Exclusive Properties - Samui, Thailand

Exclusive Properties - Samui, Thailand Copyright (c) 2009-2013 Exclusive Properties - Samui, Thailand. All rights reserved. http://www.epsamui.com Exclusive Properties - News and Press Release en-us Mon, 20 May 2013 22:31:43 EDT Seeking a Greener Phuket Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1544.html Phuket SEEK Phuket is a non-profit organisation set up by a collection of individuals dedicated to creating a more sustainable island environment. With Phuket becoming increasingly popular as a tourist and lifestyle destination the impact on the island's environment is considerable. Enter SEEK Phuket — a newly established environmental body made up of local and foreign participants, including teachers, retirees, NGO workers, business owners and government officials, each with their own ideas on how the island can be protected and business made more sensitive to sustainability. SEEK identifies and promotes existing projects that help the island's environment, encouraging positive approaches through support and awards, and working to develop new initiatives and projects with the help of the greater Phuket community. The group organises regular meetings, seminars and events at various locations around the island, working with the local government, charitable organizations, the private sector, schools nd any other group that aims to build a better relationship between themselves, nature, communities and the environment. Tools of the trade SEEK employs a range of approaches to help inspire a more dedicated approach to environmental and social responsibility on Phuket. A targeted "Litter Bug" campaign has been launched to keep Phuket clean and green, sponsored by the Touriam Authority of Thailand with a variety of media used to publicise the initiative, including billboards, TV ads, radio slots and a road show. A movie about Phukets' environment is also scheduled to spread the word beyond the island's shores. SEEK Phuket also sets standards and requirements for membership, visiting local business and offering them SEEK Phuket accreditation, with simple standards to comply with and logos to use for branding. A SEEK Phuket Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will also be held annually to recognise the successes and efforts of those that make a positive difference, with categories such as Best Project, Best New Initiative and prizes for businesses that show the most improvement in terms of sustainable practice. Educational seminars will offer targeted training for different groups, based on SEEK Modules to help further awareness and education. All projects will also have modulated standards of quality to be strictly adhered to, while for the younger members of the community, the organisation will also produce a series of children's books as a way to tell the story of the island's natural wildlife and explain the impact of the tourism on their lives. In order to reach the maximum number of people, SEEK recently launched an interactive website with links to projects, services, as well as advertising by eco businesses, weather reports, environmental news from Phuket and examples of other initiatives around the world. Green Events Coinciding with the annual SEEK Awards, every year, SEEK Phuket will organise a high profile, 3 day event that brings together government representatives, NGOs and members of the private sectors to learn and share information, hold meetings to agree on Phuket's future, attend workshops, and explore an EXPO of relevant goods and businesses. The first of these events is scheduled for August 2012 and will combine the SEEK Inaugural Andaman Coastal Forum, and Eco Exhibition and an Eco Arts Fair. Based on the theme “Sea, Sand & Sustainability", the Thailand Coastal Forum will provide an opportunity to share and exchange experiences and lessons learned from a variety of recent environmental initiatives, programmes and activities in the Kingdom's coastal areas, including discussions on community-based resource management, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture (including certification), marine protected areas, marine tourism, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management. The 2-day exhibition section will be held at the island's impressive Thanyapura Sports Club, with a variety of exhibitors to support the vision of Green Phuket, including interactive stations showcasing technology, a school project competition, GE water desalinization, green leaf, hotel products, Ecolab and other green commercial products, solar companies, wind turbine and other eco energy sources. The Eco Arts Fair is designed to celebrate the vibrant “eco arts world”, with exhibitions to include photography, sculpture, painting and performing arts show by the children, as well as competitions with prizes and work identified to be used in future projects. For more information or to participate in SEEK Phuket projects and events, visit <a href="http://www.myseek.org" target="_blank">www.myseek.org </a> Brunching on Phuket Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1540.html Combining two words in one may not please language purists, but putting two meals together has certainly proved to be a winner with food lovers OMG! I must say don't heart the additions to the Oxford English Dictionary! Soz, if it was up to me, the first sentence wouldn't read this way LOL! Call me old fashioned and a late adopter (if ever at all) to the now-generation of limited character counts, but I do give kudos to the Oxford English Dictionary for keeping up with the times with their 2012 vocabulary additions. If asked to add up to 2,500 new words and phrases every quarter, which averages out to 1.14 words every hour, I'd be reaching a bit too. I do have a soft spot for portmanteau words, however, because two words that make sense, when combined, makes absolute sense. Amongst the 2012 entries, scratchiti -- derived from scratch and graffiti -- is one that doesn't require looking up in the dictionary, though my TextEdit program vehemently vetoes it with an angry red line. But my favourite morph of all time represents a perfect example where two individual pleasure-inducing words form a synergy with a third, one-syllable word -- brunch. Though brunch is enjoyed on Fridays in Dubai, for the rest of the world, Sunday Brunch has become something to look forward to and the perfect reward for a busy week. The idea is said to have originated from students in Britain towards the end of the 19th century, and one can imagine the countless Saturday debaucheries that gave rise to this morning-after institution. Its rise in the United States after WWII is said to be in partly due to the general decline in church-going, which left Sundays wide open for leisure and lazing. Whatever its real origins may be, Sunday Brunch has come to be much loved for its good food, good company, and most of all, the luxury of feeling that time is for once, not of the essence. Villa guests on Phuket can, of course, arrange for a buffet to be put on right in the privacy of their private residence, but for an informal social experience (and for children to play with other munchkins), sunday brunches island-wide on Phuket are on standby to make sure the last day of the week is as relaxing as possible. Here are two venues worth checking out on the next trip to Thailand's Andaman isle: Family Fun Ok, so Maikhao Dream is on Natai beach, and technically not on Phuket, but as its located just a few kilometres past the Sarasin Bridge to the mainland, we'll let the definition slide. For THB1,590 (US$60) per person, often with a enticing "come-2-pay-1" deal, the beachside resort encourages you to "make your Sunday out of it". A delectable spread, heavy on fresh seafood, is put on, washed down with a never ending flow of local brew and soft drinks. A 30 percent discount on spa treatments is also extended, so that should be taken into consideration when pacing food intake. Brunchers can also make use of the swimming pool, games room, billiard table, foosball, water sports and Thai boxing on the beach. Children under 12 get a further 50 percent off the bill, and to ensure parents can enjoy adult time, babysitting service is offered, while older children can immerse in fun times at the kids' club. Dainty Delicacies Let's face it, a normal human being does not require that much food to be full. The problem is, with a mouthwatering plethora of sumptuous treats, all in large portions, what's one to do but to try and entertain the gluttony? Trisara on Naithon Beach has the answer. Other than the sea views -- and what stunning views they are -- The Bar puts on a conservative selection of seafood, meat, gorgeous pastries, and bite-sized tapas, everything in manageable taster sizes. Due to the high end "honeymoon" nature of the resort, its sunday brunches, held from 11:30 to 15:30, are deliberately sophisticated. Instead of piling on the food in small mountains, Trisara takes great pride in presenting their food delicately as if they were ordered for a sit-down dinner instead of an all-you-can-eat buffet. Class doesn't come cheap, however, with their Champagne Sunday Brunch costing THB 3,800++ (US$142) per person, inclusive of a bottle of Louis Roederer bubbly for two diners. Vino enthusiasts can also opt for a bottle of white, rose, red, or sparkling wine instead, and shave THB900 (US$29) off the bill per person. For food lovers with sense of adventure, Sunday Brunch options on Phuket offers the chance to explore parts of the island you may not have considered, while at the same time taking your stomach on a culinary journey that will certainly justify a full day of sloth back at your villa on Monday. Phuket Beach Club Culture Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1534.html Worldwide luxury beach club phenomenon, Nikki Beach, recently announced plans to expand its brand on Phuket, part of fast growing trend toward a more upmarket beachside experience. Thanks to an increasingly sophisticated suite of high-end offerings, including ultra-luxe accommodation options, award-winning restaurants and four marinas, two of them catering to superyachts, Phuket is fast becoming known as a jet-setter's playground. The latest trend in upscale diversion on Phuket is the advent of beach clubs. In the last few months, a slew of oceanfront venues have launched in various locations around the island to offer linen-clad revellers the ultimate beach party atmosphere, complete with top shelf liquor brands, carefully crafted menus and stadium filling DJs who drop in to catch some R&R and spin a few thumping tunes for sun-drenched throng. Beach club hotlist Beach club concepts are already enjoying popularity with visitors and residents on Thailand's Andaman isle. One of the first to launch was Catch Beach Club on Surin Beach, which is operated by Twinpalms Phuket and combines a cool, white oceanside eatery with signature cocktails, chilled tunes and shaded, cushioned loungers for lazy days by the sea. Daily brunch and dinner buffets draw foodies staying in nearby villas, while regular parties and events attract the island's style set many of whom live closeby in area often referred to locally as Millionaire's Row. A more recent addition to the beach scene is Bliss Beach Club on Bang Tao Beach where Bangkok designer Nat Sundarabhaga, of STEM Design, used aged wood, deep leather seats and vintage lamps against a black and white, ultra modern, expansive bar to create a "vintage meets exotic" theme. Bliss offers all day indulgences, mixing things up with regular promotions and clever concepts like the daily "Beat the Clock" discounts, with promotional prices on food and beverage between and 5 and 7pm, as well as an elegant "Sunday Butler Brunch". By night, resident and guest DJs perform every weekend, with live jazz, blues, R&B adding to the palette of sensual pleasures. For island hipsters that prefer to keep the sand from their shoes, UP Beach Club at Malaiwana is perched on a hillside overlooking spectacular Naithon Beach. The sigh-inducing views provide a dreamy the backdrop to the club's vast open terrace, multiple sun decks, private salas and a VIP room, all of which have been carefully designed for special events, whether its a private dinners, cocktails with friends or a full scale fiesta. In addition to its fab food (eat UP), fine beverages (drink UP) and regular events (what's UP), the club also boasts a fashion boutique (UP market) and a photo gallery (pin UP), not to mention it's own cruiser for private cruises out to Phuket's offshore islands. Notable Newcomers Not to be left out at sea, branded beach clubs are also poised to play a part in the transformation of Phuket's beaches into chic, all day hotspots. Angsana Laguna Phuket on Bang Tao Beach is partnering with celebrated Singapore night club operator Attica to launch the upscale XANA beach club later this year, which will welcome guests day and night with a choice of sun loungers and cabanas, a massive infinity-edge swimming pool, spontaneous surprise performances, a Sunday brunch, refreshing cocktails and an extensive poolside menu. Over on the sweeping sands of Layan, Nikki Beach also recently announced plans to open a venue in 2013. The global brand launched its first “ultimate beach club concept” in Miami Beach back in 1998, bringing together fashion, art, music, dining and entertainment, and the club has since been described by the international press as the “Sexiest Place on Earth”. In Thailand, Nikki Beach already draws vacation revellers to its Koh Samui beach club, and the Phuket version is sure to be a hit, as the brand always attracts celebrities and fashionistas, representing everything cool, sexy and glamorous about spending the day or night at the beach. As new venues open across the island, the choice of beachside pleasures on offer for visitors to enjoy on Phuket is continually expanding and diversifying, while at the same time underlining the island's growing reputation as one of the world's top destinations for sun, sand and sophistication. Asian boat shows shine Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1532.html With a significant percentage of the world's disposable income now parked in Asia, the luxury yachting industry is gaining ground across the entire region. March and April are now known as boat show season in Asia, with a choice of major events on offer in various countries for visitors, and world class luxury vessels and branded products on display at marinas around the region. Luxury sailing and motor yacht charters are also becoming increasingly popular with visitors to places like Thailand and Malaysia, who now have a wealth of options when it comes to sunset cruises, day sailing and longer ocean going adventures. Phuket is rapidly becoming the boating hub of Southeast Asia and those who want to combine experiences on land and at sea, can rent a private villa to relax and indulge in the tropical lifestyle, then charter a luxury boat to visit the many stunning offshore islands, remote beaches and hidden coves. A round up of the region's boat shows offers proof positive that South East Asia is rapidly becoming the Caribbean of the East when it comes to luxury boating. PIMEX - Phuket's International Boat Show At the end of March, the Phuket International Boat Show, aka PIMEX, highlights the Andaman island's growing role in Asia's fast expanding marine leisure industry. PIMEX plays an important role in stimulating demand for marine products and services in the region with over 5,500 visitors having attended the 2011 show to view the USD100 million of boats on display, as well as a range of other marine and lifestyle offerings. PIMEX connects buyers directly with sellers with one of the largest in-water displays in the region. International buyers often choose to leave their boats in Phuket's marinas so they can enjoy the facilities and surrounding cruising grounds at their leisure. This year, a senior team from Ferretti in Italy is attending the show to promote their top of the range vessels and there is also the largest display of Sunseeker Yachts ever shown in Thailand, including the recently launched Manhattan 73, plus Maia, one of 2 Manhattan 63’s based on Phuket and also a new Manhattan 53, which was launched at the Southampton Boatshow in late 2011. Hainan Rendezvous With China's burgeoning interest in luxury yachting, it's no surprise that boat shows in the Middle Kingdom are drawing major shipyards, brokerages and marine specialists from around the world. The Hainan Rendezvous is becoming a landmark event for China's affluent and influential. Over 15,000 visitors attended the show in 2011, an impressive turnout due in part to the fact that Hainan is becoming a key yachting hub for China. As a single event that now draws some of the world's top superyacht brands, business jet brands and ultra-luxury lifestyle brands with potential buyers throughout the whole of China, HRV 2012 is the place to be from April 5-8 for anyone involved in high-end yachting. Boat Asia The 2012 edition of one of Asia's largest luxury boating events returns to the Marina at Keppel Bay from 12-15 April. Since it moved to one of Singapore's most spectacular marinas in 2007, Boat Asia has become a driver for the marine industry in Singapore and the region, positioning itself as a platform for marine businesses to showcase their products and services to the regional and global marketplace. Based on a concept that integrates a range of yachting and luxury lifestyle elements, Boat Asia 2012 once again offers fabulous networking opportunities with a packed programme of activities catering to boating and non-boating enthusiasts alike. Singapore Yacht Show From 27-29 April, the Singapore Yacht Show showcases all that the yachting lifestyle has to offer. Staged just before the Singapore Yacht Show, the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference is a forum to discuss and explore the opportunities for the superyacht industry in Asia Pacific, and to build the region as an exciting and emerging cruising and yacht building destination. The show itself also features a dedicated superyacht section that draws some of the world's most magnificent luxury craft to the Lion State. More than 4,000 highly qualified attendees enjoyed the inaugural three-day presentation last year and the excellent turnout and positive response from exhibitors underlined the tremendous potential for the large yacht business in South East Asia, as well as supporting the region’s ambitions to become the third destination for the global cruising fleet. Phuket town leaps back into history Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1527.html Around 8.4 million visitors arrived through Phuket International Airport in 2011, numbers forecasted by the authorities at Airports of Thailand to scratch the 9 million mark in 2012. While a vast majority of the passengers undoubtedly base their choice of destination primarily for the island's jet-set lifestyle and casuarina fringed beaches, Phuket Town proves that the southwestern Thai island offers far more than just luxury and sea views. Phuket derived much of its past prosperity from rubber and tin mining, bountiful industries that attracted the English, French, Dutch, and Hokkien Chinese to set up trading posts on the island during the 17th century. Though the tin and rubber trade has since given way to tourism, the medley of cultures that have called Phuket home in the past is still very much evident in the townscape of city centre. What do The Killing Fields and The Beach have in common? The answer is that they both feature (non-beach) scenes filmed in the heart of Phuket Town. The opening scene of The Beach was filmed at On On Hotel, a run-down hotel on Phang Nga Road, while the French and American embassies settings depicted in The Killings Fields were filmed at the Phuket Provincial Offices and Luang Anupas-Phuket-Karn Mansion respectively. There are only a handful of streets that make up the town, making it easy to explore on foot, tropical sunshine inclusive. Rows of colorful shophouses, no more than three stories in height, line picturesque streets including Dibuk Road, Thalang Road, Yaowarat Road, and Soi Romanee. The Sino-Colonial building facades are connected by what's known in Hokkien as &quot;Ngoh-Ka-Kee&quot;, or five-step-way, a connecting and covered walkway, separated by arches, that connect the entire row of shophouses. Several of the shophouses now house quaint eateries, cafes, boutique art galleries and independent shops. A shrine to history In addition, there are a handful of shrines, including the Sam San Shrine on Krabi Road, constructed in 1853 in honor of the Goddess of the Sea, the Jui Tui Shrine on Soi Phutorn off Ranond Road dedicated to the vegetarian god Kiu Wong In, and the Pud Jow Shrine dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. The latter Taoist shrine also boasts the distinction of being the oldest on Phuket, having been built over two centuries ago with a renovation 100 years ago. Other historical landmarks in Phuket Town whose walls could tell many a story, include the Old Siriroj Hospital on Krabi Road, the island's very first private hospital opened in 1982, and Phuket Taihua Museum on the same road, housed in a former Chinese language school dating back to 1911. Near the intersection of Montree and Phang Nga roads stands the Old Phuket Post Office, built in 1932 and the only government building that still remains in all its original glory. Some historical residences, such as the Chinpracha House on Krabi Road, are gracious enough to open the doors to their homes for visitors looking to take a tour back to the island's past. Magnificent Mansions So-called &quot;Angmor Lao&quot; ('red-hair mansions', or more literally 'foreign mansions') that display the wealth of Phuket's citizens past include the Luang Amnart Nararak Mansion, built by a tin mining tycoon in 1911 and featuring Ionic and Corinthian architectural features. But the grande dame of Angmor Lao on Phuket is perhaps the former governor's residence, the Phra Phitak Chinpracha Mansion, a palatial building that recently has been given a new lease on life as a Blue Elephant Royal Thai Cuisine cooking school and restaurant. Phuket Town might not be in itself motivation to cross half the world to visit, but when in Phuket, between sunbathing and sailing, it's well worth a visit to see how the island's past citizens once lived. A Splashing Thai Celebration Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1522.html Although Thailand celebrates New Year on December 31st along with the rest of the planet, the ancient Kingdom also has its own Lunar New year festival in April based on a centuries old tradition rooted in the harvest seasons. The Songkran Festival, as it is known, is still the most significant holiday of the year for most Thai people. Although previously based on Thai lunar calendar, Songkran is now on the Western calendar and therefore falls annually on 13-15 April. IN some provinces, the celebration starts well before and ends several days after the official holiday, with most Thai people paying visits to their extended families around the country and taking part in a wide range of activities, parades and ceremonies throughout the month. A National Attraction The traditional Thai New Year ritual involves the gentle pouring of water on each others shoulders to bring good luck for the coming 12 months, but in the last 2 decades Songkran has morphed into a nationwide water fight, as well as the ultimate excuse to party day and night. As many Thai employees take very few extended holidays through the year, most companies actually close for a few days over Songkran, allowing their staff time to head back to their hometowns and celebrate with family and friends. Songkran Festival is also a major tourist attraction with people from all over the globe taking part in the water fuelled fun and this year the Tourism Authority of Thailand is offering visitors a choice of festival highlights and events across the country. Northern Flair For many Thai people, Chiang Mai is considered the best place to enjoy Songkran to the full. The entire city becomes a playground for entire week with extended watery street battles and trucks touring the town loaded with grinning families and vats of iced water to splash on everyone they pass. The official opening ceremony of the Songkran Festival 2012 will see a colourful procession around Chiang Mai with the more sedate version of the festival showcased through the pouring of Thai scented water on a Buddha images and elders, followed by cultural performances highlighting Northern Thai traditions, as well as a tempting array of fine food offered at street stalls in the Old Town. Capital Celebrations In Bangkok, visitors can also enjoy plenty of tasty local dishes and colourful cultural performance at Nagaraphirom Park. The official Songkran opening ceremony will be held on 9 April and all the cities famous temples will hold specials ceremonies, including the royal temples of Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn). Two more lively parts of the city to join in the fun are at Rattanakosin Royal Square and neighbouring Bang Lamphu, while the popular tourist areas around Khaosan Road are the focus of frenzied celebrations and continuous splashing. In Bangkok's unique mangrove covered enclave known as Phra Padaeng, Songkran Festival is still celebrated in the Raman style, featuring a spectacular parade. Visitors interested in the cultural side of the festival can witness "saba" the ancient Raman folk play and also enjoy various forms of village entertainment. Songkran on the Beach Not to be out-shined by its inland cousins, Phuket also throws an exuberant Songkran celebration. The annual holiday sees the entire island tale to the streets, splashing copious amounts of water on each other and dabbing scented powder on each others faces. Local people set up camp outside shops and houses, armed with high pressure water guns or hose pipes and buckets and hoses and everyone who ventures out is guaranteed to get wet. Local events organised around the festival also include sports competitions, long boat races, artistic and live musical performance, food fairs and even ice sculpture contests. Hotels, resorts and villas also offer special packages and traditional Thai dinner presentations with dancing and entertainment. Midnight in Had Yai The southern city of Had Yai celebrates songkran with a unique midnight procession and also holds one of the most famous Miss Songkran beauty contests in the KIngdom, a traditional event that sees girls dress up in traditional clothes and often also singing and dancing to impress the judges. Traditional Manora plays and other festival games are also part of the fun and with few foreigners in attendance, offer insights into the distinctly local version of the festival Other Songkran highlights include the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival, the Suphanburi Maha Songkran 2012, the Ko Sichang Songkran Festival and the distinctive Isaan Songkran Festival in Khon Kaen. In fact, whatever town, district, island or city visitors find themselves in from April 9-15, the Thai New Year festivities will be hard to miss. With a child like appeal that brings a permanent smile, it is a unique cultural legacy well worth experiencing to the full. The Flight to Asia Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1515.html By Tina Hsiao With rising global oil prices, a continuing uncertain economic landscape in the west, and increased purchasing power in the east, airlines in the Asia Pacific are looking to cash in on intra-regional travels in the coming years. According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer released in January 2012, global tourism arrival numbers reached 980 million in 2011, a 4.4% increase from the year before. The record tourism highs were reached despite a challenging year and a stagnant global economic landscape, political paradigm shifts in North Africa and the Middle East, and the devastating tsunami in Japan. "For a sector directly responsible for 5% of the world's GDP, 6% of total exports and employing one out of every 12 people in advanced and emerging economies alike", said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, "these results are encouraging". The positive trend is expected to carry more momentum into this year, with international arrival numbers forecast to reach one billion in 2012, reflecting a relatively slower growth rate of 3 to 4%. Tourism in Asia and the Pacific is expected to outpace growth in Europe, with an expected 4 to 6% increase, putting it in a similar growth bracket as Africa, with Europe only expecting to grow between 2 to 4%. Although 51% of all international arrivals in 2011 landed in Europe, Asia and the Pacific enjoyed the next big slice of 22%, representing a 8% and 6% growth when compared to the year before. The increase of 11 million arrivals is conservatively accredited to Northeast Asia and Oceania -- sub-regions that grew by 4% and 0.3% respectively -- both of which suffered due to the decline in the Japanese outbound market following the country's natural disaster. The real winners in the continent, however, were South Asia and Southeast Asia, both regions seeing a 9% leap in tourist arrivals, due largely to strong intraregional demand, bolstered by the supply of increasingly convenient flight connections. Below are some of the most interesting new developments in regional air travel in the Asia Pacific region. • AirAsia Japan, a joint venture between the Malaysia-based pioneer of LCC regionally and Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) recently announced domestic flights to commence in August of this year, with international routes opening two months later. The first international destinations including South Korea's Seoul and Busan. • ANA is also involved in another JV to launch Peach Aviation, a Japan-based LCC that will commence flights in March, rolling out to three domestic destinations, as well as Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Other destinations are expected, with an increase of five domestic and three international in the near future, including Inchoen in South Korea. • Not only is South Korea attracting a high number of travellers from its Asian neighbors, but the country is also a main source market for countries such as Japan and the Philippines. Another airline trying to tap into this emerging tourism powerhouse is Spring Airlines, the Chinese LCC that is preparing to begin flights later in the year. • Gulf carrier Rak Airways has announced direct flights from its home base UAE to Bangkok starting in June. • MASwings, a wholly owned subsidiary of the flag carrier Malaysian Airlines, based in Sawarak, earlier this year announced expansion plans both domestically and internationally with Brunei, Indonesia, and Philippines earmarked as future routes. • Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has also announced plans for its network expansion by Q3'13, and will offer an increased connection with the Philippines from Oceania and further afield in Europe, Middle East, and the US. Also increasing services to Australia is China Southern Airlines, who plans to up its 35 weekly flights to 55 by 2015. Meanwhile, AirAsia X will be launching Kuala Lumpur to Sydney flights starting from April. • Bangkok Airways will be increasing its Koh Samui - Hong Kong flight frequency from March onwards, bringing in more weekenders and tourists to the Thai tropical island, which already boasts direct flights to Singapore and other domestic destinations, as well as code-sharing programs with a number of carriers including a recent signing with Finnair. The self-styled "Boutique Airline" will also add a third international route, with daily flights to Kuala Lumpur from Koh Samui starting at the end of March. • Jetstar is boosting its Japanese network with Singapore-Manila-Osaka serves starting end of March, which the company has said will double the capacity on the carrier's intraregional Osaka-Taipei-Singapore line. Recent company announcements have also been made regarding the launch of a new Tokyo-Manila-Darwin route. • Another intraregional route with increased capacity is on Garuda Indonesia, who from the end of February, will be increasing its daily Jakarta - Kuala Lumpur flights. Earlier this year, Garuda has also announced its plans to reduce services on its European route, while stepping up its Asia Pacific connectivity, including the introduction of new Bali - Tokyo Haneda and Jakarta - Taipei routes. Also proof of the diminishing attractiveness of long haul routes, earlier in the year China Airlines halted direct flights to London. • Just a month out the gate, Viet-Jet has seen a near-capacity load factor on its HCMC - Hanoi route, with talks of expanding internationally as early as Q4'12. Also connecting Vietnam with intraregional destinations is Korean Air, who will be adding to its 18 weekly flights with a new Danang route. The boom in domestic and regional connections across the Asia Pacific is a clear indication that tourism trends are following the wider global economic shift East. The implications for travel industry as a whole are significant, and hospitality providers are already making adjustments to their services to match the expectations of a new clientele. The fact that Low Cost Airlines look set to play a major role in the region does not necessarily mean that demand for luxury accommodation and services will fall. After all, even wealthy travellers appreciate a bargain. Island Intelligence Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1513.html Building a reliable infrastructure is an essential ingredient for success on popular tourist islands like Koh Samui in Thailand By Jules Kay Supporting a fast growing tourist destination with essential infrastructure projects is no easy task. In many of the world's island resorts, business drives development at a much faster pace than public funded projects can match, often leading to a disparity between the level of services and facilities offered to tourists and those provided at the 'back-end', such as transport links, energy provision and waste management. Koh Samui has faced a multitude of such challenges over the past 10 years as the island has grown from a remote backpacker island into a full service international holiday destination. In the past, successive local governments implemented ad hoc projects to improve the island infrastructure, some more successful than others, but more recently, a considered approach to infrastructure development has started to bear fruit with significant improvements to the island's roads and essential amenities. The current Samui Administration was elected 4 years ago and adopted a dynamic approach that included lobbying the central government in Bangkok for additional budget allocations to fund new initiatives. The Mayor's office has since managed to address some serious issues, and with elections scheduled for later this year, the Mayors says another 4-year term will allow the local authorities to complete the much needed improvements they have started, as well as to implement several new ground-breaking ideas and initiatives that will have a profound and lasting impact on the future of Samui. Road to better access After a period of research into the best ways to convert Koh Samui's roads from concrete to asphalt, new surfaces have been laid in several key areas of the island. The installation is also being carried out using the latest injection technology both beneath and above the road surface to ensure a durable and even finish. Three main stretches of road will finished in the coming months, including completion of the island's main Ring Road, which will not only improve driving conditions around the island, but also road safety. Flood prevention Water and drainage management are another priority for many island governments. Lessons learned from periods of serious flooding on Samui in the last few years have prompted the installation of more efficient drainage systems. A deeper understanding of the main causes of flooding also means the government is now adopting strategies that work with, rather than against the island's natural drainage channels. New projects are designed to make use of the island's underwater tributaries, re-directing the flow of water in areas that have been blocked by major construction in order to reduce the likelihood of flooding during heavy rains. Domestic produce One ground-breaking idea being introduced on Koh Samui is a project to develop more synergy between local island industries and tourism. Although the island's local farmers grow large amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables, much of the produce bought by and consumed in the hotels and restaurants is actually imported, either from the mainland or internationally. A new initiative has therefore being proposed that will ensure that hotels and resorts buy more of their fresh produce from local producers. The government is working with farmers to ensure they use organic farming techniques and will also help promote their produce and encourage hotels to use it in their kitchens. Visitors will be informed when local produce is used and perhaps even offered tours of local farms so that they can see where the food on the menu was planted and harvested. Public spaces As is often the case on fast developing tourist islands, public facilities are few and far between as business focuses on the private sector. On Samui, the local government has been addressing this imbalance by adding recreation facilities, car parking, planted areas, public toilets and refurbishing of public buildings around Chaweng Lake, one of the island's most popular areas. A stroll by the lake already indicates the difference this regenerative work will make. It will soon become a new community zone and focal point for a range of activities that will help integrate the island's increasingly cosmopolitan population. Children's activities will be a major part of a planned event schedule by the lake and it will also become the location for the island's first official tourist information and cultural centre. A regular "walking street" will include a floating market designed to promote local food and handicrafts to both locals and tourists. With a focus on integration, education and traditional island culture, the government hopes the rejuvenated Chaweng Lake community zone will play an important role in creating a sense of pride and awareness for future generations. For many islanders. the above initiatives have been a long time in the making, but the Samui government says it is now committed to a more intelligent, sustainable and inclusive approach to developing the island's infrastructure and sense of cosmopolitan community. Face Value on Facebook Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1506.html By Jules Kay As Facebook goes public with a stock value that's estimated to be worth between $75 billion and $100 billion, the world's largest social networking site boasts 845 million active users worldwide and ranks as the top provider of graphical online display ads in the United States, accounting for roughly 28 percent of the total "impressions" of such ads last year. Such astronomical numbers may impress stock brokers, potential shareholders and wannabe online millionaires, but with all the financial headlines accompanying the float, the significance of Facebook as a communication tool seems to be taking a back seat as the world puts pedal to metal on the information highway. According to Facebook's maverick founder Mark Zuckerberg, the site was not created to be a company, but rather "built to accomplish a social mission". That mission being "to make the world more open and connected". In his letter to investors, Zuckerberg explains how he and his team are inspired by technologies that have revolutionized how people spread and consume information. "We often talk about inventions like the printing press and the television," he writes. "By simply making communication more efficient, they led to a complete transformation of many important parts of society. They gave more people a voice. They encouraged progress. They changed the way society was organized. They brought us closer together." It's easy to see how Facebook could be considered the latest contribution to the evolution of conversation. Driven by the communicators themselves, in less than a decade it has become as much a part of some people's daily lives as the telephone. Despite the now tired complaint that "no-one needs to know what you're having for dinner", Facebook users share far more than their menus. In fact, they share everything from witty one-liners and holiday snaps to their deepest moral concerns and intimate secrets. The urge to share is so pervasive it has also inspired thousands of other online and mobile sharing tools, including Instant Messaging, You Tube, location apps like Four Square and more recently Pininterest, which is already 'pinned' as this year's hottest site. According to tech entrepreneur Elad Gil, three key factors that are becoming significant drivers in the world of online sharing: <blockquote>1. That it is becoming ever easier to share things online - re-tweet, re-blog, like etc 2. That more people are aware of sharing concepts - the sites are growing at breakneck speed 3. That people increasingly share online around specific topics - using bookmarks, personalised news feeds </blockquote> A fourth element that might be added to this list is that people love visuals. Although Twitter may have originally been created as a platform on which to share thoughts through words, a quick scan through most of the tweets reveals that links are by far the most common form of communication and as with Facebook and other popular sites, the links posted often open as images, or at least websites full of them. In this sense, the naysayers might argue that online sharing is reducing everything to the lowest common denominator, but then that old adage about a picture re-tweets itself and 140 characters seems quite generous. The fact remains that online sharing, whether by image or text, goes way beyond recommending products that boost advertisers' revenue. Concerns about privacy are certainly justified in some cases (such as when the state monitors your opinions and removes the right to share them), but if a retailer knows you like the colour red and uses that information to offer you red socks, they are hardly hijacking your personal freedom. You don't have to buy the socks. As Zuckerberg goes on to point out, " People sharing more — even if just with their close friends or families — creates a more open culture and leads to a better understanding of the lives and perspectives of others." And more important still, he later adds that by helping people form these connections, Facebook hopes to rewire the way people spread and consume information. "We think the world’s information infrastructure should resemble the social graph," he writes, a network built from the bottom up or peer-to-peer, rather than the monolithic, top-down structure that has existed to date. We also believe that giving people control over what they share is a fundamental principle of this rewiring." With100 billion friendships formed so far on Facebook, sharing will only grow, and along with it, the share value. Thailand sailing ahead in 2012 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1496.html A New Year means a new schedule of sailing events across the Asia region and Thailand, as always, is one of the principle locations for the on water action. With fine tropical waters on both sides of the Thai peninsular the regattas run throughout the year, attracting world class boats and crew from around the globe to compete and enjoy the legendary onshore hospitality that has become synonymous with the best yachting dates on the calendar. Thanks in part to the popularity of the various regatta's held off the coasts of Phuket, Phang Nga, Pattaya and Koh Samui, Thailand's appeal as a boating destination is growing every year. Stunning sailboats and motor yachts fill the country's main marinas and it's no longer uncommon to see multimillion dollar superyachts moored off the beach, their owners and guests flying in to enjoy the spectacular cruising grounds and make the most of the sophisticated amenities available just a dinghy ride from their vessel. Private yacht charters are also becoming a popular vacation activity for visitors, especially for luxury travellers in search of the ultimate personalised tropical experience. An appealing combination of indulgences for many guests is to rent a luxury private villa to stay in total personalised comfort, then charter a high-end yacht, either to sail, snorkel and dive or simply to enjoy the breathtaking marine scenery so easily reached by boat. No less than 5 superyachts over 28 metres were transported to Thailand from Genoa aboard Dockwise Yacht Transport’s M.V. Combi Dock in October, the largest quantity of superyachts to arrive in Asia at one time. The rise in the number of large leisure vessels either visiting or available for charter in destinations like Phuket and Koh Samui also means these luxury craft regularly participate in the Kingdom's regattas, either competing or following the races to give their guests a close up view of the spectacle. In December, the King's Cup on Phuket, Asia’s most famous regatta, drew sailors from Thailand, China, Russia, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom. Larger yachts in the line up included a spectacular Swan 82, SY Chao Ren Plus One that sailed down from China, as well as the stunning Swan 76 sloop SY Silandra V, which will be cruising to and from Thailand for several months as part of a round the world voyage. A full schedule of Thai regattas, as well as an international Boat Show will inspire, challenge and entertain crews and spectators in 2012 and each event offers its own particular highlights and attractions. The sailing calendar begins in February with The Bay Regatta from 1-5 Feb, one of the more relaxed competitions on the circuit known for its picturesque sailing routes and anchorages amid the majestic scenery of Phang Nga Bay and Krabi. Then in late March, some 6000 yachting enthusiasts are expected to gather at the Phuket International Boat Show, or PIMEX, hosted by the Royal Phuket Marina from 29 March to April 1st. A dazzling line up of new boats from some of the biggest brands in the industry will be on display at the show, which last year saw a A 25 per cent increase in exhibitors with USD100 million of product on display and around USD20 million of sales made. The action returns to the open sea in May with the Top of the Gulf Regatta from 4th to 8th May, hosted by Ocean Marina in Pattaya. The event includes a number of unique sailing events such as the Coronation Cup, the Thai Optimist Nationals and a beach cats divisions, making it the largest regatta in Asia by number of boat entries. At the end of the same month, from 28th May to 2nd June, Koh Samui's Tropical Island Regatta, a fun filled event on and off the water, and the season finale of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix. July is known as Green Season on the Andaman coast, with more turbulent monsoon seas providing the perfect conditions for Phuket's Six Senses Race Week. The event attracts serious international yachtsmen and was voted ‘Best Asian Regatta of the Year’ at the Asia Boating Awards in 2011. The regatta features six or seven classes, including a cruising class, bareboat and charter yachts. The regatta's highly competitive, performance racing schedule is complemented by fun courses around the islands for the less experienced competitors. Finally in December, the Phuket King’s Cup began as a modest regatta back in 1987 to commemorate the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Initially a mixture of monohulls, catamarans and lasers, over the course of 25 years the event has attracted an ever wider variety of vessels in various classes. Last year's event was considered a classic and featured top class competitive sailing between Grand Prix racing yachts, live aboard cruisers, multihulls, classics and for the first time this year - kiteboarders. by Jules Kay Sweet Samui Valentine Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1494.html Valentine's day is the perfect time to appreciate the delights of tropical island life with your loved one and visitors to Koh Samui enjoy a wealth of options when it comes to a romantic outing or blissful break. With a little planning, love birds of all ages can make the most of Samui's indulgent attractions, whether looking for the ultimate private escape or a fun-filled couple's night out. The island offers so many choices that a single day is far too short a time to spend enjoying the best in togetherness. The food of love Traditionalists on Koh Samui are spoilt for choice when it comes to treating their loved ones to a candle-lit dinner for two. The range of fine cuisine served in equally fine locations is immense. Deciding on the perfect restaurant will obviously depend on your taste and inspirations, but the list of options is equally long whether you choose by location, food, ambience, or for the more practical couples, price. At the more sophisticated end of the scale, the signature restaurants attached to the island's best resorts are guaranteed to please. High-end hotel eateries not only offer the absolute best in international flavours and creations, but also boast stunning locations and personalised service for what is sure to be a memorable evening of satisfied sighs. The price tag may require a credit card, but who puts a price on love? A little more affordable, but equally delicious and also boasting some of the island's best locations are the names on Samui's ever expanding list of independent restaurants, all of which offer mouthwatering menus prepared by seasoned international chefs with a personal, relaxed tropical feel. Those looking for a more lively atmosphere can head to the quaint beachside bistros in Bophut Fisherman's Village where a quaint seaside street is lined with long time favourites serving quality food and rink from around world in a bustling, holiday atmosphere. Then, of course, there are the authentic Thai restaurants, many of them hidden gems that mainly draw a local clientele by serving up some of the best traditional Thai dishes in the Kingdom. For the ultimate private meal, guests who rent a private holiday villa on Samui can easily arrange for a private chef to prepare a personalised feast just steps from their luxury master suite. Villas such as those managed by Samui Villas and Homes come with skilled chefs and extensive suggestion menus. Alternatively, couples can simply order their favourite dishes and the villa's staff will shop, cook and serve the culinary delights to their guests' schedule, either in the villa's tropical grounds, next to the pool or with table set right on the sandy beach. Sensual soothing Koh Samui is also known internationally for its fabulous spa and wellness options, once again providing visitors with a wealth of options to relax, recharge and replenish together in secluded tropical surroundings, often to a soundtrack of wind chimes and trickling water features. The treatment menus in Samui's spas cover everything from simple but effective massages to indulgent couple's packages that include steam or sauna time, aromatic baths and even spa cuisine. Some of the spas located within Samui's luxury resorts are attractions in themselves, boasting unique designs, skilled therapists and an unrivalled selection of natural oils, organic scrubs and rejuvenating skin products. As is the case with restaurants, Samui independent day spas also offer a vast range of therapeutic treats, with award winning centres like Tamarind Springs also known as top class training centres for massage therapists and Kamalaya hosting regular visits by world renowned experts in the field of wellness. Thailand's heritage should not be forgotten in the face of such an array of contemporary spa choices. Excellent traditional massages can be enjoyed right on the beach or in modest massage shops that line the roads most in most of Samui's popular beach areas. Another option is to hire a private masseuse to sooth you in the comfort of your own private villa. Many properties boast cushioned "salas" in the garden, which provide the perfect spot to drift away, cooled by the tropical sea breeze. Some villas even come with their own dedicated spa or massage room, complete with purpose built massage beds, private steam rooms and outdoor, seaview showers. Couple Celebration For guys and girls that like to party together, Samui is also a becoming a famous destination. Chaweng beach is known for its buzzing bars and late night club scene, while for a more sophisticated vibe, the island's beach clubs offer chic poolside parties day and night with DJs spinning an eclectic playlist of dance and chill out tunes, champagne and cocktails served to your sun-bed. At Beach Republic in Lamai, guests enjoy sweeping ocean views and striking futuristic architecture as they lounge under clear blue skies on super large beds and private cabanas. Over on the west coast, global fun seekers head for Nikki Beach where the Sunset Happy Hour blends a breathtaking natural spectacle with an appealing range of fashionable poolside pleasures. Of course, more private love birds may prefer to host their own Valentines party, plugging the iPod into their villa's sound system and chilling by the pool in sweet, serviced seclusion. On Samui, the choices for personalised romance are as varied as the options for social revelry. The only real challenge is choosing the perfect way to share those special moments. by Jules Kay Thailand's Year of the Dragon Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1486.html With floods and political upheaval now hopefully a thing of the past, Thailand is looking forward to a positive year. In the Thai lunar calendar, 2012 is actually 2555, and as the number five in the Thai language is "HA", the famous Thai smile is at last returning with a vengeance, inspired by a new catchphrase: "Ha, Ha, Ha". The New Year countdown to 2012 was a spectacular affair, both in Bangkok and in the country's buzzing resort destinations, but with a large Thai-Chinese population living in provinces throughout the country, Chinese New Year promises to be an even more colourful and entertaining celebration this year. The modern version of this ancient festival is a blend of the past and more contemporary elements with art, music and dance offering visitors a fascinating glimpse of the cultural heritage that has been passed down through the generations. The Year of the Dragon begins on 23rd January, but in the Kingdom's many Chinese Thai communities the revelry will begin on 19th and last until 29th. Bangkok’s Chinatown district, Yaowarat -- the ‘realm of the auspicious Golden Dragon' -- is always a centre for Chinese New Year celebrations in the capital. Highlights of the annual festival to welcome the Year of the Dragon will include a traditional lion dance, the famous parade of the mythical golden dragon, traditional live performances and demonstrations of the Thai-Chinese way of life. An extensive food festival will feature stalls offering Thai and Chinese delicacies and visitors will also be able to browse and buy local handicrafts. Traditional decorations will brighten up the streets in the area, with Chinese paper lanterns, cut-outs of auspicious phrases, vases filled with plum blossoms, siplays of oranges and tangerines and a whole host of symbolic items to represent success, good fortune and prosperity, as well as good health and longevity. This year, in addition to the usual spirited dragon dances, parades, fireworks and food stalls, cultural representatives from Thailand and the People’s Republic of China are working in partnership to host a special Sino-Thai cultural festival that will bring together the two countries' traditions in spectacle of traditional music and drama. To honour the 37th anniversary of the re-establishment of Thai-Chinese relations in 1975, a special series of performances, some of which date back two centuries have been planned. The festival is called “From the Huang Ho (Yellow River) to the Chao Phraya River Basin� and will not only be offered in Bangkok, but also in the provinces of of Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, Phuket and Trang, all of which boast long standing Thai-Chinese communities. Beach lovers can also enjoy the more traditional side of Chinese New Year in Thailand. The Old Phuket Festival is another major celebration that includes contemporary and traditional Chinese cultural activities. Parades, dances, Chinese opera performances, art and craft stalls and culinary specialities are all part of the attraction in the heart of the Phuket Old Town on Thalang Road, and the island's Chinese New Year festival offers activities for young and old alike, making one of the most popular events on the island. Long established trade links between China and Thailand have created strong cultural ties between the two nations and local communities in the KIngdom maintain the customs and traditions of their ancestors. Chinese New Year remains one of the most important annual festivals in the Land of Smiles and the range of attractions on offer make it one of Southeast Asia's top destinations for anybody wishing to experience the excitement and colour of a new lunar year celebration. Phuket gears up for action Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1471.html By Jules Kay November is the official start of the high season on Phuket and this year the island will be welcoming visitors from all over the world with a full schedule of events and some the most appealing holiday choices on offer in the South East Asia region. In the last few years, Phuket has enjoyed an impressive revival as a one of the world's top tourist destinations with international arrivals forecast to top four million in 2011. In terms of accommodation choices for visitors, the island now offers an vast range of choices to suit every taste and budget. Luxury travellers in particular are once again choosing the island as their preferred tropical retreat, making the most of the top quality 5-Star services on offer, either staying at one of the extravagant resorts, many located on the salubrious west coast around Kamala, or renting one of the island's now numerous luxury villas, which pepper the coastal landscape and feature everything from cliffside private infinity pools to private cinema rooms. Sailing enthusiasts also set a course for the island at this time of year, with luxury yacht charters an increasingly popular vacation choice. The island's full service marinas now also host an ever increasing number of superyachts. In October, Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT)’s M.V. Combi Dock 1 arrived in Phuket to deliver an unprecedented five vessels over 30 metres in length, some of which will be available for charter in the months ahead, cruising to the unspoilt islands and crystal bays in the Andaman Sea. A series of international boating events also take place on Phuket every year, beginning with the famous Phuket King's Cup from 3-10 December, Asia's biggest and most popular regatta, which was inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday. Other major yachting events include the spectacular Asia Superyacht Rendezvous, which attracts some of the world's most magnificent yachts to the island on 16,17 and 18 December. Back on land, Phuket also offers visitors an appealing choice of activities and events to enjoy during a visit to the island. The Laguna Phuket Triathlon on 27 November has become known as the region's s top destination triathlon and features a unique format that includes a 1.8 km swim, a 55 km bike race and a 12 km run through the tropical hinterland. The popular race has attracted thousands of athletes of all ages over the years, including triathlon stars like Mark Allen, Greg Welch, Craig Alexander and Paula Newby-Fraser. A week later, on December 4, Laguna Phuket is once again the host for the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship and both events draw large crowds of spectators to cheer the athletes round the challenging courses. Less strenuous, but equally entertaining, Phuket will this year celebrate HM The King’s 84th birthday with a free music festival in Phuket Town from December 2 – 5. Nightly performances will include music from some of Thailand's best pop artists and jazz groups, as well as musicians from far flung countries such as Israel and Morocco and a delicious local food market. later in the month, the Phuket Carnival, arguably the island’s most colourful event, will run from December 15 to 20 in Patong, kicking off with with a glittering parade winding through the town's streets and along the beach front. The 6-day carnival also features concerts, food festivals and sporting events. With such a wide choice of events, plus a wealth of fine restaurants, adventure activities and watersports, not to mention several championship golf courses and modern shopping malls, Thailand's favourite island has evolved to become one of the world's most appealing and multifarious resort destinations. Time for another Thai Miracle Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1470.html By Jules Kay With international arrivals at all time highs in all first three quarters of this year, Thailand recently endured its worst flood in living history. The heart of the country, Bangkok, took a serious tourism hit as the international media broadcast images of widespread inundation. One of the national projects put on hold due to the floods was the "Miracle Thailand" tourism campaign, originally slated to launch in November 2011. Yet when it comes to overcoming obstacles, Thailand has often proved that its more than capable of performing such biblical feats. Historically speaking, the speed at which Thailand bounces back from natural and political disasters is impressive, and a positive indication of the country's strength and overall attractiveness for both business and leisure visitors. Despite the 2004 Tsunami, International arrival numbers of 7.76 million in 1998 nearly doubled within a decade to reach 14.46 million in 2008. The global financial recession and the political unrest in 2010 only caused a slight dent in the arrival numbers, which dropped to 14.15 million by year end. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's investment of 1.3 million baht (30.69 Euros) in its latest tourist campaign is a mere fraction of the original requested budget of 8.4 billion (just under 200 million Euros), but with pre-flood tourist estimates putting arrivals this year to 19 million, "Miracle Thailand" was aiming to boost arrivals to 30 million within the next four years, as well as to generate tourist income to 2 trillion Baht (47 billion Euros). The effects of such a global tourism campaign are not easy to measure. India launched its global "Incredible India" campaign nearly a decade ago, with television commercials and sleek print advertisements casting an almost mystical seduction on travellers. Malaysia soon followed suit in 2004, its recognizable "Truly Asia" jingle also often heard on television channels, a campaign that became the most awarded national tourism campaign of all time, honoured as "Asia's best long-term marketing and branding campaign" at the Asian Marketing Effectiveness AMEGold awards four years after its launch. Tourist arrivals have been on the up and up in both countries, but it's still difficult to draw the correlation between humming the jingle and booking a ticket. The Tourism Authority of Thailand, meanwhile, has been through a slew of slogans in recent history, ranging from "Unseen Thailand", "Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value", "Happiness on Earth", and "Amazing Thailand, Always Amazes You", before going full circle and reverting back to "Amazing Thailand", a tagline that was first launched in 1998. But backing up these creations,Word of mouth and visitor tales have also done their share of spreading the Thai word around the world and the Tourism Authority of Thailand have also recently started dabbling in the free-for-all world of digital marketing. Social media, Facebook in particular, is not an unfamiliar platform for Thais. In fact, with some 7.42 million users in Bangkok, the capital is the 5th largest "Facebook city" in the world according to socialbakers.com, ahead of cities such as Madrid, Rome, New York, Paris, and Los Angeles. As a whole, Thailand ranks 16th in the world in terms of Facebook users, more than Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. It's therefore not surprising that earlier this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand developed game applications under Smile Land (www.facebook.com/smilelandgame), which can also be found on the tourism board's website (www.tourismthailand.org/multimedia/e-game). The games range from finding ingredients to make som tam -- the popular Thai papaya salad, racing in a tuk-tuk -- the famous motorized rickshaws, and giving your partner a traditional Thai massage. Games and destination marketing aside, Thailand is blessed with warm people and a colourful local way of life peacefully coexisting alongside the best luxuries the world has to offer. Not to mention beautiful natural attractions, all of which have spawned an army of unofficial country ambassadors. There's no doubt the Kingdom will once again stand tall -- it's only a question of which tourism banner it will fly. Perhaps they should combine our neighbour's catchy slogans, it would certainly fit: "Thailand: Truly Incredible". Loy Kratong - a pertinent Thai festival Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1462.html By Jules Kay When the moon fills out in the twelfth lunar month of every year, Thais take to the waterways nationwide to "loy" (float) their "kratong" (banana leaf vessel laden with flowers, incense and candals). Although Thais and especially Bangkokians, celebrate the likes of Halloween and Christmas, Loy Kratong is a festival that remains observed in a genteel way that celebrates the more traditional Thai way of life. In the northern province of Chiang Mai, the festivities along canals and rivers are complemented with the launch of thousands of candle lit paper lanterns into the night sky. Just as kratongs are believed to float away ill fortune, paper lanterns also carry away any negativity and grief from a person's life. The festival is not a national holiday, but one that provincial governments celebrate by the organization of events and activities, such as kratong-making contests, beauty pageants, fireworks, and traditional performances. Loy Kratong is observed by people from all walks of life, and visitors who travel the country in November will find themselves in the midst of the most romantic festival in the Kingdom. Though the tradition of setting afloat kratongs and launching lanterns carries a symbolic cleansing ritual, the original purpose of Loy Kratong was to pay respect to Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of Water, at the end of the rice harvesting season. The act is meant to show gratitude to the Goddess for the provision of life-giving water, as well as to seek forgiveness for pollution and other man made sins. 2011 is a year where an excessive amount of water has caused Thailand to suffer from the worst flood the country's seen in half a century. Many provincial celebrations have been cancelled, and the old capital of Ayuttaya, which was one of the more severely hit provinces, has instead planned a massive clean up day on November 10th, the would-be day of joviality. With the full moon approaching and with it high tidal levels, Loy Kratong festival's dual purpose of paying respect and seeking redemption to the double edged sword of life sustaining and livelihood destroying water has never been so pronounced. The history of Loy Kratong is not known for certain, with many scholastic accounts swaying towards its Indian origin. A similar Hindu festival widely celebrated in India is Dipavali, the festival of lights, in which lanterns are floated to honor the Trimurti, the Hindi divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Other theories point to Buddhist heritage, suggesting the rite was to noon Phra Uppakhut, a devout disciple of the Lord Buddha, and another to pay respect to a footprint found near the sacred holy river of Narmada, believed to have been left there by the Lord Buddha himself. One of the most romantic stories, albeit with the least historical proof, is that the origins of Loy Kratong can be credited to a King's consort during the Sukhothai period by the name of Nang Noppamas, whose name is lent to the traditional beauty contests that are held to this day. Whatever the origins may be, Loy Kratong is a reminder of the power of nature. The recent floods in Thailand have been blamed on an unusually wet monsoon season caused by global warming and overdevelopment. Small eco-friendly changes have been made in the Loy Kratong festivities -- such as using banana leaves or bread to make the base of the kratong in lieu of styrofoam -- but when it comes to man versus nature, the latter usually wins. Perhaps, in the last line of the traditional Loy Kratong song translated below, global citizens should take heed and make some 'eco-merit'. Loy Kratong Song (translation) "On the full moon of the twelfth month, The water fills the riverbanks. All men and women are having fun on Loy Kratong day. Float the kratong Float the kratong together and ask the darlings to come and dance. Dancing on Loy Kratong and making merit will make us happy" Help floods out in Thailand Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1454.html Heavy rains in Thailand caused extreme flooding in many parts of the country this month, in what has become the nation’s most expensive natural disaster. The country's finance minister put the cost of damage at $3.9 billion and with more than 10% of the country's rice farms destroyed, the economic impact of the flooding is set to last far longer than the high waters. Yet despite the economic impact of the flooding, the disaster has also helped bring the nation back together after several years of political and social divisions that culminated in the much publicised bloody street battles in Bangkok last April. In a massive show of national concern, Thai people of all ages and backgrounds have joined the relief effort, donating essential supplies and volunteering much needed practical support that extended far beyond financial contributions. At Bangkok's Don Muang airport, thousands of volunteers, among them children and the elderly, spent several days helping separate and pack donated goods into relief bags, which were then delivered in sets to relief distribution centres set up by the army and PTT, Thailand's national petroleum company. In addition to sending supplies to people stranded the worst hit areas, many of the country's public offices, universities and temples were also converted into refuge centres for those forced to leave their homes, while on the inundated streets of deluged cities and towns, people carried the weak to safety and the nation's young rushed to help the old. Funds were also quickly donated. The Thai royal family provided much needed financial assistance to communities nationwide and also sent out mobile kitchen staff. Further money and supplies were donated through the local media and charity foundations. Thailand's business sector also joined the mercy mission, launching a number of campaigns to provide victims with timely help and support. AIS and DTAC, two of the country's largest mobile phone providers set up a system to make SMS donations with the help of the country's Channel 3 news channel. Siam Commercial Bank set up ATM donations with no fee for transferring money and also established emergency credit lines worth more than THB10 billion to assist flood affected customers. Krungthai Card Plc, one of the nation's credit card providers cancelled all debt obligations to any clients who lost their lives or were seriously injured by the floods. One well known Thai entrepreneur, Tan Passakornnatee, who made his fortune selling bottled green tea, donated THB70 million, as well as sending boats and green tea to flood hit areas. Sadly, he later became a victim himself when one of his factories was flooded, causing damage estimated THB 3.5 billion. International companies and organisation based in Thailand also offered their support, with Japanese firms showing particularly generosity, even though they are still in recovery themselves after the earthquake and Tsunami. Both the Hitachi Group and the Panasonic Corporation added to the Thai relief effort, each providing some THB30 million in support, while Toyota showrooms offering 30% discounts on much needed auto spare parts. On a smaller, more personal scale, the Saudi football squad donated THB500,000 at the start of their World Cup qualifying game with Thailand and the German Ambassador Rolf Schulze gave 40,000 Euro to the Thai Red Cross Society to help flood victims. With the tourist high season beginning in October, Thailand's main resort islands were fortunately unaffected by the heavy rains. The floods hit land in low-lying agricultural areas and those adjacent to major waterways such as the Chao Phraya River. All airports and major transportation links throughout Thailand continued to operate as normal but travellers were advised to check the latest weather forecasts for their destination and confirm arrangements with the transportation providers. The Tourism Authority of Thailand also set up an information hotline for visitors. by Jules Kay Jason Mraz to play Thailand Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1446.html With Thailand firmly established as one of the world's top holiday destinations, the kingdom is also an increasingly popular choice for some of the world's top bands and music stars. Until quite recently, the biggest selling acts tended to favour Singapore as the main Southeast Asian stop when they planned their world tours, but in the last few years the Bangkok gig list has grown to include everyone from rock legends The Eagles to crossover stadium fillers, Linkin Park and one of the world's best known DJs, Joel Thomas Zimmerman, otherwise known as Deadmouse. The latest star with plans to grace Thailand's ears with his chart topping tunes is Jason Mraz, who recently announced a special one night concert in on November 5th with his longtime friend and celebrated percussionist Noel “Toca” Rivera. Mraz is a multi-talented singer and songwriter and made pop history with the single, “I’m Yours”, a global hit that enjoyed a record breaking 76 week run on the Hot 100. The track was featured on Jason’s platinum selling album, “We Sing. We dance. We steal things" and was also voted Song of the Year by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. The Thailand concert is sponsored by Toyota Prius and billed as a "Special Acoustic Evening With Toca Rivera”. The venue is the Bonanza Khao Yai and the sell out performance is part of an ambitious tour schedule that will see Jason perform on four continents. A Grateful Journey, as its known, is designed to celebrate the power of music as well as to inspire change and help others through global citizenship. Mraz has long been an active supporter of charities, including including VH1's Save The Music Foundation, MusiCares and Free the Children. He was also named the 2010 SIMA Humanitarian of the Year. Toca Rivera is known as an accomplished Djembe player and 'vocussionist' and will share the stage for a series of acoustic dates during the tour, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the duo's independently released album, "Live at Java Joe's", which was only made available to download on iTunes as recently as March 2008. The tour includes benefit concerts and festivals in the USA, Morocco and France, plus shows at major international venues like the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall. On the acoustic aspect, Jason commented: "There's no technology, no microphones, there's nothing that can can get in your way," speaking on the tour's video trailer. "I love the freedom that that is. That I don't have one position behind a microphone." No strangers to the road, Mraz and Rivera first teamed up back in 2000, when Jason was beginning to make a name for himself on the San Diego coffee house circuit. Rivera invited Mraz to join a trio he fronted with his brother Carlos, and the band toured California’s towns and music venues together in a beat-up Winnebago, a trip that later became the inspiration for the song “Dream Life of Rand McNally.” When Carlos decided to take some time off, Jason and Toca collaborated on a number of original songs. Mraz's melodic guitar and vocal performances were perfectly complemented by Rivera's intuitive percussion style. Their laid back musical partnership quickly found a growing audience and eventually they grew to create songs that sold multiple albums around the globe and drew huge crowds to their live performances. A large part of Jason's appeal in Thailand comes from the fact that he sometimes plays the Ukelele, an instrument that has become hugely popular in the last two years with Thai people of all ages taking it up, either seriously or as kind of fashion accessory. "I'm Yours" is one of the first songs budding Thai musicians learn on the Hawaiian instrument and with the internet bursting with video clips and online lessons, Jason's rendition has become the benchmark for four stringed crooners across the nation. by Jules Kay Adding an 'i' to Hospitality Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1438.html Steve Jobs may have left the house, but the iRevolution he led has satisfied hungry consumers with innovative products no one knew they were missing until they watched his legendary Apple presentations. In particular, the scrambling popularity for the versatility of the iPad has changed the way business is conducted across the board, from banking to health services, construction to charity. The game changer of the computing world has also reinvented the way people communicate in this increasingly on-the-go version of life most of us lead, and the hospitality and travel industry were among the earliest adopters. In today's cloudy skies, competition is stiff, with airlines trying to beat their rival route providers by the centimetre -- literally. Copious leg room is now a basic expectation on first and business class cabins, with newer aircrafts such as the Airbus A380 paving the way for an imminent boost in freedom to luxe it up. Qatar serves up 10-course in-flight meals, Cathay Pacific is planning original abstract artwork on its long-hauls, and both Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways are teaming up with Poltrona Frau (of Ferrari leather interior fame) to snazz up passenger seats. But before cattle class fliers could cry "What about us?", Qantas' budget subsidiary, Jetstar, became the world's first airline to announce iPad-IFE (inflight entertainment) rentals on its flights -- with customized holding brackets to boot. After several postponed deadlines, the concept is set to be launched within the year and since its announcement Iceland Express has also joined the frenzy, as has airBaltic, who upped the ante by offering onboard iPad2. Malaysia Airlines has also revealed plans to introduce the idea on the A330s, while Finnair CEO Mika Vehviläinen recently announced that their next generation jetliners may have iPads replacing in-seat video screens altogether, the devices pre-loaded with personalized content including television shows, games, music and reading material -- before the passenger even arrives at his seat. On the flip side of the same journey, cabin crews are also being armed with the mighty iPad. All Nippon Airways flights are rolling out the tablet for flight attendant training, a move which the Japanese airline expects to reduce costs by US$2.6m. iPads are also on trial with both British Airways and KLM, with the aim of improving and speeding up customer service with the amount of information at the finger tips of the pursers and other crew, including seat locations, traveling companions, dietary restrictions, frequent flyer status, as well as any customer service related issues lodged with ground staff within the airline's network. The iPad trend even continues into the cockpit, with Alaska Airlines pioneering a shift towards a paperless flight deck after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handed down its approval of the device in the cockpit. American Airlines, United-Continental, KLM, Qantas, and Delta Airlines soon followed suit with specialty apps allowing for personalized realtime meteorological information and navigation charts, and the digitization of flight manuals shaving 17 kilograms off the weight per pilot, which ultimately translates into decreased fuel consumption. Savings can amount to US$1.2m per year for just American Airlines and eco-warriors also rejoice at the 12,000 sheets of paper saved (the approximated page count per traditional manual). The i-Proliferation doesn't stop when travellers reach their destination either. Hotels such as Missoni Kuwait have been using them for check-in, while Holiday Inn is testing the iPad to replace room keys. The InterContinental is also leveraging the iPad2's Facetime™ feature for travellers to connect with concierges while planning their trip. All rooms in London's Ecclestone Square come equipped with an iPad, which acts as the go-to panel for guests for everything from curtain control and room temperature to spa reservations and housekeeping requests. They're not the only ones - Miami's Hotel Beaux Arts, New York's Plaza Hotel, Sydney's Establishment Hotel, and the Four Seasons in Los Angeles have already climbed on the bandwagon. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts have gone a step further by implementing iPads throughout their entire empire, cascading through the departments from its Chicago headquarters down to each property. Compared with large hotels and resorts where time efficiency is of the essence, holiday homes and private villas tend to lean towards a more personal and unhurried approach to service. However, conveniences such as using the iPad for credit card payments, or lending them to guests with a pre-loaded map featuring nearby places of interest, could very well see them being utilized in the holiday residence rental sector to complement face-to-face human interaction, which is ultimately indispensable, however advanced tablets get in the future. Experts' 2011 sales forecast for Apple's sexy gadget reaches skywards of 40 million units, not including the 14.8 million sold in 2010. With the first generation device only launched in 2010, it is perhaps too early to say if the convenience of this new communication device is here to stay, or whether it will just be a short-term piggyback on the wider Mac appeal. But for now, there's no denying the wow factor of everything iPad-affiliated, as well as the intriguing ways the the simple platform is freeing up an army of innovators to perhaps permanently change the dynamics of social connectivity. by Jules Kay Dropping anchor on Phuket Tue, 2 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1430.html By Jules Kay In the last 10 years Phuket has developed into one of the world's top yachting destinations. Sailing holidays are now a popular choice for visitors from around the world, whether arriving on their own private boats or chartering vessels from one of the island's marinas to explore the beauty of the dramatic Andaman Coast and experience the many deserted offshore islands from a unique, personal perspective. Phuket's four full service marinas are busy for most of the year with berths booked well in advance and boating enthusiasts blowing through in large numbers during the high season. The marinas vary is terms of size and facilities, some catering more to recreational sailing enthusiasts, others focusing on luxury onshore amenities. Superyachts up to 60 metres in length can now regularly be seen filling Phuket's private berths and the range of services and facilities on offer to these floating palaces is expanding all the time. Phuket Lifestyle Marinas Boat Lagoon was the first full service marina to be built on Phuket some 15 years ago and has since developed into a self contained waterfront community complete with apartments, villas and a range of dining and entertainment options. Ideally situated on the east coast of the island just 20km from the airport, the marina offers berths for 180 boats. Onsite amenities for visiting yachts include a high pressure washing service, fuel delivery, shoreside electricity, water and wireless internet. The marina also offers a choice of dining options, including the award winning Watermark Restaurant, while for the more active, Boat Fitness Gym is well equipped and also offers yoga or martial arts classes, while tennis lovers can avail themselves of the onsite courts and those in need of down time can spend a lazy day basking in the hotel's free form pool or jacuzzi, while the children play in the kids zone or games room. Almost next door to Boat Lagoon, Phuket Royal Marina is an award winning high-end lifestyle marina that combines sailing, sports and leisure with luxury residences and top brand dining and shopping facilities. The marina can accommodate 81 vessels from 10 metres to 35 metres and the serviced berths are complemented by a fuel dock and sewage pump out service. The Boardwalk at RPM offers a range of shopping, dining choices with gourmet restaurants and specialty stores, boating services, water sports equipment. Royal Phuket Marina is also offers a choice of super luxury residences for wealthy investors. Contemporary designs include a range of unique features including private swimming pools, rooftop gardens and Jacuzzis. The marina's unique penthouse 'Aquaminiums' even come with their own private basement yacht berth and entertainment lounge with pull down movie screen. More modest in terms of luxurious amenities, but very popular with the global sailing community, Yacht Haven Marina on Phuket's northeast coast offers extensive shoreside facilities and deep water access with a capacity of 300 vessels plus alongside dockage for 30 superyachts measuring 80 ft. The marina overlooks Phang Nga Bay and enjoys fresh sea breezes throughout the year. Standard berthing facilities include shoreside electricity and water, fuel delivery and 24-hour security, with additional benefits such as phone lines at selected docks, a good restaurant and the popular Living Room coffee shop, which provides a pleasant dockside gathering point. On the practical side, there's also a chandlery with mechanics, electricians, woodworkers and dayworkers available, as well as care-taking and yacht management services. One of the features that helps makes Yacht Haven stand out from other marinas is a relaxed, personable approach. Marina managers Nick and Zara Wyatt are always available to provide help and advice to owners and crew and have become something of a local legend in the regional yachting fraternity. Ao Po Grand Marina is a newer addition to the Phuket marina scene with a capacity of 200 vessels for boats up to 80 metres. Situated just 15 minutes from the island's international airport, the marina offers 24-hour access and zero tide restrictions, with extra wide pontoon walkways and pontoon transportation with golf buggies and hand trolleys. There's 24 hour CCTV security, with dining and entertainment options for guests and crew at the Quarterdeck bar and restaurant. Ao Po Grand Marina also boasts a deep water access fuel dock and recently added an onsite chandlery with a complete range of services and equipment for commercial and recreational yachts. Thailand's Andaman coast offers visiting yachtsmen a wide choice of dramatic and appealing cruising routes with 67 islands to explore right off the Phuket coast. For larger vessels, some of South East Asia's least visited archipelagos are also within a few days' sail, with the marine wonders of the Similan, Mergui and Andaman islands all within easy reach for superyachts. Phuket is fast becoming the natural base from which to discover this incredible region by sea and the island's ever growing yacht services industry has also made it a popular onshore destination for superyacht owners, charter guests and crew members. Capital culture in Bangkok Tue, 2 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1422.html By Jules Kay The Bangkok International Festival of Dance & Music offers culture seekers the capital's biggest and most comprehensive showcase of international performing arts. Now in its 13th year, the festival takes place at the Thailand Cultural Centre, and will be held from 9 September – 16 October, when professional dance companies and orchestras from countries as diverse as Brazil, Germany, Russia and United Kingdom will descend on Bangkok to perform 17 different productions. Since the festival launched back in 1999, it has grown to become a world class event, attracting a loyal following and a global audience over a 5 week period every year who gather to enjoy the performances at Thailand's largest theatre and orchestra space. The festival has built a solid reputation as one of the most impressive events in Asia and attracts several thousand overseas visitors who fly in specially to attend the spectacular calendar of events, which includes ballet, opera, classical music, contemporary dance and figure skating. This year's performances include Swan Lake on Ice, performed by the Imperial Ice Stars, United Kingdom, Balé de Rua from Brazil and Casa Azul, by the Donlon Dance Company from Germany. A particular festival highlight will be Russia's Mariinsky Ballet, accompanied by Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra from St. Petersburg who will perform three presentations: Le Corsaire, Don Quixote and a special Mariinsky Ballet Gala performance. Originally established over 250 years ago by Catherine the Great , the Mariinsky Ballet is one of the world's most important cultural legacies. Originally led by ballet legend Marius Petipa, its aim was to discover en train Russia's top talent and the results are still very evident today. The Mariinsky's principal dancers include famous names like Alina Somova, Evgeny Ivanchenko, Daria Vasnetsova, Vladimir Shklyarov, Daniil Korsuntsev and Ekaterina Kondaurova all of whom will be performing in the festival, offering dance enthusiasts a rare opportunity to witness their impeccable technique and refined physical poetry in action. Beyond the boundaries of traditional dance, the Dutch contemporary dance company Introdans, which has been producing artists since 1971, will also present four productions. Their performances are known to blend classic pieces with more contemporary, avant-garde moves, delighting lovers of movement and artistic innovation. Equally cutting edge, the U-Theatre from Taiwan will also offer something different in its "Meeting with Bodhisattva", a fascinating ritualistic performance that merges drumming with martial arts moves and theatre. For families, both parents and their offspring will be enchanted by the creativity and energy on display in performances by the Flying Superkids from Denmark. The troop features trained gymnasts aged seven and up who somersault, tumble, build human pyramids and generally challenge the laws of gravity, while singing and dancing at the same time. Meanwhile, on a more sedentary level, there's a unique chance to see the BBC's famous Blue Planet series live, projected onto an enormous high-definition screen, the dramatic images accompanied George Fenton's original soundtrack performed live by an orchestra and choir. Phuket for Foodies Tue, 2 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EDT http://www.epsamui.com/news/news_1414.html By Tina Hsiao Aside from its spectacular scenery, fascinating culture and stunning beaches, one of the main attractions for visitors to Thailand is the country's celebrated cuisine. Even if you only visit one location during your stay in the Kingdom, you can still enjoy everything from authentic local street food to exquisite delicacies at a gourmet restaurant. What's more, with the tastes of virtually every other country in the world represented in Thailand, it's perfectly possible to combine a holiday to remember with a truly global taste adventure. As the country's most popular tourist destination, Phuket boasts more than its fair share of fine food, which means eating out is definitely a major part of the island experience. Most good hotels offer extensive menus that include everything from Thai classics to fresh seafood and international fare, while some of the more exclusive resorts take things to the next level, employing renowned international chefs who serve up delectable dishes that match those served at the tables of fine eateries in London, Paris or New York. Many of the island's rental villas also come with the option of a private chef, so you can feast on the very best without venturing more than a few steps from your private pool. Yet even with so many options close to the room, most holidaymakers like to eat out at least a couple of times during their stay and on Phuket the choices are vast and enticing. Even a brief round up of the temptations on offer is enough to get the juices flowing in anticipation of a culinary, tropical treat. Watermark Restaurant & Bar www.watermarkphuket.com When dining on the water's edge next to rows of luxury yachts, time seems of little importance, and food is enjoyed as more than just sustenance. Watermark Restaurant & Bar is Boat Lagoon Marina's brasserie on the island's east coast, serving contemporary cuisine in addition to Italian and Thai favorites. A good sized menu offers perfect appetizers for that between-meal snack attack, ranging from the succulent "Grilled scallops on a bed of Porcini mushrooms and brown peaches" to "Quattro", a platter of sliced raw vegetables served with 4 Mediterranean dip choices. Unsurprisingly, the chef's recommended main courses are both seafood dishes - a tender Grilled White Snapper crusted in Pistachio, and Grilled Jumbo Tiger Prawns drenched in a Thai red curry sauce. For food on the go, Watermark's sandwiches and burgers are generously sized with moist full stuffings. Decadent desserts such as "Goats' Cheese Tower" drizzled with passion fruit sauce, and an extensive wine list wraps up a memorable eating experience. L'Orfeo Restaurant & Lounge www.orfeo-phuket.com Fine dining does not have to mean stiff surroundings, at L'Orfeo's, indoor Arabian decor oozes cosiness reminiscent of a living room - red toned walls, colorful curtains, plush sofas, eclectic art pieces hanging on the walls, decorative items scattered around the room, all illuminated by warm glows from the Chinese hanging lamps. There is outdoor seating available under a massive tent with the tropical balmy breeze wafting past. The feast doesn't stop with the eyes - with the owners hailing from France, it's not surprising that the menu is decidedly French influenced, full of classical items with a twist, such as "Foie gras poêlé with fresh mango" and "New Zealand lamb chops with gratin Dauphinois". They also serve a juicy Angus beef tenderloin, in addition to select creamy pasta dishes. On the dessert front, L'Orfeo makes a mean "homemade lemon tart", the tangy taste enough to jolt you back from the preceding heavenly courses. Needless to say, wine is a big part of any French meal, with the likes of Bordeaux heavy-hitter Château Margaux on pour here, perfect to serenade diners at one of the most romantic restaurants on the island. Baan Rim Pa www.baanrimpa.com Perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the Kalim Bay on the west coast, 3 restaurants form a whole in the Baan Rim Pa group, consisting of Baan Rim Pa (royal Thai cuisine), Joe's Downstairs (contemporary cuisine), and Da Maurizio Bar Ristorante (modern Italian cuisine). With distinct palate offerings and atmospheres to match, a dinner experience can be split up into 3 segments depending culinary preferences, starting with a sunset drink and pre-dinner appetizers at Joe's Downstairs, it's tapas menu featuring several mouthwatering treats such as "Crispy smoked shiitake mushroom and goats cheese Tortelloni with truffle aioli". Appetites whet, head next door to the 2-storied Baan Rim Pa, entirely made of teak. Diners can savor dishes once reserved exclusively for Thai royalty, and the restaurant also offers set menus, a sort of 'best-of' collection of all-time favorites, an ideal crash course for guests not too familiar with Thai dishes. Walk off the meal by taking a short stroll back past Joe's Downstairs to Da Maurizio, settling down with an espresso or Grappa over a decadent Tiramisu served in a Martini glass, taking in the sea breeze to complement the gastronomic experience. Siam Indigo Exotique Bar & Restaurant www.siamindigo.com Phuket's claim to fame may be its stunning coastal scenery, but Phuket Town was once the bustling epicentre during the island's tin mining boom, with quaint Sino-Portuguese architecture still evident in the facades that line the town centre. Taking the advantage of the old town atmosphere is Siam Indigo, a converted restaurant housed in a row of 3 century-old shophouse. Without sea views to lean on, the Thai/fusion food and the French-managed service at this quaint eatery takes centre stage, and it does not disappoint. Art by local artists adorn the walls and the eclectic decor pays tribute to the town's heritage past, while an intimate outdoor patio cater to diners wishing to savor under the night sky. Location-inspired dishes include "Rock lobster ravioli and chicken in massaman curry", and a lush "Ginger mango crème brûlée" for dessert. For diners looking for a hearty meal of surf 'n turf, there's plump seafood as fresh as it gets, plus thick cuts of beef, lamb, and other protein-filled goodies grilled to perfection. The drinks list includes a wide range of wines, as well as an innovative cocktail list including their recommended "Under-the-sun marinated Secret Rum" and a twist on the classics Indidi-Mojito and Indigo-tini. Opus One Restaurant & Bar www.opusonephuket.com With most stand-alone dining establishments concentrated around the busy tourist areas such as Patong, it's refreshing to stumble across other independent eateries scattered around the island that give the heavy hitters a run for their money. Sprawled atop Surin Plaza -- a high end collection of boutiques -- is Opus One. The modern East-meets-West interior of the restaurant reflects the items showcased on the menu, while an open-air terrace offers an exclusive vantage point to gaze over serene Surin bay. Only open for dinner, starters include seafood-heavy appetizers such as a "Ceviche" made of salmon, white snapper, and scallops marinated in lime. Seafood offerings continue into the main courses, with the imported black "Moules Frites" sitting in a creamy white wine and parsley and a Japanese influenced, sashimi-grade "Blackened Tuna" with wasabi dressing. Also on offer are imported beef tenderloin and burger dishes, as well as a handful of Thai classics such as "Tom Yum Goong" soup and the northeastern dish of "Laab Moo". The wine list is extensive, covering the price spectrums with sparkling, white and red grape, including the coveted Napa Valley vintage which the restaurant borrows its name from.