOT cancel their trip phuket would be more or less dissapointed if they are still being charge at high price whether its accomodation or BG. How can these tourist return to their homeland and tell ppl to come to phuket and say things are back to normal? I say that most tourist that actually come to phuket during these sad times are those that been there before. the one that got to know the thais and wish to support the community in which ever way they can.. Not every tourist that come are those with a load of cash.. Probably those with load of cash would definately just go somewhere else since they can afford it.. An example is the group of ppl that I'm suppose to go Phuket with.. they make a call and change the destination to Samui.. Here' I'm all alone going to Phuket, as much as I wish to help the ppl, I do hope they do not charge me at 'peak-season' prices.. therefore I could stay longer and help the ppl i know in kamala...

 

[cookiesky]

swissair is no more !
Swiss is the new compagny..
I like to flight with Swiss ( not only because i'm a swiss guy)
I take a flight next friday, from my home to Don Muang BKK i have only a ..16 hours travel (train to airport..etc..included )Very useful and quick.
the service is great ! tasty food, drink are free and the entertainment is not bad at all.

Gregor ru really a swiss guy ???

http://www.swiss.com/web/IE6/movies_jan05.pdf

 

[SNFcj (Back on my grind)]

exactly my observation and experiences in thailand too andy!

 

[anlibeth2000]

Yes believe it, it is very quiet. It is quieter than the low season.

 

[Pompal 09.]

10 days ago all the sois off bangla where up and running,most bars down bangla open,all beach road bars closed.as for how busy i would say it was dead,very quiet indeed.and there where less bargirls than normal but still plenty.
steve

 

[Carl]

strange old world chuky66!!

 

[WRATH OF THE FIST]

First, learn to spell Phuket

It is very gradually getting busier, but still way quieter than a low season.

 

[The Baron]

A very asian concept.. See it all the time..

I wish to make X per year... Business is not doing well, so doubl;e prices so that I will make the same through less customers !!

I have to admit is seems totally alien to my supply side economist mind but it is a fact and if it works for them fair play (cant believe it really does but..) Reports I am getting say that despite the lack of punters Phukets bar girls are doubling thier rates (or at least increasing them) also.. At a time when you would think that security and longer term customers would become more valuable.. What can you say other than TiT

 

[Funnel]

try this link: http://www.phuket-photos.com/phuket-tidal-wave/frameme.php?page=IMG_3933.htm
"This gallery is not intending to hide the reality of Phuket drama, but to reflect the effort done by locals and volunteers to rebuilt the island and keep hope and faith in the future. Pictures are taken daily, showing some progress but not hiding the places still to be cleaned and the huge work still to be done... More tourist are on the beach everyday and it gives us hope. The second road of Patong Beach is packed with traffic and people. Hundred of people have join the cleaning effort and every single shop is doing its own cleaning and all together the amount of work already done is amazing!"

 

[Pompal 09.]

Took a trawl through town late last night.. and yes its very slow..

Many of the girls seem to have fleed in fear and chasing the remaining tourists..

The economic damage throughout all levels of the local economy will be harsh IMHO.

 

[Shahnn]

its similar to the way that your to blame no matter whose fault it was in a traffic accident,
the thai reasoning being, if you had not come to thailand, then there wouldnt have been an accident! so its automatically your fault for being there!

 

[ZLD]

Thanks Coolhand, great info and a usefull link.

 

[Nay]

Most of tourists, who had booked a flat rate, had been forced to go home by their travel organizer, because of insurance terms. The rest, like my friend, were leaving on 5 or 6 of january, because end of holiday in Europe. Since all flights from travel agencies are cancelled until end of month, and everybody still on holiday in Thailand is described as bastard in the European newspapers, it will get still more quiet until the end of month.

 

[princess like kitty]

It is as they have a quota to reach, nothingto see with offer and demand law. Maye strange, but, as LivinLOS says, it is usual in Asia.
Now, you will be able to find good prices only with tour-ops who have year rental price with their hotels

 

[fox]

Real funny stevem, are you just a smart **** or are you just trying to get your number of posts up?

 

[J A]

Well, I'm still coming with my brother at the end of February. I hope I'm not there by myself. lol
As long as there are some bg's around, I'll be happy.

 

[VisualEcho]

Just spoke to that Tg I have (Par) and she got back to Patong yesterday (she left a week before the disaster)

She is it is so quite and boring now. All her friends have gone to Bangkok and refuse to come back (dont blame them I suppose). Bars are quite and not alot of people around.

She is also going to go to Bangkok and get a proper job until the Visa is sorted.

Damn British Embassy visa section is closed for a month becuase of the disaster.

 

[marizel]

I think this is a good link to visit, it shows the rebuilding efforts, locals getting things back to normal and some happy faces...

http://www.phuket-photos.com/frameme.php?page=phuket-tidal-wave.htm?ref=2005120183916

Diz