PHUKET is delicately poised, moving carefully along the fraying rope, tip-toeing to the other side of the chasm . . . and arrows are being fired from the jungle.
One is marked ''War.'' Another carries the label ''Avian Fowl Bird Flu and Pestilence.''
A couple have already struck home and are sticking out of Phuket's back. They are marked ''Airport Blockade'' and ''Bangkok State of Emergency.''
World F1 champ Kimi Raikkonen tries hard to stretch out a helping hand.
A smattering of junket journalists in far-flung places write some nice words about their nice, free holidays.
The global dengue fever mosquito community meet on Phuket, to show their support. The buzz, for once, is good.
Keep ducking those arrows, and Phuket might just make it to the other side . . . but it won't be easy, especially when so many are being fired at the same time.
And a cannonball labelled ''Credit Crunch'' is in the air. Maybe it's time to run for the other side. . .
Our Phuketwan forecast for the coming high season remains dismal, but perhaps not yet dire. We said it could be a disaster.
Will the good times kick back in, if Phuket's luck holds?
We don't think so. The odds against that are too great, and the timing is bad.
Resort managements remain optimistic. But then they have to be.
Desperate? Not yet. So far, it would seem, there have been no staff lay-offs, at least none that Phuketwan has been told about.
We asked the much-awarded and adventurous FantaSea how business was going. Their Director of Public Relations, Sirikun Ammaramorn, said that the 3000-seat spectacular, despite a new show, was about half full at most nightly performances (but never on Thursdays. Tigers need a day off, too).
The airport blockade over three days in August cost the show, which employs 1100 people, a huge drop in audience numbers (thank you, PAD).
She said the nightly show was reduced to 15 percent or 20 percent of capacity by the blockade. Every single group booking was cancelled. All of them.
October so far has been about 50 percent down on last year. Khun Sirikun added: ''It will take time to recover.''
But FantaSea always fights back. The show has joined road trips to Malaysia, China and Singapore, trying to stimulate new enthusiasm for Phuket.
Bookings for the high season? ''Not too much,'' she said. Yet the new show is, judging by reviews, very good.
The main target of all those FantaSea minivans that crisscross the island is tour groups from Korea and elsewhere in Asia.
When we see more vans on Phuket roads, we will know the good times are rolling again. Let's hope that's soon . . .
So far, there have been no lay-offs at FantaSea. It's the same at Simon Cabaret, where 180 staff are employed.
Vice President Pronthep Ruayrin told Phuketwan that last year was better than this year, for those same familiar reasons: blockades, emergency declarations, credit crunches, political uncertainty.
Bookings through agents were running at about 50 percent for the high season.
It seems Simon and FantaSea agree on at least one thing: the show must go on.
Phuket's resorts are not giving up, either. Here's what some told us in our latest survey:
The Phuketwan Resort Report
Kata Sea Breeze Resort (180 rooms, open 2001) The four-star reported occupancy at 70 percent. General Manager Phakee Sakulboonphanich said last year had been better. As well as the political and economic problems,there was increased competition from new resorts. Guests mostly come via agents from Scandinavia, Korea and Germany. This high season, booking are at 80 percent. Dynamic rates begin at 3800 baht, for a superior room.
Down at Rawai Friendship Beach Resort (30 rooms, open 2003) reported occupancy at 40 percent. Manager Krauvun Junvong said that last year was better than this year, and competition was coming too from new resorts. Regular guests mostly come from England and Australia. This high season, bookings are good and the resort is expecting to be nearly full. Dynamic rates begin at 1800 baht for a superior room.
At Phuket's Patong Beach heart, Aloha Villa (121 rooms, open 2003 ) reports occupancy at 70 percent. A spokeswoman for the three-star said that last year was better than this year, with villas affected by the Bangkok state of emergency and the airport blockade especially. But this high season, bookings were at 90 percent . Guests mostly come from England and France. Dynamic rates begin at 1300 baht for a standard room.
Nearby at Kalim Beach, Le Tong Beach (31 rooms, open 1998), declined to reported an occupancy rate. Manager Boonsita Unyakamol said guests are mostly from Australia and Sweden. This high season, bookings through agents are at 80 percent. But last year was better. Fortunately, the resort has regular guests. Fixed rates begin at 1200 baht for a standard room.
Further north at Kamala Beach, the Benjamin Resort (34 rooms, open 2000) reported occupancy at 30 percent. Owner Sutthichai Boonyasit said that last year was better, by around 30 percent. His guests are largely from Sweden, with high season bookings at 30 to 40 percent. Dynamic rates begin at 1200 baht, including breakfast.
A big one at Patong Beach,The Royal Paradise Hotel (350 rooms, open 1988) reports occupancy at 50 percent. General Manager Jirachai Amornphairoj said that this high season was bringing some bookings for the four-star from agents and the website, with guests mostly form Europe and Japan. Dynamic rates begin at 2800 baht, for a standard room.
Further afield at Layan Beach lies the five-starBundarika Resort Spa and Villa (20 rooms, open 2006). Occupancy rates are at 70 to 80 percent, says Vittavat Kabillaphat, assistant to the MD. The resort has 59 rooms under construction and expects these to be finished in January. This high season bookings are at 80 percent, with the house full in December. Guests are mostly from Korea, Scandinavia and the Middle East. Not far from the resort, a five-star hotel is under construction. Dynamic rates begin at 15,000 baht, including breakfast.
Back at Patong Beach, Avantika Boutique Hotel (31 rooms, open 2002) could not report an occupancy rate. Reservations Manager Vanessa Than said this year was actually better than last year, by 38 percent. Guests were mostly from Australia and Russia, the most resilient nationalities. But at this time last year, bookings for the high season were full. Dynamic rates begin at 8900 baht, for a deluxe room.
Along a more quiet stretch of beach, Naiharn Villa (18 rooms, open 1990) could not report an occupancy rate. Pranee Putphai said last year was better than this year by about 20 percent, down because of the political situation and the credit crunch. At this time last year, bookings for the high season were full. This year, bookings are at 70 percent. Guests were once mostly from England but this year they are mostly from Russia. Dynamic rates begin at 3500 baht a villa.
At up-market Surin Beach The Chedi Phuket (108 rooms, open 1995) reported occupancy at 60 percent. Sales Manager Sureerat Boonpharuk said November forward bookings were at 60 percent, confirmed by agents. Guests are mostly from Europe and Australia, although last year was better. Dynamic rates begin at 17,000 baht, for a hillside cottage.
One is marked ''War.'' Another carries the label ''Avian Fowl Bird Flu and Pestilence.''
A couple have already struck home and are sticking out of Phuket's back. They are marked ''Airport Blockade'' and ''Bangkok State of Emergency.''
World F1 champ Kimi Raikkonen tries hard to stretch out a helping hand.
A smattering of junket journalists in far-flung places write some nice words about their nice, free holidays.
The global dengue fever mosquito community meet on Phuket, to show their support. The buzz, for once, is good.
Keep ducking those arrows, and Phuket might just make it to the other side . . . but it won't be easy, especially when so many are being fired at the same time.
And a cannonball labelled ''Credit Crunch'' is in the air. Maybe it's time to run for the other side. . .
Our Phuketwan forecast for the coming high season remains dismal, but perhaps not yet dire. We said it could be a disaster.
Will the good times kick back in, if Phuket's luck holds?
We don't think so. The odds against that are too great, and the timing is bad.
Resort managements remain optimistic. But then they have to be.
Desperate? Not yet. So far, it would seem, there have been no staff lay-offs, at least none that Phuketwan has been told about.
We asked the much-awarded and adventurous FantaSea how business was going. Their Director of Public Relations, Sirikun Ammaramorn, said that the 3000-seat spectacular, despite a new show, was about half full at most nightly performances (but never on Thursdays. Tigers need a day off, too).
The airport blockade over three days in August cost the show, which employs 1100 people, a huge drop in audience numbers (thank you, PAD).
She said the nightly show was reduced to 15 percent or 20 percent of capacity by the blockade. Every single group booking was cancelled. All of them.
October so far has been about 50 percent down on last year. Khun Sirikun added: ''It will take time to recover.''
But FantaSea always fights back. The show has joined road trips to Malaysia, China and Singapore, trying to stimulate new enthusiasm for Phuket.
Bookings for the high season? ''Not too much,'' she said. Yet the new show is, judging by reviews, very good.
The main target of all those FantaSea minivans that crisscross the island is tour groups from Korea and elsewhere in Asia.
When we see more vans on Phuket roads, we will know the good times are rolling again. Let's hope that's soon . . .
So far, there have been no lay-offs at FantaSea. It's the same at Simon Cabaret, where 180 staff are employed.
Vice President Pronthep Ruayrin told Phuketwan that last year was better than this year, for those same familiar reasons: blockades, emergency declarations, credit crunches, political uncertainty.
Bookings through agents were running at about 50 percent for the high season.
It seems Simon and FantaSea agree on at least one thing: the show must go on.
Phuket's resorts are not giving up, either. Here's what some told us in our latest survey:
The Phuketwan Resort Report
Kata Sea Breeze Resort (180 rooms, open 2001) The four-star reported occupancy at 70 percent. General Manager Phakee Sakulboonphanich said last year had been better. As well as the political and economic problems,there was increased competition from new resorts. Guests mostly come via agents from Scandinavia, Korea and Germany. This high season, booking are at 80 percent. Dynamic rates begin at 3800 baht, for a superior room.
Down at Rawai Friendship Beach Resort (30 rooms, open 2003) reported occupancy at 40 percent. Manager Krauvun Junvong said that last year was better than this year, and competition was coming too from new resorts. Regular guests mostly come from England and Australia. This high season, bookings are good and the resort is expecting to be nearly full. Dynamic rates begin at 1800 baht for a superior room.
At Phuket's Patong Beach heart, Aloha Villa (121 rooms, open 2003 ) reports occupancy at 70 percent. A spokeswoman for the three-star said that last year was better than this year, with villas affected by the Bangkok state of emergency and the airport blockade especially. But this high season, bookings were at 90 percent . Guests mostly come from England and France. Dynamic rates begin at 1300 baht for a standard room.
Nearby at Kalim Beach, Le Tong Beach (31 rooms, open 1998), declined to reported an occupancy rate. Manager Boonsita Unyakamol said guests are mostly from Australia and Sweden. This high season, bookings through agents are at 80 percent. But last year was better. Fortunately, the resort has regular guests. Fixed rates begin at 1200 baht for a standard room.
Further north at Kamala Beach, the Benjamin Resort (34 rooms, open 2000) reported occupancy at 30 percent. Owner Sutthichai Boonyasit said that last year was better, by around 30 percent. His guests are largely from Sweden, with high season bookings at 30 to 40 percent. Dynamic rates begin at 1200 baht, including breakfast.
A big one at Patong Beach,The Royal Paradise Hotel (350 rooms, open 1988) reports occupancy at 50 percent. General Manager Jirachai Amornphairoj said that this high season was bringing some bookings for the four-star from agents and the website, with guests mostly form Europe and Japan. Dynamic rates begin at 2800 baht, for a standard room.
Further afield at Layan Beach lies the five-starBundarika Resort Spa and Villa (20 rooms, open 2006). Occupancy rates are at 70 to 80 percent, says Vittavat Kabillaphat, assistant to the MD. The resort has 59 rooms under construction and expects these to be finished in January. This high season bookings are at 80 percent, with the house full in December. Guests are mostly from Korea, Scandinavia and the Middle East. Not far from the resort, a five-star hotel is under construction. Dynamic rates begin at 15,000 baht, including breakfast.
Back at Patong Beach, Avantika Boutique Hotel (31 rooms, open 2002) could not report an occupancy rate. Reservations Manager Vanessa Than said this year was actually better than last year, by 38 percent. Guests were mostly from Australia and Russia, the most resilient nationalities. But at this time last year, bookings for the high season were full. Dynamic rates begin at 8900 baht, for a deluxe room.
Along a more quiet stretch of beach, Naiharn Villa (18 rooms, open 1990) could not report an occupancy rate. Pranee Putphai said last year was better than this year by about 20 percent, down because of the political situation and the credit crunch. At this time last year, bookings for the high season were full. This year, bookings are at 70 percent. Guests were once mostly from England but this year they are mostly from Russia. Dynamic rates begin at 3500 baht a villa.
At up-market Surin Beach The Chedi Phuket (108 rooms, open 1995) reported occupancy at 60 percent. Sales Manager Sureerat Boonpharuk said November forward bookings were at 60 percent, confirmed by agents. Guests are mostly from Europe and Australia, although last year was better. Dynamic rates begin at 17,000 baht, for a hillside cottage.
