Phuket News & Events

[halfway inn]

BANGLA ROAD

Going Down: Businesses on Phuket’s famed Bangla Rd suffer as clientele dries up


Bars along Phuket's famed Bangla Rd in Patong are suffering hard as the regular tourist clientele source markets are drying up.


PHUKET (23 January 2016)

The island’s top nightlife draw card Bangla Rd in Patong is taking a battering in business this tourism high season despite officials reporting record numbers of tourist arrivals.

Sompoch Sukkaew, chief legal counsel of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA), says that entertainment businesses in the area are suffering hard.

“Over the past three years, most bars were averaging about B90,000 revenue per day at this time of year,” he said. “Now they’re making just B40,000.

“Small bars in small streets off Bangla Rd used to average B40,000 to B50,000 a day, now they’re down to just B10,000 a day.”

Live music venues were suffering worse. “They used to average about B360,000 as day during the peak season, but now they’re making just B60,000 to B90,0000 per day,” Mr Somphoch said.

“In total, PEBA members generated about B1.5 million per day during the peak season.

Now it’s down to about B540,000 per day,” he added.

Mr Somphoch noted that PEBA members account for 500 businesses in Patong, with at least 200 businesses in the Bangla Rd entertainment zone.

“Small businesses are suffering the worst,” said PEBA President Weerawit Kuresombat.

“Bigger businesses are doing okay, but many businesses elsewhere in the entertainment zone, including in the usually busy side streets – such as Soi Tiger, Soi Freedom, Soi Sea Dragon and Soi Crocodile – are hurting.

“Many of these will close down soon,” he foretold.

Mr Somphoch also painted a grim picture for the immediate future of small nightlife businesses in the entertainment district.

“More than 40 bars in the entertainment zone will close down after this high season,” he said.

The plunge in Bangla trade is being felt elsewhere throughout the resort town as the knock-on effect spreads, affecting many other tourist-dependent businesses, Mr Weerawit added.

“All businesses are affected by this, like a network.

It is also affecting motorbike rentals, small shops, restaurants and even hotels,” he said.

The huge shift in recent years for Phuket’s tourism industry to rely on Chinese arrivals tourists played a critical role in the current situation, Mr Weerawit noted.

“Chinese tourists are the top tourist arrival market in Phuket, and although we have huge numbers of Chinese coming here, most of them come on complete tour packages,” he said.


Phuket News 23-01-2016

[Oytopikos]

The Phuket News
Phuket Governor orders authorities on high alert for undisclosed terror threat

PHUKET: Governor Chamroen Thipyapongthada has ordered all police and military commanders on the island to be on high alert for a terror attack, and to coordinate and carry out checkpoints at and near all of the island's prime tourist zones.


 
Sunday 14 February 2016, 02:15PM

Phuket Governor orders authorities on high alert for undisclosed terror threat

 
 
Citing a "reliable news source that there is a threat of non-peaceful groups coming to Phuket to create a situation", the memo dated February 13 and signed by the Phuket Governor, also asked for all local government office heads to coordinate with the respective police, military and security chiefs to ensure that precautionary inspections are carried out, and to ensure that there are no black spots in CCTV coverage.

Any suspicious behavior or activity should be reported to authorities at once. In addition to the usual emergency channels, leads can be reported by calling 076-217-833 and 076-215-165.

The memo did not name the reliable news source or provide any other information about the percieved threat.

- See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-governor-orders-authorities-on-high-alert-for-undisclosed-terror-threat-56215.php#sthash.bWi44flY.dpuf

[thailandgr]

Patong shopping mall seals off areas as structural pillars crumble

PHUKET: Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup and Kathu District Chief Sayan Chaichanawong yesterday (June led a team of engineers to inspect the structural integrity of the supporting pillars in the car park and underground shopping area at Patong's main shopping mall, Jungceylon.






The inspection followed anonymous tip-offs, said Patong Municipality Chief Engineer Surapon Buakaew. “I received information from people who do not want to be named about it,” he told The Phuket News yesterday.

However, by the time his team of engineers from Patong Municipality’s Public Works Division arrived yesterday, Jungceylon management had already closed off the area, with signs saying, “Under Renovation. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

“I told them to keep the area closed and ensure the structure was reinforced with supports. We sent a report of the damage to the Patong Mayor, Ms Chalermluck,” Mr Surapon said.

However, the team of municipal engineers has yet to confirm the cause and extent of the damage.

Kathu District Sayan said that his office had the power to seal off the area for public safety, but added that Jungceylon management had already agreed to work together with the council engineers, who will return today (June 9) to continue their inspection and assessment of the damage to the structure.
Ombre Phuket

A source at Phuket Square Co Ltd (Jungceylon) told The Phuket News, “So far we have only found damage to the pillars. We are coordinating with engineers from Patong Municipality to investigate further.

“We have already closed off the Port Area (open air zone) and the underground market called That’s Siam. The areas will remain closed off until this has been rectified completely and properly.

“We assure you that this damage does not affect any of the main buildings,” she said.

Jungceylon management will reveal more details at a press conference to be held later today, she said.

[halfway inn]

CONDOMINIUM UNITS in PHUKET

OWNERS / MANAGERS / AGENTS / DEVELOPERS of CONDOMINIUM UNITS

Renting condos out for periods of less than 30 days, the prime length of stay for holidaymakers, may bring the owner a fine of up to B20,000 or even up to one year in jail.

The notice, issued to all 234 registered condo projects in Phuket – hence affecting all 26,071 legally registered condo units on the island – was signed and issued by by Phuket Land Office Acting Chief Wisith Chokchai on June 9.

The notice read:

To managers/developers of condominiums,

“Today, there is a lot of news about condominium developers/owners renting out rooms or buildings that they have ownership of to foreigners or tourists on a daily basis (daily rental) rate that generate income as if they were a hotel (under the Hotel Act 2004).

“This type of operation is causes a public nuisance for renters in the same complex and creates unsafe places for tourists, which may lead to loss of life and property.
It is unacceptable to operate an illegal hotel.

The penalty for this is up to one year in jail or a fine of up to B20,000, or both.”

Mr Wisith told The Phuket News this week, “We want to let developers and owners know that renting out condos on a daily basis is against the Hotel Act and that they must operate their condos in accordance with how their properties are registered in order to avoid legal action.

“This issue may not be easy to tackle because sometimes it is not the developer that provides daily rentals, but the individual condo owners.

Regardless, it is for the condo managers and developers to remind owners about this law and tell them that if officials find out (about illegal renting of condos) the owners will face legal action,” he said.

The public warning follows Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat on June 3 dispatching the Phuket Land Office a specific order to combat the problem of illegal condo rentals, Mr Wisith explained.

“We were ordered to enforce regulations regarding condominiums across Phuket – owned or operated by Thais and foreigners – and not allow any rentals on a daily basis because it is against the Hotel Act 2004,” he said.

“The order came from Ministry of Interior and the Phuket Provincial Office in an effort to tackle illegal hotels (sic) on the island,” he added.

In a report sent to the provincial office, Mr Wisith explained, “The Land Office is in charge of condo registration.

Every condo built in Phuket must be registered as such with the Land Office.

“There are more than 200 condo units in the Phuket Town area that are registered with us which we have sent the notice out to. The Land Office in Thalang has also sent out notices to all the condo units registered their area,” he wrote.

“All developers and the management operators of condominium projects in Phuket Town in Kathu have been warned that renting out rooms on daily basis is considered operating as a hotel.”

Mr Wisith explained to The Phuket News that the problem lies in that if a property is registered with the Land Department as a condo, then it cannot be registered as a hotel.

“And a condo must be operated as a condo, which can be rented out for periods of 30 days or longer – but cannot be rented out on a daily basis,” he said.

Dr Kritsada Tonsakul, who heads the Phuket-based Southern Thailand chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, this week voiced his support for the crackdown.

“These places that rent out on a daily basis without a hotel registration are operating illegally and it is great that officials are starting tackling them now,” he told The Phuket News on Wednesday (June 29).

“If we strictly enforce the Hotel Act and rid the island of all illegal hotel rooms, it will benefit not only the legal hotel businesses, but also greatly benefit Thailand’s, and Phuket’s, tourism industry as well.”

In December, Dr Kritsada led a delegation of tourism and hospitality leaders in filing a petition calling for the government to take action against an estimated 92,000 illegal hotel rooms in Phuket.

“At least 70 per cent of hotel rooms offered in Phuket are illegal.
To make them all legal can take time and some of them simply cannot be registered as a hotel simply because structurally they are not hotels, so they must operate according to their registration,” he said this week.

“If Phuket has only legal hotel rooms available to tourists, rental prices will compete better, maybe even on par with international rates as charged by hotels in other countries.
Look at places like Singapore or Bali, their rates and reservations for hotels are increasing because their hotel rooms are legal – they don’t have to compete with illegal hotel rooms rates.”

Bhuritt Maswongssa, Bhuritt Maswongssa, President of the Phuket chapter of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), strongly agreed, and even warned that a tourist-accommodation price war could have a dire effect on Phuket’s tourism industry on the whole.

“If officials who have the power to stop this from happening neglect their duty and allow illegal hotels to exist, then there will be a rental rates issue among the hotel businesses.
Competition over rental rates will create a domino effect.
Hotels have to cut costs, and this could easily result job losses, a fall in the quality of service and trust in Phuket hotel standards.
This would be a disaster for our tourism industry,” he said.

“Phuket has 2,090 hotels offering about 120,000 rooms.
Our supply already exceeds demand, putting pressure on hotel prices.
If this continues, we are already heading for a disaster,” he added.
Phuket property guru Bill Barnett, Managing Director of hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks, also condemned the practice of condos being rented out at daily rates.

“The current situation of real estate developers offering guaranteed returns in the absence of obtaining hotel licenses is a blatant abuse of Thailand’s Hotel Act.
Government scrutiny in this sector is urgently needed as it undermines trading of legal hospitality operations and goes further into the issues of tax and tourist safety.”

However, while noting that the key issue driving government intervention is the current mandate to increase tax revenues, he added, “That said, the Hotel Act needs to be updated to allow condominiums that do wish to obtain hotel license and villa estates or properties a clearer pathway,as there are a many who are willing to obtain the necessary documentation.”

Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, when announcing earlier this year that “illegal hotels” would be coming under scrutiny, said, “There are so many businesses that provide rooms and board in Phuket operating illegally in contravention of the Hotel Act 2004.

“Businesses such as condominiums, apartments, flats, mansions, guesthouses, homes for rent, rooms for rent, commercial buildings – most of which have been altered or developed into accommodation and rented on a daily basis – are considered a hotel business and hence as illegal hotels.

“Illegal hotels are damaging legally registered hotel operators who have their hotel license.
We are also concerned how these affect tourists’ safety, because we don’t have enough security to cover all these places.”

Gov Chamroen added, “We understand that some of these operators are unaware that their business operation contravenes the Hotel Act and they cannot register their business as hotels because they are not hotels

“A hotel business involves many laws, so solving this issue is not easy.
The Ministry of Interior is working on this issue.
I know the ministry is considering a proposal to allow other types of building to operate as hotel, which is now being considered by their policy committee.

“While we are waiting for the ministry to decide on this, we have to regulate hotel businesses in Phuket by allowing only the legal hotels to operate, and places that did not have a permit to operate as a hotel will have to wait until they are legally registered.

“People operating such illegal hotel businesses with the intention avoiding registering their business will be punished according to the law,” he said.


the phuket news

[paris1973]

At least two foreigners were killed this morning in Phang Nga province when a minivan on a visa run from Phuket lost control and smashed into a house leaving three passengers dead and injuring eight others.

The accident happened at around 6.30am with initial reports stating the van lost control on a bend and ploughed into a house.

Police said two Russian nationals are among the dead.

Further information from Phang Nga police states the third fatality was an “Asian” woman with Thais and an Indonesian national among those rushed to hospital, some with serious injuries having been trapped in the wreckage.

The minivan, operated by KBV Visa Run, was bound for the Malaysian border in Satun province. The 33-year-old driver told police he lost control on a bend due to the rain.
https://www.stickboybangkok.com/news/foreigners-among-dead-fatal-visa-run-minivan-smash/'

[thailandgr]

[Oytopikos]

Patong crackdown leaves Phuket entertainment hub deserted

PHUKET: More than 600 bars and entertainment venues in Phuket’s party central Patong closed at 1am this morning (Feb 2) following strict orders issued by the Phuket Governor on Monday leaving the entire party destination deserted.


Scores of police and other Phuket law-enforcement officers targeted bars and other nightlife venues on Bangla Rd on Monday night (Jan 30), ordering the venue operators to follow the law and close on time.

The sortie of officers massed at the traditional police assembly point in front of the police box at the beach end of Bangla Rd at 11pm on Monday, when they were briefed on their objectives as paid out by a direct order from Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan. (See story here.)

Reporters from The Phuket News’ Thai language sister newspaper Khao Phuket went to the famed party zone at closing time this morning to speak with both venue operators and tourists to seek their opinion on the crackdown.

Mr Corrado Parise, an Italian owner of the Illuzion nightclub said that tourists were confused by the crackdown and didn’t understand why entertainment venues have to close at 1am.

“I understand that it is a law, but I want them to be reasonable. Most tourists usually come to the area’s entertainment venues after midnight.

“If we close at 1am, they will only have one hour for their night out. Some of them saved their money for a whole year to come here on holiday, if they find it like this I am not sure they will come back again,” Mr Corrado said.

Some Patong flower vendors also offered their opinion. “We usually sell out all flowers as tourists buy flowers for their lovers or new friends.

“However, for the past three nights we did not sell out because the entertainment venues closed early and tourists went back to their accommodation,” one vendor said.

“We hoped that we would have sold out like before. This is our main income, our children are still in school and if we don’t earn enough money, how can we get the money for our children,” she added.

Lisa, a Canadian tourist also said she didn’t understand what was happening.

“I visited the area three years ago and that time we rally enjoyed ourselves. We were still walking around the streets at 3am.

“I love Thailand, especially the entertainment venues on Bangla Rd, and I came back here again expecting to enjoy my experience like I did before, but they closed early and I didn’t enjoy it,” she said.
An unnamed bar worker said that all entertainment venue staff wait all year for high season. “We don’t earn much salary, we earn more from tips we get from customers. We want officials to sympathise with us,” she said.

Meanwhile, entertainment venue operators gathered at the Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Feb 1) to file a petition for a special zone to be set up, allowing the venues to close later than the current legally mandated times until 6 am.

Phuket Vice Governor Teera Anantaseriwidhya received the petition on behalf of Gov Chockchai and confirmed it would be forwarded to its intended recipient, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
V/Gov Teera thanked the operators for raising their concern, but still asked them to abide by the law.

Read more at http://www.thephuketnews.com/patong-crackdown-leaves-phuket-entertainment-hub-deserted-60882.php#2DF7g2C51ivl4FRO.99

[kokkodin]

ΑΝ ΔΕΝ ΚΑΝΩ ΛΑΘΟΣ Ο ΝΟΜΟΣ ΛΕΕΙ ΝΑ ΚΛΕΙΝΟΥΝ ΣΤΙ 2 ΤΩΡΑ ΠΩΣ ΒΓΗΚΕ ΣΤΙΣ 1 ..ΔΕΝ ΥΠΑΡΧΗ ΟΡΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΛΟΓΙΚΗ Η 5-6 ΤΟ ΠΡΩΙ Η Ι ..ΤΟ 2.30/3 ΓΙΑ ΤΟΥΡΗΣΤΙΚΕΣ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΤΗΡΗΤΕ ΑΥΣΤΗΡΑ ΔΕΝ ΓΙΝΕΤΕ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΔΥΣΚΟΛΟ ..ΑΝΙΚΤΟΙ ΧΩΡΟΙ ΚΑΙ ΜΠΑΡ ΣΤΙΣ 2  ΚΑΙ ΝΤΙΣΚΟ ΚΑΙ ΚΛΕΙΣΤΟΙ ΧΩΡΟΙ ΣΤΙΣ 3  ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΔΥΣΚΟΛΟ  ? ΜΟΥ ΘΥΜΗΣΑΝ  ΠΑΠΑΘΕΜΕΛΗ.

[kokkodin]

ΞΕΧΑΣΑ ΝΑ ΣΥΜΠΛΗΡΩΣΟ ,ΟΠΩΣ ΚΑΘΕ ΧΡΟΝΟ 1/2 ΦΟΡΕΣ ΓΙΑ 4-5 ΜΕΡΕΣ ΘΑ ΤΑ ΚΛΕΙΝΟΥΝ 1/2 ΚΑΙ ΜΕΤΑ ΞΑΝΑ ΜΑΝΑ 5+ ....ΠΟΛΑΑΑΑΑ ΤΑ ΛΕΦΤΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΕΡΑΣΤΙΑ ΤΑ ΣΥΜΦΕΡΩΝΤΑ.............

[diamantis]

Αυτό με το Παπαθεμελή πολύ μου άρεσε. Τελικά μήπως "αγαπάμε"Πουκετ επειδή είναι χύμα  όπως και Ελλάδα. ...

[thailandgr]

Russian arrested, may face prison term for feeding fish



KOH RACHA: A Russian tourist was arrested, with bail set at 100,000 baht, for feeding fish in Koh Racha yesterday afternoon.

“The incident occurred at Plab Pla beach on Koh Racha Yai. During a regular patrol, officers found Olga Smirnova, 53, feeding bread to the fish,” said Suchat Rattanaruengsri, Region 6 head of the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Division.

Ms Smirnova was taken to Chalong Police Station and charged with "feeding fish in a forbidden area or in an area with coral reef", the maximum punishment for which is a year in prison, a 100,000-baht fine, or both.

“As we have said, we are taking a very strict stance on this. She has to pay the bail and remain in Thailand until her case is processed by a court,” said Mr Suchat.

[thailandgr]

Phuket tuk-tuk sex video goes viral

PHUKET: A video taken from a vehicle travelling behind a tu-tuk in Karon showing two foreigners getting intimate in the back of the tuk-tuk has gone viral on social media overnight.

The 28 second long video was posted to on the Facebook page of Sornchai Uadsree last night (May 5) together with the message, “Can’t they wait until they arrive at a hotel? Really can’t they wait to do this?”

The video clip shows a red tuk-tuk, the licence plate of which is clearly visible, driving along what is believed to be Karon beach road. In the back of the tuk-tuk are a foreigner couple getting, shall we say, very intimate.

Many comments were made about the video, a large number expressing anger towards the foreign couple, and saying this type of incident should not be allowed to happen.
Laguna Phuket Marathon 2017

Other comments said a similar incident to this happened in Patong some years ago, while others said that officials should investigate the incident, especially the driver of the tuk-tuk who made no attempt to stop the couple from doing what they were doing.

The Phuket News called Karon Police this morning (May 6) who said that they were unaware of any such video.

The Facebook page where the video was first posted has since been deleted.

[thailandgr]

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: A bus travelling from Phuket to Bangkok crashed in the early hours of this morning (Dec 31), killing one monk and leaving 20 injured.
Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-to-bangkok-bus-crashes-one-monk-dead-20-injured-65362.php#2lbqiFKB01Lbrdaq.99


The bus came to rest in a ditch dividing the north and southbound roads. Photo: Sawang Ratsatahthamatsatan Rescue

UPDATE: Bang Saphan Police in Prachuap Khiri Khan have since confirmed that two people have died and 29 people were injured in the crash.
Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-to-bangkok-bus-crashes-one-monk-dead-20-injured-65362.php#2lbqiFKB01Lbrdaq.99

The accident occurred as the bus was travelling north at kilometre 390 of Phet Kasem Rd in Ron Thong, Ban Saphan District in Prachup Khiri Khan at about 3:15am this morning.
The bus crashed and overturned in a ditch dividing the north and southbound roads. Police suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep, but say they are continuing their investigation.
The injured were taken to Ban Saphan hospital for treatment.


Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-to-bangkok-bus-crashes-one-monk-dead-20-injured-65362.php#2lbqiFKB01Lbrdaq.99

[thailandgr]

Dengue danger: Phuket hits highest infection rate in the country


Clear signs of dengue. If you start experiencing these ill effects, see a doctor immediately.
 

PHUKET: Concerns are high for the rising number of people in Phuket contracting dengue following a Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) report issued last week confirming that Phuket has the highest per capita infection rate in the country.
However, with Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Jirapan Teapan unavailable for comment this week, a Department of Disease Control (DDC) official posted at the PPHO had little to say on the matter.
The official confirmed that since the start of the year 220 people in Phuket had been confirmed by local hospitals as contracting dengue, the same figure revealed in a report posted on the DDC website last Tuesday (April 10). (See report here.)

 

[thailandgr]

Phuket Immigration to launch ‘Drive Thru’ service

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

The Drive Thru at Phuket Immigration is to open before the year’s end. photo: Tavee Adam

PHUKET:-- Phuket Immigration is adding a ‘Drive Thru’ lane at its main office in Phuket Town in the hopes of making it quicker and easier for foreigners to complete simple procedures, including completing the mandatory 90-day reporting required of all foreigners staying on long-term visas.

Phuket Immigration Chief Lt Col Kathatorn Kumthien revealed to The Phuket News today (Nov 14) that he hopes for the Drive Thru lane to be open before the New Year.

“My inspiration for the Drive Thru project is that lots of tourist come to the Phuket Immigration Office in the high season for simple procedures, such as visa extensions,” he said.

Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-immigration-to-launch-drive-thru-service-69346.php#XGt7pGQJT1oARfGQ.97

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-11-14