ABOUT 100 people including international Sail Rally participants, Phuket marine and media representatives joined a buffet dinner and meet and greet evening at Kan Eang@Pier, Chalong, at the weekend.
The sailors arrived after a full day of visiting Phuket's major marine service suppliers including the Ao Po Grand Marina (Phuketwan's Innovation of the Year 2008 award winner), Yacht Haven Marina, Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina.
Some of the yachts that sailed the event are having work done by local Phuket businesses already. The quality and cost of work on the island is one of the big attractions for yachties.
Event organizer Bianca Hein joined Tourism Authority of Thailand North America executive Jamlong Ratanapan, TAT Phuket director Sethaphan Buddhanai and Provincial Deputy Director Piya Paratasilapin in welcoming sailors to Phuket.
Then the stage was turned over to musicians on traditional instruments and several performances featuring traditional dancing from different regions of Thailand including Isaan, the South and Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
The evening was about as delightful as any evening event on Phuket can get, with perfect weather, sea breezes, a great view over Chalong Bay and good food. (Kan Eang@Pier is the sister restaurant of Kan Eang II, Phuketwan's Restaurant of the year 2008 award winner.)
Sailors are expected to stay in Phuket to explore the region until January 21.
The Phuket portion is the last link of the five-country rally that first ran as a Sail Indonesia event and then as the Sail Malaysia Rally, both of which have been held annually since 2001.
Phuket was the final destination of the six-month sail rally that started in Darwin, Australia, and made several stops along the way before arriving to Thailand on New Year's Day.
Andaman ' Luxury Destination of Year' Boost
Latest The New York Times, still rated as one of the world's great newspapers, calls the Andaman 'The Luxury Destination of the Year' in an article that praises Phuket and Khao Lak.
Andaman ' Luxury Destination of Year' Boost
The Phuketwan Resort of the Year 2008 Award
Photo Album Phuketwan starts its second year with its first award for 2008, a new one, for the resort of the year. Take the tour of the resort we think tops the lot and sets the standard.
Phuketwan Resort of the Year 2008 Award
Phuketwan Innovation of the Year 2008 Award
Photo Album Golf and sailing vie for Phuket's top sporting spot and the latest award from Phuketwan reflects that competition. Greet this year's winner of the innovation of the year award.
Phuketwan Innovation of the Year 2008 Award
Phuketwan Attraction of the Year 2008 Award
Photo Album Happiness probably is more important than success. At least, that's the view from 2008 and the view from the base of the Phuketwan award winner of the year.
Phuketwan Attraction of the Year 2008 Award
Phuketwan Restaurant of the Year 2008 Award
After dining out at a large number of Phuket restaurants for 12 months, we have cast our votes for the Phuketwan Restaurant of the Year. With a rumble of stomachs rather than a drum roll, here it is.
Phuketwan Restaurant of the Year 2008 Award
Review: Kan Eang 2 Restaurant, Chalong Bay
Dining in Phuket often means having to choose between good service and quality or good value. Kan Eang 2 seems to have found the right blend in delivering a great dining experience on all fronts.
Kan Eang 2 Restaurant, Chalong Bay
Readers Suggest Good Phuket Restaurants
The annual Phuketwan award for the Restaurant of the Year celebrates the best in island dining. If you know a contender or you would like to help us with the 2009 awards, tell us now.
Readers Suggest Good Phuket Restaurants
The sailors arrived after a full day of visiting Phuket's major marine service suppliers including the Ao Po Grand Marina (Phuketwan's Innovation of the Year 2008 award winner), Yacht Haven Marina, Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina.
Some of the yachts that sailed the event are having work done by local Phuket businesses already. The quality and cost of work on the island is one of the big attractions for yachties.
Event organizer Bianca Hein joined Tourism Authority of Thailand North America executive Jamlong Ratanapan, TAT Phuket director Sethaphan Buddhanai and Provincial Deputy Director Piya Paratasilapin in welcoming sailors to Phuket.
Then the stage was turned over to musicians on traditional instruments and several performances featuring traditional dancing from different regions of Thailand including Isaan, the South and Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
The evening was about as delightful as any evening event on Phuket can get, with perfect weather, sea breezes, a great view over Chalong Bay and good food. (Kan Eang@Pier is the sister restaurant of Kan Eang II, Phuketwan's Restaurant of the year 2008 award winner.)
Sailors are expected to stay in Phuket to explore the region until January 21.
The Phuket portion is the last link of the five-country rally that first ran as a Sail Indonesia event and then as the Sail Malaysia Rally, both of which have been held annually since 2001.
Phuket was the final destination of the six-month sail rally that started in Darwin, Australia, and made several stops along the way before arriving to Thailand on New Year's Day.
Andaman ' Luxury Destination of Year' Boost
Latest The New York Times, still rated as one of the world's great newspapers, calls the Andaman 'The Luxury Destination of the Year' in an article that praises Phuket and Khao Lak.
Andaman ' Luxury Destination of Year' Boost
2008 Phuketwan Awards Winners
The Phuketwan Resort of the Year 2008 Award
Photo Album Phuketwan starts its second year with its first award for 2008, a new one, for the resort of the year. Take the tour of the resort we think tops the lot and sets the standard.
Phuketwan Resort of the Year 2008 Award
Phuketwan Innovation of the Year 2008 Award
Photo Album Golf and sailing vie for Phuket's top sporting spot and the latest award from Phuketwan reflects that competition. Greet this year's winner of the innovation of the year award.
Phuketwan Innovation of the Year 2008 Award
Phuketwan Attraction of the Year 2008 Award
Photo Album Happiness probably is more important than success. At least, that's the view from 2008 and the view from the base of the Phuketwan award winner of the year.
Phuketwan Attraction of the Year 2008 Award
Phuketwan Restaurant of the Year 2008 Award
After dining out at a large number of Phuket restaurants for 12 months, we have cast our votes for the Phuketwan Restaurant of the Year. With a rumble of stomachs rather than a drum roll, here it is.
Phuketwan Restaurant of the Year 2008 Award
Review: Kan Eang 2 Restaurant, Chalong Bay
Dining in Phuket often means having to choose between good service and quality or good value. Kan Eang 2 seems to have found the right blend in delivering a great dining experience on all fronts.
Kan Eang 2 Restaurant, Chalong Bay
Readers Suggest Good Phuket Restaurants
The annual Phuketwan award for the Restaurant of the Year celebrates the best in island dining. If you know a contender or you would like to help us with the 2009 awards, tell us now.
Readers Suggest Good Phuket Restaurants
