Stories tagged with phuket
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Thirty Whales Beached off Phuket
Thirty false killer whales were found beached near the Thai resort island of Phuket, but most were saved by staff at nearby hotels and local residents, a marine official reported.
The whales were up to 4.2 metres long, swam onto the beach on the Racha Island in the Andaman Sea, according to Wannakiat Thubthimsang, the director of Phuket’s Marine Biological Center.
Island residents and hotel staff joined forces to carry the whales back into the rough sea waters, Wannakiat told the AFP.
Due to the rough seas, ten of the whales had to be moved by truck and then carried to another beach about a kilometre away, where calmer waters made the rescue effort feasible.
"One of them died from shock," said Wannakiat.
Scientists who were contacted said they couldn’t be sure why the whales swam ashore.
"They may have run aground because of the strong wave, or they could have been misled by their leader's sonar signal," he added. "It's not the first time this has happened, but this is a very large number."
False killer whales are considerably smaller and less aggressive than the Orca, which is a distant relative. They are not listed as a threatened species.
Like Orcas, false killer whales are classified by scientists as dolphins rather than whales. They are quite social by nature and are known to stand themselves in situations similar to this recent occurrence in Thailand.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Jul 2008, 21:15 -
International Interest in Property Rises in Phuket
Two recently-released studies indicate a significant increase in the purchase of property by international buyers in Phuket, one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations.
There was a 32 percent increase in the number of property transactions, in the second half of 2007, and a 59 percent jump in the total value of the property sold on Phuket island, according to a CB Richard Ellis report. The activity is attributed to a 22 percent boost in Phuket’s tourism, along with a rise in interest among Middle Eastern and Russian buyers.
A study by Jones Lang LaSalle on the high-end condominium market also noted a shift in the demographics of Phuket buyers. UK, US and Scandinavian investors have traditionally represented the market’s base, but now “affluent individuals from China, Russia, India, Korea and the Middle Eastern countries are representing a growing source of demand,” according to this study.
Whatever else the studies demonstrate, it seems evident that Thailand’s political issues, including a coup in 2006, continuing unrest in the South and recent, large-scale anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok, are not discouraging foreign interest in the resort property market.
“The new government has expressed its strong will to attract more overseas capital flows into Thailand,” noted Dan Tantisunthorn, the head of research for Thailand at Jones Lang LaSalle. Currently, the Thai government is considering legislation to extend foreigner land leasehold periods, he added. “Should the initiative materialize, we can expect the market to be more robust.”
Posted by: Andrew on 28 Jun 2008, 21:44 -
Laguna Phuket to Host ESPN STAR Personalities
Members of the ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) football broadcasting team are scheduled to visit Laguna Phuket from 25-27 July in support of Laguna’s CSR initiative that’s aimed at improving conditions in schools in neighbouring Phang-nga province.
This event follows on the highly successful inaugural ESPN STAR Sports Charity Golf Tournament at Laguna Phuket held in March of 2007, when THB 500,000 was raised for Phuket’s Life Home Project in support of HIV-positive women and children.
The ESS team are enthusiastic to repeat the earlier success.
The proceeds from this year’s event will be used to improve the heath and safety standards of a school in economically disadvantaged Phang-nga province. This project comes under the auspices of the Laguna Phuket Social Committee, which manages the resort’s CSR activities.
The star-studded line-up of ESS team members visiting Laguna Phuket includes STAR Sports Nokia Football Crazy presenter Andy Penders and the football analyst PJ Roberts. ESPN Football Focus presenter John Dykes and Here We Go’s Andrew Leci of Here We Go will join a number of in-house football experts, such Paul Masefield, Jamie Reeves, Shebby Singh and Derek Currie. Also participating are STAR Sports presenters Paula Malai Ali, Drinie Aguilar, Ally Begg, Jamie Yeo, Christy Simson, Uday Joshi and Joy Navkin.
Posted by: Andrew on 21 Jun 2008, 10:48 -
Five Major Cruise Lines Add Phuket to Itineraries
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently been notified by five of the world’s major cruise lines of their plans to add Phuket and Laem Chabang to their itineraries by the 2009 season. Holland American, Oceania Cruises, ResidenSea, Seabourn Cruise Line and Star Clipper informed representatives from the New York offices of the TAT of their intent during the March Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention held in Miami, Florida. The TAT views travellers on these cruises as part of the desirable high-end market of tourists whose level of spending contributes significantly to the country’s tourist income. Currently, 12 cruise ships call in Thai ports annually, including Phuket, bringing about 7,000 visitors to the country.
It has been reported by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association that in 2007, the number of cruise passengers internationally reached approximately 12.6 million, with 85% coming from North America. The Caribbean was the destination for most of these cruise travellers. Seatrade, one of the cruise industry’s largest events in the world, was attended this March by over 11,000 participants, representing 80 countries across the world. More than 900 exhibitors, from over 70 countries, including 11 from Asia, presented their products and destinations at the event.
Posted by: Andrew on 12 Jun 2008, 20:00 -
The latest in luxury in Phuket
The Thai resort island of Phuket has always been attractive as a vacation getaway, and many now call the island home for at least part of the year. The number of residences built on the island in recent years is impressive, and the latest in a long line of luxury pool villas, Les Palmares offers the absolute latest in technological gadgetry along with the style and comfort potential buyers would expect form a property on Phuket.
The Les Palmares pool villas have an asking price that places them firmly in the top echelon of what’s on offer on the island, as the units boast everything form cutting edge design, western kitchens, electronic climate control in every room, and electronic entertainment systems of the highest order.
Ayudhya Real Estate is the exclusive real estate agent for the complex, and agent Simon Murray says, "The development is 5-star rated and extremely elegant. It's designed in a modern Bali style with dense vegetation surrounding a central oasis around which each secluded villa is built. This ensures that the properties are suitable for people who require a natural, open space with privacy.
Tall trees are interspersed around the property ensuring that you feel the benefit of the natural surroundings and the weather yet have the shade needed in this tropical environment. The walls are built so that you still have privacy, but they're not so high that you can't see the mountains."
Posted by: DaveB on 06 Jun 2008, 19:56 -
Illegal labourers arrested on Phuket
28 illegal Burmese workers were arrested on the site of the homeWorks construction project on the Thai island of Phuket after an anonymous tip-off led police to the building site. The fact that illegal Burmese workers play a significant role in the island’s workforce is no secret, and the news of these arrests follows last month’s incident where 54 would-be illegal immigrants suffocated on their way to the island last month.
The informant told police that RTH Construction Co, the contractors responsible for building the homeWorks complex were employing illegal workers, and while some workers were without work permits, others were in possession of permits that allowed them to work solely for another employer.
The workers without entry papers will be deported, while the others will face a fine, said local Police. RTH Construction faces charges of its own.
The governor of Phuket, Niran Kalayanamit, warned that in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis, more illegal workers could be expected to try to enter Thailand to find work.
Posted by: DaveB on 03 Jun 2008, 19:55 -
Phuket eco tours and the environment
Ecotourism is one of the biggest fads in travel these days, and many people who take them assume that they are dong their locale good by participating, but with more and more ecotours in operation, how much of the environment is actually being protected. Phuket still retains a large degree of its natural beauty, but with its ever-reaching development, it can only be a matter of time before the environment comes under direct threat.
There are no official statistics about the effects or impact of ecotourism on Phuket, as neither the Phuket Ecotourism Association or the Tourism Authority of Thailand have the budgets to put in the research needed.
Kanchana Kwanrod, manager of PETA says, "PETA can't tell the amount of money that tourists spend on ecotourism because we don't have the budget to do it. It was established by the companies that offer ecotours. They joined together to help national parks to promote places to travel.
As for income from ecotourism, we can't say exactly what income we get from it. Money from ecotourism goes through each national park. At first, PETA staff used to check the income of each national park and other places ecotours take the tourists every six months. But recently we don't have the budget to do that."
Posted by: DaveB on 25 May 2008, 20:02 -
Brit shot in Chalong
A British man who owns a local business on the island of Phuket was robbed at gunpoint and shot as he was driving home along Patak Road in Chalong this weekend. 50-year old Richard Hendren, who owns the September beer bar located on Karon’s Soi One man closed his bar as usual, and stayed on to finish watching the UEFA Champion’s League final live from Moscow.
He drove home with the 13-year old daughter of one of the bar staff so the girl could return the bike to the bar, but as they rounded a corner, two men on another Honda motorbike kicked the wheels out form under Hendren. After the British man and the young girl had crashed, one of the helmeted assailants approached them and demanded their valuables. Hendren replied he didn’t have anything on him, and was shot in the leg causing a compound bone fracture.
Hendren’s waist belt was taken and the girl was relieved of 200 baht and her mobile phone. The police have no suspects in the case, but a full investigation is underway.
Posted by: DaveB on 24 May 2008, 20:26 -
Phuket escapes global credit crunch
After the 2004 tsunami, the Thai island of Phuket’s real estate boom was stopped dead in its tracks, but in the last year, while many other regions of the world have been adversely affected by the slowdown in the US markets, Phuket’s property prices remain stable, if not on the rise. Many consistently stable regions have followed suit as the US housing market plummeted, but Phuket is reporting rises in its housing market compared to last year.
Director of Tropical Homes Real Estate David Wade says, "The huge difference between Phuket and the rest of the world is there's no finance. So the cash squeeze isn't felt here."
Phuket has escaped the fate of many other high-end regions due to its policies of not giving loans to non-nationals, except of course if a foreigner is married to a Thai. "There are no on-shore loans available to people who want to buy over here. Thai banks will not loan to foreign homeowners. You will not get a loan unless you're married to a Thai," says managing director of Engle & Voelkers Thailand Martin Phillips. So while the Phuket market remains stable, it may yet suffer from the lack of overseas buyers from countries like the US and the UK who are feeling the bite and not as willing to shell out on a second home.
Posted by: DaveB on 12 May 2008, 17:07 -
Abandoned baby found in hospital parking lot
What police believe to be an abandoned baby boy was found in the back of a pickup truck outside Bangkok Hospital on the island of Phuket this week. The baby was discovered by Dr. Nat Tantipipat, who found the baby in a red basket wrapped in a blanket on Monday morning. The doctor told the press that it was obvious that the baby had been born sometime early that morning, but upon closer inspection he found that it had not been delivered in the hospital as the umbilical cord had not been properly cut. The doctor also said, “Even though he had been wrapped up, he had many mosquito bites on his arms.?
The baby is being kept in an incubator until arrangements can be made for transfer to the Banpadek children’s hospice, whose doctors have already submitted a report of the incident to Phuket Police.
Posted by: DaveB on 06 May 2008, 11:36 -
Parts of Thailand on flood alert
More than a dozen provinces in north and central Thailand have been put on a state of alert for potential flash floods and mudslides between Sunday and Tuesday due to nearing tropical cyclone, Nargis.
The seasonal cyclone is currently edging its way towards Thailand from Burma according to Thailand's Meteorological Department.
The report said that cyclone Nargis was around 400kms southwest of the Thai/Burma border at Mae Hong Son province early Saturday morning and was moving at a speed of 15kph in an east - north-easterly direction.
Provinces in the northern and central western regions of Thailand are expected to receive heavy rains anytime between now and Tuesday. Tourists in risk-prone areas of the following provinces should stay on alert and heed any local weather warnings:
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kamphaengphet, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ranong, Chanthaburi, and Trat.
Cyclone Nargis hit Rangoon (the Burmese capital) hard on Saturday ripping roofs from homes and felling trees and power lines.
There have already been four reported deaths in Rangoon and the Burmese meteorological office has said that the cyclone may trigger a storm surge in the Andaman of up to four metres. Those staying on the Andaman coast are therefore advised to postpone any boat trips until the cyclone has blown over.
More on the Weather in Chiang Mai
Posted by: Andrew on 04 May 2008, 10:20 -
Dead turtle raises environmental questions
With much news from Phuket these days relating to pushes for development, the other side of the coin has shown itself in the form of a dead Olive Ridley turtle that was found last month on the shores of Mai Khao Beach. After the turtle was sent for autopsy, scientists at the Phuket Marine Biological Center found that the species of prey found inside the turtle were not typical for the species.
The squid found in the animal’s esophagus suppose it had eaten just before dying, and the squid, usually too fast for the turtle to catch, suggest that it may have been ingested after being caught in a fisherman’s net.
PMBC representative Sontaya Manawatthana says, “The Olive Ridley turtle is highly endangered in Thailand, where nesting numbers are even lower than the Leatherback turtle. Its only known nesting sites now are at Phrathong Island in Phang Nga.?
As the municipal and federal governments push forward with their big plans for Phuket, and the marine mammal’s environment is further compromised, the turtles are in even more danger of becoming extinct.
Posted by: DaveB on 03 May 2008, 11:26 -
Phuket set to receive more development
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, has made it clear he intends to sink a lot of money into developing the resort island of Phuket into what he refers to as a paradise. Up to now, the island has not had the money to set in motion various developmental and infrastructure projects to really push Phuket into the realm of a world class tourist destination.
Local authorities on the island commend the Prime Minister for his commitments, but caution that if things are to develop prosperously, the plans and funding must be carefully thought out. PM Samak told an audience of his weekly talk show that he wished to delegate a 15-member board, with 5 members from the national government, 5 from the regional branch and 5 local officials.
Phuket officials complain the island has received insufficient levels of funding to truly bring the island to its full potential.
Posted by: DaveB on 29 Apr 2008, 19:41 -
Police catch impersonating extortionist
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In the second reported case of its kind in only a month’s time, Chalong Police on the island of Phuket have arrested a Thai man for impersonating an officer of the law. This most recent case saw a man approach workers at a construction site and claim he’d been sent by the local police to deal with the fact that illegal Burmese workers were being employed on the site.
A man identifying himself only by the name of Chai showed up at the construction site of a project in Chalong on Soi Palai, saying he’d been sent by the regional police to collect 8000 baht in exchange for not reporting the Burmese workers. The foreman of the site, Santi Nasang later called Arthid Sue-sattabongkot, a captain with the Phuket Provincial Branch Police. The police provided the foreman with 5000 baht in order to set up a sting for the would-be extortionist, and arrested the man after the exchange was made.
The man was identified as Tanakorn Kueakoon, a 28-year old who had been responsible for some extortion cases in the past.
Posted by: DaveB on 26 Apr 2008, 19:40 -
Holidays That Costa Lot
British tourists would be better off traveling to Thailand for a holiday as opposed to the Costa del Sol, owing to the weaker pound and rising euro.
Sterling has lost 19 per cent of its value over the euro in the past year meaning holidaymakers get much less bang for their buck.
The Post Office surveyed 16 popular holidaying countries around the world and purchased 10 common items, with Australia topping the lot and Thailand the cheapest.
The basic purchases included a coffee from a cafe, an English newspaper, a bottle of mineral water from a supermarket, insect repellent and an evening meal for two.
The cost of these items in Thailand worked out at £28.58 and was easily the cheapest of the 16 countries surveyed. These same items in Spain, traditionally a cheap continental holiday destination, worked out at £59.24, while in France they were £68.97.
Italy was the most expensive place in Europe at £73.40, while a three-course meal for two with wine would cost around £42 - just £17.64 in Thailand. The same 10 purchases in Australia, however, was a staggering £88.97.
The US is one destination where the pound stretches further due to the weak dollar of late, but to travel on the continent is costing so much more.
British holidaymakers have already been putting off traveling to the continent as a result of the strong euro and worldwide ‘credit crunch’, while many have been looking at destinations farther afield with Thailand fitting the bill for a growing number of people.
Even Thailand has become more expensive, though, owing to a combination of a stronger baht and the removal of the onshore rate reserve, more expensive rice, and higher oil prices.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Apr 2008, 18:08 -
Baht onshore/offshore rates equalize
The Thai baht onshore and offshore rates have now equalized following the lifting of the reserve on March 3, said Bank of Thailand (BoT) governor Tarisa Watanagase.
The 30 per cent withholding measure was imposed in 2006 to stem the baht’s speculation due to the gloomy economic outlook back then, and was a bonus for foreigners bringing in currency and utilizing the higher onshore rates.
Khun Watanagase said that the baht had equalized automatically, ‘without intervention’, following the reserve lift and that the economy had improved.
Onshore traded baht is now a lot closer to offshore traded baht since the measure was scrapped, with onshore and offshore dollar transactions at about 31.41 and 31.42 respectively.
Previous figures at the offshore rate of 31.42 baht to the dollar would have seen an onshore rate at roughly 34!
Thailand’s international reserves have also risen sharply in the last couple of years - at US$108 billion today compared with $67 billion at the end of 2006.
Posted by: Andrew on 24 Apr 2008, 20:54 -
Suvarnabhumi to keep on growing
Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport has been given the go ahead with the second-phase of expansion to include a third runway and a new domestic terminal.
A total of 10 new projects worth in excess of 73 billion baht will be undertaken by the Transport Ministry.
Two of the 10 projects will be implemented this year, including the construction of the third runway. Future projects will include an automated people-mover, a new car park, as well as the ongoing reduction of noise pollution over five years.
The creation of the new domestic terminal will relieve congestion at the main terminal and will cost in the region of six billion baht.
Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont originally put the airport expansion plans on hold and re-opened up Don Mueang airport to save money.
Don Mueang made way for the new Suvarnabhumi in late September 2006 but was reopened for domestic flights.
Since then Suvarnabhumi Airport has been beset by construction flaws, including cracks in the main runway, as well as corruption scandals.
The new expansion scheme would run from 2008 to 2013 and when finished would enable Suvarnabhumi to serve 60 million passengers a year; an extra 15 million passengers over its current 45 million.
It is also likely that the new work would signal a closure of Don Mueang airport by the government.
AoT have earned more than 10 billion baht from the management of Suvarnabhumi airport and would be footing the bill.
As part of the runway expansion, the third runway will feature an auto-landing system allowing aircraft to land even in low visibility conditions.
Suvarnabhumi may then receive a safety measure of three, with Category 3 being the safest. In comparison, regional airports have a category rating of 1, with Don Mueang being Category 2 rated.
Plots of land on the eastern side of the airport will also be surveyed for the project.
Posted by: Andrew on 23 Apr 2008, 10:31 -
Restaurant owner stabbed in Patong
A beachfront restaurateur was stabbed to death on the weekend, allegedly by a drunk teen who had been a customer in the Patong diner. Kathu Police Station Captain Jongserm Preecha said to the local newspaper, the Phuket Gazette, that an early morning call brought him to Patong hospital where the man had been brought. The victim was identified as 46-year old Sab Isarn restaurant owner Narongchai Puttipat.
Jongserm reported to the newspaper that, “He was stabbed in his own restaurant at 2 am by a drunk man. We only know the assailant’s nickname, “Kea?, and that he is 19 years old and from Pak Phanang in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Narongchai warned Kea about being drunk, which made Kea very angry. He then stabbed K. Narongchai in his right ribs with his pocket knife and ran away with four friends who were sitting with him in the restaurant.?
Jongserm did not disclose the exact nature of the man’s injury, but it is known that the patient was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for surger.
Posted by: DaveB on 18 Apr 2008, 18:53 -
Two Phuket resorts make Conde list
To be included on the Conde Nast Traveller Hot List is a big deal for a business in the hospitality industry, and two resort spa complexes in Phuket, Thailand will no doubt be celebrating the fact that they have achieved a place on the coveted honour roll.
The Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi and the Sala Phuket in Phang Nga province made the cut to be included on one of the most respected lists of the best international luxury travel has to offer. Both establishments are classified in the $400 and up category, and their spas were the only two day-spas to make the 2008 list.
The review describes Sala Phuket flatteringly by saying, “The Sino-Portuguese-inspired decor, including black lacquered sliding doors as well as ornate chandeliers above the bath, harks back to the area’s earlier inhabitants.? The Six Senses was resort was also given high marks for its décor and ambiance, as well as its food, which includes homemade jams.
Phuket’s Chef’s Table restaurant also made the Conde Nast Hot List Tables 2008.
Posted by: DaveB on 18 Apr 2008, 18:24 -
Would-be Burmese migrants suffocate en route
A story last week about 54 Burmese migrants who attempted to reach the Thai island of Phuket in search of a better life has once again brought up the issue of illegal immigrants and what is to be done both on the side of humane interest and Thai legality. 54 of 100 Burmese suffocated to death in a 6 metre by 2 metre container while they were hiding in a lorry bound for Phuket. Most of the survivors were ill, suffering form lack of oxygen as well as dehydration.
Every year, thousands of Burmese enter Thailand form the north and the south, legally and illegally, and for a variety of reasons. Police say the illegal migrants entered Thailand at Ranong before being packed into the container. The Burmese that do make it to Thailand don’t lead an easy existence, with curfews handed down and not being allowed the same rights as Thais, but many would still prefer this life to being in Burma.
There are a number of NGOs in the south and the north to help Burmese refugees, such as Chiang Mai’s Freedom House, which aims to educate the local refugee children so they can have a chance to live better than their parents who have struggled so much.
Posted by: DaveB on 17 Apr 2008, 18:23