Latest News

Phuket has long been known as a spectacular diving destination, and
now with a unique charity event on October 23, the island's
land-dwelling creatures will receive some help via their fishy
friends. Dive Asia is organising two dives off Racha Yai island south
of Phuket with all profits to be donated to the Phuket Soi Dog
Foundation, which helps stray and abused dogs and cats across the
island.
 
The price is 3,200 baht for divers (plus gear), 1,600 baht for
non-divers, and 4,900 baht for two try dives. With capacity for only
30 divers, registering early is a must. For further details, see
http://www.diveasia.com/blog/index.html

The Joe Louis traditional Thai puppet theatre that has been performing to wide acclaim in Bangkok for several years is now making a new home in Phuket. Founded by the late National Artist Sakorn 'Joe Louis' Yangkhiawsod, the troupe has the few remaining experts in the art of 'Hun Lakhon Lek', the elaborate and beautiful Siamese small puppet play.
 
From yesterday until October 15, there will be twice-daily performances at the purpose-built Joe Louis Thai Restaurant in Jungceylon shopping centre in Patong, at 5pm and 8pm. Tickets are 1000 baht each. The gorgeous puppets are on display in the restaurant throughout the day. If the turnout for this week's shows prove successful, more performances are planned for January. For more information call 089-8160910 or 087-0985598.
(Source: Phuket Gazette)

Phuket is emerging as a top choice for Indian couples seeking to tie
the knot in an exotic locale, according to Thailand based wedding
planners and tourism officials. While Bangkok has long been a popular
destination for Indian weddings, more are now choosing Phuket for the
chance to combine a memorable wedding ceremony with a romantic
honeymoon among its islands and beaches.
 
India's burgeoning middle and upper classes and its close proximity to
Thailand has made it a top priority for Thailand tourism players as a
key source of visitors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand opened a new
branch in Mumbai earlier this year, its second branch in India (the
other is in New Delhi). Last year some 530,000 Indians visited
Thailand, the highest figure so far, and this year is expected to top
that.
Source: wonderwoman.intoday.in

British tourists looking to escape the dreary days of winter are
increasingly setting their sights on Phuket, according to the website
iWantSun.co.uk. The site named Phuket among its 'Top-10 Winter Sun
Escapes' for British travellers, a list that includes Bermuda, Dubai
and Fortaleza, Brazil. Phuket was chosen because, as the article
states, it 'has long been a hot favourite with UK holidaymakers
looking to soak up some sunshine in exotic surroundings. With new
luxury resorts opening in their dozens every year, the resort seeing
an increase in travellers looking for exclusivity and something out of
the ordinary. As a tropical paradise, Phuket features high on many
holidaymakers’ wish list this winter. White beaches, turquoise waters
and year-round sunshine make Thailand the perfect getaway for
families, couples and singles – as long as you don’t mind sharing you
holiday with a few fellow tourists.'
 
iWantSun.co.uk is a site dedicated to news about beach and sun
holidays, providing daily news and feature pieces for anyone looking
for holiday inspiration and travel tips.

Phuket's roadways have already come alive with the sights and sounds
of its annual Vegetarian Festival, most famous for its processions of
self-mutilating 'maa song' believed to be possessed by Chinese Emperor
Gods. The festival runs from October 8 to 16, with the most activity
at the Chinese shrines in Phuket Town, Kathu and Thalang. During this
period, devotees purify themselves by refraining from eating meat,
drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual activity. Stalls are set up
around the temples offering a delicious array of vegetarian food, and
many restaurants launch special vegetarian menus. Firecrackers are set
off and elaborate tables of offerings are prepared in honour of the
gods, and it's considered good fortune if a 'maa song' stops to drink
or eat at your table.
 
The Vegetarian Festival has been celebrated in Phuket for more than
150 years, and has now become a popular tourist attraction. More
details and a complete schedule of events are at
www.phuketvegetarian.com.

'A Night with Beauty and the Beast', a charity fundraiser for the
Phuket Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), will be held at the Latitude
Marquee at Laguna Phuket resort on October 9. Lady guests are invited
to dress up in glamorous, beautiful attire, while the guys are to
dress down and be beastly!
 
The entry fee of 2,500 baht includes food from the Banyan Tree, a
cocktail reception, sumptuous wines, great prizes, a live band and
live DJ to dance away the night. Some spectacular prizes are up for
grabs, too, in the raffle and live auction.
 
This year, PAWS is aiming to raise 1 million baht, all which will be
used to fund multiple field clinics around Phuket and Phang Nga in
2011 as well as procuring some vital equipment to support their work
with stray animals. More details available on the website
www.pawsphuket.com.

Travel buyers and sellers from across Asia will be making deals and
mingling next week at the Asian Hospitality and Travel Show, from
October 1 to 3 at the new Hafele Phuket Design Centre on bypass road.
This marks the first time Phuket has hosted the event. Nearly 100
buyers and sellers have so far registered, including buyers from Hong
Kong, mainland China, Korea, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and
Singapore.
 
A sunset cruise and grand opening party hosted by Phuket International
Academy are among the activities planned, in addition to the
networking sessions, seminars and meetings. Members of the public are
welcome to come to the event and check out some of Thailand's resort
and travel offerings. For more information, visit
www.eventsthailand.net.

Phuket's beaches and resort offerings have earned the island a
top-three ranking in the Smart Travel Asia online magazine's annual
reader's poll for 2010. The poll ran for three months from May to
July, with approximately 60 percent of voters based in Asia, 20
percent in the UK/Europe and 20 percent in North America. Phuket
earned the number three spot as the World's Top Holiday Resort, beaten
out only by first-place winner Kerala, India, and Bali, Indonesia, in
second place. Other Thai destinations and a number of Phuket resorts
also earned high rankings in various travel categories from the Smart
Travel Asia readership.
 
Smart Travel Asia is the region’s only dedicated online travel
magazine with more than one million readers worldwide.

Tonight marks the start of the three-day Chinese Moon Festival that
honours the moon and the Goddess of Compassion, Guan Yin. The event
takes place every evening, starting at 7pm from September 20 to 22, at
Queen Sirikit Park on Thalang Road in Phuket Town. Stage shows,
handicrafts and local cuisine are among the attractions.
Moon-worshippers are invited to gather at the park at midnight on
September 22 to join a monk-chanting ceremony to promote peace and
prosperity, when the moon will be at its brightest.
 
Phuket Town Mayor Somjai Suwansupana said that the municipality
launched the festival as a way to restore a Chinese tradition that was
no longer in widespread use in the local community and was in danger
of being lost.