Attitudes in Phuket have slipped badly

After disembarking from the plane I joined one of two immigration queues that were open. Sitting at a third booth was a surly immigration officer who was sitting with his arms crossed, completely disinterested in opening his channel. A Singaporean man politely asked him if he was going to open his channel and this official just gave this tourist a look of complete disdain, not bothering to even answer his inquiry. 

To make things even worse, about 30 seconds after the man left to join another queue he then immediately opened his booth. About 50 or more incoming tourists saw this and I heard the muttered angry comments they made. This one malcontent had just single-handedly destroyed many tourists’ idea of Thais being friendly people. 

Just to top things off, all the banks were closed. There were, of course, people offering to change money for you, and I was approached by a very distressed French woman, who thought everyone was out to cheat or rip her off. All the bank workers seemed to have gone on a break at the same time. Combine this with the opportunistic nature of the taxi touts and you have a very seedy and insecure atmosphere greeting the arriving tourist. 

Sometimes I just get sick of hearing the pathetic excuses being made for what is just dishonest and unethical behaviour. 

I have been in the hospitality business for 30 years running Thai restaurants in Australia. I have customers ranging from high-ranking airline staff to tourist company officials. Phuket’s’ reputation is now second only to Bangkok as the worst place in Thailand to visit in terms of rip-offs and scams. If I didn’t have long-term friends and extended family here I would never come back either. 

Disgusted Farang

Phuket