Phuket.com Magazine
June 2007 - Green Phuket
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Many visitors come to Phuket and the surrounding area because of its
magnificent location and beautiful beaches. It's the kind of place
where city folk decide to extend their holidays or simply not leave
at all.
In this issue, we examine local environmental issues, including taking
a detailed look at two of Phuket's animals, the gibbon
and the elephant. For ways to have
fun while still being friendly to nature we try out some eco-tours,
including sea-canoeing, elephant
trekking and a day-trip to Phang-Nga.
We also look at two of the island's more eco-friendly hotels, Mom
Tri's Villa Royale and Le Meridien
Phuket Beach Resort. In our Health & Holidays section, vegetarian
travellers will be delighted to learn more about vegetarian
food on the island and where to get it.
And there's plenty more. Read on and enjoy!
Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen
editor@phuket.com |
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When other hong-via-kayak tour operators are winding down for
the day, the John Gray Sea Canoe crew is just getting started.
Is it laziness, the result of a late night out, or a simple
case of ineptitude? Were I in charge, it would be a combination
of all three.
Read more...
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Most people in Thailand become vegetarian at various points
in their lives. Many give up meat for life, but often it is
a temporary thing, but a whole range of cuisines has grown up
to cater for this taste.
Here, Phuket.Com looks at vegetarian food in Thailand and the
potential benefits of eating it. Read
more...
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There are not too many people in the world who would choose
to call themselves “Ling Yai” - Thai for Big Monkey
- or have their employees refer to them by that name. But John
Gray is proud of the nickname. He signs off his emails with
it, even adding another nickname, “Caveman”, which
was given to him by fellow runners in the Hash House Harriers.
So John Gray is an unusual man. He’s also fascinating to
talk with - a passionate, 24/7 environmental activist with a
sense of humor to match his sense of mission.
Read more...
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Mo was only six months old when he arrived at the Gibbon Rehabilitation
Project (or GRP) located in the old tropical forest around Bang Pae
waterfall, Phuket. Little Mo was in bad shape, pining for his mom.
Sadly, she was dead, along with his brothers and sisters, all killed
by hunters. GRP staff and volunteers have been taking care of Mo ever
since and, with their help, he is getting stronger.
Read more...
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A great spot for a relaxing holiday with all your needs taken care
of. Beautiful beach and scenery surprisingly close to the amenities
and nightlife of Patong. Tucked into a small bay between wild Patong
and not so wild Karon lies this wonderful resort where everything’s
perfectly just so (how typically French).
Read more...
Read the interview with Mr Rudolf
Borgesius, GM of Le Meridien Phuket
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Siam Safari’s 4-in-1 half-day trip is like a speed dating session
with the natural world. Elephants, monkeys, and water buffalo are
all on the dance card, as are demonstrations of Thai resourcefulness.
Five bamboo stations dot the hill top, and small groups rotate from
one to the next. The presentations are hands-on, educational, and
always punctuated with a good dose of laughter.
Read
more...
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Phang Nga’s official slogan goes something like this: “A
town of valuable minerals, amidst water-village, fantastic caves,
peculiar mountains, Champoon flowering plants and fertile natural
resources.” Well said – though if they were interested in
increasing tourism they might consider adding, “and only an hour
from Phuket.”
Read
more...
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Not many years ago, there was considerable debate about elephants
in Phuket. Elephants are not native to Phuket – they come from
the cooler northern part of the country – but were brought here
to work in the tourist industry. As Thailand’s logging industry
declined, out-of-work elephants and their mahouts headed for Phuket.
Read more...
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This month we’ve found a gem of a restaurant tucked into a little
pedestrian only soi near McDonalds. S&G
Restaurant serves hearty Thai and international favourites at
very reasonable prices to a full house, its popularity shows that
word has got around. A little off the beaten track in Karon is The
Dining Room. Catering to mainly hotel guests an excellent varied
menu is enacted with ingredients supplied by a boutique meat importer
which ensures a five star meal, without the accompanying price tag.
Read more...
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If you’re a scuba diver, you know that seeing sharks underwater
is one of the most thrilling experiences you will ever have. If you
are a non-diver, then you might think what I just said is the silliest
thing you’ve ever heard. But, for those you of you who have never
seen a live shark, it’s something akin to seeing a lion in Africa,
a tiger in India, or a bear in Alaska.
Read
more...
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Some weeks ago, there were reports in the Thai press that Microsoft
boss Bill Gates, the world’s richest man, was going to invest
in a man-made island off the shores of Phuket. Phone calls were made
and emails sent trying to confirm these reports. Not true, it turned
out. At least, not entirely. What was true was that someone was planning
to build an island - Gulu Lalvani, developer of the Royal Phuket Marina.
In late May Mr Lalvani held a press conference to clarify matters.
Read
more...
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Phuket will be crazy about sailing in July. With two separate races
covering 14 days of the calendar, it’s a great month to be on
the water. It starts with 60 crews battling for the 2007 Tasar
World Championship (July 2 - 11), and wraps up in grand style
with Evason Phuket Race Week (July 19 - 22). Around 40 boats are expected
to enter this year’s race week, up from 29 last year, with racing
taking place over four days. Read
more...
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