Phuket Thailand

PeterT · #1 04-04-2008, 15:49

I have been living in Pattaya for the last 5 years and will soon be moving to Phuket. Just waiting for my new work permit to come through.

K2 · #2 04-04-2008, 15:58

Good luck with your move to Phuket and welcome to the board. Go to the BM bars here (Mai Thai Bar, Hells Bells, Dingo's & Faulty Towers) and get to know some great local expats.

Joining the Hash House Harriers was good for me - bit of exercise and some decent people several of whom have become good friends.

SMF · #3 04-04-2008, 16:12

Wish it was me!

PeterT · #4 04-04-2008, 16:12

Thanks, will take a look at those bars when I get there, what area are they in?

As for the Hash House Harriers, gave up running after breaking my ankle 15 years ago it has never been 100% since.

For pleasure I ride bikes, have recently sold my Harley here in Pats and will see how things work out in Phuket before buying another.

SMF · #5 04-04-2008, 16:18

Well the bars are primary around Bangla Road in Patong! Go to Soi Eric to say hi to Nicke in Mai Thai Bar. I'm sure he will be able to help you get around in the area.

luv u long time · #6 06-04-2008, 09:23

Good stuff man..... I believe the location change will be equally good.... What industry were you in when satying in Pattaya for 5 years???? Dont have to answer if too personal mate....

Good Luck with the move

PeterT · #7 07-04-2008, 01:33

I have owned 2 bars in the Jomtien area of Pattaya, one I sold the other I have a tennant manager running it.

I am part of a company that imports Mokador coffee from Italy, I am moving to Phuket to set up our sales distribution and service department there.

muddyhoop · #8 07-04-2008, 02:10

Hi Peter

Good luck and welcome to Phuket. If you need a nice place to stay I have an apartment to rent, if your interested just send me an email.

Take a look at my website for photos etc.

The apartment is in Kalim, very quiet good area but just a few minutes drive to the center of Patong.

LivinLOS · #9 07-04-2008, 06:41

Kalim good location for Patong.. Outside of the mega busy sections..

Make sure you have some coffee samples... Will check it out.

nelsonone · #10 07-04-2008, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I am part of a company that imports Mokador coffee from Italy, I am moving to Phuket to set up our sales distribution and service department there.

think I've seen you featured on pattaya TV???...WTTB

Denver · #11 07-04-2008, 15:44

Welcome to the board Peter................Bring Coffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

PeterT · #12 07-04-2008, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonone

think I've seen you featured on pattaya TV???...WTTB

Yes that was us, we are still getting a lot of business out of that.

PeterT · #13 17-05-2008, 21:36

Well it took longer than I expected but I am here at last. Living above our office about 1k west of the Heroins monument towards Surin Beech. Its a bit isolated but will do for now.

Not done much in in the way of bar crawling but have found a few friendly bars in Kamala. The Kamala Beer Garden always seems to be busy with a friendly crowd.

Have sampled Soi Eric in Patong on my two visits it was quiet, then again I appreciate the low season is here.

Anyway apart from the rain it's a beautiful island, I have covered a bit of it in the last week before getting down to getting out and selling the coffee.

JayBee · #14 18-05-2008, 00:16

How did you like living in Pattaya? Was you decision to start a coffee business in Phuket motivated by a desire to leave the Pattya area?

What are your initial impressions of Phuket as compared to Pattaya, in general, and, especially, with regards as a place to reside?

PeterT · #15 18-05-2008, 01:39

I came here to expand the business, we are doing well in Bangkok and Pattaya, and Phuket with its large number of good quality bars restaurants and resorts appears to be a next logical step.

I cant say it was an easy move, with a large circle of friends and business contacts in Pattaya its not easy to move any ware new and start from scratch not knowing a soul in town. I have always found it easy to make friends. Building up a network of friends in business will I am sure take a lot longer.

I find Phuket much more pleasing to the eye than Pattaya. I will comment on the other aspects of living here as I settle in.

One thing I did notice straight away is that everything appears to cost more here.

JayBee · #16 18-05-2008, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I find Phuket much more pleasing to the eye than Pattaya. I will comment on the other aspects of living here as I settle in.

Thanks for the feedback. Phuket is more beautiful than Pattaya. More quiet, less urban, and more of the small town atmosphere with a number of quaint small towns. That is what I like about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

One thing I did notice straight away is that everything appears to cost more here.

You've noticed! Been going to LOS for 7 years, with an average of 3 months a year, mostly spent in Phuket. Last year, I was in Phuket, but also went to Pattaya for my 1st time. This year spent most of my time in Pattaya. The reasons for the switch are twofold. First, being there for 5 month this year, I just couldn't easily afford the Phuket prices, what with the declining dollar and the fact that girls and hotels are about double what they were a few years ago. Second, with fewer girls and more young tourists in Phuket, it is just harder to pull the really great-looking girls there. In Pattaya, it was a challenge in high season, but I still managed to pull very good-looking gals for 1000 on a good night, and 1500 on a night when I didn't want to try that hard. For comparable quality, I would have paid double in Phuket.

It's pretty much the same story for rooms. Double the price for comparable quallity. And even for food, since some days I like to eat at the little sidewalk restaurants, roadside noodle places, markets, and the food court at Tukcom, where I could still buy a meal for 20 to 30 Baht. The funky little restaurants have mostly disappeared from Patong, replaced by bars/discos(was a great little cheap restaurant where Baya Beach is), and upscale shops, and a night market where Jungceylon is. Not even many noodle stands left, or grilled chicken vendors.

I miss Patong, but it's not the same. But I will still definitely make it there for at least a visit next year. If I move to LOS, I would have to consider Phuket, and figure ways to cut costs, like long-term accomodations and living outside of Patong. But there is a lot I would miss about Pattaya, because I like the little funky places so much more than the upscale places. It is more real. I don't know if I want to live in a place that has been turned completely into an upscale resort.

Anyhow, keep us posted on your impressions of life in Phuket!!

Denver · #17 19-05-2008, 20:37

It's only more expensive as an attempt to keep out the riff raff..........Unfortunately it doesn't always work! No names will be mentioned! 5555555

I've been to Patts but not lived there any substantial amount of time. I've lived and worked all over the world and get a 'feel' for a place pretty soon after arriving there. I got the 'feel' (No pun intended or implied) for Phuket and in particular Patong very soon after arriving for the first time in the mid 80's. A 'feel' or 'Vibe' I just didn't get in Pattaya! Up to me I guess!

I chose Kamala (Which is still Phuket as some people seem to forget) as I just couldn't sleep in Patong! Noise and too many distractions (of the good kind) Once you are here, you will know where to shop and find things at a very similar price to anywhere in Thailand IMHO. Women, accommodation and even your noodles!

Heading into low season now (Which I personally like!) Now is the time to do your shopping for the bigger things i.e. second hand motorbike, accommodation, 100 baht t-shirts!! As a 'offered' price is usually accepted. I seem to buy very little, except my week to week shopping during high season. Economic sense.

Let us know how you get on and don't forget that bloody coffee!

PeterT · #18 19-05-2008, 22:53

Denver, I have 48 kilos of coffee beans with me

Have a meeting tomorrow with JW Marriott, wish me luck.

georgelondon · #19 19-05-2008, 23:05

welcome to the board peter.

ChoakMyDee · #20 20-05-2008, 05:29

Welcome to the board peter. I see a good market for your beans if they are good. My girlfriend has a coffee shop in Phuket Town and we get the beans sent down from Chiang Mai as the beans available locally are not very good. It seems that 99% of the coffee shops in Patong and Phuket are using the "Bon Cafe" bean which is a very low grade bean. I see you are targeting the more upscale market...good luck and welcome to Phuket.

LivinLOS · #21 20-05-2008, 07:11

Do you do customer retail ??

May pop along to say hi and for a pepsi challenge.. Currently just default to lavazza gold.

Sammy brought me some nice italian grinds last year, mostly just use beans in an automat tho.

nelsonone · #22 20-05-2008, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denver

Heading into low season now (Which I personally like!) Now is the time to do your shopping for the bigger things i.e. second hand motorbike, accommodation, 100 baht t-shirts!! As a 'offered' price is usually accepted.

good to hear the 100bht "T" shirts are cheaper in low season D'man.....555

Simbo · #23 20-05-2008, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Thanks, will take a look at those bars when I get there, what area are they in?

As for the Hash House Harriers, gave up running after breaking my ankle 15 years ago it has never been 100% since.

For pleasure I ride bikes, have recently sold my Harley here in Pats and will see how things work out in Phuket before buying another.

Approx 20 % of the hash actually run, the rest either walk or sit around and drink beer! Its a good way to network, and you will soon pick up contacts for people who are working in Phuket, as well as the retired piss-heads. Some are a bit stand-offish at first, but there's a growing number of BMs involved.

For the coffee sub thread I have just run out of my absolutely delicious coffee that I brought back from Lao. Will stock up on Doi Tung coffee again next month.

manniko · #24 20-05-2008, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

Approx 20 % of the hash actually run, the rest either walk or sit around and drink beer! Its a good way to network, and you will soon pick up contacts for people who are working in Phuket, as well as the retired piss-heads. Some are a bit stand-offish at first, but there's a growing number of BMs involved.

For the coffee sub thread I have just run out of my absolutely delicious coffee that I brought back from Lao. Will stock up on Doi Tung coffee again next month.

Simbo, could you share with us what - in your opinion - "retired piss-heads' are. Do you mean something like: "still working butt-heads"?

Please don't flame retired folks in LOS