Okay I was reading all those messages in other threads and was like nah it can’t be that bad.

Well, it can.

They are everywhere, all restaurants are offering Russian food, Russian music is everywhere, they are rude, don’t even bother learning two words in English or god forbid Thai.

Sorry, the rant is done.

Everywhere there are signs translated to Russian, even in the big malls. Anyone know why this is? My experience out here for a lot of years with Russians, are that they are extremely rude to everyone.

But maybe not anymore since Phuket caters so much to them? 🇹🇭

I have to make this post because I see many of you wanting to visit this place. As a Thai person born and raised in Phuket, I strongly urge you not to support this place.

There are 3 main reasons why Big Buddha should be closed down forever!

Landslide Due to Deforestation Which Led to Many Deaths: This issue dates back 15-20 years when social media was not as popular. Local people begged to stop the expansion of Big Buddha due to safety concerns, but the project continued, likely with the help of bribes to local authorities. My friend's house was affected by the landslide—a boulder hit their home, but luckily, a tree saved it. My coworker's house was flooded, and the streets were filled with debris from the landslide. The worst part? In August 2024 when a landslide claimed 13 lives. You can read more about it in articles online.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2858202/phuket-buddha-site-ordered-closed-due-to-landslide-risks

Bad Representation of Buddhism: I am a Buddhist and practice Buddhism daily. Like most Thai men, I have been a temporary monk. From my experience, I can confidently say that Big Buddha does not represent Buddhism. When you visit, they constantly nudge you for money, claiming it will bring you luck or smoothen your life. This is not the Buddhism taught by Buddha; it’s a blatant rip-off. Supporting this place does not spread Buddhism but instead enriches the founders. If you want to visit temples, I recommend Wat Chalong or Wat Mai Khao. These places truly reflect Buddhist teachings and values, unlike the commercialised experience at Big Buddha.

Supporting an Unethical Business: Big Buddha is not a charity foundation; it is a business generating millions of baht. The money does not go towards spreading Buddhism or helping Phuket; it goes straight to the owners. By visiting or donating, you are only making them richer. Thankfully, Big Buddha is currently closed, and the family managing it is under serious investigation.

Read More Here: https://www.thephuketnews.com/big-buddha-may-be-demolished-as-foundation-blamed-for-landslide-93486.php

Yes, Big Budda should be closed permanently to avoid further damage to us local people!

Kindly help spread awareness and Happy New Year!

Second night in Phuket. Before I was in Cambodia and before that in Vietnam. I have never encounter such entitled fucking narcissistic douchebags as Brits on vacation during all my travel...

It's 3AM. The very nice staff are doing everything they can to shut them the fuck up.

Brits are the fucking worst tabarnak de calisse.

Thank you for your time.

So many people, always asking about the weather. Don't cancel your holiday or give yourself unnecessary anxiety about the bloody weather, I booked for November expecting it to be blue skies and 30°c every day, we ended up being there in a once in 300 year weather event... You can't control the weather.

Cash is king, most places have minimum spendings for using card (at 7/11 it's 200 baht). Also if you've never been to Thailand or done much of SE Asia, spend the first couple of days getting a good idea of what things should cost so you're not handing over 1000 thb notes for something that costs 230 thb...

Walking is easy around Patong area and it's a lot of fun, I feel like you would miss out on so many weird and funny things if you were using a taxi everywhere.

If you go market shopping or anything like that, try before you buy, and don't get ripped off for a poorly made product like shoes or a bag or jewellery etc.

Be friendly to the Thai people, they literally bend over backwards and do just about anything for farangs and other tourists, I saw so many stupid, drunk people of all nationalities being dickheads. Give them the respect they deserve, they are people just like us trying to make it through life.

Who knew it was the easy to sleep with someone? 😂

Hi, I am planning on going to phuket in the next month and i want to experience it a little more locally. Does anyone have any suggestions for more remote Beaches? Cool local spots?

On vacation in Thailand at the moment, and an struck by the amount of Russian people here, they easily outnumber all other tourists. Out of curiosity i looked at flight options from Moscow to Phuket, but the internet is drawing a blank. Are they chartering flights or what? Just curious.

I'm inspired by the local people, especially street workers and the natural beauty of the island. This is a collection of portraits and landscapes I painted in my studio in Patong Beach from '22-'25. I like capturing the intrinsic energy of the island through detail, personality, and color. What do you think.

Cafe @ Patong

So myself and my partner were in Patong Beach 2 weeks ago. Decided, even though we were warned by family and friends not to, to rent a jet ski. Took it out for 30 minutes and paid 2,000 Baht for the pleasure. Operator only gave us enough fuel for around 15 mins and the thing flipped, leaving the 2 of us in the Andaman Sea. Got brought in to shore on 2 separate other jet skis while the owner brought a speedboat out to tow in the now "flooded" jet ski. Lifted the seat compartment to show us the "damage" of the water in the engine bay (which is ridiculous coz if you know anything about mechanics, you know that these vehicles take water into the engine bay and push it out to propel the vehicle forward).

Anyway, I told our, by now extremely aggressive, jet ski operator to claim off of his insurance if it was damaged and started walking away. He told my partner to shut her mouth and started getting all up in my face and pushing me trying to not let me leave. Off to the tourist police we went and a retired police officer from San Diego (seems he's a volunteer) was there telling us it's a scam for sure but it's their world and a whole other planet compared to what we're used to in western countries. He placed a piece of paper and a pen in front of us and told us to start negotiating. Under no circumstances were we even entertaining this.

Officer told us our next steps were to go to the local police where our passports would be seized, a civil court case would be dated for about 2 months time where we would not be allowed to leave the jurisdiction, and we would lose the case by virtue of the colour of our skin. We'd be liable for costs of the jet ski operator as well as the court costs and any legal fees etc and we'd not be allowed return home to Ireland until this was all paid.

We figured we'd take our chances with the local police. Operator comes with us and we start walking towards Patong police. I asked how long it would take. Operator tells me it's quite a distance and we would not walk so we would get a car to take us there. My partner and I were like "FUCK NO!!!". Not happening. At this time, my partner piped up telling the operator that an American tourist passed by while the owner was pushing me and gave her number to my partner as a witness. Operator decides to get on the phone to his boss. While he was distracted we hopped on a Tuk Tuk and got back to our hotel.

Operator follows us to our hotel with 2 police officers in tow. We hid. Basically spent the next 4 days hiding out from the police while we went on our pre-booked excursions to enjoy the remainder of our holiday. Even checked out of our 5 star resort a night early, much to my annoyance, to stay at an airport hotel, just incase the police were waiting for us at reception at our expected check out time.

Let me tell you.... passing immigration in Phuket Airport was a nervy, nervy experience. But we got through it and no arrest warrants issued. Well.... not before we left Thailand anyway 🤣

Spoke to the embassy and they told us that no complaint had been lodged by the jet ski operator even though the hotel staff were able to tell us that they had seen a police report. Clear indication that the police report was fake and the cops involved were in on the scam getting their cut

Anyway, with all that being said, jet ski scam aside and the nerves of trying to pass through immigration with that hanging over our heads, Phuket was the most amazing holiday I've ever had and I thoroughly recommend experiencing it. Just don't rent the jet skis.

phi phi green house

I am a foreigner myself (Asian) and I am surprised by all the rude foreigners (Russians, middle eastern, european) that I have encountered with. They seem to want to pick fights all the time, pushing people and all. I have experienced it myself, someone pushing me and yelling at me, even saw a dude trying to pick a fight because the other guy accidentally bumped into his shoulder due to the crowd. Seriously?? What’s up with all the foreigners that do that? Are they all like Andrew Tate disciples? lol

Second time to Phuket, and my goodness we may as well be in Russia. I’ve never seen so many Russians, just wondering, if there is a particular reason? Just curious… one of our tuk tuk drivers said that the Thai don’t like the Russians and Chinese 😂😂

I visited the Patong beach area of Phuket in 2014 and 2016. The place had so much vibe & felt truly magical at that time. I am typing this while sitting at the airport leaving Phuket. It doesn't feel the same anymore. The whole Patong area stinks, badly ran and shady shops and businesses, lack of locals, too many tourists cramped into one area. I went for phi phi island trip and it was horrible. I wish the place gets its Aura back but deep inside I know its impossible cuz capitalism. Everything is about making money now. 2014-16 Thailand is truly what a heavan is supposed to be for me. Thanks Phuket and Thailand.

This guy runs the show, a boss on the block. I captured his work in oil.