“Mind Centre’ opens in Phuket

– A daily digest of news from around the world compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: The Phuket International Academy (PIA) is opening its internationally rated Mind Centre for balance and well being with world renowned mentor B. Alan Wallace at the helm. The PIA Mind Centre will be launched a week from today (Saturday, April 10) with a two-day weekend “Genuine Happiness Retreat”.

PIA deputy Chief Executive Officer Nick Seaver says, “The Genuine Happiness Retreat will be the first of many programs we will be running at this purpose-built facility, and our aim is to grow it into the premier facility of its type in Asia.”

Freelance journalist Nick Davies will be participating in the retreat for the Phuket Gazette. Look for his report in the newspaper’s April 24 issue. 

The new Phuket International Academy is a US$45 million facility on 135 rai of land in the northeastern part of Phuket island, incorporating three integrated centres: the PIA Mind Centre, the PIA Day School, and the PIA Sports and Leisure Club.

More luxury launched in Phuket

Asia Travel Tips
The Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa opened this week off Mai Khao Beach at the north end of Phuket island. Located adjacent to Sirinath Marine National Park, Phuket’s latest lade of luxury features a 17 kilometer stretch of unspoiled sandy beach.

The resort offers 150 deluxe rooms, four one-bedroom suites, 25 one-bedroom villas with private pools, and one oceanfront three-bedroom villa. There are also six meeting rooms, totaling nearly 3,000 square feet.

To celebrate its opening, the Renaissance is offering an introductory package for 5,555 baht. It includes deluxe accommodations and a complimentary American breakfast for two adults. A villa package starts at 8,888 baht, including the breakfast and free internet. The offers are valid through May 31.

Phuket property: light in sight?

Thailand Property
Phuket’s Mandala Villas and Condominiums, a collection of 24 apartments and 8 villas with private pools in the Laguna area, says it has sold ten units since its condominium launch in December 2009. The success is held out as an example of how some property developers have adapted in Thailand’s post-recession real estate market.

According to Tom Travers, Managing Partner at Indigo Real Estate, agents for the development, the core fundamentals of building a successful development in Thailand remain unchanged, but today’s foreign buyers have become far more demanding since the September 2008 advent of the world financial crisis.

He added that Mandala is a prime example of how property developers need to adapt to attract foreign buyers in Phuket’s changing market place.

MRC meeting raises concerns

The Nation
Civic groups, academics and environmental activists yesterday called for the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to revise its 10-year hydropower development plan on the river and its tributaries, saying the current plans would adversely affect millions of lives living downstream.

Representatives from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and China attended the MRC summit in Hua Hin yesterday.

Pianporn Deetes, from the ‘Save the Mekong Coalition’, said the Mekong drought and China’s upstream dam construction demonstrate the need for cooperation among all countries sharing the Mekong River. She urged all countries to share information and forge a cooperative response to work with riverside communities to minimise economic, social and environmental costs.

In accordance with the Mekong River Commission’s current hydropower development plan, China will build four more dams along its section of the river, while 11 more will be constructed on the Thai, Lao and Cambodian portions.

Cambodia claims military victory over Thailand

Bangkok Post
The Thai army has denied Cambodia’s claims that Cambodia has won a victory over Thailand in their border conflict, and that 88 Thai soldiers were killed in clashes along the disputed frontier during the past year.

Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Thai army, says that only three Thai soldiers were killed, and a few more wounded. He was responding to claims made by Gen Chea Dara, the deputy head of Cambodia’s armed forces, who declared that Cambodia had won the war over ownership of the Phreah Vihear Temple, both militarily and diplomatically, thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He also said that more than 50 per cent of the Thai troops stationed along the disputed border had been withdrawn and redeployed to security duties in Bangkok arising out of the current protests and political turmoil there.

— Gazette Editors