Photo Album: Annissa in Bali
SUN, sand, sea and surf: that's the Summer message for Phuket with the Thai Surf Series continuing this month at Kamala from August 14-16.
Young island surfer Annissa Flynn is likely to be among the stars, having just returned from a visit to Bali courtesy of Quiksilver for the King of the Grom event at Kuta Beach from July 9-12.
As it happens, Annissa did not make the finals but then at 10, she has plenty more years of surfing ahead.
Her debut at Kalim in the first of the three Phuket events this monsoon season won applause from the crowd.
She started surfing just two years ago but her affinity with the water may go all the way back to her underwater birth in a spa bath in Sydney.
Surfing is her passion now but she also shares the same concern that many young people have for the planet.
''I wish people wouldn't use so many plastic bags so we don't find them in the surf,'' she told an interviewer.
As Annissa demonstrates, Phuket is a great place to learn to surf.
The Kamala King of the Jungle title will be followed rapidly by the Island Crown title at Kata from September 4-6.
Surfers on boards can be seen more frequently these days off Phuket beaches, as the sport adds to the array of activities found on Phuket. Surfing has the added advantage of making the water safer for others, too.
More on Phuket's surfing competitions at thaisurfseries.com
Update: Turtle Lands in Patong, Then Vanishes
Photo Album Just about the whole Phuket holiday town of Patong was looking for a turtle that landed onshore near Loma Park this morning, then apparently was ''turtlenapped.''
Update: Turtle Lands in Patong, Then Vanishes
Phuket's Giant Turtle Wins His Freedom
Latest A giant turtle, treated on Phuket after suffering a wound at the hands of illegal fishermen, has recovered and been freed. A microchip will track his movements.
Phuket's Giant Turtle Wins His Freedom
Phuket Surfer Riding High at Surin: Photo Special
Photo Special Phuket beaches grow more turbulent in Summer but at one of them, Surin, an American surfer is offering a commonsense recipe for survival and fun in the sea.
Phuket Surfer Riding High at Surin: Photo Special
Latest Phuketwan News
MediaWATCH: Phuket To Have a Nuclear Neighbor
Latest News Phuket and Thailand will get a nuclear neighbor within five years if Burma and North Korea have their way, usually reliable sources report.
MediaWATCH: Phuket To Have a Nuclear Neighbor
Phi Phi Deaths Riddle: 'It's Finished,' say Police
Latest Three months on, families in the US and Norway still await a reason why their daughters died in mysterious circumstances on the Thai holiday island of Phi Phi
Phi Phi Deaths Riddle: 'It's Finished,' say Police
Ancient Phuket Giants Fall to Timber Poachers
Latest Phuket loses some mahogany giants to timber poaches, and the governor warns that people need to be on the lookout to prevent more heritage destruction.
Ancient Phuket Giants Fall to Timber Poachers
Motorcycle Rock Throwers Held for Attempted Murder
LatestLike paid assassins, the youths rode alongside a target vehicle then hurled a rock through the windscreen. Now four Phang Nga boys face attempted murder charges.
Motorcycle Rock Throwers Held for Attempted Murder
Green Ban Halts Fast Patong-Chalong Road
Latest A new road between Patong and Chalong that would cut the time and distance to one quarter has been blocked, much to the Governor's displeasure.
Green Ban Halts Fast Patong-Chalong Road
New Andaman Travel Slogan Comes With Music
Latest Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga have a new slogan to speed recovery. Wait for it: Three Destinations, One Thousand Activities. A music fest, flights and fairs are coming.
New Andaman Travel Slogan Comes With Music
MediaWATCH: 'Missing' US Student Jets Out
News Digest 'Lost' US student turns up, safe; Suvarnabhumi crackdown on luggage theft; Deputy PM to stay home; Malaysia human rights concern; Japan, Cambodia tourism down.
MediaWATCH: 'Missing' US Student Jets Out
MediaWATCH: Tourism Dollar Slides in Thailand
News Digest Asia Pacific reports Bangkok, Phuket down; Terrorist claims Jakarta credit; Hunt for US visitor; Burma strategy; malaria alarm; the Schu returns to F1; Westin for Phuket.
MediaWATCH: Tourism Dollar Slides in Thailand
MediaWATCH: Thailand Worst for Crime, say Brits
News Digest A survey of Britons reveals Thailand is tops for crime; Michael Jackson's doctor accused; H1N1 virus vaccine in short supply; China investing in Thailand; Next it's Thaksin TV.
MediaWATCH: Thailand Worst for Crime, say Brits
