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 page of the Thai Meteorological Department
• Phuket live rainfall radar
• Phuket weather guide
  

Links of Interest:

• Online version of this newsletter
• 10year promotion: Stay 10, pay 9 on ALL hotels in Thailand
• Hotels in Phuket
  

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":

1. 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".
2. 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.
3. 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
  

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.

See more in this YouTube vide from Andaman News:


Links of Interest:

• Discussion of this incident
  

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.

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:

• SOS Medical Tourism
• Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa
• More recommended hotels in Karon Beach Phuket
  

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

Links of Interest:

• Hotel recommendations on Koh Yao
• Koh Yao Noi Image Gallery
• More Koh Yao information
  

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.

Links of Interest:

• Laem Singh image gallery
• Surin and Laem Singh Beach in June