Phuket
- Opinion
The 35 billion baht white elephant – Phuket’s light rail
“About the only thing feasible in this rendering is the blue sky.” Spending 35 billion baht on infrastructure that few will use, is planned on the least useful route and will cause mayhem for a 3-5 year build time is a waste of money. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is currently chatting to the private sector and…
- Business News
Some restrictions lifted for superyachts in the region
PHOTO: katarocks.com Thailand is poised to ease rules on bareboat charters as well as introducing new measures to attract more luxury and super yachts into the region. The new measures were laid out in a presentation called “Highlighting Strategies for Attracting Yachts and Improving Safety at Sea” held at the 2019 Thailand Yacht Show and Rendezvous in Phuket. Gordon Fernandes,…
- Food
Phuket’s Top 10 Brunches
Brunch has become a weekend staple on the island and its seems everyone has their own take on this beloved mix of two meals… a chance to slow down, enjoy some amazing food and try a little bit of everything. Whether you want something casual or prefer taking a boat to a private island, Phuket gives you the options to…
- Northern Thailand News
Swiss man accused of overstaying visa and theft charges
by Kamthon Kongsombat PHOTO: Security footage from the Phuket jewelry store in December 2018 – Facebook The Immigration Bureau says they’re going to blacklist and deport a Swiss man who overstayed his visa and is also accused of series of thefts in Nongkhai and Phuket. The Nongkhai deputy immigration police chief Colonel Prasit Somjaiprasong says that Julien Andre Junior Cotting,…
- Phuket News
Australian man found hanged outside home in Thalang
An Australian man has been found hanged outside his house in Thalang. The family of the victim told police that the man had been suffering from extreme stress brought on by financial concerns. He was worried that he might not be able to afford their school tuition and was further affected by his children’s lack of attention and time spent…
- Chiang Mai News
Phuket tram project seeks private sector investment
(The term ‘tram’ and ‘light rail’ are variously used to describe the new public transport project for Phuket.) The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is now inviting the private sector and local administrative bodies to get behind and invest in a mass-transit project in Phuket. The project is valued around 35 billion baht. The next rounds of talks…
- Health
Bare your sole. The benefits of barefoot training.
It’s hard to complain about life when you’re sweating it out with sand between your toes, the tropical sun on your back and the stunning blue of the Andaman ahead of you. It’s a good thing that barefoot training is catching on and becoming more popular with trainers and coaches. Many people are aware that barefoot running has been gaining…
- Things To Do
The Top 10 Beaches in Phuket
Phuket’s beaches have undergone a substantial upgrade since the 2014 military government swept commercial businesses from the sands of west coast Phuket. Little shanty restaurants, the ubiquitous plastic sun lounges and tatty old umbrellas were removed. After the dust settled we’ve now got limited sun lounges and umbrellas for rent along most of the beaches, not all. You’ll still find…
- World News
Top 10 party countdowns for new years eve in Phuket 2019
New years eve is just around the corner. Are you ready? There are lots of options for dinner around the island. But what are you doing after that on December 31?– when the kids go to bed and the adults can go out, where there is bubbly to be found and music to dance to. In case you’re not sure,…
- Thailand News
Child porn and fraud arrests among festive season stings
by Suriya Patathayo “Eight suspects arrested over child pornography charges.” As the annual ‘silly season’ rolls out, immigration police chief Pol Maj-General Surachate Hakpal in Bangkok wanted to make sure we hadn’t forgotten him. In a media scrum yesterday he reported four recent arrests – “Net Idol” fraud suspects, the arrest of an alleged con artist using the lure of…
- Phuket News
Two whale sharks sighted off Kamala Beach
PHOTOS: ชารีพหัวควน VIDEO: Newshawk Phuket Two whale sharks have been spotted off Kamala Beach this week. A Facebook user ‘Niruj Kdtv Kamala’ has posted two photos on his personal facebook with a message reading, “Kamala fishermen have spotted two whale sharks which were swimming with the boat about three nautical miles off Kamala Beach.” Meanwhile, a large whale shark has…
- Phuket News
GoAir expands flights to Phuket with daily operations
Budget passenger carrier GoAir has announced that it is enhancing its operations to Phuket with the launch of daily directly flights from Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru. According to the airline, it expanded the services effective December 22. “At the beginning GoAir started two direct flights per week to Phuket from Delhi, three direct flights per week to Phuket from…
- World News
From condoms to condos – Southeast Asia’s sex tourism journey
by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com “One thing I can assure them is that business will never be the same. Never.” This is a story that has all the epic elements of military power, big oil, sleaze, real estate, greed and ultimately transformation. Southeast Asia’s sex tourism journey on a broad scale goes back to the 1960’s and the Vietnam War.…
- Opinion
OPINION – The devil is in the detail. Phuket tourism
“Last year Phuket International Airport hosted a record number of passenger arrivals both on overseas and domestic flights exceeding 8.4 million.” – Bill Barnett, c9hotelworks.com An article appeared this week providing a misleading, dare I say ‘fake’, impression about the current tourist situation in Phuket. Given the highly selective and well-timed photos you would think that Phuket has been deserted…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s most romantic dinner at Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa
A Unique Experience – Amy Bensema Looking for a memorable dining experience while in Phuket? Today, we had the chance to dine at Nakalay Beachfront Dining by Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa. The dining experience offers up the chance to enjoy a unique romantic beachfront dinner in an idyllic setting. Perfect for couples seeking a romantic evening by the…
- Phuket News
Number of tourists visiting Phuket still high – TAT Phuket
In response to a number of completely fabricated negative stories about Phuket’s current tourism situation, Kanokkittika Kritwuttikorn, the director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office says, “Number of tourists visiting Phuket is still good when compared to last year’s numbers. We’ve also spoken to many regional tour operators who say that bookings are ‘solid’ for this time of…
- Phuket News
Two races on Day One of Phuket King’s Cup
The 32nd Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was off to a flying start yesterday with a strong breeze of up to 17 knots, allowing race organisers to hold two races in all classes off the southern part of Phuket. In the top flight IRC Zero Class – for the slick, stripped down racing keelboats – Australian Ray Roberts and his crew…
- Phuket News
Lost and found – 64 year old French tourist
A French male tourist, who yesterday became lost with his son, has now been found. Last night Karon Police were notified that at around 5pm a Frenchman, 64 year old Paillereau Jean Michel, had become lost. Karon Police reported that he and his son were driving on different motorbikes heading from Phuket Town to the Thalang area. His son told…
- Phuket News
Phuket surf lifesavers wrap up local comp at Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Phuket Lifeguard Service Phuket Surf Life Saving Competition has wrapped up its seventh successful event at Patong Beach, Phuket. This year there were 19 teams for Open men’s and women’s divisions and 13 teams for Youth Boys and Girls. The winners of the event were The Zemberles Life Saving Team from The Philippines. Second place went to locals, the Nai…
- Thailand News
Influx of Indian tourists expected over the next decade
PHOTO: LookEast Magazine Tourism from India will increase markedly over the next ten years. This prediction from the head of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Wichit Prakorpkoson. By 2028 he says he expects 10 million Indian visitors each year. About Chinese tourism, the ATTA chief say he expected the numbers to slow from previous trends but there will still be 20…
- Phuket News
Phuket officials rush to control the scores of accidents in Thepkrasattri Road, Thalang
PHOTO: The Phuket PR Office More than 30 motorists since last week have been injured in an accident on part of the Thepkrasattri Road which is under construction in Thalang. Phuket officials are well aware of the issue and have moved swiftly to solve the problem. The part of the construction on Highway No. 402 (Thepkrasattri Road) is a 4…
- Phuket News
Drive Thru Immigration service officially launched
The Phuket Immigration Office yesterday officially launched a Drive Thru Service to help solve crowding problems in the main offices and the lack of parking spaces. The acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Phuket Immigration Office Chief Col Kathathorn Kamthieng led the officially launch ceremony for ‘Immigration Drive Thru Service’ yesterday. Col Kathathorn says, “The number of foreigners…
- Phuket News
Phuket China Travel Conference on Thursday
A strategic hospitality event titled The 360° China Travel Market Conference is taking place this Thursday, November 22 in Phuket. The Duangjitt Resort in Patong is the venue, and a wide variety of leading China specialists will be on stage. Currently the slowdown of the Mainland Chinese sector is one of the key challenges facing the island’s tourism industry and certainly…
- Phuket News
Laguna Phuket Triathlon road closures
PHOTO: TAT The Laguna Phuket Triathlon is on today and roads around Laguna, and surrounding areas, are going to be blocked off at times as the runners and riders make their way around local public roads. The race organisers have sent riders and runners out onto the island’s main artery. Thepkasattri road is by far the busiest road that suffers…
- Food
New additions to the Thailand Michelin foodie guide
by Khetsirin Pholdhampalit Thai street food eatery Jay Fai has retained its one Michelin star for the second consecutive year and the legendary Thai restaurant Methavalai Sorndaeng is among the new 10 additions to have been awarded one star, according to the announcement of eateries making it the second edition of Michelin Guide Bangkok. No restaurant has achieved the coveted…
- Phuket News
Boats being banned in Phoenix salvage zone
The Phuket Marine office is warning boats to be careful when navigating around the area where the Phoenix salvage operations are underway of Koh Her, south-west of Phuket. “The Phoenix salvage operations are underway until at least November 15 south off Koh Hei at 7º42’14.6″ North, 98º23’06.9″ East.” The announcement states that, for the best chances of boat recovery and safety,…
- Phuket News
Canadian tourist in hospital after falling from an elephant ride
Chalong Police have headed to the scene of an incident at an elephant camp near Nark Kerd Hill in Chalong at 2.15pm yesterday. Police and rescue workers arrived to find a 38 year old female Canadian tourist who has sustained left leg injuries and was taken to the Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Wirawit Pakprom, the elephant’s mahout, told police that the…
- Phuket News
“Phoenix to be raised in five days” – says Surachate Hakparn
For now, the Phoenix sits 45 meters underwater in the Andaman Sea, south west of Phuket, off Koh Racha After the contracted salvage team threw in the towel trying to recover the Phoenix, the Marine Office says the police have taken over the project to bring the sunken vessel back to the surface. The police say it’s a necessary piece…
- Phuket News
Central Floresta and overpass officially opened
The ‘soft’ opening for the new Central Floresta was on September 10. Now the new shopping centre has had its official endorsement. The Thai Minister of Transport yesterday officially opened the Central Floresta and walkway, linking Central Festival and Floresta. The opening ceremony was lheaded up by the Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, the Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat and Wallaya Chirathivat,…
- Phuket News
9 years of providing Phuket’s lifeguards comes to an end
PHOTO: Constant training and up-skilling was at the core of the Phuket Lifeguard Service The nine year relationship between the Phuket Lifeguard Service and the Phuket provincial and Thesaban administrators is over. The contract for providing professional lifesavers at Patong beach, the final beach under their watchful eye, finished yesterday. Speaking to the MD of the Phuket Lifeguard Service Company,…
