Phuket Weather
-
Thunderstorm
24°C
-
Mon
31/23
-
Tue
31/25
-
Wed
31/25
-
Thunderstorm
24°C
Centara Hotels & Resorts Opens New Complex
The opening of the new Waterfront Suites Phuket by Centara has recently been announced by Centara Hotels & Resorts, offering a total of 39 serviced flats within the 20-storey tower facing the ocean...Outrigger Opens New Suites within Phuket Complex
19 new mountain-view suites, along with a pool, gym and restaurant have been opened on the 1st of August in the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas in Thailand, which covers a 26-hectare area. The new additions...MoMo Café Customers in Phuket Benefit from New Offer
Customers dining at Marriott's highly popular MoMo Cafés at the three Courtyard resorts belonging to the industry giant in the Patong, Surin and Kamala beach resorts on Phuket are in for a new special...JW Marriott Phuket Seeks Meeting and Incentive Business Increase
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is hoping to increase its meeting and incentive (MI) business from a current 35% to 40% next year as Phuket is showing increased potential for the MI market especially...Mövenpick Opens New Hotel on Phuket
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, the Swiss hotel operator, will be opening its second establishment on Phuket at Bang Tao Beach on the island's west coast at what was formerly known as The Palm Beach Club. ...Club Andaman Beach Resort to Undergo Complete Transformation
The Club Andaman Beach Resort has been closed for tourists on April 30 in order to undergo “a complete transformation” that will see it change its name to the Andaman Embrace Resort and Spa, as well...Recent Posts
Strategic Airlines Cancels Bali Flights; Phuket Routes Future...
The future of Strategic Airlines' Phuket-Brisbane and Phuket-Melbourne flights currently hangs in the balance as the company has cancelled its services between Perth and Bali, and Townsville and Bali respectively starting October, along with those between Brisbane and Townsville in a plan to reassess its commitments. However, the airline has so far refused...
Pattaya Shows Phuket how It's Done by Dealing with Jet-Ski Scammers
Pattaya Shows Phuket how It's Done by Dealing with Jet-Ski Scammers
Pattaya City will become the centre of attention for Phuket's expats and officials over the following weeks as authorities will be attempting to remove all jet-ski scammers from the destination. The measure comes as, according to a reliable source, Pattaya jet-ski operators have...
Centara Hotels & Resorts Opens New Complex
The opening of the new Waterfront Suites Phuket by Centara has recently been announced by Centara Hotels & Resorts, offering a total of 39 serviced flats within the 20-storey tower facing the ocean at Phuket's Karon Beach. The residential complex is part of Centara's Residences and Suites brand, which has only recently emerged on the market and is aimed...
Outrigger Opens New Suites within Phuket Complex
19 new mountain-view suites, along with a pool, gym and restaurant have been opened on the 1st of August in the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas in Thailand, which covers a 26-hectare area. The new additions represent a standalone complex with mountain views in an area of the property complete with a 25-metre pool, a pool bar, a gym and an all-day...
Phuket's Best Internet Service Providers under Revamped Measurements
After changing the Internet speed measurement method about two months ago, as reported on PhuketInternetSpeed.com, from one that was open to caching for international downloads by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) using tools that have actual practical benefits for customers but which automatically bypassed the speed testing procedure, to one that cannot...
Route for Phuket-Patong Tunnel Agreed among Protests
A public meeting at a hotel in Phuket City saw many opponents of a proposed road traffic tunnel through Patong Hill turn out to protest against the construction using the slogan “Your project, my home”. The meeting saw researchers appointed in 2009 look at four options of constructing a tunnel route, with the most highly recommended one being the tunnel...
Phuket International Boat Show Moves Date
Although traditionally organised during Phuket mid-high season, alongside Phuket's King's Cup Regatta but lately as a standalone event, the Phuket International Boat Show (Pimex) will be moved back three months to the end of the high season on the island to attract more spectators as of next year. Thus, the 2012 edition of the show will take place between...
MoMo Café Customers in Phuket Benefit from New Offer
Customers dining at Marriott's highly popular MoMo Cafés at the three Courtyard resorts belonging to the industry giant in the Patong, Surin and Kamala beach resorts on Phuket are in for a new special deal as their children will be granted free access to Marriott's signature Kids World, as well as free admission to the resorts' swimming pools for each...
NGOs to Protest Dolphinarium Plans in Phuket
A partnership campaign to stop the plans of constructing a “dolphinarium” as part of a tourism and resort complex in Rawai has been announced in Phuket last week-end by the leaders of two non-governmental organizations catering to ecological issues.
US-based Earth Island Institute leader Mark Berman and Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT)...
Phuket's Korea Town: A Clash of Cultures
Although recent years have seen a drop in Korean tourist numbers of more than half compared to 2007, at least 40 Korean tour guide companies, along with several Korean restaurants and even a Korea town, are continuing to operate on Phuket, with official figures pointing to approximately 1,500 expat Korean residents on the island. However, when walking...
MBK to Boost Phuket's Golf Property Market
MBK has announced its plans for a village development as part of the Red Mountain golf course on Tuesday, providing a breath of fresh air to Phuket's golf property market. A golfing university, that will be established as part of a renovation project of the nearby Loch Palm course totalling 50 million, also forms part of MBK's plans to lead Phuket's...
U-turn Approval Set to Lead to New Bus Terminal Opening
Phuket's new bus station opening has finally come one step closer after serial delays as approval for creating a U-turn opening in a median strip on Thepkasattri Road has finally been offered.
According to Phuket Transport Director Terayout Prasertphol, work on the U-turn outside the 127 million baht facility should begin as early as next month...
Phuket Governor's Advisors to Tackle Province's Major Issues
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has, for the first time, called his advisory committee together in a meeting on Thursday, where the main topic discussed was the issue of tourists being overcharged by tuk-tuk and taxi drivers. The committee, made up of several of Phuket's leading tourism and business representatives, aims to supervise Phuket's development...
Buddhist Holidays See Alcohol Banned over Week-end
Phuket's night-life entertainment venues have been asked not to sell alcohol during this week-end out of respect for Asarna Bucha Day on Friday and the beginning of Buddhist Lent, Khao Phansa, on Saturday, by the Phuket Provincial Police.
According to Captain Thapakorn Hanumard, although the establishments are not legally bound to close for such events,...
Saving Your Holiday – Behind the Scenes in Phuket
After their first edition in 2004, the German TV show crew from “Wir retten ihren Urlaub” (“We Save Your Holiday”), lead by Ralf Benko, has been enjoying season upon season of successfully travelling around the world to destinations about which German nationals had complained due to becoming sick or getting into trouble. The documentary making...
Thai Airways Introduces First Europe-Phuket Direct Flight
Thai Airways International will be introducing a new route from the Danish capital of Copenhagen to Phuket starting the 11th of November, according to an announcement by the airline.
The route, which will have flights three times a week, represents the first direct link between Phuket and Europe covered by Thailand's national carrier, according...
Go-Go Dancers and Lewd Touts under the Scrutiny of Phuket's Culture...
Phuket's Culture Office Director Prayoon Nuksuk has declared himself concerned by the recent increase in street touts promoting shows in which women fire ping-pong balls, as well as in street level go-go pole dancers, stating that he will be seeking the support of Phuket's Governor in order to crack down on the increasingly lewd displays, most common...
JW Marriott Phuket Seeks Meeting and Incentive Business Increase
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is hoping to increase its meeting and incentive (MI) business from a current 35% to 40% next year as Phuket is showing increased potential for the MI market especially in the case of larger hotels, where clients requiring effective activity teams, superior quality facilities and good locations can find what they need....
Foreigners Control 90 Percent of Phuket's Shores
A top official in Thailand has recently claimed that Phuket is the national leader in terms of land owned by foreigners, with up to 90 percent of its top beach-front land being owned illegally through Thai nominees.
Land Inspector Sriracha Charoenpanit has recently launched the controversial affirmation durign a recent seminar on legal issues related...
The Largest Floating Book Fair in the World Returns to Phuket
The MV Logos Hope will be dropping anchor at Phuket's Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham on August 17 this year, five years after the last visit aboard a vessel belonging to German-based charity GBA Ships, the MV Doulos in 2006. The immense 132-meter ship, twice as large as any previous craft operated by the charity, including the MV Doulos, sold in 2009 to a Singaporean...
AirAsia Voted Best Low Cost Airline Third Year in a Row
More than 19 million airline customers have once again brought AirAsia on top during a survey conducted by the renowned London-based aviation consultancy firm Skytrax, bringing it the World's Best Low Cost Airline distinction for the third consecutive year and prompting the company to launch a new sale across its entire network, also encompassing offices...
Phuket Fun Fly 2011 Suffered Grounded Start
Friday's winds proved too risky for the paragliding enthusiasts gathered in Rawai for the 2011 edition of the Phuket Fun Fly. Thus, they decided to remain grounded for the day, hoping for improvements over the week-end.
Thai National Paragliding Team member Sarayut Chinpongsatorn said that “it is impossible to glide right now because the strong...
Red Cross Dinghies May Be Donated to Phuket Lifeguards
Thirteen ribbed dinghies and one hundred life jackets may be handed over to the Phuket Lifeguard Club to contribute to the island's rescue services, if the talks with the Thai Red Cross scheduled for next week are successful. The discussions were triggered by chance, after Phuket's lifeguards became concerned for the safety of the participant's in this...
Phuket's Property Market on Path to Recovery
A recent report from Colliers Thailand has indicated a positive trend towards recovery for Phuket's property market after the thrashing suffered during the world economic crisis, although 2007's boom levels have remained untouched.
The report did not discriminate between Phuket's inland areas, containing most of the units available, and its coastal...
New Phuket Task Force to Deal with Illegal Timeshare Companies
Illegal timeshare companies in Phuket are facing a bleak fate as Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has assembled a powerful dedicated task force to close upon timeshare operators on the island using bait and switch or other similar illicit tactics to extort as much as a billion baht from tourists falling into their traps.
According to Vice Governor...
Phuket Provincial Bus Terminal 2 Opening Inevitable
The new Phuket Provincial Bus Terminal 2 end station will finally be seeing its official opening soon, after more than a year and a half's worth of delays.
Despite having a controversial position, one which some local Rassada residents have adamantly protested, the new site is a definite improvement over the existing Phuket Town station, which has long...
Phuket International Airport Refurbishment to Commence in October
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha was assured by new Phuket International Airport director Sub-Lieutenant Thanee Choochong that the site's redesign works should be completed by July, with the actual reconstruction project commencing in October, during a meeting held yesterday at Phuket City's Provincial Hall.
After the airport's redesign blueprinting...
Phuket Fruit Fair Attracts Surprising Numbers of Visitors
A new fair featuring seven different types of fruit produced in the famous Eastern Thailand Chanthaburi province has opened on Wednesday at Saphan Hin's central stage area in Phuket Town. As a result, fruit lovers will be able to enjoy special sales of durian, mangosteen, bambustan, langsat, longan, salak and banana every day between 9 a.m. And 10 p.m....
Venomous Jellyfish Observed Off Phuket Coast: Tourists Warned
The director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, Wannakiat Tubtimsang, has recently issued a warning to tourists swimming at the island's beaches against touching or handling any jellyfish washed ashore during this year's monsoon season.
The warning comes after highly venomous Portuguese Man-of-war jellyfish specinems, which are common in the tropical...
New Bidder in Phuket's Mass Transit System Plans
Gold Phoenix Construction Consulting (Thailand) Co. Ltd. has become the latest bidder in Phuket's plans of constructing a light rail system on the island, opting instead for the original prospect of a sytrain similar to the one in Bangkok.
The alternative option for the island's mass transit system was put forward by the company's manging director...
TUI Nordic Tour Operator Worried About Group Dominance
Leading Scandinavian tour operator TUI Nordic are asking Thai hotels to increase the diversity of their client base after European tourists wishing to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere and experience of the local culture have expressed their dissatisfaction towards the dominance of a particular tourist group in Pattaya and Phuket hotels.
According to chief...
Tattoo Artists Seek Compromise in Religious Tattoo Issue
The Ministry of Culture's announcement last week that a ban would be set up on all religious tattoos in Thailand has sparked great controversy and tense debates regarding human rights, leading to a moderation by the Ministry of its own plans. The initial full-scale ban was therefore reduced to one more narrowly focused on Buddhist tattoos, with Culture...
New Opening Date Set for Phuket Bus Terminus
A new official opening date has been scheduled for Phuket's new bus station on the 1st of October, exactly one year after the initial one and almost two years after the terminus was completed. The new 47 million baht building, built on land purchased for a further 80 million baht, now waits for local political issues to be resolved until then in order...
Phuket Airport Sees Increasing Numbers of Passengers
The latest official figures released by Airports of Thailand are showing that 36.58 percent more international passengers have arrived at and departed from Phuket during May compared to the same period last year. They also indicate a fall in European tourist numbers and an increase in visitors from Asia and Russia.
Although the difference seems...
German TV Crew Satisfied with Phuket Authorities Action in Waste...
A complete explanation of the situation that led to untreated waste waters flowing into and polluting the sea at Kata and Karon beaches during March was given today to Ralf Benko, host of the highly popular German TV travel show “Wir Retten Ihren Urlaub!” (“We Save Your Vacation!”). The presentation, given by environmental engineer Siripong...
The Secret Behind Increasing Internet Speeds in Phuket
With everyone today wishing to know their Internet connection speed and what can be done to speed it up and with the present day's increasing demands in terms of online communications, it is unsurprising that Phuket's Internet Service Providers – or ISPs – have started improving their services even at dramatic levels. Consequently, the general SOP (“Screams...
Phuket Attempts Record-Breaking Group Massage
A world record-breaking simultaneous group Thai massage rubdown is scheduled to occur on August 19 on Karon Beach, Phuket, in an attempt to demolish the existing record of “Tourism Victoria Australia”, the state tourism board of the southeastern Australian state, established on March 30 last year.
The then-record number of 232 pairs are now set to be surpassed...
Chef Su-Mei Yu to Offer Demonstration at Mom Tri's Villa Royale...
Guest Chef Su-Mei Yu will be offering a demonstration on how common home and garden ingredients can be used in natural beauty and health treatments during an event on the 21st of June at Mom Tri's Villa Royale boutique hotel in Phuket, Thailand. The recipes shown will include coconut and lemongrass for hair treatments, pineapple or daikon for skin and ginger...
New Investment Opportunities Rising in Chalong Bay
The rapidly evolving tourism market in Phuket has seen investments from both institutions and private parties in the area increase notably since early 2010, with the latest in the line of important hotel transactions being last month's sale of the Laguna Beach Resort for 1.5 billion baht.
Now, a new investment opportunity available on the market...
Phuket Offers Beginner Surfing Enthusiasts Chance to Learn with...
Although riding the waves may look easy – as one of the instructors promoting the third annual Quicksilver Thailand Surf Competition taking place on Kata Beach between the 21st and 24th of September – it is guaranteed that anyone attempting to learn how to surf in an hour will go through endless falls and fails. In fact, only four of the 20 enthusiastic...
Mövenpick Opens New Hotel on Phuket
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, the Swiss hotel operator, will be opening its second establishment on Phuket at Bang Tao Beach on the island's west coast at what was formerly known as The Palm Beach Club.
The rebranded Mövenpick Residences Bang Tao Beach Phuket hotel will follow in the line of the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket...
Opening of Phuket's New Bridge to Mainland Thailand Postponed
Highway officials in Phuket have recently declared that the new Srisoonthorn Bridge connecting the island to mainland Thailand, initially scheduled to open this week, has had its opening date postponed indefinitely.
According to Arun Sa-nae, Phuket Provincial Highways Office director, the delay was caused by “last-minute changes in the work plan...
New Water-Park to Be Built in Patong
The plans for constructing a highly expensive water-park in Patong, the most popular tourist destination on Phuket, on half of the 20 rai of land owned by Chinese entrepreneurs down the hill near to Nanai road have finally been revealed. Despite the land being bought several years in the past, it is only now that the group from China has come to Phuket.
...
Phuket Expats Asked to Encourage Visitors to Take Out Insurance
After recent research has revealed that young visitors to Phuket were more likely to buy gifts for their hosts than take out travel insurance policies, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, FCO, has advised British expats to encourage their guests to take out such policies before travelling to Phuket.
The survey, conducted during February...
Sichuan Airlines Introduces Three New Phuket Flights
As mainland Chinese people continue exploring international destinations for their holidays, three direct flights per week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, will be launched by China-based Sichuan Airlines for Phuket.
According to reports by Castlewood Group of Singapore, more than 1.05 million Chinese tourists are expected to go abroad on their...
New International Schools Opening on Phuket
Two new international schools have announced their opening on Phuket as the island is rapidly evolving into an international education haven. The Kajonkiet International School, KISP, which already has a campus in Bangkok, will open its gates in Kathu on the 22nd of August 2011, while the construction of the new Huaqiao Phuket Thaihua International...
Officials Visit Source of Karon Beach Pollution
The outlet from which polluted water spills onto Phuket's Karon beach whenever overflows occur at the municipal treatment plant without offering any warnings to residents or tourists and on an excessively frequent basis has been visited on Monday by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha along with around 15 Thai media representatives. Neither the freshly...
Hollywood Chef Moves to Phuket
The demands of Brad Pitt and other important Hollywood figures can often be difficult and stressful to meet, especially when one is expected to be available to cater to them on a 24-hour basis. This is merely one of the reasons Chef Daniel Isberg has recently decided to leave behind his opulent Hollywood lifestyle and come to Phuket.
According to Chef...
Religious Tattoos Face Ban in Thailand
The Culture Ministry of Thailand, headed by Mr. Niphit Intharasombat, has recently revealed that an alarming tendency of tourists getting tattoos of Buddha, Ganesh or Jesus Christ on their arms, legs and ankles has been uncovered by Phuket's Culture Office. Considering it inappropriate and as a sign of decreasing respect towards religion, the Culture...
Air Berlin to Introduce More Phuket Flights
Air Berlin, the second largest airline is Germany, is planning to increase its flights between Berlin-Tegel and Phuket starting the 1st of November 2011, by introducing a direct flight on Tuesdays in its winter schedule in addition to the already-existing non-stop connections on Fridays and Sundays. The new flights will land on Phuket on Wednesdays,...
Phuket's Real Estate Market Reaching Maturity
The American Chamber of Commerce has recently commented in its Phuket Chapter that the real estate market on the island is steadily reaching maturity, with investors now able to profit from the region's currently low prices.
According to Adam Smith, market analyst for Ocean Villas Group, “as the world economic crisis approaches its end, we are seeing...
Korean Investor Joins Race for Phuket Light Rail System
Kwang Sik Chun, Chairman and CEO of Korean firm Jung Yong Development Corp (JYDC) was received on Wednesday by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha to discuss the company's interest in investing in the light rail system currently planned for development on the island.
The company would begin a co-operative investment totalling a rumoured budget of US$4...
Miss Thailand Beach International 2011 Visit to Phuket Postponed
The organisers of the Miss Thailand Beach International 2011 finalists visit to Phuket have confirmed that their arrival to the island, originally scheduled between the 3rd and the 5th of June, has been postponed for a later date.
According to Nittaya Wangpanya, a PR officer for the Jungceylon Shopping Complex, which was due to host some of the events...
Marathon Centurion to Run 115th Race in Phuket
53-year old Australian Julia Thorn is set to fulfil what many people dare not even dream of. On June 12, the mother of three from Melbourne will be running her 115th marathon race at the Laguna Phuket International Marathon (LPIM), the fifth in the series of ten such races she plans on running in ten consecutive weekends.
However, despite being...
Phuket's High-End Property Market Begins to Overcome Crisis
The latest reports from C9 Hotelworks Phuket-based property consultancy firm suggest that the high-end property market in Phuket has finally begun its comeback in recent months after the gloomy period of the economic crisis.
“As the world slowly emerges from the global economic issues of the past years, market demand is beginning to rise, with...
Sea Gypsies Struggle for Citizenship
A meeting held during the 4th of May at Phuket Provincial Hall and headed by Vice Governor Weerawat Janpen concerning many of the issues sea gypsies and their traditional lifestyle, which is in urgent need of preservation in this rapidly evolving world, among which the stateless statute in which most currently has resulted in thirty people taking the first...
Club Andaman Beach Resort to Undergo Complete Transformation
The Club Andaman Beach Resort has been closed for tourists on April 30 in order to undergo “a complete transformation” that will see it change its name to the Andaman Embrace Resort and Spa, as well as adopt a fresh, contemporary Sino-Portuguese style, according to an official media release.
The renowned seven-storey property, which has been in continuous...
AirAsia Launches Tenth Anniversary Big Sale
An AirAsia promotion selling tickets for all domestic and selected international flights for as little as ten sen will take place between Monday, May 23 2011 at 12:00 (GMT+8) and Sunday, May 29 2011 at 23:59 (GMT+8) for trips booked between the 6th of February and the 20th of June 2012. Destinations such as Mumbai, Tokyo (Haneda), Medan, Jakarta, Singapore,...
Koh Phi Phi Don Among TripAdvisor's Top 20 Travel Destinations
The readers of TripAdvisors, one of the largest travel portals in the world, have named Koh Phi Phi Don among the top 20 Best Destinations in 2011's Travellers' Choice Destination awards. The top was compiled using a combination of favourite tourist places and destination popularity, based on reviews and opinions from the website.
Barbara Messing,...
New Flights Introduced Between Chongqing and Phuket
The rise of Chinese tourism in Phuket, estimated to reach 1.05 million tourists from this country alone by the end of this year, has led Sichuan Airlines to introducing new flight routes from Chongqing, one of China's five central cities, to Phuket. The new flights will be operated three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
With more...