Vol.2 No.6

Vol.2 No.6 - December 2011 www.theguidephuket.com

www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

No one sleeps closer to Patong Beach than our guests.

Impiana Resort Patong Phuket Patong Beach

Maps

Diving

Tours

Things to do

Sukko Spa

Places to go

Shopping

Blue Elephant Restaurant

Accommodation

Restaurants and Much, Much More...

THE BEST INVESTMENT IN PHUKET, FAIRWAY VIEWS

Ready to move in Swimming Pool Gym Rooftop Garden 2 Glass Passenger Lifts 100% Phuket Country Club View Starting from 4.4 M.Baht : 99 Sq.m.

Tel. 084-543 543 5, 076-319 194 9.00-19.00 everyday E-mail: kathu-golfcondo@hotmail.com www.kathu-golf-condo-phuket.com

Phuket Country Club

Kathu Golf Condo

Central Festival Phuket

Kathu Golf Condo close to Phuket Country Club, Vichitsongkram Rd., Kathu, Phuket www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

www.theguidephuket.com

Phuket’s Coolest Bar and Restaurant Cool food – Cool drinks - Cool sounds - Cool vibes

14 Moo 5 Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130 Thailand Tel. +66 (0)76 371 900 Fax. +66 (0)76 613831 E-mail: east88@serenityphuket.com www.serenityphuket.com www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

Contents

22

LifeStyle

The Guide Social Getting to Know...

Petchtumrong Longthong Life’s a Beach The Night Crawler Shopper’s Delight

8 13 14 17 52

Watersports & Activities Hot Activities Day Tripper Aphrodite Cabaret Show

28

10 26 28

Hotels & Accommodation Phuket Pulse Hotel Highlights Mai Khao Keeps on Rocking!

16 20 22

Food & Restaurants In the Kitchen with... Capannina Restaurant Highlights Let’s do Brunch!

Wine Dinner

30 32 36 38

Health & Beauty Spa Highlights The Benefits of Fasting & Detoxing Sukko Cultural Spa

41 42 46

Property

46

Property Buyer Guide

Timetable

Star Phuket Media & Design Limited Partnership 65/573, Moo 2, T. Vichit A. Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel. +66 (0) 76 513 064, Fax: +66 (0) 76 513 016 E-mail: info@theguidephuket.com, www. theguidephuket.com Managing Director:

Consulting Editor:

Graphic Designer:

Advertising:

48

Punnaporn Eamso Guinault info@theguidephuket.com Mobile: 089 474 4704 Barry Daniel editor@theguidephuket.com Design 457 Studio media@theguidephuket.com info@theguidephuket.com Tel. 076 513 064 Mobile: 089 474 4704

Bangkok Airways Timetable

55

Thai Airways Timetable

57

Important Telephone Numbers Transport on the Island

55 56

Map Kata - Karon

48

Phuket Island

50

Patong

53

The Guide Phuket is an exciting publication aimed at providing tourists and local ex-pats easy access to key information on Phuket. The Guide Phuket will cater to the needs of all, including the most up to date details on places of interest, where to travel, where to stay, where to dine, the best places for entertainment, dining and relaxation, in addition to business services, information and contacts.

The Guide Phuket is published monthly and distributed to Bangkok Airways Lounge (Suvanabhumi International Airport and Phutket International Airport), Thai Airways Lounge, major resorts in Phuket region, restaurants, spas, travel agents and car rental. Please direct all editorial enquiries and contributions to info@theguidephuket.com.

Blu Night Exclusive Party at Radisson Blu Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach on 28th October 2011

New Zealand Sampler Table Event at Blue Elephant Restaurant, Phuket Town on 14th November 2011

Colorization Night at B-Lay Tong Phuket, MGallery Patong Beach on 1st November 2011

Lift Off Splash and flash in to the high season with East 88 Beach Lounge & 91.5 fm Radio at Serenity Resort & Residences on 6th November 2011

1st Anniversary of Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket on 3rd November 2011

Opening Party Boathouse Phuket Resort on the beach on 9th November 2011 www.theguidephuket.com

Sala annual staff party 2011 at Sofa Pub Phuket Town on 6th November 2011

Andaman Travel Trade 2011, Press Conference at Royal Phuket City on 17th November 2011

Tasting of Prestige Austrian Wines at La Trattoria Restaurant, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket on 1st November 2011

Loy Krathong Festival at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket on 10th November 2011

Halloween Night at Two Chefs Kata Center on 31st October 2011

A Taste of Russian Cuisine@Spice House, Central Festival Phuket on 1st November 2011

Regional Border Committee Thai - Malaysia visited Phuket FantaSea www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

10 / Watersports & Activities

Blue Elephant Cooking School

B

lue Elephant Cooking School has recently opened its Phuket branch where you can participate in one of our world famous cooking classes. Learn how to cook Royal Thai Cuisine with experienced chefs who will take you step-bystep through each recipe. Enjoy a tour around the local market where we will show you what are the popular ingredients of Thai food. When the cooking is all over you can sit and enjoy all of you hard work.

Morning and afternoon classes are available starting from 2,800 THB++ per person.

Hot Activities Kata Yoga

Phuket Fantasea

H

T

his is Phuket’s Mega show; it’s a cultural spectacle on the grandest of scales, complete with armies of warriors, vast troupes of dancing girls and elephants that literally rise up into the sky.

The show takes place in the evening with a delightful dinner buffet. The park is the perfect family destination, rain or shine, offering a wonderful walking street with loads of traditional Thai handicrafts and colorful souvenir shops, exciting outdoor shows, fun arcade games and a tempting variety of delicious local foods.

Located at Kamala Beach, mini buses run back and forth picking up customers from their hotels.

ot yoga, the most popular yoga for men and women. It is the best 90 minutes workout, toning your muscles and getting you in shape fast! Beginners are welcome and it’s challenging for advanced practitioners, your instructor will guide you through the postures to provide you with the best workout ever. Sweat, detox and lose fat. No more stress, aches and pains. Kata Hot Yoga class is like a gas station, you gain energy instead of losing it. After the class you will feel amazing with a big smile full of vitality, wanting to come back for more. Get a healthy mind and a healthy body. Kata Yoga studio at the beach in Kata.

NOW 4 CLASSES DAILY 8.00-9.30 10.00-11.30 17.15-18.45 19.15-20.45

www.blueelephant.com

www.katahotyoga.com

www.phuket-fantasea.com

100% SAFETY

FOR YOUR ENTIRE PLEASURE

Viset Rd.

ENSURED BY HIGH-SKILLED AND PROFESSIONALLY CERTIFIED INSTALLATIONS OPERATORS TRAINED

BY FRENCH SPECIALISTS CHALONG PIER

as

t

Patak Rd.

Chao Fah Road - West

-E hR d.

Fa ao Ch

CHALONG TEMPLE

TO TOWN

TO RAWAI BEACH

HOME PRO VILLAGE

PHUNAKA GOLF THAINAAN RESTAURANT

TO TOWN

HIGHEST tree climbing in ASIA. Only Park in ASIA offering the cable and net technologies.

CENTRAL FESTIVAL

TO KATA BEACH KARON BEACH

LUANG PU SU PA TEMPLE

TO KATU

Tel. / Fax : 076 383 689 Mobile : +66 081 536 8909 info@xtremadventuresphuket.com www.xtremadventuresphuket.com www.theguidephuket.com

Lifestyle / 11

The Haunted Mine

A journey down the mine, but there’s only gold for fools. This is a ride into the fire-filled depths of the earth and beyond...ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK…!

Cosmic Coaster

This futuristic voyage will transport you to another planet! Speed through landscapes that you’ve never seen before, as you’re thrown from the highest cliffs, plummeting to the depths of an unknown, alien world...

Jett and Jin

Snow Ride

Cosmic Race

Journey thru the Center of the Earth

Join Jett and his cat Jin as they snap into their self-made jet-packs and take off to make it in time for school. Feel the adrenaline pumping as you blast off with them.

Outflank those cars as you fly by on the highway. Experience the thrills of this explosive adventure and above all: don’t be late for school!

Become a racing car driver and take part in an incredible race where you will feel an influx of adrenaline when flying at maximum speed through the streets of this futuristic city.

Race through snowcovered mountains, over shaky narrow bridges and through dangerous bat caves. This is one wild, icy ride that will give you both thrills and chills.

This exciting new film follows adventurers as you are plunged into a strange new world beneath the Earth’s surface where you embark on an amazing voyage and find incredible beauty amidst grave danger.

www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

12 / Watersports & Activities

Tawan Sea Adventures

T

awan Sea Adventures is Phuket’s newest fun activity on the water.

Cruises amongst the famous sights of Phang Nga bay from your RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) and enjoy the bursts of speed when the boat will thrill you and ensure you go home with a big smile !

Safe yet great fun, these new boats are the activity you must not miss during your stay in Phuket. Contact our sales department for more information: sales@tawanseadventures.com or call 0818943234 (English/French) or 0898712176 (Thai/English).

www.tawanseadventures.com

www.theguidephuket.com

Hot Activities XD Theater

S

T

Xtrem Aventure Phuket

tep into the future with Phuket’s latest attraction; an 8 seat 4D motion ride. Choose a movie, slip on your glasses and be prepared to be whisked away on a journey to space or beyond.

The moving chairs enhance the thrills of the 3D visuals making you feel you really are in a land undiscovered.

We rode on the Cosmic Coaster which is a roller coaster set on another planet taking you through landscapes, plummeting off cliffs into cosmic lands.

This virtual world is open to all ages and the shows run every 10 minutes, so step inside and let your imagination run wild.

he latest harnesses and safety equipment, receive expert training and briefing, and then take on the 69 different treetop challenges of the Xtrem Aventure Park. All the installations are assessed by an independent professional company and checks are regularly performed by a botanical expert to preserve the health of the trees.

With sites suitable for every age from four years and up, Xtremaventures Phuket is located near Big Buddha and Luang Pu Suppha Temple on Chaofa Road, just five minutes drive from Chalong Circle. Tel./ Fax : +66 (0)76 383 689 Mobile : +66 (0)81 536 8909

www.xdtheater.thai-best.com

www. xtremadventuresphuket.com

Lifestyle / 13

Getting to Know...

Petchtumrong Longthong Executive Manager of Margarita Bar

I

t’s 7:30pm on a bustling Friday evening on the corner of Soi Bangla and Rat-U-Thit Road in the heart of Patong and Khun Petchtumrong Longthong is watching the passing throng outside the Margarita Bar and Music Pub. That’s where we caught up with up Khun Petch and asked him a few questions.

The Margarita Bar is a Patong icon….how did you achieve that status?

I think we have a reliable formula based on three simple things.

We offer great live music in a friendly fun environment. We are situated at the very heart of the nightlife scene in the busiest part of Patong, and our prices on food and drink are very reasonable, so you can spend the evening enjoying yourself with us without spending a great deal.

In addition, we are also a couples’ bar, so if you are traveling with your wife or girlfriend you don’t need to worry about being pestered by bar girls and the like. Also if you are a sports fan we are an excellent venue to watch Formula One or the latest Premier League match on our jumbo-sized screen and a we have a great sound system and uncluttered sight lines throughout the venue. Alternatively you can shoot some pool while you are quaffing you drinks amidst the evening’s happy throng.

Please tell us about your new venture – the “Summer Wind” club and restaurant.

We have taken space in the new complex being developed which runs from Soi Bangla in an L-shape up to Rat-U-Thit Road opposite Junceylon. It will be an amazing space with a huge new shopping

Upstairs will be our new nightclub with a stage and great sound system for nightly live music performances. center and an abundance of bars, clubs and restaurants and people will be able to walk right through and it even has underground there parking.

We have taken a big space at the entrance to the new mall at the Rat-U-Thit end and in early December we’ll open a two storey club and restaurant named “Summer Wind” – an open sala-style design inviting the island’s winds into it.

On the ground floor will be our new restaurant which will be open from lunch until 2am. We will serve salads, sandwiches and burgers for lunch and in the evening a more sophisticated European

menu with seafood and a good wine and drinks selection. The key will be a relaxed feeling and very competitive pricing. We are surrounded here with so many restaurants that we have to be competitive to succeed, so we will be all about good value for money.

Upstairs will be our new nightclub with a stage and great sound system for nightly live music performances. The emphasis will be on reggae and Latin and salsa and we will have an eleven piece house band. We will also have visiting bands on a regular basis and Job 2 Do will be early guests.

There’s a great people-watching perimeter bar overlooking the new walking soi below us and loungers with deep cushions at the other end of the club where you can chill out, or watch sports on the giant video screen above this area.

We are aiming for great customer friendliness and you will be able to buy food downstairs and then wander upstairs to the club and eat it.

What’s the best part of your job?

Undoubtedly the people that I meet!

Working at Margarita Bar and the new “Summer Wind” gives me great opportunity to hunker down at one of our streetside tables with a frosty beer and indulge in the endless pleasures of people watching. This is the most fantastic location to do this…certainly in Phuket and possibly in the known universe!

Margarita Bar and the new Summer Wind Club Soi Bangla, Patong Beach Email: petch_margarita@yahoo.com www.margaritaphuket.com www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

14 / Lifestyle

Life’s a Beach

W

ith a vast array of different beaches on Phuket’s coastline why stick to just the one nearest your hotel? Take a look here at the choices available.

Mai Khao Beach

North of the airport is a beach to really get away from it all. Mai Khao beach is very, very long, and very straight, so it misses the cozy feeling enjoyed by many of the other beaches on the island, but the sand and water here are just as stunning plus it’s almost empty! The place feels deserted even during high season when the beach umbrellas are five deep on Patong.

Nai Yang Beach

Just south of the airport is Nai Yang, a charming beach with a unique atmosphere all of its own. With just a scattering of hotels and bars to entertain the few that stay there, Nai Yang is as relaxed as they get.

Ever dreamed of eating seafood right on the beach? This is your spot.

Nai Thon Beach

A little further south from Nai Yang is Nai Thon, possessing a similar feel to its big brother, Nai Thon has long been a favorite with the regular visitors to the island. This quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills has a fine strip of sand and a handful of pleasant eateries are situated just off the beach.

Layan Beach

This is a small and relatively unknown beach, nestled in a shallow bay at the northern end of Bang Tao. You get there by following the small road that winds right through the back holes of the Banyan Tree Golf Club. Layan Beach is more of a bay than a beach, and although very picturesque the water is quite shallow; great for families but if you fancy a real swim it’s not the place to go.

Bang Tao Beach

Bang Tao Beach has in recent years seen a lot of development with many 5-star luxury resorts in the area but the beach remains very pleasant. At certain times of the year swimming can be dangerous due to the strong tides. At the northern end of the beach the coral creates good opportunities for snorkeling. www.theguidephuket.com

Surin Beach

Surin Beach is located between Bang Tao and Kamala beach. It is one of most beautiful beaches on the island with fine white sand and emerald sea. The beach can have rather strong winds which make it ideal for windsurfing. A lot of popular resorts surround this beach.

Laem Singh Beach

Laem Singh Beach is small and very popular; it is located between Surin and Kamala. To reach the beach you need to walk down a short, rocky trail that is clearly signposted. If you are lucky and it’s not too crowded then Leam Sing Beach is absolutely stunning.

Kamala Beach

Kamala is a 3-kilometer long beach situated in the middle of Phuket’s west coast which has undergone recent developments to its main street, but the beach remains largely unchanged. Behind the beach lies a growing village with two distinct communities; Buddhists by the beach and Muslims further back at the foot of the encompassing mountain range.

Patong Beach

The most famous beach on the island is the center of entertainment, restaurants, shopping and hotels.

Patong is indeed a famous beach with beautiful soft sands and warm clear water.

But right behind the beach is the hustle and bustle at the center of Phuket’s tourism business. Here the hotels, restaurants, entertainment and bar areas, street bazaars and shops are crammed in a colorful and lively mix that typifies a Thai tourist beach town.

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is a little beach just 5 minutes south of Patong. To get there follow a small cement road up to the hill through the jungle. It is a nice small beach with white, soft sand and large rocks flanking either side.

Karon Beach

Karon is another of the beautiful, west-coast beaches that have made Phuket famous. This beach is the first main stop south of Patong, and is separated from Patong by a large headland. A quick 10 minute drive connects the two.

Kata Beach

Kata is certainly one of the most beautiful of Phuket’s beaches; a half-moon crescent of white sand lining a bay cut deep between two green headlands. Crystal clear waters and soft coral offers excellent snorkeling and just outside the bay lies a small rounded island that seems to wave its coconut haircut to those on the beach.

Kata Noi Beach

Just south of Kata Beach is Kata Noi, a smaller beach with only a few hotels and little other development. The beach is superb for snorkeling as many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the headland to the south.

Ao Sane Beach

Ao Sane beach is a small bay and is located to the north of Nai Harn beach. To get to this beach you need to go through The Royal Phuket Yacht Club. Ao Sane is a very small, rocky beach but it is peaceful.

Nai Harn Beach

Nai Harn is one of the more isolated beaches, nestled at the southern tip of the island in a bay defined by headlands and islets. The beach is backed by the green of Casuarina trees and coconut palms, acting as shade to the restaurants that now line the beach.

Yanui Beach

Yanui Beach is a small bay, 10 minutes north from Leam Phrom Thep. It offers kayaking and snorkeling with equipment hire, both off the beach itself and around the small island about 500 meters distant.

The beach is not so long and the sand is beautifully soft and rarely crowded. It is also a favorite bathing and sunbathing location.

Ao Yon Beach

Ao Yon is another peaceful beach ideally suited for watching the sunset. It is located near Cape Panwa, 10km from Phuket Town. Although quiet with beautiful emerald sea this beach is not really suitable for bathing or relaxing as the bay is usually full of boats and yachts.

Lifestyle / 15

Kata Hot Yoga 4X Now Has Classes Four Times a Day

Where is Phuket’s famous hot yoga studio?

It is located opposite the Boathouse and Kata Beach Resort just twenty steps away from the beautiful beach.

How does it work?

Each 90 minute session takes place in the studio furnished with mirrors and radiant heat panels which are specialy designed for hot yoga. This not only helps with your flexibility and performance of the postures, but also makes you sweat and detoxify.

What happens in each class?

Each class offers a carefully-crafted system of 26 postures and two breathing exercises led by a highly qualified teacher.

Each 90 minute session is divided into two halves…firstly standing exercises and then a series of floor postures.

What will hot yoga do for me?

You will watch the transformation to a stronger, slimmer, suppler version of yourself within just a few classes. The changes in your body happen very quickly. You’ll also find your mind becoming calmer, clearer and positive.

So why should I do hot yoga?

Kata hot yoga delivers the best possible version of yourself you can be. It works wonders for each individual whether you are 60 or 16….No matter your age or level of experience you are made very welcome and will discover a “new you”.

Put Kata Hot yoga on your “must do” list whether you are a visitor to Phuket or reside here.

Kata hot yoga 217, Khoktanod Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100 Tel. +66 (0)76 605 950 www.katahotyoga.com

www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

16 / Lifestyle

Erich Friedl is the new GM at Naka Island Resort

Luxury Collection’s exclusive new Naka Island’s Resort and Spa has announced seasoned hotelier Erich Friedl as their new General Manager.

He brings over 20 years of hospitality experience, much of it gained in Thailand, to the all-villa resort which is the only one on Naka Island lying just off the coast of Phuket.

Outrigger to take over Phi Phi Island Resort

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts will manage the idyllic Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa as its third hotel property in Thailand. The resort will continue to operate under its current name, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa, until November, 2012, at which time it will be rebranded as “Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa. Thirty-eight new villas will be built over the next year, bringing the total in the resort to 150. Renovations worth US$1.7 million will also be made to the property to align it with Outrigger’s brand standards prior to its relaunch in November, 2012.

Indigo Pearl’s Coqoon Spa is honored

Indigo Pearl’s Bill Bensleydesigned Coqoon Spa has won the Design of the Year Award at the prestigious AsiaSpa Awards 2011 held at The Mira Hotel in Hong Kong.

The Coqoon Spa, which opened in February 2011 received recognition for its uniquely styled “Garden of Eden” design concept. The Spa Design of the Year represents the fourth award Indigo Pearl has won this year for its innovative design.

Boathouse Resort reopens on Kata Beach

The legendary Boathouse resort has re-opened on Kata Beach with its 37 rooms and suites and many of its communal areas and surroundings totally renovated. The upgrade is the result of an extensive five month, $US 6 million refurbishment in which renowned French designer Fredo Taffin artfully combined the existing classical www.theguidephuket.com

architectural symmetry with a modern chic design to create the ultimate beachfront living experience.

British Business Association of Phuket hold Xmas Brunch

The British Business Association of Phuket is holding its much anticipated annual Christmas Brunch at the Hilton Arcadia Beach Resort, Karon Beach on Sunday December 4th. This is a favorite day out for all the family, with music, clowns, face painting and of course a visit from Santa as well as The Hilton’s famous Sunday Brunch that lasts well into the afternoon.

Anatara opens a new resort

Located on Koh Phangan Island, Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa is an absolutely stunning resort boasting 44 private pool suites and villas nestled amongst a natural tropical background where lush greenery meets the sea. It has all the luxuries you’d expect at an Anantara resort including unique Dine By Design and a famous Anantara Spa.

Holiday Inn Promotions

Family Retreat Promotion Overview: The ultimate treat for you and your family. The package includes one night’s stay in a Deluxe Garden view room with breakfast buffet for two people and a resort credit of THB1,000 per day and free internet access.

The resort credit can be redeemed at Restaurants and Bar, Tea Tree Spa and the Resort Center.

Rate: Rate starts from THB 4,649++ Validity: Valid from 1 November – 19 December 2011

Wedding Package Overview: A “Stay Romantic” wedding package can be arranged in both Western style and traditional Thai style, on the beachfront or in the garden. The package includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe Ocean-Facing Room, complimentary breakfast and various trimmings for an international-style wedding ceremony – including a flower arch, bridal bouquet and a wedding cake.

Rate: Starting at THB75,000 net per couple Validity: This package is valid from now until 31 October 2012.

Lifestyle / 17

The NighT crawler PATONG

Margarita; With live music every night this open air bar creates a great atmosphere located at the top of Bangla Road. For enthusiasts of live music performed with an Irish flavour, Patong offers a few lively Irish pub options. Scruffy Murphy’s on Soi Bangla is the place for chilled Guinness, good pub food and nightly live music. If you are on Beach Road head over to Molly Malone’s which has a similar offering with outside seating.

The new night life venue which just opened in November is the trendy Factory Bar on Soi Bangla.

With a chic industrial theme, a huge bar, great cocktails and cool sounds ranging from R&B to House to Techno.

SURIN BEACH

Situated along the north end of Surin Beach, Catch Beach Club is a fashionable eatery with cool music, a chic outdoor cocktail bar and a wonderful seafood buffet. Catch often features international musicians performing their own compositions, plus visiting DJ’s and regularly throws some of the island’s most amazing parties full of beautiful people.

IndoChine Surin Beach Club and Stereo Lab is at the southern end of Surin and has recently joined forces with the famous IndoChine group to launch one of the hippest late night spots on Phuket. It usually gets busier later in the evening but is also a great place to go for an early evening drink and to catch the sunset. The décor is outstanding featuring a beach bar with white rattan chairs and tables and they offer a full bar, a wine cellar and a tapas menu.

KARON & KATA

Coming up from Karon Beach and the traffic circle, take the first soi on the left and you’ll fund a veritable warren of fun bars. The Terrace Bar is an upstairs bar on the corner and is a great people-watching spot.

On the opposite side there is a handful of bars with well priced drinks, chaotic music, friendly hostesses and good humor.

For a quieter pint try Angus O’Toole’s Irish pub on the left at the end of the soi, serving international beers and all-day pub food. There’s no ear-splitting music, but they show all the sports on the huge screens, have the day’s newspapers and offer a genuine cozy pub atmosphere. www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

18 / Lifestyle

Celebrate Christmas Eve At The Cove Restaurant Enjoy live music, carol singing and spectacular entertainment throughout the night with Santa Claus.

Saturday, 24th December 2011 from 7pm For more information please contact 076 201 234

Christmas Eve 2011 at IndoChine Saturday, 24 December 2011 Christmas’s Eve Gala Dinner - THB 2,500 net per person.

Come and join us to celebrate your extraordinary Christmas!!!

Indulge in our four courses of set menu dinner and includes free flow of white / red wine and sparking wine from 19:00pm - 22:00pm.

Call: 076 380 860, 081 895 1375

The Guide Phuket Recommends

Celebrate New Year Eve At Davinci Ristorante Pizzeria & Lounge Bar Chill The Night Away With Live Music From Max and Fireworks.

6 Course Dinner – Thb 3,500+ Kids make their own Pizza - Kids Menu – Thb 660+ Saturday, 31st December 2011 Please contact 086 947 5197 www.davinciphuket.com

Phuket Town

Blue Elephant Royal Thai Cuisine Restaurant Tel.076 354 355-7 Aphrodite Cabaret Tel. 076 612 888

Patong

Whitebox Restaurant & Bar Tel.076 346 271, 067 680 410 IndoChine Phuket Tel. 076 380 860, 081 895 1375 The 9th floor Restaurant 076 344 311, 081 079 2699 www.theguidephuket.com

Celebrate Christmas Eve At Margarita Bar live Music Free Shooter free entrance all night Start: 6.00pm- till your Drop!

Soi Bangla, Patong Beach Call: 080 699 2629

Full Moon & Brew work 076 366 753

Kamala

Phuket FantaSea 076 385 000

Kata Karon

Capannina Restaurant 076 284 318 Two Chefs Kata 076 284 155 Two Chefs Kata Center 076 330 065 Two Chef Karon 076 286 479

Lifestyle / 19

They say that Christmas comes but

once a year....

but it doesn’t half stay for a long time!

I

f you are tired of seeing Christmas adverts from early October and Christmas sales until February, then you will be pleasantly surprised with how things are celebrated here in Thailand.

Despite being a predominantly Buddhist country, Christmas does have its place in Thailand, although largely for commercial and nostalgic reasons. Thais don’t need a special reason to get festive as they are renowned for their capacity to take pleasure in the moment. The more fun the better, this is the Thai way and of course the local foreign community celebrate the season with the same zest as they would back home, sometimes too much zest!

Many of the typical festive themes are seen throughout Phuket in the restaurants, bars and hotels and many of the staff in these establishments will be wearing the obligatory Santa’s hat. You will find many will be serving traditional Christmas dinner; the local Christian community will undertake carolling, you’ll hear Christmas songs and see Christmas trees in the shopping malls, pretty much the only thing you won’t see is a white Christmas, unless you count the crashing waves on the island’s beaches.

Christmas is only the beginning of the holiday season, with New Year coming hard on its heels which is very heartily celebrated in Thailand.

The Thais actually celebrate three New Years each year....the other two being the Chinese New Year and then in April Thai New Year. And all three are celebrated in style.

However you choose to celebrate the season you’re in the right place; we hope you have a joyous occasion!

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20 / Hotels & Accommodation

Hotel Highlights PATONG

Amari Coral Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 340 106-14 Andaman Beach Suites Hotel +66 (0) 76 341 879-83 B-Lay Tong +66 (0) 76 344 999 Banthai Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 340 850 Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong +66 (0) 7634 9800-7 Deevana Patong Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 341 414-5 Duangjitt Resort & Spa + 66 (0) 76 342 090-4, 340 310-1 Le MĂŠridien Phuket Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 340 680-5 Holiday Inn Resort Phuket +66 (0) 76 340 608-9 Horizon Beach Resort Hotel +66 (0) 76 292 526-30

Sawaddi Patong Resort +66 (0) 76 343 444

Patong Resort Hotel +66 (0) 76 340 551-4 www.patongresorthotel.com

Phuket Orchid Resort +66 (0) 76 396 519-23

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket +66 (0) 76 201 234 www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cpbr Ramada Phuket Southsea +66 (0) 76 370 888 The Front Village +66 (0) 76 398 200-5

KATA BEACH

Alpina Phuket Nalina Resort and Spa +66 (0) 76 370 999

The Royal Paradise Hotel +66 (0) 76 340 666 www.royalparadise.com

Impiana Resort Patong, Phuket +66 (0) 76 340 138 www.impiana.com BluEco Hotel +66 (0) 76 333 315 www.thebluecophuket.com

The 9th Floor Residence +66 (0) 76 344 987 www.roomsatthe9th.com Merlin Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 294 300 www.merlinphuket.com Mercure Patong +66 (0) 76 302100 Novotel Phuket Resort +66 (0) 76 342 777 Patong Bay Garden Resort +66 (0) 76 292 914-5 Patong Merlin Hotel +66 76-340 037-41 Patong Paragon Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76-290-555 Royal Pawadee Village Hotel +66 (0) 76 344-622 Safari Beach Hotel +66 (0) 76 341 171-4 Salathai Resort +66 (0) 76 296 631

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The Nap Patong +66 (0) 76 296 631-4 Thara Patong Beach Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76-340 520

KARON BEACH

Hilton Phuket Arcadia +66 76 396038-44 Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 284 555 Karon Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 330 006-8 Karon Sea Sands Resort +66 (0) 76 286 464 Karona Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 286 406-10 MĂśvenpick Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 396 139-48 www.moevenpick-phuket.com Marina Phuket +66 (0) 76 330 497

Capannina Inn +66 (0) 76 284 450 www.phuket-capannina-inn.com Club Med +66 (0) 76 330 455-60 Ibis Phuket Kata Hotel +66 (0) 2 659 2888 Kata Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 330 530-4 Kata Plam Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 284 334-8 Katathani Phuket Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 330 124 Sugar Palm Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 284 404 The Beach Boutique House +66 (0) 76 333 113

Hotels & Accommodation / 21 RAWAI BEACH & Nai Harn

All Season Naiharn Phuket Hotel + 66 (0) 76 289 333 Friendship Bungalow +66 (0) 76 288 996 Goden Tulip Mangosteen Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 289 399

Two Chefs Bungalows +66 (0) 76 284 155 www.twochefs-phuket.com

Sala Phuket Resort and Spa +66 (0) 76 338 888 www.salaphuket.com

BANG TAO BEACH

Amora Beach Resort Phuket +66 (0) 76 324 021-2 Bangtao Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 270680-5 Banyan Tree Phuket +66 (0) 76 324 374 Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel +66 (0) 76 324 324 Mรถvenpick Residence +66 (0) 76 396 139 Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort & Villas +66 (0) 76 336 900 Laguna Beach Resort Phuket +66 (0) 76 324 352

SURIN BEACH

Amanpuri +66 (0) 76 324 333 Ayara Hilltops Boutique Resort&Spa +66 (0) 76 271 271 Courtyard Phuket at Surin Beach +66 (0) 76 303 300 The Surin Phuket +66 (0) 76 621 580

Twinpalms Phuket +66 (0) 76 316 500 www. twinpalms-phuket .com

KAMALA BEACH

Aquamarine Resort & Villa +66 (0) 76 310 600 Cape Sienna +66 76 337 300 Kamala Beach Estate +66 (0) 76 324 111-4 Kamala Beach Hotel & Resort +66 (0) 76 279 580-5

Maikhao

Serenity Resort & Residences +66 (0) 76 371 900 www.serenityphuket.com The Evason Phuket +66 (0) 76 381 010-7 The Vijitt Resort Phuket +66 (0) 76 363 600 The Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club +66 (0) 76 381 360-6

NAIYANG & Naithorn

Dewa Phuket +66 (0) 76 372 300 Indigo Pearl +66 (0) 76 327 006-9 Naithon Buri Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 318 700 Naiyang Beach Resort +66 (0) 76 328 300 Trisara +66 (0) 76 310 100

Anantara Phuket +66 (0) 76 336 100 Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 363 999 JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 205 379-80 Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Maikhao Beach +66 (0) 76 603 699

CAPE PANWA

Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket +66 (0) 76 391 123-5 The Kantary Bay Hotel, Phuket +66 (0) 76 391 514 Radisson Resort Phuket Panwa Beach +66 (0) 76 602 500 Sri Panwa, Phuket +66 (0) 76 37 1 000

PHUKET CITY

i Pavilion Phuket Hotel +66 (0) 76 210 445-7 Katina Hotel +66 (0) 76 223 111-9 Phuket Merlin Hotel +66 (0) 76 212 866-70 Rome Place +66 (0) 76 223 560 Royal Phuket City +66 (0) 76 233 333 Sino House Phuket Hotel +66 (0) 76 232 494-5 The Metropole +66 (0) 76 215 050

Do you plan to buy a property here in Phuket? To live in? To invest?

I will help you to find the property which suits you the best.

Corinne Missler, French Property Consultant in Phuket

Tel. 088 10 66 210 E-mail: corinne@irispropertiesphuket.com www.irispropertiesphuket.com

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22 / Hotels & Accommodation

Mai Khao Keeps on Rocking!

Let us introduce you to the burgeoning northwest corner of Phuket which is growing in popularity and status as a distinct unspoiled destination for local residents and visitors alike.

P

Classic Mai Khao Sunset Across the Pool at the JW Marriott.

eace and quiet are becoming rare on Phuket and are now the JW Marriott there in 2002. While seeing the great potential only to be found in a few places, of which Mai Khao is of Mai Khao, Heinecke was aware of the need to conserve the undefinitely one. Here is a vision of a tropical island as spoiled environment as a major attraction to visitors that would it used to be. The sand stretches for miles, palms sway in the become increasingly compromised in other parts of Phuket as breeze, barely another person can be seen and the sea is begging unregulated development proceeded.

During its opening celebrations in March 2002 JW Marrifor you to swim. There are a few big-name Mai Khao resorts now but on the whole the area has yet to be overtaken by develop- ott donated two million Baht to launch the Mai Khao Marine ment. Part of the reason is because Mai Khao is actually part of Turtle Foundation to raise funds and awareness for the plight of the giant leatherback turtles Sirinat National Park and as a and continues to work closely result, much of the land is prowith local authorities to suptected. The National Park is a port their efforts and awareness fantastic attraction spread over of their work.

90 square kilometers and comIn addition to its strong enprising a saltwater mangrove vironmental initiatives the JW forest, a nature trail with a huge Marriott was a pioneer in other wooden walking platform and a ways that set the bar for, and wide variety of plants and anibecame signatures of, subsemals. quent Mai Khao development.

Mai Khao remained undeA flair for superb landscaping veloped and largely ignored by and design in extensive tropical tourists as late as the turn of grounds was one; dedication to the Millennium and only two sport, health and wellness was visionaries seemed to see any another; and a passion for fine potential in ‘White Tree Beach’ restaurants in romantic set…one reptilian and the other tings was the third. human.

Leatherback and Ridley’s Iconic Bill Bensley Design at the JW Marriott.

Sea Turtles have laid their eggs The Sala Follows On on Mai Khao since time immeThe second cab off the Mai morial …literally so, since this 850 kilogram species has been Khao rank was the Sala Resort and Spa which opened in Decemaround for at least 150 million years. ber 2007 with 79 pool villas and suites, 63 with private pools. The The second Mai Khao visionary was William Ellwood Hei- resort combines historical Sino-Portuguese architecture with necke Chairman of the Minor International Group who opened modern five star facilities such as a luxurious spa and gym, three

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Hotels & Accommodation / 23 A Renaissance in Mai Khao

The Renaissance Resort and Spa was next to open in October 2010 and was well named as it represents both a revitalizing extension to the Marriott parent brand, as well as another luxury endorsement for Mai Khao The new 150 room, plus 30 suites and a single pool villa Resort was the third Renaissance in Thailand and is positioned as an ultimate escape for intimate vacations, executive retreats and romantic honeymoons.

The Resort offers no less than five restaurants that cater to every palate, social occasion and visitor sector .The philosophy of the Resort’s fine dining restaurant Loca Vore is, as the name suggests, to emphasize dishes that feature the best of local food from seafood to meats, to spices, fruits and vegetables.

The Mai Khao Express Accelerates

Just three months ago the 246 room Holiday Inn was launched Ginja Taste Restauant at the JW Marriott. at the southern extremity of the beachside swimming pools, extensive lawns and a breezy open Mai Khao region as a flagship in sala restaurant where Chef Jan Hollister serves delicious but the famous brand’s much-publiuncomplicated cuisine that combines the flair of a French bistro cized global renovation and rewith the ultra-healthiness of a Californian beach club which the launch program.

Wine Spectator-awarded cellar complements perfectly.

The resort sits opposite another natural lake and the A New Brand from Bill Heinecke grounds are verdant and extenNot content to sit upon his laurels Bill Heinecke created a sive with a huge pool, gym, spa, new brand in 2001, named Anantara, literally “without end” in kids’ club and a beachside ThaiSanskrit, positioned as an affordable alternative luxury brand Italian fusion restaurant. and having an ethos of introducing guests to the delights of Thai Most recently the Centara culture which Heinecke clearly reveres.

Group has taken over manageLaunching in October 2008 Heinecke again asked his favorite ment of the five star West Sands architect Bill Bensley to work resort set in 47 acres of lush his creative magic in landscaplandscaping, bordering Shopping in Mai Khao Beach area was a bit lacking in tropical ing and designing the 83 pool on 500 meters of pristine beach the past but nowadays thanks to the opening villas spread around gorgeous frontage and located so close to pools and lagoons with woodthe airport that plane-spotters of Bill Henencke’s Turtle Village, holiday en walkways, fountains and will be delighted. shopping is readily available. even splashing ducks.

It is a huge development Complementing the luxury with a wide diversity of acresort’s inviting accommodation is a host of services and facili- commodation from 115 deluxe rooms, 97 one-bedroom suites, ties of the highest standard, including premium restaurants, bars, 36 one-bedroom grand suites, 18 two-bedroom grand suites, 12 a spa and leisure options including diving in pristine waters, to three-bedroom penthouses and 38 beach and pool villas. A seclearning the ancient art of Thai cookery. ond phase is to be completed in October 2012 and a third phase The beachside areas are particularly beguiling with a huge in October 2013 which will take the total number of accommodainfinity-edged pool, extensive lawns and a very cool sundowner tion units to 784. bar with huge loungers, chilled sounds and a great drinks menu.

Dining and bar facilities include a beachside BBQ and a Thai Close at hand is the signature restaurant, ‘Sea.Fire.Salt’ serving restaurant, while leisure facilities include a Spa Cenvaree, fitness delectable seafood-based cuisine served up by a fiery beachside center, tennis court, and a kids’ club. Perhaps most bizarrely of barbeque and with a tableside Salt Sommelier who helps you se- all the resort also boasts the Splash Jungle Waterpark which lect from dozens of blended salts to give your meal an amazing covers 6,400 square meters and cost US$4 million to build. finishing touch. www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

24 / Hotels & Accommodation

August 2010 Grapes and Grazing at The Rennaissance

Shopping in Mai Khao Beach area was a bit lacking in the long overdue for MICE tourism in the run-up to the establishpast but nowadays thanks to the opening of Bill Henencke’s ment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Who knows Turtle Village, holiday shopping is readily available. Located a if this ‘giant turtle’ will make that deadline? short walk from the Anantara and JW Marriott this uniquely de- A member of the Democrat Party’s shadow cabinet The North Phuket Resorts signed ‘village’ has two levels and recently said the convention center has been studied Alliance covers over 3,000 square meters The managers involved in of retail space. Here you can find for 15 years already and was long overdue for MICE the luxurious resorts around Mai gifts, Thai souvenirs, clothing and Khao are nothing if not forwardtourism in the run-up to the establishment of the it even has its own Coffee Club looking and innovative, so startASEAN Economic Community in 2015. and Bill Bentley Pub. ing in October 2009 they formed Then there’s the infamous an Alliance, not only to market Convention Center with its winning design in the shape of a and promote the region, but also to best manage its sustainable sea turtle….and the possibility of it actually being built seems to development. move as slowly as one.

The GM’s and Executive Chefs comprise the Alliance comA member of the Democrat Party’s shadow cabinet recently mittee which meets regularly to develop an ongoing program of said the project has been studied for 15 years already and was marketing and promotion for the entire Mai Khao region.

Jason Nuell, Faan Boonrawd and Nathan Chilcott of the Rennaissance

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Resort GM’s and Chefs at the 2010 first Alliance promotion

Grazers Wanted

Hotels & Accommodation / 25

The latest promotion is the North Phuket Culinary Arts Festival which will run from Friday December 2nd to Sunday December 4th and features an abundance of sumptuous food, wine, music and fashion events to titivate and excite.

On Friday 2nd join Phuket’s epic “longest dining table” stretching along the beach between the Sala and Renaissance Resorts for a dinner under the stars that you will never forget.

On Saturday 3rd head on over to the

Anantara Resort’s stunning Sunset Grill for a gourmet experience on the glorious outdoor wooden pool deck, with one of Phuket’s best sunset locations spread languorously behind you along the beach.

Cool DJ sounds will help you dance the night away after the delicious fare.

Savor Sunday 4th at the venerable JW Marriott Resort with their “Brunch of Your Life” featuring a bounty of sensational tastes and libations from their kitchens and cellars for the entire family right on the beach.

Prices are 1,500 baht net per person for each event, or 4,000 baht for an entire weekend pass to all the events. Children under 12 are half price and children under seven are free.

Please see www.northphuket.com or contact events@northphuket.com

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26 / Watersports & Activities

Day Tripper T

Phang Nga Bay Day Trips (or James Bond Island)

Boat cruises to Phang Nga

Sea Kayaking

here are scores of alternative tours on offer in Phuket: boat trips; pristine tropical islands; sunset cruises; eco-tours; jungle trekking, elephant rides etc. We consider only a small number of these to be quality experiences. Price is not the only factor, though generally you do get what you pay for: buy the cheapest tour and you can expect to spend the day with a crowd of other tourists seeking the cheapest way.

The boat tours to Phang Nga Bay – the kind that leave from Phuket Island - usually cruise past the James Bond commotion without stopping, continuing their quiet journey through the bay of mountains. This is by far the molst preferable way to visit this geographically spectacular region.

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No visit to Phuket would be really complete if one never got to see and wonder at the geographic grandeur of Phang Nga Bay. Every visitor, surely, must have seen photos of Phuket’s neighbouring bay of gigantic rock mountains rising vertically from calm, olive-green waters even before getting here.

The sight of Phang Nga is dramatic, and being surrounded by these towering rocky monoliths is surely one of the highlights of a visit to Phuket. We strongly recommend a visit here.

Many visitors consider a canoeing trip into the ‘hongs’, the hidden caves of Phang Nga, the highlight of their visit to Phuket. This mystical world of collapsed caves connected to the sea by dark tunnels has been eroded from the limestone mountains over time by the rise and fall of the sea. Numerous companies have sprung up, and it is worth looking around to avoid the cheap quickies.

Sign up with one of the well-established companies, or with original company that discovered the hongs and began it all, Sea Canoe. This can be an unforgettable trip well worth the time and money.

Koh Pannyi – also in Phang Nga Bay (or Sea Gypsy village)

Following the visit to crowded James Bond the cheaper tours shepherd their clients to Koh Pannyi island, the stilted water village seen in so many postcards. Often given the tourist name of Sea Gypsy village, it is in fact a community of Muslim fishermen, not sea gypsies. This village is indeed fascinating. It’s a pity about the tourist crowds; all tours companies arrive here at the same time for lunch, bringing up to 2-3,000 people every day. Although worth a visit, there are better ways to get to Pannyi than by mass tourism.

Renting your own speedboat Interestingly, most of the beautiful images of tranquil little islands and fabulously clear waters are taken on the outlying islands, not on Phuket itself. The only way to get to these islands is by renting a boat, and since there are few regular services your only option is to privately hire a speedboat for the day, although this is expensive it will provide you with memories to last a lifetime.

Watersports & Activities / 27

The Art of Relaxation

Open every day from 10am until midnight

ty SSalon l 5 Star Massage and Beauty Address: 225 Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road (opposite Holiday Inn Resort) Mobile: 089 535 4637 (Isabelle) E-mail: info@5-star-massage.com www. 5-star-massage.com

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28 / Watersports & Activities

A

phrodite was of course the Greek Goddess of love, beauty, procreation and sexual rapture so it may not come as a surprise to learn that Aphrodite is also the name of Phuket’s newest and most exciting cabaret.

Billed as the “largest ladyboy extravaganza on earth” the show features 80 transgender performers on stage, plus a phalanx of support staff to take care of the patrons in the large 846seat theater.

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Love Goddess Descends Greek on

Phuket

Aphrodite Manager Tarin Tachthongchan said that B100 million had been spent on the eight-month refurbishment of what was the former Phuket Brewery, on the bypass road opposite Tesco-Lotus in Rassada. This means that the abundant tour groups and individuals making up each show’s ebullient audience are able to indulge in copious rounds of frothing home-brewed ale.

Three types of German-style beers are brewed on the premises, namely a dunkel, a lager and a weizen (wheat) beer, selling for just B79 for 300 cl; B99 for half a liter and B190 for a liter. The foyer’s large and welcoming copper-topped bar, with its looming shiny beer vats behind is just the place for the anticipatory slurping of copious drafts of these foaming ales…..just the thing to get you in the mood for some serious “Love Goddess” action.

Three shows are held every evening at 6pm, 7:45pm and 9:30pm and each is comprised of 16 segments, each with impressive changes of props, scenery and the highly exotic and alluring costumes and head-dresses of the performers themselves. All the showgirls hail from Phuket,

Watersports & Activities / 29 Bangkok and Pattaya and many have had extensive experience playing the role of “love Goddess of the cabaret stage”.

Each show features a veritable tidal wave of hair lacquer, sequins, feather boas, voluminous ball gowns and the obligatory false eyelashes the size of bat wings. Think Cirque de Soleil plus Italian grand opera and classical Thai dance dressed by Las Vegas costumiers and staged by Hollywood and you won’t be far off the mark!

The 16 set and costume changes take us on a 75 minute journey into the heart of transgendered fantasy covering such highlights as the Aphrodite, Chinese, Sawasdee Thailand, Indian, Hawaiian and Grand Finale medleys.

Aphrodite will also open a 350-seat sukiyaki restaurant soon and a 600-seat Chinese restaurant at the end of the year. The company also plans to open parts of the huge complex for meetings and seminars during the day and as their central aim is to attract group tours the car park in the rear has space for 100 cars and 50 coaches.

So for an exotic night of beer and spectacular performance…. look no further than Aphrodite!

Tel. 076 612 888 Show time: 6.00pm, 7.45pm, 9.30pm

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30 / Food & Restaurants

In the Kitchen with...

Kata’s Guru of Pizza & Pasta C

apannina is not just a very good Italian restaurant it has ascended to the status of a genuine Phuket icon as much for the celebrity of its chef and owner Mario as for its peerless cuisine, comprehensive wine cellar, cheerful friendly atmosphere and highly acceptable pricing.

Capannina was founded in 2000 in the heart of Kata at the end of a traffic-free walking soi based on Mario’s objective of recreating a corner of Italy with the fla-

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vors of typical Italian All pizzas are very big! If you are a Italy, such as ravioli with spinach cuisine in a warm and group of friends or family - you can stuffed and ricotta, Tortelinformal atmosphere.

Says Mario, “Our try the giant pizza which is over 60 lini, potato Gnocchi, goal is to cook daily cm in diameter, just to see if you can or Tagliatelle. Into every dish we dedifresh ingredients immanage to devour it all! cate much time and ported from Italy. So don’t be surprised to find prosciutto di passion in order to serve food that lives up Parma aged 18 months or Parmigiano Reg- to the finest Italian traditions.

When you visit, you soon realize that giano aged for 36. We serve fresh homemade pasta made with flour imported from a great many of the island’s savvy ex-pats and tourists regularly patronize Capannina, simply because it delivers the goods and at decent prices. The restaurant’s pizzas are famous all over Phuket for their size. We ordered a Capannina pizza, that had a topping of Parma ham, fresh tomatoes, rocket salad and parmesan and it was bulky enough for four people yet this

Food & Restaurants / 31 was not even the large version!

Again, the rocket salad was more than generous as was the buffalo mozzarella and tomato.

However, the star of the show was the melanzane alla parmigiana – fried aubergine with tomato mozzarella and parmesan. This was almost a meal in itself, it was that large.

We also made space for some of the homemade pasta and the ravioli burro e salvia featuring delicious pockets of ricotta plus spinach and sage with parmesan was amazing.

All the wines are selected personally without being influenced by fashion or trends, but merely with the objective of serving the produce of the best Italian wineries at reasonable prices. There’s a choice of over 45 labels from all regions of Italy to satisfy even the most demanding palettes. If you choose to buy the house wine by the glass you’ll be surprised at the generous portions and all the wine is stored in a climate controlled glass-fronted ‘cellar’.

Pizza is Mario’s first and ultimate passion and of course his oven is wood-fired and he even designed and built it himself.

He offers a choice of more than 30 different pizzas and unforgettable “Calzone”. Here the traditional versions are interpreted at the highest level as in the pizza Capannina with Parma ham, flakes of parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes and rucola. Or try the fried calzone, or the pizza with bacon and taleggio.

All pizzas are very big! If you are a group of friends or family - you can try the giant pizza which is over 60 cm in diameter, just to see if you can manage to devour it all!

For families or groups of friends looking for a place to share authentic Italian dishes at reasonable prices there’s no better location in Phuket. Even when the rest of Kata is quiet, Capannina is always buzzing, so it is just as well that Mario has recently expanded the restaurant’s seating area and table count in order to keep up with the growing popularity of his creation.

“All the flavours of typical Italian cuisine with the atmosphere of Italian festive days” Open daily from 11am till late Phone / Fax: +66 (0) 76 284318 www.capannina-phuket.com 30/9 Kata Road T.Karon A.Muang Phuket 83100 THAILAND

Capannina Restaurant 30/9, Kata Rd., Karon, Phuket Tel: +66 (0) 76 284 318 www.capannina-phuket.com

“We are just a few steps away from Kata Beach, one of the most attractive beaches in Phuket” Phone / Fax: +66 (0) 76 284450 www.phuket-capannina-inn.com 98/84-85 Kata Rd., T.Karon, A. Muang Phuket 83100 THAILAND

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32 / Food & Restaurants

Restaurant HighlightS

Blue Elephant Royal Thai

Taking a grand location in the governor mansion in old Phuket Town this beautiful restaurant serves traditional royal Thai cuisine and holds daily cooking classes as well.

Tel. 076 354 355, 076 354 357 E-mail phuket@blueelephant.com www.blueelephant.com

IndoChine Waterfront Restaurant Indochine & European

In the same concept as the iconic Singapore Waterfront restaurant, famous Indochine and European dishes are served. Open 17.00 to 23.00 hours with Sunday Brunch starting at noon. www.indochinephuket.com Location: Kalim Beach

Location: Phuket Town

LE CELTIQUE French & Thai

French specialities; snails, white asparagus, scallops, saffron sauce and an excellent pork hock or a rack of lamb with goat cheese, also large choice of Bretain Crepes, salty or sweetie Bertrand is the king of sauces, and Lek always welcomes you warmly. Closed on Tuesday.

Tel. 076 613 098, 089 588 9517, 084 842 6233 E-mail: celtiquethai@hotmail.com Location: Saiyuan Road, Rawai www.theguidephuket.com

Davinci Restaurant Italian

Set in a courtyard and offering friendly al fresco dining conducive to relaxing meals with happy gatherings of family and friend, children are welcome.

Tel. 076 289 574 www.davinciphuket.com Location: Nai Harn

Food & Restaurants / 33

Restaurant HighlightS The East 88 Beach Lounge International & Thai

East 88 Beach Lounge is Phuket’s coolest restaurant and bar located right by the sea within Serenity Resort & Residences. Lounge or dine in style and enjoy the view over Chalong Bay while being pampered by our team, food, drinks and cool vibes. “Special events, theme evenings and happenings” Happy hour from 17.00 – 19.00h. Free use of pool facilities for customers. Tel. 076 371 900 Location: Rawai

www.serenityphuket.com

CapaNnina Italian

This place offers the best pizza in Phuket, by far, with good choice and quality ingredients.

Mario, the boss, is “al forno” making pizza himself. The pasta dishes are also perfect, We recommend the 4-cheese penne, seafood spaghetti ‘scoglio’ red sauce or tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms. There is also a great variety of fresh and cooked salads for the lighter option.

Tel. 076 284 318 www.capannina-phuket.com Location: Kata

Two Chefs International

We are proud to introduce our delicious food - imported juicy steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, modern Thai food and much more. Enjoy your food in one of our nice restaurants with a good glass of wine from our extensive international wine list. We also serve breakfast, lunch, texmex menu, and Saturday Brunch. Open Daily 0800 - 2400. Kata : 076-28 41 55 Kata Centre : 076 33 00 65 Karon : 076-28 64 79 www.twochefs-phuket.com Location : Kata, Karon

Full Moon Brew Work International

Small batch, handcrafted beer served with freshly made food.

What else could you ask for? A relaxed atmosphere and good prices?

Ok you got it! Open daily for lunch and dinner this is Patong’s only micro-brewery.

Tel. 076 366 753 www.facebook.com/fullmoonbrewwork Location: Patong www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

34 / Food & Restaurants

Restaurant HighlightS The 9th Floor Bar and Restaurant Mediterranean

The 9th Floor Bar & Restaurant, Patong’s highest ‘open-air’ restaurant on the top floor of the Sky Inn Condotel, is a hidden treasure dedicated to the enjoyment of fine, fresh Mediterranean, Alpine and Thai food, a comprehensive list of some of the best wines available, beautiful well-trained waitresses and a warm, elegant ambience reminiscent of a sophisticated members’ club.

Tel. 076 344 311 www.the9thfloor.com Location: Patong

SALA Restaurant International & Thai

SALA Phuket Restaurant offers an exceptional blend of mouthwatering international cuisine and scrumptious traditional Thai delicacies. Serve fresh seafood, exceptional international cuisine and Thai favourites.

Tel. 076 338 888 www.salaphuket.com

Location: Maikhao

White Box Fusion

Thai and French cuisine quality Open every night from 19.00pm. to midnight.

Quiet and charming restaurant, 24 seats, with garden terrace.

Steak: meat imported excellent sauces, mashed, au gratin, ratatouille, etc.

French cheeses and cold cuts.

Succulent Thai dishes.

Warm welcome and very good value for money.

www.baanbuakao.com

Baan Bukao Patong Beach Road

108/3 Taweewong Road Soi Patong Tower

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Holiday Inn Soi

Reservations Tel: 086 2671 555 076 345 6020 Guest Houses for rent

Soi Bangla

Patong Tower

The cuisine here is refined. Stand out dishes include the tuna carpaccio and tuna tartare, ribeye and tenderloin beef. My personal favourite is the wagyu tartare, just a little bit spicy to help compliment the flavor of the meat. For fish lovers there is the excellent snowfish, and for Asian food there is a variety of dishes including Massaman curry. A great choice of wine, friendly welcome and beautiful surroundings. www.whiteboxrestaurant.com Location: Patong Beach

Sushi BOX Japanese

Sushi Box offers the largest selection of sushi in Phuket with over one hundred different kinds of sushi and salads.

Everything is freshly rolled to order with a take away section prepared daily. www.facebook.com/PhuketSushibox Locations: Central Festival Phuket, 1st floor Ocean Plaza Bang-la 2nd Floor Jangceylon Port Area

Food & Restaurants / 35

Restaurant Highlights Giogiorne Restaurant Italian & Thai Food

Newly opened Giogiorne Italian & Thai Restaurant in Kata Beach serves a range of delicious Italian and Thai delights.

Located on Kata Road just before the Kata Palm resort. The restaurant is open from 10.30am – 23.00 daily.

Tel. 076 330 679, 081 797 0679 E-mail giogiorne@hotmail.com Location: Kata

Chicago Steakhouse Steak & Grill

The luxurious dining room at Chicago Steakhouse is perfect for an intimate evening, a family dinner or a large gathering of friends. Dark mahogany, crimson leather booths, and the sounds of the big band era make for a unique and memorable dining experience in Phuket.

Location: Patong

Sala Bua International

Where East Meets West; this stylish restaurant serves creative food right at the waters edge.

Tel: 076 430 138 ext. 8301 www.impiana.com

Location: Patong Beach

Bit’in Restaurant International & Thai

A wonderful and relaxing dining experience. We are a Mediterranean restaurant with a café style. We serve a variety of Salads, Pastas, Paninis and Kebabs. We have indoor and outdoor seating area where you can lounge about in sumptuous furniture while enjoying our food and easy listening jazz music. Prices from 190 Baht/Main meals. Open Hour: 11.00am – 11 .00pm.

Location: Patong Beach www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

36 / Food & Restaurants

IndoChine’s Brunch

with Altitude (and Bikinis!)

T

This brunch will be a great Phuket hit combining great value and bikiniclad girls cavorting in the central rooftop pool-bar.

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he rather showery Sunday of November 6th saw us rushing over to the inaugural IndoChine Restaurant’s rooftop “Brunch with Altitude”. IndoChine is fortunate to occupy a stunning location within an amphitheater of vaulting rainforest inland and with wondrous views across Patong Bay and out over the Andaman Sea in front. The rooftop location for their new brunch therefore affords a terrific venue for kicking back, relaxing and indulging in the pleasures of the luxury Phuket lifestyle and possibly its most decadent manifestation…. the long, lazy Sunday brunch.

The tables sit around the pool under huge red and white umbrellas, so that the intermittent showers didn’t bother us in the least as we dug into copious fresh mixed salads, cooked-to-order pasta and breakfast dishes, carved New Zealand lamb and of course the bounteous Phuket

lobsters, prawns and seafood that you’d expect in such an ozone-filled location.

Following on there was a selection of seasonal fruits and such desserts as crèmebrulee and profiteroles, as the spin-meister laid down cool sounds to keep us lingering long into the afternoon.

At just 700 baht a head, less 15% discount with a sign-up IndoChine members’ card, this brunch will be a great Phuket hit combining great value, bikini-clad girls cavorting in the central rooftop pool-bar and even a bathroom featuring fish-laden aquaria.

What more could you ask?

St.Tropez Beach Club IndoChine Restaurant Prabaramee Road, Kalim Beach, Phuket Tel: +66 (0) 76 380 860, +66 81 895 1375 www.IndoChine-Group.com

Food & Restaurants / 37

Let’s do Brunch!

Sunday Brunch

Sunday Lunch

Saturday Brunch

Every Sunday from 12.00-15.00

Every Sunday From 12.00-15.00

Every Saturday from 12.00-15.00

The place to see and be seen is the Sunday brunch at The Oriental Spoon. A highly fashionable international crowd browse the abundant food offerings from fresh seafood and cold water NZ oysters, to sushi and sashimi.

• 3,490++ THB per person including a bottle of champagne per couple • 1,490++ THB per person including a bottle of wine per couple • 1,190++ THB brunch only

Enjoy our expansive mouthwatering Seafood Buffet, Sushi, Live cooking stations, BBQ, Western and Thai hot dishes, and our all you can eat Home Made Desserts.

• 999 THB net per person with free flow soft drinks.

• 1,299 THB net per person with a bottle of wine per couple.

• 2,999 THB net per person with a bottle of champange per couple.

The Two Chefs Saturday Brunch is not an ordinary brunch, it is a brunch with carefully chosen home made specialities ith the scandinavian flavours that you miss from home. With their own smoked salmon, moked prawns a large variety of meat and a lot more for only 395 THB and if you add an extra 300 THB you get to drink as much Carlsberg Draught beer or wine as you like.

Tel : 076 316 577 www.twinpalms-phuket.com

Tel : 076 363 600 www.vijittresort.com

Tel. 076 330 065 www.twochefs-phuket.com

Twinpalms

Two Chefs

Vijitt Resort

Fantastic View - Great Cocktails & Meals Elegant Romantic Breeze

Opening hours

17.00 - 24.00

For private candle light dinner or any special private event Please contact the Front Desk: T+66 (0)7634 9800 E chp@chr.co.th

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38 / Food & Restaurants

Dusit Thani Laguna’s innovative evening of Austrian wines Both the prestige award-winning wines and accompanying Austrian hors d’oeuvres were presented by the Dusit Thani in cooperation with the Austrian Embassy.

www.theguidephuket.com

T

he Dusit Thani’s stylishly al fresco La Trattoria Italian eatery at sunset was the setting for their November wine evening which pushed forward the boundaries of both geography and style in the everexpanding range of Phuket wine evenings.

Firstly the wines were from Austria, a somewhat different geography from the normal vaulting New World arrivistes and classical tried and true Old World wines that are usually featured at Phuket wine events. And the style of the evening’s presentation was unfussy, friendly and accompanied by a plethora of Austrian hors d’oeuvres which were served throughout a relaxed and socially invigorating evening.

Both the prestige award-winning wines and accompanying Austrian hors d’oeuvres were presented by the Dusit Thani in cooperation with the Austrian Embassy and selected Austrian wine makers such as Lenz Moser, Szigeti and Grassl Nepomukhof.

During the course of the evening the full gamut of oenophiles’ favorite wine types were served from refreshing sparkling tipples, to lightly frivolous whites, right through to big, full-bodied reds obviously designed to keep a winter chill in the Austrian Alps at bay.

The event commenced at 7pm and we were graced by the presence of the Austrian Ambassador Dr Johannes Peterlik who grew up in Thailand from 1976 to 1981. Dr Peterlik obviously knew the importance of brevity in speech making and so kept his remarks short and sweet, so that we could all the more quickly get to grips with the evening’s main event of sampling the splendid wines.

For just 600 baht an extremely charming and good value evening was had by all and we can only advise you to stay on the look-out for future great value wine events from the Dusit Thani in its quest of pushing Phuket’s oenological boundaries even further.

The Dusit Thani Resort and Spa Phuket 390, Srisoontorn Rd., Cherngtalay, Talang Tel: +66 (0) 7636 2999 www.dusit.com

Food & Restaurants / 39

T

he 9th Floor Restaurant and Bar is one of Phuket’s leading fine dining establishments dedicated to providing the best in food, wine and the good life. Always at the forefront of innovation and raising service standards, they are now proud to announce that three of their female sommeliers have graduated with flying colors from Steven Roberto’s Sommelier Training Course.

Steven Roberto is internationally renowned as a former Californian wine maker and pioneer of Phuket’s fine wine scene.

Khun Aphirati Tantiphalanon; Khun Wannaporn Naokhamphang and Khun Jariyaporn Kemtong are the three lovely sommeliers who received this formal training and certification. It is designed to facilitate their continuous improvement; provide advancement opportunities for them and meet the demanding needs of their sophisticated clientele at the 9th Floor.

The course comprised 60 hours of intensive training in the basic principles of wine classifications and styles and the theoretical aspects of wine including the

9th Floor Restaurant Staff Gain Wine Certification role of wine in fine dining, consumer psychology and presentation of wines at table.

Each sommelier was required to pass a detailed written examination covering the classifications of wines; agricultural origins of wines; wine styles and types; food and wine pairings and the solving of complex oenological problems. Each sommelier was also required to pass a practical examination in which they had to recommend and serve various wines under timed conditions.

We can only suggest that you head on over to the 9th Floor with all speed to experience the beguiling new skills of this lovely trio of sommeliers!

The 9th Floor 47, Rat-U-Thid Road Sky Inn Condotel, Patong Tel: +66 (0) 76 344 311 Email: contact@the9thfloor.com

Heavenly food and wines….served by angels

The 9th Floor Wine Certification

Mr. Steven Roberto with the three happy graduates (from left to right): Jariyaporn Kemtong, Aphirati Tantiphalanon and Wannaporn Naokhamphang

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40 / Health & Beauty

www.theguidephuket.com

Health & Beauty / 41

SpaHighlight Provolution Center Phuket

Provolution Center Phuket is the Phuket wellness center of Michael & Orranut Stephens offering reiki energy therapy, intuitive card reading, meditation classes, reiki certification, and free personal development books and downloads.

Tel. 081 446 7714 www.provolutioncenter.com

The Oasis Spa Phuket

The ultimate spa experience where treatments are created combining ancient secrets and advanced discoveries in beauty and wellness. Luxurious Spas designed with a Thai atmosphere to allow clients to enjoy superior service without unnecessary formality.

Open 3 Branches in Phuket Laguna, Bang Tao Phuket Kamala Phuket Kata Phuket Tel. 076 337 777 www.phuketoasis.com

RarinJinda

RarinJinda Wellness Spa is one of Thailand’s leading wellness spa with expertised therapists and latest spa technologies.RarinJinda Wellness spa offers clients wellness, good health and luxurious pampering in a spa sanctuary.

RarinJinda is an urban spa fully equipped with all of the latest spa technology and facilities at high international standards, yet deeply rooted in the Thai massage and healing traditions. RarinJinda is an oasis of health and wellness in Thailand’s tourist capitals, located adjacent to the back of Jungceylon Shopping Center Tel. 076 366 724, 076 366 800-2 www.rarinjinda.com

A Spa with men in We are the 1st luxury spa for men located among peaceful nature about 200 meters away from Kathu community area, only 10 minute from Phuket town and 15 minute from Patong Beach Hiranyikara is the perfect soothing haven to hide away from the city’s turbulence, where you can indulge yourself in the various relaxing spa and health treatment to soothe your pains, calm your mind and up lift your spirits.

Let’s Relax Spa

Relaxing the mind and revitalizing the body seems to be what everybody needs nowadays, after a hectic schedule, a busy lifestyle and a stressful city living.

But when and how can you afford to take time off to free yourself from so much stress and take time to relax your body and revitalize your senses with your busy lifestyle?

At Let’s Relax, you can let loose, reward yourself, indulge , relax and enjoy the fineness pleasure of pampering yourself.

Tel. 076 346 080 www.letsrelaxspa.com

Further information pls. visit www.hiranyikara.com or send me an e-mail at info@hiranyikara.com TEL.+66 (0) 76 203280-1 , MB + 66(0) 81 370 0202 www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

42 / Health & Beauty

The Ben Fasting & The process is very simple and most detoxers do not experience any hunger and report an amazing sense of wellbeing even after the first few days.

T

oday’s busy lifestyles expose us all to an ongoing storm of stressful and damaging stimuli which accumulate within us, until hey cause illness, depression and the like. Many of the big, congested cities in which we live and work are full of harmful pollutants and toxins which grind us down, wear us out and eventually can seriously harm us if we don’t deal with them.

The early warning signs of these problems are easy to spot.

Symptoms such as stress, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self esteem, lack of life direction, addictions, being emotionally reactive are all indicators of toxicity. If you find you are you confused and lost, or are you looking for support in finding a new life direction; if you want to feel complete again after a broken relationship, or would you like physical healing from an accident, a fasting and detoxing break from your normal routines, in a lovely place like Phuket, is an excellent way to get you back onto the right track.

A complete detox based on a ten day fasting program is the ideal start you need to completely purify your entire bloodstream and internal organs. However, if you don’t have that much time, even a ‘starter course’ of a four day cleanse will initiate great benefits for you and most ‘trialists’ soon come back to complete a full longer term program.

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Health & Beauty / 43

nefits of

Detoxing The process is very simple and most detoxers do not experience any hunger and report an amazing sense of wellbeing even after the first few days. Naturally you will also lose weight, although this is a side benefit of cleansing not its main objective.

While you are fasting and detoxing the wellness center where you stay will provide all the necessary herbs, vitamins and body cleansers that you need and of course you will have the benefits of lots of pure, clean fresh water and air.

The process itself is very simple and during the time you are cleansing you will be instructed and supervised by well-trained fasting staff. Most wellness centers also include a stimulating program of yoga, meditation and healthy outdoor trips and pursuits in the program, so that there is plenty to occupy you as your body gradually cleanses and heals.

It’s important to approach your own fasting experience in an informed and dedicated manner and all centers in Phuket provide comprehensive pre-fasting instructions and explanations to prepare your body correctly and maximize the results you’ll achieve.

In Phuket there are also a large number of highly qualified and gifted health and wellness practitioners, who are available to work with you covering every facet of healing that you might need from deep tissue body work, to Tarot Reading, to the release of emotional blocks.

One of the best facets of doing your cleanse in Phuket is the delightful accommodation in tropical gardens, or along quietly dreaming beaches that many centers offer. Add to that the lovely climate, friendly people and wealth of experienced health professionals who are based here and it’s easy to see why Phuket has become such a Mecca of good health.

The Guide Phuket Recommends Two Popular Places • Atsumi Retreat Healing Center Tel. 081 272 0571

www.atsumihealing.com • RarinJinda Wellness Spa Tel. 076 336 800

www.rarinjinda.com

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44 / Lifestyle

SpaHighlight

Fasting & Detoxing with Atsumi Healing

5 Star Massage

The main reason people come to The Atsumi Retreat Healing Center in Thailand is to “Fast and Cleanse” their system of physical and emotional toxins that accumulate from modern stressful lifestyles. We strongly recommend a ten day fasting program, in which time the blood is completely purified. Naturally you will lose weight, usually one kilo per day for men, and half a kilo per day for women. For those with little time or who want to “dip their toes in the water,” we also have four day programs.

Tel. 081 272 0571, Thai enquiries: 084 051 7455 www.atsumihealing.com

SenSes Health & Beauty Clinique

Hiranyikara Spa Indulge your body, mind and spirit. Located in peaceful surroundings, Hiranyikara is the perfect, soothing haven to hide away from the city’s turbulence, where you can indulge yourself in the various relaxing spa and health treatments to soothe your pains, calm your mind and uplift your spirits.

It is an ideal place to recharge your batteries after a long hard day. With our range of spa services we can pamper you with our highly experienced male therapists.

Tel. 076 20 3 280 www.hiranyikara.com

www.theguidephuket.com

5 Star Massage in Patong is a unique, elegant, modern and comfortable salon where the very well-trained staff offer a complete range of massage and beauty treatment services at reasonable prices. 5 Star Massage is French owned and managed. All the massage girls are certified from massage schools in Thailand and only offer authentic massage services that will make you leave refreshed, revitalized and rejuvenated. Open Daily 10.00-23.00 and offering great value for money.

Tel: 089 535 4637 www.5-star-massage.com

Welcome to SenSes where international health and beauty has been taken very seriously since July 2004. Luxurious treatment rooms, professional staff, a vast range of high quality, natural products and treatments for all forms of pain and stress relief will leave you refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for a most interesting beauty experience.

Tel: 076 271 373 – 4 www.senses.co.th

Lifestyle / 45

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46 / Health & Beauty

Sukko Spa Story by Sarunya Choonsilpvej

N

owadays, when people think of getting more relaxed, they often think of going for a massage and spa treatment, which has made spa centers a popular business in Thailand. Last month, I had the chance to go to Phuket and my local friend took me to Sukko Spa and walking in made us feel as though we were entering a Sukothai palace in the original capital city of Thailand.

The architecture, atmosphere and interior design are like those in the ancient Sukothai palace and I was tremendously impressed by the beautiful ambience. Then I was welcomed by a group of beautiful receptionists who greet guests in their native language.

I was then led to the lobby where I was given cool refreshing clothes and a Thai herbal drink along with the massage and spa menu. Every guest in the lobby took a long time to decide which massage and spa package to take, because there were so many wonderfully attractive types of massage and spa. Foot massage, facial massage, aromatherapy massage, Thai ancient massage, aroma milk baths, seaweed detoxification scrub, body scrub, manicure, hair spa, Jacuzzi, steaming and facial spa are just some of the fabulous treatments on offer.

After I chose my massage and spa package, I was led to the changing room to wash, refresh and prepare myself. While I was walking to the changing room, the decoration on the walls and the furniture made me feel as if I was walking in an ancient living Sukothai palace. In the changing room, lockers are provided to allow guests to keep their valuable safe while they are enjoying the spa services.

While I was walking on the corridor to my massage room, I noticed that every massage room is facing a huge garden.

When I entered the room, the first thing that I saw was a big window that is open to the shady garden which made me feel as though I was actually in the beautiful garden itself.

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Health & Beauty / 47

The masseuse was very skillful and friendly. She gently massaged me with a strength that made me relax while also easing my back pain. She massaged to every part of my body that I specified at the any level of strength, such as light, medium or heavy that I asked for. While I was receiving this massage, gentle Thai traditional music played which really relaxed me too.

Three hours of spa and massage went by so quickly that I wanted to prolong my experience, but there were other tourists waiting so I had to leave. I was then led by the masseuse back to the changing room. After I finished changing a beautiful attendant took me to an open space where I was served with biscuits and a sweet aromatic drink. A questionnaire was given to me to evaluate my masseuse. I ticked “excellent� in every box because I really believed my masseuse and the Sukko Spa deserved that.

Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness Resort Tel. 076 263 222 sukko@sukkospa.com info@sukkosparesortphuket.com

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48 / Property

PropertyBuyerGuide Kathu Golf Condo Type: Condominium Area: Kathu Price: 4.4 Million THB Contact: T. 084 543-5, 076 319 194 E. kathu-golfcondo@ hotmail.com

www.kathu-golf-condo-phuket.com

The Beach Condotel Type: Condominium Area: Kata Beach Price: 3,022,500 THB Contact: T. 076 330 888 087 019 3555

www.thebeachcondotel.com

Phanason Resort Laem-Hin Type: Caribbean House Area: Laem-Hin Price: 5.9 Million THB Contact: T. 076 373 290-1

www.phanason.com

Cherng’Lay Condominiums 2 Type: Condominium Area: Cherngthalay Price: 3.5 Million THB Contact: T. 076 271 770 E. info@phuketasialand. com

www.phuketasialand.com www.theguidephuket.com

Property / 49

PropertyBuyerGuide PHUKET@TOWN 2 Type: Modern Nature Town Home Area: Phunphon Rd., Phuket Town Price: 2.49 Million THB

Alarms Phuket Services Advanced System Security

Protect your family, secure your property before it is too late !

Contact: Hotline 084 753 1222

www.sittarom.co.th/phuket

∗ European

Service

∗ French

Branch

∗ Private

and Professional

Phanason City Condominium

∗ Guaranteed

Type: Condominium Area: Phuket Town Price: 960,000 THB Contact: T. 076 612 648-9

www.phanason.com

The Light Suanluang Type: Condominium Area: Chao Fa Road Price: 1.7 Million THB Contact: T. 076 22 33 44 076 22 44 55 E. info@thelightcondo. com

www.thelightcondo.com

Palm Breeze Resort Type: Apartment Area: Rawai / Nai harn Price: 3-3.9 Million THB Membership Price: 3-500,000 THB Contact: T. 084 843 3677 E. rickard@palmholidayclub.com

www.palmholidayclub.com

Look and control yours cameras from anywhere in the world with your mobile phone.

Video Surveillance (CCTV & IP Camera) • For your children when you are away or at work • For your children when playing in the pool • For your business: Keep an eye on your employees • Lobby, Restaurant, Parking, etc...

• For your pet: Make sure they are well

Security Alarm Smoke detector, motion sensor, door sensor, glass break detector, beam sensor, medical button ( for the elderly or handicapped ), etc...

Web site

Scan me!

Mo bi l e : 0 8 5 7 9 8 9 4 6 9

contact@alarms-phuket-services.com www.alarms-phuket-services.com www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

50 / Watersports & Activities

www.theguidephuket.com

Property / 51 177/34 Moo 4, Srisoonthorn Rd., Srisoonthorn Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand Contact: Phuket +66 (0)898 739 474 or +66 (0)76 620 055 Email: property@phuket.net realestate.phuket.net Kata

THB 99m

Kata

THB 26.5m

Surin

THB 25.5m

Rawai

THB 10.9m

Exquisite Villa

Amazing Views

Balinese Villa

Affordable Luxury

A very special home set on a hillside with stunning ocean views. This beautiful property features 5 bedrooms plus 2 study rooms, a therapy room, sauna, purpose-built wine cellar as well as an elevator.

Spacious ocean view 2-bedroom foreign freehold condo in one of Phuket’s most sought-after condo developments, boasting one of the best views on the island. The unit is fully-furnished and offers excellent rental potential.

Beautifully designed 3 bedroom villa located within walking distance to Bangtao Beach. The villa is set on a large 940 sqm plot with spacious pool deck and ample room for outdoor entertaining.

Brand new single-storey pool villa near Rawai Beach with private pool and landscaped garden built to very high standards not normally found in this price range. Furniture package included!

Koh Kaew

Patong

Kamala

Kamala

THB 52m

THB 21m

THB 5.5m

THB 8.9m

Stunning Marina Villa

Sea View Villa

Freehold Condo

Freehold Condos

Stunning property boasting 5 bedrooms and an expansive living area with a large secluded swimming pool and terrace all located in a lush tropical garden.

Patong: Elegant 3 bedroom residences situated on the hill just south of Patong with outstanding sea views overlooking the bay and are within just 5 minutes drive to the centre of Patong.

Beautifully furnished spacious 1 bedroom condo with a total 77 sqm of living space. Located in a popular resort development with strong rental returns

Modern 2-bedroom condominiums designed by Australian architect with spacious free-flowing interiors in an ideal location just 200 meters from Kamala Beach.

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52 / Lifestyle

Shopper’s

Delight ative and interesting. There is a fair range spread around the island, but you’ll have to drive and hunt to find it all.

Thai Silk

Long one of Thailand’s most famous products, silk weaving is still one of the major crafts in many rural areas. The variety of materials available in Phuket is wide and varies both in design, from the traditional to modern to plain colors, and quality; 2-ply is thin and light, 3-ply or more becomes heavier and more expensive.

Tailors, jewelry and souvenir shops in all areas carry silk.

Many shops will tailor modern dresses or shorts from silk at a fraction of the price you would pay back home.

Woodcarving

Most of this comes from the craft centers of Chiang Mai and again Thai skills show through in a great variety of items that can be both novel and creative or entirely traditional. Buddha images are one of the standards, but you can find figurines of all kinds and many other offbeat items for home decoration. Thailand makes some great teak furniture, though only a little is available in Phuket.

ning entrepreneurs crafted and carefully ‘aged’ wood, bronze and stone artworks to sell off as genuine antiques. But they produced such beautiful things that demand grew, and the industry came out into the open. Today whole villages of skilled workers produce beautiful objects of art that appear ancient, but which are sold cheaply as ‘reproductions’.

This makes ‘antiques’ available to everyone and takes the pressure off the genuinely old things. Best of all, virtually no-one can tell the difference between the real thing and the reproduction that you place in your home.

Custom Tailoring

This is definitely bargain country in Phuket. Tailors

Instant Antiques

Ceramics

The two major centers for ceramic production are the well-known Chiang Mai, and Ratburi west of Bangkok. They produce an amazing range of wares from very traditional Thai and even Chinese tableware and decorative items to modern home decor items, the biggest of which you’ll need a truck to move. Some of these more modern items are crewww.theguidephuket.com

This sounds like a contradiction, but this is now a thriving new industry in Thailand that arose in response to the overwhelming demand for beautiful old things and the short supply. Originally, cun-

real savings. It is important to start with a tailor early in your visit because at least two visits will be required, and those who are a little more finicky should plan on three visits to get things just right. Allow two or three days between each visit.

The Guide Phuket recommends: Mister Singh’s Fashion Gallery, Patong Beach, www. fashiongallery.com.

Central Festival Phuket - Phuket Town

With over 120,000 square meters bursting with prime shopping opportunities and world-class products it is easy to see why this consummate one-stop shopping and entertainment complex is so popular amongst Phuket residents and visitors. With a large selection of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, plus a supermarket and cinemas you can enjoy the largest, most complete shopping and entertainment complex in southern Thailand.

Jungceylon Patong Beach

can import their wares easily to Phuket and their overhead costs are low. Skills range from excellent to barely adequate, so look carefully and you can go home with both quality and

Located centrally in Patong Beach is the newest addition to the growing trend of shopping malls in Phuket.

‘Jungceylon‘ was the old name for Phuket when it was still a prosperous port town and

Lifestyle / 53

trading in the region was at its peak. This shopping mall retains a lot of the old history of Phuket in its architecture and style and is a joy to visit for this alone.

The choice of goods is world-class, comprising well over 300 shops with ample car parking space, restaurants, bars, cinema and bowling alley along with everything else you could possibly need for a busy day shopping.

Weekend Market - Phuket Town

The Jatujak (or JJ) weekend market in Bangkok is world famous but few people realize that there is an equally good alternative here in Phuket, albeit on a smaller scale.

Situated opposite the Naka Temple (which is also worth a visit) outside of Phuket Town, just 5 minutes from Central Festival on the Chao Fa West Road lies Phuket’s equivalent to Bangkok’s JJ Market. Here you will find all manner of things for sale from seemingly useless second-hand household junk and cute little trinkets to garden ornaments, clothing and ideal presents for all your friends and family. There is also an abundance of food and drink stalls to keep the energy levels up whilst you wander around.

The market starts in the afternoon and goes on until the evening time when it can get really very lively.

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54 / Lifestyle

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Transportation / 55

Call Center

1771 Phuket to Samui

Samui to Phuket

Phuket to Pattaya

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

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PG252

0945

1040

Daily

PG251

0815

0915

Daily

PG252

0945

1225

Daily

PG260

1235

1330

.23.56.

PG259

1100

1200

Daily

PG282

1510

1650

Daily

PG262

1235

1330

1..4..7

PG255

1500

1600

Daily

1810

1910

1..4..7

1810

1910

.23.56.

PG256

1645

1740

Daily

PG261

PG258

1940

2035

Daily

PG257

Phuket to Bangkok

Bangkok to Phuket

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

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PG270

0700

0825

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PG271

0805

0930

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PG272

1020

1145

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PG924

1145

1310

Daily

PG907

1400

1525

Daily

PG273

1345

1510

Daily

PG274

1610

1735

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PG277

1730

1855

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PG278

1945

2110

Daily

PG279

2015

2140

Daily

PG280

2225

2350

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PG220

2200

2325

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Pattaya to Phuket Flight

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PG281

1300

1440

Daily

Phuket Town: 076 225 033-5 Phuket Airport: 076 205 401-2 Suvarnabhumi International Airport: 02 134 3888-89 (ticket) Check-in Domestic: 02 132 0342-54 Check-in International: 02 132 0331-39

Important Telephone Numbers Telephone numbers of the consular representatives functioning in Phuket Lost Credit Cards

Austria

076 372 600

Ireland

076 281 273

Austria

076 248 334-6

Italy

086 689 6819

Visa

02 299 1990-29

Czech Republic 076 076 249 400 ext 1501, 3330 USA

076 342 270

AMEX

02 273 0022-44

Denmark

076 234 452

Master Card

02 299 1990-2

Finland

076 330 530-4

Norway

076 237 156

Diners Club

02 238 3000

France

076 273 511

Sweden

076 380 000

JCB

001 800 000 900 09

Germany

076 610 407

United Kingdom

076 318 188

076 378 365

Korea

International calls dial: +66 - 76, Inside Thailand calls dial 076- for Phuket

Muang District Police Station

216 856

Phuket Airport

327 230-37

Tourist Police

219 878 or 1155

Tourism Authorities (TAT)

211 036, 212213

Kamala Police Station

279 058

Bangkok Phuket Hospital

254 421-30

Kathu Police Station

342 719/21

Mission Hospital

237 220-9

Thalang Police Station

311 123

Patong Hospital

340 444

Phuket Provincial Immigration Office

212 108 or 221 905

Phuket Tourist Association

610 365-6

Phuket Deep Sea Port

391 155

Phukiet International Hospital

212 853

Phuket Post and Telegraph Office

211 020 or 216 951

Vachira Phuket Hospital

211 114 www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

56 / Transportation

Transport on the Island

H

ow much of Phuket have you actually seen? Wouldn’t you like to explore some more? Well, here we list some of your options for getting around the island’s highways and byways.

To and from the airport

Airport transfers are relatively simple.

The airport is at the far north of the island, some 30 kilometers from Phuket Town and even further from most of the popular beaches like Patong and Karon. It is best to use one of the two official transport companies with booths right inside the arrival lounge, you can’t miss them.

Private Airport Limousines or minibuses are available to get to the major beaches at the south or west of the island. Metered taxis are also available and are cheaper than the airport limousines, as are ‘private’ taxis but we suggest you avoid these since problems have been known to occur.

The Airport Bus is a cheaper alternative as long as you are not in a rush. Ask at the airport for their current departure schedules and pricing.

Car rental is available and companies, such as Budget and National have offices located in the airport.

Airlines in & out of Phuket

A multitude of airlines now run scheduled flights to and from Phuket and during high season chartered flights are also available. Budget airlines such as Air Asia, Nok Air and One-2-Go Air all run convenient and economical flights to other provinces throughout Thailand.

Song-taews

There are few buses on Phuket and the main form of transport from beach to town is the ‘song taew’; a truck www.theguidephuket.com

converted to carry passengers in the back on two long benches. They are usually colorful with a sign on front showing where they are going. These vehicles leave from a set stop by the fresh produce market in Phuket Town, reaching every major beach area on the island. They run approximately every hour but there are no fixed schedules, and they run when there are sufficient passengers. When leaving the beach areas to head back to town they usually cruise slowly around the streets picking up passengers. Song-taews are slow but cheap with the fare from Phuket town to Patong now set at just 25 THB per person!

‘Tuk-Tuks’

If you want your own private taxi, look for a tuk tuk, a tiny mini-truck converted in the manner of the bigger songtaews mentioned above to carry about four (or more!) passengers. The tuk-tuk gets its name from the noise its little engine makes. There are fleets of these in all major tourist areas and they will take you anywhere for a price. The going rate for the relatively short ride between Patong and Phuket town can be as much as 450 THB, one way! You can attempt to bargain but don’t expect much movement on their prices and be aware that at night the price of tuk-tuks shoots up.

You can also rent one of these tuktuks for the day. Expect to pay around 2,000 THB or more. This can be a good way to get about the island if you prefer not to drive yourself.

Motorcycle Taxis

These will be a new experience for many people and are a convenient, yet nerve wracking, way to get around. All fares must be negotiated before the ride.

These taxi motor cycle drivers are eas-

ily identified by their special colored jackets showing the location of their home base. Many have the word ‘taxi’ written in English on this jacket. Do not take a taxi from anyone who is not wearing one of these jackets.

Renting a Motorcycle

Motorcycles, big and small, can be rented all over the island and are a popular choice for many tourists.

Zipping around with the breeze in your hair is tempting for anyone but do be careful, the hospitals here see a never-ending stream of foreigners arriving with skin missing from arms and legs, or sometimes worse. The accident rate on Phuket is one of the highest in Thailand, with 90% of road accidents involving motorcycles!

Note that Thai law requires the driver to carry a valid license at all times and all riders to wear helmets – even though most Thais (including the police!) ignore the regulations. Also motor cycle lights must be turned on at all times, including during the daytime! The police occasionally enforce all these laws, so beware.

The real danger in Phuket is this: NONE of the motorcycles rented here have insurance. If you rent one and cause damage you will be held fully responsible, with some greedy owners charging significantly more than the real cost of the damage. Be extremely cautious!

Renting Your Own Car

Since Phuket is quite a large island, renting your own car can be one of the most pleasant ways to get around and it gives you freedom to go where and when you want.

Renting is easy; private rental cars are readily found in every beach area and major rental companies operate in most resorts. When renting private vehicles from the side of the road be aware that few of these vehicles have insurance and this can prove disastrous in the event of an accident.

Renting a car allows you get off the island and see the beautiful, neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi. The

Transportation / 57

Timetable

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

EFFECTIVE : Now - 24 March 2012

TG638

1445

1915

Daily

PHUKET - HONG KONG

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

HONG KONG - PHUKET

PHUKET - BANGKOK

BANGKOK - PHUKET Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG609

0905

1140

Daily

TG201

0745

0910

Daily

TG226

0725

0850

Daily

TG203

0830

0955

Daily

TG202

1010

1140

Daily

TG205

1000

1120

Daily

TG204

1055

1225

Daily

TG211

1215

1335

12.4.6.

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG206

1210

1335

Daily

TG485

0035

0750

...456.

TG215

1430

1550

Daily

TG208

1330

1455

Daily

TG217

1650

1810

Daily

TG230

1425

1550

1..4.6.

TG221

1820

1940

Daily

TG228

1605

1730

...456.

TG223

1920

2040

Daily

TG214

1625

1750

Daily

TG227

2145

2305

..345..

TG216

1645

1810

Daily

TG225

2240

2359

Daily

TG218

1915

2040

Daily

TG222

2040

2205

Daily

TG224

2140

2305

1.3.5.7

CHIANG MAI - PHUKET

Copenhagen - PHUKET

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG129

1340

1535

Daily

TG953

2045

1320

..3.5.7

PHUKET - Perth

Perth - PHUKET Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG486

0910

1425

...456.

PHUKET - Seoul (Incheon) Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG654

2225

0625

.2.4.6.

Seoul (Incheon) - PHUKET Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG655

0815

1305

..3.5.7

Phuket Reservation Call 0-7636-0444 Monday - Sunday, 0800 - 1700 www.thaiairways.com roads are good and the scenery spectacular, making for a great day out.

Regional Buses

The long distance bus station is in Phuket Town is directly across from the Royal City Hotel. From here both air-con tour buses and cheap, ‘orange crush’ buses leave for destinations north, south and east. There are regular services to Bangkok, Krabi, Surat Thani, Nakorn Srithammarat, Trang, Haad Yai and other minor provincial capitals.

Most of the tour buses to Bangkok leave around 5pm arriving in Bangkok about 6am the following morning. Tickets can be purchased either at the bus station or through travel agents.

Transport by Boat

Regular ferry boat services from Phuket run only to the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Yao Noi and Krabi. There are unscheduled boats to Koh Bon, Racha Yai and Koh Yao Yai. You can get to Koh Lanta by changing boats at Koh Phi Phi. Most people get to the other smaller

islands by renting their own speed boats or even by chartering yachts.

Whatever your chosen mode of trans-

port may be, enjoy exploring the island, there is plenty to see and do, more than you might have realized. Happy hunting! www.facebook.com/theguidephuket

58 / Lifestyle

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