PHUKET breezes will be put to good use during the first international Paragliding Fun Fly over three days in May this year.

The President of the Paragliding Phuket Association, dentist Prasert Theplaong, won the agreement of Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob yesterday to hold Phuket's first celebration of paragliding from May 21-23.

Already about 40 participants from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Switzerland, Austria and France have expressed interest in joining the event.

About 200 paragliders enjoy the sport in Thailand. Paragliders usually hang from a harness beneath gliding wings, with a motor strapped to their backs

''It's not a cheap sport because of the cost of the equipment,'' Khun Prasert said. The motorised one-person gliders sell for up to 200,000 baht.

The competition will be held at Cape Promthep, at an area known as Kho Dang, near the landmark wind-power turbine.

Paragliders already use this part of the island because it provides a cliff face take-off and good air conditions. It's also extremely scenic, with gliders able to do fly-pasts of the Big Buddha.

Governor Wichai said he was keen to develop the sport on Phuket for the benefit of the local tourism industry.

A European pair who recently won a competition to promote Phuket online were both fulltime para-gliders.

Laguna Phuket also plans to promote the sport of Thai kick-boxing in May, which traditionally sees the surfing season begin on Phuket as well.