Things in Phuket are a little different this year. Firstly, there are far fewer tourists. The fall in the value of the rouble has significantly reduced the number of Russians. In Ao Chalong we were able to rent a car for two days 3 days before Christmas - in previous years, no chance.
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| Nai Harn beach - no traders |
Secondly, a crackdown on the black economy has removed some of the things that attract tourists. There are no masseuses or renters of sunbeds or beach umbrellas on the beaches. Apparently the police have even stopped people putting their own umbrella up, although we do see some. Restaurants and bars on the beach or squatting on national park or government land have been removed - by bulldozer we hear.
This adds up to the local Thai being more friendly to the tourists who are around
Understandably, with fewer customers, the big Christmas Eve party at the Ao Sane restaurant did not happen.
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| Hotel under refurbishment |
The large hotel at the north end of Nai Harn beach has closed for extensive refurbishment.
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| Quiet bay from Pier 93. |
The dinghy dock at Pier 93 is
now very substantial but the price for using it has gone
up though to THB 300 a day refundable
against
that day's bar bill – no complaints. |
| Sea Bunny lit up |
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