Award winning Marina

Royal Phuket Marina is Thailand is a world-class luxury lifestyle marina community, rivaling top resort communities in Europe and the Caribbean. It is located on Phukets up-and-coming eastern seaboard overlooking scenic Phang Nga Bay.

The Marina was developed by telecom tycoon Gulu Lalvani, the founder of Binatone, the world's second largest manufacturer of digital cordless phones in line with his vision of promoting Phuket as a world-class yachting hub in one of the world's most idyllic and accessible locations.



The marina is double the size of any other yachting haven in Phuket, with 350 berths for yachts of up to 30 metres long, and the only facility with a non tidal boat lock, deepwater basin and private moorings on the doorstep of residences.

More than half of the Royal Phuket Marina development is devoted to leisure and shopping facilities, including cafes, restaurants, a fitness centre and spa, which are set amidst landscaped gardens and attractive communal areas.



Royal Phuket Marina was awarded the prestigious Five Gold Anchor by the Yacht Harbour Association, an arm of the British Marine Federation.

The marina has quickly established itself at the forefront of Phuket's yachting establishment, sponsoring the prestigious international Phuket King's Cup each December.

Also host to PIMEX 2010 which was a great success with plans now in full swing for the Phuket International Boat Show 2011, Asia’s Favourite Boat Show.
PIMEX 2011 aims to have more boats in the water than any other boat show in the region. Based at the beautiful award winning Royal Phuket Marina, this stunning location shows off the event at its very best. Not only a ‘working’ marine environment showcasing the yachts in their element, the marina is also home to first-class restaurants and bars that are sure to be buzzing with excitement throughout the show. 

MARINA SERVICES

Here are answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Marina's Services.

1. How many yachts can the Marina house, and up to what size?
   The Marina has 350 berths, and can accommodate yachts of up to 35 metres.
2. What differentiates Royal Phuket Marina's services to other Marinas in the area?
   Royal Phuket Marina is the island's only marina with a boat lock, non-tidal deepwater basin and private moorings on the doorstep of residences.
3. What services are provided by Marina management?
   Aside from amenities such as water and electricity and extras like cable TV, phones, wifi, and full service yacht management, we also provide round-the-clock security. Staff can also have your yacht ready for you and at your doorstep (if you live in the residences) in minutes.
4. What sort of transport facilities do you have for the yachts?
   We have a 60 tonne travel hoist and 5 tonne forklift, along with hand trolleys for clients to use to and from their boats.

Absolute Dining : Phuket Restaurant Guide

Phuket has so many places to eat, from street stalls to high-end resort dining rooms, making it hard to choose where to go for a meal. If it’s Thai cuisine you’re craving and you’re looking for a special place to dine in Phuket, pick from one of these five favorite restaurants.



Baan Rim Pa is the obvious choice for fine Thai dining on Phuket. The traditional Thai menu, attentive service and large wine list attract foreigners and locals looking for a special meal. The elegant, open-air dining room is nestled in the hills overlooking Patong and Kalim bays so if you arrive in time for sunset be prepared for a stunning view.



Baan Rim Pa has long been established as one of the most famous restaurants in Thailand and a favorite of visitors from all over the world. With a menu featuring Thai dishes formerly found only in the Grand Palace of Thailand, Baan Rim Pa is the standard for Thai cuisine fine dining on Phuket Island and throughout Thailand. This Phuket Thai restaurant also features a piano bar showcasing live jazz, blues and Broadway standards nightly. The Cellar has won Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for consecutive years since 2002. Baan Rim Pa also features one of the best selections of spirits and cocktails in the region, nightly ice- and fruit-carvings, a cigar bar and a Thai handicrafts boutique. Founder Tom McNamara's "home on the cliff" has it all. Baan Rim Pa is simply the finest in the Kingdom.
The curries and typical Thai dishes are delicious but the fresh-caught seafood is what’s really shines at this Phuket institution. Pick your fish or shellfish and let your server know how you’d like it prepared and then sit back and enjoy the view of Chalong Bay and the surrounding islands. Kan Eang @ Pier looks fancy (it was completely renovated in 2007) but is really just a great, basic seafood restaurant.



Special with its setting, Kan Eang@pier is located just next to the Chalong pier offering a picturesque dining venue and a fantastic culinary experience. Serving Andaman seafood, local specialties and Japanese cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Operating since 1973, the restauran is very famous among locals and tourist alike for its seafood.

You can enjoy daily caught seafood in any cooking style. Whether BBQ, steamed, fried or sashimi. Try Nam Prik Goong Siap, Bua Tod, Hor Mok, or crab meat creamy curry served with white noodles and so much more.
Phuket’s most appealing restaurant for the sophisticated international traveler is located far away from the busy noise of international tourism. LIM’s, tucked into a setting of tall trees and lush vegetation on the hillside above Kalim Bay, features Modern Thai Cuisine, the latest sounds from Europe’s top DJ’s, all in a setting of tropical splendor and fine art..


The 60-cover hillside restaurant encompasses everything a class act should: ultra-fresh food, expertly prepared select ingredients, great background tunes and a sense of occasion in unusual and tasteful surroundings.

Lim's is located in Kalim, just to the north of Patong, but this beach feels like it's on another planet – the difference in atmosphere being that great. If coming from Patong, drive one kilometer along the Beach Road and, just after where the road separates around a tree in the centre, turn right up Soi 7 where the Orchid Hotel makes the corner. You'll find Lim's up the hill on the right-hand side of the soi.
Mom Tri’s elegant beachfront restaurant on Kata Noi is consistently ranked one of the island’s best restaurants. The airy dining room attracts a mix of foreign visitors and local tourists, and the Thai and Mediterranean menu satisfies everyone’s tastes. During high season, reservations are essential.


Enjoy fine dining in an award-winning restaurant set just above the rocks overlooking Kata Noi Beach. Panoramic sea views combined with the sound of the waves below create a peaceful, sensually indulgent and romantic setting.

European favourites and Thai dishes are served either on the open-air terrace, covered patio or Thai sala. An exuberant menu offers delicious creations from talented executive Chef Sura. Popular dishes include hot crab soufflé, light and savoury appetisers, tuna carpaccio, Phuket lobster and Angus beef tenderloin.

Mom Tri's Kitchen is the winner of the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for 3 years in a row and has over 350 labels including an extensive organic wine list and 16 wines available by the glass.
As of 18th December 2009 SILK will be at Andara Resort Villas - Phase 3. Offering traditional thai cuisine in a contemporary setting, with stunning views of the Andaman sea The menu combines the finest traditional Thai ingredients prepared with a focus on authenticity of taste and texture. The delicious creations are carefully concocted using local flavours and time-honoured techniques and the freshest ingredients.



This sleek, chic rooftop restaurant just around the corner from Surin Beach serves traditional Thai food and very international cocktails to a cosmopolitan crowd. Sit out on one of the comfy balcony loungers or inside in the air-conditioned dining room.

The sweetest spot

Golf instructors tell students to hit the ball in the sweet spot, and that’s sensible advice. For golfers of every standard, Phuket is probably the sweetest spot of all for hitting a golf ball. While other destinations in Thailand are also home to good courses, only in Phuket is it possible to enjoy first-rate golf, plus sun-drenched beaches and coral-reef diving, all close to fine cuisine and a varied nightlife.

Phuket Country Club’s Old Course was the first championship standard 18-hole golf course built on Phuket Island. It is located almost in the center of Phuket and can easily be reached from any of the main beach and hotel areas.

The Old Course at Phuket Country Club is best described as a friendly resort golf course. Not intimidating or humiliating; wayward shots are not severely punished. High handicappers can score well, while at the same time low handicap golfers will find the course quite a challenge. The Phuket golf course is set in a valley with the golf course meandering through hills and limestone cliffs and traversing 3 distinct environments (6 holes in undulating hills, 6 holes on the level and 6 holes through landscape forest). In danger of being overshadowed by its exciting new companion course (Red Mountain Golf Club), Loch Palm is still one of Phuket’s most popular and enjoyable layouts. This 18 hole course par 72, 6,555 yards palm tree-lined beauty recently completed a major re-design and upgrade.

Nestling beneath a panoramic range of jungle-clad hills, it is easier-going and less undulating than the newcomer, although is still capable of throwing down many challenges and giving your overall game a thorough workout. On the front-nine your main objective will be keeping the golf ball on dry land; many holes are played alongside the loch (a sizeable lake), which has a habit of cutting across some of the gently undulating fairways. Red Mountain Golf Course is the newest golf course on Phuket Island as of July 2009. The course was designed to take advantage of a huge variety of landforms and dramatic elevation changes, making it Phuket’s hilliest course.

The entire Red Mountain site, like Blue Canyon, Phuket’s other famous golf course, is an abandoned tin mine. The hole routing explores the four corners of the former tin mine property representing a memorable tour of Phuket’s historical landscapes. Hillsides and gullies etched in sandy tailings over the years by storm waters feature on several holes. Towering cliffs cut out of the hills and flooded canyons frame several other holes. Golfers face the full range of natures hazards; wind, water, slopes and elevation changes. Red Mountain is the highest golf course on Phuket Island and dramatic views are realized from many of the points on the golf course.

Absolute Heaven : Phuket Spa Guide

Aside from the amazing cultural heritage, to-die-for shopping, distinctive mouthwatering cuisine and tropical climate, Thailand is blessed with a unique attribute that has cemented its reputation as a preferred destination: its people. Warm and welcoming, the “Land of Smiles” is unparalleled, greeting with a beautiful “wai” and making sure each guest feels right at home.



It is no wonder that such factors and especially this sense of hospitality – found only in Thailand – translates flawlessly into the spa and wellness experience. Apart from the kind hospitality, Thailand is endowed with herbs and serene sanctuaries that provide the guests with many indulging retreats such as herbal streams, hot herbal compress or traditional Thai massage. The world renowned Thai massage illustrates the distinctive culture and exotic heritage, where each style reflects different characteristics and massage techniques such as the Royal Thai massage, the Commoner Thai Massage and the Lanna Thai massage. Just as Thailand is a melange of cultural influences, here you can find Ayurvedic treatments from India, Chinese acupressure and homegrown “Thai Boran” ancient Thai massage techniques. Every desire is brought to soothing fruition, from rejuvenation to relaxation to detoxification, in the most elegant and natural settings.



When you want to unplug from the world and replenish your health, sometimes you nhave to find a special place that offers plenty of “Me Time” with soothing treatments along with programmes of meditation, yoga and mental equilibrium. These destination spas in Phuket represent the very best of the best. On the island jewel of the Andaman, Phuket hosts the flagship Banyan Tree Spa of Banyan Tree. This is a must-visit for spa enthusiasts visiting Phuket : a holstic approach to traditional Eastern healing therapies administered in a luxurious sanctuary of the senses, including open-air spa pavilions. For the ultimate indulgence, the Banyan Harmony massage is conducted by two therapists who work in uncanny unison : by the time head and feet are massaged simultaneously, the sense of utter bliss may be overwhelming. Another highlight is the Thai Traditions menu, which offers treatments with local zest to both men and women.



In the midst of just 62 exclusive private pool villas and pool villa suites the Six Sense Destination Spa Phuket offers a complete immersion in contemporary and holistic treatments, presented in a very private, pristine tropical sanctuary. Programmes at this premiere island destination begin following an in-depth diagnostic evaluation. Therapies have been inspired by a blend of Chinese, Indian, Indonesian and Thai disciplines. All aromatic oils, scrubs and wraps are performed with signature Six Senses spa products. The fitness programmes – often decribed as groundbreaking – include kinesis training, postural enhancement, and oxygen fitness therapy. Meanwhile, guests dine on the freshest spa cuisine at the interactive earth kitchen or raw food restaurant overlooking the stunning Phang Nga bay.



Another blissful retreat , Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness is a contemporary Thai realm set amidst six acres of a luxuriously landscaped tropical forest, and has also been called the “Abode of Bliss”. The 5-star spa provides a blend of tradtional Thai customs and wisdom derived from ancient Siam. Massage treatments are based on Thai-Ayurvedic principles using only natural herbs and extracts. The spa also offers half- and full-day Cultural Wellbeing programmes, which include lessons in Thai massage, cooking, and fruit and vegetable carving. Sukko which translates to “abundant happiness” certainly lives up to its name.



Phuket also offers some impressive resort/spa combos. the Aleenta PhuketHotel is mind-blowingly beautiful and its spa has the facilities to match. Float into heaven with treatmenst from the extensive spa menu, like the Earth and Sea in the sky package that includes a salt scrub, a wrap of sea minerals and rare Thai herbs, a floral bath and Hawaiian massage. Or go for the After Sun Healer package to restore your skin after a long day sunbathing. Alternatively pamper your abused-by-the-keybord fingers with a spa manicure package.




Body and Mind Day Spa in Phuket offers discerning visitors a spa experinece without the ludicrous price tag. Decorated in a contemporary style, the spa has treatments that specialise in Oriental healing therapies such as the Thai foot massage, along with treatmenst using the Jurlique range of therapeutic products which are fairly hard to find in this part of the world. For visiting couples, the spa has a range of candlelight promotions to choose from.


Life in the modern metropolis can be extremely hectic to the point of nerve-fraying. When time is of the essence, convenience is the key. Luckily there are retreats of calm, waiting for a welcome moment of Zen.

Absolute Perfection : Phuket Beach Guide

Few islands can boast of such an abundance of sandy beaches and clear  waters as Phuket. The winding coastal roads along the west coast of  this 540-square-km island offer stunning views and easy access to some  of the world’s finest beaches.



Phuket is a world famous tourist destination and the reason for that  is quite simple-it’s fantastic beaches. Warm, crystal blue waters, soft  white sand and a perfect tropical climate combine to make Phuket beaches  among the best in the world. The inviting waters of the tranquil  Andaman Sea are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, diving and other  water sports. The island has plenty of beaches to choose from, not  surprisingly the best ones are well developed and usually busy, though  not packed. However it’s just as easy to rent a bike and go looking for a  small secluded beach tucked away somewhere on the island. Most of the  swimmable beaches are found on the west facing side of Phuket island.

Beaches on Phuket are well set up to cater to visitors with sun  lounges and umbrellas for rent and vendors strolling the beach selling  fruit, snacks and ice cream. Most Phuket beaches have a number of  restaurants and stalls offering food and drinks either on the beach  itself or within a hundred metres. Beachfront massage stands are also  common with shaded platforms where talented masseuses are happy to work  out those niggling aches and pains while you are hypnotized by the  picture perfect scenery.

An endless stretch of fine sand; the only real getaway on the  west coast of Phuket.

Located just north of the airport is Mai Khao beach, an  incredibly long and deserted stretch of sand. There is no tourist  development here except for the JW Marriott Resort & Spa. Mai  Khao is the longest beach on the island and also the most deserted.  If you really want to get away from it all this is the beach for you. Mai  Khao is part of the Sirinath National Park, which also includes Nai  Yang and Nai Thon, the next beaches along to the south. The area was  declared a national park in 1981 to protect the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles  that lay their eggs here from November to February.

Laid back to the extreme, most people who stay here find absolute  relaxation.

Nai Yang is just a five-minute drive south of the airport and  is very popular with Thai locals. Here you’ll find what beach life is  all about. Fringed with casuarina trees providing picnic areas for  locals, it’s a shady spot for souvenir and food vendors. Laid back to  the extreme, most people who stay here find absolute relaxation.

Nai Thon is a beautiful stretch of sand that for reasons  unknown has still been overlooked by large resort developers. Thus it’s  an ideal spot to get away from the crowds and enjoy a quiet swim. It’s a  village of two seasons, during the high season the hotels fill up, the  sea is flat, calm and crystal clear, beach restaurants appear where you  can dine with your bare feet in the sand, very much a stereotypical  tropical paradise. In low season the boot’s on the other foot, it’s  almost a ghost town with an occasionally raging sea.

Spending  time on Nai Yang beach, you wouldn’t believe that the ‘busy tourist  island of Phuket’ exists at all.

Reasonably quiet all year round, the busiest time is in December and  January. This beach is probably one of the best beaches in Phuket for a  lazy and quiet day, with all the food, drinks, shade and breeze you can  dream of. Every April, one of the Songkran (Water Festival) activities  is to release baby turtles into the sea.

Naturally beautiful Surin is known as ‘Millionaires Row’ due  the the top-end celebrity haunts Amanpuri, Twinpalms and The Chedi  amongst the luxury resorts there, as well as the many US$ 1 million+  houses that sit proudly on top of the hills overlooking the Andaman Sea.

This is a perfect place to come to leave everything behind and do  nothing more taxing than read a book.

Surin’s casuarina-lined beachfront is a gathering place for  locals and visitors alike to snack on barbecued seafood, enjoy a cool  drink and escape the heat of the day. Such a picturesque beach, it’s not  surprising it’s many people’s favourite beach in Phuket. Unlike the  other busy beaches of Phuket, there’s a refreshing absence of jet-skis  and speed boats here since Surin lacks a launch area. 

Laem Singh Beach is one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches and  hides on the west coast between Kamala and Surin beaches. ‘Laem’ is  Thai for ‘cape’ and this 150 meters beach is indeed situated under a  steep promontory, nestled in a hidden bay surrounded by palm trees and  dotted with giant boulders, it has a feeling of secret beach.Because of  its limited size, Laem Singh gets crowded during the high season  but is pleasantly busy during low season sunny days.



Laem Singh offers several sets of sun loungers with parasols  generally rented out by the nearby restaurants and you can have drinks  or even food served by them. The south end offers a rudimentary ‘shower’  (a hose with running fresh water tied to a stick) and the restaurants  have basic toilets.

Don’t miss the chance to try a Thai beach massage in the shade of the  palm trees once you had enough swimming or sunburn. Price is around 300  baht for an hour.

Just north of the lights and noise of Patong lies Kamala Beach,  a quieter stretch of sand with more relaxed feel. This well-enclosed  bay and fishing village surrounded by forested hills is one of the most  beautiful places in Phuket.

With its quieter pace, over the last few years, Kamala has  become a favoured spot for retirees and other longer-term visitors  staying in small hotels, villas and apartment rentals nestled around the  village. On the headland to the south, are a number of luxury villa  developments, with great views of Kamala Bay and beyond along its  winding road.



Tranquil and calm, the pretty white sands of Kamala beckon  most people by day, but if you’re seeking more than sunbathing on a  perfect beach, there are other options such as snorkeling at the north  end of the beach.

Patong is the most famous beach resort on Phuket. With its  wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal  place to party and play. By night the town has a bustling nightlife  which includes literally hundreds of restaurants, chic lounge bars, beer  bars and of course discos. The nightlife is centred around Soi Bangla  (Bangla Road) however there are quiet parts of town.



Visitors hoping for a glimpse into the exotic East might not find it  here, though the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic  atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival. The  key to full enjoyment of the place is to pace yourself, drink lots of  water and learn the meaning of ‘mai pen rai’ - which translates roughly  to ‘It doesn’t matter’ or ‘Don’t worry, be happy’.

Patong’s 2 km strip of golden sand is one of the most popular  beaches in Phuket, it’s a place to watch the world go by. By day, Patong Beach is a hive of activity with parasail and jet-ski  operators, boat drivers, beach vendors and masseuses all vying for the  attention of the many visitors relaxing on the beach chairs.

Karon Beach is very long, 5km (3 miles), with fine white sand  that squeaks when you walk on it throughout its entire length. At the  north end, in front of the lake, the beach is usually deserted, making  it a great spot to go if you want the beach to yourself.



Karon is concentrated around three main areas: The Karon Plaza  area on the south end features a number of budget guesthouses,  restaurants and bars. The side sois are worth exploring, particularly  the one that leads to a small art community, where some budding Thai  painters have built a complex of huts, pubs and art galleries in which  they live and work.

The pleasant bay of Kata, just a few minutes south of Karon  Beach, entices and charms many visitors with its white sands and clear  waters. Very popular with families, Kata is an all round  favourite due to its spectacular palm-lined beach, great restaurants,  lively but not raucous nightlife and varied accommodation options - all  close to the beach. From May to October surfers flock to catch Kata’s  waves and from November to April the beach is alive with sunseekers.



Kata’s 1.5km (1 mile) strip of golden sand is one of the most  popular beaches in Phuket due to the combination of it’s beauty,  facilities and activities. Hundreds of people come each day to soak up  the sun and take advantage of all on offer. Often busy but never crowded  this beach is perfect in many ways. Late in the year as the waters turn  calm, Kata bay becomes populated with 100+ beautiful yachts  which arrive from all over the region, some even circumnavigating, to  compete in December’s King’s Cup Regatta, Asia’s premier sailing event.

A quiet little spot at the southern end of Phuket, Nai Harn is  one of the island’s most beautiful locations and most popular places  with in-the-know locals. This quiet and tranquil place has only a few  hotels including the The Royal Phuket Yacht Club and is a favourite  anchorage for boats during the high season.

Flat lake-like crystal-clear water invites you for a dip .

Nai Harn beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket  with its excellent water quality. It’s encompassed on both sides by  jungle-covered mountains and there’s a large freshwater lagoon inland.  Never overloaded, even in high season, Nai Harn’s usually busier  at weekends as it is popular with both Thais and expats. Many tourists  who come to Phuket never make it to this wonderful stretch of sand. At  the southern end the lagoon flows into the sea, creating a stream that  children love to play in.

Rawai holds the distinction of being the very first tourist  beach on Phuket. Years ago, people from Phuket Town would drive the 17km  to Rawai on weekends to while away the afternoon underneath the  beach’s casuarina trees rather than risk the (then) dangerous drive over  the hill to Phuket’s west coast.



Nowadays Rawai is a ‘working beach’ and a launching point for  day boat excursions out to Phuket’s surrounding islands. Many longtail  boats available for hire line its shores, where you can arrange a trip  to Coral Island, Koh Lone or Racha Island,or a fishing or snorkel trip.  The beach is also used as a mooring point for the many fishermen who  live in the area.

Rawai is home to the five-star resorts, Evason and Mangosteen  and quite a few of Phuket’s foreign expat population live in the area,  lending a bohemian and laid-back flavour to the way of life there.  Favourite nighttime haunts are Friendship Beach, towards Chalong, and Rawai’s beachfront bars.

Set sail for The Top of the Gulf

The 2010 Top of the Gulf Regatta is set to sail from 30th April to 4th May at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya. Now in it’s sixth year, the Regatta has cemented Pattaya’s position as a leading destination to host international sailing events.



The Top of the Gulf Regatta is the only multi-class regatta of its kind in Thailand, with keel boats, multihulls, beach catamarans, dinghies and Optimists all taking to the waters in the Gulf of Thailand. Hosted at the Ocean Marina – the only international-standard marina on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard – the Top of the Gulf Regatta incorporates the Coronation Cup for one-design Platus and the Thailand Optimist Nationals for junior Optimist sailors.

The 2010 TOG Regatta will include the following classes: IRC Racing 1, IRC Racing 2, IRC Racing 3, IRC Cruising, IRC Charter Boat, Sports Boats, Platu, Ocean Multihulls, Hobie Tiger, Hobie 16, Open Monohull Dinghy, Laser and Optimist. Trophies are awarded for winners in each class, with Optimist entrants competing for the Thailand Optimist National Championship and the One-Design Platu class competing for the Platu Coronation Cup.



The Top of the Gulf Regatta continues to grow and word of the Regatta continues to spread far and wide as seen by the increasing number of international entries. Entries this year are expected from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and event Myanmar, to name only a few. A number of the top competitors on the regional sailing circuit are also expected to attend this year.
Entries are already strong for the keel boat classes and for the one-design Platus and a large number of multihulls are expected this year with many sailing from Phuket to challenge the Pattaya-based Corsairs for the 2010 class title.

Ocean Marina Yacht Club has been the host venue for the Top of the Gulf Regatta since the very beginning and offers berthing, hotel and resort facilities to the 500 plus participants who take part in the regatta each year. The marina-base makes Ocean Marina an ideal venue for large-scale international sailing events while the beach access is ideal for dinghy classes.



The Top of the Gulf Regatta continues to be a highly competitive international regatta attracting competitors from all over the world, while proving to be an ideal competitive training ground for the growing ranks of junior Thai sailors. The Regatta is also a significant contributor to the Pattaya’s tourism industry.

Wet and wild...

The Thai New Year is upon us and it’s hotter than hell, so hit the streets and cool down the traditional way with buckets of icy water..



Starting today and running all the way through to next Sunday, Thailand is celebrating the Songkran festival. From Bangkok to Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai to Hat Yai, millions of us  Thai, Mon and Chinese  are taking to the streets, as well as to the temple, to celebrate Songkran and mark the lunar New Year.
TONIGHT'S the night for the full-on Songkran water festival in Patong, beginning at 5pm with a traditional parade of monks down Soi Bangla. From then, the water pistols should start to emerge.

From 5.30pm, front and centre opposite Soi Bangla on the beachfront, contemporary dance performers will take to the stage. At 6pm, the Governor, Wichai Praisa-ngob, will formally open the Songkran Festival.



Later in the night comes a Songkran kids contest, followed at 8.30pm by a beauty contest and other activities going through to 11pm.

The water fight usually preoccupies everyone in and around Soi Bangla until late into the night.

On April 13, at 7am, there will be Thai music on the stage and at 7.30am, at the temple on the turn into Patong, there will be a rice-giving ceremony for monks. At 11am the monks will have lunch, then at 1pm begin a gentle water blessing ceremony for the elderly.

From 6.30pm until 11pm, there will be performances on the main Soi Bangla beach stage.

Anyone for cricket...

The Asian Cricket Sixes Tour promotes, organises and markets international award winning club cricket events at fantastic locations across Asia Pacific. Founded in 2000 with just one event, the annual Tour now comprises of tournaments in nine locations across the region including Phuket, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, New South Wales, Pattaya, Shanghai, Chiang Mai and the Philippines. The tournaments, which attract clubs and cricket celebrities from around the world and have won major awards from the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council, have a core philosophy of 'friendship through cricket'; they also raise funds and attract practical support for cricket development and local charities in their locations.



Phuket International Cricket Sixes 2010
Dates: 14 – 18 April 2010
Venue: Karon Stadium, Karon Beach, Phuket, Thailand
Format: up to 30 cricket teams from Asia Pacific & Worldwide  compete in Cup, Plate, Bowl, Spoon and Women’s Divisions in the popular six-a-side match format.
Additional Activities:
Phuket Beach Cricket Sixes, Sixes Welcome Reception, Sixes Gala Awards Dinner, T20 Fundraising Match for Junior Cricket
Overview:
* Winner of international awards from the ICC and ACC and first held in 2004, this is the seventh staging of this popular annual international club cricket tournament played next to the beautiful Karon Beach.
* New for 2010 will be a Women’s Division which features up to five women’s teams from around the region.
* The popular Sixes Beach Cricket Tournament kicks the event off in a fun way on Karon Beach on Wednesday 14th April.



* A record number of teams, supporters and officials from Australia, UK, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, China will fly in to compete in the tournament plus teams from Thailand and Phuket.
* Defending champions of the main Sixes tournament are the Bahrain Apsara Camels who defeated CBB Postels in the 2009 Cup final.



* The annual T20 Fundraising match will be held again under floodlights at Karon Stadium featuring all the best players in the tournament. Funds raised at the match will be contributed by the tournament to the development of junior cricket in Phuket.
* Star players at the tournament have included Adam Hollioake, Trevor Chappell, Atul Wassan, Pranab Roy, Alan Mullally and Kenny Jackson.

Absolute Signature Villas at Palm Grove, Pattaya, Thailand

Exquisite contemporary Thai styling combined with luxuriously tailored interiors.

Set in an affluent, picturesque Thai Village in the Gulf of Thailand, Absolute Signature Villas at Palm Grove Jomtien represents a seamless blend of East meets West.

A luxurious and boutique hotel in a strategic location in Na-Jomtien, only 15 minutes drive from Pattaya, one of the Thailand's best tourist destinations, Absolute Villas at Palm Grove Jomtien has been recognized as a new 5-star hotel that offers first class services, friendly hospitality and a privileged lifestyle in Pattaya.
The two-storey villas and duplexes are situated within lush tropical gardens, each with their own private pool. The ground floor comprises one bedroom with en-suite bathroom, fully equipped kitchen and grand living and dining area, leading directly to the private pool, sunning and al-fresco dining decks. Each villa is nestled among the lush tropical garden and private swimming pool.



The first floor features a superb, spacious master bedroom with en-suite bathroom as well as a second bedroom, also with its own bathroom. Eiderdown duvets and pillows help to ensure a comfortable and restful sleep, whilst the latest audio-visual technology ensures a variety of in-room entertainment.
Absolute Villas at Palm Grove Jomtien, Pattaya is comprised of 4 private pool villa Suites. All villas are tastefully furnished with Thai contemporary style and well-equipped with high standard facilities to furnish your living and lifestyle to perfection.

yooPhuket, Phuket, Thailand

yooPhuket is a spectacular collection of 256 stylish apartments and penthouses offering all the services and facilities that you would expect from a world-class development.



This deluxe retreat is the perfect base from which to experience all of the warmth and charm that Phuket has to offer.
The crisp clean lines of the sleek contemporary architecture are an elegant complement to the surrounding landscape. The buildings are set around the multi-level infinity edged pools, palm lined courtyards with cabana relaxation areas featuring outdoor fireplaces, poolside indoor-to-outdoor clubhouse, bar and games room, fitness club, yoga and well-being spa.



And the clubhouse has a fully equipped gym, yoga and well-being spa as well as a business centre, which offers wireless Internet, fax and conferencing facilities and a conference room that can be booked for private use.
The collection of studio, one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses combine design-led architecture and the high quality specification yoo is renowned for, whilst being centred in a beautiful natural setting with first class amenities.
Penthouses have the option of their own private terrace jacuzzis and the wraparound balconies of the apartment buildings provide homes with their own secluded outside space for relaxing, dining al fresco and taking in the stunning views.
Multi-level infinity-edged swimming pools are surrounded by poolside cabanas and outdoor fireplaces within palm lined relaxation areas. There is a poolside fine dining restaurant and cafe serving a range of snacks and meals during the day and evening.



The apartments are currently available to purchase off-plan and are due to be ready for occupation scheduled for 2011.