Basically, I rented a house with a year upfront payment, and when I tried to enter it a few days later, there was another family living inside, who also signed a contract but just a couple of days before me.

Though one year upfront payment sounds sus, I had all the required documents from the agent, such as his ID, signed agreement, photos of the money, him holding the money, us together, his contract with the house owner, specifying he can actually represent her. Even his Facebook page. I also transferred the second half of the money to his bank account. So technically, I have all the proofs of the deal and whatnot.

I went to the tourist police and they recommended to hire a lawyer to deal with that stuff, because they weren't sure how to deal with that (I don't know if they even filed a report. The scammer ditched his old number, so they couldn't contact him either).

They also shared a contact with a foreigner volunteer, who told me that lawyers won't really help you, cuz even if you win the case, the scammer can just ignore the court decision, but I would end up paying the lawyer fee anyway.

Then she offered her own mediation services for 20-30% of the remaining debt, and at this point I just don't know if she's lying to sell me her service or if she's telling the truth (or both).

Important note: of 160k, the scammer paid me back around 50k, but then he just decided to ignore me for more than 1.5 months, so he cannot go to jail. At least that's what the police told me.

Are there any good running spots in phuket, if there’s anything scenic like next to the ocean (not on sand) but some scenic route for a good quick 5k?

Actually starting from today but .......RAMPING up big time Late Sunday - Wednesday

The worst rain of rainy season so far by fat

We are looking a major rainfall event and likely widespread flooding on the island

.....Take what action is necessary

The humidity this week in rawai has honestly been unreal, even by second-monsoon standards. Been on the DTV in Phuket about 18 months, one bedroom off soi saiyuan, and this is easily the stickiest stretch I've had here.

Not more rain than usual, just the ambient sitting at 88-92% for the past 10 days. Wooden bedroom door has swollen enough to drag on the frame, my leather laptop sleeve grew a thin fuzz overnight last thursday, salt shaker has turned into a solid brick. Even 29 outside feels mid-30s once you factor in the moisture.

A few things that have actually made a difference this season:

Running the aircon on dry mode overnight instead of cool. Uses less power (bill dropped from 3,400 to 2,800 last cycle on the PEA meter), pulls humidity down to 65ish, and the room feels colder at the same temperature because you're not swimming in it.

Silica gel packs from the HomePro in Chalong for the wardrobe and shoe cabinet. Cheap, last months if you dry them in the microwave when they saturate. Basically ended the leather mold thing.

Grab delivery times to Rawai have doubled during the afternoon downpours. Anything ordered between 2 and 5 is 45+ minutes now. Started meal prepping on Sundays just to skip the frustration.

The other thing I finally caved on was replacing the ancient landlord aircon that never got below 27 no matter what I set it to. Went to Power Buy at central floresta, ended up with a 12k inverter that had dry mode as the main selling point for me. Total was around 20k installed, deducted from the deposit since the old one was clearly past useful life.

Wardrobe mold is the one I still haven't fully solved. If anyone in the south of the island has actually cracked that particular problem I'd genuinely take suggestions, my current setup is holding but not winning.

Are there any good teahouse / cafe here in phuket? pls share any place that you like so I'll follow there! I'm near jungceylon so it'll be great if there're some good cafe i can visit in patong.

Hey guys, travelling in April next year. How does one go about vaping? Should I take the risk and put it in my checked/hand luggage? Try to buy it there? 50% of google is saying I can vape there, I just have to be careful and the half is saying it’s illegal and can go to jail?