Sansiri is confident in Phuket’s condominium market and is launching a new THE BASE branded condominium ‘THE BASE Height-Phuket’, targeting the young working generation who are looking for a condominium that responds to their needs and character. ‘THE BASE Height-Phuket’ is a 14-storey condominium on Hongyok-Uthit Road in the Samkong area, centrally located in Phuket City. The pre-sales period is scheduled 15th to 17th February 2013, with prices starting at THB 1.9 million. Mr. Uthai Uthaisangsuk, Senior Executive Vice President Business Development and Project Development division, Sansiri Public Company Limited, revealed that “Sansiri continues its commitment to developing quality residential condominiums for Phuket customers. In line with the highly successful two earlier projects under THE BASE brand, the development concept and location responds to the need of customers who love to live in the City.” THE BASE Height-Phuket has a value of THB 900 million. The project is a 14-storey building with a total of 358 units located on 2-2-44 rai of land, on Hongyok-Uthit Road, in the Samkong area in the heart of Phuket City. The development is near Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Tesco Lotus Phuket. There are three room types; 1 Bedroom at 29-34sq.m, 1 Bedroom Duplex at [...]

Expect chaos around the Central Festival intersection during construction, which started this weekend. Driving through town is always a gamble during rush hours. Avoid Yaowarat,  Mae Luan and Samkong. This route may turn out to be the fastest. It took 22 minutes last Friday morning while making a trip to British International School (BIS)– a total of 13.4 km. Chao Fa West – Bypass Road / Thep Kasattri intersection View Larger Map Map link: http://goo.gl/maps/mP43z

Banyan Tree Holdings, which manages and develops resorts, hotels and spas, in Phuket and other destinations in Asia reported a net loss of S$2.78 million for the July-September quarter of 2012. Banyan Tree attributed the loss, saying it on expected lines, to the "low season period" coupled with the weak global economy. The result is a marginal improvement from the net loss of S$2.89 million recorded in same quarter a year ago In a regulatory feeling to Singapore Exchange, the company said that its revenue in Q3 rose 19% on-year to S$78.7 million, mainly driven by higher contributions from hotel investments in Phuket and Seychelles. Royalty fees from the sale of condominium units at Banyan Tree Signatures Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur and project design fees in China, also contributed to the revenue, said the company. Excluding unexpected circumstances, the company continues to face good recovery in primary markets and expects its annual profit to increase compared to last year. During the last fiscal, Banyan Tree had posted a net profit of S$1.56 million. About Banyan Tree Holdings Banyan Tree Holdings Limited is a leading manager and developer of premium resorts, hotels and spas in the Asia Pacific, with close to [...]

Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts has opened its first property in Krabi with the conversion of Sala Talay Resort and Spa to Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach. “We are pleased to announce the initial phase of the opening of our first Holiday Inn property in this beautiful region of Krabi.” says Steve Ng, the General Manager of the property. “We hope that all our guests will be able to enjoy a true home away from home experience when they stay with us.” Uniquely, the resort is situated right alongside the stunning Ao Nang beachfront and is designed in a contemporary yet environmentally sensitive style that naturally blends itself perfectly within the area’s beautiful environment. The resort offers guests a full range of services and facilities, including an outdoor free-form swimming pool, a resort fitness centre, Kid’s Club and a well-stocked book and DVD library in the Resort Centre. Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach also offers a range of holistic Thai massages and treatments at the resort Spa. Delicious cuisine spanning the Asian continent can also be savoured at the InAsia dining venue, which enjoys panoramic views of the idyllic surrounds of Ao Nang Beach. Presently the [...]

Thomson and First Choice are offering to direct flight from London to Phuket from November 2013. According to a media release, Thomson and First Choice will let customers be able to fly direct to Phuket on the 787 Dreamliner. Thomson and First Choice are also giving their customers the chance to explore Thailand further and travel the length and breadth of the country with a ‘twin centre’ offering where, for example, holidaymakers can either stay for three nights in Bangkok combined with an 11 night stay in Krabi, Khao Lak or Phuket. If Bangkok is a little lively, Thomson and First Choice will be offering a number of pure beach ‘twin centre’ holidays so customers can opt to connect from Phuket for a seven night stay in Koh Samui followed by seven nights in Krabi, Khao Lak or Phuket. Other options include seven nights in Khao Lak and seven nights in the travellers’ retreat of Krabi, for those who want a more ‘rest and relaxation’ focussed break. "We are thrilled that we are able to offer an exclusive, direct flight to Phuket on the Thomson 787 Dreamliner and we are confident that our customers will love the destination and the [...]

Thai and Myanmar private sectors have joined hands to study the possibility of opening new tourism routes, connecting Thailand’s Ranong province and neighboring Myanmar’s Kaw Thaung and Yangon. Ranong Tourism Association president Nit Auitekkeng said air transportation will be the focus, as Myanmar Airways currently provides 80-seat flights from Yangon to Kaw Thaung. Details are being discussed with the airline to organize package tours for travellers. Tourism business in Ranong and Myanmar’s hotel and tourism private sector are to open tourism market in Myanmar, and to attract Myanmar tourists to Thailand, particularly via Ranong province. Tourism atmosphere for the south of Myanmar itself is now bustling after the Myanmar government gave concessions to foreign investors to invest in over 100 of its islands. Source: MCOT

Philipp Sebastian Flickhinger has been appointed the new General Manager of Cape Panwa Hotel. Philipp Sebastian Flickhinger, a German national, with a Bachelor’s in Hotel Management from Australia and an MBA in International Management from Germany, has extensive international 5-star hotel experience. He held posts in Switzerland, China, Germany, and other hotels in Thailand before joining Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket. Kasemkij Hotels Travel Industry Group Director Poomiphat Navanukroh stated, “I am happy to announce the appointment of Philipp Flickhinger as General Manager of Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket. His hands-on experience in the hospitality business, combined with his business acumen and his performance-focused management style are the qualities we need in our executive management team. Cape Panwa Hotel is on the brink of launching its new ‘Absolute Suite’, the most luxurious two-bedroom super suite in Phuket, which will enable us to remain a leader in the increasingly competitive location of Cape Panwa. I’m certain that a gifted and determined manager such as Philipp will be able to lead this exciting move, and I’m excited to welcome him to his new role. “Kasemkij Hotels believes that Philipp’s significant experience will help take Cape Panwa Hotel’s already high standards to a new high,” [...]

The Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa has opened. The stunning 156-key 70-acre property, formerly known as the Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa, will be run by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, the 65-year old Hawaii based company that continues to expand in Asia-Pacific from its regional headquarters in Phuket, Thailand. Outrigger took over the sales and marketing of the property in October last year. Since then, extensive improvements have been made, including the addition of 44 new Deluxe Garden Bungalows. The gym has been improved. Food and beverage venues have been enhanced. "We have started to implement Outrigger international standards across facilities, food and beverage and human resource services," said Darren Edmonstone, Managing Director Asia-Pacific for Outrigger. "It’s a completely new era for one of the most beautiful beach resorts in Thailand," he said. The new 53 sqm Deluxe Garden Bungalows are the highlight of the changes. They are located in clusters giving the atmosphere of a traditional Thai village. Inside, the interiors are contemporary with Thai touches. Each one features a walk-in wardrobe, a flat screen television, and iPod/iPhone docking station. "The new Deluxe Garden Bungalows now give our guests superlative comfort and amenities on [...]

Recognised throughout the eastern hemisphere as the premier sailing event of its kind, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta will once more put on a spectacular display of the finest sailing talent from around the world, competing in Andaman seas to win the ‘must-have’ racing trophy in all of Asia, from 1 to 8 December, 2012. In addition to the Regatta’s gravitas in attracting sailors from over 35 countries and some of the fastest racing vessels in the region, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is also an important event for the island in terms of development and commerce. One of the longest running international sporting events in Phuket, the Regatta generates a great deal of revenue for the local economy, bringing with it sports tourists with disposable income and around 40 million Baht in tourism receipts, according to a survey by the organisers. It serves to the great benefit of Phuket’s hotels and restaurants which enjoy a surge of custom before, during and after Regatta Week. When travel, excursions and repeat visits during the year are factored in, the economic contribution of the event is likely to be in the region of 300 million Baht. The event is strongly supported by [...]

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