Vol.1 No.4 by Design 457

Vol.1 No.4 - October 2010

Maps Diving Tours Things to do Places to go Shopping Accommodation Restaurants and Much, Much More...

Contents

36 Star Phuket Media & Design Limited Partnership 65/573, Moo 2, T. Vichit A. Muang Phuket 83000, Thailand. Tel. +66 (0) 7651 3064, Fax: +66 (0) 7651 3016 Mobile: 089 474 4704, 088 766 0776 E-mail: info@theguidephuket.com, www. theguidephuket.com Managing Director: Punnaporn Eamso Guinault info@theguidephuket.com Marketing Consultant: Thidarat Jessadanongluk marketing@theguidephuket.com Sale Executive: Malisa Wangnurak sales1@theguidephuket.com Editor: Tom Greene editor@theguidephuket.com Designer: Alek E. media@theguidephuket.com

The Guide Update Vegetarian Festival Hot Activities Life’s a Beach Island’s Golf Shopper’s Delight Phuket Roadshow In bed with... SALA Phuket Hotel Highlights In the Kitchen with... Mercure Patong Phuket La Boucherie Grill & Steakhouse Cooking Thai Restaurant Highlights Health and Beauty Diving Activities OFF the Island Phi Phi Island Do’s & Don’ts Property Buyer’s Guide Asian Hospitality & Travel Show The Nightcrawler Transport on the Island Airport Bus Timetable Thai Airways Timetable Bangkok Airways Timetable Important Telephone Numbers

6 8 10 12 14 16 20 18 20 21 22 22 23 25 28 30 32 33 34 36 37 38 40 41 42 42

Maps Phuket Island Patong Kata, Karon

5 19 35

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, Phuket Airport Bus, major resorts in Phuket region, restaurants, spas, travel agent, car rental and cabinet of Phuket Info Center. Please direct all editorial enquiries and contributions to info@theguidephuket.com.

Skal Phuket Club’s dinner meeting of September held at Kata Beach Resort Phuket

Bangkok Airways & Samui Airport ranked in the World’s Top Ten Bangkok – Recently Samui Airport was announced the world’s top ten in the “Best Airports Worldwide” category for the 5th consecutive year whilst Bangkok Airways is ranked in the top ten in the “Best Cabin Service Worldwide” category following an annual “Best Asian Travel Brand 2010” poll surveyed by one of Asia’s forefront online travel magazine, Smart Travel Asia. Samui Airport, the only regional airport on the list, sees over 6 million passengers and more than 15,000 flights per year mainly by Bangkok Airways and other airlines such as Thai Airways International. Samui Airport serves domestic and international direct flights to and from Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Pattaya (U-Tapao), Krabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. The Smart Travel Asia’s travel poll is surveyed annually in different categories such as hotels, resorts, spas, airlines and airports. For more information on Smart Travel Asia, visit www.smarttravelasia. com.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa receives the 2010 Thailand Best Employer Award Phuket, – JW Marriott Phuket has recently received, for the fifth consecutive year, “Thailand’s Best Employer Award 2010”. The award, granted by the Department of Labour Protection, Ministry of Labour, recognizes the resort for managerial excellence in the important categories of maintaining good employee relations and offering superior benefits to its workforce The award was presented by the Prime Minister Apisit Vejjajiva in Bangkok on the 27th August, 2010.

Press conference of the Quiksilver 2010 Surf Competition at Ibis Phuket Kata (From left) Pinyot Pibulsonggram, VP Marketing&Sales, Nok Air; Paitoon Panchaiyapoom, Director of Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Center 5 Phuket; Surached Mungthong, General Manager, Quicksilver Retail Thailand Limited; Erwann Mahe, Executive General Manager, Ibis Erawan Thailand; Tri Akkaradecha, Vice Governor Phuket; Bangaonrat Chinaprayoon, Chief of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket; Sompong Darbphet, Deputy Mayor Karon Municipality and Chanin Aiyarak, Chief of Wind Surf Club Phuket all joined together for the Quiksilver press conference.

Grand opening 1st September 2010, 3rd floor Jungceylon

XD Theater celebrated the grand opening of its Phuket branch located on 3rd floor of Jungceylon in Patong.

White Night

Twin Palms 6th Anniversary Party

Andara Resort & Villa’s Passion for Fashion: ‘Highlight event of the season’ At its first benefit fashion show, Passion for Fashion, on the afternoon of Sunday September 12th, Andara Resort & Villas hosted over 250 guests and raised over 250,000 THB for local children’s charity Phuket Has Been Good to Us Foundation. Held at Silk Restaurant & Bar at Andara and along Silk’s palm-lined infinity pool terrace, guests enjoyed two casual St. Tropez-style runway shows, dined on a Silk’s gourmet Thai favorites, sipped cocktails and lounged poolside into the evening.

Phuket’s Amazing Vegetarian Festival Noise, Colour and Strange Doings... 8-16 October 2010

huket’s Vegetarian Festival is one of the strangest, and most amazing festivals to be held in Thailand. On the beach, tourists bathe hot bodies with cool suntan oil. In the streets, Chinese celebrants bathe cool bodies in hot oil! The former is, of course, commonplace, but the latter is bizarre, one of a number of fearsome feats of self-mortification performed by devotees during Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival. For nine days in October the air of tropical torpor is shaken off and Phuket explodes into noisy scenes that are thrilling, astonishing, colourful, crowded anything but relaxing. The celebration of the biggest event in the island’s festive calendar gives a whole new perspective on this particular island paradise.

By far the largest of Phuket’s ethnic minorities are the Chinese, who migrated from neighbouring Malaysia as well as China itself in the 19th century. Adept in trade and attracted by a revitalized tin mining industry, they had enormous impact and have dominated much of Phuket’s development. Most dramatic of these enduring Chinese influences on the cultural fabric is the annual Vegetarian Festival, celebrated in a style unseen elsewhere in Thailand. Held in the ninth lunar month (usually

in October), this amazing affair blends religious devotion, ritual, merry-making and awesome displays of supernatural powers. It is essentially Chinese in origin and practice but has drawn on various other cultural influences, not least the Thai passion for any festival, to become a distinctively Phuket pageant. Today the nine-day Vegetarian Festival is honoured at the island’s five main Chinese temples with the biggest celebrations seen at Jui Tui Temple, Bang Neow Temple (both in Phuket Town) and at the original site of Kathu Temple. Images of the Nine Emperor Gods are given offerings of vegetarian food and paraded through the town with noisy fanfare, while devotees show the power of the spirit over the flesh by piercing their cheeks and tongues with sharp skewers,

RULES FOR THE VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL Cleanliness of the body It is important not just to maintain a high standard of bodily hygiene but also to cleanse the body from the inside out. Think more in terms of purification than having a shower. Clean kitchen utensils It is important to thoroughly clean and separate the utensils used in the kitchen so that implements are not contaminated. Follow a strict diet This isnt just limited to avoiding meats and animal products but goes as far as to rule out certain herbs and vegetables that must not be consumed as well. and performing other daring feats of self-mortification. Such astonishing displays are a highlight of the 9 days. The festival ends with a gala night of fireworks as the entire town turns out to give an incredibly raucous farewell to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guardian spirits. Followers of the festivities adorn themselves in white during the occasion, eat a strictly vegetarian diet and will abstain from sex and alcohol. A large percentage of restaurants turn vegetarian for ten days, and indicate this with yellow flags. Phuket is then awash in yellow flags and the white of abstinence.

Do not consume alcohol The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden during the festival. Dress in white To enhance the representation of purity. Avoid sex Abstaining from sexual activity will help in the purification process and shows commitment in your offering of body and spirit. Behaving both physically, spriritually and mentally This is very important and it is necessary to have the correct attitude towards the festival.

Orchid Farm

XD Theater Step into the future with Phuketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest attraction; an 8 seat 4D motion ride. Pick from a choice of movies. Slip on your glasses and be prepared to be whisked away on a journey to space or beyond. The moving chairs, which have an acceleration rate of 100 movements per second, 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 kind of roller coaster set on another planet taking you through landscapes unknown while plummeting off the highest cliffs into new 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. www.xdtheater.thai-best.com

Butterfly Garden Phuket Butterfly Garden is the largest and most desirable butterfly garden in Thailand. In operation from 1990, it has become a magnificent place for families and loved ones to enjoy. Imagine the natural beauty that surrounds you as you walk in a tropical garden surrounded by an abundance of flowers and butterflies. Phuket Butterfly Garden is simply heaven on earth. 8000 butterflies per month inhabit the lush green tropical garden, enabling it to be a place of fun, tranquility and pleasure. Discover their secrets, search for hidden eggs, watch as they sip nectar and witness the emergence of new butterflies. www.phuketbutterfly.com

Phuket Zoo Visit Phuket Zoo during your stay here and enjoy a wonderfully different type of zoo. Lush tropical gardens invite you to stroll around in the shade of giant trees and across bridges onto islands containing all kinds of exotic animals. New species of fish, birds and other animals are acquired each year helping to keep the zoo exciting. Our well trained staff will do their best to entertain you at the many shows and photo opportunities. Cold drinks, ice creams and refreshments are sold at several different locations around the extensive grounds so you can sit and rest during your visit. www.phuketzoo.com

Although not the national flower of Thailand, orchids are commonly seen in hotels, spas and restaurants throughout Thailand. With more than 1500 varieties available Phuket Orchid Farm hosts the largest and most comprehensive display of orchids in the region. Cut flowers packed and ready for international air travel. 2 sizes available, small or large. Delivery is available to your hotel one day before your departure. Orchid garden tours are available for just 200 Baht/person, which includes a complementary Orchid bouquet.

Kata Yoga Hot Yoga is popular with both men and women. Hot Yoga makes for a wonderful 90 minute workout. Tone your muscles and get in shape fast with Hot Yoga! We welcome all, designed for beginners and 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 with stress-free movements - no more aches and pains! After the class you will feel like new, full of vitality. Kata Hot Yoga class acts like a gas station, refilling you with the energy you need, it is the only workout where you gain energy instead of losing it! You will leave feeling amazing and with a big smile, proud of yourself and will want to come back for more. Get a healthy mind and a healthy body. Kata Yoga studio at the beach in Kata. www.katahotyoga.com

Elephant trekking The wild elephant population of Phuket was wiped out last century, but has been replaced in recent years by an influx of animals for the tourist trade. Today there remains just a few hundred elephants on Phuket Island, all domesticated, most working in tourism. Indeed, riding an elephant is an experience not to be missed. The lumbering monsters are incredibly agile. Taking an elephant ride helps to keep the beasts employed, fed and out of the cities, where many can be taken by destitute owners in search of money and food.

Cooking with Pum

Horse Riding

The food in Thailand is nothing short of amazing. The fresh seafood, the healthy salads,the fragrant curries, the wide variety of flavours and very reasonable prices means you could spend your entire holiday just eating! But how can you take that experience home with you? Cooking classes in Thailand have risen in popularity over recent years and now it is possibly to take a full range of different classes in Phuket. Learn to cook yourself at Pum Cooking School in Patong, fun classes and easy to cook recipes means you will still be enjoying one of Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest treasures long after your holiday is over. www.pumthaifoodchain.com

Here at our stable we offer you the greatest experience. Let your work worries and the pressure of modern society gradually fade away and nature take over. Whether a beginner or an experienced rider we have the right horse and the right program for you. Our knowledgeable staff will match you with horses that suit your riding skills. We offer more than 20 Australian, Appaloosa, Thai horses and ponies for riding, our horses and ponies are professionally trained and friendly; whether you are a novice or an experienced rider you will have great fun with us.

Diving with Sea Bees Diving is a must-do activity in Phuket, crystal clear waters, an abundance of fish and coral, the surrounding dive sites are some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best but in order to enjoy them to the full you need to choose the right dive company. Sea Bees is a large operation with numerous offices around Thailand, their experience and wealth of knowledge are second to none. With friendly staff, highest quality equipment and large comfortable boats you are sure to have the best experience possible. www.sea-bees.com

Patong

ince its rise to fame in the late 1980s as a prime tourist destination, Patong Beach has seen a lot of change. Development has continued to increase the number of hotel, bars, shops and restaurants but, at heart, Patong has remained the same; a lively, accessible and fun place to spend your hard earned annual holiday. Patong has something for everyone be it singles, couples, families, old and young are all catered for here.

The Beach You came for the beach and that is what you get; 3.5 kilometres of it and although its not the most beautiful of sandy strips on Phuket, it certainly isn’t the worst and because of its sheer length you can find a quiet(er) spot even during the busiest time of the year. You’ll find it difficult to get bored on this beach, so when your latest John Grisham turns out to be a turkey there are still plenty of water activities to undertake, snacks to be eaten and massages to be had.

Restaurants Thai, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French, German, Indian, Russian or Lebanese? Take your pick, almost all tastes are catered for here, some surprisingly good, some mediocre and some downright abysmal establishments have opened in recent years adding to the plethora of street stalls. And if all else fails there are also an increasing number of franchised fast-food outlets appearing. One thing is for sure, you won’t be going hungry here!

Shops Whether you are interested in some Thai trinkets for the family back home, or designer labelled goods (be it real or otherwise!!) then you are spoilt for

choice. The beach road gives you a huge range of stalls where bartering for the best price is a must, OTOP Plaza on the Rajuthit road (opposite the Holiday Inn) provides similar merchandise but on a larger scale, and Jungceylon shopping mall gives you the real fix that every shopaholic needs.

Nightlife Patong is famous for it! More bar oriented than club oriented the choice now is quite broad. Bangla Road and Paradise complex are (dare I say it?) the ‘darker’ side to Patong nightlife, a handful of Irish bars are available if you are hankering for freshly pulled Guinness coupled with live music, the beach road hosts a scattering of more relaxed bars and there are a growing number of more glitzy upmarket ‘club’ style venues in, and just out of, Patong.

Getting around There is a lot to see in Patong but it is all within walking distance, if however you are feeling a little weary from a day sunning yourself, eating pineapple and sipping cocktails then taxis are available everywhere, either in the form of tuktuks or motorcycles just make you sure you agree a price beforehand. Getting to and from Patong is also very easy from anywhere on the island either by taxi or local bus.

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 and there is nobody here! 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 favourite 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 its 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.

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, a 3-kilometre long beach situated in the middle of Phuket’s west coast, has undergone recent developments to the 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.

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 of the beach.

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 halfmoon crescent of white sand lining a bay cut deep between two green headlands. Crystal clear waters and soft coral allows for 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

Rawai & Chalong

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; many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the beachless shoreline stretching south.

Rawai and Chalong both face the southeast, and thus miss the brunt of the monsoon season wave action. The beaches themselves are less than desirable but still numerous restaurants, bars and guesthouses line the roads in this area which is particularly popular with Phuket’s expat community.

Ao Sane Beach Ao Sane beach is a small bay and is located to the right side 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 is not a popular water activity beach but nice to relax to get away from crowd. The beach is not so long and the sand is beautifully soft but not very white. It is a favourite bathing and sunbathing location.

Laem Ka Beach The entrance of Laem Ka Beach is a small private road, it is one of those quiet and beautiful little beaches with a lot rocks. The sea here is very calm and clear and it is a favourite beach for the Phuket locals to relax with their familes.

Cape Panwa Perhaps the quietest corner of the island, just three up-market resorts are found on this long, southeastern peninsula, all ideal for those who really want a quiet corner to themselves.

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.

och Palm Golf Course is located in Kathu district surrounded by mountains, trees and waterfalls. The word ‘Loch” originates from vast lakes in Scotland, where the game of golf was born. Loch Palm Golf Club is well known for its relaxing atmosphere and breezy fairways lined with palm trees winding around Crystal Lake, the largest lake in Phuket. The course design allows golfers to have the choice of walking or using a golf cart from our fleet of over 150 carts. A highlight of the course is the back nine which incorporates a mountainous layout and provides splendid views of the course and the island. Overall, Loch Palm Golf Course gives all a chance to experience a superb round of golf on a course dubbed as “The Most Relaxing Golf Course in Phuket”.

Loch Palm Golf Club

38 Moo 5,Vichitsongdram Rd., Kathu Sub District, Kathu district, Phuket 83000 Tel. 076 321 929-34 Fax: 076 321 927-8 www.lochpalm.com info@lochpalm.com

Landmass: 400 rai, 18 holes par 72 Course Length: 6,555 yards

Course Tee-Boxes

The drop from Tee-to-Green of 30 meters to the double level green with flanking greenside bunkers and water means that correct club selection is imperitive. Taking the drop into consideration the yardage is closer to 155 yards and strong winds play a huge role.

Red – Ladies & Juniors (5,326 yards) White – Amateur golfers (6,135 yards) Blue – Professionals & Low Handicappers (6,555 yards) Opened Since: November 1996 (18 Holes) Course Designer: Dr.Sukitti Klangwisai

Design Theme

Grass Types

The design of the course has integrated the surrounding landscapes and gives the golfer a variety of different holes challenging golfers of all levels, and yet the design keeps the environment and various ecosystems intact and promotes wildlife. This mixture is what has made the course so popular with the golfing community.

Signature Holes

Fairway Grass: Matrella Zoysia Green Grass: Japonica Zoysia Kiosks: 5

Hole 14 Par 3 - 168 yards This Downhill Par 3 gives the golfer a panoramic view of the course from the teebox, a quality shot is needed to hit the back-to-front sloping green laying below – a fantastic signature hole.

Hole 11 Par 5 - 524 yards One of the most difficult greens on the course to read, sloping from left to right/ back to front with 2 levels this green is notorious for 3 or even 4 putts. This long par five is made even longer as you’re hitting uphill towards a green sitting high. Shots approaching the green must be on the correct level of green depending on the pin placement to have a decent chance of a good score!

Rates

Green Fee 18 holes 3,500 baht Caddie Fee 18 holes 250 baht Golf Cart 18 holes 700 baht Course Real Estate Developments • Baan Suan Loch Palm • Garden Villas • The Pano • Signature

Clubhouse Amenities The Clubhouse has various facilities and services such

as a restaurant overlooking the course layout and mountainous scenery, a pro shop, conference room and locker rooms for men & ladies. Also, for golfers that did not bring their own equipment rental clubs include new models from Taylormade and rental golf shoes.

Exclusive Ladies & Gents Custom Tailor

Promotions

(but on-call 24 hours a day)

Special packages are available for large groups and golfers looking for packages including hotel accommodation.

Opening hours: 9am–11pm Call 081 892 1877

for free transportation to our shop 158-160 Karon Beach Road, Karon, Phuket Tel. (66) 076 286 094, Fax: (66) 076 286 531 Contact: Mr. James Gautam or Mr. David Email: jamesphuket@yahoo.com or ram-gm@hotmail.com www.jamesfashionhouse.com

Michael Brasier, resident PGA professional, and the whole of the Red Mountain Golf Club welcomes a trio of TV Stars from Bangkok to enjoy a round of golf on the 30th July 2010. Bookings for Red Mountain Golf Club can be made daily by contacting 076 322 000–1, or visit www.redmountainphuket.com for further details.

ignature designs, world-class craftsmanship, high quality imported fabrics and prompt, dependable service. Four things that make James Fashion House Phuket’s leading custom tailor and top provider of elegant - yet affordable suits and other clothes for men, women and even children. Over 925 kinds of fabric; 100% Thai silk, cashmere wool, cotton, probably the most extensive range of clothing materials you can find on the island.

First Phuket Charity Pro Am Golf Welcomes World Top Golf Professionals

With a host of styles to pick, from modern to classic, casual to formal. Just tell us your needs and we’ll do the rest.

2010 Phuket Property Dot Com Pro Am Invitational to take place 5th November; Proceeds go to Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation; Over US$150,000 of prizes.

Loch Palm Golf Club Golf farewell party for provincial waterworks manager (Phuket)

Red Mountain Golf Club Phuket monthly amateur open by Mr. Neil and Mr. Mark Cameron

Phuket Orchid Resort

Hilton Acadia To Patong

Thavorn Palm Resort

Tommy Fashion

Bangla Rd.

October 2010

Luang Phachuan Rd.

Terry Pilkadaris (left) and Simon Yates (right) who finished fifth and eighth respectively at the recent Thailand Open. Top golfers on the Asian and European Tours, both confirmed to take part in the 2010 Phuket Property Dot Com Pro Am Invitational.

James Island Yiew Dino Resort Park ATM Fashion To Kata

Karon Beach

Ceramics

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 colours, and quality; 2-ply is thin and light, 3-ply or more becomes heavier and more expensive. Tailors, jewellery 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.

The two major centres 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 creative and interesting. There is a fair range spread around the island, but you’ll have to drive and hunt to find it all. The Guide Phuket recommends: Siam Ceramic Handmade (see detail below).

Woodcarving Most of this comes from the craft centres 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.

Antiques Beware if you’re looking for genuine antiques, for this is one real danger zone in Thailand. Read the passage below on Instant Antiques carefully; and remember that most genuinely old pieces of traditional Thai art, including Buddha images, require permits to take from the country.

Instant Antiques 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, cunning 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, takes the pressure off the genuinely old things, and, 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 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 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 Gallary, Patong Beach, www.fashiongallery.com. James Fashion House, Karon Beach, www.jamesfashionhouse.com.

Jewellery – (beware of the scams) Bangkok is the undisputed gemstone capital of the world. A large portion of the world’s diamonds, rubies and sapphires and other precious stones are imported raw into Thailand, cut and set by Thailand’s skilled workforce, and exported - often back to the countries they came from. Most of South Africa’s diamonds, Australia’s opals, Burma’s rubies and Sri Lanka’s varied gems pass through Bangkok for processing. Thailand is definitely the best place to purchase precious stones and jewellery, and with transport costs

so low all of these bargains can be found also in Phuket but be warned: purchase only from a well-established shop, and hopefully you will know at least a little about the gemstones you desire before entering the shop. Remember that if you are taken to a jewellery store in Phuket by a guide, a taxi driver or other local they are likely receiving a hefty commission. This can often be as high as 30% of your purchase, a fee that simply goes on top of your bill. It’s much better to drive your self to one of the jewellery stores. If you are stopping over in Bangkok generally there is a greater choice of shops and the commission racket is not so pervasive.

ALA Phuket Resort and Spa is a stunning deluxe pool villa resort, featuring private swimming pools in 63 out of 79 rooms, villas, and suites. SALA Phuket boutique resort is an impressive complement to its popular sister property, SALA Samui. SALA Phuket combines rare historical Sino - Portuguese architecture with modern 5-star facilities. Located on pristine Mai Khao beach on Phuket’s northwest shoreline, SALA Phuket resort and spa is just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport. The famous Blue Canyon Golf Course is a short distance from SALA Phuket and the picturesque Phang Nga Bay is located just 25 minutes away. SALA Phuket is the ideal location for a Phuket wedding and honeymoon with its vast and private pristine golden sand beach and lush beachside lawn surrounded by a coconut tree plantation swaying in the wind. In addition to the friendly, professional and personalized service, SALA Phuket luxury resort offers facilities including: - 3 large beachfront swimming pools - World class international beachfront restaurant and bar with an air-conditioned dining option - SALA Spa - Gym - In-room Wi-Fi Internet connections - Business traveller services.

In Bed with...

SALA

Phuket

Their culinary team is creative and passionate about their menu options, dining locations and pricing structure are all designed and suggested to offer you the most suitable package arrangements for your occasion. A selection of ceremonial options lets you choose from personal, exclusive, cultural or combine your preferred features for a truly memorable experience. Their services can be extended well beyond the actually day to include pre and post ceremony activities, transportation, celebration and indulgence selections. From private excursions, exclusive cocktail parties or merely some honeymoon papering, they are only too pleased to assist.

Dining at SALA Phuket: Weddings at SALA Phuket: SALA Phuket provides the perfect setting and attention to detail for your special occasion. A variety of exotic locations for your ceremony are available from white powdery sandy beaches, lush green lawn expanses or an intimate sunset rooftop vantage. Whilst their personal, intuitive service ensures your special occasion the attention it deserves. Dining and celebration options can be tailored to suit your personal requirements, with direct attention from their management team to ensure the best of counsel at all times.

The trademark SALA Restaurant and bar, located beach front and adjacent to the stunning swimming pool, has been hailed as one of Phuket’s culinary gems. This romantic hideaway features exceptional seafood, prime cuts and western cuisine as well as traditional Thai special dishes. The resort also boasts further secluded dining options, including lawn and beach front settings or their unique rooftop dining and lounge…”Sunsets will never be the same” exclaims Executive Chef Jan Hollister (former Executive Chef of SALA Samui)

Meetings at SALA Phuket: SALA Meeting Room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Centrally located adjacent to the Lobby Lounge, their stylish meeting room provides a sophisticated setting for your meeting event. Completed with modern facilities and catering services specifically designed for private meeting events. A complete package of half day / full day options for delegates are available including meeting room setup to your preference, morning / afternoon coffee break and working lunch or full day packages including your choice of private dinner with our special group rate.

Spa at SALA Phuket The SALA Spa Phuket: Exotic, mysterious, decadentâ&#x20AC;Ś total indulgence awaits you. Welcome to the SALA Spa where their primary aim is to help you reach a greater sense of equilibrium and wellbeing. SALA Spa Phuket features contemporary Sino Portuguese inspired design evoking the sensual harmony of a tropical Chinese garden. Step into our sanctuary and be surrounded with the calming effects of water and relaxation. The spa offers five air-conditioned treatment rooms and 3 beachfront massage stations. Luxuriate in their sauna and steam rooms. The SALA gym provides a full body workout with cardio, strength machines and free weights. SALA Phuket Resort and Spa 333 Moo 3, Mai Khao, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Tel: +66 76 338 888 Fax: +66 76 338 889 E-mail: salesphuket@salaphuket.com Website: www.salaphuket.com

Hotel Highlight

Mercure Patong

Patong Resort Hotel

The Nap Patong

Merlin Beach Resort

Location: Patong

239/14 Raj-U-Thit 200 Pee Rd. Patong, Phuket 83150

208, Raj-U-Thit 200 Pee Rd. Patong Beach, Phuket 83150

99, Muen-Ngoen Road, Tri-Trang Beach, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150

Tel. +66 (0) 7630 2100 Fax: +66 (0) 7630 2111 www.mercurephuket.com

Tel. +66 (0) 7634 0551-4 ext. 1108/1109/1110 Fax: +66 (0) 7634 0189 www.patongresorthotel.com

5/55, Patong Beach Road Patong Beach, Kathu Phuket 83150 Tel. +66 (0) 7629 6631-4 Fax: +66 (0) 7629 6635 www.thenappatong.com

Tel. +66 (0) 7629 4300 Fax: +66 (0) 7629 4310 www.merlinphuket.com

SALA Phuket Resort & Spa

Patong Merlin Resort

Ibis Phuket Kata Hotel

Impiana Resort Patong, Phuket

Location: Maikhao

Location: Patong

Location: Kata

Location: Patong

333 Moo 3, Maikhao Beach Thalang, Phuket 83110

44, Thaveewong Road, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket

88/8, Kata Road, Karon Muang, Phuket 83100

41, Taveewongse Road, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150

Tel. +66 (0) 7633 8888 Fax: +66 (0) 7633 8889 www.salaphuket.com

Tel. +66 (0) 7634 0037-41 Fax: +66 (0) 7634 0394 www.patongmerlin.com

Tel.+66 (0) 2659 2888 Fax: +66 (0) 2659 2889 www.ibishotel.com

Tel. +66 (0) 7634 0138 Fax: +66 (0) 7634 0178 www.impiana.com

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

The South Sea Resorts

The Royal Paradise Hotel & Spa

Twinpalms Phuket

Location: Karon

Located: Patong Beach

Located: Surin Beach

683 Karon Beach, Patak Rd., Karon, Muang, Phuket 83100

204 Karon Road, Muang Phuket 83000

135/23, 123/15-16, Raj-U-Thit 200 Pee Rd., Patong beach Kathu, Phuket 83150

106/46 Moo 3 Surin Beach Road Cherng Talay, Phuket 83110

Tel. +66 (0) 7620 1234 Fax: +66 (0) 7620 1235 www.centarahotelsresorts. com/cpbr

Tel. +66 (0) 7637 0888 Fax: +66 (0) 7637 0899 www.southsearesorts.com

Tel. +66 (0) 7634 0666 Fax: +66 (0) 7634 0565 www.royalparadise.com

Tel. +66 (0) 76 316500 Fax: +66 (0) 76 316599 www.twinpalms-phuket.com

In the Kitchen with...

MERCURE PATONG PHUKET

orld Café is more than just a traditional coffee shop. It’s a blend of flavours and colours from around the world, featuring an inspired Western cuisine selection to satisfy and fulfill the tastes of all! World Café is an all day dining restaurant open daily from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm with “Grands Vins” selection available at very reasonable prices. Wake up to a healthy start! Every great day begins with a great breakfast! From 6.00am to 10.30am, the Mercure Breakfast offers a large variety of European and Asian dishes, served in a buffet style including live cooking and demonstration stations. Pleasurable moments are available in a modern and bright surrounding, for lunches and dinners, or even small afternoon snacks! We even offer the Pluto Kids Menu to satisfy young guests appetites. MERCURE PATONG PHUKET 239/14, Raj-U-Thid 200 Pee Road, Patong Phuket, 83150, Thailand Phone: +66 (0) 7630 2 100 - Fax: +66 (0) 7630 2111 info@mercurephuket.com - www.mercurephuket.com

Vive La France with...

La Boucherie Grill & Steakhouse

alking through the early evening throngs of the Patong’s Beach Road area, you quickly feel the need for some sort of sanctuary, an oasis of calm in which to gather your thoughts and possibly savour a long, cool drink. Early evening Patong is cacophonous, with marauding pickups tearing by as dazed tourists stagger up from the beach and Soi Bangla’s denizens start arriving like Sirens called from the deep, for another evening’s hard yards at Ground Zero of the endless beer bar party that never seems to end.

Reeling away from all this, if you turn right off Beach Road into Soi Sawatdirak, a couple of hundred metres along on your left you’ll be dazzled to see the dramatic red and white striped front window and awnings of La Boucherie in the forecourt of the Royal Phawadee Hotel. Both the restaurant and the elegantly-styled boutique resort are something of an anomaly within the surrounding bric a brac and rather unprepossessing shop houses and storefronts. You are at once alerted to a strange confluence of old Siam and France in the eccentric al-

chemy that hangs around this location. La Boucherie is certainly a bright cipher of Francophone exuberance, while the surrounding Royal Phawadee boutique hotel boasts old Siam styled wooden friezes, intricate murals and arching rooflines vaulting skywards. Strange bedfellows indeed, until you meet the owners that is. Claude de Crissey and his lovely Thai wife are the hosts of the hotel as well as the franchise holders of La Boucherie for Thailand, and Phuket is lucky indeed to be the home of the only outlet of the chain to be opened in Thailand so far. Claude’s wife is chic, elegant and glamorous, qualities often associated with French women, but she is Thai and named Phawadee of course and so Claude has christened the hotel after her. Ah, the romantic French, always able to teach the rest of us unemotional planks a thing or two about the world of l’amour! La Boucherie restaurant features almost strident branding with its central motif, a smiling cow licking its chops, and here the pun is very much intended. La Boucherie means the Butcher’s Shop in French and this international chain is all about good, red meat. Therefore, chops and steaks it is! The chain is famous in France with over 30 restaurants, as well as outlets as far afield as Russia, Saudi Arabia and Luxembourg, but the same high quality meat is served wherever the brand is found. Sit down at one of the outdoor tables with their red and white stripped tablecloths reminiscent of lazy evenings in a Provencal village and anticipate the arrival of the evening’s fabulous fare. Here you’ll enjoy aperitifs such as flutes of French champagne from the Savoie region.

As you sip and start to relax you might well see striding transvestites and tattooed sailors weaving their way towards the bars, rather than a local goatherd chaperoning his flock down from the French hillside. But this is as close as you will ever get to Peter Mayle territory while in Phuket, so just kick back and savour the amazing eccentricities of Patong. La Boucherie’s philosophy is simply first class food, primarily seafood and meats… mainly beef from France, Australia and New Zealand, cooked and served in a down-to-earth French way, with potatoes and vegetables. There is friendly efficient service in a cozy relaxed atmosphere, plus desserts and cheeses that will keep you lingering long over your meal in true French provincial fashion. Not to mention a reasonably priced wine cellar which, while quite limited, has been chosen with care to complement the main meat-based theme of the menu. There are wines from Australia, California, Chile, Italy, Spain and of course France. Given La Boucherie’s focus on red meat there is a good selection of full-bodied reds including Château Neuf du Pape 2003, Chateau Haute Bages 2003, Gigondas Guigal 2005, and a Cotes du Rhone 2008. If you prefer white wine with your rare rump steak, try the delightful Australian Rosemont Chardonnay, which will keep you smiling for the rest of the evening. Surrounded by all this sheer ebullient French-ness it’s easy to understand why France is the most visited tourist destination in the world, a mantle they have held ever since mass tourism started and appear to be in no danger of losing any time soon. Vive La France, right in the heart of Patong! La Boucherie Grill and Steakhouse is in the Royal Phawadee Hotel at 3, Sawatirak Road, Patong Beach. Please call 084 84 92 122 for reservations (ask BAO) www.laboucherie-asia.com

Cooking with Blue Elephant

Steamed Fish with Lime

Preparation

Crush the lemongrass in a mortar. Score the fish with diagonal cuts on both sides. Place fish on a steaming tray on a bed of crushed lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves then steam over boiling water for about 15-20 minutes until cooked. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing sauce then add in garlic and carrot and with the remaining ingredients for the sauce. To serve, arrange the salad leaves on one side of a serving dish and place the fish beside them. Pour the sauce evenly over the fish and place the lime slices and coriander leaves on top. Ingredients (Makes 1 serving) 1 2 3 2

fish such as sea bass, mullet, trout or sole, weighing about 200-250g stems lemongrass galangal sliced kaffir lime leaves

The dressing sauce 4 cloves garlic, peeled and very finely diced 15g. carrot, peeled and very finely diced 10 coriander stems, very finely chopped 3 bird’s eye chilies, finely sliced 1 tsp. sugar 1.5 tbsp. fish sauce 2.5 tbsp. lime juice For the garnish 3 green salad leaves 3 lime slices fresh coriander leaves

24 RESTAURANT

Sushi BOX

La Casa’s

Japanese Cuisine

Italian Cuisine

Sushi Box is a new restaurant located in the newly renovated Central Food Hall at Central Festival, Phuket 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. Location: Central Food Hall at Central Festival, Phuket

One of the best Italian restaurants on Patong Beach; part of Patong Bay Garden Resort centrally located on Patong Beach, Lacasa Pizzeria e Ristorante, serving simple yet stylish, tastefully original Italian homemade delights and a wide range of reasonably priced wines, with dependable service and live music by an Italian entertainer, Mr. Lino and his Piano. More information please go to www.phuket-lacasa.com Location: Patong Beach

TAwai

LE CELTIQUE

Thai Cuisine

French Cuisine

Tawai Thai Restaurant, beside BB’s Pub (across from Toto’s) at Tinlay Place, Cherng Talay. Open daily from 10.00am to 11.00pm. Tel. 076-325 381, 081-7875354. E-mail: noi_tawai@yahoo.co.th Location: Cherngtalay

French specialties; snails, white asparagus, scallop saffron sauce and an excellent pork hock or a rack of lamb with goat cheese. Bertrand is the king of sauces, and Lek always welcomes you warmly. Tel. 076 613 098 E-mail: celtiquethai@hotmail.com Location: Saiyuan Road, Rawai

White Box

Bit’in Restaurant

Fusion Cuisine

International cuisine & Thai food

This is an up-market beachfront restaurant and bar fit for James Bond and friends. You can’t miss it standing pristine in white at the northern end of Patong Beach; minimalist in style, themed in white and blue to create an atmosphere that reflects Mediterranean culinary inspiration. Phone 076 346 271 to ensure a table. Location: Patong Beach

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

SALA Restaurant

PUM Restaurant & Cooking School

International cuisine & Thai food

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. +66 (0) 7633 8888 www.salaphuket.com Location: Maikhao

Thai Cuisine

Offering a range of very simple, very tasty Thai food this modern restaurant also runs cooking classes for all of those budding chefs out there. Restaurant and school are both open daily from 11am till 10pm. Patong - 076 346 269, Phi Phi - 081 521 8904 www.pumthaifoodchain.com Location: Patong, Phi Phi

Baan Laimai Beach Resort Thai Cuisine

Come to dining with candle light, warm in the balmy night air, under the star and live music. Enjoying the wine with traditional Thai food, international and freshest selection of seafood with your prefer cooking style. More information please go to our website www.baanlaimai. com and for dining reservation please call 076-292-956 Location: Patong Beach

The 9th Floor Fusion Cuisine

The 9th Floor delivers in what many travel and destination publications describe as “One of the best dining locations in Phuket.” With tasteful background music, a relaxing bar, a polyglot, convivial and knowledgeable host, the 9th Floor equation adds up to one of the better eating out options on Phuket Island. The 9th Floor will fulfill your hopes of fine-dining in Phuket at reasonable costs with a vista and service that simply will blow you away. Seven heaven? This is ninth-floor heaven. www. the9thfloor.com Location: Patong Beach

Enjoy Sunday Brunch at Oriental Spoon Come and enjoy our unique flavours every Sunday from noon to 3pm. Freshest selection of Seafood, Oysters, Smoked Salmon, Roasts, Cheeses, Chocolate Fountain with Fresh Berries and our famous Crème Brûlée. THB 1,490 per person including a bottle of Wine per couple, THB 3,490 per person including a bottle of Champagne per couple, (Brunch Only: THB 1,190 per person). Prices subject to tax and service. Call 076 316 577 and ask for Sunday Brunch reservations. www.twinpalms-phuket.com

Catch Beach Club - Phuket’s Most Fashionable Beach Club Tuesday & Friday Beach BBQ Come and join our delicious beach BBQ on Tuesday or Friday evening from sunset to midnight. Freshest selection of Seafood, Oysters, Smoked Salmon, BBQ Seafood, whole Lamb on a spit, BBQ Ribs, Steaks and Corn on the cob, Giant Kebab, Cheeses and much more. Sweets include the Chocolate Fountain with selections of Fresh Berries, Italian home made Ice Cream and our famous Crème Brûlée. Tel. +66 (0) 76 316567 E-mail: book@catchbeachclub.com www.catchbeachclub.com

Stairway to (Massage) Heaven A

holiday in Phuket is not complete without at least one massage. An hour of physical release can be an invigorating experience after a night out, a blissful cool down for a sunburned body, a relaxing treat for stressed-out

Phuket Spa Hiranyikara Spa 133 Moo7 Vichitsongkram Road, Kathu, Phuket 83120 Tel. (66 76) 203280 www.hiranyikara.com 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. Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness 5/10 Moo 3, Tumbon Vichit, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel. (66 76) 263222 Fax: (66 76) 264533 www.sukkospa.com Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness is the world’s first cultural spa with the unique Thai cultural service and design of architect derived from the ancient capital of Siam, with three categories of rooms and 160 treatment beds in the new five-star day spa in Phuket. We provide individual packages based on the philosophy of Thai Ayuraveda as well as full wellness facilities and other ancient wisdom passed down through the generations.

workaholics or a deep and intense attempt to deal with sports injuries or aches and pains. Whatever your reason for delving into the world of massage – on Phuket there is a treatment for you. On the island’s beaches you can be pummeled, in tropical gardens you can be pampered and in cool salas you can fall asleep to lilting music and soft hands. Heaven is only a pressure point away on Phuket – but be warned, this is an addictive experience and can take over your entire holiday. Sightseeing tours and island adventures cancelled for the lure of soothing hands and sleepy caresses. The traditional Thai massage dates back to ancient India, even before the lifetime of the Lord Buddha. It has been practiced in Thailand for hundreds of years and many Thai people believe it cures common ailments such as aches and pains, fevers and even nervous dispositions. Contrary to popular belief, clothes should stay on during Thai massage. The technique is about manipulating the energy which travels through your body and this can be done through loose, comfortable clothing.

On the beach One of the best ways to experience an authentic Thai massage is to head down to one of the island’s beaches and answer the call of the massage ladies that lie beneath their bamboo shacks. Good beach massages can be found all around the island. Some resorts have staff working for them and other times the massage ladies are freelance. Whatever the deal you can be sure that you will be massaged by someone with plenty of practice. It isn’t usually a gentle experience. These ladies are often from the old school of Thai massage and grin and cackle as your joints crack in protest and you let out inadvertent squeals of pain. They will push and pull, poke and prod and throw you about with unexpected strength before jumping energetically on your back and making you wish the ground would open up and swallow you – or her. However, after the torture is over, a sense of well-being quietly settles in and your body feels a lot more relaxed – and healthy.

Go local A step up from beach massage is to visit the small massage shops found on every street. These often specialize in reflexology, easily recognized from the foot diagram prominently displayed outside. Inside they range in ambiance from fluorescent lights and plastic furniture to Thai silk furnishings and trickling water features. But they all have comfortable recliners for foot massages and softly spoken massage therapists. What you get here is usually a ‘by rote’ experience. In other words, they aren’t going to identify problems or focus on particular areas but will still leave you feeling relaxed and well prodded. There will also be curtained-off areas with thin mattresses for oil or Thai massages in private.

Get physical Thai massage schools aren’t that plentiful on Phuket. These places offer skilled therapists who probably trained at Wat Po, the premier massage school in Bangkok, and these guys can deal with specific injuries and other health complaints. However, it is

generally a good idea to point out particular problems to focus on before you begin.

Focus your mind Day spas can usually be found near the beach or in the mountains. Many focus on health massages, which are often combined with steam or herbal compresses and other health treatments. Here you will be expected to take your massage treatment very seriously â&#x20AC;&#x201C; frivolity not encouraged. If you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking for health benefits so much as pure and utter indulgence then head to a resort spa.

Ultimate Indulgence Spas found in resorts offer the ultimate in luxurious extravagance. Many offer packages of five hours or longer and leave you in a state of tranquility. These massages are generally more about relaxation than health and usually take place in peaceful (but manufactured) surroundings. They often have a bath or Jacuzzi and also offer facials, Indian head massages and body wraps. Everything from chocolate to sesame seeds and mud will be smeared over you as the spas fight to provide more and more temptations. However, the basic aromatherapy massages are always a treat and are usually very well administered.

A Spa with men in mind 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 cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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

Story & photos by Baz Daniel

Baz Daniel recounts a bizarre story about a giant moray eel and a hapless dive master who broke the cardinal rule about looking, but not touching when you are out diving.

ndy Warhol famously said that everyone on the planet would enjoy their own fifteen minutes of fame. In the interconnected global world we now inhabit, this prophesy seems to have become true, even if it’s only on Facebook, or YouTube. On a recent dive trip to the Similan Islands, we had occasion to ask ourselves whether Mr. Warhol’s prediction extend to moray eels and other sub-aquatic species? Diving with Phuket’s Scuba Cat liveaboard outfit, we heard a cautionary tale about a huge moray eel named “Scarface” and his very own fifteen minutes of video fame. This is a story that has travelled around the globe via YouTube and other video internet sites. We set off from Tap Lamu pier on a glorious sunny morning and cruised north-west towards the Similan Island group. The trip seemed blessed when a big pod of playful dolphins started racing ahead of the prow of the boat and stayed with us for almost an hour, so that we were able to get some great shots of these inquisitive mammals. After about four hours we eventually arrived at Koh Payu, also known as island number seven of the nine island Similan group.

On the next pass, the eel swam up to the diver’s thumb, which was covered in sausagey chemicals and in one bite bit it off and SWALLOWED IT!

Our first dive was to be at East of Eden, a site which is considered one of the best in the Andaman Sea, because of the broad diversity of marine life that can be seen there including leopard sharks and black and white tipped reef sharks. East of Eden also features a massive bombora, upon which underwater photographers could easily spend half a day shooting the glorious hard and soft corals, and we were lucky enough to see an elusive frog fish when we dived there. Most impressively though we got to meet Scarface, who, over time, had become the star of the East of Eden dive show. Scarface is a pretty big moray, over two metres long in fact and lives underneath a flat piece of table coral in the middle of a sandy expanse on the dive site. Most morays are shy retiring types, who spend their days wedged firmly in

their rocky crevices, with only their heads and toothy jaws protruding. They tend to become active only at night, when they hunt their prey largely by smell and taste rather than sight. Scarface, however, was cursed with a dangerous combination of courage and curiosity and so began interacting with his numerous human visitors and became gradually conditioned to their presence and indeed conditioned to accepting food from them. He really seemed to enjoy swimming around his callers with increasing intimacy and naturally some dive masters liked to show off their familiarity with the large eel to their dive groups, particularly if they happened to contain attractive female members. This is where it all started to go horribly wrong. One particularly adventurous dive master decided to start feeding Scarface with sausages from a plastic bag he would take down with him and sure enough,

now been restored to full operational efficiency, and is back leading dive groups again, although he will certainly not be feeding any more underwater creatures. But there is a lesson for us all in this strange story. When we go diving, we enter a glorious alien world that is not ours and in which we are temporary privileged guests. We should by all means look and wonder at this magnificent world into which modern technology gives us access, but on no account should we touch or disturb the sub-aquatic ecosystem in any way. We can only hope that Scarface’s fifteen minutes of global video celebrity has cemented this lesson firmly in the minds of a generation of divers. As for the Scarface himself, he’s still hanging out under his table coral at East of Eden. If you are lucky enough to dive there, do by all means drop by to say “hi” but be sure to keep your hands to yourself. Happy diving! the marine superstar developed a passion for the beef and pork offerings he received. One fateful day the dive master decided to go down with a friend who had a video camera and produce their very own YouTube exhibit, failing perhaps to take into account Scarface’s potential for stage fright once he was on camera. At first Scarface did his thing swimming intimately around the diver and then swimming up to and grabbing the proffered sausages. This went on until all the sausages were consumed but it seemed that Scarface was still hungry. On the next pass, the eel swam up to the diver’s thumb, which no doubt smelled pretty good as it was covered in sausagey chemicals, and in one bite took it off and SWALLOWED IT! All this was recorded on the video too. One moment we see a diver with a normal complement of four fingers and a thumb, then there’s a big black cloud of spreading blood, a four-digit hand and a very shocked diver. The thumb was taken off in one clean bite, bone and all…that’s how powerful the jaws of a big moray really are! Luckily, both dive master and cameraman were very experienced divers and got themselves to the surface and back onto the boat without further misadventure. The boat headed for harbour over three hours away, where a waiting helicopter flew the victim to hospital in Phuket This cautionary tail has a happy ending of sorts. The dive master was also an underwater video cameraman himself and so needed two thumbs to effectively operate his camera. He underwent an operation to transplant one of his middle toes into the place of his errant thumb. After a period of rehabilitation and training in how to use his transplanted toe as a thumb, he has

Activities

OFF the Island

Activities in the surrounding Andaman Sea and the adjoining provinces.

ere we offer ideas on how to bring a little extra diversity and interest to your holiday in Phuket, by getting off the island for a day or two. We strongly recommend every visitor to Phuket take at least one day – or more if possible - to travel off Phuket Island to experience some of the incredible beauty of the surrounding region. You can go by boat to the surrounding islands, or drive a car to the interesting and scenic provinces close by.

James Bond Island This little rock in Phang Nga Bay has become a real tourist trap. Each day up to 3,000 people are dropped onto this little island, hundreds at a time, to gawk at one small piece of rock – nick-named James Bond Island after it featured in a Bond movie - jutting from the water. The beach is crowded with hawkers selling all manner of tourist stuff, including beautiful shells, many imported from Philippines and Indonesia.

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.

Boat cruises to Phang Nga 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.

Sea Kayaking 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.

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.

Renting Traditional Longtail Boats If one wants a cheaper route, while taking in a cultural experience, rent a traditional, wooden ‘longtail’ boat. These are slower, but are also fun. Longtails are available on most of the major west coast beaches, or at the north end of Kata where they shelter at night. They are also available – at much better prices – from the boat pier at Chalong, or on the beach at Rawai, right at the southern tip of the island.

Koh Yao Noi - Phang Nga Bay the Adventurous way Those looking for an adventurous way to ‘go it alone’ into Phang Nga Bay for a few days should click attempt at trip to Koh Yao Noi, a beautiful island right in the middle of the Bay. There are various accommodations of different levels here, the only island in Phang Nga Bay to offer such a range.

Khao Lak; new destination north of Phuket This is another beautiful place to drive to. From Phuket it takes only two hours, though there are many interesting distractions down the many side roads to stretch this out. After a long, flat drive north of Phuket the road winds up over the mountain at the tiny Khao Lak National Park, then suddenly noses out to the edge of the mountain, giving panoramic ocean views. From this mountain, miles of quiet beach stretch northwards. Here many new bungalow resorts are springing up among the casuarinas tees, making it very easy to find accommodation.

Khao Sok National Park Further afield, it takes a 3-4 hour drive to get to this wild, natural world of jungle and mountain. The rainforest is largely undisturbed (though many of the big animals have been killed by poachers) and a visit here can be a very special, wild experience. To really see into the heart of this natural world one needs stay overnight, preferably on the floating houses in the dam that runs through it.

Do’s & Don’ts

TEMPLES Go and visit some of the many wonderfully ornate temples around the island. Chalong is one of the most beautiful. Fans of religion, history, culture or architecture will all be impressed. Disrespect in any way the people at the temple. Although you and others will be there for sight seeing many of the locals have come to worship, and they do not wish to be disturbed. Keep yourself low key and out of the way. BEACH Spend some time at the many beautifully scenic beaches dotted around Phuket’s coastline and neighbouring island. You really can find paradise; Nai Harn, Surin and Nai Yang beaches all come highly recommended. Make sure you wear lots of sun cream, the sun in Thailand can be deceptive especially at the beach or on boats and you can still find yourself badly burnt even after a cloudy day!!! Bathe topless, leave rubbish or get drunk. FOOD Try as much of the wonderful food as possible. There really is something for everyone in Thailand and not all Thai food is spicy so why not try something different. Delve in blind, you must use your common sense, if a stall or restaurant looks dirty or untidy then stay clear. It is true that the best food in Thailand is from the street side stalls, but you play a lottery if you’re not careful you could end up spending a few days of your hard earned holiday cooped up in your hotel room. MASSAGE Indulge in a massage. You will find numerous reputable spas around the island where you can take a traditional Thai massage or any number or therapeutic … Visit a street side parlour and expect a professional spa treatment. DIVING Try diving. Thailand frequently ranks Top 10 in the world for dive sites, and there is something for everyone here from beginner to technical. Try it during monsoon season if you are a beginner. PHUKET TOWN Spend a day walking through the old streets of historical Phuket town, soak up the culture, enjoy a relaxed coffee in an old town cafe and shop in the local markets. Expect to get a fair deal on a taxi however buses run from all major beaches and they take you into the heart of Phuket town for a very reasonable price. SHOPPING Go shopping for gifts for your friends and family, handicrafts, art and fashion is abundant throughout Phuket. Forget to haggle. Its half the fun of shopping and after a bit of practice you really can grab yourself a bargain.

Tel. +66 (0)81 892 4741, +66 (0)81 979 3369 Email: info@phuketrealty.net www.phuketrealty.net

GUIDE Carry ‘The Guide Phuket’ with you everywhere, it is packed full of useful information that you can refer to any time of the day or night. Map

Leave it in your hotel room!!!!

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- Oc

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s Ac Div co in mm g od To atio urs n Th Re ings stau to rant do s an Pl d M aces uch, to Mucgo h M Shop ore. ping ..

hy is Ko Phi Phi world famous? Yes the movie hit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Beachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Leornardo DiCaprio, boosted tourism to the island but is that really enough to reach such dizzying heights of fame. Quite simply, no. You need to have a lot more and Ko Phi Phi has it, in abundance. Comprising of 6 islands; the two larger main islands of Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, and four smaller islets of Bida Nok & Bida Nai to the south and Ko Yung & Ko Maipai to the north, Phi Phi hosts a wealth of facilities for every visitor to the mini-archipelago. Day trip packages are available from Phuket but they often consist of a rather hectic schedule and so we recommend spending at least one night on Phi Phi if you can.

Your arrival to Phi Phi Don will be at Ton Sai Village where numerous hotels, restaurants and bars inhabit the narrow isthmus connecting Ton Sai Bay with Loh Dalum Bay. Greeted by hotel touts your first impression as you step on Phi Phi maybe one of an overly commercialised island, try to ignore this and savour the natural beauty of your new surroundings.

What to Do During Your Stay You can do as much or as little as you like on the island, some highlights include:Boat trips to visit the surrounding islands and beaches are a must, longtail boats are available and it is possible to rent these by the hour or for the whole day. Make sure you stay covered though because cruising along on these boat can seem deceptively cool and refreshing. A trip to famous Maya Bay is a must but try to get there early as it fills up quickly. Bamboo Island to the north is also unmissable.

Diving opportunities are fantastic here with many sites within half an hour from the island and daily trips by speed boat are also available to the Similan Islands. Reputable dive operators include Phi Phi Scuba, Aquanauts, Island Divers, Moskito Diving and Viking Divers are among the best. Rock climbing is also a popular activity with levels ranging from beginner to technical and courses are also available; SpiderMonkey and Phi Phi Climbers both have a lot of experience. If its raining you may think your luck has run out since most of the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities are based outdoors but cooking classes are also available at Pum Cooking School. If you feel like a walk then take the trek up to view point for stunning views of the entire island. Whatever you choose to do, relaxing is the reason for coming, so make sure you spend some quality time with a good book just lazing on the beach.

How to Get There Ferries depart from Rassada Pier in Phuket Town (8.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm) for a one-way trip at 600 THB/person and round trip at 1,000 THB/person. A one day tour package including snorkelling costs around 1,500 THB/person. If you choose to stay overnight then boats return to Phuket at 9am and 2.30pm. The ferry service is available all year.

Property Buyer’s Guide The Park Limited edition 10 luxury pool villa homes near Laguna Phuket. 3-4 Bedrooms, 84 sqm. Pools, Plot sizes + 1,000 sqm. Remaining units 5 only from THB 38,000,000 Call 076 326 177 for viewing www.richmondth.com

Land & Houses

Ladawan, the brand-new Lakeview homes in Land and Houses Park Phuket, comfortable with spacious 3 bedrooms and just add “your own style furniture” to this ready-to-move into modern style building. Enjoy your daily leisure with professional-designed gardens or holidays relax in our resortstyle clubhouse. For further information, call 076381151-2 Apart from 78 pool villas and 4 buildings of 39 units low rise condominiums, it also provides 31 retail units in an up-market plaza zone setting in an obvious position of the project facing the main road. The easy access will bring in people from Laguna Phuket and nearby growing residential areas such as Layan and Baan Don. This could mean a real opportunity for investors and of course residents. Information about the project, please contact The Explorer Phuket Sale Office Tel +66 (0)76 326330, Fax +66 (0)76 326329, Mobile +66 (0)85 7898555 or visit www.the-explorer-phuket.com

PHUKET THAILAND

THE RESIDENCE PHUKET

LOW SEASON - FINAL PHASE SPECIAL OFFERS As we move into low season and with the final phase under construction we are offering immediate buyers varied incentives on a select number of pool villas and pool town homes. There is no better time than now to make your lifestyle investment and take advantage of certain special offers. On specific units offers include: • FREE furniture package valued at THB 1,000,000 or • Guaranteed rental income of 5% for first 2 years, or • Generous cash discount The Residence by Richmond Group is a pool villa and pool town home resort located near Bangtao Beach on the famed west coast of Phuket. This exclusive gated community features Spa, Gym, Café/Bar, Beach Shuttles, 24/7 Security. Learn more about The Residence: www.richmondth.com TRY BEFORE BUY : THE RESIDENCE EXPERIENCE The Residence Experience programme, price at just $200, offers prospective buyers the opportunity to see, touch feel and experience the property, facilities and location before buying. The offer includes: • 2 nights stay in a luxury pool villa • Spa treatments • Airport transfers • Welcome drink • Breakfast at The Café Please contact crm@richmondth.com for further informations. For more information about this exclusive promotion or to make a reservation, please contact E-mail: sales@richmondth.com Phone: +66 (0) 76 326 177 Mobile:+66 (0) 8 7888 4577 Web: www.richmondth.com

Asian Hospitality & Travel Show

vents Thailand is hosting the upcoming Asian Hospitality & Travel Show in Phuket, and will hold similar annual shows in Samui and Chiang Mai. The Phuket show, presented by the Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club, is the first Asian exhibition staged in Phuket, to bring together buyers and sellers of every facet of the Hospitality and Travel industry from all over Asia. It takes place from October 1st-3rd at the ‘A’ Design Center. There will be over a hundred exhibitors from Phuket & Thailand. And there will be a hosted buyer program with buyers who specialize in the Thai market been fully hosted (flights, accommodation, etc.). Buyers are coming from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan and India. Exhibitors will include hotels, travel organizations, media organizations, trade associations, events organizers, and hospitality suppliers. The buyers and sellers will be brought together in a series of professionally coordinated pre-arranged business appointments. If you do not have a booth at the show, you can still pay a fee and participate in these meetings. The goal is to have over 2,000 visitors, the vast majority being key decision makers within the hospitality and travel industries. The breakdown envisions 45% hospitality executives, 30% travel executives & airlines and 15% suppliers with the rest split between media personnel, associations, government officials and the general public. Specific guests will include hotel General Managers, Managing Directors, Food & Beverage Directors & hotel HOD Managers; travel and trade association committee members, airline managers as

well as managers and owners or product/ service suppliers. These people will be looking for new products & services, new ways of doing things, and the opportunity to meet with new sellers and establish new relationships. The perks for exhibitors include the opportunity to a) showcase products/ services to decision-makers within the industry; b) meet with buyers from neighbouring Asian countries and beyond, and c) meet new suppliers of a broad range of products and services. To add excitement to the event, there will be different competitions, including: best dish (from different cuisines); ice, vegetable & fruit carving demonstrations; coffee making; bartender & cocktail mixing contests; blind wine tasting; and even a Miss Asian Hospitality & Travel Show. The first night there will a welcome party at the Phuket International Academy, on the second day there will be a boat cruise for the hoteliers and tour operators and the third night will feature a farewell party at one of Phuket’s five-star hotels.

There will also be lucky draws and other prize giveaways of products and services offered by sponsors and exhibitors including free room nights and dinner and wine vouchers. And there will be a Job Club, a professionally coordinated event, where employers are able to access resumes and in some cases meet face-to-face with applicants seeking employment in the hospitality and travel industry. Phuket has over 500 hotels and 100 travel organizations, and a vast majority of the island’s residents work in either the hotel or travel industry, so it is an ideal choice to hold this event. The show is being supported by the TAT, Thailand Conventions & Exhibitions Bureau (TCEB), and SKAL International which, with over 25,000 members, is one of the biggest hospitality and travel associations in the world. The SKAL Phuket chapter alone features 120+ members, many of whom are key players in Phuket’s travel industry. To help with promotion, Events Thailand has access to one of Phuket’s largest databases (6,000+), all key players in the travel and hospitality sector. (www.internshipsthailand.com)

NighT crawler

The Kata Dino Park

carpet that leads to the door! Big name DJ’s from Bangkok and around the world play here on occasion. Located on Bangla Road.

Around the corner, a collection of small souvenir shops and cafés line the narrow street leading to Karon Beach road. It’s also the location for one of Kata’s famous attractions Dinopark. A Minigolf with a difference, the course features a man-made exploding minivolcano which erupts on cue every hour.

A superb sound system blended with hi-tech lighting and laser systems makes Tiger Disco uniquely exciting. Located on Bangla Road. Phone: 076 345 112

Nightlife Viewpoints

Hard Rock Café

Tiger Disco and Bars

Looking out over Kata Noi on Kata Hill are two extremely popular adjacent venues, Small Viewpoint, and After Beach. These restaurant-bars are all about reggae music and have developed from quirky beginnings to successful sunsetviewing party locations. To get there, head up the steep hill in south Kata (you’ll need transport) and carry on for a kilometer.

Hard Rock Café, the worldwide phenomenon, has arrived in Phuket at the Marriot Courtyard hotel on the Rajuthit 200 Pee Road. As is commonplace at the Hard Rock good food combined with good drinks makes for good times, just don’t forget to buy the t-shirt! Located at the Marriot Courtyard Hotel on the Rajuthit 200 Pee Road.

Patong Seduction Discotheque

Phuket Town Kor Tor Mor

Located at the northern end of Soi Bangla, to find it you just have to look for the red

Kor Tor Mor is a popular pub/club that caters to trendy Thais. The house band plays Thai pop and rock nightly plus DJ’s fire up the dance floor between the acts and later on. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to get away from the mad Patong scene and mingle with locals. Location: Near the Seahorse Circle, Chana-Charoen Road.

Timber Hut Timber Hut, a mainstay on the Thai pub scene, attracts its fair share of westerners, and is also located on Yaowarat Road, not far from the old town area. There’s an upstairs seating area if the tiny dance floor is too claustrophobic for you. Location: Near the Merlin Hotel junction on Yaowarat Road.

Bang Tao Siam Supper Club This gorgeous long bar and wellappointed restaurant serves ‘West Coast Cuisine’; meats, fish and pizzas. It is one of the most popular hang outs of local residents as well as regular guests to the island. Enjoy their jazz and lounge music and check out their long drinks list. Booking in advance is suggested. Open: 18:00 – 10:30 (last orders) Bar closes at 01:00. Location: Tinlay Place. Tel. 076 270 936

Other Nightlife Activities Phuket Town, to some, is downright sleepy and provincial and admittedly, compared to Patong it is a little quiet but still there are several options for things to do after dusk.

Thai Boxing Unfortunately the Phuket Boxing Stadium at Sapan Hin Park in Phuket Town was closed down a few years back. The closest venue to Phuket Town to view live matches by real professional boxers is just outside town at the Suwit Gym (Muay Thai camp). They have flights every Friday night. Tickets are not cheap. Open: Every Friday night at 20:00 Location: Opposite the turning to Phuket Zoo into Soi Palai on Chaofa East Road. The gym is located behind a small convenience shop. There is a large poster with the gym’s name on it by the store. Tel. +66 (0) 76 381 167

Transport on the Island

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 kilometres 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. Prices are fixed: 600 THB for an Airport Limousine or 150 THB per person for a minibus 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.

ful, 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 around the streets, slowly, picking up passengers. It is slow, but cheap, with the fare from Phuket town to Patong now set at just 25 THB per person!

‘Tuk-Tuks’ I f you want your own private taxi, look for a tuk tuk, a tiny mini-truck converted in the manner of the bigger song taew 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 tuk-tuks 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 negoti-

Song-taews There are few buses on Phuket, and the main form of transport from beach to town is the ‘song taew’; a truck converted to carry passengers in the back on two long benches. They are usually colour-

ated before the ride.

These taxi riders are easily identified by their special coloured jackets identifying 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 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. The police occasionally enforce both laws, so beware. The real danger here 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 easily found in every beach area, and major rental companies operate in most resorts. If renting private vehicles from the side of the road, beware: few of these vehicles

39 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, neighbouring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi. The roads are good and the scenery spectacular, making for a great day out.

Regional buses The long distance bus station is in Phuket town, directly across from the Royal City Hotel. From here both air-con tour buses and cheap, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;orange crushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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 transport maybe, enjoy exploring the island, there is plenty to see and do, more than you might have realised, Happy hunting!

Airport Bus TimeTable

Timetable EFFECTIVE : 28 March 2010 - 30 October 2010

PHUKET - BANGKOK

PHUKET - BANGKOK Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG 201

0735

0900

Daily

TG 226

0725

0850

Daily

TG 638

1300

1740

..3.5.7

TG 203

0830

0955

Daily

TG 202

1000

1130

Daily

TG 638*

1300

1740

1.345.7

TG 205

1000

1120

Daily

TG 204

1055

1225

Daily

TG 207

1055

1215

Daily

TG 206

1205

1330

Daily

TG 211

1225

1345

Daily

TG 208

1305

1430

Daily

TG 215

1415

1535

Daily

TG 212

1440

1605

Daily

TG 217

1600

1720

Daily

TG 214

1510

1635

Daily

TG 221

1820

1940

Daily

TG 486

1530

1655

...456.

TG 223

1920

2040

Daily

TG 216

1625

1750

Daily

TG 225

2240

2359

Daily

TG 671

1700

1825

...4.6.

TG 218

1825

1950

Daily

Days

TG 222

2050

2215

Daily

TG 224

2130

2255

Daily

CHIANG MAI - PHUKET Flight

Dep.

Arr.

TG 129 1225 AD_WWP_Oct_Nov10.pdf

CMY

PHUKET - HONG KONG

Flight

1420 1

9/10/2010

8:59:47 AM

HONG KONG - PHUKET Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

TG 609

0800

1020

..3.5.7

TG 609*

0800

1020

1.345.7

Phuket Reservation Call 0-7636-0444 Monday - Sunday, 0800 - 1700 www.thaiairways.com *TG 638 HKT-HKG OPERATE MON/WED/ THU/FRI/SUN EFF.1AUG10 *TG 609 HKG-HKT OPERATE MON/WED/ THU/FRI/SUN EFF.1AUG10

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

Call Center

Phuket to Samui

1771 Pattaya to Phuket Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

PG281

1300

1440

1.3.5.7

Phuket to Pattaya Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

PG252

0935

1230

Daily

PG282

1510

1645

1.3.5.7

* indicates the flight has Blue Ribbon Class (Business Class) available.

Important Telephone Numbers Lost Credit Cards

Visa

02 299 1990-29

American Express

02 273 0022-44

Master Card

02 299 1990-2

Diners Club

02 238 3000

JCB

001 800 000 900 09

Samui to Phuket

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

PG252

0935

1030

Daily

PG251

0805

0905

Daily

PG256

1635

1730

Daily

PG255

1505

1605

Daily

PG258

1940

2035

Daily

PG257

1805

1905

Daily

Phuket to Bangkok

Bangkok to Phuket Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

Flight

Dep.

Arr.

Days

PG271

0805

0930

Daily

PG272

1020

1145

Daily

1400

1525

Daily

PG924

1220

1340

Daily

PG276

PG273

1355

1520

Daily

PG274

1610

1735

Daily

1945

2110

Daily

2355

Daily

1730

1855

Daily

PG278

PG279* 2015

2140

Daily

PG280* 2230

PG277

Telephone numbers of the consular representatives functioning in Phuket

Austria

076 372 600

Ireland

076 281 273, 076 384 342

Austria

076 248 334-6

Italy

086 689 6819

Czech Republic

076 076 249 400 ext 1501, 3330

USA

342 270

Denmark

076 378 365

Korea

076 234 452, 076 234 384

Finland

076 330 530-4

Norway

076 237 156

France

076 273 511

Sweden

076 380 000

Germany

076 610 407

United Kingdom

076 318 188

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

Marine Police Division 5

211 883 or 214 368

Phuket Adventist Hospital

212 386

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