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Jo–Uthatrat – a receptionist of Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort

“Working for Kata Thani Beach Resort, I see the beautiful ambience of the resort every day. As a receptionist, I inform our customers the resort information and facilities. This makes me really bound with the resort

No matter how luxurious of one resort is, that resort is not a perfect place to relax if it doesn’t have the unique atmosphere and beautiful environment. Kata Thani is the real place to stay overnight relaxing in Phuket. If you have a chance, don’t forget to come and feel relaxing experience in Phuket and in our resort.”

Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort

Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort is the 5-star resort located on Kata Beach. The resort is designed in Thai Classical Style surrounded by the lush tropical garden and palm trees. The resort offers Suit rooms and double rooms with 6 swimming pools, and 6 restaurants. Located right on the 850 meters private beach, the resort’s guests can walk along the beach and see the beautiful sunset with their lovers easily. The romantic ambience on the beach offers the guests an unforgettable dinner as well.

Phuketindex.com’s comment

This resort covers the 850 meter length of Kata Beach. Consequently, there is no doubt that the resort guests can walk along the resort’s private and see the beautiful sunset as far as they want.

Wicahi Praisa-ngob, the Governor of Phuket, said that Promthep Cape was a famous landmark of Phuket, therefore it was important to keep this landmark’s unique landscape, especially the sugar palm trees as beautiful as ever. Now, most of the sugar palm trees at the cape had died because they were too old and were eaten by insects.

Consequently the Phuket government planned to replant the sugar palm trees in the area as well as develop the landscape of Promthep Cape. The landscape designers of a private designing company were responsible for this.

The landscape development would be started at the end of this month and Wichai invited Phuket residents to help plant the sugar palm trees at Promthep Cape.

The main agenda of the meeting was to inform the related sections to announce to local residents living in the area of disaster warning systems about the evacuation drill, to follow up the progress of evacuation drill plans, and public relation plans.

San said that the evacuation drill would be held on September 13th 2010 from 09.30 – 10.30 a.m. in the area of 19 tsunami warning systems around Phuket. Loma Park in Patong would be the area of the main drill.

There would also be public announcements informing tourists not to be panic during the drill. The evacuation signs and the warning sounds of the warning systems would be fixed in order to make the drill efficient.

Being on holiday in Phuket doesn’t mean being out of reach  ! Serenity Resort & Residences has launched complimentary Wi-Fi in its limousines. Guests reserving the hotel’s limousine service will be able to use the high-speed Internet connection through their mobile telephones, laptop computers or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) devices.

A great way to stay connected as you arrive on the island ! Email your friends or contact them through your preferred social media portal…or simply learn more about the best dining and entertainment options while enjoying your stay at Serenity on South Phuket’s coast.

The Internet connection delivers network speeds of 3.1 Mbps downlink and 1.8 Mbps uplink.

“We realise the importance of getting connected anytime, anywhere and the complimentary Wi-Fi service is a great new limousine feature for guests who need to work or stay connected with friends on their preferred social networks while on the move,” said Urs Aebi, General Manager of Serenity Resort & Residences, Phuket.

The 40 minutes drive to the 41 Suites exclusive property can be made using the Resort’s  own fleet of chauffeured limousines. Special requests for Mercedes-Benz, BMW and luxury seven-seater vans can be made to our concierge.

The offer came hours after the United States imposed new sanctions on the North in response to the sinking.

South Korea blames North Korea for sinking the Cheonan on 26 March with a torpedo, killing 46 crew.

North Korea denies any role in the incident and has demanded its own investigation.

Food aid

North Korea has relied on food aid from China, South Korea and aid agencies to feed millions of its people since a famine in the 1990s resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands.

But the communist country has been hard hit by floods caused by heavy rains in July and August, especially in its northern areas, bordering China.

“The aid includes medical kits, emergency food and supplies,” a Unification Ministry official said, quoting the Red Cross message sent to North Korea.

The offer has yet to be accepted by the North.

Under President Lee Myung-bak, the South has stepped back from its earlier “sunshine” policy of unconditional aid and has linked the provision of aid to progress from the North on ending its nuclear programme.

A South Korean offer of about 10,000 tonnes of corn to North Korea in October 2009 was the first official aid to its hungry neighbour for almost two years.

The year before, the South had offered 50,000 tons of corn but the North rejected the shipment amid high tensions.

‘Too early’

The offer came after North Korea reportedly indicated it was ready to return to six-party talks over ending its nuclear ambitions.
Image released on 21 August by North Korean news agency KCNA shows flooding in Sinuiju area Parts of North Korea have been badly affected by severe flooding

Leader Kim Jong-il told the Chinese president that he wanted to see negotiations resumed during a visit to China last week, Chinese state media said.

The talks – which involve the two Koreas, China, Russia, Japan and the US – have been stalled since December 2008 over Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear tests.

But South Korea is demanding an apology for the warship sinking before any return to the negotiations.

Japan also says the time is not right to resume talks.

On Tuesday its foreign minister, Katsuya Okada, told China’s visiting nuclear envoy, Wu Dawei, that it was still “too early” to think about a return to talks.

On Monday the US imposed additional sanctions on North Korea, targeting trade in arms, luxury goods and narcotics.

In the picture: Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways (centre), M.L. Nandhika Varavarn, Bangkok Airways’ Vice President - Corporate Communications and and Chairman of the Race Committee (4th left), Koh Samui Mayor Ramnet Jaikwang (2nd left), Bannasat Ruangjan President of the Koh Samui Tourism Association (4th right) and M.L. Prasobchai Kasemsant, vice president, Athletic Association of Thailand (far right).

Bangkok Airways, in collaboration with Tourism Authority of Thailand, Samui Municipal and Tourism Association of Koh Samui hold a press conference for “Samui Island Marathon 2010” which will be held on Koh Samui, Surat Thani on 19 September 2010 to compete for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup and the total prize worth over 3 million baht – the highest record in Thai marathon’s history.

Thanongsak Supasap and Tok – Suppakorn Kitsuwan, Thailand’s famous stars and marathon enthusiasts join Samui Island marathon 2010 press conference

Bangkok Airways is offering special fare to runners of Samui Island Marathon 2010. Airfares excluding airport tax for domestic routes to Samui include; Bangkok-Samui starting from 2,295 baht one-way (limited seats), Phuket-Samui and Krabi-Samui starting from 1,785 baht one-way (limited seats), U-Tapao-Samui starting from 2,670 baht one-way (limited seats), Chiang Mai-Samui starting from 4,470 baht one-way (limited seats). For international routes excluding airport tax, government tax, insurance and fuel charge include; Singapore-Samui starting from SGD 278 roundtrip, Hong Kong-Samui starting from HKD 2,430 roundtrip. One registered runner is eligible to reserve 4 tickets and these promotional fares are valid for travel during 12-26 September 2010. For reservation contact www.bangkokair.com/samui-island-marathon.

Thanongsak Supasap poses with M.L. Nandhika Varavarn, Chairman of the Race Committee

M.L. Nandhika Varavarn, Chairman of the Race Committee shows off Samui Island Marathon’s medal

Moreover, Bangkok Airways in co-operation with Bangkok Travel Club have released a promotional package for the race. The marathon package starting at 11,300 baht per person includes; a return air ticket for Bangkok-Samui together with 2-night stay with breakfast, travel insurance, fuel surcharge, airport taxes, transportation between hotel and the starting point on 19 September and the race’s admission fee. The package is valid for travel during 12-26 September 2010. For reservation and packages details, please contact Bangkok Travel Club at 02-255-8966, or at www.bangkoktravelclub.co.th.

For more information and admission please contact Bangkok Airways Head office Tel: 0 2265 5678, A -Team Sport & Communication Tel: 0 2691 5804-8, Amateur Athletic Association of Thailand, Thammasart Rangsit Tel: 0 2564 3322 and Amateur Athletic Association of Thailand, Sol Twin Tower Hotel Tel: 0 2216 9817-9 or visit our website at www.bangkokair.com/samui-island-marathon.

To celebrate the grand opening of the wonderfully new Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa are offering a very special rate, with 3 very special wishes through end of October. For every 3 days you stay* with us, we will grant you 3 wishes from our exciting wish list; discover the indulgence of our signature spa treatments of your choice, a private sunset dinner on the beach or an island trip, to name but a few.

Room Type: Deluxe Room
Validity: 1 Sep – 31 Oct 2010
Price: 3,333+++

Benefits include

• One night accommodation in a Deluxe Room including breakfast for two persons.
• One wish per night

*For full details on this promotion and to make a booking, please contact our Reservation Center at +66 2 656 7707 or bookmarriott@marriotthotels.com
*Terms and conditions apply. No minimum stay required. 1 wish will be granted per night.
*Rate is subject to 18.7% service charge and taxes

One of below wishes per night

• Free wireless Internet access throughout the resort during your stay.
• Personal Navigator to arrange all your needs.
• Roundtrip transportation to Phuket shopping destinations
• 3 courses dinner at one of our three restaurants
• 60min Personal Yoga Session at Quan Spa
• Private sun set dinner by the beach
• One of three Quan Spa signature treatments
• Half day island tour
• 24/7 ‘Bloody Mary’ cocktail at Baht 33++ each
• Wish you could come back and do it all again with a 50% off voucher from our best available rate when you return

Winners of the 6th 'Friends of Thailand' Award 2008. Image courtesy of tatnews.org

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) just announced the winners of the Friends of Thailand Awards 2010. They will be conferred at a special ceremony on 27 September, 2010, at the Centara Grand Bangkok.

The Friends of Thailand Award is to honour and express appreciation to Thailand’s ‘international friends’ for their continued contribution to the advancement of Thai tourism. The Awards recognise individuals, groups of individuals, organisations, and agencies worldwide who have played a significant role in promoting Thailand abroad and have contributed to the wider publicity of the destination in the international community.

For 2010, a total of 75 Awards will be presented to recipients from 29 countries in four categories:

1. International Individual/Organization: 18 Awards
2. International Tour Operators: 26 Awards
3. International Media: 23 Awards
4. International Airlines: 8 Awards

TAT Governor Mr Suraphon Svetasreni said, “This is a very important occasion for us. It is a part of our Thai and Asian tradition inrecognising those who help and support us, especially in times of need. Many of these individuals, agencies, companies, and organisations work hard and often beyond the call of duty to help Thailand and the Thai people. “It is very important that they be recognised.”

The Friends of Thailand Award were first introduced by TAT in 1996. Since then, TAT has presented the Awards every two years, except in 2006. Collectively, a total of 435 awards have been presented to recipients from 57 countries.

The nominees must reside overseas and have played a major role in promoting tourism to as well as a positive image of Thailand between 2008 and 2009.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s 24 overseas offices are responsible for the nomination of qualified individuals/organizations for the awards. The final choice is made by a selection committee comprising a number of distinguished individuals in the Thai tourism industry.

Contact information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

Book tickets now for the most fashionable event of the season, and all to support a great cause. On Sunday, 12 September, Andara will host a fun afternoon fashion show starting at 12pm at Silk Restaurant & Bar followed by cocktails and lunch, plus a raffle for unbelievable prizes. Official media partner 91.5 FM Phuket will be on hand to help create fabulous music for guests. All proceeds from ticket and raffle sales will be donated to the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation, a charity that provides education and opportunities for children of local government schools.

Tickets are THB 1,000 which includes entrance to the show, lunch and 2 drinks. We can deliver tickets to you anywhere on Phuket prior to the show. To purchase, please stop by the Andara Resort & Villas front desk or the Phuket Has Been Good To Us headquarters, or contact Tel: +66 (0) 76 338 777; events@andaraphuket.com

Boonya Chotipan, a staff member of the Office of Commercial Affairs Phuket, said that Phuket’s economy in July 2010 decelerated compared to the same period last year. Even though the island’s tourism and hospitality industry was recovering, there were other businesses that were slowing down. However the related government office and private sectors were helping to stimulate the island economy continuously.

For the agricultural business, the farmers got more income in July due to the increased prices of agricultural products caused by the previous dry season crisis. Moreover, the overall economic growth also affected the economic status in the island both in the short term and long term.

There were both positive and negative factors affecting economic growth in Phuket. The positive factors were economic stimulation by the government, the general recovering economy, the declining political problems, and the cooperation between government and private sectors to solve the problems. Meanwhile, the negative factors were still an unstable political situation, gasoline prices, and the dry season. Boonya predicted that Phuket’s economy would slow down next month since it was still in the low season.