I went to the tailor a couple of weeks ago and came out with a couple of lovely cuff links usable shirts, lovely cotton and well made.

I must admit to have never really used a tailor anywhere before and I found the process to be most therapeutic. Raul my tailor was a very mild mannered and kind fella who took measurements in a very professional way and made me feel most welcome.

I choose the materials, light and soft cottons in yellow and was asked to come back in 2 days time with a 'fit out'. As is always the case, some areas of the shirt had taken in to maximize the effect and appearance but all went very well. I moved from a geeza in a shirt to 'Ambassador Phil'!!... they really looked great.

I picked up the completed shirts after another 2 days and felt very happy with myself. I choose Jaspals Tailors for 2 reasons... I know Jaspal from my running club, The Hash House Harriers and as importantly, my brother in-law, Dave, has been using Jaspal's shirts for some years and has had no problems at all with washing them, colours etc.

The guy in the pictures is Dave the brother in-law.... cheers Dave!

Jaspal Tailor : Shop in Patong Beach
Hotels in PatongRead more of this blog entry!

I don't like the sound of Thaksin getting involved with Cambodia. Politics in Thailand gets very messy even though it is one of the worlds safest places to live and calmest places to be. Still watch this space.....

High season is with us again. the full merry go round of drop dead gorgeous weather, amazing beaches, exotic nightlife and streets so full of life it makjes the senses overload. The full hotels don't always have the best deals in this season but here is a link to some of the best specils going the moment, now we are in the new season rates. Free Night Phuket Specials.

Labels: high seaon, Phuket, specials

Read more of this blog entry!

The Serene Resort Phuket has a stella deal on the moment where you pay for 20 nights and only pay 9 nights. That is real madness but greatly appreciated by the people buying hotel rooms stays on line.

The Serene Resort Phuket is at the southern end of Kata Beach one of Phuket's most beautiful where the beach meet the Phuket Highlands and has created a true tropicla paraidise. The Serene Resort Phuket is set back from the beach 400 meters and this probably accounts for the discount as the rooms look like great value and are certainly of quality.

It is worth checking out these deals on hotelatm.com as they find some pretty interesting prices for the budget orientated traveller.

An Serene Resort Phuket image gallery
Interesting Serene Resort reviews

The Serene Resort website

Labels: Phuket, Resort, Serene

Read more of this blog entry!

The Kata Palm Resort And Spa has a fine reputation for quality holidays in sunny Phuket. It is just back from the main Kata beach and so it isn't really a beach location so it is best not to expect that. But the rooms are excellent and the resort very complete. I suppose the Kata Palm Resort And Spa is best suited to the adventourous, those that automatically like to explore the place where they stay, visit different beaches and go on some tours.

Meanwhile the Kata Palm Resort And Spa is excellent value so the rooms are above average compared to the prices you would have to pay for the same on the beach. The resort is based around one of those great free form pools that seem to be everywhere. Reviews seem to be consistent and positive and so with their special deal on at the moment for 5 FREE Night - Stay 14 Pay 9 saving an incredible 35% I would say this is a brilliant offer.

Wake up happy!

Labels: Kata, Palm, Phuket, Resort, Spa

Read more of this blog entry!

Prosecution for the VDO makers of Jet Ski extortion.

PHUKET, Thailand: --A video production company that was part of the shooting of a video about tourists who were been extorted from has been prosecuted for sending the recordings abroad for broadcasting without permission. The vdo made was about the extortion practices in the Jet Ski Business allegedly going on on Patong Beach.

The police in Thailand traced the vdo tapes to Black Sheep Productions, Wanasiri Morakul, director of the Thailand Film Office which comes under the Tourism and Sports Ministry, explained.

The UK company had produced a series of vdo's entitled 'Big Trouble In Thailand' for Bravo All News station which is also in England. Black Sheep Productions admitted it owns the copyright for the recordings.

More here http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2404.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-09-18
More information on Phuket at the Phuket forum, Phuket facebook, and Phuket and Phi Phi Twitter

Labels: Jet ski, Patong, scam, Thailand

Read more of this blog entry!

From UDON THANI: -- Udon Thani Industrial Council chairman Prayoon Homewong has made a request for the government to look into legalising prostitution.

"We can never get rid of it. So, I think we should pass laws to regulate it," Prayoon said at a meeting.

He described "prostitution" as an old profession, which many foreign countries have recognised legally.

"If there were laws to regulate prostitution, sex workers would be eligible for legal protection and benefits, while the government would earn income from the tax," Prayoon said. "And it would be easier to control."

He also said he though it a good idea for red-light district zones to be set up and working in advance of the legalization.

Conversely the Friends of Women Foundation director Thanavadee Thajeen agreed with imposing zoning and providing prostitutes with access to social security in line with other careers, but thought that regularization without proper consultation with relevant groups would bound to make a system that is unusable or exploitable.

"There are so many karaoke lounges and other night spots with covert prostitution and some are located near temples and schools. Zoning could help solve this problem," Thanavadee said.

"However, I don't agree with the registration system because it could adversely affect sex workers. Registration means a woman is willing to be stigmatised for the rest of her life as a prostitute, which may effect her chance of finding a husband'

"Campaigns among men to deter them from buying sex from women should help - if there are no buyers, there won't be sellers," she said.


-- The Nation 2009-09-15
Source: ThaiVisa.com
The Nation

Labels: Phuket, prostitute

Read more of this blog entry!

PHUKET: 200 meters squared of the roof of Supercheap supermarket collapsed at 7.30 am during some of the worst weather in Phuket for some time. The roof made of corrogated zinc panels came down suddenly dring some of the heaviest rain this season. Roofing wood and elctrical line all came down in a sudden fall that caught shoppers by surprise. Luckily there were no causalties in an accident that could have really hurt people.

Alot of the merchandise was spoilt by the sudden influx of water though much was quickly moved by staff to avoid more loss.

The store is still open for business and will attract those interested in some of the best prices on the island.

Labels: Phuket, super cheap

Read more of this blog entry!