Hat Yai Update And Tour Of The Chee Gim Yong Area
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2022
- Video Description
I've had some requests to do a video about the Chee Gim Yong area in Hat Yai so here it is! It's an area of Hat Yai I have known about for a long time but - as is the case with everywhere else in Thailand nowadays - it has changed a lot in the last couple of years. In the video I'll try to give you a historical perspective as well as looking at how it is now.
In the video I talk quite a lot about the commercial sex industry (probably too much) and the way that the industry has changed in recent years. I don't participate myself or encourage others to use the industry, but I would like my videos to be informative and to have a journalistic style. None of my content is explicit, but if you take offense at this subject you may be better off not watching the video.
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Thank you ,Phil, another very good informative walk around for us to digest, so that we know Hatyai better, have been going to Hatyai for years, but your very informative Vlog certainly enlighten us a lot.
Good job !
Thank you!
Thank you for telling the times when how things used to be in the past many years ago and how things have changed so many times. I remember that many many years ago when carrying a waist pauch was a popular thing at the time and there were only three main streets of attraction in downtown Hat Yai. Whenever there is a long weekend holiday season in Malaysia or Singapore, you will find all over Hat Yai in every little lane full of tourist with pouch on theirs waist 😅 because where else can a tourist go at that time.
I've witnessed a lot of change since I have lived in Hat Yai. It's a very different place now to the Hat Yai I first saw. The town has always been popular with Malaysians and Singaporeans for short breaks. Not many at the moment, but there should be more soon. I will keep an eye out for those waist bags!
Hi Phil... Nice of u taking a stroll in central Hatyai. Just been there few days back. Seems Hatyai business is picking up faster than Dannok. Those days i used to stay at Pink Lady Hotel. Now it is known and upgraded to Grand Pink. For shopping wise might as well head to Asean n Greenway. Central Festival is another option for shopping. Let's hope by July Hatyai will be back to normal since maybe the Thai Pass might be lifted. So can expect more malaysian n Singaporean flocking there...
I am hearing that the insurance requirement will remain even if the Thailand Pass goes. I don't think people will come flocking back until all the restrictions are lifted. The Pink Lady is just a memory now. It has changed completely and that aspect of Hat Yai nightlife has been removed everywhere. Regarding shopping, we shop for food at Makro these days but I buy most things online. Quality is poor at the traditional markets and Central Festival is expensive. Greenway is still fun!
Very informative about Hat Yai past. The difference type of food/shop this video is also very current. A bit sad that some of my favourite food stores was closed on my recent trip last month. COVID casualty....
Thanks for your comment. The historical aspect really interests me, but I get the impression that a lot of people aren't interested. I like to know about Hat Yai's past and look at old photos and buildings. I think it's fascinating. There's actually a Hat Yai city museum, but it isn't generally known about. If I have time I will go there to do a video to describe more about the town's past.
Like you, lots of my favourite restaurants and cafes have also closed. I tend to blame the overreaction from governments rather than a virus, but the damage has been done now. Inflation is raging, many people are having financial difficulties, and the world is going to take a very long time to recover ... if ever. This really has been the Great Reset that certain people have been calling for.
Great memories of that place. I lived in the red planet hotel for 6 months when building a recycling plant next to the airport back in 2016
It's changed quite a bit since then, and not for the better. I'd actually be very interested in learning more about the recycling plant if you have time.
@@expatlivinginthailand it’s owned by a company called “iec” the site is called GIDEC the plant is where most of hatyai’s black bag waste stream goes, it’s sorted and then used to make power to then feed hatyai with electricity. I was involved with the front end design and then all the install. I came from the uk to do this.
@@JohnMartin22222 Thanks for the info. It's close to my house, a little too close actually. During certain atmospheric conditions a foul smell emanates from the plant. I've been there a few times to dispose of things that the bin men won't take. There is literally a mountain of garbage. Many local residents have complained about the stench, but nothing gets done. I'm pleased to hear at least that the garbage is used to generate electricity.
@@expatlivinginthailand it’s a good site, I can tell you they were and will be to the letter within the permit they have for sure. Professional recognised company.
Unfortunately waste sites are a necessity in any country however this type of site I fully support for Thailand to go green, after all they are still sending to landfill, we need to help change that and that company is doing exactly that.
Happy to take you round it next time I’m over.
@@JohnMartin22222 A tour would be great! Good to hear that all the right things are being done, as that isn't always the case in Thailand. It's a necessity, of course, and very important. Thanks for your insights.
Really enjoy your tour of hatyai 👍
Thank you!
Phil, Thank you so much for highlight the past and current news on Hatyai. It's informative on the background of Hatyai City and Gim Yong Market (didn't know where the name came from). It's sad to see the current state of Regency Hotel, McDonald, Central Mall, Top Supermarket & etc along Saneha Nusorn Road. I believe the retail shops and the seafood restaurant in the alley (along BURAPHA Bird's Nest Restaurant) are still closed as there are few visitors. I believe in a few months time, things would be back to near normal once some restrictions is removed and also the bus transportation is resumed). Please do keep us updated on the situation there, we do appreciate it very much. Thanks again.
Thank you! Yes, it is all so sad and all so unnecessary. The Lee Gardens Plaza area has been hit hardest. After Central Festival opened all of the non-tourist related businesses moved there, leaving only tourism related businesses at LGP. The actions that were taken for Covid, not the virus itself, then decimated the tourist industry. I'm hearing that the Thailand Pass will be dropped in July, but the insurance requirement will remain. If this happens then it will continue to deter tourists. I don't believe the world will ever return to how it was before. This has been done by design by the authors of the Great Reset. I will try to keep you updated, but I do have lots of other personal commitments.
@@expatlivinginthailand Hooray!!! Thailand Pass and insurance requirement will be scrapped effective from 1 July 2022.
@@xundestravelfood7055 Yep, I saw that yesterday at tatnews.org - good news!
Thank you for bringing me to all those familiar places 😊
I hope to do some more soon. My whole family has just been ravaged by Covid. I was hit quite badly with dizziness and fatigue - the fatigue is still a problem, but getting better. I've just completed 10 days of self isolation. This latest BA.5 variant is highly contagious.
@@expatlivinginthailand Sorry to hear about the covid . Hope you and your family recover asap . Yes it has been in the news that this variant is highly contagious too . Hope to see more of hadyai after your rest ya .
@@user-qc6bt5lx1b Thanks! The message I keep hearing is that people who have been unaffected for 2.5 years have been infected with the latest BA.5 variant. Same with me. Still feeling light-headed, but hopefully back to normal soon.
@@expatlivinginthailand 👍🙌🙌i think with the booster shot , it is not as serious as before 🙏Rest well and looking for the next hadyai update👌
@@user-qc6bt5lx1b Thanks! I've been watching quite a few videos on TH-cam by doctors. What they're saying is that this latest BA.5 variant has mutated so much that vaccination for previous variants and antibodies as a result of being infected by previous variants do very little to protect against this one.
Super video Phil 👏! I think the floating market will immediately open because of the "overwhelming inquiries" "from Bangkok office" "from multiple people on the phone" 😂😁😀5555!!! I was watching a video recently of Koh Samui & was shocked how Chaweng everything is still closed & quiet. Are all the massage places really 100% massages & no "extra services" now? Or do people still get offers to be "finished off😜" from time to time? That was lucky meeting the new seasons guy, I do hear stories about the legendary normal looking multi millionaires all over SE asia & it's interesting to hear of an actual one! Don't pay attention to those people who pass judgment online watching one video they don't know anything 😕!
Thank you ... again! I had already looked at the floating market Facebook page and guessed it was out of date, which is why I didn't believe the TAT woman in Bangkok when she told me the source of her information. Anyway, I now have a direct number to make further enquiries. The guy I spoke to was very helpful ... all in Thai, of course. I haven't watched anything about Samui so didn't realise that. I've just been told in another comment that the Thailand Pass will be dropped on July 1st and that should improve the situation with tourists, however, they will probably keep the insurance requirement.
Regarding massage, I've been married for 12 years and during that time I've never messed around but as a single man there were times when I enjoyed a little more than just a massage. I'm just a normal man and don't pretend to be an angel. Looking from the massage girls' perspective, they earn probably Bt80 from a 1.5 hour massage that costs Bt200. The only reason they are doing the job is for the money so if they can earn an extra Bt500 tip fairly easily many girls will offer additional services. Some girls aren't interested and some places don't encourage their girls to offer any extra services, but some do. Some places will allow the girls to go to a customer's hotel room where they may be more obliging than in the massage shop.
At the place I went to today I normally only go for a foot massage and stay downstairs near the entrance, but whenever I go in the girls are always trying to convince me to go upstairs for a body massage which they promise will be 'sabaay'. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but I think quite a few of the girls there are looking for additional tips.
I went to a place a couple of years ago and and the woman was older and not attractive. She spent the whole time working on the top of my legs trying to arouse me as best she could so that I would agree to an additional service. If she'd been young and attractive it might have worked, but she wasn't and it didn't. Basically, everything is still available but only in certain places and you shouldn't take anything for granted.
Any YT channel about Thailand always attracts idiots, trolls and smart arses. I don't pay any attention to them and I have a zero tolerance policy. One stupid comment and they get hidden from the channel so that they can never make another comment again. It's the easiest way to deal with them.
OMG Hatyai is very quiet. Hatyai and Danok depends heavily on Malaysian tourists. As mentioned earlier the Thai pass and the health insurance is preventing many Malaysians from crossing the border because of the extra cost including me and my friends. Also cost of very things including food had increased 30% and above. Now its better to check the price of the food before you eating...lol. I probably will wait until the end of the year to visit Danok and Hatyai.
It's busier than Dannok, but still relatively quiet. There are rumors that the Thailand Pass will be dropped in July, but the requirement for health insurance will probably remain. The whole world is suffering from inflation. Food prices have gone up here and I'm paying twice as much for petrol compared to 18 months ago. Thai farmers are now paying three times as much for fertilizer compared to a year ago and this will cause food prices to keep rising. This was very predictable given the way economies have been mismanaged the last couple of years. If I was a cynical person I'd say it was done deliberately to usher in the Great Reset. It's a good job I'm not cynical.
Thanks for the virtual tour of Hatyai. In the '90s I used to go for massage at Only One, they also have herbal steam bath, 100% no hanky panky, not sure it is still open.
It's still open. It's just opposite that Chinese Clan Association near the end of the video. As you say, no hanky party. It's recognized as one of the only places in Hat Yai where you can get genuine Thai massage, not just a pleasant experience with a young Thai girl.
Thank
Myself nearly 20years not been to Hatyai
Chee Gim Yong will visit in October
After 20 years you'll notice a lot of changes! My first visit to Hat Yai was 20 years ago and it's a very different place now. Enjoy your trip!
Hi Sir, really enjoy yr tour of hatyai, jt btw got one question that I really curious....that I heard fm my Malaysian frd that choprahya fishtank is already closed for GD...isit true?? Anyway I'm a Singaporean that used to backpack there n Malaysia, thks.
Thanks! Your friend is right. Chaophaya 4 closed several years ago and whereas there used to be several other similar places in Hat Yai, now there are none.
The Chaophraya Hatyai branch closed b4 covid and only after a few years in operation. Don think the business model suited Hatyai.
Hi Phil,is Mayflower hotel still around,Thanks.
On one of my recent visits to Lee Gardens Plaza I was standing right outside, but I didn't turn around to check if it is open! I think it is. In answer to your question, yes it's still around!
Phil, is it the norm the hotels in Hatyai will keep your passport on checking in?
I don't stay in hotels in Hat Yai because I have a house, but when I stay in hotels elsewhere in Thailand they only ever want a photocopy.
When I first arrived in Hat Yai in 2003 I stayed in a hotel for a couple of weeks and I seem to remember that they did want my passport. I was reluctant, but wasn't sure if this was normal practice and gave it to them. If a hotel asked for my passport now I would flatly refuse.
This may cause problems with the hotel, and I'm not sure what the legal position is, but for foreigners in Thailand a passport is their most important document and I want to be in possession of my passport at all times.
Maybe someone who visits Hat Yai and stays in hotels can provide details of their experience?
Hello Bernard, I replied to your question a couple of days ago, but TH-cam is telling me that I didn't reply. Did you get my reply?
I've just realised what the problem was. For some reason I replied from one of my other channels. That's why TH-cam told me that this channel hadn't replied.
Hi, Phil, would you be able to give us the exact location of the Massage parlour that you spoke highly of in this video, I mean the corner one, is it in the Chee Kim Yong area or Thungsao area, am looking for a good strong massage. thanks.
It's not on Google Maps, but it's diagonally opposite the Hat Yai Hakka Association - goo.gl/maps/c7KkFd7rU9hPypE38 If you can find the Hakka Association you will be able to see Bangkok Massage.
I tend to go there because the service is quite consistent. With many other places the service can be variable depending on the girl. If you want a strong massage I would recommend "Only One Thai Traditional Massage". The address is 65/1-2 Chee Uthit Road, just opposite the Hakka Association. This place does real Thai massage. Most of the massage shops in Hat Yai offer a pleasant experience, but the girls working in these places have not been trained to do proper Thai massage.
@@expatlivinginthailand Thank you , Phil, thanks for the quick reply, just got back from shopping, so a bit late in responding, so it is in Chee Uthit Road, is this the corner shop one, or is this another one that I should patronize too, if they are both good, I must try both, I like both strong and soothing massage , used to go to one in Pattaya where it was so good I fall asleep, Thanks again !
Sorry , now I know they are 2 different shops, one is Bangkok massage, and the other one is called Only One Massage, thanks Phil were try both. Really appreciate your information.
@@ahkhong2223 Pleasure. I've only been to Only One once, many years ago. It was a formal Thai massage and quite painful. When I go for a massage I just want to relax and I normally fall asleep. I think you'll find that the two places are very different, but if you want a really strong massage you may prefer Only One. You can always tell the masseuse what you prefer - "nuk nuk" for hard, or "bao bao" for soft.
@@expatlivinginthailand Thanks again, I shall try both, on a personal note, i think you provide such a valuable service for us, my family and close friends who absolutely love a good massage and nice Thai food, I hope you do well with your Vlog, although I do realize it's it is really tough. The very best to you and your family.
Still so quiet.
But more tuks tuks than when I was there.
Yep! I did some updates last year and there were no tuk-tuks (or maybe one). On the last couple of visits there have been quite a few waiting around LGP, but not exactly busy. I guess that what they are hearing on their news is that tourists *should* be returning now, but they are probably confused as to why they're not actually seeing any. I'm hearing so many rumours at the moment that all the restrictions will be dropped soon. If that happens, the situation should improve dramatically.
@@expatlivinginthailand there's a meeting tomorrow and apparently the Thai pass will be dropped on 1st of July .
@@gangsom I hadn't heard that, but it will be great news. I watched a video on Ben the lawyer's channel and he wasn't sure if there would still be an insurance requirement when the Thailand Pass is dropped. Have you heard anything?
@@expatlivinginthailand yes I heard even when it's dropped they still want proof of insurance.
So that will make the queues at the airport nice lol.
@@gangsom 😆
After watching this video, I like to visit Hatyai again. Hopefully the Thai govt will cancel the so-called Thailand Pass Program.
There are rumors that it will be dropped in July, but that the insurance requirement will stay. If these videos are bringing tourists to Hat Yai, maybe I should ask the TAT for a commission?!
@@expatlivinginthailand You should..you have been promoting Hatyai for about 20 years. 555
Nice walk about, haha isn't called d oldest profession for nothing. Some ppl seem to see thing in only black n white only.
Thanks. I don't have a problem with the industry provided the girls are old enough, have chosen to do it themselves, and aren't being exploited. As I said, there will always be supply and there will always be demand. Closing down places that employ underage girls is the right thing to do. I actually think Thailand would be better off legalising the industry. That way the government would collect tax income and the girls would be better protected.
@@expatlivinginthailand yes that would be the logical thing to do. But govts are always so full of themselves and just cant see the real world from atop their high horses, and legalising prostitution would be a huge political gamble. If it could be confirmed to be a vote gainer, they might be consider.
@@davidteoh7080 Money is at the apex of the Thai value system and nothing is worshipped or revered more, however, some of the best ways of making money don't fit in with the Buddhist moral code. This creates something of a dilemma for Thailand. There are casinos in Burma, but Thailand is desperate for a slice of the gambling pie and there is now a proposal to build a casino in Mae Sot on the Burmese border. This will upset the hardline Buddhist lobby, but I suspect that money will win in the end. It always does. LKY had reservations about casinos in Singapore, but there is only ever one winner when it comes to money against morals. Singapore also has quite a large legalised red light district around Geylang.
It should be See (ฃี) Kim yong 🤓🤣
I've just taken another look. The consonant you have used - ฃ (kor kuat) - is obsolete and makes a 'k' sound. 'ช' (chor chaang) makes a 'ch' sound and the very similar consonant 'ซ' (sor soh) makes an 's' sound. I've looked at the inscription next to the statue and it looks like 'ช' (ch), however the sign I used at the end of the video does indeed use 'ซ', therefore 's', and I pronounced the word on this sign incorrectly. I'm now a little confused. I've searched on-line and I can find both versions. Whenever I hear Thais say it I hear 'ch'. I'll try to find out some more.
Perhaps I dint write it correctly. It should have been ฃ (saaw โฃ่ chain. Cheers. Thanks for the update.
@@chenterence6942 I found some articles about the man in Thai on-line and they use both ชี and ซี. I’m therefore not sure and will try to find out more.
Thailand pass and the covid insurance remove beginning 1st.july 2023
1st.july 2022
I saw it on tatnews.org yesterday. Great news! I haven't heard anything about masks, so presumably tourists are still expected to wear masks all the time.