Central Plaza Hotel Public Company Limited is a Thailand-based company engaged in the operation of hotels and others services. The Company operates in hotel business and restaurant business. The Company owns and operates hotels and resorts, as well as manages hotels and resorts under management agreement across Thailand and other countries, including Centara Grand at CentralWorld, Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi, Centara Villas Phuket and Novotel Centara Hat Yai, among others. It also operates quick service restaurant and fast food concepts, which are KFC, Mister Donut, Auntie Annes and Pepper Lunch, Beard Papas and Chabuton, Cold Stone Creamery, among others. Its subsidiaries include Centara Learning Centre Company Limited, Kata Phuket Hotel Company Limited, and others.
0 Comments
Return to Phuket Zoo
I have visited Phuket Zoo in Thailand before. It was about two years ago. I wasn't impressed then and I wasn't on this visit either. I was in two minds about visiting at all as I was in the tail end of a fever and feeling a bit crotchety. In the end I decided to go. As long as my report was honest, which this is, then my health should not come into it. The entrance fee was a hefty 500 Baht for adults and 300 Baht for children. I daresay that there is a special, much lower price for Thai nationals. The zoo was not busy during my visit but there was a steady flow of people. I reckon that the very minimum number of adult visitors they get in a day is 100 and probably double plus is a more realistic figure. So on the lowest they are taking would be 50,000 Baht each day. This is not money to be sneezed at in Thailand and impressions within the zoo did not reflect this. The zoo claims to cover 24 acres but I honestly doubt if it is even half that. It also claims a 100 species but I note that several mentioned on the sign at the entrance are no longer there. I noted also there appeared to be far less tigers than on my last visit. I wonder where they went? The zoo was much as I remembered it. Impressive entrance, lovely gardens and nice (mainly) neat paths. To really stretch the nice things to say I should mention that most of the enclosures were clean. Signage Just about every cage and enclosure saying either 'Danger', 'Do not bang on cage' or 'Animal bites'. Only about a dozen cages in the whole zoo actually had a label on it saying what was inside. These were largely illegible and neither use nor ornament. The exception was the Aquarium where there were a number of good 'mind bite' signs of just the kind I like. Sadly most of these were unlit so you could not read them. In the main, those you could read did not refer to the occupants. So from an educational point of view the zoo was a complete non starter. This place prides itself with its Monkey Show, Crocodile Show and Elephant Show. Monkeys riding bicycles and elephants dancing does nothing for me. None of these are educational, it is just animal abuse by another name. I don't condemn the staff here because in all honesty they know no better. Safety It isn't safe. Definitely not. Sticking a few warning notices up is not the answer. Putting a double gauged strongly wired high barrier to protect people from touching three mean looking mature primates is one thing but leaving the gate in the barrier wide open makes it completely pointless. And whereas I know it is done in some places failing to have trap off facilities or even double doors on mature macaques is the height of stupidity. Even the tiger enclosures were not safe. There was virtually no supervision and with very little effort I could have let them out without anyone being any the wiser. Enrichment They have obviously not even heard of the word. There was no evidenceto suggest that any form of enrichment has ever taken place. Evenperching was at a minimum. So sad because it could so easily be putright. A swing or similar could transform a primates life. Conservation I cannot really say here but as far as I am aware Phuket Zoo is not a member of any zoo Breeding Programmes, nor do I think it should be without a radical change in management and structure. I am also unaware of Phuket zoo making any sort of contribution to in-situ conservation. Animals With the possible exception of the Smooth Otter, Mouse Deer, FishingCat and the Hornbills there are no species of extra special note.There are an overabundance of Peafowl and Siamese Crocodiles.Most of the animals appeared to be in fair physical condition apartfrom the scrawny deer which were dotted about. Footnote Directly opposite the zoo entrance there is a huge newly built mansion. Now I don't know because no-one told me but I don't think I would be wrong at guessing that the zoo owner lived there. If it is the case then that is where all the money is going because it certainly is not going into the zoo. I am not against anyone making a buck or two but if animals suffer as a result then I can only condemn. Phuket Zoo is a Bad Zoo. It is not a good zoo and any reputable collection deals with it at their peril. Management cannot argue that they do not have the money. http://hubpages.com/animals/Phuket-Zoo-in-Thailand The Verge
Trending now Watch two men in jetpacks chase a jumbo jet in the sky above Dubai HTC is literally kicking apples in its iPhone-bashing commercial Mossberg: It's time for Google to make its own hardware Stare into this 4K video of the Sun for half an hour34New articlesPrevious November 05, 20151:14 PMThe Vergecast will be live today at 4:30pm ET!1:02 PMComcast is bringing monthly data caps to more cities1:00 PMPebble Time Round review12:56 PMYouTube adds stereoscopic VR, 'virtual movie theater' for Google Cardboard12:53 PMIf the UK government collects browsing data, one day it will be public12:32 PMWatch a new trailer for Quentin Tarantino's upcoming The Hateful Eight12:31 PMAdidas offers design resources to schools looking to ditch racist mascots12:00 PMThis new router lets you spy on what everyone in the house is doing11:54 AM183 scientists sign letter asking BMJ to retract its bogus nutrition investigation11:34 AMThis smartphone you can smoke is the ultimate vaporware10:57 AMTSA remains terrible at securing transportation, Homeland Security internal report shows10:50 AMThe fight against sexist stock photography10:36 AMWatch this new Fallout 4 trailer to see what awaits in the wasteland10:10 AMFinland's new national emoji include a heavy metal guy and a Nokia 331010:08 AMDJI buys a minority stake in camera company Hasselblad10:06 AMWatch a mini-martial artist chop and kick through Sia's video for 'Alive'10:00 AMFacebook adds song clips from Spotify and Apple Music to your News Feed9:50 AMWatch the first trailer for Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass9:45 AMWhite House releases full text of controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership9:32 AMA Google engineer is testing USB Type-C cables so you don't have to9:31 AMSony's PlayStation Vue picks up ESPN, Disney, and ABC in huge content deal9:06 AMHTC is literally kicking apples in its iPhone-bashing commercial9:03 AMYou can now drive Fallout's post-apocalyptic cars in Forza 69:00 AMKarma launches its first ever subscription data plan8:44 AMMysterious electric car maker Faraday Future says it'll spend $1 billion on a US factory soon8:34 AMThe official Fallout 4 Pip-Boy app is now available to download8:30 AM'Light field' camera maker Lytro announces professional VR video rig8:30 AMThis tiny disc turns analog watches into smartwatches7:35 AMThis Bond supercut will remind you how silly 007's gadgets are7:30 AMPoll: How many remote controls do you have?6:20 AMApple is securing a plot of land even bigger than the spaceship campus5:39 AMWatch two men in jetpacks chase a jumbo jet in the sky above Dubai4:59 AMBBC opens digital store to buy and download shows4:36 AMEven Samsung's tiny Tizen OS is now bigger than BlackBerry12:19 AMRustie's new album EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE is available now November 04, 201510:48 PMStare into this 4K video of the Sun for half an hour7:25 PMExpedia just bought an Airbnb competitor for $3.9 billion6:45 PMOne of Uber's rivals is hoping you hate surge pricing enough to switch apps6:26 PMFacebook is helping campaigns target politically active users6:12 PMExclusive NBA content is headed to Verizon's Go90 app5:49 PMFacebook videos reach 8 billion views per day5:36 PMLouisiana booksellers sue to block law that could make them verify ages online5:18 PMBernie Sanders introduces legislation to legalize recreational marijuana5:00 PMCancer cells from a tapeworm form tumors in patient with HIV4:49 PMKickstarter surpasses $2 billion in pledges4:31 PMKal Penn is making a comedy about TV news for ABC4:17 PMFacebook now averages over 1 billion active users every day4:16 PMMotorola is opening its own 'boutique' Moto Shop in Chicago4:05 PMDo more women actually own game consoles than men? It's hard to say4:02 PMThe federal government doesn't know how to regulate Tesla's autopilot software3:28 PMFacebook's Notify news app reportedly launching next week2:00 PMSamsung announces its first 4K laptop, the ATIV Book 9 Pro1:51 PMNapster is bringing its streaming music service back to Canada1:36 PMGenentech drug adds antibiotics to proteins to fight hidden bacteria1:29 PMPorsche, Audi, and Volkswagen have stopped selling a bunch more cars due to emissions concerns1:22 PMA new Android One phone will launch in India soon1:15 PMThese new Star Wars: The Force Awakens posters get up close and personal12:47 PMWhy can't Kesha just release a mixtape?12:46 PMRyan Reynolds should celebrate every holiday as Deadpool12:09 PMTime Warner plans to win back cord cutters by showing fewer ads12:00 PMFrance is lifting its ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men11:48 AMThe best smartwatch for Android11:48 AMThe best smartwatch for the iPhone11:38 AMThis robotic finger will really push your buttons11:35 AMThe pleasant, slippery logic of Floating Points' Elaenia10:58 AMApple's sapphire glass supplier has cut a deal to get out of its $439 million debt10:56 AMCibele is a game about the muddled reality of video games and online love10:40 AMReddit launches its first documentary series10:30 AMIn Spotlight, old-school journalism is its own kind of thrill ride10:29 AMThe Halo franchise has made more than $5 billion10:21 AMShane Carruth's next movie will star Anne Hathaway, Keanu Reeves, and Daniel Radcliffe10:03 AMInside the 50-year quest to build a mechanical heart10:02 AMUS Air Force's experimental rocket spirals out of control after launching from Hawaii9:00 AMThe new Hiku smart kitchen button can do your grocery shopping9:00 AMMossberg: It's time for Google to make its own hardware8:49 AMUK surveillance laws will keep citizens' internet history on file for 12 months8:38 AMApple considered making a car in 2008, says Nest's Tony Fadell8:34 AMMicrosoft opens up its Cortana for iPhone beta7:30 AMFirst Click: The Apple TV changed my mind about gaming6:05 AMGoogle says EU antitrust charges don't take into account that search is free5:20 AMGoogle's security audit of the Galaxy S6 Edge illustrates Android's vulnerability4:41 AMApple will launch a new 4-inch iPhone early next year, says analyst4:17 AMThousands of job cuts coming at Sprint4:11 AMChina has been burning way more coal than previously reported2:47 AMEmoji Keyboards put ghosts and smiling poop at your fingertips12:49 AMVirgin Galactic is planning to show off its next spaceship in February 201612:01 AMThe Weeknd is teaming up with Pax Labs to create the ultimate fashion vape November 03, 201511:56 PMSan Francisco votes against limiting short-term Airbnb rentals11:35 PMMoon director Duncan Jones is making another sci-fi movie before Warcraft is out10:22 PMFacebook is building artificial intelligence to finally beat humans at Go9:56 PMOhio votes against legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana9:07 PMFormer wireless charging rivals join forces as new AirFuel Alliance8:19 PMYou can now turn your Apple Watch into a Fallout Pip-Boy7:39 PMWhat you need to know about humankind's search for alien life7:15 PMToyota builds a 26-foot-long limo pickup truck, because why not6:12 PMGoogle is giving $2.35 million in grants to groups fighting racism6:09 PMUber is testing a commuter service between San Francisco and Silicon Valley6:00 PMTesla is going to lock down Autopilot so it's harder to do stupid things with it5:51 PMThe Nexus 6P will snap in half if you try to snap it in half5:45 PMComcast charging extra $35 for Atlanta customers who want unlimited data5:37 PMChina debuts new commercial airliner to compete with Boeing 7375:27 PMNetflix may start producing Bollywood and anime programming4:44 PMThe movie industry says it killed Popcorn Time4:31 PMUber wants to help its US drivers get bank accounts4:28 PMTesla says it's on track to show the Model 3 in March 20164:02 PMFormer Twitter manager blasts company over diversity problem3:38 PMGood samaritan helpfully corrects a Netflix HQ sign3:27 PMReview: Spectre returns Bond to the ham-fisted days of Roger Moore3:24 PMNASA captures detailed radar images of Halloween asteroid3:05 PMSlack wants to hire a cab or check the weather for you3:00 PMIf you can't live without Twitter's 'favorite' star, you can bring it back2:57 PMWatch the first trailer for Chi-raq, Amazon's first original film2:42 PMWatch the first bit of footage from Duncan Jones' Warcraft movie2:30 PMTesting cars is so physically punishing on humans, Ford is licensing automakers a robotic replacement2:16 PMA cartoonist turned the iTunes Terms of Service into a 47-page graphic novel1:54 PMVice's cable channel, Viceland, will launch February 20161:16 PMPlayStation Now adds 105 games to its subscription streaming service1:08 PMJon Stewart has signed a four-year contract with HBO1:01 PMStar Trek is a big, but necessary investment in CBS's streaming future1:00 PMSundance Institute opens residency for virtual reality filmmakers1:00 PMPinterest launches dedicated shopping section12:55 PMGoPro is being sued by the company behind the Polaroid Cube12:28 PMThis animated music video is like a massage for your brain12:28 PMExploit traders say million-dollar iPhone hack has been claimed12:19 PMStar Wars cast members want to let a dying fan see The Force Awakens early12:07 PMMicrosoft is breaking its cloud-first promise11:33 AMVolkswagen's US sales go up in October, despite diesel emissions scandal11:15 AMSurface Book teardown shows it's nearly impossible to fix it yourself10:55 AMGaming's classiest magazine wants to put real money behind longform journalism10:50 AMLG V10 review10:49 AMKey and Peele are making a stop-motion comedy about demons and goth teens10:40 AMSennheiser's new Orpheus headphones will cost you EUR50,00010:39 AMAmazon adds paternity leave policy, improves maternity leave for full-time employees10:28 AMFirefox now blocks ads and trackers in Private Browsing mode10:02 AMSling TV now works with Google's Chromecast10:01 AMGoogle's Inbox email app gets intelligent quick replies10:00 AMTwitter officially kills off favorites and replaces them with likes9:39 AMBBC is making a His Dark Materials series to make up for The Golden Compass movie8:11 AMGerman photographer uses bare breasts to protest Facebook hate speech7:42 AMPuzzlephone's simple modular smartphone hits Indiegogo7:30 AMThe Apple TV moved to HDMI 1 in just four days6:50 AMCompany behind the Keystone XL pipeline plots course around Obama6:02 AMBentley's emotion-reading app tells unfeeling billionaires which car to buy4:45 AMPC makers have a year left to sell new Windows 7 machines4:38 AMThe phablet of smartwatches is shipping next year3:52 AMEdward Snowden's favorite encrypted chat app is now on Android12:40 AMMicrosoft reduces free OneDrive storage and removes unlimited optionNextMenuLog in %] and ...[%= data.comments.length - data.settings.autoUpdateAlertMaxShown %] more. [% %][%= data.comment.body %] [% if (data.comment.id) %]Posted on[%= data.comment.created_on %][% if (data.comment.is_editable) %]Edit[% %][% if (data.comment.parent_id) %]Up[% %][% if (!data.context.comments_closed) %]Reply[% %][% if (data.context.able_to_comment) %][% var rec_class = [] %][% if (data.comment.is_recommended) rec_class.push('recommended') %][% if (data.comment.is_recommended_by_user) rec_class.push('user_recommended') %][% rec_class = rec_class.join(' ') %][% var rec_text = data.comment.is_recommended_by_user ? 'Unrec' : 'Rec' %][% if (!data.comment.is_flagged_by_user && data.comment.user_id != data.context.user_id) %][%= rec_text %]ommend[% if (data.comment.recommended_flags_count > 0) %]([%= data.comment.recommended_flags_count %])[% %][% else if (data.comment.recommended_flags_count > 0) %]Recommend([%= data.comment.recommended_flags_count %])[% %][% if (!data.comment.is_recommended_by_user) %][%= data.comment.is_flagged_by_user ? 'Unflag' : 'Flag' %][% %][% if (data.context.able_to_moderate) %][% if (data.comment.bad_flags_count > 0) %]Inspect Flags ([%= data.comment.bad_flags_count %])[% %]ActionsSpam BanDelete[%= data.comment.hidden ? 'Unhide' : 'Hide' %]Inspect User[% %][% %][% %] [% if (data.comment.is_editable) %][% %] Perhaps the easiest way would be to compare it to a super-sexy but rebellious supermodel.
The Naomi Campbell of the tourist trail. What plagues Thailand's biggest island is a reputation for petty crime, unsafe roads, aggressive taxi drivers, jet-ski scams and over-developed beaches. Thai authorities promise they're working to rebuild the island's reputation as a family-friendly holiday destination by cleaning up these messes. (Whether their efforts are cosmetic or concrete will play out in the months and years to come.) But there is, of course, another, far more positive Phuket. That would be the one that pulls in about a couple million visitors a year, including the world's rich and famous, who come for world-class luxury resorts, spectacular diving, island hopping, beach bumming, dining and nightlife. Too tempted to resist? Here's a quick guide to the best of Phuket. Hotels Luxury Trisara Trisara's pool villas look like they pour right onto the treetops, with the Andaman Sea within reach. A surprisingly child-friendly super luxury offering -- the kids' club is impressive -- Trisara's 39 villas represent no nonsense, non-gimmicky tropical cool. Marble-tiled bathrooms and plenty of white paint make the one- and two-bedroom pool villas refreshingly bright and airy. For larger parties, some of the 18 residential villas, ranging from two to five bedrooms, are put back into the rental pool, with the huge, four-bedroom oceanfront residence holding bragging rights thanks to a 30-meter-long private pool. Sri Panwa Sitting on the edge of the Cape Panwa peninsula, Sri Panwa is the coolest of Phuket's luxe accommodation offerings. The vibe on this best of Phuket resort is young and hip, lacking the stuffy air of pretentiousness found in many of the island's top hotels. If you're particular about personal space ask for the adjoining villas, FS1/1 and FS1/2. Looking to hold a big blowout? The five-bedroom pool villa A5 is 2,000 square meters and has a 300-degree view of the islands off the cape. Sri Panwa recently took delivery of a 14-meter speedboat that holds up to 20 passengers, which guests can charter to check out the nearby island, such as Koh Maiton, Phang Nga and the Similans. The boat's name is Free Willy, making it the perfect yacht for a stag party, no? Indigo Pearl This artsy island retreat advertsises "the most luxurious private pool villas in Phuket." We can't say we've seen every private pool villa in Phuket but we've seen more than a few and these ones definitely make a case for themselves as top of the class. Rooms come with neat designer touches and pillow menus. The Coqoon Spa is a bit gaudy but fun. It looks a place where the truly special might convene for tribal council. The whole place exudes tropical class -- raw timber, brass rivets, swaying palms, lots of landscaped greenery -- and there's a nice Thai restaurant on site. Mid-range Baan Krating This mid-priced Phuket resort with a jungle vibe is on Ao Sane Bay, just north of Nai Harn beach in the south. Bungalows are tucked hillside, leading down to a small private beach. With plenty of natural charm and lots of tall old trees on a secluded hillside, those who associate Phuket with overdeveloped modernity will be surprised such a resort still exists on the island. There are 65 rooms total. For something rustic and natural, the deluxe rooms have thatched roofs. For a newer and more contemporary stay there are also deluxe pavilion rooms -- all of which have private terraces. Budget Chinotel The modern and clean Chinotel opened in December 2010. For a no-nonsense base in Phuket Town, there's the Chinotel. Its 24 basic rooms are compact, but have all standards such as LCD television, air conditioning and a minibar. Set in a five-story townhouse -- all rooms have a balcony/terrace -- the higher floors (4th and 5th) that open up to Ranong Road enjoy views of Phuket Town above the power lines. If a stronger (free) Wi-Fi signal trumps your desire for a non-obstructed view, stay in the lower half of the building. This busy neighborhood is filled with wet markets open in the wee hours of morning till mid/late afternoon, so it's a great place to witness how the locals really live. DiningAcqua Acqua is among the best of Phuket's Italian restaurants. It's owned by chef Alessandro Frau, executive chef at Sheraton Laguna Phuket for four years before starting his own venue in 2009. Expect it all. Traditional, regional and modern interpretations of Italian food, including pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven imported from Italy. If you don't know your Gillardeau from your Fine de Claire, Alessandro's always around and happy to share his passion for food. Signature dishes include "yellow fin tuna and swordfish Carpaccio" and Catalana-style lobster salad. Kan Eang @ Pier Satisfying hungry diners for nearly 40 years, Kan Eang means "at ease." And that it is. An unpretentious restaurant beside Chalong pier in the south, Kan Eang serves Thai, seafood and international fare. But skip the international. The catch is delivered live every morning by local fishermen, thus the most popular items on the menu are barbecue seafood. Sold-by-the-weight catch includes fish, cuttlefish, Phuket lobster sashimi, tiger prawns and blue crab. Chefs at Kan Eang use coconut husks instead of a standard charcoal grill as they're aromatic and cook slower and all the way through so the seafood is not charred on the outside. Kruvit Raft You're eating on a raft floating in the middle of the island so you can guess what the specialty of the house is. The menu changes to accommodate the seafood catch of the day, but consistent faves include barbecued lobster, steamed tiger grouper with soy sauce and steamed blue crab. The atmosphere is low-key and informal -- the "raft" is like a floating mini-pier (it's made of weathered wooden planks) and tables sit beneath cute thatch roofs. Baan Rim Pa Baan Rim Pa's lower level seats only 25, so it's a popular spot for private parties. Literally meaning "house next to the cliff," Baan Rim Pa is on the rocky headlands north of Patong Bay. An open-air dining institution open for more than 20 years and set in a two-story teak house, it serves a range of Thai cuisine. Diners get to eyeball views over the entire bay as they listen to the waves crashing onto rocks below. That is until pianist Tommy Doyle shows up to hit the grand piano on the main level's Piano Bar from 7 p.m. nightly (except Monday). If you tire of Thai food but don't want to give up the view, Baan Rim Pa is adjacent to Joe's Downstairs (modern cuisine) and Da Maurizio (Italian) -- all part of the same restaurant group. Raya House No tourist fare here. A Phuket institution, Raya House serves island specialties. Open for 17 years, this converted two-story residence serves Phuket-style Thai food. Owner Pa'Gularb (Auntie Rose), a former Bangkok Bank executive, started Raya House because all her friends told her that her cooking was delicious. And they weren't just being nice. Her dishes are damn fine. Auntie Rose still goes to the market and picks out ingredients herself and follows traditional recipes from her own family. Anything with crab is pretty much guaranteed to be great -- leading the way is her signature crab with curry and coconut milk. This dish is so popular that it's regularly ordered up (via cargo) by wealthy patrons in Bangkok. Nightlife Ka Jok See Owner Khun Lek opened Ka Jok See (meaning "stained-glass window") more than 10 years ago. Today it's one of the busiest restaurants/bars in town so reservations are recommended. The place has bucket loads of atmosphere. Set inside a gorgeous old shophouse with beamed ceilings, the photos on the walls are suitably aged and fight for space with quirky Thai art. Later into the night things get a bit wild when Khun Lek turns Ka Jok See into a dance bar. Seduction Beach Club & Disco Seduction adds a bit of cool to an otherwise sleazy neighborhood. For the most part, Patong's Bangla Road is a sleazy night zone -- even a tad depressing if you're sober. But there are a few quality nightclubs that keep things going till the early morning hours. Seduction Beach Club & Disco is one such venue bringing in top international DJs (Paul Oakenfold has played here). Three separate levels pump out different styles of music. The first level beach bar plays R&B and hip-hop. On the top level is the actual nightclub, where DJs spin house and club hits. For the VIP set there's an exclusive members-only open-air lounge on the top floor called BLOW. We're not sure what inspired the name. It's windy up there? Sanaeha Phuket Sanaeha Phuket is the place to experience live music as the locals do. Recently renovated and expanded, this is where all the hip and trendy people of Phuket Town play. Drink "Thai style" by ordering a bottle of whiskey to share with your friends. The wait staff will keep the ice, soda water and cola coming as long as you keep emptying your glass. The talented Joob and the Gang hits the stage at 8:30 p.m. Like most local bands, Joob covers Thai songs but throws in a few Western surprises. Skyla's Treehouse The bar here claims its drink are "infused with tastes reminiscent of sun, perpetual summer and exotic Thai coasts." We'll let them get away with a little over-the-top lyrical indulgence because the place is so damn cool. It's right on the beach, the drinks are good -- even if we'd like a little more of that solar flavoring -- and the beach parties draw good-looking crowds of happy people. BeachesWhat with Phuket being Thailand's biggest island, finding a beach to collapse on for the day isn't a challenge. Picking the right one is. Here's a rundown of some of the most popular, as well as a few spots the locals don't want you to know about. One warning: for the less-crowded beaches along the west coast, take care to heed the color of the flags in the sand (i.e. red = don't go swimming). Tales of tourists drowning in Phuket hit the headlines far too often. Patong There's no such thing as a "quiet day at the beach" in Patong. When bulldozers move into an island destination, it's always the nicest beach that gets sacrificed first for development. In Phuket's case it was Patong, now the busiest tourist spot on the island. While most locals heap a fair share of scorn on this place, action seekers will find everything they could want here. There are shops along Thaweewong beach road, restaurants and the Jungceylon mall close by at the end of perpendicular "entertainment" road Soi Bangla. What you lose in serenity you make up for in activities. Jet-skis rip through the water (watch out for scamming rental guys who pretend to find damage you didn't create) and paragliders launch from the shore while beach chairs and umbrellas stretch across the sand as far as your sunburned retinas can squint. Surin Small and relatively quiet, this lovely little stretch of beach north of Laem Singh and south of the Laem Son headlands has a more cosmopolitan vibe than Phuket's other beaches. The trendy Catch Beach Club is fun -- it belongs to Twinpalms. In-house guests are welcome to use the loungers, but if you drop in for just the day it will cost you 1,500 baht (price includes food, drinks, sun chairs and towels). Away from Catch, less pricey beach massage beds and loungers for rent line the sand, and there are plenty of beachfront places selling cheap but quality Thai food. Nai Yang Nai Yang is close to the airport so can be a bit noisy, but it's a nice stretch of beach with plenty of beachside hut restaurants. It's also good for snorkeling as are there some pretty coral reefs off the shores. On the north end is secluded Sirinath National Park. It's shady and lined with leafy trees, and usually only a handful of snack vendors will bug you. Kata Yai and Kata Noi The beaches of Kata are good for anyone who craves a bit of action, but is put off by Patong's madness. When the rain comes down the surf's up. Kata Yai is the place to ride waves between April and October. Sure, it's not Oa'hu, but the surf is decent enough that it can host the yearly Kata Surfing competition. It also offers the best snorkeling off the shores of Phuket during high season. "This is the only beach in southern Phuket that has coral right off the northern and southern points of the bay," says John Williams, co-owner of Siamdivers.com. "Tropical fish commonly seen are lionfish, schooling reef fish, parrotfish, butterfly fish, triggerfish and pipefish," adds Williams, author of three dive guides including "Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Thailand." Banana Beach (Haad Hin Kluay) Between Bang Tao in the south and Nai Thon in the north (it can be a bit difficult to find), this popular-with-the-locals beach is close to hillside Trisara Resort. It's one of the most secluded stretches of beach on the island, with only one small bar/restaurant. If you're driving from the south, you can see the small beach through the trees --- look for the orange "Banana Beach" sign nailed to a tree on the left, about 400 meters from the Trisara entrance. Park and walk down the narrow steep-ish dirt path (not suitable for small children). If it's too difficult to find, get a round-the-island long-tail taxi man to take you on his boat. Bang Tao White like washing powder. The sands of Bang Tao attract many an upmarket tourist. Bang Tao is a beautiful, long stretch of beach facing the massive Laguna Phuket complex with its cluster of upmarket hotels -- Sheraton, Banyan Tree, Angsana, Dusit, Outrigger. A 10-minute walk southward along the beach will get you to a small, practically deserted beach -- though there's also the newly re-opened blue and white Babylon Beach Club run by the Watermark group. There's also a wooden Reggae Bar that cantilevers on stilts over the incoming high tide, and two unassuming Thai restaurants --- a great place to catch the sunset then retreat to the elevated restaurants and/or bar as the tide comes in over the sand up to the steps. Shopping / AttractionsWater sports Water sports rentals can be found at all the main beaches in Phuket, be it jet-skiing, diving or snorkeling. Though most visitors tend to head offshore for their fish-watching needs, during the November to April high season snorkelers can explore the coral right off the shores of Kata Yai beach. But much of the fun of visiting Phuket includes hopping on a boat to check out all those incredible, development-free beaches on the surrounding islands. A hired long-tail boat will take you around to a few islands, such as Koh Rang Yai, Koh Maphrao, Koh Ratcha and Coral Island. You can also book an organized day-trip through your hotel. Though there are quite a few operators, the itineraries and prices vary little. For something really special, professional operators such as Siam Dive n' Sail and Elite Yachting run live-a-boards and crewed charters. Big Buddha The smiling Big Buddha stands 45 meters high at some 400 meters above sea level. Phuket has plenty of Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques. But none top the 45-meter-high Big Buddha. Towering over southern Phuket, this white marble statue is famous for its great big smile. The grounds offer fantastic views of the island and sea. To get there, drive toward the Chalong Circle and head north on Chaofa West Road. Access roads up to the Buddha are well marked. Phuket FantaSea/Siam Nirimit Phuket FantaSea is the island's biggest performance show, featuring dancers, trapeze artists, elephants and other live animals in a 3,000-seat indoor theater. Tacky and touristy as it is, even the locals can't deny it's actually a pretty entertaining way to spend an evening. Prior to the show, FantaSea puts on one of the biggest buffets in Asia. The food served in the massive hall isn't awesome Thai fare by any means, but the place is beautifully decorated so it's a nice way to fill up before the main event. Another great performance show is Siam Nirimit, modeled after the successful Bangkok version. This cultural stage event -- with an optional buffet dinner -- takes viewers through the regions and eras of Thailand by highlighting traditional songs, dance and martial arts. If you're with kids and trying to decide between the two, go for FantaSea. Those with a strong interest in Thai culture will want the latter. Phuket FantaSea/ Siam Nirimit, most hotels offer transportations and tickets, which start from 1,500 baht ($50), or book online. Dinner buffet starts at 6 p.m. Splash Jungle Water Park When lying on the beach gets old, live out your battle fantasies in Splash Jungle's Aqua Play Pool. Splash Jungle Water Park is among Phuket's top kid-friendly attractions. Though slightly on the small size, it's a clean, safe facility with a decent selection of fun waterslides, a play area for younger kids, a wave pool, lazy tube river and "hot spring." There are two onsite cafs selling the usual Western fare -- burgers, fish and chips and a few Thai dishes. Phuket Weekend Market Think Bangkok's Jatujak weekend market, but on a much smaller scale. (That's a good thing.) Open Saturday and Sunday from around 9 a.m. till late, the Phuket Weekend Market has plenty more than just touristy items. There's food, clothing, jewelry, home decor, antiques, secondhand goods, plants, pets and probably even a kitchen sink or two as well. Old Phuket Town Far from the beaches, the traditional Phuket and its unique culinary and historical story can be found in the old quarter of Phuket Town, which dates from the end of the 19th century. There are plenty of hip shops, cafs, restaurants and bars, including the batik shops along Thalang Road run by ethnic Malays and Indians. The area is also filled with Chinese temples, crumbling mansions, cultural museums and a nunnery. Phuket Heritage Trails, which specializes in walking tours of the Old Town, is one of the best ways to get a full view of the area. Phuket Indy Market Calling all hipsters. Open Thursday and Friday on Dibuk Road in Phuket town, along the Limelight Avenue complex, the Phuket Indy Market attracts a young Thai crowd. There's secondhand stuff, some food and handmade original art. For refreshment, there's a beer garden, which for better or worse has live Thai music. http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/29/travel/insider-guide-phuket/ Each country in Europe has plenty to offer culturally, historically, artistically and even gastronomically, which also means all kinds of short city breaks to choose from such as a family getaway, an unforgettable stag or hen night with your mates, or a shopping trip with a best mate.
It is so easy now to plan your trip from the beginning to the end, and it is even easier with online reservations so accessible, so ready your travel plans, grab your bags and have yourself an amazing city destination to look forward to. Gaudi and Dali, excellent museums, relics beside state-of-the-art architecture, fashionable apartments, exciting bars and fare, all on top of a stunning Mediterranean shoreline. Stretching from La Ramblas covering the old port of Barcelona and the Placa Catalunya, an entire day can be dedicated to exploring the Barri Gothic Quarter without venturing any further as there is so much to see and do. Roam around the mazes of the cobbled walkways sandwiched between tall buildings which lead to delightful courtyards, and then take a break in one of the open air cafes filled with bustling tapas joints in the vicinity. Take the Picasso walking tour and learn about his favourite places when he lived here for a decade, with a visit to the well known Sala Pares and Museu Picasso. Originally planned by Catalan publisher Joseph Bocabella, who wished to attain Catholic Church triumphs via the guard of St. Joseph, this mammoth assignment ultimately landed in the hands of Gaudi at the young age of thirty one years old. Any architectural trip has to begin with Antoni Gaudi, the best Catalan architect there ever was. Barcelona is still the birthplace for many progressive architects such as the award winning Ricardo Bofill, the man behind the iconic W Barcelona, shaped like a gigantic boat sail. W Barcelona beats other prestigious applicants to take the Best Hotel Architecture in Europe award in 2010, which honours his architectural structures that harmonise with local cultures. It will also be hard to miss the perfect geometric block of ME Barcelona Hotel, a glass building designed by French architect Dominique Perrault. There are lots of public spaces to enjoy in the city including the beaches and parks. Its public spaces can be enjoyed simultaneously by the young or old, from the boulevards to the famous Guell Park, another Park de la Ciudadella, and a park in Ciutat Vella famous for its museums and boating lake. There are also plenty more modern architectural treasures in the area if you inspect closely, such as the Hotel Habitat Sky which is also part of the ME hotel brand, the extraordinary facade of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park as well as Diagonal ZeroZero Tower, which resembles modern architecture of Japan. Besides architecture, Barcelona is also notable for its art of living it up at night, where there is a number of clubs and pubs comprising practically every theme for all palates and budgets. Barri Gothic and Las Ramblas, both centrally located, have a terrific Gothic ambiance hence exceptionally popular for foreigners as well as locals. The area is full of niche clubs and watering holes, and you will find and a great variety of chic venues mixed amongst the obvious tourist places. Many of these clubs will only begin to get crowded after 1am and may start to close at 5, some at 6 or 7am, but do not fret as you can continue partying as there is always an eager crew handing out leaflets for even more after clubs which stay open until the afternoon. A couple hours catching some sleep at your apartment or hotel and it is time to start all over again! If you want more of the local culture then there are always the local hang outs to go to. These joints may be packed with elderly folks playing cards and there will be no banging music or bad manners there. Hence it is easy to see why Barcelona appeals to everyone, with a wealth of art galleries, weird and wonderful architecture, one-off shopping boutiques, irresistible bars and food, night-time venues and more, everyone will be spoilt for choice. The abundance of apartments and hotels makes reservation easy and convenient, so do not miss out on this captivating city. Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
10 August 2012 Symphony International Holdings Limited ("SIHL" or the "Company") Update on Minor International Pcl The Company is pleased to announce that one of its portfolio companies, Minor International Pcl ("MINT") released strong 2012 first half results ("1H12"). MINT reported that net profit increased 49% in 1H12 year-over-year, which was driven by an improvement in the hospitality business, the consolidation of Oaks Hotels and Resorts Limited ("Oaks") during the period and the continued strong performance of the restaurant business. MINT also announced an investment in a hotel in Phuket. MINT made an announcement on 8 August 2012, which is reproduced below. MINT ANNOUNCED STRONG 1H12 RESULTS & ITS INVESTMENT IN LUXURY HOTEL IN PHUKET 8 AUGUST 2012 Minor International (MINT) reported net profit of Baht 1.6 billion in 1H12, an increase of 49% YoY from Baht 1.1 billion recorded in 1H11, mainly attributable to improved performance of both hospitality and restaurant businesses. Since the quick post-flood rebound in tourist arrivals in 1Q12, the hotel business's low-season 2Q12 continued to see robust growth YoY, with net profit rising 30% YoY to Baht 364 million in the quarter. In 1H12, EBITDA of MINT's hospitality business increased significantly by 52% YoY, attributable primarily to the solid improvement in hotel operations and consolidation of Oaks Hotels and Resorts in Australia. Revenue per available room (RevPar) of MINT's hotel portfolio increased by 18% in 1H12, on the back of strong occupancy of 69% in 1H12 compared to 58% in 1H11. This was a result of improvement of hotels in Thailand, together with the addition of Oaks rooms, which run at relatively higher occupancy. In addition, MINT recognized the full first half contribution from Oaks in 1H12 as opposed to one-month contribution in 1H11 upon the completion of the acquisition. 1H12 sales progress of Anantara Vacation Club was outstanding, where sales more than tripled that of 1H11, and was above the budgeted 1H12 figures. The restaurant business continued to report strong growth, with 1H12 EBITDA increase of 19%. MINT's restaurant portfolio's total system sales growth in 1H12 was 14.0%, as 1H12 same store sales increased by 7.1%, coupled with store expansion of 105 stores YoY. The robust performance was attributable to strong domestic consumption, which drove both the number of customers and average revenue per customer, coupled with the Company's on-going pro-active marketing efforts, which resulted in strong same store sales growth, in particular for The Pizza Company, Swensen's and Dairy Queen brands. The opening of new restaurant outlets alongside business expansion of major retail operators, together with continued growth of the Company's franchised business, also contributed to restaurant performance during 1H12. Retail trading business continued to see gradual recovery from the flood in 4Q11 into the first half of 2012. The contract manufacturing of consumer goods recently resumed full operations in early June. Nevertheless, the unit's increase in 1H12 EBITDA of 16% YoY was primarily because of the insurance claim received in 1Q12. The retail trading business continues to be a profitable operation of MINT's business, although still small compared to MINT's total business, with 1H12 revenue contribution of 10% and net profit contribution of 5%. MINT also announced its successful investment in one of Phuket's most luxurious hotels, Bundarika Villas & Suites. Located on the secluded Layan Beach with 400 meters of private beach, the hotel will be rebranded to Anantara after total refurbishment to further strengthen MINT's 5-star deluxe brand in one of Asia's most established tourist destinations. The hotel features 77 villas and suites on 23 rai of beachfront land. In addition to the hotel, MINT also acquires 32 rai of adjacent hillside land with panoramic sunset views of the Andaman Sea. The adjoining land will be developed into high-end residential project. Total investment size is estimated at THB 3 billion. MINT holds 95% interest in the hotel in partnership with original founder, who retains a 5% interest and will continue to work closely with MINT to ensure this a successful investment. The hotel will undergo renovation and operational improvement program to enable it to be re-launched as Phuket's second Anantara next year. MINT has a proven record of accomplishment in Phuket's hospitality sector, as evidenced by the successful development of its two upscale hotels on Mai Khao beach, namely Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Phuket, and the Turtle Village Shopping Plaza Phuket located adjacent to the two hotels, as well as the well-received Marriott Vacation Club and Mai Khao Beach Club projects, which recorded strong combined sales of over THB 6 billion previously. The addition of Bundarika Villas & Suites will reinforce MINT's leadership position in the world-famous beach resort of Phuket. Bundarika, which is to be rebranded as Anantara and the new adjacent high-end residential project, together with the planned launch of the new Anantara Vacation Club Phuket will further echo MINT's commitment to the clustering business model whereby synergy is created among multiple properties and projects within the same location, leading to higher profitability. The new Anantara Vacation Club Phuket, which features 100 villas worth total sales amount of approximately THB 4 billion, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. About Minor International: Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three primary businesses including restaurants, hotels and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is one of Asia's largest restaurant companies with over 1,200 outlets operating system wide in 15 countries under The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Thai Express, the Coffee Club and Ribs and Rumps brands. MINT is also a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 39 hotels and 38 serviced suites under the Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Elewana and Minor International brands in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. MINT is one of Thailand's largest distributors of lifestyle brands focusing primarily on fashion, cosmetics and contract manufacturing. Its brands include Gap, Esprit, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Pedro, Red Earth, Bloom, Tumi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, ETL Learning and Thaisale. For more information, please visit www.minorinternational.com Performance (Bt m) 2Q12 2Q11 % Change 1H12 1H11 Sales 7,266 5,855 24% 15,619 12,291 Others 258 423 -39% 673 666 Total Revenues 7,524 6,278 20% 16,292 12,957 Cost of Sales 2,931 2,306 27% 6,128 4,798 Selling & Administrative 3,282 2,900 13% 6,607 5,580 EBITDA 1,311 1,072 22% 3,556 2,578 Depreciation & Amort. 543 492 10% 1,076 905 EBIT 769 580 33% 2,481 1,674 Interest Expenses 276 212 30% 547 342 Earnings Before Tax 492 368 34% 1,934 1,332 Corporate Tax 138 75 84% 296 196 Minority Interest (9) 13 -170% (1) 33 Net Profit 364 279 30% 1,639 1,102 Fully Diluted EPS (Bt) 0.0987 0.0772 28% 0.4473 0.3048 Fully Diluted Shares (mn) 3,686 3,619 2% 3,665 3,615 Note: Share of Profit is included in other revenue For further information: Neil Doyle/ Tom Willetts +44 (0)20 7269 7237/ 7175 FTI Consulting About Symphony International Holdings Symphony International Holdings (LSE:SIHL) is a London listed strategic investment company that invests in consumer businesses and develops luxury branded real estate, hospitality and healthcare ventures which are principally in Asia. It offers a way for investors to gain exposure to the rising disposable incomes and wealth in fast growing economies. Symphony's objective is to provide superior capital growth by investing in high quality companies and forming long-term business partnerships with talented entrepreneurs. Symphony is managed by Symphony Investment Managers which has a team of investment professionals with a broad range of expertise - many of them have been working in Asia for more than 25 years. For more information please visit our website at www.symphonyasia.com No representation or warranty is made by the Company as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this announcement and no liability will be accepted for any loss arising from its use. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decisions. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The Company's securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States. End of Announcement crap place for honeymoon
EZ "Its call Centara Villas in Phuket, it is halfway between Patong & Karon, with a taxi just about 4 mins drive costing about 100-150 Baht." That is a 25 - 50 baht ride, you are a chump to pay 150 ($5) for a 4 minute ride, even new york is less than $5 for 4 min The Casa de La Flora Resort has recently opened its doors in Khao Lak near Phuket, Thailand. Designed by VaSLab Architecture, the luxury resort features eight different types of suites and villas, from 753 to 1,560 square feet gathered on a 1.2 acre property. Each villa is complete with a private pool, a small garden, seaside view, and a 24-hour butler service. The layout of the 36 villa resort is designed to provide each guest ample privacy while maximizing their view. VaSLab achieved the balance by designing each villa as a monolithic rectangular frame structure with floor to ceiling glass windows. To provide each guest a scenic view, the villas were then stacked in rows up ascending the hill.
Photos courtesy of Casa de La Flora The team chose natural materials such as planks of wood, stone, concrete, and rock partitions, fusing them together to add warmth and local relevance to the modern design. Sets of solar panels were integrated into the design, unseen by the resort guests and rainwater is collected to achieve a sustainable initiative. The concept of meshing nature with the design is apparent as VaSLab allowed for existing plant life to naturally flourish within the common and private pool areas, and in La Arunya, the outdoor restaurant. Casa De La Flora likes to think that they successfully blend privacy, peace, beauty, nature, and comfort together with style, sewing it on a trendy silver plate. Rates vary from $500 to $1,800 per night, depending on the type of suite and the season. http://www.examiner.com/article/a-breathtaking-tropical-getaway-thailand |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2018
Categories |