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Welcome to Phuket, Thailand.

Picture of the day; June 10. A picture from Club Andaman Pier in Ranong, I went there recently for one of my visa runs. The Club Andaman hotel and island belongs to Burma and they also host a casino. I will write an article about this later. >>> More

Swedish School, 19 Sep 2005.
A new school with Swedish teachers and curriculum has established in Kamala beach, for those interested visit their website

Swedish Television in Thailand, 19 Sep 2005.
I just heard SVT Europa is now accessible from here, it looks like they started to broadcast to cover Asia, Africa and Australia in May. They are transmitting on Thaicom 3. 78,5° east. You need an 2,4m dish and a digital viaccess reciver and a LNB for the C-band. Frequency 3640 H. FEC 3/4. Symbol Rate 28066.
For more info; SVT Europa, Thaicom 3.

Drug testing in Soi Eric, 1 July 2005.
The police arrived in large numbers to Soi Eric today around 00:30 and all the bar girls were going to be tested for drugs by leaving urine. The music stopped and the barowners were questioned and the police filled out forms. This took about 1.5 hours and during that time the customers we had left, since they were not tested for drugs this time. This is first time ever I have seen they drug test girls working in beer bars.

Harry Nicolaides' new novel, 12 June 2005.
Harry has finally finished his book, VERISIMILITUDE, after two years of experience and research while living as a resident in Phuket and lately Chiang Rai.

The book is currently being printed and may be available in few weeks. Read the MEDIA RELEASE here.

Patong police crackdown on traffic violations, 28 May 2005.
This week the police in Patong beach has been very strict and also during 3 days in a row had check points on Sai nam yen. You need a valid driving license and has to wear a helmet, but now they also check the tax sticker on the motorbike. This was never an issue in Patong in the past, only Kathu policed checked this once in a while. One of the reason, I was told, is to make it more difficult for people with stolen motorbikes to drive around.

Miss Universe 2005 contestants in Phuket, 21 May 2005.
They had a charity day on May 19 and visited Phuket Fantasea to see the show and to Patong Hospital to present a donation of 12 million baht. The girls were also on Patong Beach and were told about the new tsunami security we have in place now and ended up at a beach party at Dusit Laguna Resort.

. Photos: Miss Universe 2005 - Beach Party

. Photos: Miss Universe 2005 - Charity and tour around Phuket

The 7th Phuket International Rugby 10s, 28-29 May 2005.
This event will take place at Karon stadium and more important is the fund raising for children orphaned at the tsunami to help them get atleast good education.

Songkran festival - Phuket, 12-13 April 2005.
We celebrated Songkran as usual and it was very fun, althought the water wars started already on 10th and 11th of April but the main days are on 12 and 13 April. Thanks to Zeaker for the photos in the Songkran Photo Gallery

Phuket Aquarium, 9-10 April 2005.
Phuket Aquarium has been closed for 2.5 years but the newly constructed one with underwater tunnel will have grand opening on April 9. The first two days there are no entrance fee.

Phuket Gay Pride Festival, 7-10 April 2005.
The 6th annual Phuket Gay Festival will take place on 7th to 10th of April 2005 in Patong beach, there will be street parties with performances from local clubs mixed with gay health and HIV prevention information, hugely popular gay volleyball tournament and a big parade at Sunday 4 pm.

Phuket Post , 5 April 2005.
Phuket Post is a new local English language newspaper in Phuket and they have a Tsunami special issue out now but the real launch is 23 April. There will be a new issue twice a month. I am looking forward to have two local newspapers here.

China Dolls video, 2 April 2005.
We had a free concert at Patong beach yesterday with China Dolls and Day After Tomorrow at "Genki Phuket Live" which was broadcasted to Japanese TV channels. The video can be downloaded from Thailand Photos

Earthquake 8.7 and Tsunami alert, 29 March 2005.
Some people reported they felt the earthquake in their hotel rooms around 23:15 and Thai TV and radio shortly after started to warn people of a possible Tsunami. Police and government officials did a good job to warn and evacuate people in Patong, better be safe than sorry, and they did not make the same mistake as last time. I also heard the new alarm sound last night. At 02:30 there had been no wave and they said on Thai TV there was not going to be any wave and they withdraw the alert. Bangla road and the bars were dark and empty when I left around 00:15. Read more in the forum.

Ceremony honoring Tsunami victims, 22 January 2005.
Government and business leaders will hold a ceremony honoring the Tsunami victims, on Patong Beach, January 22nd. There will be Buddhist, Christian, Muslim & Sikh ceremonies beginning at 8:am. At 6:pm that day Bangla road will be closed for free concert and free buffet dinner for all and another ceremony honoring the victims. Guest speakers will punctuate the evening with their positive thoughts on the future of the community

New Book: English - Thai Bar Guide, 20 December 2004.
A new and convenient English - Thai phrasebook with bar girl smalltalk and general information about the bar scene in Thailand, mostly Bangkok. Essential phrases and short conversations, lot of words you never will learn in decent phrasebooks.

This book is available at Mai Thai Bar, Soi Eric. (German version may be available too)
Price: 200 baht

Bar Strike over, 28 October 2004.
The strike begun 26 October and there has been a "mob party" at the football field in Patong. The bars are now allowed to stay open until 02 while we expect a 03 closing time in few weeks time. The Governor come to Patong and told us he can not confirm this on paper yet but hopefully in few weeks, until then 02:00 is the new closing time. Governor speaking on the photo.

Patong flooded, 10 October 2004.
After the heavy raining the last 24 hours I have never seen so much water in Patong as of yesterday, big parts of rat-u-thit road, sainamyen, beach road and bangla were under water and most shops and bars decided to close. Lot of motorbikes and cars with engine problems and the police and firemen did their best to help people who was stuck in the water. >>> Read more

Phuket Nightlife: Zoning and closing times, 18 September 2004.
A new ministerial regulation on opening and closing times was announced in Royal Gazette on September 16.

Under the regulation, nightclubs in designated zones are allowed to open 21:00 and stay open until 2. Nightclubs outside the zones must close at midnight.

Karaoke bars and discos can open from 18:00 and stay open until 01:00 for those in the zones and at midnight for those outside the zones.

Early closing time for Phuket nightlife, 3 September 2004.
Look like that September was the start of early closing time again, the police close down the bars and discos at 02:00 am now. Patong has been enjoying relaxed closing time since December last year. Tai Pan is closed for 15 days due to 'late opening' which is the result of a police raid about 10 days ago by Phuket City police.

Central Festival Phuket, 15 August 2004.
After two years of construction costing 2 billion baht, it is finally going to open on September 1. Fashion stores, Jewelry, Asian art & crafts, Hardware, Furnitures, TOT branches, IT center, Super sports store, Cinemas and lot of food chains.

Thailand Photos, July 23, 2004.
If you are interested in Thailand Photos then you should go to my new website; Thailand Photos. Members of the forum can create their own photo album with their favourite Thailand photos..

International Driving License - Phuket, July 5, 2004.
Make sure you obtain an international driving license before coming to Phuket, the police checks frequently now also in Patong. The license must be valid for motorbike if you intend to drive a motorbike, just having a license for a car is not enough. Also wearing a helmet is a must these days.

Moodies on fire, May 1, 2004.
Moodies on fire on Saturday evening caused by eletric and it went on very fast, in just 20 seconds it was a full blown fire and people fled out of the street while fire was dropping from the roof. Moodies is an entertainment street on Rat-u-thit road with restaurants and live music.
Photos by Andi.
>>> See more pictures

Crackdown on residents with tourist visas, April 26, 2004.
Many expats are living in Phuket on tourist visas and do a visa run every month, now they will only be allowed 3 tourist visas in a row (either 30 days or 2-3 month visas) and then they need to show proof of income from abroad, it they fail, they will not be allowed to stay in Thailand for 6 months. >>> Read full story

Phuket Nightlife news, Feb 26, 2004.
Star Club closed down, two months after they had grand opening for the new club. Rumours says Tai Pan may be interested to take over. The old VIP is now a pool bar but the hottest nightlife spot at the moment is Dragon Entertainment, on the second floor of Soi Easy. When I gave them a visit few days ago it was very busy and they also stayed open late, well worth a visit when the bars close. On the picture is the owner of Dragon Entertainment (Ott), me and some of his staff. Ott is a very friendly and nice guy.

Traffic police - crackdown in Phuket, Feb 26, 2004.
The police has been very strict lately and checkpoints are often daily in Kathu on the road to Patong and also in Patong, the police had checkpoints in the night time. You need to wear a helmet, have a valid driver license and tax sticker on the motorbike. I also heard from a friend who had to blow (alco test) and were brought to jail for 13 hours before the court fined him. He said it was a nightmare to have this experience. The police are getting serious now to bring down the numbers of accidents on the roads.

New Floatplane airline in Phuket, Feb 19, 2004.
Blue Water Air (BWA) will initially fly tours around Phang nga bay and to/from Phi Phi, using a 12-seat Cessna Caravan floatplane. One way transfers from Phi Phi to Phuket airport will cost 2000 baht and take 15 minutes.
Source: Phuket Gazette

New Submarine tour in Phuket, Jan 26, 2004.
"The Adventure of a Lifetime" The DS-48 submarine is a forty eight passenger vessel equipped with twenty four seventy five centimeter viewing ports and fully air conditioned. >>> Read more

Jungceylon project in heart of Patong, Dec 5, 2003.
The Jungceylon area is 55 rai (88000 m2) and the developing company revealed their plans on Nov 26. This 3 billion baht three storey center will include a 500 room hotel with serviced apartments, bars, dance clubs, 10 film teathers, a 30-lane bowling alley, a 1,000-seat cabaret theather, a supermarket and a food center plus parking for 120 buses and 1400 cars. This place is expected to create 2,000 jobs and boost Phuket tourism and may open in December next year.
Source: Phuket Gazette

Seven Eleven - A landmark is gone, Dec 3, 2003.
The popular seven eleven shop on top of Soi Bangla (opposite Star World) was the last building to be demolished at the huge demolishing area in center of Patong. There are severals 7-11 shops in Patong but this one was a popular meeting point and late night drinking spot where both tourists and girls went after phuket nightlife closing time.

Low-cost airline, Air Asia Aviation, Nov 3, 2003.
The carrier would initially operate domestic routes linking Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima as well as flying from Bangkok to Singapore and Phnom Penh. Malaysia-based Air Asia would also offer flights on the Bangkok-Phuket-Kuala Lumpur route from December at only 1,500 baht for a one-way ticket.
Source: The Nation

Theft at airport, Oct 17, 2003.
Advices
Reports lately state that there has been theft at Phuket airport from luggage after check-in. Be careful, always bring values like digital cameras and video camcorders in your hand baggage.

Also thefts from hotel room happen sometimes, dont leave values in your room and lock the door from inside when you sleep, sometimes thieves enter the rooms when guests are asleep.

Baya Beach - Patong Phuket, Oct 17, 2003.
It was grand opening for Baya beach yesterday, a new nightclub venue located between VIP and Taipan at the end of Bangla road. The manager is Lolo from VIP. It was crowded and they had sexy dance shows during the opening party. Good luck with your new club, Lolo. In the past it was a 24 hr/day (simple) thai restaurant in this location.

The Pizza Company - Patong Phuket, Oct 1, 2003.
Today we had grand opening for the first outlet of The Pizza Company in Patong. I like them and I am happy to have them here. They are located next to Star World on Bangla road and they are going to be open all day and night and you can also order with free delivery at phone number 1112. They are cheaper than most other pizza restaurants in Patong. They also have outlets at Tesco Lotus and in Phuket Town opposite Robinson department store.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Sep 25 - Oct 4, 2003.
One of the highlights in Phuket, our annual Vegetarian Festival is well worth a visit and take place at Phuket Town. See pictures.

Phuket hotels, Bangkok hotels, Pattaya hotels, Sep 4, 2003.
You can now make online hotel reservation for hotels in Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok, Samui and also at hotels at most cities in Thailand and Singapore.

Harry Nicolaides' Weekly Column - Phuket, Sep 1, 2003.
Exclusively for Phuket-Info.com
Harry is a writer from Australia who recently moved to Phuket to work with his next book. Read the weekly column from a new expat trying to settle down here. Read them here

Crackdown on illegal Visa Runs - Phuket, Aug 27, 2003.
My friends were caught at Ranong and questioned for 5 hours by immigration officers regarding their previous 'illegal' visa runs. They had to tell the police who they gave passport to and how much they paid. They were lucky, police let them go but may in worst case end up in jail or be deported from Thailand. I am not sure how they found out but I think some stamps have a non-authorative signature or is missing. Check your passport if you used an agent lately for sending your passport. Don't give your passports to agents, do the visa run legally and by yourself!

Koh Samet, Aug 27, 2003.
Koh Samet may be an interesting destination if you have been to all other places, it's a small island south of Pattaya/Bangkok. Read Bobby's review here.

Long live Her Majesty Queen Siriki, Aug 12, 2003.
Our best wishes to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Mother of our nation, on the auspicious occasion of Her Birthday. The bars in Phuket nightlife scene close on this public holiday since it's not allowed to sell alcholic beverages.

Crackdown on Gogo bars in Phuket, Aug 12, 2003.
Now it's war on lewdness and striptease, Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenont has declared war on obscene shows and striptease at entertainment venues across the country in a three-month crackdown.

Andaman Club resort with casino, Aug 6, 2003.
I did another visa run to Ranong and visited the casino island. A trip I can recommend to anyone who want to see something new and different while staying in Phuket. >>> Read more

Fakes seized in warehouse raid - Phuket, Aug 1, 2003.
More than 12,000 fake items with a street value of 12 million baht were seized in a raid on a warehouse in Patong yesterday. The haul, one of the largest in Phuket so far, was the latest in a crackdown that now involves police checks on outlets in tourist areas almost every day. Infringement of trademark and copyright laws carries a maximum penalty of four years in jail, a fine of up to 400,000 baht, or both.
Source: Phuket Gazette

Sunset Point Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Jul 30, 2003.
This restaurant is located on the hill to the north of Kalim Bay and will be knocked down because it's on SorPorKor land. Only agricultural business is allowed on this type of land. This is a part of the ongoing phuket land probe, there have been lot of news about this land probe in Bangkok Post and Phuket Gazette recently.

New minimum wages for foreigners next year, Jul 24, 2003.

A big hike in VISA fee's next month, July 24, 2003.

Buddhist holiday - Phuket, Jul 14, 2003.
The bars in Phuket nightlife scene are closed during this holiday so there are many fun events in Patong, today there were games on the soccer field between various teams and tomorror there will be a soccer competition between the beer bar sois. I sponsored the Soi Eric team.

Bond Concert - In aid of Life Home Project, Jul 12, 2003.
A charity concert held at Phuket Sheraton Grande Laguna to bring money to the Life Home Project. "When Bond - four fantastically talented young women heard about the plight of women and children at the LHP, they immediate wanted to play a benefit concert to raise funds to help"
Visit LHP homepage.

Phuket Chat, Jun 25, 2003.
I added a Chat on this website, welcome to chat with fellow travellers and residents living in Phuket. Enter Chat!

Phuket is hitted hard, Jun 3, 2003.
Many articles lately in Gazette, Bangkok Post and foreign newspapers reported that Phuket tourism industry has been hitted hard this year with only 10% of the tourists compared to the same period last year. Many, many people have lost their jobs when hotels, restaurants and other business are struggling to survive.

Songkran Festival in Patong - Phuket, April 12-13, 2003.

Grand opening for Starwars [Phuket Nightlife], April 6, 2003.
A new addition to phuket's nightlife, Starwars had grand opening yesterday so I had to give it a visit. Crowded with a lot of people. The old Shark Club feeling is still there because is still pretty much the same. New paintings (aliens?) on the walls with UV-lights, the DJ is located at the front of the dancefloor instead of second floor as before. Entrance ticket 100 baht and you get a free drink.

Songkran pump-gun ban - Phuket, March 31, 2003.
A ban on the use and sale of pump-action water guns will be enforced during the Songkran festival in the interests of public safety. The high-powered squirt guns have become increasingly popular among Songkran revellers in recent years. The ban took effect on March 26. (Source: Bangkok Post)

Billboards in Phuket, March 24, 2003.
For the past 6 months there have been a strong growth of number of billboards in Phuket. I personally think it's time for the government to do something about this. It's destroying the natural beauty of Phuket. One of the latest additions is shown in the picture, it's visible at Patong hill on the way from Kathu to Patong beach, it looks nice in the nightime thought.

Mobile bar, March 20, 2003.
Lately there have been a new kind of bar in Patong, a bar on wheel, first spot at the beachroad close to Sawatdirak intersection and now you can find it at the street stall market opposite Starwars (The Shark Club) building. Cheap prices too.

Police enforcing law strictly, March 11, 2003.
Last night police enforced the law very strict, many ladies selling cigarettes were caught and had to pay a 500 baht fine. This also applies to the hill tribe (non-thai) street vendors who had to pay 1000 baht fine. And finally, large groups of police men entered the beer bar streets few minutes before 02 am closing time and ordered the music to stop and the bars had to turn off the light.

Phuket Bikeweek - Phuket, April 12-16, 2003.
New for this year is that the event will be held at Bangla Road during two days, April 14-16 with live music, bike shows and miss bikeweek contest.

Drive carefully, February 26, 2003.
The Swedish newspapers write about a car accident that took place yesterday were two young people died and one were injured. The rented jeep crashed with a Tuk Tuk when they drived in the mountains south of Phuket. This is just one of many accidents in Phuket every year, be careful when you rent a motorbike or jeep.

Late night raid - Patong, February 25, 2003.
The police raided and closed down the bars that were open late last night, targeting mostly Sai Sansabai bars and Safari Pub & Disco, the latter has been very popular after 02 am lately. The closing time for phukets nightlife is still 02 am but it has been somewhat relaxed and not enforced strictly.

Pirated CDs/DVDs, February 25, 2003.
The government will launch a crackdown on pirated VCDs, CDs and DVDs on April 1. The police would be paid three baht for every pirated disc seized and informants would receive 10-20% of the value of confiscated goods, according to Bangkok Post.
I have already seen that some street vendors try to increase the prices on pirated DVDs due to police raids lately. At the moment pirated CDs or VCDs cost about 100 baht and DVDs about 150 baht.

Makha Bucha Day, February 16, 2003.
All bars closed during this holiday and expect banks, post and government offices to be closed tomorrow (Monday).

Plans for Phuket Hub, January 16, 2003.
Thai Airways yesterday come up with the cost estimate and development plan that would upgrade Phuket Airport into the aviation hub of Thailand's southern region and enable the airport to accommodate up to 10 million passengers a year. (Source: Bangkok Post)

Top 10 tourist arrivals by nationality at Phuket airport during
January - October 2002.

Bar owner killed his wife, January 16, 2003.
A bar owner from UK, aged 46, killed his wife 30 yesterday. The reason according to TV news is that he thought she had an affair with another man.

King's Birthday, December 5, 2002.
All bars are closed during the celebration of the King.

Patong Seafood Festival, December 1-2, 2002.
Soi Bangla is turned into a walking street with lots of food from hotels and restaurants. Also stage and shows.

New Closing time for bars/discos/nightlife, November 28, 2002.
The police walked around and talked to the bars that they are allowed to stay open until 04 or maybe 05 from December 1.
I don't know if this apply to all bars in Phuket or Thailand but the bars at Soi Bangla/Patong are allowed stay open until at least 04 am.

Loy Krathong, November 19, 2002.
Loy Krathong celebration consist of setting adrift lighted baskets of banana leaves on water. This is celebrated almost everywhere but Karon beach is usually better with live music, shows and games.

Patong election, November 18, 2002.
We had election for Patong mayor during Nov 15-16 and Chalermsak Maneesri won Saturday’s poll, scoring 4,236 votes against 2,514 for his nearest rival, Pian Keesin.

Bars closed due to election, November 15, 2002.
The bars is closed due to the Patong mayor election. This only affect Patong, Phuket Town bars is up and running as usual.

Chulalongkorn day (Public holiday), October 23

Make your hotel booking now, October 21, 2002.
If you are going to Phuket during Christmas and New Year I suggest you make your hotel booking now. There are just a few rooms left and many hotels are already full. Go to Hotel Directory.

Vegetarian Festival, October 5-15, 2002.
Vegetarian food is eaten by participants and they wear white clothes. Expect to see people who perform self-tortue and a lot of firecrackers.
For full program, click here

One of the participants and her group on 12 October. They ate only vegetarian food and they were not allowed to drink alcohol, lie, have sex or kill anyone (including insects) during these nine days.

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