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The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that international
visitor arrivals in the first half of 2010 increased by 13.70%, in
spite of the sharp declines in arrivals during the political crisis
months of May and June. From January to June 2010, total arrivals were
7,515,025 up from 6,609,313 over the same period of 2009. The TAT
stated that "this is because arrivals in the first half of 2009 had
been hit by the impact of the global financial and economic crisis
prevailing at the time, making this year's rate of increase relatively
high over a low base figure. It also reflects the fact that while
arrivals to Bangkok were significantly affected, arrivals to Phuket
remained relatively buoyant."
 
Tourism Authority of Thailand officials are optimistic that it will
still be possible to meet the year's total arrivals target of 14.5
million arrivals, said the press release.

Phuket has been named the fifth-best island in Asia for 2010 in the
World’s Best Awards readers' poll held by the prestigious Travel +
Leisure magazine. Topping this category was Bali, while Koh Samui on
Thailand's gulf coast placed fourth. Five resorts in Thailand
including two Phuket resorts earned the honour of ranking among the
Top 15 Resorts in Asia. Bangkok was named the world's Best City
Overall, edging out Thailand's Chiang Mai; Florence, Italy; San Miguel
de Allende, Mexico; and Rome, Italy. Bangkok reclaimed the No. 1 spot,
having held it before in 2008. The survey was conducted from December
2009 through March 2010, before the May street protests that triggered
several travel advisories to the city.
 
The Travel + Leisure’s 2010 World’s Best Awards were announced in New
York on July 8.

Today marks the start of the Khao Pansa three-month meditation retreat
for Buddhist monks in Phuket and across Thailand. Each year, one day
after the full moon of the eighth lunar month, monks take refuge in a
temple and spend the three rainy-season months in meditation and
Dharma study. The retreat starts off with a ceremonial parade with
devotees carrying large candles sculpted into mythological figures
into the temples.
 
Khao Pansa takes place one day after Arsana Bucha Day, which marks the
first sermon made to five disciples that the Buddha made after
reaching Enlightenment.

The west-coast town of Kamala Beach is hosting a beach festival on
July 28, with the action set to start about 6pm. A Miss Kamala
competition, live music and fire shows are among the entertainment
offerings. A range of local food and drinks will be on sale, too.
 
Kamala is a fishing village that has now grown into an international
resort destination, with several luxury Phuket resorts and villas to
be seen along a headland road south of the village, known as the
'Millionaires' Mile'. In spite of these developments, Kamala retains a
strong local culture, as festivals such as this one show.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce Thailand is holding a marine
industry seminar on trends and updates in both the Australian and Thai
markets. The July 30 seminar will be followed by the AustCham Thailand
Sundowners networking evening, which is expected to attract a range of
guests including senior Embassy personnel, AustCham members and Board
from Bangkok, and several business operators in Phuket.
 
The seminar starts at 4pm and is free for AustCham members.
Non-members pay a 300- baht entry fee. For the networking session,
starting at 6pm, members pay 400 baht and non-members are 600 baht.
Both events take place at the Skippers Bar at Royal Phuket Marina.
 
For more information and to register, contact Harry Usher at
harry@ladypie.com, or visit www.austchamthailand.com.

Phuket's Buddhist temples will be alive with candlelit processions on
the Buddhist holy day known in Thailand as Arsana Bucha Day, taking
place on July 26 this year. This full-moon day of the eight lunar
month celebrates the first sermon made to five disciples that the
Buddha made after reaching Enlightenment.
 
Phuket's famous Wat Chalong will join several other temples across
Thailand in marking the evening event.

China's fourth-largest carrier, Hainan Airlines, is launching non-stop
flights between Beijing and Phuket on July 31. Three weekly flights
will run every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using a Boeing 737-800
aircraft. The new flight will cut air travel time to Phuket from
China's capital city by more than five hours.
 
China is one of the fastest-growing sources of tourist arrivals for
Phuket, with strong cultural ties enhancing the island's appeal for
Chinese visitors.

The Phuket International Boat Show is still five months away, but
organisers are already reporting a healthy turnout for the 2011
January 6-9 event. More than 40 yachts will be able to be displayed in
a new in-water space, of which 25 spots are already reserved. The
exhibition, now in its eighth year, will have some 95 companies
displaying their yachts and marine industry products and services.
Already confirmed are luxury motor yachts including Sunseeker, Gulf
Craft, Formula, Chris Craft, Princess, Riviera, Pershing, Ferretti,
Crowneline, Windy Boats, Cranchi, Fairline, Azimuth, Benetti, SeaRay,
Horizon, and Mustang. Luxury car brand Lexus has also reserved a space
at PIMEX.
 
The success of PIMEX, together with Asia leading the way in global
economic recovery and Phuket's recent industry recognition as the
Marine Capital of Asia, it looks as though Phuket will remain a top
yacht charter destination for some time to come. For more information
on the Phuket International Boat Show, visit www.phuketboatshow.com.

Whether you're here for a few days or a lifetime, there's always
something new to discover in Phuket, and the best way to do it is on
its roads. Hiring a car is easy, provided you have the right license,
and it's a great way to see its local culture away from the resorts
and beaches, not to mention some spectacular scenery. Three of our
favourite car cruising routes are:
 
Rawai to Nai Harn. A fun little road that sees little traffic, the
Rawai to Nai Harn route offers panoramic sea views and wonderful
stopping points along the way, including the vaunted Cape Phromthep
lookout point and the little gem of a beach at Ya Nui.
 
Millionaires' Mile, Kamala. This rocky headland that starts at the
south end of Kamala Beach is an enclave of luxury resorts and private
villas. Drive this winding sea-view road, passing five-star villa
after five-star villa, and dare to dream of the good life.
 
Big Buddha Hill, Chalong. Atop the Nakkerd Hills sits the recently
built Big Buddha statue, a giant marvel of marble sculpture that
reaches 45 meters high above the hill. Getting there requires
navigating a winding road for 6km up the hill, past an elephant camp
and a few restaurants that offer delicious Thai food and refreshments.
Well worth the journey, you're rewarded with views of Phuket's entire
south end and vast stretches of the Andaman Sea upon arrival.