Phuket Gazette sponsors Asian Beach Games

PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette has joined forces with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to ensure that the world takes notice every day as Asia’s top athletes battle it out from November 14 to 23 at the 4th Asian Beach Games.

With Governor Nisit Jansomwong encouraging the local community to get involved, both to show that Phuket can still glisten and to ensure the safety of tourists, the SAT and the Gazette have entered into an exclusive Media Partnership Agreement under which the island’s leading news and events organization will use all media at its disposal – print, broadcast, web and aerial – to bring the massive event to sports fans day-by-day and game-by-game.

“We believe that the Phuket Gazette can help promote and enhance the impact of this event – encouraging many people, both Thai and foreign, to be involved,” SAT spokesman Theerawat Sinlapaarcha said on Wednesday.

Regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the event is still in its infancy. The first games were held in 2008, in Bali, Indonesia, before they jumped to Muscat, Oman. Then, in 2012, they were hosted by Haiyang, China.

“This kind of event is relatively new. Beach game competitions aren’t that famous right now. However, if the event goes well, many people living in Phuket and nearby provinces, as well as those visiting from abroad, will have a better appreciation of the games and of Phuket,” said Mr Theerawat.

In addition to the local crowd and regular holidaymakers, the island is expecting an influx of more than 13,000 people from 47 countries to watch or take part in the events.

For more information on how Phuket is preparing for this jumbo among Asian sports tournaments, read the comments of Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong and Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, in town yesterday to assess the island’s readiness in terms of hospitality and visitor safety.

With 26 sports, ranging from air sports to beach basketball, and 168 gold medals up for grabs, the Gazette is proud to represent the island and take the lead in providing up-to-date coverage of the exciting happenings that will soon unfold before us.

Don’t miss the action – Asian Beach Games, November 14-23, Phuket, Thailand.

— Natthaphol Wittayarungrote