Based in the UK I visit Thailand on a fairly regular basis. Bangkok, Koh Samui, Khao Lak, Krabi, Koh Phangan, khon kaen and Phuket on numerous occasions.

On your first trip to Thailand learn the rules. Thai people are lovely and generally non confrontational but don't take that to mean you can walk all over them and abuse them. Thai people are generally much smaller than you but don't feel you can push them around or be rude to them. You will undoubtedly be wealthier than most Thai people, many times wealthier but don't feel........ you're starting to get the picture.

Thailand belongs to Thai people, not you. You are there as a guest so understand and play by their rules. Having a pop at a Tuk Tuk driver after one to many Singha beers will not endear you to him and he may end up being less than friendly to you. You will also find that in Thailand everyone is related to or best mates with everyone else. So that guy you punched in a row last night will seemingly morph into half the town tonight.

Yes, in high density tourist areas like Patong, Phuket you are merely a walking wallet. If you think the Tuk Tuk charges in Patong are high try Jamaica and as has already been suggested simply ask the price in advance and if it's too high and the chap won't have a friendly haggle walk on.

On our last visit to Phuket we stayed at the Sala resort at the north of the island just above the airport. A long deserted beach as far as the eye could see, a far cry from Patong. We drive in Thailand so drove into Patong for a meal on night and the contrast was amazing. But it's localised to that 1 area and actually I find the more seedy side of Patong a hell of a lot more friendly and trustworthy than Bangkok for example.

As for the law makers and police in Thailand justice can at times be harsh and swift, particularly when tourists are involved. I remeber reading of a local man who had raped then murdered a local woman who was shot dead in a most bizzare "accident" whilst he tried to escape whilst visiting the scene of the crime.

It takes two to tango. If you go looking for trouble or act like an arse then trouble quite often has a habit of finding you. If you are well mannered, polite and above all in Thailand good humoured you will have a ball. If you like your holiday to be more laid back then avoid very localised areas such as Patong.

The benefit of Phuket is that everything is there. Shows, water Skiing, go-karts, bars, music, food, expeditions, boat trips, beaches, you name it all budgets catered for from pennies to many pounds. And yes, if you want it girls, boys and even a bit of both. But I could show you a holiday that doesn't leave Phuket Island where you wouldn't get asked if you fancy a bit of "longtime" once.

I just felt compelled to scribble down a few words having read the thread.

Keep smiling & loving you longtime.

Henry :)

Well said Henry, agree with you 100%. We have been coming to Phuket for 17 years & now stay 5 mths of the year, people love to rubbish the sleazy side (which is in every city etc of the world) and its sort of sad that this is the only part of Phuket they visited, maybe they didnt realize there ia a lot more to the island than Bangla Rd haha.
cathy

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I think what many of us don't keep into perspective is that most haven't been visiting for 2 decades and don't live there 5 months a year.

Although I'm not one to hammer the shiny path, most tourists will group together like sardines in a net. All the vultures simply hang out and wait for dinner.

I deal a lot with tourists, and none of them ever had any problems (well, some a scrape from a motorbike accident). You're really overdoing Curt.

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Diving Phuket and Similans

Your defensiveness is showing again. Forget Phuket; I am talking about tourist destinations in general.

You and I live in Thailand. Many of the regulars spend lots of time here. All our perspectives are different.

I don't have any problems with Bangkok tuk tuk drivers, taxi drivers, "friendly strangers" with shopping advice, or any of the other problems. But, I don't hang out where tourists do. The few time I have to tread the shiny path, I am well aware of the scenarios and sometimes actually enjoy jerking their chains.

Many people who visit don't have a clue. They will be knee deep before they are even aware something isn't right. And then - pay close attention here - rather than cut their losses and move on, they try to argue. Even worse, they get angry and brazen.

No one is going to come out ahead in an angry confrontation with a Thai street worker. They seem to run in packs. And, considering the BS the cops put up with in tourists destinations, their is a good chance, corrupt or not, they won't have much sympathy.

This is not to try to say that "they had it coming." It's just that most of these encounters can be avoided. Unfortunately, too many Westerners are obsessed with "principles". There''s right, there's wrong and then there's reality. In most of these situations, the first two don't count.

Although the press, itself, may have an affect on business, these board postings won't. It never ceases to amaze that, after endless scam warnings, people still march boldly into trouble. Few pay any real attention to this stuff.

Speaking of perspectives, you, and the many established Phuket business owners, have an entirely different perspective than transient street workers. You may take pride in your area, while these people are little more than pirates, who will move to calmer seas if things get bad.

I’ve never had a problem, but as I say, I self drive and avoid all the scams, and must be a seasoned traveler, as usually see trouble before it happens. I don’t even acknowledge touts, just completely ignore them, all and any touts. At first I thought I as being a bit arrogant, but now feel quite comfortable being an arse. As they see me every day when there, and ask the same thing over and over, they are being the arse and I have no sympathy for them. Some I’ll joke with and speak to, once they stop harassing me. The are people after all. It’s like I don’t even see the annoying ones any more.

There is a true safety issue, for those not aware of the possibility, or take the alpha male attitude, you will lose that argument or fight. Simply scan the news on ‘phuketwan’ site, it’s all over the news this week, the taxi mafia blockading another resort, and the resort caving in to their demands, even providing parking in the lot and will not allow staff to call any other transportation option, even if requested by the customer, with threat of firing staff if they do. This is Everson SixSense, a 5 star resort. Locals are protesting the corruption also, and the usual lip service is given, which we all know nothing will happen. 10 tailors went public with their corruption pay offs and big inquiry is under way, scratching the surface of how much per month is made through corruption and how it effects every aspect to the tourist industry in Phuket, literally billions of baht to be made, extorted from resorts, vendors, down to overcharging for everything. which is why I decided never to go there again. Even though I always had great time, and no troubles.

But the unsuspecting tourist, not starting trouble are getting scammed terribly. Those that question, are threatened and intimidating to summit their baht, or worst, beaten and put in a hospital if fighting.

if you speak a little thai, you would be amazed at what they say to you when you decline their services. in the states i would punch some vendor or solicitor if they spoke to me that way. in thailand, simply talking back could be a trip to the hospital. most times they are not smiling at you, but laughing at you because your really were that stupid and paid way too much. I'd smile and be happy also.

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https://sites.google.com/site/lareegem/

the tailors and corruption article, and just how much money is made and how deep things go......very sad indeed.

Ten Phuket Tailors Lift Lid on Billions of Baht in Phuket Graft - Phuket Wan

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https://sites.google.com/site/lareegem/

Yes, it is sad.

It is really very easy to do legal business though, and prevent those problems. Because that is the core of the problem: they are acting illegally, and next step is they have to pay. Operate legally and you have no problems.

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Diving Phuket and Similans

Thailand and its various government agencies don't even begin to understand the ramifications of good governance. Exploitation, graft, corruption, nepotism and cronyism are practised arts in the Kingdom.

The two books on Thailand mentioned in another thread lifts the lid on the murky side of Thailand's provincial governance, politics, the military and the royal palace.

Everyone as a consequence suffers when such corrupt practices are allowed - even encouraged - to flourish - everyone that is except the brigade with their respective snouts in the trough!

And yes, the books do point out that Phuket is the most corrupt province in Thailand - and by a long, long way.

Can I start by saying what a handsome man you are Curt. As one heterosexual male to another rarely have I seen such chiseled features. Jealousy might be too strong a word....... Admiration, that better describes mt feelings ;)

I think you hit the nail on the head with the "shiny path" bit. Last time in Phuket we'd driven round from Krabi where we stay in a very quiet resort a few miles out of Ao Nang. We've been there a few times and love it. No vendors on the beach, in fact very few people on the beach period. Totally chilled out, great staff who treat you as one of the family when they see you again.

We drove into Ao Nang for the afternoon and it was like visiting a different country. I'm not saying there were people hunting you down with a view to stealing your kidneys but you were definitely viewed as a pale skinned bearer of bahts by some.

When we stayed in Phuket we chose the very north of the Island and again had a massive beach pretty much to ourselves. When we drove into Patong for the night the contrast was planetary. It was as though we had left Earth and landed on Mars. Noise, crowds, hustle - well you all know the place! But even within there it was possible to see the real Thailand shining through. We popped into a hotel we'd stayed in previously and had a lovely meal.

As you say the shiny path is not unique to Thailand. Stepping off the train and entering Shenzhen China whilst on business within 3 minutes I was offered money changing at 30% under the going rate, counterfeit cigarettes, Viagra, an iPhone 5 (no they hadn't been built yet), copy watches, clothes etc. and sex with 3 different "beautiful girls". At least in Thailand if they say beautiful they mean it.

Similarly corruption is not unique to either Thailand or Phuket.

And before someone says it no, I don't live in Thailand but I'm a sharp cookie and I travel the world with my eyes open. I also know when I'm being played because I learnt the game many years ago and understand both the psychology and the rules. I wonder how many others on here have sold lap dances in England and tat to tourists in Patpong Market just for fun :)

Anyway, now I've signed up I shall have a wander around.

Keep smiling

Henry :)