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Phuket's fashionistas are gearing up for a rare chance to see the
hottest clothing designs up close and in person. A runway show
featuring the latest relaxed casual wear collections from a number of
designers is being held at the Andara Resort in Kamala on September 12
from noon to 4pm. Proceeds from the event will go to support local
children's education through the Phuket Has Been Good to Us
Foundation. Lunch, two cocktails and a seat at the show are included
in the 1000-baht entry fee. Further funds will be raised in auctions
and raffles.
 
For more information or to buy tickets contact Arati on
arati@phukethasbeengoodtous.org.

Phuket's less fortunate residents are suffering through price
increases in a number of basic goods, and to ease the pain the local
charity Childwatch Phuket is organising an effort to provide babies in
need with powdered milk. The Phuket Shrine Association is offering two
Chinese temples in Phuket City to serve as collection points, while
Childwatch will assess the needs and distribute the milk to local
people.
 
Milk formula packages may be brought to either the Pud Jor Shrine on
Ranong Road and Kiw Tien Keng Shrine near Saphan Hin. For more
information call Childwatch Phuket on Tel. 076-276396.

A movie starring Hollywood celebrities Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts
is set to start filming in Bang Sak Beach in Khao Lak and other
locations around Phuket this month. The movie, called 'The
Impossible', is based on a true-life story of people caught in the
2004 Asian tsunami.
 
'The Impossibles' has also been filmed in Spain, and is scheduled for
release some time in 2011.

The Phuket Rotary club is hosting a party featuring food, drink, magic
shows and live music in support of its charitable efforts for local
children. Kids are invited to join the fun, which will include door
prizes, raffles and auctions of some fantastic products and services.
The event starts at 7pm on August 29 at the Latitude marquee in Laguna
Phuket resort. Tickets are 600 baht at the door.
 
For more information call 081 8929207.

Phuket welcomed government and tourism industry players to a seminar
promoting sustainable tourism in Thailand. The seminar, called, '7
Greens', focused on how to educate business people and communities on
managing nature-friendly tourism enterprises. With more awareness
about global warming, tourists from Europe especially were starting to
avoid visiting destinations where the environment was not protected,
seminar leaders said.
 
The seven-part plan for encouraging eco-friendly tourism includes
activities focused on: Green Heart, Green Logistics, Green Attraction,
Green Community, Green Activity, Green Service, and Green Plus. As
part of the plan, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has selected Samui
Island and Naan province to serve as models for green tourism in
Thailand.

While Phuket is known for its luxury resorts and enviable tropical
lifestyle, there are still some on the island who are in need of help
to get ahead in life. With the cost of education beyond the reach of
some families, a local charity has stepped in to lend a hand. The
Phuket International Women's Club will present scholarships to 55 new
students in a ceremony at Satree school in Phuket Town on August 25.
Each year, the charity selects a number of bright Thai students to
support, and PIWC has so far provided more than 600 scholarships in
its 21-year history. Many of the students have gone on to earn
university degrees and have successful careers in many fields
including medicine, engineering and teaching.
 
For more information on the Phuket International Women's Club, visit
www.phuketiwc.com.

Phuket is hosting the Rip Curl Thailand GromSearch 2010, a series of
one-day surf events for youth starting on August 21 at Nai Harn Beach.
The day kicks off with a morning registration at 7am followed by a
beach clean-up and ocean awareness program with Phuket water safety
specialist Steven A. Martin. After a free surf clinic and a free
lunch, the competition begins with surf heats and finals for the boys
and girls of varying divisions. Wrapping up the day will be an awards
and prize-giving ceremony and sunset BBQ.
 
The next GromSearch event takes place on September 4 at Kata Beach,
while the final contest will be at Surin Beach on September 18. For
more information see www.asia.ripcurl.com.

The Rotary Club of Patong Beach is spearheading a local effort to help
provide relief to the victims of widespread flooding in Pakistan.
Together with the shelter box aid organisation Disaster Aid Canada,
the Rotary Club is asking for donations to assist people in getting
water, food, shelter and sanitation.
 
Donations may be made to the club's bank account as follows: Bangkok
Bank account number 563-3-01480-7, SWIFT code BKKBTHBK. When making
the donation, the Rotary Club asks that you also email treasurer Woody
Leonhard at woody@khunwoody.com with details of the donation amount
and date of deposit.

Phuket will join the rest of Thailand in celebrating the birthday of
Her Majesty the Queen on August 12, which is also National Mother's
Day and a public holiday. In addition to honouring their mothers,
Thais celebrate the day by giving alms at the temples in the morning
and doing other charitable acts to make merit.
 
All schools and most businesses are closed, making the Queen's
Birthday an important day for families to spend time together.