KATA is suddenly hot. A walking street is now being proposed for the road alongside the new Karon municipal offices, which sit, strange as it seems, in the next beach suburb, Kata.
An arcade of glass-fronted shops is being built alongside the Kata Beach Resort, part of a stylish upgrade that has transformed the southern end of Kata, one street back from Kata beach.
During the day, seung-tao buses queue in the street to take tourists to other parts of the island.
But at night, with traffic to the beach almost non-existent and the seung-taos gone for the day, the potential for a walking street becomes evident.
Out the front of the Kata Beach Resort, a herd of elephants now cavort under waterspouts.
There are nine elephants, out of respect for The King, and a large new sign for Kata Beach Resort.
Before the herd came along, there was a wall here and no connection with the interior of the resort.
Inside, the transformation is just as visible.
Renovations have opened up villas to include swimming pools.
There is also a sea view across to Crab Island from the upper floors of the 20 Grand Pool Access'villas, which are being aimed at European honeymooners.
A spa has been added as part of the upgrade, the Kanda Spa, the Kata Group's brand.
There are four Kata Group resorts, three on Phuket and the latest, the Kandaburi Resort and Spa, on Samui.
It is hoped the walking street arcade will be complete ready for 2008. Rain has caused building delays.
The Kata Beach resort really buzzes for the King's Cup, and the walking street is likely to make the 2008 event even livelier.
DON'T MISS DIARY: December 13 marks the ground-breaking ceremony for the Absolute Sea Pearl Villas and Spa Resort in Patong.
The billion-baht project includes a David Lloyd Sports club. The brand, well known in Britain, is the first David Lloyd ownership resort in Asia.
Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit and Air Chief Marshall Kongsak Vantana, the former Interior Minister, are due to attend.
An arcade of glass-fronted shops is being built alongside the Kata Beach Resort, part of a stylish upgrade that has transformed the southern end of Kata, one street back from Kata beach.
During the day, seung-tao buses queue in the street to take tourists to other parts of the island.
But at night, with traffic to the beach almost non-existent and the seung-taos gone for the day, the potential for a walking street becomes evident.
Out the front of the Kata Beach Resort, a herd of elephants now cavort under waterspouts.
There are nine elephants, out of respect for The King, and a large new sign for Kata Beach Resort.
Before the herd came along, there was a wall here and no connection with the interior of the resort.
Inside, the transformation is just as visible.
Renovations have opened up villas to include swimming pools.
There is also a sea view across to Crab Island from the upper floors of the 20 Grand Pool Access'villas, which are being aimed at European honeymooners.
A spa has been added as part of the upgrade, the Kanda Spa, the Kata Group's brand.
There are four Kata Group resorts, three on Phuket and the latest, the Kandaburi Resort and Spa, on Samui.
It is hoped the walking street arcade will be complete ready for 2008. Rain has caused building delays.
The Kata Beach resort really buzzes for the King's Cup, and the walking street is likely to make the 2008 event even livelier.
DON'T MISS DIARY: December 13 marks the ground-breaking ceremony for the Absolute Sea Pearl Villas and Spa Resort in Patong.
The billion-baht project includes a David Lloyd Sports club. The brand, well known in Britain, is the first David Lloyd ownership resort in Asia.
Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit and Air Chief Marshall Kongsak Vantana, the former Interior Minister, are due to attend.
