Exclusive Phuket Blog

The Exclusive Phuket Blog is for visitors interested in high-end accommodation on this fabulous island in Thailand from luxury and boutique hotels to real estate and villa rentals.

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Feb 12, 2008, Thailand Thanks You For Not Smoking

Yesterday saw the introduction of a smoking ban throughout Thailand. From 11 February 2008, it is against the law to smoke in any and all air-conditioned bars, pubs, discos and clubs in Phuket and the rest of the country.

In addition, the owners of outdoor restaurants and markets are required to designate smoking and non-smoking zones.

Perhaps, not surprisingly most bar owners are reported to see the law as impinging on people's civil liberties.

According to Seri Hongyok, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Office, bar and restaurant owners can relax until June. "Although the ban takes effect on Feb 11, we will focus more on educating people and issuing warnings rather than fining wrongdoers until May 31."

Jan 15, 2008, Phuket Restaurants and bars

No matter where you are on Phuket restaurants and bars are in good supply. You will find some great places to eat within easy reach of your hotel from Phuket Laguna all the way down to Rawai.

Jan 9, 2008, Phuket Car Rental

For the more independent visitor to Phuket I can recommend Phuket car rental having driven my family from Krabi to Phuket. Rent a car and explore the island and beyond just like we did.

Sep 29, 2006, Phuket Vegetarian Festival - not as tame as you might think

Phuket Vegetarian Festival is held over a nine day period in late September/early October. It is not for the feint hearted.

Sep 22, 2006, Coup has done little to change Thailand’s real estate market

The effects on Thailand’s real estate market in the wake of this week’s military coup will vary from region to region say industry insiders.

Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks in Phuket, says there will be little effect to the paradise island’s skyrocketing real estate market.

“We don’t see any significant changes, especially at the higher end where you have offshore companies developing mixed use estates, with hotels and condominiums” he said when asked about the development side of things. “There have been no glitches among big institutional investors.”

Sep 20, 2006, Thailand Coup

No one knows how the current crisis will play out but personally I have faith in the Thai people and their King. I believe that the situation will be resolved soon.

I base this belief on the way of previous coups in the country. More so given that thankfully this one, thus far at least, has proven bloodless.

Let us hope that everything returns to normal quickly and peacefully. In the meantime all visitors are advised to avoid Government buildings and large crowds and demonstrations.

Sep 15, 2006, Phuket real estate - another resort development

Phuket Real Estate - I find it interesting to see the trend toward resort-style developments. Phuket Real estate development seems to be following the Floridian model.

Sep 11, 2006, Plans For Phuket Mass Transit System Submitted

The consultant company which conducted feasibility studies for Phuket s future Mass Transit systems have handed over the final results and suggestions to the Phuket provincial authority on Friday.

Sep 6, 2006, Faith In The Phuket Real Estate Market

Tesco’s CEO Sir Terry Leahy, one of the most respected names in UK business, was in Thailand last month for the official launch of West Sands, a villa and condominium development on Phuket’s west coast.

Aug 28, 2006, Phuket Aquarium

What do you do in Phuket when the weather is being unkind? Well you could of course go shopping or (in my case) have extended meal times! Or perhaps more usefully, you could visit the Phuket Aquarium.

This recently refurbished tourist attraction is at Cape Panwa, in the south-east corner of the island.

Personally I haven't been but if you have I would be keen to have your comments.

Aug 22, 2006, New Attraction For Phuket Scuba Diving

Sculptures worth 4 million baht have been placed on the seabed at a depth of 15 meters close to Koh Racha Yai, and are being promoted as a special “must see” site for divers in the coming high season.

Phuket Diving Park, as the site is now known, features sculptures including Thai demons (yak), traditional decorative arches, a sala, two elephants and a giant pearl oyster. Over time they are expected to become artificial reefs, attracting a variety of sea life.

Aug 18, 2006, Kata Beach - no high-rises here

Kata Beach. This is Phuket's third largest resort area on the island's west coast. Thanks perhaps partly to the presence of Club Med, there are no high-rise hotels to blot the landscape.

Aug 11, 2006, Karon Beach rivals Patong

Karon Beach is how Patong could have been. Karon Beach stretches for around 1.5 km along Phuket's west coast. There are hotels, shops and restaurants but not in overwhelming numbers.

Aug 8, 2006, Phuket Apartment development at Cape Panwa

Cape Panwa on the south-east tip of Phuket has been popular with visitors for many years. Now you can rent or buy a Phuket apartment here at the Bel Air Panwa - a development of 87 luxury condos.

Aug 4, 2006, New Deep Sea Port For Phuket

After winning a government bid, Intensive Mechanics Co, Ltd, from Bangkok, is to invest more than 170 million baht in the construction of a marina at the deep sea port at Ao Makham.

Chief of the Phuket Regional Treasury Office, Tamrong Tongtan, told Phuket Post that.....

Aug 3, 2006, My Favorite Phuket Accommodation

Which is my favorite Phuket accommodation? That's a tough one because the island has so much good quality accommodation, especially at the high-end. What would my answer be if pushed?

Jul 26, 2006, Patong Beach – love it or hate it.

Patong Beach is the main tourist resort on Phuket Island and is a ‘must visit’. I suspect though that you will either love it or hate it. Patong Beach is not somewhere you can feel neutral about.

Jul 21, 2006, Extra flights from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket

From 01 August 2006 Malaysia Airlines is adding an extra flight to Phuket per day.

You will now be able to fly from the Malaysian capital, KL, twice per day every day, with one flight in the morning and a second in the afternoon.

This might make international connections over KL even easier.

Jul 13, 2006, Second Helitour Firm For Phuket?

According to the Phuket Gazette Australian Harry Kerylidis this morning met with Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura to solicit his support to launch Phuket Heli-Tours, which would become the island’s second helicopter tour company.

Jul 12, 2006, New Golf Driving Range Opens This Month

Another golf facility in Phuket is scheduled to open on 20 July 2006. The Mountain View Golf Centre is a 50-bay covered golf driving range and practice putting green. The Golf Centre has a resident PGA golf pro and a clubhouse.

Mountain View Golf Centre, 8/57 Moo3, Kwang Road, Vichit Tambon, Muang District, Phuket. Open every day from 6am to 10pm.

Jul 10, 2006, Phuket FantaSea expanding

I understand that Phuket FantaSea theme park will add three new attractions this year: the Similan Entertainment Center, the Songbird Luminarie and the Tiger Adventure Safari.

I have never visited the park myself: it really isn’t my type of thing but I have had differing opinions about it.

If you have a moment, and have visited, I would be interested in your comments.Please use the Feedback form to let me know what you think. Just follow this link.

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Jul 6, 2006, Phuket Town – architecture and shopping

Phuket Town is not a great tourist attraction. You might visit once during your stay on Phuket but I would be surprised if you go again, unless…

Jul 3, 2006, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket wins award

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket has been awarded two accolades in the2006 CEI Asia Pacific Industry Survey, presented by Managing Editor, Kenny Coyle in Phuket last week.

Jun 29, 2006, Phuket for New Year – will you be there?

As I write this, the summer sun is streaming through my window and naturally I am prompted to think about the Christmas and New Year holiday period! As strange as that might sound, I know from experience that it is around this time of year that those who prefer to celebrate the holidays in a warm climate start to plan their arrangements.

Airline seats start to fill on the peak travelling dates, and hotels will soon be putting up the ‘full’ signs, if they haven’t already.

The peak dates to watch out for are approximately 09 – 24 December for air travel to Thailand and between 01 and 16 January for flights outbound from Thailand. The hotel’s critical dates tend to be around 25 December to 15 January.

If you are hoping to be in Thailand for the New Year now is not too soon to be making enquiries or even booking.

Jun 28, 2006, My Best of Thailand Hotels

In my opinion Thailand Hotels are among the best in the region. Obviously I prefer Phuket but the range of good Thailand hotels is impressive. Here some of my favourites.

Jun 27, 2006, Learn the art of Thai cooking at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

I love cooking Thai food - but not as much as I love eating it! Those delicious flavors and delicate blends of herbs and spices. Yum.

Well if you too enjoy Thai cooking and would like to develop your skills you will be interested to learn that the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa has recently launched Ginja Cook, an on-site Thai cooking school.

The school can accommodate up to 8 people at a time, at four cooking stations with 2 students per station.

Courses are held daily from Monday to Saturday from 8.00 am – 2.00 pm. You can learn to prepare such mouth-watering dishes as Som Tum, a spicy green papaya salad Tom Ka Gai , a delightful chicken coconut milk soup; and Nhue Phad Prik Thai On, stir-fried beef tenderloin with young peppercorns in oyster sauce.

If your appetite is whetted read more.

Jun 26, 2006, Laguna Phuket – From Wasteland To Premier Resort Complex

Laguna Phuket was a tin-mining wasteland in the early 1980s when I first visited Phuket Thailand. Today the Wah Chang Group has turned the Laguna Phuket into a premier resort complex.