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Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, yesterday revealed that an escape to
Thailand helped heal her pain of being uninvited to the spectacular
royal wedding of Prince William and Kathleen Middleton last month. In
a one-hour chat on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Ms Ferguson said that it
was difficult to cope with not being a part of the royal family event.
 
"I chose to go and be in Thailand in a place called Kamalaya ... the
jungle embraced me," she said. Her former husband Prince Andrew and
their two daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice were in
attendance, and the bizarre hats worn by the young princesses quickly
became the talk of the world. Princess Eugenie is among several royal
family members and celebrities that have been spotted on Phuket beach
resort areas in recent years.

A weekly direct flight linking Phuket to Delhi, India, is set for
takeoff tomorrow, says online travel company Makemytrip.com, which is
launching the new charter service. "Indian travellers have developed a
keen sense of adventure and want to explore newer destinations.
Thailand is a key attraction for Indians," said the company's CMO,
Mohit Gupta. The carrier will be Kingfisher Airlines.
 
The online company already operates charter flights to the Maldives,
the Andaman islands, Ladakh and Bhutan.

Phuket designed bathing suits were paraded by a bevy of transgendered beauties who glammed it up this week for the Miss Tiffany Universe pageant held in Pattaya from May 1 to 6. All 30 contestants strutted the stage wearing Phuket Mermaids swimwear in the contest's swimsuit competition. Other activities included on-stage 'reality-show style' interviews, talent shows and vying for prizes in categories including Miss Unlimited Sexy Star.
 
Lovely ladyboys from all over Thailand joined the Miss Tiffany Universe contest, and the winner will battle for the title of Miss International Queen later this year against contestants from all over the world. The international pageant aims to promote camaraderie, understanding and issues surrounding transgenders and transvestites.

Phuket people will be dressing in their finest and stepping out to join the Phuket fundraising event 'Into the Big Blue ... An Ocean Odyssey' on May 7 in the Andaman Ballroom at the Sheraton Grande Laguna resort. The evening features a free-flow bar, canapes, a four-course gala dinner and live entertainment.

The entry price of 3500 baht per person as well as proceeds from the night's live auction and raffles will go towards the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation, a local charity that supports children's education. To book or to find out more about sponsoring a table, contact Chantal on 089-874-2942 or email chantal.fernandes@gmail.com.

In late March 2011, severe unseasonal rains ravaged many parts of Southern Thailand. In the Krabi province landslides in the Khao Phanom District and flooding in all 8 districts led to damaged and destroyed homes as well as the loss of lives, livelihoods and personal belongings.
 
Staff and volunteers of the Krabi-based volunteer teaching and community development organisation Global Vision International have launched a fundraising drive to help families affected by flooding and landslides to repair and refurnish their homes and rebuild their lives.
 
Donations may be made through GVI’s Charitable Trust at www.justgiving.com/Krabi-floods (donations in pounds) or www.globalgiving.org/projects/support-flood-victims-thailand/people (donations in dollars). See GVI's website at www.gvi.co.uk for more information on its ongoing community development work.

The Phuket Port is set to have a giant visitor today with the return of the US aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, due for today. The crew of the world's largest carrier has just completed a humanitarian mission on Japan's east coast, providing assistance to coastal communities hit by the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami on March 11. Their main Phuket 'mission' is to take some well deserved rest.
 
Navy ship visits are always warmly welcomed in Phuket, since they bring a big boost to the local economy. The USS Ronald Reagan can carry up to 8000 crew, and during its last Phuket visit the island earned an estimated US$1 million a day.

The wedding of British royal Prince William and Kate Middleton this Thursday has created a worldwide buzz of speculation on not only the bride's dress design but also their planned honeymoon destination. Snoops trying to catch a glimpse of Miss Middleton's purchases on her latest shopping trip on King's Road in London noted that she was seen buying two bikinis, leading many to believe that the couple is headed to a sunny island destination after they exchange their vows.
 
Among the islands seen as contenders is Mustique in the Caribbean, where the Queen's late sister Princess Margaret had a home. Mauritius, the Seychelles and Virgin CEO Richard Branson's private island in the British Virgin Islands are also said to be favoured royal honeymoon holiday spots. Phuket can certainly not be ruled out, since it has hosted a number of British royals and royalty from around the world who enjoy being pampered in true Thai style in the island's world-class, ultra-private villas and resorts.

Thailand's leading property experts will be gathering to debate and share insights on the resort property market at a panel discussion at the Holiday Inn Patong on April 29, hosted by American Chamber of Commerce Thailand. The evening's theme is 'What Now? What Next?' with updates on the hottest hotel transactions.
 
David Simister – Chairman of CB Richard Ellis Thailand, Khun Patima Jeerapaet – Chairman of Colliers International Thailand, Khun Duangai Kraus – Managing Director of Engel & Volkers Thailand, and Andrew Langdon – Senior Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, will join the panel, while Ensign Media's Publishing Director Andrew Batt will moderate the presentations.
 
The talk begins at 4:30pm, followed by networking cocktails and a cash bar to follow from 6pm to 7pm. To reserve a place, email Khun Sheree Tanpensuk at sheree@amchamthailand.com.

A pair of sleek superyachts have slid into Phuket this week as part of a six-week promotional tour of the region. The vessels, Majesty 56 and Majesty 88, made by UAE yacht designer Gulf Craft, are currently berthed at the Royal Phuket Marina.
 
The company sees a bright future for sales in Phuket and in the region as a whole. "Not only are we seeing a new generation of dynamic and wealthy business people looking for quality lifestyles, the entire area is now gradually opening up for marine tourism. It is becoming more and more feasible and attractive for an owner to keep and cruise a luxury yacht in SE-Asia," said Gulf Craft's Chief Operating Officer, Erwin Bamps.
 
A cocktail party will be held this evening, open to anyone interested in finding out more about how they can add one of these fly-bridge yachts to their collection of toys. The majestic pair are set to travel next to Penang in Malaysia and Singapore.