Dec
7
2011
Phuket Fine Dining
Phuket has a stunning variety of International Fine Dining experiences for you to sample. I have put together a collection of some of my favourite restaurants that I have visited over the last couple of years, all serving up sumptuous menus with great vibes and ambience to suit your mood. If you are coming to Phuket for the first time or are looking for a new place to dine, then read on as I share some places that have offered truly fine dining to a very high International standard.
The 9th Floor, Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – http://www.the9thfloor.com/)
The 9th Floor, Phuket, Thailand
Boasting the highest open air restaurant in Phuket along with award winning Mediterranean & Thai food, quality selection of fine wines, cocktails and cigars and spectacular sunset views, this modern and hip establishment is the place to be seen in Phuket.
La Gaetana, Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand
(Image Source – www.phuket101.blogspot.com)
La Gaetana, Phuket, Thailand
This intimate family run Italian restaurant in the heart of Phuket Town has a reputation for the high quality of service, attention to detail and exquisite gourmet cuisine. * One of our favourites as it is just around the corner from our Marketing Office.
KanEang@pier, Chalong, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.kaneang-pier.com)
Kan Eang at the Pier, Phuket, Thailand
With stunning views over Chalong Bay and a light jazz music accompaniment this place serves up one of the best outdoor ambiences along with it’s delicious freshly caught see food, thai cuisine and extensive selection of fine wines in the cellar.
Old Siam Restaurant,
(image source – www.thavornpalmbeach.com)
Old Siam Restaurant, Phuket, Thailand
Guests and non-guests alike can enjoy a twilight, beach front dining experience and explore our range of exotic Thai cuisine, all from our 2nd floor terrace with commanding views over stunning Karon Beach. (Disclosure: I am an employee of Thavorn Hotels & Resorts)
Brasserie Phuket, Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand.
(img source – www.brasseriephuket.com)
Phuket Brasserie, Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand
Another of our favourite places, owned by a Belgian Family, is as well known for it’s stunning variety of Belgian Beers (well over 30 at the last count) as it is for it’s fine cuisine and unique & stylish Oyster Bar.
White Box Restaurant, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.whiteboxphuket.com)
White Box, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
The White Box has one of the best locations in Phuket with stunning views out over Kalim Bay. Inside, the decor is cool and stylish matched by an equally stylish menu of fusion food and exotic cuisines. With a modern and hip roof top bar serving tapas and cocktails you can mingle with the in-crowd and listen to cool grooves late on in to the night.
360 Degrees Restaurant, Layan Beach, Phuket
(img source – www.phuket.com)
360 Degrees, Layan Beach, Phuket, Thailand
360 degrees is not the easiest place to find, but the stunning views of the Andaman Sea and fine dining experience more than make up for it. A magnificent spot to enjoy sunset cocktails there is also an extensive wine list to delve into and stylishly presented cuisines add to this luxurious fine dining experience.
Da Maurizio Bar and Restaurant, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.luxury-phuket.com)
Da Maurizio, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
Part of the Baan Rim Pa Group of Restaurants, Da Maurizio serves up the finest in contemporary Italian cuisine from one of the trendiest stretches of coastline in Phuket, Kalim Bay.
Joe Downstairs, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.joesdownstairs.com)
Joe Downstairs, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
As part of the Baan Rim Pa group of Restaurants, Joe Downstairs enjoys a fantastic location and is one of the most coveted restaurants in Phuket. The stylish white interior combines beautifully with the backdrop of Kalim Bay to make this a wonderful place to dine on fresh sea food and tapas washed down with cocktails and an award winning list of fine wines.
Baan Rim Pa , Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.baanrimpa.com)
Baan Rim Pa, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
One of the most famous Authentic Thai Restaurants in Phuket, Baan Rim Pa features an open air dining experience set against a spectacular backdrop of the bay at Patong. The magnificent Thai dishes perfectly compliment the exuberant mood topped with a bottle of fine wine from the extensive cellar.
Old Siam Restaurant, Nakalay Bay, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.thavornbeachvillage.com)
Old Siam Restaurant, Nakalay Bay, Phuket, Thailand
This is beach front dining at it’s finest set on the gently lapping shores of Nakalay Bay amidst a tranquil, natural garden setting. An extensive menu of signature Thai Dishes and elegant wines perfectly compliment the occasion and the twinkling lights of Patong in the distance add more than a touch of romance to any evening. (Disclosure: I am an employee of Thavorn Hotels & Resorts)
The Siam Supper Club, Cherng Talay, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.mydestination.com)
Siam Supper Club, Cherng Talay, Phuket, Thailand
Located close to the entrance to Laguna Phuket the cool and lavishly decorated ultra-hip hangout has all the trappings of an international haunt for the discerning crowd. Fine wines, fine food, fine cocktails, fine company and fine mellow jazz and lounge music make this a popular destination for expats and tourists alike to schmooze the night away.
Blue Elephant Restaurant, Phuket Town, Phuket
(image source – www.phuketobserver.com)
Blue Elephant, Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand
The Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School are housed in a magnificent and wonderfully restored Sino-Portuguese mansion known as the Governor’s Mansion. The International gourmet Thai chain Blue Elephant serve up a lavish menu of mouth watering Thai dishes within this historical setting, which is in stark contrast to the ultra cool, art deco neon bar area. A must for pre-dinner cocktails.
Catch Beach Club, Surin Beach, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.wheretoeat-phuket.com)
Catch Beach Club, Surin Beach, Phuket, Thailand
One of our all time favourite places to hang out and catch the magnificent Surin Sunset while sipping Mojitos. This is Phuket’s most fashionable Beach Club and after you have enjoyed the sunset you can retire to the trendy restaurant for a wide range of tapas, appetizers, salads, pizzas & main dishes.
Watermark, The Boat Lagoon Marina, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.wthegroup.com)
Watermark, Boat Lagoon, Phuket, Thailand
Watermark Bar & Restaurant is waterfront dining at it’s very best with the million dollar yachts moored in the marina seemingly floating up and joining you at your table. This is a stylish bar setting with quality food, excellent service and a touch of glamour
Sams Steak, Holiday Inn, Patong, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.holiday.phuket.com)
Sam's Steak, Patong, Phuket, Thailand
Serving some of the finest steaks in Phuket, this place is always a winner, with excellent service, stylish decor, quality menus and an extensive wine cellar housed in a very cool glass room in the corner of the restaurant.
MomTri’s Kitchen, Kata Noi, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.momtriphuket.com)
MomTri's Kitchen, Kata Noi Beach, Phuket, Thailand
Set in a prime spot on the rocks overlooking Kata Noi Beach, Momtri’s kitchen serves a wonderful menu of Thai and European specialities and provides a magnificent all round fine dining experience, with stunning sea views and tranquil ambience.
Acqua Restaurant, Kalim Bay, Patong, Phuket, Thailand
(image source – www.phuket.com)
Acqua, Kalim Bay, Phuket, Thailand
The Stylish Acqua Restaurant serves fine, experimental cuisine and imaginative dishes in a cool, classy and ultra-chic setting and is one of many International Fine Dining experiences to be found in the trendy Kalim Bay area
Have you been to any of these places and where else would you recommend for a fine dining experience in Phuket?
Kind Regards,
Roger
Roger Gibson |
Marketing & Communications Manager
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Nov
21
2011
Banzaan fresh market offers a great culinary and cultural insight into Thai food. Located in the center of Patong it sells fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and sea food from Phuket and also from different regions of Thailand.Banzaan market is easy to find, located near Jungceylon Shopping center and directly opposite the Bangla Boxing Stadium. This market opens daily from 8:30 to 15:30.
You can reach the market from Nanai road or through Jungceylon on Rat-u-thit road
The lower levels sell fresh produce, seafood, meats and all the other ingredients needed to cook Thai food. The upper level sells things like clothes, toys, gifts and other novelties. There is also a food court, with cheap, clean and local Thai and Chinese food
Banzaan Fresh market is certified as clean and tidy by the Thai ministry of public health and commerce, and was recently chosen by Thai ministry of commerce for the award of outstanding market for cleanliness.
Banzaan market Patong
Popularity: 1% [?]
Nov
15
2011
Did you know that the hollywoood blockbuster movies – ’The Beach’ and ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ were filmed right here on islands near Phuket? Since the success of these movies, their locations Phi Phi island and James Bond Island have become a huge attraction for tourists, with day tours to these islands being a popular day trip from Phuket.
Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi island Phuket
Phi Phi Island is located between the large Island of Phuket and the Andaman Sea, and is a part of Krabi Province. There are two main islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lay and four small islands. This island has long been a favorite with travelers because of the wonderful beaches, clear blue water and stunning limestone landscapes. During the tourist high season of (November-February) there are lots of speed boats and tour boats buzzing around the islands. Phi Phi Don is the main area for accommodation with simple beach side bungalows to luxury up-market resorts. Phi Phi Island climate is tropical and warm throughout the year. Phi Phi Lay the second largest island of Phi Phi, is where the movie The Beach was filmed starring Leonardo Dicaprio. Pileh Bay is a lovely cove with snorkeling and walk throughout Maya Bay. Bamboo Island, north east of Phi Phi Don is a small island with breathtaking and glorious beaches and reefs for snorkeling. Monkey Beach, is where you can see monkeys come out of the jungle to take foods from tourists. Wong Long Bay, is a cove of tiny fishes swarming near the beach.
There are no roads around Phi Phi, for transportation, long tail boats and speed boats are available from Phuket Island. A package day tour to these small Islands with speed boat or long tail boat costs around 1,500 THB to 2,000 THB.
Click here to read about one traveler’s experience of her – Phuket to Phi Phi Island Day tour
James Bond Island
James Bond Island Phuket
James Bond Island originally known as Nail Island, is just a short distance north east of Phuket in Phang Nga bay which is a beautiful National park home to more than 40 small islands. This island was thrown into the limelight after the James Bond’s movie’ The Man with the golden gun’ in 1974 was filmed here. After the success of this movie, the island came to be known as James Bond Island and is a signature attraction of Phang Nga Bay.
As the island is a part of a National park, development is restricted here. For accommodation there are few hotels on the bay, or at the Muslim Sea Gypsy Village, where budget Bungalows are available. The easiest way to visit James Bond Island is on a day tour by speed boat or long tail boat or by private car. Many tour agencies can organize one day tours with complete package which might cost around 1,500 THB to 2,000 THB. For the more adventurous, kayak tours can be done to explore Phang Nga Bay for approximately 3,700 THB with complete package of pick up from hotel, lunch and return to your hotel.
Travel Tip: In order to protect the environment, collecting any type of shells or reefs from the sea as souvenir are strictly forbidden in these areas.
Click here to read more about one traveler’s experience of her – Day tour to James Bond Island
Have you visited Phi Phi or James Bond Island? If so, Please feel free to share your travel experiences here 
By Ranjan Khoteja, intern at Thavorn Beach Village Resort and Spa, Phuket - Luxury villas and bungalows nestled on the secluded Nakalay bay between Kamala and Patong beaches ……where Thai Tradition meets nature
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Tags: james bond island phuket, phi phi island, phi phi to phuket island, pi pi island | 
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10
2011
There are many smaller islands around Phuket’s southern coast, that are less well known than the bigger and more famous islands near Phuket, such as Phi Phi island and James Bond island. These smaller islands are considered as some of the most beautiful spots for snorkeling and for diving in Phuket, as they have various types of fish and coral reefs scaterred around the islands. There is no infrastructure on many of these islands, but a few such as Coral Island and Ko Raya Island (also known as Ko Racha island) located on the south of Phuket Island, have accommodation and restaurants to cater for tourists and so are a popular trip from Phuket. Visiting these islands is for many tourists, a memorable part of their Phuket holiday.
On the eastern side of Phuket is Coral Island, otherwise known as ‘Koh Hae’ by Thais. This fascinating island features spectacular clear blue sea, clean white sandy beaches, astonishing coral reefs and marine life. Coral island is also an ideal place for those who love water activities such as; kayaking, water skiiing, banana boating and parasailing.
Coral island, Banana beach - Phuket
There are two main beaches on Coral island, Long Beach and Banana Beach. Long Beach is where the majority of day-trip boats visit and in the high season can get quite crowded. Snorkeling at Long Beach is not really good because some of the corals have been damaged by continued tourism activities, but if you swim far enough from the shore you will see lots of colorful fish and corals.
Banana Beach is located at the east side of Long beach, and is only about 10 minute by walk. Banana beach is quieter than Long beach and is one of the best spots on the island for snorkeling. Similarly Racha Island also has two main beaches which have perfect sparkling white sand and beautiful crystal clear water. Siam beach and Batok beach are recommended for snorkeling and for those who love to enjoy that tropical paradise feeling.
How to get to Coral Island and Raya/Racha Island from Phuket
There are plenty of tour operators offering the one day trips to both islands or you can hire a long tail boat or speedboat.
From Phuket to Coral Island You can rent a long tail boat or speedboat from Chalong or Rawai piers which will take approximately 15 minutes. From Phuket to Racha/Raya Island. You can take a long tail boat or speedboat from Chalong or Rawai piers and the trip will take approx 45-60 minutes depending on the type of boat and weather conditions.
Snorkeling in the islands around Phuket
Booking a Day trip From Phuket to Coral or Racha island
Be sure to check what is included and excluded as part of the tour package. Some companies may already include the water sport activities and some may not.
Most of these tour operators include; pick up from your hotel to Chalong pier, speedboat tour to the island, luch and drinking water, life jacket, mask and snorkel, beach chair, tour guide and insurance, return speed boat to Chalong Pier and tranfer to hotel .
Expect to pay around 1,200baht per adult and 800baht per child for a full day trip. But if you are travelling in a group, you can hire a longtail boat or speedboat from Rawai Beach or Chalong Pier and it could work out to be cheaper than going with a tour operator.
Here is a sample itinerary for a Raya and Coral island full day package tour from Phuket
Sample Itinerary – Day trip to Coral and Racha Islands from Phuket
08.00 Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the pier at the pier.
09.00 Depart from the pier to “Raya Island”.
09.30 Arrive at Raya Island, relaxing or swimming on a white sandy beach at “Patok Beach”
10.30 Depart from Patok Beach to “Kon Kae Bay” enjoy snorkeling time with plentiful coral reefs and colorful fishes. Cruise sightseeing at “Teh Bay” Explore the fantastic life with crystal clear water and enjoy snorkeling or relaxing at “Siam Beach” and cruise back to “Patok Beach” .
12.30 Enjoy great lunch at Patthai Restaurant. Spend your time on a white sandy beach for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing or more activities at your leisure.
14.00 Departure from Raya Island to Coral Island.
14.30 Arrive Coral Island for swimming or snorkeling and relaxing.
15.30 Depart from Island to the pier.
16.00 Arrive the pier and transfer back to the hotel.
Have you visited Coral or Racha/ Raya islands near Phuket? If so we would love to hear your island experiences here ……………..
………….By Andika Dewanto Putra, Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand - Luxury villas and bungalows nestled on the secluded Nakalay bay between Kamala and Patong beaches, where Thai Tradition meets nature
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Tags: coral island, islands around phuket, islands near phuket, phuket island tour, racha island, raya island |
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8
2011
Loi Kratong or ‘Festival of lights’ is one of the most important and traditional festivals in the Thai calendar, representing the close bond between Thai culture and water. Loi Kratong is held every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month of the Thai calendar and this year it will be celebrated on the 8th-12th November.
Loi means to ‘float’ and ‘kratong’ is a small lotus shaped float, traditionally made out of the trunk of a banana tree and decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks.
Loi Kratong 'Thai Festival of lights'
During this festival Thais will make or buy kratongs, and release them onto open waters such as rivers, lakes and the sea. The act of releasing the kratong onto water symbolizes releasing the bad things in life that have happened in the past year, so that the person can start afresh. It is also a way of paying respects to the spirits and the goddess of water (Phra Mae Khongkha), and asking for forgiveness for any bad deeds committed during that year.
Fireworks, beauty contests, large open markets and stage performances are held around the country in celebration of Loi Kratong. It is also a night for couples who can release their kratongs in unison, in the belief that if the kratongs remain together on the water it represents a long lasting love.
Another beautiful feature of this festival, are the sky lanterns or ‘Khom Loi’. Locals will gather in open air areas to release sky lanterns together. As hundreds of them are set off, the night sky becomes picturesquely lit by a multitude of sky lanterns shimmering off into the distance.
Loi Kratong, ' Thai Festival of lights '
In Phuket you can join in the festivities by releasing you own kratongs on any of the main west coast beaches of Phuket such as; Patong, Karon, Kata and Nai Harn lake. Hundreds of kratongs bobbing on the waves can be seen and there is also a big parade at Patong beach. The parade normally starts from Sea Pearl Junction to Soi Bangla showcasing giant kratongs, dancers and music. Two popular sites in Phuket town are Saphan Hin Bridge and Suan Luang Park (King Rama IX).
Tip: It can get very crowded in these areas, so it’s advisable to watch your belongings.
Have you experienced Loi Kratong in Thailand? If so, please feel free to share your Loi Kratong experience and tips here ……..
……By Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa , Luxury villas and bungalows nestled on the secluded Nakalay bay between Kamala and Patong beaches, where Thai Tradition meets nature
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Tags: Loi Krathong Phuket, Loi kratong dates 2011, Loi Kratong Phuket, Phuket event, Phuket festival |
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7
2011
Phuket island has some of the best beaches in Thailand, with a large choice of beaches to suit all tastes. The tropical blue water and soft white sands on the island make it an ideal place to spend a relaxing holiday. Here are just some of our favourite beaches in Phuket, there are many more and you could easily spend weeks here just beach hopping ! Which is your favourite beach in Phuket ? We’d love to hear about your favourite Phuket beaches here
1. Bangtao beach
Bangtao beach is one of Phuket’s longest beaches, historically it was used for tin mining, but now it is a place for holiday makers and luxury resorts. Dry season from November-April is an excellent time for swimming here. There are plenty of restaurants, travel providers and other tourist facilities here. This beach is the perfect place for relaxing, it is very clean and far away from the noise. This beach is easily accessible by motorbike or car.
Bangtao beach
2. Patong beach
Patong is the party capital of Phuket with lots of bars and nightclubs. Plenty of sun beds are available here, beachwear, beers and towels can also be bought without even having to leave your sun bed. This beach is crowded in high season but to find the clear water, head to the north end of the bay. This beach is not just for swimming, water sports and activities such as jet Skiing and parasailing can be done here, and if you are tired of all these things you can have a Thai massage on the beach, under a bamboo hut or on your own sun bed.
Patong beach Phuket
3. Karon beach
Karon beach is the second largest beach of Phuket. It is one of the best tourist beaches in Phuket with only two rows of sun beds, so it’s not deep, but it is one of the longest beaches on the island. This beach is not as crowded as Patong beach. Luxury hotels and resorts are just a few steps away from the beach. Karon is home to the Dino Park mini golf located south of the beach and it also has good spots for children snorkeling
Karon beach Phuket
4. Surin beach
Surin beach is well known for its clear water compared to other beaches. It is the first home place for 9 hole golf courses in Phuket. The south end of this beach is perfect for snorkelling. If you are tired of sun bathing, you can enjoy surfing, parasailing, jet skiing instead. There are a number of restaurants lined up along the beach.
Surin Beach Phuket
5. Kata beach
Kata Beach is a curving, white sand and clear water beach next to Karon beach. It is one of the famous beaches in Phuket where the sun beds are quickly occupied. To get one of sun beds here, you have to come early. Water activities such as Jet skies, Surfing, Parasailing and some other activities can be done here. The southern part of the beach can be interesting for children where they can see lots of fishes.
Kata Beach Phuket
6. Freedom beach
Freedom beach, 6 km from noisy Patong is a very cool place to spend time. It is located at the south of Patong at the foot of green hill where sun beds are placed under the palm trees. Long tail boats are available in Patong to go to this beach. It is one of the most famous beaches with soft white sand and it’s very clean too. Water sports activities are forbidden on this quiet beach.
Freedom_beach_Phuket
7. Paradise beach
With the improved road from Patong to Paradise beach, more and more tourists go to Paradise beach to swim in clear water and relax on this quiet beach. This beach is nice and small with soft white sand, greenery in the back ground, clean and tidy with lots of green plants. This beach is not good enough to swim due to rocky bottom but very good place to do snorkelling. It’s very easy to get a sun bed and relax with different choices of Thai and International cuisine served here.
Paradise beach Phuket
8. Kata Noi beach
Kata Noi one of the finest beaches in Phuket with easy access from the road and never crowded. It lies south of Kata beach with less hotels and developments. The beach has crystal clear water and white soft sand. This beach is well known for its scenery and the small evergreen Poo Island can be seen from here. From the month of May to October it can be dangerous for swimming but surfers enjoys surfing in this period of high wave.
Kata noi Beach Phuket
9. Kamala beach
Kamala beach, used to be a fishing village but over time it has changed. It can be described as a family beach which is not frequented by the tourist crowds, unlike it’s busy neighbour – Patong beach. The North part of the beach is suitable for swimming. This beach is wide and white sand with tropical blue water. Sun beds are available at low cost and tourists won’t be bothered by the street vendors. Some water sports can be done here. Hotels from low cost to luxury have been developed here with the growing arrival of tourists.
Kamala beach Phuket
10. Nakalay beach
Nakalay Beach, located in Nakalay Bay in between Patong and Kamala, is just 4km from Patong beach. Nakalay Beach is the private property of our very own Thavorn Beach Village Resort, a four star resort with excellent hospitality and services. Water sports are strictly forbidden here. There is also a private jetty in the middle of the beach which is very good for swimming off from to see the sea angels and fishes. It is a perfect place to spend a day with the family, relaxing on the beach, getting a tan and drinking cocktails or a cold beer.
Nakalay beach Phuket
Phuket Beach Travel Tip –
The rainy season in Phuket from May-October can bring the unpredictable conditions for the swimming, so better watch the warning flags on the beaches. If the red flags are up, it is best to stay out of the water completely.
Have you visited any of these stunning beaches in Phuket ? If so, please feel free to share your Phuket beach travel tips here ……
……..Br Ranjan Khoteja, Intern, Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa - Phuket ,Thailand
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Tags: Best beach in Phuket, best beaches in Thailand, Kamala Beach, Karon beach, Nakalay beach, Phuket Beach, phuket best beaches |
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3
2011
Warm greetings from Thavorn Hotels & Resorts (THR) Phuket, Thailand
You may have seen the media news coverage regarding the floods affecting Bangkok, Central and Northern areas of Thailand right now.
We would like to send our support and well wishes to compatriots in flood affected areas, and to the teams of workers and volunteers helping those in need at this time.
Fortunately, Phuket is over 800km away from the affected areas and has not been affected in any way by the flooding situation, as we continue to enjoy the hot and sunny weather now that the High Season is here.
For those of you planning holidays to Phuket, we would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that the weather conditions remain fine here and that our operations continue as normal. All direct flights to Phuket, including those from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport continue to operate as normal.
For more Phuket travel information please visit our Facebook pages –
https://www.facebook.com/friendsofthavorn
https://www.facebook.com/thavornBeachVillageAndSpa
https://www.facebook.com/ThavornPalmBeachResort
For further updates on Thailand tourism and travel please visit www.thailandtourismupdate.com
Kind regards……… Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand - Luxury villas and bungalows nestled on the secluded Nakalay bay between Kamala and Patong beaches, where Thai Tradition meets nature
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Tags: Bangkok floods, Phuket flooding, Phuket news, Thailand flooding, Thailand floods, Thailand news |
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25
2011
Beach Wedding Phuket Thailand
Your wedding in Thailand is a life time event which should be remembered forever. To plan a wedding can be fun, but if it is not done effectively, it can turn into a nightmare in the blink of eye. To make your life time event memorable, you need to think about your chosen destination and all the details. If you are thinking to have your wedding in Thailand, why not get married in Phuket? An island which offers you everything you need for your wedding or honeymoon such as: sun, sand, beach, luxury accommodations and exotic tradition.
Location
Phuket, an island in southern Thailand, has been identified as an ideal location for weddings and honeymoons. The beaches, island and Thai culture offer something very different and exotic for the special occasion. It is a beautiful island with many options to choose your perfect wedding. It is always a crunch time to find the proper location for your wedding, but that is made easier nowadays with Hotels, websites and information centers all on hand to help you to find the proper location and help you plan your perfect wedding.
Accommodation
When you think about a place to stay in Phuket, you are spoilt for choice as there are plenty of Villas, Bungalows, Hotels and Resorts in Phuket to accommodate you and your special needs. You don’t need to worry about accommodation for your delegates, Luxury hotels and villas are here in Phuket, where everyone can be accommodated. You have to choose a proper Hotel or resort to accommodate your delegates in one place, which can be in a noisy area of Patong or far away from the noise with modern infrastructure.
Types of wedding
Weddings in Thailand can be tailored according to your choices, so it doesn’t matter if you would like to have a European ‘Western’ style wedding or a Thai style wedding. Marriages can be certified and legalised under Thai law, or you can simply have a Buddhist ceremony in a temple and be blessed by monks, or a beach wedding, or even on a yacht or private villa, it is up to you. It depends on you how you would like your special event to happen. There are many hotels and resorts, and websites who can provide you with detailed information and help you plan your wedding.
Beach Wedding Phuket Thailand
Budget
One of the very important points is to know your budget. Planning for a wedding is difficult and also difficult to find out the proper budget. It doesn’t matter if you have a large or economic budget, there are hotels and resorts to cater for all budgets. any many offer special promotions for weddings and honeymoon packages. As a starting point you will have to know how many delegates are attending and what kind of food and beverages you would like to offer.
Transportation
For this once in a life time event, what kind of transportation would you like to use? From hotel to the airport or airport to the hotel, big shuttle bus and cars are available to fetch you to and from your location. Limousines, Hummers and other cars are in your service just waiting for your call in this island to make your wedding more stylish. Hotels can help you to find out those kinds of transportation.
Food and Beverage
Just because uou are in doesn’t mean that you are restricted to Asian food and beverages to celebrate your event. Phuket hotels and resorts offer you various types of food and beverages according to your choice. Foods from all over the world can be found here, it is just left for you to decide on your taste and your delegations choices. You can have perfect dining in a boat, beach side or in a fancy restaurant.
Beach Wedding Phuket Thailand
Photographer
This lifetime event can be captured in digital photos and video to review in the future and to recall the best moments. There are some top quality professional photographers in phuket who make your pictures and videos adorable. It is important to hire a professional photographer to capture your memories. Hotels can help you to find out professionals who can perfectly snap your treasured memories.
Celebration
On this special event how do you want to celebrate? There are lots of choices, dinner on the beach side, Fireworks, Fire lanterns, live band performance all served with your desire of foods and drinks. Hotels are waiting for your ideas of celebrating to make it more beautiful and cherished. If you want to celebrate privately this doesn’t matter, there are private villas and many other types of accommodation.
After your wedding
As we know Phuket is well known for its natural diversification. After your wedding, what would you like to do? …… Snorkeling in Phuket? or perhaps a day trip to Phi Phi Island or James Bond Island. There are some more adventurous and interesting things to do such as jungle safari, visit to Small Islands by speed boat, Fantasea and Simon cabaret. If you don’t feel like going away from your hotel that is fine too, you can get a great sun tan with your favorite cocktails or enjoy the traditional spa’s and massage. You have lots of choices to spend your honeymoon together.
Wedding formalities
A marriage is legal only when it is registered. Once it is done properly it is recognized all over the world and also can be translated in your own native language, which must be certified by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Marriage requirements vary for different nationalities and couples are advised to consult your embassies beforehand for details.
Click here if you would you like to have your wedding in Phuket Thailand
For Further tips about Phuket please visit our facebook page.http://www.facebook.com/friendsofthavorn
………By Ranjan Khoteja, Intern, Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand - Luxury villas and bungalows nestled on the secluded Nakalay bay between Kamala and Patong beaches, where Thai Tradition meets nature
Popularity: 2% [?]
Tags: holiday, honeymoon, phuket, Phuket Beach, Phuket Hotel, phuket resorts, wedding |
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26
2011
Working in the sales and marketing department here at Thavorn Hotels & Resorts in Phuket, I often see a lot of enquiries from guests about booking a room, about our resorts and about Phuket as a travel destination. I wanted to share some of these answers with you, so prepared these top 10 tips to booking a hotel room to help ensure you have a pleasant stay and holiday
1. Special Requests
If you have any special requests or preferences for your stay, always mention this when making your reservation, some common ones are ; interconnecting rooms for families, double or twin beds, smoking or non- smoking rooms, or a room located in a quieter part of the hotel for light sleepers. Often a hotel or resort will put this ‘on request’ which means that it will be subject to availability but that they will do their best to provide this for you.
2. When to go?
Room rates may vary hugely depending on the time of year you decide to visit. This is especially true in a popular tourist destination such as Phuket where low season rates can be half the price of high season rates. So it might be worth checking to see what the rates are in different seasons, as it could make a big difference to your holiday budget.
3. Are you a returning guest ?
Hotels and resorts always value loyal guests, so when making your reservation state that you have stayed at the resort before, you may be entitled to special rates or offers. Some resorts also have their own loyalty program, where friends and family can benefit too. For example – Thavorn Hotels and Resorts Returning Guests Promotions
Hotel Room booking tips
4. Get information – do your homework
Researching as much as you can about the resort before booking will help you to choose the right resort for you, and set the right expectations to avoid disappointment. For example, do you want to be in the centre of town or do you prefer to be away in a quiet location? If your resort is located in a central nightlife spot and you were looking for a quiet romantic getaway, you won’t be best pleased.
5. Give information
Just as it is important for you to have information about the resort, to avoid any surprises it is also important for the resort to have information about you and your stay. For example, if you will be arriving late at night, it’s important to tell the resort, so they can prepare for your late arrival, or else they may think you are not coming at all!
6. Check out a hotels TripAdvisor and Facebook pages
Sources like this not only provide a good idea of what previous guests are saying about the resort, but they may also provide valuable extra information such as photos and videos of the resort and surrounding area. You might even find resort discounts that are a ‘fans only’ special.
Facebook resort discount voucher
7. Don’t be afraid to ask
It always best to have all the information to avoid surprises so don’t be afraid to ask: What time is check-in and check-out? Is airport transfer free of charge or is there a fee? What is the cancellation policy? Is breakfast included?
8. Always check the hotel website
These days the very same hotel room can be booked in a multitude of ways, via 3rd party websites such as www.booking.com, www.lastminute.com or travel agents, but it’s always best to check a hotels own website as well. Often hotels and resorts offer special promotions and offers exclusively through their own website which are not available elsewhere.
Special offer and promotions
9. Sign up for news of latest promotions
Resorts are constantly changing their promotions, so it’s always worth subscribing for news of their latest offers, after all you wouldn’t want to miss out right?
10. Print copies
In case there are any problems, it’s always a good idea to print off all the documentation related to your booking such as hotel vouchers and email correspondences, and have these with you when you check-in.
So……. armed with these top 10 tips you should hopefully be on the way to having a great holiday. Do you have any other top tips for booking a hotel room? If so, please feel free to share them here
……By Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand - Luxury villas and bungalows nestled on the secluded Nakalay bay between Kamala and Patong beaches, where Thai Tradition meets nature
Popularity: 3% [?]
Jul
15
2011
Bestseller on Phuket Beach
Phuket is one of the most easily accessible Islands in Thailand which goes someway to explaining why it has grown into such a popular tourist destination. Despite the millions of tourists who travel here each year, many visitors to SE ASIA don’t actually realise just how easy it is to get to Phuket and miss out altogether on everything this stunning tropical island has to offer. If you would rather be sunning yourself on a white sand beach, flicking through this season’s bestseller, then read on because Phuket could just be closer than you think.
Phuket International Airport
Phuket has an International Airport and if you are traveling direct from Bangkok the flight will take no more than about 1 hr 30 mins. There are a large number of flight options daily for around 2000 THB one way. A Direct flight from Chang Mai in the North of Thailand will take about 2 hrs and cost around 2500THB one way. A great & reasonably priced means of getting from the north of Thailand to the Southern Islands if you are short on time. A flight from Koh Samui will take around 1 hr and cost you around 2300 THB one way For more information you can visit www.airasia.com or bangkokair.com
From City to Beach - Flight from KL to Phuket takes around 1 hr 30 mins
If you are travelling around Asia then you can easily catch a low cost airline direct to Phuket from a number of destinations including Singapore (1hr45 mins) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1hr 30 mins) Penang, Malaysia (1hr 15 mins) Bali, Indonesia (3 hrs 30 mins – 4 hrs) Hong Kong (3 hrs 30 mins) Being low cost airlines, these are also very reasonably priced costing between 2000-4000 THB one way.
Airport Transfer
From the airport it will then take approx 15-60 mins to transfer to one of the main resorts, 15 mins if you are staying around Nai Yang Beach or Mai Khao Beach, about 45 mins for Phuket Town, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach, Bang Tao Beach etc.
So you see, in next to no time, you can be ordering a Singha beer and lying back on a sun bed.
The reverse of all this is of course true and Phuket provides a great hub to explore all that Thailand and SE Asia has to offer.
How do you plan to travel round Asia and is Phuket on your Itinerary of places to visit?
Kind Regards,
Roger
Roger Gibson
Marketing & Communications Manager
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tags: phuket, Phuket Airlines, Phuket Airport, Phuket Beach, Phuket Hotel, Phuket Travel, tips, travel |
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