Phuket is run by the mafia.
Taxis, tuk tuks, jet skis, hotels, bars...all mafia run and inflated prices.
A real shit hole scam destination.
This is not Thailand.
Every main tourist area of Thailand has the touts, tuk tuk and taxi drivers, suit sales men, drug dealers, hookers and all that nonsense.
Can't stand it.
I never see that shit where I live or go out. Thank fuck or I'd go mad.
I don't get asked for anything or bothered at all.
Went to meet a mate at Kowsan Road a while back because he was temporarily staying down there.
Horrible. Just non stop hassle from people looking to extort you. I used to like that place too.
Lower Sukhumvit around the red light districts of Nana and Cowboy are filled with African drug dealers blocking the pavements trying to flog you drugs.
How the fuck do these guys get visas to come here and sell drugs?
You need a legit reason to be here and surely Nigeria et al aren't exactly prime candidates for no visas or easy stays.
Anyone who thinks about buying off them must be mad.
It's all so open they must be in cahoots with the police.
Police aren't much better.
Corrupt as you like.
If you get into any trouble out there I'd say the last people you want to seek help from is them.
You need to get away from all that nonsense it just drains you if you deal with it every day.
Thankfully my area is relaxed and has no drama or hassle.
Not a major tourist area but not far away from it either.
Everything you need is here.
EDIT:
Oh shit off topic or what. Sorry mods I'm pissed.
So aye....
The street food round here is awesome.
Pad Ka Pow Gai Kai Dow, Radna Moo, Pad Thai, Moo Ping, Gai Yang, Gai Tot....arroi mak mak!
Get to the main drinking street - Bangla road and every negative and steriotype you have heard about Thailand is on it. Prossies / Lady boys / ping pong shows (old women with gold fish / darts etc)/ people wanting you to pose with baby monkeys / lizards / birds etc. You get pou uulled this way and that way by touts, whores touching you up/grabbing your cock asking you want good time (yeah wheres your dad ?) but urrrggh.
Sadly this is what draws most people to Thailand too.
I've never seen a ping pong show and I never want to.
I fucking hated Pattaya.
I didn't like Phuket much.
I've never been to Nana Plaza (well taxi driver took me there even though I asked to go somewhere else but it was thankfully closed as was 3am).
I've been to Soi Cowboy a few times but don't really like it. More to show newbies to BKK who want to see the 'naughty' side of the city.
Haven't been to any shitty after hour clubs on this trip and have no plans to either.
Better avoiding all this shite IMO.
All expensive and rip offs and full of scammers and cunts.
This is not Thailand.