Diary Patong
5.January.2003
Was in Myanmar yesterday to renew my passport for another 30 days. Went to Andaman Club in Koh Son. A island just outside the coast of Ranong.
Paid 1100 baht for pickup at the apartment in Patong around 7.40 AM by mini-van with air condition. Everything was included in the price except for drinks and food, we had to take care of that our self.
After everyone was picked up it took 4-4,5 hours to reach Ranong at the Andaman coast around 1 PM.
A very beautiful trip along a landscape rich in vegetation and when we got closer to Ranong green lush mountains began to appear with dry waterfalls down the mountains side, only waiting for the rainy season to start in a few months. The rumor say that it rains here 8 months a year with sun rest of the time.
Only problem for me is that I am not to found of how the bus drivers drive in Thailand, all do their best to scare the hell out of me. The strange thing is that I drive little bit like that self back home, no problem.
Arriving at the Andaman Club pier we was stamped out of Thailand at the Immigration Office where we also got tickets to the ferry. A small ferry that go every hour took us to Andaman Club in Koh Son.
After a 15 minutes boat trip we arrived where we left our passports at the Immigration so they could be stamped. A bus was waiting to take us uphill to the Andaman Club where we was offered a free drink.
We also ordered some very expensive food where everything was Thai priced. Better to use the money in the casino next time!
We saw bus loads with Thais arriving at the hotel where I think the main attraction is its casino and duty free shopping. Anyway it is very popular by the Thais.
After two hours we took the ferry back to Thailand where my passport got a entry stamp to Thailand. Then we had to wait 1 hour for the others to come back from Myanmar since they was told to take a later ferry.
5.45 PM we left Ranong and was back in Patong at 10 PM. After a very long day it was good to back in Patong. Very important note is that if you have less than 5 days before your visa runs out you have to pay 750 baht extra.
And I don't forget to think about those back home in Norway freezing in their apartments with temperatures between -20C and -40C when I drink a beer on the beach (not legal in Norway) with temperatures around 34C and sleep in the warm crystal clear water.
2.1.03
New Year's Eve had rain most of the day. Not the best start of the evening when it started to rain again just when we was ready to start the bar round. Waited impatient for one hour before it stopped.
In Phuket it's normal to drink and drive. And since every day is party time there are always some drunk driving but Thais are used to it, no problem. Except for a young man driving at a very high speed the trip to Bangla Road went well.
Bangla Road was not so packed that I expected and it was not closed for traffic yet. Later it all changed.
Soi Easy was starting to get in party mood, with the girls at Crazy Chicken dancing on the bar. Also looked like the most popular bar with good reason.
It can be a little bit warm at Soi Easy when many people come together, even with air condition. But not a big problem. Good party soi!
MP Family Entertainment was the only place that was more or less death, people took one look at it and turned around.
Around 11-11.30 AM Bangla road was closed for traffic and the big firecracker party started with tourists running back and forth so not to get to close when the crackers exploded.
Everyone been to Patong before know how extremely noisy they can be.
Great fun! At times it was so much smoke that you could barely see the fireworks exploding in the sky.
I think this years celebration was as good as last year after a slow start where the bad weather should take some blame. Didn't see too much police in uniform and good was that.
After midnight the party continued in Soi Gonzo for those of us that don't mind the loud music. Soi Katoey was as always packed but little bit quiet since people go here to look at the katoeys and not much else.
A great night which ended earlier then I hoped when we where so lucky to have late closing time.
1.January.2003
Today I am sick after too much drinking. Will be more or less death rest of the day.
31.December.2002
Happy New Year
The day started with rain, rain and more rain. Not so many people at the beach this year. But last year the weather was much better with more then 100 sailboats in the bay. Today I counted around 40 sailboats and a cruise ship. Looks like we are in for a more quiet New Year celebration then last year but it should still be a big party tonight.
29.December.2002
Sunset at Patong Beach. Cloudy all day with a very short shower at 9 PM and another shower at 9.50 PM and is still raining at 10.20 PM. Little bit cold not more than 31C/88F.
Other picture is from home in Norway where it snow on third day. Wish I could be both places at the same time.
I have friends that just come back from Koh Samui and complained of too much rain. Same with us when we was at Koh Samui. It rained all week. Good it's warm rain so we don't freeze.
People in Norway is not so lucky where this cold winter means old people freeze in their own apartment because power cost too much.
We are lucky to stay in Phuket where it's always warm. So why did I complain about today with no sun and only 31C/88F. Maybe because I forgot how it can be at home.
28.December.2002
Tai Pan had Miss Tai Pan contest last night. Very boring.
Backpackers are not welcome in Phuket since they bring problems such as drugs, say Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbaransi.
(Source: Phuket Gazette)
27.December.2002
Last night entrance fee at Tiger was 200 baht. Hope it will soon be back at 100 baht. But Tiger say it will cost 200 baht every day. No big problem so long I know about it but please talk like a Thai and not like a farang when I ask how long time it will be 200 baht. Tomorrow we go out to party all night and then money will not be a problem.
When I can't go to Tiger, Tai Pan come to the rescue. No hassling because I had only 100 baht this night, not like before. There are no problem to dance any more and they have a very good farang DJ. Hope he will stay here a long time. Next two nights there will be a Miss Tai Pan contest, so show up in big numbers (but not too big).
So many freelance girls dancing. If I go here alone tomorrow I will be in big trouble. Thank God my girlfriend will go with me tomorrow.
Tai Pan is very hot now with a good DJ, laser show, lots of freelance Thai girls, packed every night, a dance floor and free entrance. And when I walked out at 2.20 AM it was not closed.
VIP was also popular at 2.20 AM.
25.December.2002
Merry Christmas from Patong
Christmas Eve had bars open late and many people was out having a good time. But it will be much more action on New Year Eve if last year is anything to go by. It was so good not to look at the watch all the time, instead we could relax and go home when we wanted.
Entrance fee at Tiger was 300 baht up from the usually 100 baht. Hope it was only for last night and New Year Eve or else it will be very expensive to go there for a short time. But for the normal tourist it should be no problem since you get coupons for 3 drinks.
Tai Pan was as always very popular. On New Year Eve be sure to get here early if you want a table.
23.December.2002
Banana is the place to go if you are under 30 years old and like Japanese and European girls or like to dance.
A few Thai freelancers go there too and pay 200 baht in entrance fee. Hope they are lucky or else it will be a very expensive night for them.
It was packed last night but not so many people as before. No problem to move around.
Picture is from Freedom Beach and please don't do like this girl and not pay for chair. Soon after this picture was taken she was ordered to get up. If you want to save money on this very expensive but beautiful beach stay at the other end where there are no chairs.
21.December.2002
Tai Pan had more action last night with many people dancing. Tell me do the house band play much of the same music every night?
Montana Disco had no people last night at midnight. Maybe it's better later in the night but I doubt it.
20.December.2002
Tai Pan is killing me! It's so difficult not to dance when the house band is playing. Very easy dance music and my feet just want to dance and dance. Nobody else is dancing so it's best to stay on the chair.
Later in the night after house band stop playing people would dance to the latest dance music.
VIP has happy hour from 9 AM to midnight, buy two for one. A good place to party! And freelancers get a drink for free.
18.December.2002
All I can say from the beach is that it's Hot!Hot!Hot! Sea calm with clear water but the beach not so crowded that I expected at this time of year. But it should be more and more crowded as we approaches New Year.
Best place to party of the places I have visited is Tiger and Tai Pan. MP Family Entertainment is very quiet but I think it's more a place for relaxing in the great chairs with a beer or two and not for partying.
Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenond has confirmed that entertainment venues with a pub license will be allowed to remain open all night on both Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31). The official closing times on both dates have been set at 6 am the following morning.
(Source: Phuket Gazette)
15.December.2002
Tai Pan closed 2.30 AM last night. Stickman say late closing time was only under the seafood festival. Now it's back to "normal" closing time.
MP Family Entertainment at the second floor of Soi Easy is great with chairs you just have to try. Lots of fun! But I am sorry to say they don't have many people. Tequila cost 100 baht as most places in Patong. They have pool, darts and enough space to dance all night since only a few tourists have discovered this place.
The entrance to Pasha was closed. Don't look like they will open in the near future.
13.December.2002
Good to be back in Thailand. Pictures are from Bangkok.
