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Those who wish to hone their skills in capturing Phuket's beach beauty
in pictures will be heading to Central Festival Phuket shopping centre
this week to join the photo shooting workshop led by expert
photographer Khun Bee Prerapong Leawrakwong at the Canon Professional
Fair. Also attending the fair is Thai actress Apitchaya 'Ice'
Kraekongka. The photo course's theme is 'Beauty on the Beach'.
 
The fair runs from June 16-22 in Central's 1st Grand Hall. For more
information visit www.centralfestivalphuket.com or call +66 (0)76
291111.

Phuket golf fans will have the chance to see some professional level
of play action at the second Phuket Pro-Am Invitational golf
tournament, taking place on June 17 at Laguna Phuket Golf Club. Thirty
touring golf pros are set to join the event and lend their support to
the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation. The Foundation is hoping to
raise one million baht, with proceeds going to its educational
programs and activities to help the children of Phuket.

Phuket's culinary delights may soon gain worldwide recognition if the hopes of local leaders in making the island an official UNESCO City of Gastronomy are fulfilled. The Mayor of Phuket City, Khun Somjai Suwansupana, said in a ceremony unveiling the promotion said, "Every year, there are a lot of tourists coming to Phuket. The city has its unique cultures, traditions, and especially cuisines. The local dishes are made from local ingredients. They are the perfect blend between the eating cultures of the multinationals living together on the island. Moreover, the fresh seafood and friendly service from the locals are the highlight of Phuket cuisine as well. All of these are factors as to why Phuket should be proposed as the City of Gastronomy by UNESCO."

Those hoping to catch a rare sneak peek into a traditional Phuket wedding should visit Phuket's Old Town tomorrow morning (June 11), when several local couples of Baba Pernankan (Straits Chinese) origin will be celebrating their marriage in colourful style. The mass wedding event will start at the Governor's Mansion on Narisorn Road, then couples beautifully dressed in full traditional wedding attire will join a procession through the streets. The parade will go along Thalang Road and arrive at the Thai Hua Museum at noon. An evening celebration will be held at the Hongyok Mansion on Thepkrasattri Road.

The popular American reality TV show 'The Bachelorette' is set to move to Phuket this week as the playing field of men seeking to win over the heart of a single young woman continues to get narrowed down. Ashley, the bachelorette, and her bevy of handsome men are shown relaxing on a Phuket beach, doing some kayaking and helping children at a local orphanage. As Ashley searches for her true love, there are scenes of scheming and emotional confrontations as they luxuriate in a fabulous Phuket resort.
 
The contestants are clearly dazzled by Phuket's beauty and culture, and one says, "This is the perfect place to fall in love."

Athletes from around the world will be pushing their speed and stamina
to new heights this week in preparation for the Laguna Phuket
International Marathon on June 12. The run takes competitors around
Phuket's most scenic sights including a rubber tree plantation, rice
fields, the beach and a local village market. There will also be
mini-marathons and walks for those who enjoy exercising at a more
leisurely pace. Visit www.phuketmarathon.com for more information.

The Royal Paradise Hotel in Patong will be host to the second Thailand
Ranking Circuit Snooker Championship from June 6 to 11. World-class
players including Stuart Bingham, Alfie Burden and Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm
will be wowing the crowd with their precision-sharp moves. Free
admission to all. Call 076-340666 for more details.

Despite some challenging domestic and global issues affecting tourism
in the past year, visitor numbers in Phuket have continued to grow,
according to the latest figures released by the Tourism Authority of
Thailand.
 
Immigration department figures show that the number of international
passengers arriving at Phuket International Airport in 2010 totalled
1,692,598, up 42.7% over 2009. In the first quarter of 2011
(January-March), international passengers arriving at Phuket
International Airport totalled 654,009, up 25.08% over the same period
in 2010. This included a growth of 31.31% (228,768) in January, 24.29%
(231,326) in February and 21.55% (193,915) in March. From 1-23 April
2011, international passengers arriving at Phuket International
Airport totalled 123,934, up 30.97% over the same period in 2010.

Phuket rugby fans will be treated to an up-close view of some serious
ruck, maul and scrum action with the 13th Phuket Heineken
International Rugby Tens tournament set to play at the stadium on
Karon Beach from May 27-29.
 
Thirty-six teams from around the world including UAE, Australia,
Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan will join the competition,
which is part of the Asian amateur circuit. Entry is free for
spectators. Find more information on the Phuket Rugby 10s website
www.phuketrugby10s.com.