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Is Khao Lak a good alternative to Rawai for expats considering a move due to changes in Phuket?

PhuketKhao Lakexpat experiencesRawailocal cultureRussian influencecost of livingbeach destinationsThailand moving advice
Sep 22, 2023
a year ago
Joachim ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Unfortunately, Phuket has developed into a gigantic industrial zone with beach access. Time to move on after 10 years in Rawai. If Khao Lak will be an alternative? We shall see…..
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the transformation of Rawai and Phuket, with users expressing concerns about the increasing Russian presence and commercialization of the area. Some consider relocating to alternatives like Khao Lak, while others share mixed feelings about the beach destinations and their evolving character. The comments reflect a community grappling with changes to familiar locales and seeking recommendations for new places to enjoy.
Tohksic ******
I used to say the shithole Pattaya is for those who can't afford Phuket. Sadly no longer true. Full of the worst demographics of tourist trash. All nationals.
a year ago
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Gordon *******
Pattaya
a year ago
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Dean ***********
Leningrad South
a year ago
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Nigel *********
Try Khurra Burry. Cheap land. Fuck all to do.
a year ago
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Trudy *********
Lao Lak is an awesome alternative. Best place ever. Love it here. 5 years now
a year ago
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Jp *******
Finally some hotties on the beach. Can't say the same in Hua Hin
a year ago
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Mark *********
Dump
a year ago
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Martin **********
I know Phuket since 1990. Crying your eyes out now. Is better even in Pattaya now.yoy can find nice places outside the city. Even if the city is expanding, there is still greenery closer then you think. Only beaches are

Horrible
a year ago
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Tohksic ******
F__k Poo-crap.
a year ago
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AxMdob *******
Go philipina,best country for beach and diving
a year ago
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Garfunkle *************
@Jarek ***********
 It's not below average healthcare, it's the worst in the world. Worse than African nations.
a year ago
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Jarek ************
@AxMdob ******
 shit internet, shit food, below average health care and way too many fat women 😂
a year ago
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Jarek ************
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John ********
Had
*****
wonderful yrs in Phuket. Now I’m glad to be out of there (6 months now) and not missing it. Death on the roads with crazy eastern Europeans escaping the turmoil overseas and too much money and too big a bikes. Prices have gone crazy.
a year ago
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John ********
@Joachim *******
 25 minutes south of Korat, rural market town Sikhio
a year ago
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Joachim ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 and where did you move to??
a year ago
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Joachim ********
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Jo **********
it’s gross 🤮 and smells and expensive and rude people
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Christine ********
 some beaches are very beautiful
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Christine ********
 i don’t anymore. at least I tried twice- lot of smelly grossness
a year ago
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Christine *********
@Jo *********
 than please don’t go there
a year ago
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Christine *********
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Tony ******
Check out Koh Chang.
a year ago
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Tony ******
@Joachim *******
 Yes and thank God it’s a National Park and therefore it can’t change that much.
a year ago
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Joachim ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *****
 been there…. a wonderful island.
a year ago
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Joachim ********
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Sam *********
It's the new Moscow. And spreading to other countries. I thought they were at war and should be in there homeland. Maybe that's why they hire Mercenaries to do there fighting.
a year ago
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Ruth *******
@Sam ********
 Not really. They're not defending their country. Many Russians don't support the war.
a year ago
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Ruth *******
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Phil ******
@Joachim *******
 try turtle beach
a year ago
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Christine *********
Love Patong beach been there over 20 times BUT sad to say the beautiful Thai people are being pushed out by the Russians .I will never eat or buy from any person that is not Thai ..my choice
a year ago
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Mikki ***********
@Christine ********
 we got suppport locals. 💖
a year ago
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John ***********
@Christine ********
 Lovely Thai people in Patong?! If you think they are nice there, you need to check out how much nicer they are in most other parts of the country.
a year ago
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John ***********
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Michael ********
Yep i left Rawai six years ago after being there for 16 years.

It was already getting overun by Russians then.
a year ago
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Luc ************
Khao Lak, nothing to see.
a year ago
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Gio *****
@Luc ***********
 yes and not far from each other if you like to ride a bike
a year ago
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Luc ************
@Gio ****
 Phang Nga and Khao Lak are totally different 🤷‍♂️🙄
a year ago
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Gio *****
@Luc ***********
 no more to see in phuket, i like Khao Lak and Phang Nga
a year ago
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Gio *****
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Pascal ********
Maybe time for some to go to the bushes :)
a year ago
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Erick ******************
@Pascal *******
 Indeed !....
a year ago
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Erick ******************
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Gordon ************
I know where you are coming from, I am on Koh Samui ✌️
a year ago
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Danny **************
@Gordon ***********
 here we talk about the well
a year ago
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Gordon ************
@Danny *************
 I think her question is based on fresh water supply, as they are expecting a severe shortage in January, the under water pipe from the mainland is U/S at this time ✌️✌️✌️
a year ago
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Danny **************
@Dawn *********
 Samui to here choengmon no prob with the water
a year ago
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Gordon ************
@Dawn *********
 Ok, although Lamai Reservoir is at about 50 percent, no doubt a solution will be found.
a year ago
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Dawn **********
@Gordon ***********
 how’s the water situation where you are at?
a year ago
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Dawn **********
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Steve ********
Rawai is being bought out by cashed-up Russians. The place is changing rapidly. A good time to move on
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Toon *********
 Still got more money than you 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
a year ago
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Toon **********
@Steve *******
 Wa wa wa... someone has more money than you. Cry more. Pathetic.
a year ago
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Erik *******
@Steve *******
Never been so true
a year ago
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Erik *******
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Jack *********
I was in Rawai in March, what industrial zone are you talking about?
a year ago
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Joachim ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ***
 you are absolutely right….. however the fact is, that it‘s only an island and the infrastructure is a total mess, as many would agree. Spain, for example, had to find out the hard way that mass tourism could never be the solution. Mallorca is a great example. They seem to have understood.
a year ago
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Erick ******************
@Michael ***
 I have been off and on the travel trails for well over 55 years and see the deterioration in all sectors.... The behavior of some like if they were on conquered lands along with the croisierists on their monstrous liners are adding a lot more than most average holiday takers..... Evidently no one who accept a more sensible approach would like to assume responsibilities happens to be pro eco, pro eco green without assuming much of them....
a year ago
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Michael ****
@Jack ********
 try koh Chang maybe
a year ago
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Duncanc **********
@Jack ********
 Ireland?
a year ago
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Erick ******************
@Michael ***
 I am frustrated. This observed fact leads me to move elsewhere as History is my main drive....
a year ago
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Michael ****
@Erick *****************
 yep we all doing it, yourself included. So no reason to be frustrated when other people want to see those places too. If some destination falls, another one rises. No reason to be sad, nature can recover quiet quick. It’s just a fact that humans are getting more and more over the years and as well the “second world” countries are catching up. No reason to blame them. Same right for everyone.
a year ago
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Jack *********
@Joachim *******
 Oh I get it now. This is about the Russians. Yeah it was too pricey and I had to move to Bangkok to regroup. I can't believe how much cheaper it is here. I would love to live on a tiny island. I just need good Wi-Fi. I'm not sure where to go
a year ago
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Joachim ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jack ********
 from the airport all the way down to Rawai
a year ago
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Erick ******************
@Jack ********
 the industry of the sheep touristic.....Bali is destroyed. Venice trying to survived, Barcelona is trampled over, Paris is a dump erc, etc....I am in Luang Prabang under UNESCO protection and I wonder....
a year ago
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Erick ******************
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