Sailing Into Trouble

[Sailing into trouble]

I am one of the many who likes the beauty of Phuket. Yes the scammers and Taxi mafia is bad, but I always thought their was a nicer side still unspoilt.

Mty plan in a few weeks is to leave Canada (place just is not big enough for me and Socal's Head) and sail eventualy to Thailand. Chalong Bay has for a long time been the destination of choice. However the recent total stupidity of the placement of concrete mooring blocks secured by rope in the fairways of the Bay and placing them too close together has already had tragic consequences.

Today Phuket has stepped even further into the dark side with attacks on Yachts that defy belief. Talk about the wild west. Hang on and i will try and post them.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_...ted-20900.html

PHUKET: Witnesses reported at least two shots fired in the dark on Chalong Bay tonight as a gang of thieves gave chase to a Phuket boat captain who outfoxed the criminals until the police arrived in force.

Capt Bruce Issell was warned by a silent alarm at about 11:30pm that intruders had boarded the well-known Davinci catamaran, renowned in local yachting circles for its participation in the annual Phuket King’s Cup and Phuket Raceweek regattas.

Capt Issell raced to Chalong Pier, boarded the Davinci's dinghy and headed for another Davinci vessel, a Sunseeker 50, to investigate what had triggered the alarm.

Once aboard the Sunseeker, he motored to the Davinci catamaran with spotlights ablaze at full strength.

“The thieves found themselves well and truly lit up, but could see only one person aboard the Sunseeker," a witness told the Phuket Gazette.

Seeing only one boat approaching them, the thieves attacked the Sunseeker and attempted to board the luxury yacht and capture Capt Issell and his one young Thai crewman.

A chase ensued throughout the moored yachts and commercial craft in the bay for some 20 minutes, with the Sunseeker ducking and weaving to hold off the raiders.

“There were at least two bright flashes as the thieves fired shots at the Sunseeker. You could see the flashes from the shore,” the witness said.

Police reinforcements quickly arrived in dinghies, changing the balance of power.

The thieves soon surrendered and were escorted to the floating marina under construction in the bay.

“They were questioned and handcuffed, and the stolen items were inspected,” the witness told the Gazette.

“For all their efforts, the thieves had managed to steal only some children’s foam paddle boards, a set of binoculars, some flashlights and other odds and ends,” the witness confirmed.

Scuffles broke out as the officers placed the gang of about four men under arrest.

The men were then transported to Chalong Police Station in the back of a police pickup truck.

The bright yellow dinghy the thieves had used in the thwarted raid was also seized as evidence.

The Davinci catamaran was taken from its mooring to the marina for further police inspection later this morning.

“I could not be less than 100% impressed with all concerned – Bruce Issell and his crewman – and the very professional Chalong Police,” said the witness, who asked not to be identified publicly.

The Gazette has yet to confirm whether or not the men arrested tonight were the same raiders who have terrorized the Baan Nit area off Cape Panwa for the past week.

A Frenchman whose yacht was anchored in that area was startled by raiders late Thursday night. A scuffle broke out on board and the Frenchman suffered at least seven knife lacerations during the attack, including a cut to his head.

Fearing for his safety, the Frenchman did not return to sleep on his yacht last night. It may have proved a prudent move as the thieves returned last night and made off with what was reported as a substantial bounty of yachting 'removables'.

The yacht has been since moved from the area.

[Lorenzo]

Attempted murder it seems, should get a long sentence. Yet unlikely

[Sailing into trouble]

But what type of Noddy puts a silent alarm on their boat and then goes out to apprehend them unarmed? Then what sort of numpty robbers when caught in the act, chase the guy with the lights instead of making off?

[sabang]

I am afraid I do not see much left to like about Phuket, at all. I like the Thai people. I do not like Phuket people. I relax around Thai people. I can not relax around the people that call Phuket home, be they natives or incomers. I went there last year, stayed in Panwa (the only reason I was talked into going was that I wouldn't stay in Patong locality). It was the last time. Phuket is not much like Thailand, to me.

[kingwilly]

bladdy hell, that's not cool.

Essentially a soft target with rich pickings.

[VocalNeal]

Well I suppose in part the reduction or elimination of tax on imported water craft has led to a rise in the number of water craft moored in Thailand. This make it possible for thieves to specialize in marine theft.

[sabang]

Then what sort of numpty robbers when caught in the act, chase the guy with the lights instead of making off?

People that think they can operate with impunity. Spotlight on Phuket's ingrained culture of corruption, cronyism, oligoply, and exploitation. The higher you go, the worse it gets.

[Camel Toe]

AMEN

.

[Sailing into trouble]

Phang Nga Bay is one of the most spectacular areas on the planet. Unfortunately the secret is out and the rot has set in. This will be all over the cruising forums and it generates more negative press. Soon the Russians will figure out that all they have to do is grease the right palms. Resorts will be bought up and the few areas that are left will become more fairy tail mirages to the low life of Europe.

[sabang]

Phang Nga Bay is one of the most spectacular areas on the planet.

Yes, beautiful. It is even worth tolerating Phuket to see it, well worth it. But of course, you can also see it by basing in Krabi.

[Lorenzo]

I am afraid I do not see much left to like about Phuket, at all. I like the Thai people. I do not like Phuket people. I relax around Thai people. I can not relax around the people that call Phuket home, be they natives or incomers. I went there last year, stayed in Panwa (the only reason I was talked into going was that I wouldn't stay in Patong locality). It was the last time. Phuket is not much like Thailand, to me.

Phuket and Thailand are one in the same of course, just like Pattaya and elsewhere in Thailand. Thailand is homogenous in culture and people

[Mid]

Thailand is homogenous in culture and people

Not .

[terry57]

Unfortunately boating by nature is a dangerous profession when confronted by bandits or pirates.

Bummer really.

[Kurgen]

But what type of Noddy puts a silent alarm on their boat and then goes out to apprehend them unarmed? Then what sort of numpty robbers when caught in the act, chase the guy with the lights instead of making off?

Someone with a set of nuts who's not scared to stand up for his own, YOU Noddy!

[sabang]

Thailand is homogenous in culture and people

Not .

Wot 'e said.

Are you really that ignorant about Thailand, Lorenzo?

[Gravesend Dave]

Was in Phuket recently for the first time.

Heard a lot about the place before with most saying its a shithole now full of scammers.

Had a nice few days there no problems,still as a tourist with a wife and two kids there,s not much scope for mad night life.

The big Buddha looks good from ground level,well disappointed when I got up there still a f----- building site,view was nice.

Only managed to pop out a couple of times,did notices certain prices were double,short time hotel and brass!
Only inquiring you understand

Phuket, Pattaya with much nicer beaches is what I saw

[Kurgen]

Phuket, Pattaya with much nicer beaches is what I saw

Vatican City has better beaches than Pattaya.

[sabang]

Do people actually go to pattaya for a beach holiday?

[Gravesend Dave]

Do people actually go to pattaya for a beach holiday?

Not many,just seemed the same to me with a cleaner beach

[Gravesend Dave]

Phuket, Pattaya with much nicer beaches is what I saw

Vatican City has better beaches than Pattaya.

Pattaya beach and view aint to bad,just a shame the seas so filthy!

One thing that spoils any beach is poxy speed boats and jet skis buzzing around dawn to dusk.

[Sailing into trouble]

But what type of Noddy puts a silent alarm on their boat and then goes out to apprehend them unarmed? Then what sort of numpty robbers when caught in the act, chase the guy with the lights instead of making off?

Someone with a set of nuts who's not scared to stand up for his own, YOU Noddy!

No doubts he had nuts, just no bleeding brains!!!

Like going to the OK coral and forgetting your Gun!

[terry57]

Pattaya beach and view aint to bad,just a shame the seas so filthy!

Bullshit mate,

Socal tells us Pattaya beach is crystal clear, lots of lovely tropical fish, no condoms or turds or any other associated filth floating around.

[wasabi]

Is this where it all happened?

[Mid]

Is this where it all happened?

Nope , that's Phang Nga .

happened here :


agoda.com

[boatboy]

Is this where it all happened?

No, here in Chalong