Phuket.com Magazine Newsletter - June 2007

Smartstays

Green Phuket

Many visitors come to Phuket and the surrounding area because of its magnificent location and beautiful beaches. It's the kind of place where city folk decide to extend their holidays or simply not leave at all.

In this issue, we examine local environmental issues, including taking a detailed look at two of Phuket's animals, the gibbon and the elephant. For ways to have fun while still being friendly to nature we try out some eco-tours, including sea-canoeing, elephant trekking and a day-trip to Phang-Nga.

We also look at two of the island's more eco-friendly hotels, Mom Tri's Villa Royale and Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. In our Health & Holidays section, vegetarian travellers will be delighted to learn more about vegetarian food on the island and where to get it.

John Gray (Sea Canoe)
There are not too many people in the world who would choose to call themselves “Ling Yai” - Thai for Big Monkey - or have their employees refer to them by that name. But John Gray is proud of the nickname. He signs off his emails with it, even adding another nickname, “Caveman”, which was given to him by fellow runners in the Hash House Harriers. Read more...
Mom Tri's Villa Royale
You have a friend in Phuket. He’s a Harvard-educated architect with an impressive resume and even more impressive connections. His name is Mom Tri, and he wants you to stay at his beach house. Read more...
Read the interview with Mr Adisak Pitukrojjananont, GM of Mom Tri's Villa Royale
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Mo was only six months old when he arrived at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (or GRP) located in the old tropical forest around Bang Pae waterfall, Phuket. Little Mo was in bad shape, pining for his mom. Sadly, she was dead, along with his brothers and sisters, all killed by hunters. Read more...
Hong by Starlight
When other hong-via-kayak tour operators are winding down for the day, the John Gray Sea Canoe crew is just getting started. Is it laziness, the result of a late night out, or a simple case of ineptitude? Were I in charge, it would be a combination of all three. Read more...
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
A great spot for a relaxing holiday with all your needs taken care of. Beautiful beach and scenery surprisingly close to the amenities and nightlife of Patong. Read more...
Read the interview of Mr Rudolf Borgesius, GM of Le Meridien Phuket
A Shark’s Tail
If you’re a scuba diver, you know that seeing sharks underwater is one of the most thrilling experiences you will ever have. If you are a non-diver, then you might think what I just said is the silliest thing you’ve ever heard. Read more...
 



Mom Tri's Villa Royale
Kata Noi Beach

Villa Royale is set atop the headland of Kata Bay between two of the most beautiful sandy beaches on Phuket, Kata Noi and Kata Yai. Villa Royale offers the highest standard of privacy and comfort.

SuperSaver
From US$ 197* (THB 6,500)/night
With breakfast - Valid till 31 Oct ’07

Andaman White Beach - Naithon Beach
Nestled amidst verdant rubber plantations and lush coconut groves in a secluded corner of Phuket, the Andaman White Beach Resort is a cozy hideaway.
Bonus Nights Stay 5 Pay 4
US$ 162* (THB 4,500+++)/night

With breakfast - Valid till 15 Jul '07
Trisara - Layan Beach
Trisara has become a landmark in South East Asia since opening its doors in November 2004. The property is located within a beautiful tropical forest.
SuperSaver
US$ 400+++ (THB 15,675*)/night

With breakfast - Valid till 31 Oct '07
Katathani Beach Resort - Kata Noi
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort stretches along 850 meters of alabaster sand and deep jade mountain forests in the secluded cove of Kata Noi beach.
SuperSaver
From US$ 90* (THB 2,950)/night

With breakfast - Valid till 31 Oct '07
Siam Safari
4-in-1
Siam Safari’s 4-in-1 half-day trip is like a speed dating session with the natural world. Elephants, monkeys, and water buffalo are all on the dance card, as are demonstrations of Thai resourcefulness. Five bamboo stations dot the hill top, and small groups rotate from one to the next. The presentations are hands-on, educational, and always punctuated with a good dose of laughter. Read more...
Evason Phuket
Race Week 2007
Phuket will be crazy about sailing in July. With two separate races covering 14 days of the calendar, it’s a great month to be on the water. It starts with 60 crews battling for the 2007 Tasar World Championship (July 2 - 11), and wraps up in grand style with Evason Phuket Race Week (July 19 - 22). Around 40 boats are expected to enter this year’s race week, up from 29 last year, with racing taking place over four days. Read more...
Phang Nga
Daytrip by Car
Phang Nga’s official slogan goes something like this: “A town of valuable minerals, amidst water-village, fantastic caves, peculiar mountains, Champoon flowering plants and fertile natural resources.” Well said – though if they were interested in increasing tourism they might consider adding, “and only an hour from Phuket.” As people who enjoy fantastic caves and peculiar mountains... Read more...
Phuket man-made island
Bill Gates, the world’s richest man, was going to invest in a man-made island off the shores of Phuket. Phone calls were made and emails sent trying to confirm these reports. Not true, it turned out. At least, not entirely. What was true was that someone was planning to build an island - Gulu Lalvani, developer of the Royal Phuket Marina. In late May Mr Lalvani held a press conference to clarify matters. Read more...
The Dining Room and S&G Restaurant
This month we’ve found a gem of a restaurant tucked into a little pedestrian only soi near McDonalds. S&G Restaurant serves hearty Thai and international favourites at very reasonable prices to a full house, its popularity shows that word has got around. A little off the beaten track in Karon is The Dining Room. Catering to mainly hotel guests an excellent varied menu is enacted with ingredients supplied by a boutique meat importer which ensures a five star meal, without the accompanying price tag. Read more...
Vegetarian Food
Most people in Thailand become vegetarian at various points in their lives. Many give up meat for life, but often it is a temporary thing, but a whole range of cuisines has grown up to cater for this taste. Here, Phuket.Com looks at vegetarian food in Thailand and the potential benefits of eating it. Read more...
* prices are nett and subject to exchange rate fluctuations
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