Phuket Weather and Hotels Blog

Phuket weather forecast by the Thai Meteorological Department

2008-07-22T15:05:00.002+07:00

The Thai Meteorological Department has a weather summary and forecast for Phuket, which is well worth a look as it might take local weather into better consideration than the worldwide weather forecast sites like here.

The page has not only a daily forecast, but also a 7-day forecast and a weekly summary. The monthly forecast has to be seen with a grain of salt, but might nevertheless be helpful to those who plan their Phuket holiday right now.

Links of Interest:

Phuket Free Night Hotel Specials

2008-07-18T14:45:00.002+07:00

It's always a good time to be planning your vacation but now it's time to start booking. There's still time to maximize your discounts with our Phuket Free Night Specials (valid until 31st December).
Xmas + New Year: Planning to avoid winter this year and Celebrate Christmas with a bottle of suntan lotion then you should start to act now before your place is taken!
Don't forget when you book 10 nights in 2008 with hotelATM for your hotel stay on Phuket you only pay for 9!

Links of Interest:

Asaha Bucha in Phuket today

2008-07-17T15:19:00.003+07:00

Today, Buddhists in Phuket and all over Thailand celebrate Asaha Bucha, one of the most important events in Bhuddism. I normally celebrate this day by going with friends and family to Wat Chalong, where there is a candle walk around the temple.
A note for tourists and bar-flies: today alcohol sales are forbidden and bars will be closed (as will be the case tomorrow, when Buddhist lent is celebrated).

The Buddhist Holy Day of Asaha Bucha (Thai: อาสาฬหบูชา) falls on the 15th night or 15 kham of the full moon during the eighth month of the Buddhist Lunar calendar, Asaha (Thai Pali: อาสาฬห) being the name of the eighth month in the Pali language. Last year, this was July 29, this year it is today.

Asaha Bucha is worshiped because of three important events occurring on the day called the "Triple Gem":

Firstly, it is commemorating the first sermon given by the Buddha called the "Dhammachakapavattama Sutta" concerning the "Four Noble Truths" presented to the Buddha’s first five disciples. The sermon set in motion the "Wheel of Dhamma", which is the meaning of "Dhammachaka".
Secondly, the day is considered to be the birth of Buddhism as the Buddha departed the location where he obtained his enlightenment two months earlier and then coming to a forest area in the city of Pharansi where he showed favor to five ascetics who became his followers.
Also recognized on the same day is the first person listening to the Buddha’s sermon realizing the truths contained therein and becoming the first Buddhist monk creating the Buddhist order “Sangha” and is known as “Sangha Day” as well as Asaha Bucha.

Links of Interest:

More Phuket events and holidays in July

Phuket monsoon rain leads to landslide in Patong

2008-07-15T14:29:00.002+07:00

A mudslide in Nanai Road in Patong Beach around midday cost the lives of three Burmese workers, who were picking up construction equipment on a construction site. The landslide happened because of the (ongoing) rains of the last monsoon front to hit Phuket.

As reports in local media go, one of the workers was buried initially by the mud falling from a steep incline in the construction project of a new apartment block in Soi Nanai, where a retaining wall to prevent the plot of land behind becoming instable was being built. Two of his comrades tried to help the man and were also buried by earth falling on them during their rescue attempt. All three suffocated before they could be dug out with heavier equipment.

Picture: ThaiVisa/Phuket Gazette

See more in this YouTube vide from Andaman News:

Links of Interest:

Discussion of this incident

Phuket sets to be one of the leading medical tourism destinations

2008-07-14T10:21:00.002+07:00

In 2009, Phuket has been chosen to host The World Medical Health Tourism Conference, an international and most diverse networking opportunity which will be attended by participants from various countries worldwide. The conference will be held on September 16-18,2009 at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa.

The World Medical Health Tourism Conference (TWMHTC) is one of the initiatives in making Phuket as the major destination for health and wellness in Thailand. The event will help open more doors for local investors into the international market, as well as for the global health care community to explore the possibilities of outsourcing medical treatments to Thailand.

It is believed, that the presence of well-equipped hospitals, the service-from-the-heart hospitality of the Thais and the world-renown Thai spa and wellness centers around the country help create a unique and rejuvenating experience for medical travelers in Thailand.

Furthermore, it has been estimated that the conference will bring an economical windfall to Phuket of about 10 million USD over the two weeks time. Although, the formal conference runs only for 3 days, many post and pre-conference activities are planned.

By securing Thai Airways as the major airline carrier and the Hilton Arcadia Hotel Phuket as the venue, all is looking good for a hugely successful event at this early stage.

Hilton Arcadia Phuket in Karon Beach

All of Thailand may benefit from this conference as that many conference delegates have indicated that they would like to travel and explore more places in Thailand apart from Phuket and Bangkok.

Links of Interest:

Koh Yao in July

2008-07-13T21:28:00.003+07:00

Koh Yao is a group of two islands just off the eastern coast of Phuket in Phang Nga Bay. Especially the smaller of the two islands, Koh Yao Noi, is well-known for its great panoramas of the limestone islets of the bay. In best July weather, under a dazzling blue sky and a burning tropical Phuket sun, I started a daytrip to Koh Yao to have a look at the two islands.

Getting to Koh Yao Noi
First off, it was very easy to get there. Most resorts of the islands will organize pickup for you form your hotel in Phuket or the Phuket airport. For those with their own transportation -- like me -- it is a beautiful drive past the Heroines Monument and Bang Pae Waterfall (location of the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project). In less than 45 minutes I reached my destination, Bang Rong Pier.

Due to current oil price increases, the person ferry from Bang Rong pier in Phuket to Koh Yao has become more expensive than before, but is still a very affordable THb 150 per person, independent if you want to reach Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi. Hiring a speedboat is of course more comfortable (and much pricier), but detracts in my opinion very much from the beautiful atmosphere of the passing landscape in the slower ferry.

Bang Rong Pier in Phuket

Ferry ride to Koh Yao Noi
The ferry ride to Koh Yao Noi went on for over one hour. Already a short while after leaving Bang Rong Pier, the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay came into view. From the boat one had the same view one will have after completion of the monstrous large Cape Yamu project, that stretches over several kilometers of Phuket hillside, which I visited a short while ago.

Phang Nga Bay Limestone Islands

The first stop of the ferry was Koh Yao Yai, where one could opt to disembark. This is the larger of the two islands, and with several large resorts on it, namely the Elixir Resort on the southern end of Koh Yao Yai on 250 meters of beachfront.

Chong Lad Beach, Koh Yao Yai

Driving over Koh Yao Noi
Just a hop further on was then Koh Yao Noi, where we got off the boat at Manoh Pier. Like on the mainland, taxis and tuk tuks are the public transport option. If you stay for longer than the day (or even then) it is well wort to rent a motorbike (being aware that fuel is much mor expensive than on the mainland); better still a bicycle.

I took a tuk tuk to Pa Sai Beach, the one with the best view to the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga; for only THb 50 it was a fast 8 kilometer drive. It became quickly apparent that there were currently only very few tourists here, only simple restaurants were open and the beach was totally deserted. Alone on a tropical beach just a few kilometers from Phuket!

Pa Sai Beach

Neighboring Pa Sai Beach top the north is Klong Jark Beach, which offers even better views of the limestone cliffs off the coast.

Klong Jark Beach

Limestone Rocks off Koh Yao Noi

Accommodation on Koh Yao Noi
If you are on a very tight budget or do not mind simple living circumstances, there are a good number of bungalow resorts scattered along Pa Sai Beach. For THb 300 it is easy to find a room, no aircon and a mosquito net. An especially nice place was Sabai Corner Bungalows right on the corner of Pa Sai Beach.

Besides bungalow resorts for the budget-minded, Koh Yao Noi has a number of larger resorts, that have the services matching the dreamlike view from Klong Jark Beach. Foremost, the 4-Star Evason Hideaway Koh Yao Noi with their world-famous Six Senses Spa is here to dazzle you and make you wish you would never have to go away from this small island. Also on Klong Jark Beach is the 3-Star Koyao Island Resort, which offers 15 villas on the beach.

Far to the north of Koh Yao Noi is the Paradise Koh Yao, maybe the most famous resort of the Koh Yao Islands. "The Paradise Boutique Beach Resort is part of a worldwide movement to reconnect people with nature and to restore the simple sensual pleasures of free and fresh living."... and that is exactly what you will find in this 4-Star resort.

Life on Pa Sai Beach and Klong Jark Beach
At least currently, life on those two beaches will be very quiet. As mentioned, large restaurants are closed, there only seem to be a handful of beach bars to begin with and also the bungalows seemed largely deserted. Klong Jark Beach has at least one or two beach bars, namely the Pyramid Bar.

However if one is not after the raging nightlife of Phuket or Phi Phi, then this is the place to go: walks along the beach, bicycling over the island, kayaking with the awe-inspiring panorama of the Phang Nga limestone rocks, this is how you can easily fill a number of days.

Kayaking off Koh Yao Noi

Links of Interest:

Laem Sing Beach in sunny July

2008-07-12T20:56:00.002+07:00

As the weather was absolutely beautiful today, I went to Laem Singh Beach for the whole day today. Laem Singh Beach is a tiny cove of around 300 meters of dazzling white sand between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach; one can actually walk from Surin over here, it is just a few meters up the hill, from Kamala or further afar it is necessary to drive however.

Sunny Laem Sing today, July 12, 2008

A few rock formations frame the beach add character to it and make for some the best fishing and snorkeling opportunities on the island, giving home to corals and fish. The mid-section of the beach however is pure sand without any stones, which invites for swimming.The natural beauty of Laem Singh Beach is enhanced by the fact it sits well below the road which lends a serene and quiet feeling that is not always present on other beaches in Phuket. It is one of the still relatively undeveloped beaches of Phuket frequently missed by visitors who are unaware of its location: there are only two restaurants at the bottom of the hill allowing for a snack right in the sand.

Laem Singh Beach is also well-known for its beautiful sunsets, which I could witness today as well.

Laem Singh sunset

Links of Interest:

July in Phuket: sunny blue skies everyhwere

2008-07-12T09:44:00.004+07:00

In the last few days, the sea at Patong has been exceptionally calm, making swimming there good fun. Today was one of the most beautiful days in the last few weeks, an endless blue sky, just a few clouds...

Today's view to Patong from Kalim

And a second opinion, this one from Thien's Dive Logbook:

July weather has been spectacular, with calm wind, flat sea, 30m visibility in the Racha Islands area, and whale shark sightings daily in Phi Phi and Shark Point Marine Sanctuary. I love LOW SEASON :-)

In the meantime, our friend Miso visited Kata Beach today:

Coming from Phi Phi Island, I went to Kata beach for the afternoon. The beach was so different from Railay Beach and Koh Phi Phi: not nearly as beautiful, but it was really fun. The waves were huge and dotted with surfers. We immediately dove in and body surfed for awhile, before having a dinner at our guesthouse

Phuket Gazette blocked for hosting malware

2008-07-11T09:43:00.003+07:00

The Phuket Gazette website was blocked and marked it as a site suspicious of installing malware on your computer.

Update July 13, 2008:
While I initially assumed that the problem occured due to injected scripts through the incredible amount of advertising banners that every visitor to the Phuket Gazette website is subjected to, this online discussion makes it look like as if indeed the server of the Phuket Gazette was hacked and their database corrupted. Employees of the Phuket Gazette also insisted that even though a virus might be installed from their broken website, they do not see that as a problem and that they are merely miffed that visitors were alerted.
All second-hand, but I will be happy to post an update from the Phuket Gazette themselves who even two days after the problem have not posted something official on their own website.

From Google's Warning Advisory about the Phuket Gazette Website:

What is the current listing status for phuketgazette.net/news/?

Site is listed as suspicious - visiting this web site may harm your computer.
Part of this site was listed for suspicious activity 1 time(s) over the past 90 days.

What happened when Google visited this site?

Of the 87 pages we tested on the site over the past 90 days, 13 page(s) resulted in malicious software being downloaded and installed without user consent. The last time Google visited this site was on 07/10/2008, and the last time suspicious content was found on this site was on 07/09/2008.
Malicious software includes 2 scripting exploit(s). Successful infection resulted in an average of 2 new processes on the target machine.
Malicious software is hosted on 5 domain(s), including crtbond.com, usaadw.com, ausadd.com.
1 domain(s) appear to be functioning as intermediaries for distributing malware to visitors of this site, including crtbond.com.

Direct flights Phuket-Tokyo re-open

2008-07-11T08:45:00.000+07:00

This might be a little golden nugget for those of you who plan to go away for the summer. Thai Airways is resuming their flights between Tokyo and Thailand from July 17th!

There will be two flights a week on Thurs and Sat with departure from Tokyo at 10am and arriving in Phuket at 3.25pm on the same day.

Previously the flight was canceled due to the dwindling number of tourists visiting Thailand after the tsunami. Thailand has since rebuilt and rejuvenated the affected areas and tourism is yet again thriving.

Links of Interest:

Japan Today

Phuket weather in the last few days

2008-07-10T20:53:00.002+07:00

Over the last week or so, weather on Phuket has been relatively good, with sunny and cloudy skies chasing each other. With luck and depending on which beach you were, the only time where it really has been raining was in the nighttime or through the early hours of the morning -- when the average visitor to Phuket would be in bed anyway.

The great thing about Phuket weather is that no matter how wet it may be at one point, you can be sure that the rain won't last very long. Furthermore, once the rain stops, everything in Phuket will be dry faster than it takes you to get your raincoat off.

Following this thought, the local weather should not really be a deciding factor if your stay here on Phuket is great or not. Even though there can be some heavy rainfall at many points during the year, but even during the wettest months, the weather on Phuket Island is much more forgiving than back home in the West.

Phuket also has the luxury of being next to the Andaman Sea, as such a large body of water evens out the temperature difference between the day and nighttime. And in general, the weather here is hot throughout the year anyway, so some intermittent rain will actually help you to freshen up.

And last but not least: since all of the famous beaches of Phuket are located on the western side of the island, you will get to see great sunsets every single day of your stay there, with towering cloud formations reflecting the rays of the evening sun, as my photograph of the evening mood on Patong Beach demonstrates nicely.

Patong Sunset on July 8th, 2008

Phuket Live Weather Station in Nai Yang Beach

2008-07-09T09:14:00.001+07:00

After my visit yesterday to lovely Nai Yang Beach, I surfed the internet a little bit for more weather tools that might be of use; and by chance, one of the best for Phuket is located right there. I am talking about the live weather station set up at KiteSurf Thailand on Nai Yang Beach, showing a complete up to the minute weather report with wind, sun, rain, humidity and cloudbase.

Phuket live weather station

Links of Interest:

Sunny Nai Yang Beach and the Dewa Phuket

2008-07-08T16:56:00.005+07:00

Nai Yang and the Sirinath National Park are the beach best suitable if you reach Phuket by air and are extremely short on time: they are located right at the airport. With sunny weather (which we had today), Nai Yang Beach offers a beautiful tropical setting and the Indigo Pearl would be my recommended resort to stay here.

Nai Yang Beach

I was having a lunch right on the beach at a group of food stalls outside the new Dewa Phuket development, eating on a mat on the sand with a small table in front of me. Grilled mackerel is here like in Rawai the food I would recommend.And with regard to Dewa Phuket, now sold to 65%:

Towards the Nothern tip of Phuket's renowned West Coast, and surrounded on all sides by the Sirinath National Park lies the tranquil haven of Nai Yang beach. Stunningly set within the "Pearl of the Andaman", is a new gem known as Dewa Phuket. Mere paces from the soft bronzed sands, and set amongst coconut trees and tropical flora, this West coast facing integrated resort offers an enviable choice.
Vacation within Dewa Resort & Spa and enjoy the romantic ambiance of this a small, chic, sophisticated boutique hotel with their elegant pool villas.
Alternatively, allow Dewa Residence to host your memorable vacation within their equally opulent 1 & 2 bedroom apartments.

Links of Interest:

Only early fish are catching worms on Karon Beach: Karon weathercam

2008-07-08T10:04:00.006+07:00

As the saying says, 'only an early bird catches the worm'. This is Thailand, so things are a little bit differnet here: in Karon Beach, only the early fish gets their unwilling meal.
At least according to the Phuket Karon Beach webcam, see the picture below from today morning, shortly before 10:00 AM:

Links of Interest:

Phuket weathercam on Karon Beach

Rough-toothed dolphins beach at Cape Panwa

2008-07-07T21:53:00.007+07:00

Two days ago, three rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis), one male and two females, stranded on the muddy beach at Ao Makham near Cape Panwa. They were rescued after they stranded in the pools created by the receding tide, after being initially kept alive by locals by dousing their heads and skin with sea water to keep them wet.

After furter treatment by marine biologists from the nearby Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) in Cape Panwa, the three lucky survivors were taken back to sea by boat.

Picture: Sunrise Divers Blog

As local newspapers wrote, the rescue comes one week after the carcass of a female striped dolphin was discovered washed ashore at Baan Dan in Thalang and nine days after a pod of false killer whales beached at Koh Racha. The last was one of the largest mass strandings of cetaceans in the region and it is unknown if there are common reasons for this unusual events to occur several times in a row.

It is still unclear why the three rough-toothed dolphins, adult specimens of more than 100 kilogram weight and 20 years of age, went into the coastal mangrove forest, as their natural habitat is the open sea. They are generally thought to be rare in the waters around Phuket Island, however not much is really known about abundance and distribution of the species. Also a pod of normal size seems to be around 20 individuals, up to 50, not only three dolphins.

Rough-toothed dolphins are long-beaked dolphins with a smooth and stocky body adapted to their lives on the high oceans; the large flippers are also set further back on the body than in most other cetaceans. Rough dolphins are counter-shaded with white bellies and black to dark grey backs.

Picture: CMS (Convention on Migratory Species)

Links of Interest:

Sunny Patong Beach beginning of July

2008-07-07T19:55:00.001+07:00

A second day here on Phuket with the perfect sunny weather one expects of such a prominent holiday destination. The last monsoon front has finally passed and one hopes that the good weather holds for a while.

I myself was out walking on a sun-drenched Patong Beach, where the low ride around 17:00 made for perfect walking conditions, the beach at its maximum width with firm sand.

Walking at Patong Beach at low tide

While to usual sun-bathers were gone back to their hotels and maybe preparing for one of the famous seafood dinners one can have in Patong's beach road, a last few tourists had a look at the beach from above from a parasail. With the beach that empty and wide a nearly riskless undertaking, while still having the full amount of fun.

Patong Beach parasailing

And only towards the end of my walk, a single cloud started to battle the sun, momentarily winning before it was consumed by the evening sun.

Tropical beach walks on Patong Beach

July evening mood and sunset dinner on Patong Beach

2008-07-04T20:06:00.004+07:00

Patong Beach graced itself this evening with a beautiful sundown, which I enjoyed sitting for a drink at Chez Bernard. Chez Bernard, by the way, is restaurant I fully recommend: friendly staff, and the prices for the food do not take away from the enjoyment of the sight of the beach right in front of you: meaning, even the budget-minded will have a good time here.

Patong Beach sunset as seen from a table at Chez Bernard
(incidentally the 'romantic table for two' on the right of the restaurant when standing in front of it from Patong Beach: and yes, I did enjoy more than 'just' the tropical sunset...)

From PhuketWan:

Chez Bernard is worth visiting as much for the setting as the food. It's basically one big piece of driftwood, leaning around a large tree trunk. The tables and chairs spill out onto the sand, under umbrellas.
Bernard can sometimes be seen here, eating an extremely late breakfast, all long blond hair and a classic brown eagle profile.
Breakfast will be followed by a smoke and a coffee. Expats who have clearly seen better days and wish there were more of them ahead come here to fill the air with French.
While Patong is fast becoming international franchises for a generation of travellers who can't tell the difference between the taste of one country and the other, at least at Chez Bernard there's still a chance you will find some sand in your sandwich.

Contact: Chez Bernard, 49 Thaveewoong Rd, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150, Thailand
Tel.: +66 01 677 0711

Links of Interest:

Tomorrow power blackout in Chalong

2008-07-03T20:42:00.000+07:00

The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced a scheduled blackout for tomorrow in order to continue its work on high-voltage power lines.

The blackout, from 9 am to 5 pm, will affect Chao Fa East Rd, from De Wara Thani Village, Soi Taiad, Land & Houses Park (Seewalee 3 and 4), Choke Thip Villa, Soi Jarin-U-Thit and Chalong Police Station.

This information is subject to change without notice. For more information or to check the latest status, call 076-211663.

Phuket events and public holidays in July

2008-07-01T14:56:00.000+07:00

July brings a number of events and public holidays on Phuket, which are exciting if you like sports or are into the culture of Thailand. It must be noted that the Buddhist holidays bring with them a closure of bars as serving of alcohol is forbidden by local police.

Kalim Surfing Contest
With the monsoon rolling over Phuket in July, the surf picks up on Phuket beahces on the west coast, Foremost is Kalim Beach, where far-away storms in the Indian Ocean generate waves high enough for an annual surfing contest. Read more here.

Six Sense Phuket Raceweek
Annually, the Phuket Raceweek and their sponsor Six Senses attracts a crowd of yachties from around the world. It is one of the better known events in the region, only second to the Kings Cup Regatta in December. Read more here: www.phuketraceweek.com

Bastille Day
Something for the French visitors of Phuket, or those that want to 'feel French' for a day: some hotels and restaurtants on Phuket organize celebrations for Bastille Day, for example this year there are events at Movenpick and Wine Connection Chalong.

Asaha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day
July 17 and 18 are public holidays, and bars will be closed. Asaha Bucha Day commemorates the day Buddha gave this first sermon after enlightenment to his five disciples. Buddhist Lent Day marks the start of the annual three-month monsoon rains retreat. Read more here.

Phuket rainfall on live radar image

2008-06-30T09:43:00.002+07:00

If you are worried about rainfall in the last 24 hours on Phuket (a valid concern in May and June on Phuket Island, as it is time of the southwest monsoon), than the image below is the right resource for you.

It is a secondly updated, live radar image of rainfall and clouds on Phuket Island. The same radar image can be found for many other locations in Thailand, here.

Live Phuket rainfall radar image

Links of Interest:

False killer whales beach on Koh Racha

2008-06-29T15:18:00.007+07:00

A pod of thirty false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) stranded itself this Thursday on Koh Racha, a small island near Phuket that is a regular destination for daytrips, divers and fishing boats. Local residents and hotel staff saved all but one of them, according to Wannakiat Thubthimsang, director of the Phuket Marine Biological Center.

The majority of small whales, which were up to 4.2 meters long could be carried or pushed back to sea by local volunteers, but ten of them had to be loaded onto trucks and carried to another beach less than a kilometer away, where calmer waters made it easier to return them to sea.

Unluckily, one of the false killer whales died of shock.

Scientists weren't sure why the whales swam themselves ashore. "They may have run aground because of the strong wave, or they could have been misled by their leader's sonar signal", K. Wannakiat told AFP. "It's not the first time this has happened, but this is a very large number." As other media reported, it was one of the largest mass strandings of cetaceans in the last years for the region around Phuket.

False killer whales are not a threatened species. They are much smaller and less aggressive than their distant relatives, the Orca or killer whale. Like Orcas, scientists classify them as dolphins rather than whales, however other than their cousins they are completely black in color. Adult males reach a length of 5.7 m; females, 4.9 m. Groups of these whales may number from two to several hundred with both sexes and all age groups represented.

False killer whales are social creatures and are known for stranding themselves, especially if the pod leader is sick. When stranded, the whole group of whales often refuses to return seaward, despite the best efforts of volunteers, and even beach themselves again as long as the pod leader is still alive. Therefore some whale rescue organizations go even so far as to advise that the sick individual that led the group on the beach must be killed if it cannot be brought back to sea successfully.

Pictures: thaivisa
Source: panthip.com, picture by Southernroof

See the video below for more:

Links of Interest:

Bor Pla Restaurant in Kathu

2008-06-28T16:30:00.002+07:00

A little-known restaurant in Kathu, right over the mountain from Patong, is one of my favorite spots to have a peaceful afternoon meal. I am a sucker for Thai food and do not mind to eat it the Thai way (eg sitting at a very low table on the floor -- but they also have 'normal' tables with chairs). Portions are large and I can especially recommend the Spare Ribs, incredible juicy and fleshy for just THb 100.

Besides the food, the view is stunning: you look over a quiet tin lagoon, overgrowing with reeds at the edges which are a spawning ground for lots of fishes; the unlucky ones you might encounter right there on your plate, and the lake does also invite for fishing yourself.

How to get there:
Coming from Patong, turn right at the traffic light at the fuel station, then pass through Kathu Village. At the next traffic light go right again and drive a further 300 meters until you come to the end of the houses.
Instead of going straight on, reaching Central after a few hundred meters, enter a tiny street coming out of the field to your left right after the last house of Kathu Village. A parking space at the lake after 200 meters signals that you have foudn Bor Pla Restaurant.

View from Bor Pla Restaurant

Party at Nai Yang Beach

2008-06-28T11:27:00.002+07:00

Kite surfing is the new hobby on Phuket, but not everybody does know what it really is all about. Therefore, Kitesurfing Asia organized a party at Nai Yang Beach tonight for anyone interested: KITE ZONE - Opening Party and Kitesurfing Demo Day. Have a look yourself!

Kite surfing, which is definitely a lot of fun and action, is when you use a massive kite (more like a parachute) to let the wind pull yourself across the sea while you stand on a kind of small surfboard.

Kitesurfing on Nai Yang Beach, Phuket (Picture: Kitesurf Thailand)

Nai Yang Beach is ideally suited for this kind of sport and the kitesurfing school is only a few meters from the entry of Nai Yang Beach when you come from the airport.

And even if you do not plan on getting wet in action: the demo day party has free drink and food (pig on a stick!) and starts at 09:00 am in the morning. The party is expected to go on into the night, with DJ Jon Bellgamba on the decks from sundown.

For additional information, visit the Thailand Kitesurfing group on Facebook or the website of Kitesurf Thailand.

Links of Interest:

Phuket beaches late June weather

2008-06-28T08:41:00.005+07:00

Finally! Blue skies are back in Phuket! A quick view out of my window shows me a clear sky and there also has been no rainfall in phuket since yesterday.

A quick look on the Karon Beach Phuket webcam of the Marina Phuket Resort overlooking the whole of Karon Beach shows it to be cloudy there, but my guess would be that this will clear up fast and become a great day on the beach (it is still really early now, not even 09:00 in the morning).A later evening stroll through Loma Park in Patong Beach showed the beach then in a delightful evening light, beach chairs already stacked away and the three kilometers of Patong Beach only the domain of a handful of joggers catching the last light of the day.

Phuket Weather Webcam on Karon Beach

2008-06-27T08:41:00.002+07:00

The Phuket Weather Webcam on Karon Beach must be one of the most-linked resort features of any hotel on Phuket. Difficult then to understand why the webmaster of the Marine Phuket website decided to change the link to the Karon Beachcam.

This great webcam shows the whole crescent of Karon Beach, from the "On the Rocks" restaurant of the Marina Phuket Resort. It offers a great opportunity to have a little 'sneak preview' if you come to Karon Beach for your Phuket holiday, as the webcam is updated by the second.

Below is the Karon Beach webcam in live action:

Links of Interest:

Karon Beach
Hotel Recommendations

Marina Phuket Resort Rates

Phuket Weather Webcam