GIVEN the trials and tribulations of Phuket over the past few years, from a tsunami to swine flu, nothing short of a nuclear war could stop the island now . . . .
That mysterious cargo ship from North Korea, being shadowed by a US destroyer, couldn't possibly be heading this way, could it?
Well, we certainly hope not . . .
For those who do believe in portents, it's probably significant that Phuket Fashion Week & Music Festival begins today and leads on to the halfway mark of a year that could best be described as the downhill part of a rollercoaster ride.
A lot of people are gripping the sides of the carriage, trying not to scream, and hoping the slope ends soon.
One of those who firmly believes the uphill part is about to start is Prawit Janyasittikul, Chief Executive Officer of Jungceylon, now the retail heartbeat of Patong.
Fashion Week is not just making a statement about what women will be wearing next high season. It's all about belief in Phuket.
''You have to be positive,'' he told Phuketwan in an interview on the run last night. ''We believe in Phuket. That's why we are here.''
The plot is drifting away from the script a little, what with that nuclear standoff on the high seas and thousands of US sailors due to anchor off Phuket for R&R the day after the fashion shows begin.
Sailor meets Model as the fate of the world hangs on the brink . . . Could it be that Phuket's luck is finally changing for the better?
Khun Prawit's faith has never wavered, which is why Phuket is gaining such a big-production event, with lights, cameras and action, just when others are thinking about giving up.
The show must go on, and what a show it will be, with 1000 seats for three modelling sessions each day, the first of them free, pop concerts each night and special after-performance parties.
When Jungceylon opened, some people thought that Patong's wicked reputation would win out. How wrong those doubters have been proved.
''Fashion week will definitely be a highlight for us all,'' Khun Prawit said.
''I believe this event will make Phuket better-known as a world class destination among tourists all over the globe.
''I am looking forward to it. Everything now is ready for the show.''
Jungceylon has had the support of the Phoenix Agency and local resorts, clubs and restaurants in presenting the week.
It's a bit like community action at the top end of town. Instead of cleaning up the beaches, cpr is being applied to bring tourism back to life.
''I think maybe the last quarter will see everything turn around,'' Khun Prawit said. ''The situation on Phuket will improve. Think positive.''
He sees Phuket's future as a highly competitive one, and says a duty-free economic zone would be difficult for any government to embrace because of the revenue that the island generates.
''Once we have had the whole week, we will look at the feedback from tourists and expats and assess whether we can do it all again next year.''
Jungceylon attracts about 20,000 visitors a day at this time of the year, compared to 35,000 a day in the high season.
The free catwalk shows begin at 2pm daily, with ticketted events each evening.
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Photo Album Many of Thailand's top models are on Phuket for Fashion Week . . . and the after show parties. At the preview party, there was plenty of evidence that good times lie ahead.
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Phuket Fashion & Music Week, Patong, June 24-30
Photo Album High stepping models strutted their stuff in Patong at the preview of the first Fashion Week at Jungceylon that promises parades and a party every night.
Phuket Fashion & Music Week, Patong, June 24-30
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Photo Album Many of Thailand's top models are on Phuket for Fashion Week . . . and the after show parties. At the preview party, there was plenty of evidence that good times lie ahead.
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Phuket Hotels Asked to 'Help Security Clamp'
Latest The Immigration Department is asking all Phuket hotels and guesthouses to supply information about newly arrived guests as part of a security clamp for leader summits.
Phuket Hotels Told to 'Help Security Clamp'
Phuket Timeshare Touts Take to Two Wheels
Latest Officials in the Phuket beach resort of Karon are concerned about a new trend for expat and Thai timeshare touts to take to two wheels to tempt tourists along the beachfront.
Phuket Timeshare Touts Take to Two Wheels
Burma's Secret Exodus: The Illegal Road to Patong
Latest News Phuket and Patong especially rely on large numbers of Burmese workers. Now, as a registration deadline draws near, authorities are cracking down on secret voyagers.
Burma's Secret Exodus: The Illegal Road to Patong
Phuket Property Market Remains All at Sea
Showhouse Selloffs Some Phuket developers have been forced to sell showhouses as a property industry leader warns there could be 12 months of pain ahead.
Phuket Property Market Remains All at Sea
Phuket 'Ground Zero' for Nuclear Truce Talks
Disarming Discussions Phuket is being proposed as an ideal site in July for the US, Japan, China, Russia and South Korea to meet over nuclear rogue state North Korea.
Phuket 'Ground Zero' for Nuclear Truce Talks
Phuket a Haven for Lone-Hand 'Pirate' Sailor
Tour the Boat Pirates? No pirates, says a truly lone handed sailor, Akito Yonago, who is safe in Phuket after concerns he could have been taken by pirates. But he is taken by Phuket.
Phuket a Haven for Lone-Hand 'Pirate' Sailor
That mysterious cargo ship from North Korea, being shadowed by a US destroyer, couldn't possibly be heading this way, could it?
Well, we certainly hope not . . .
For those who do believe in portents, it's probably significant that Phuket Fashion Week & Music Festival begins today and leads on to the halfway mark of a year that could best be described as the downhill part of a rollercoaster ride.
A lot of people are gripping the sides of the carriage, trying not to scream, and hoping the slope ends soon.
One of those who firmly believes the uphill part is about to start is Prawit Janyasittikul, Chief Executive Officer of Jungceylon, now the retail heartbeat of Patong.
Fashion Week is not just making a statement about what women will be wearing next high season. It's all about belief in Phuket.
''You have to be positive,'' he told Phuketwan in an interview on the run last night. ''We believe in Phuket. That's why we are here.''
The plot is drifting away from the script a little, what with that nuclear standoff on the high seas and thousands of US sailors due to anchor off Phuket for R&R the day after the fashion shows begin.
Sailor meets Model as the fate of the world hangs on the brink . . . Could it be that Phuket's luck is finally changing for the better?
Khun Prawit's faith has never wavered, which is why Phuket is gaining such a big-production event, with lights, cameras and action, just when others are thinking about giving up.
The show must go on, and what a show it will be, with 1000 seats for three modelling sessions each day, the first of them free, pop concerts each night and special after-performance parties.
When Jungceylon opened, some people thought that Patong's wicked reputation would win out. How wrong those doubters have been proved.
''Fashion week will definitely be a highlight for us all,'' Khun Prawit said.
''I believe this event will make Phuket better-known as a world class destination among tourists all over the globe.
''I am looking forward to it. Everything now is ready for the show.''
Jungceylon has had the support of the Phoenix Agency and local resorts, clubs and restaurants in presenting the week.
It's a bit like community action at the top end of town. Instead of cleaning up the beaches, cpr is being applied to bring tourism back to life.
''I think maybe the last quarter will see everything turn around,'' Khun Prawit said. ''The situation on Phuket will improve. Think positive.''
He sees Phuket's future as a highly competitive one, and says a duty-free economic zone would be difficult for any government to embrace because of the revenue that the island generates.
''Once we have had the whole week, we will look at the feedback from tourists and expats and assess whether we can do it all again next year.''
Jungceylon attracts about 20,000 visitors a day at this time of the year, compared to 35,000 a day in the high season.
The free catwalk shows begin at 2pm daily, with ticketted events each evening.
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Photo Album Many of Thailand's top models are on Phuket for Fashion Week . . . and the after show parties. At the preview party, there was plenty of evidence that good times lie ahead.
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Phuket Fashion & Music Week, Patong, June 24-30
Photo Album High stepping models strutted their stuff in Patong at the preview of the first Fashion Week at Jungceylon that promises parades and a party every night.
Phuket Fashion & Music Week, Patong, June 24-30
Phuketwan Phuket News
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Photo Album Many of Thailand's top models are on Phuket for Fashion Week . . . and the after show parties. At the preview party, there was plenty of evidence that good times lie ahead.
Phuket Fashion Week: Preview Party Special
Phuket Hotels Asked to 'Help Security Clamp'
Latest The Immigration Department is asking all Phuket hotels and guesthouses to supply information about newly arrived guests as part of a security clamp for leader summits.
Phuket Hotels Told to 'Help Security Clamp'
Phuket Timeshare Touts Take to Two Wheels
Latest Officials in the Phuket beach resort of Karon are concerned about a new trend for expat and Thai timeshare touts to take to two wheels to tempt tourists along the beachfront.
Phuket Timeshare Touts Take to Two Wheels
Burma's Secret Exodus: The Illegal Road to Patong
Latest News Phuket and Patong especially rely on large numbers of Burmese workers. Now, as a registration deadline draws near, authorities are cracking down on secret voyagers.
Burma's Secret Exodus: The Illegal Road to Patong
Phuket Property Market Remains All at Sea
Showhouse Selloffs Some Phuket developers have been forced to sell showhouses as a property industry leader warns there could be 12 months of pain ahead.
Phuket Property Market Remains All at Sea
Phuket 'Ground Zero' for Nuclear Truce Talks
Disarming Discussions Phuket is being proposed as an ideal site in July for the US, Japan, China, Russia and South Korea to meet over nuclear rogue state North Korea.
Phuket 'Ground Zero' for Nuclear Truce Talks
Phuket a Haven for Lone-Hand 'Pirate' Sailor
Tour the Boat Pirates? No pirates, says a truly lone handed sailor, Akito Yonago, who is safe in Phuket after concerns he could have been taken by pirates. But he is taken by Phuket.
Phuket a Haven for Lone-Hand 'Pirate' Sailor
How has nuclear war found its way into an article about Phuket Fashion Week? Laughably over the top. "Fashion Week is not just making a statement about what women will be wearing next high season. It's all about belief in Phuket." What a load of rubbish. Can't you keep this sort of stuff in quotes?
Editor: Of course it's over the top. Are you a little slow, or just short of fun in life?
Posted by Anonymous on June 24, 2009 10:31