Latest News

Phuket and other destinations around Thailand are expected to see more arrivals from China and tourists of Chinese descent from around the region next month to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Tourism Council of Thailand has projected that Chinese arrivals to Thailand during the Chinese New Year holiday (February 1-10) will reach 100,000 visits and generate 4,200 million baht in tourism-related revenue.
 
This year, 2013, brings in the Year of the Snake. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake represents wisdom, intelligence and self-control, as well as the ability to strike quickly and decisively.
 
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/01/more-chinese-heading-to-thailand/

Tickets are on sale now for the legendary Latin-rock musician Carlos Santana, who is making a return visit to Bangkok on March 6. The concert will also feature veteran Thai rock band Carabao as a special guest.
 
Every one of Santana’s three previous visits to Thailand, in 1986, 2003 and 2011, were sell-out shows. The “Santana: The Sentient Tour” concert is likely to include many of Santana’s most beloved hits like Black Magic Women, Gypsy Queen, Oye Como Va, Maria Maria, and more.
 
http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/concert/concert-detail.php?sid=1638&la=en

The Phuket Real Estate Association is organising a property show from January 17-23 at Central Festival Phuket. The event will feature property developments of various price levels and seminars (in Thai), plus some promotions will be on offer.
 
A Thai fortune teller is also setting up a stand at the fair, for prospective buyers to perhaps gain some supernatural insight into the direction of Phuket's property market.
 
http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-real-estate-group-set-for-property-show-36267.php

Trang, an Andaman coast province 270 kilometres south of Phuket, is set to hold its annual underwater wedding ceremony this Valentine’s Day. Each year, couples from around the world make a splash into married life by exchanging their vows in an underwater dive.
 
There’s still time to register for the event, which includes a parade in traditional Thai wedding attire as well as the wedding-day dive off the gorgeous Kradan island.
 
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/01/splash-out-on-a-water-wedding/

International Living magazine has ranked Thailand as one of the ‘World’s Top Retirement Havens in 2013’, a recent report reveals. In the publication’s analysis of several factors including real estate, climate, cost of living and infrastructure, it came up with a list of the 22 best places in the world to spend your golden years with Ecuador at the top. Thailand came in at ninth place overall, the only Asian destination in the top ten aside from Malaysia, which ranked third.
 
International Living magazine offers news and advice for a mostly North American market on where to travel, invest and retire overseas.
 
http://internationalliving.com/2012/12/the-worlds-top-retirement-havens-in-2013/

As Thailand celebrated the arrival of the New Year, His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej issued an uplifting New Year’s greeting, which called on all Thais to extend compassion to one another as a way to lead a happy life.
 
The New Year card shows HM the King with his royal pet dogs, Khun Thong Daeng and Khun Mali, and a royal blessing for his subjects. The accompanying poem said that compassion is a virtue that can bring happiness to all.
 
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/328676/his-majesty-urges-compassion

Some fantastic local food and entertainment is on offer at the annual Phuket Red Cross Fair in Saphan Hin park in Phuket Town, which had its official opening today. Phuket people flock to the fair every year to vie for one of the big prizes on offer. Visitors are welcome to come, too, for the chance to see a lively Thai-style festival and enjoy some great tastes on the cheap.
 
The Red Cross fair is on every evening until January 5.

Travellers around Thailand and the Southeast Asia region are expected to enjoy more choices and convenience in flying next year. Bangkok Airways, the main airline serving Koh Samui and a popular choice for domestic flyers in Thailand, is looking to expand to Phuket’s neighbour Krabi and Mandalay in Myanmar, a fast-growing tourism destination.
 
The airline is hoping to gain regulatory approval for a new Bangkok-Krabi route in April and four flights a week from Bangkok-Mandalay in September. If more flights are allowed from its Samui airport hub, then the airline will also boost its Koh Samui-Phuket and Bangkok-Chiang Mai routes to six flights a day and its Koh Samui-Chiang Mai service to seven flights a day.
 
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/328058/bangkok-airways-adding-two-routes

We hope Santa’s been kind to you this year, whether you’ve been naughty or nice. Mr Claus has been a busy man for the last 24 hours. Though he usually arrives in the dark of night while children are dreaming of sugar plums and fairy-light trees, some cameras around the world captured Santa’s global adventures. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/photos/3535/#igImgId_59042
 
Phuket is enjoying a beautiful sunny Christmas Day. Time for some eggnog and a festive dip at the beach!