stevenl
Contributor
While I agree with much of what you are saying, I am a bit surprised you're wondering about the Gulf location. This is about Thailand, which 'Gulf' could he mean?
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Skydiver, I'm saddened that you're having such an awful time. No place can be all things to all people, and a lot of enjoyment comes from having the correct expectations, so I'm guessing that you had unrealistic expectations to start with. As far as I can tell, the only questions you asked here about your planned visit had to do with weather and conditions at dive sites. You didn't ask about where on the island to stay, how much diving costs, how to organise transfers, what pitfalls to watch out for. Nevertheless, maybe your thread here can help people coming to Phuket ask the right questions and set realistic expectations so that they don't meet with the disappointment you're experiencing.
It all depends on your perspective and your attitude. Many, many families with children vacation in Phuket and quite a few of them return every year.
So either they all get scammed all the time and don't realise it or they see things completely different than you do.
First thing would be to learn how to write the name of the place correctly.
Frankly, I am a bit surprised. I have been to Phuket 3 times in the last 10 years, twice to dive. I have used my credit cards in all sorts of locations, including small shops that accept them. I cannot say that I have ever had a problem. I do cross-check my credit card statements every month and (touch wood) so far I have been OK.
I know that credit card scammers and cheats exist everywhere but I would have thought that Phuket is one of the better places.
One would expect basic law and order to exist without cheap cons and scams being so prevalent and targeted toward tourists on the streets. One would expect basic transport options such as a metered taxi service to be available at a fair rate as is the case in the rest of the country.