Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket contributed its diverse hotel facilities and resources, as well as its close proximity to Phuket International Airport, to this successful event.

Amway China delegates arrived and departed in waves throughout the four weeks, experiencing a rolling programme of dinners, business sessions, and sightseeing based at the seven deluxe hotel and villa properties on Bang Tao beach, Phuket’s northwest coast.

The resort’s flagship Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket accommodated delegates and co-hosted 21 grand Chinese buffet dinners, each seating approximately 900 delegates at the central Laguna Grove venue. Diners overlooked one of the resort’s tropical lagoons while entertainment and laser shows were staged on a floating platform.

Amway China delegates were impressed with their itinerary on one of the world’s most popular tropical island destinations. Their adventures included day trips to Phi Phi Island, Coral Island, Phang Nga bay and visited nightlife and entertainment in Patong.

“I am very proud of our Dusit team for dedicating themselves throughout the four-week long event, which has been a phenomenal success,” said Mr Peter Komposch, General Manager of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket.

“I believe the Amway China event will create great publicity, further opening the door to the China market. It has also shown our ability to generate a ‘Wow!’ factor that helps guests discover this destination in a distinctive way.”

European investors’ demands for villas and condominiums in Phuket are starting to increase again.

Ms Risinee Sarikabut Assistant Director of Research and Valuation Assets of Knight Frank Chartered (Thailand) Co., Ltd. disclosed, “The markets for homes and vacation houses in Phuket have started to recover with Russian and Singaporean customers interested in buying vacation homes.”

“Due to the Singaporean property market running slow, Singaporean investors have started to invest more in nearby countries. They prefer 7-12 million Baht villas while Russian investors prefer 2-bedroom villas with modern designs. Moreover, these foreign investors are interested in developing property projects on the island by building bigger and better villas,” Ms Risinee added.

Mr Aroon Solos, Rawai Mayor

On May 13th, the election to vote in the new Rawai Mayor was held and Mr Aroon Solos is now serving for another term.

With only 60% of eligible voters participating, Mr Aroon received 3,715 votes while another candidate, Mr Yutthana Jundee got 1,972 votes. 274 ballots were voided and 178 ballots didn’t vote for either candidate.

However, the Election Commission in Bangkok will officially announce the results within 30 days.

On May 14th, Deputy Director-General of the Correction Department, Somsak Rangsiyopas presided over scout training for young male prisoners at Phuket Provincial Prison.

Mr Somsak said, “The Correction Department holds scout training for prisoners to treat their behaviour, including fostering responsibilities and their ability to socialise. For those who’ve used drugs, it is essential for them to hold on to the scout oaths. Moreover, it’s found those who’ve been trained find it easier to blend in with others.”

As for the problems of cellphones and drugs, Mr Somsak added, “Officials at Phuket Provincial Prison have strictly inspected the prisoners and the compound. As these problems have been entirely eliminated, Phuket Provincial Phuket will soon be promoted as a White Prison.”

On May 10th, Wongsakorn Nunchukhan, from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning office in Phuket, presided over a meeting which local residents had been invited to attend.

Project orientation and routes for the Patong – Chalong Road Link project were discussed. The meeting was held to explain details of the process and to exchange ideas and opinions.

Mr Wongsakorn Nunchukhan disclosed, “Since the government has approved the Road Link project, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning office in Phuket has already hired companies to investigate any impact the project may have on the environment, to design the road, and to estimate the budget.”

“This route will be another way to reduce Phuket’s traffic. It will also save time in traveling between Patong and Chalong. Moreover, it is a route which residents can use to evacuate should any disaster arise,” Mr Wongsakorn added.

Southern Trade and Organic Fair 2012 is being held at Saphan Hin, Phuket during May 11th -17th.

On May 11th, Deputy Minister of Commerce Mrs Piramon Jarernpao presided over the opening of the Southern Trade and Organic Fair 2012. Surat Thani Director of Commercel, Mrs Yukuntorn Pongsupaponkit, commercial officials from 14 Southern provinces, and residents were also in attendance.

Mrs Yukuntorn said, “Southern Trade and Organic Fair 2012 is held to support those projects related to organic agriculture for tourism. The Government’s aim for holding this fair is to expand markets and to boost the economy. There are 250 booths, for example, Southern OTOP and SMEs booths, OPOP booths from Nakhon Pathom, Saraburi, and Mae Hong Son, and organic food booths.”

“Moreover, there are also traditional performances from each part of Thailand. The fair is open from 10AM-10PM while performances start at 6PM-9PM,” said Mrs Yukuntorn.

Chairman of Kata Group Resort Co. Mr Pramuk Achariyachai is hoping to help save The Southern Sea Kirins by becoming its chairman and has promised to keep pushing the team forward.

The team is now second to bottom in Yamala League 1 with only 1 win from 8 matches. Mr Pramuk Achariyachai is hoping to save the team by becoming the chairman. He also promised to support the team continuing Kata Group’s policy of being key sponsors within Phuket’s sport industry and has assured that Kata Group will help FC Phuket to reach its goals.

Hundreds of runners from around the world will “Run Paradise” in the seventh annual Laguna Phuket International Marathon on Sunday, 10 June, to re-affirm its status as Asia’s fastest growing family-friendly destination marathon.

International registrations opened in October and since then entries have surged ahead of the same period last year, with total international entries now close to 1,000.

Local entries opened on 1 April to great enthusiasm and the final number is expected to exceed last year’s record of some 5,000 participants from 45 countries.

The biggest international group so far is Japan, with more than 200 runners, followed by Singapore (96) and Hong Kong (78).

Year-on-year growth since the inaugural 2006 event with less than 2,000 runners makes Laguna Phuket International Marathon Asia’s biggest and fastest growing destination marathon.

Its “Run Paradise” tagline is an apt description, with runners of all ages and abilities on a mainly flat course that takes in rubber and pineapple plantations, beach views, local villages and the tropical lagoons of Laguna Phuket – all in a family-friendly carnival atmosphere.

Runners are encouraged to take part in fundraising for Laguna Phuket’s community initiative to support local schools with a new Mobile Library Learning Centre to bring much needed reading and educational resources to remote rural schools on a routine basis.

Online registration is available until 2 June. Registration information and special deals at Laguna Phuket hotels are available at LagunaPhuket.com

As well as the full marathon there’s a 21.1km half marathon and 10.5km run, with families catered for with the 91.5FM 5km community walk and 2km children’s race.

A two-day expo with sponsor booths and fun activities around Laguna Phuket will stoke the carnival atmosphere.

For more information, schedule of events and details on promotions please visit:

Laguna Phuket
322/1 Moo 1, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand
Tel.: 66 (0)76 314 253 Fax: 66 (0)76 314 251
www.questlagunaphuket.com quest@lagunaphuket.com

The Government has compensated 410 residents in Srisoonthorn district whose houses were damaged by earthquakes.

On May 10th, Thalang District Chief Naruenart Supattaraprateep presided over the first compensation ceremony. 410 victims were compensated with a total of 1,354,000 Baht being given.

There were 520 earthquake victims, but municipality officials couldn’t get hold of every one of them. They will be compensated at a later date. However, those who were affected but haven’t contacted officials should go to Srisoonthorn Subdistrict Municipality by May 16th.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr Pratap onboard”, said Mr Peter Komposch, General Manager of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket. “He has proven experience in revenue management within the international hospitality industry and his knowledge of revenue management, systems and strategies will give a competitive edge to our resort.”

Mr Pratap’s responsibilities include maintaining Dusit corporate standards, developing pricing structures, revenue management strategies and achieving revenue goals, as well as overseeing and developing the reservations department.

Indian national Mr Pratap started his career in hospitality in Mumbai, India over decade ago as Reservations Officer for Grand Hyatt Mumbai. After a stint as the Revenue Manager at Intercontinental, in 2007 Mr Pratap moved to Doha, Qatar where he worked for a global swiss hotel chain before stints back in India at Hilton Chennai Guindy and Hyatt Regency Chennai.

Mr Pratap holds a degree in Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition from IHM, Kolkata which is affiliated with the National Council for Hotel Management, Pusa, New Delhi.