Some 40 km from Krabi, off Thailand’s south western coast, Ko Phi Phi is a group of limestone islands that just sharply from the surrounding turquoise sea. Phi Phi Don is both the largest and the only one with a permanent population. Phi Phi Leh is much visited but uninhabited. Phi Phi Don divides into two sections joined by a narrow isthmus on either side of which are two superb sweeps of white sand. It is stunningly beautiful with green hills combine with astonishing cliffs plunging down to the water. They also part of the National Marine Park. Photo by: René Ehrhardt

During the 1940, Phi Phi Don was populated by Muslim fishermen, and even now a good 80 per cent of the inhabitants are Muslim. Later, coconut plantations were introduced, but by the 1970’s travellers had got wind of this remote and delicious paradise. The good news is that as diving and snorkeling are so popular, the fishermen no longer use dynamite and the surrounding coral is in better shape it might be. Conversely, attempts to limit the number of tourists, to better preserve the nature of the place, have failed due to greed. Photo by: hn.

Phi Phi Leh is all towering cliffs, caves and sea lake. Tourists visit for a day to swim, but it is also famed as a centre of the birds nest soup industry. Swiftlets nest high up in the rocky hollows, and licenced collectors climb three times a year, to harvest these nests, made of saliva. Photo by: ebergcanada

When to go: November to April. Population: 1,500. How to get there: By boat from Phuket or Krabi. Photo by: Fabio Sabatini

Phang-Nga Bay is one of the Thailand’s most jaw-droppingly beautiful seascapes. Covering some 400 sq km tucked between Phuket and Krabi, the bay, outside limited with mangrove forests, is home to hundred of limestone karst formations. Some of these are tiny spires, some are large bizarrely shaped, reaching up 300 m in height, and all covered in tangled rain forest vegetation. Photos by: Zimmelino

Some of the islands have been hollowed out by the forces of nature, leaving hidden magnificent lagoon emerged as hongs in their centres. Invisible from the outside, the hongs are accessible by sea canoe, but it’s only during particular tides that the channels beneath the rock face are navigable. There secret lagoons are tidal, supporting their own ecosystems, while the enclosing circle of cliffs are covered with extraordinary greenery of a prehistoric world. Photos by: stephenk1977

The central area boasts with fantastic karst islands including the popular ‘James Bond‘ island, where The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. Very few of these islands are inhabited, and even fewer have anywhere to stay. Photos by: somah

Ko Panyi is an exception – a Muslim fishing village, mainly built on stilts, it teems with visitors during the day time. There you can rent your own canoe and explore the bay in your own. The cliffs are coloured with red and orange sponges close to the water line and scenery is awesome. Apart from rock-climbing many people come  for water based activities – sea kayaking, sailing and fishing. Photos by: kylehammons

When to go: December to May for the best weather. Population: 700 (2006). How to get there: By boat from Phang-Nga town, Phuket or Krabi.

The Boathouse has created its own unique style of hospitality over the past 12 years.

33 suites, all with sea views, offer the highest standard of privacy and comfort. Rooms were clean and elegant. All have a balcony with garden and sea views and are just footsteps away from the beach.

The restaurants at Mom Tri’s Boathouse provide good food, an excellent glass of wine, and truly inspiring views. The Gung Cafe is the mew Beach restaurant with superb Seafood dishes. Excellent Pool and Beach service.

Facilities:  Gift Shop, Wireless Internet, Bar, Library, Laundry Service, Air Condicion. Also Swimming pool and Jacuzzi, Room service, laundry service, Free baby cots, Medical service and Currency exchange.

Ramada Resort Karon Beach in Phuket is one of the few resorts in the world that making it family friendly simply by creating fun and wonderfully-unique themed rooms for kids. These include ”Underwater” and ”Outer Space” rooms, as well as duplex Castle theme suites. The room are 14 and all of them are connected to adult rooms, so that the whole family can stay close together and enjoy the features of those special rooms.

Each kid-room includes play-stations, DVD players ans 32”TV. Games and movies are particularly chosen for their kid-friendly content. All rooms and suites are equipped with Kidz- friendly toy boxes. The resort also offers Siam Adventure Club, which is the center piece for all hotel services, tours and adult and kids fun. The hotel’s finest feature is the multi activity station KidzClub. Kids between 4 and 14 will find a world of exciting things to do, to learn and to experience. The whole resort features a total of 121 rooms and suites. Standard and Deluxe rooms all feature bold colours, warm lighting and a comfortable, functional design.

Jeff Pan is the founder of the Brooklyn Loftstel, who went from a business student to backpacker relief. The name is a concept of a loft and hostel put together. The Loftstel has only been around for 2 years and today have been risen to a place, where international students stay while visiting the US.

Jeff is a really creative and faithful person. Jeff spent 2 years exploring the world with his own eyes, starting in Europe, and ending up in Thailand. He was one of thousands of foreigners who have come to Phuket Island to help communities rebuild from the Dec. 26 tsunami.

While traveling he came up with the idea of housing a hostel, which is the only affordable option for backpackers. What makes Loftstel stand above the hostel crowd is its unique vision to create a space for the longtime guest. Most of the residents are international students on internships or people looking to relocate to the states.  Typically people stay anywhere from 1-5 months.

You can found out the Loftstel to 4 different locations in the United States, (NYC, DC, PA & LA) and has the hopes of expanding to Europe in the near future.  Currently there are around 30 full time employees that maintain the business across the country.  A regular housekeeping system and respectful tenants keep each Loftstel very clean.

Guests at Loftstel are interested in having a different experience that goes beyond the surface layer.  As Jeff says, “people have a real chance to get to know the city, and even time to make up their own mind about George W. Bush.”

All of their room options include the following amenities: free wireless internet (if you have a laptop), free public computer to check your email, phone with free long-distance calls, HBO on demand & Wii on our flat-screen TV, detergent & dryer sheets with use of our washer/dryer, owels & linen are provided, kitchen access with cookware & dinnerware, personal locker & closet storage (bring your own lock), sleeping masks and ear plugs, funky design to make you feel right at home, a great place to meet other students from around the world.

Even thought the name of Phuket Island describes it as mountainously on the language of the natives, here the dimensions are clarified in a fairytale of innovative form and colors. Passion of green flows onto 70% of the island. Alongside the miracles beauty of the underwater world, the beaches and small gulfs, the big and most popular island of Thailand burn in the adrenalin of vigorous night life – cosmopolitan and obsessive!

“We go for the sublime setting and fantastic views” of Pansea Beach from this resort on a former coconut plantation. Stand-alone bungalow suites sprinkled among the palms have teak furniture, maka-wood paneling, and outdoor terraces. Staff are “helpful but never impose on you.” Just steps from the water, the Beach Terrace hosts torch-lit barbecues. The spa offers complimentary yoga classes.
Amanpuri (place of peace), is built on a coastal hillside on Phuket. The island is connected to Thailand’s Phang-Nga province by bridge and is surrounded by the Andaman Sea which joins the Indian Ocean to the south. On Phuket’s west coast is Pansea Beach from where a stairway leads up to the resort’s main pool and facilities. The resort’s guest accommodations of 40 pavilions are interspersed within a coconut plantation connected by elevated walkways with colonnades. Also available for rental and adjoining the resort to the north, are 30 villa homes managed by Amanpuri.

Amanpuri is a 25-minute, 17-kilometer scenic drive from Phuket airport. Complimentary private limousine transfers to and from Phuket airport are offered to guests.

SPA & FITNESS
Health and beauty services and treatments (massage is a Thai speciality).
ACTIVITIES
Swimming pool, (fresh water and chlorine-free), gym (some machines have their own CD player), health and beauty salon (massage is a Thai speciality, and for those enduring a cold northern winter at home nothing is more blissful that being massaged outside in the heat.) There are also beauty treatments. Flood-lit tennis, scuba diving and golf at a nearby championship course. There is also a gallery, a shop and an excellent library (more than 1,000 books – not just sad airport paperbacks left behind by guests), which also has CDs. Golf at a nearby championship course.

An intimate restaurant serves fine Thai and international dishes, all prepared by an award-winning Chef. Emphasis is on healthy and seafood selections. There is an extensive wine menu. The Living Room Bar overlooks the sunset and offers beachside dining. The resort’s library is well stocked with paperbacks and international magazines and an outdoor movie is shown twice a week.

Aleenta Resort and Spa, Phuket, lies just 15 minutes away from Thailand’s spectacular Phang Nga Bay – the luxurious tropical paradise that sprung to fame in the James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun. Aleenta Resort and Spa stretches along the coast of the Andaman Sea, on the unspoilt, white sandy Natai Beach. Near the hotel, Sirinath National Park and Nai Yang National Marine Park welcome visitors, while the resort is just a 10-minute drive from Phuket’s large boat marina, Yacht Heaven, and launch pad to Phang Nga Bay National Park. Aleenta Resort and Spa is approximately 40 kilometres from Phuket and the renowned shopping district of the Thalang and Dibuk Roads. Just 30 kilometres from the resort is Phuket Fantasea, while the Phuket Seashell Museum is 38 kilometres away and Phuket Aquarium 43 kilometres away. Before returning to the resort, climb Phuket’s Laem Phrothep for the most spectacular views across the ocean as far reaching as Phi Phi Island.

Ocean View Residences – 2 ensuite bedrooms, modern kitchen, large dining and living areas opening onto vast wooden sundecks with Andaman Sea views, private swimming pool, total privacy.

Pool Residence – One ensuite bedroom, private pool, sundeck, outdoor living area, separate dining room and living room, sea view.

Spa Residence – One Master Suite with private pool, ensuite bath and Jacuzzi, sea view, private sundeck, outdoor living area, separate dining room, living room, and a private luxurious spa treatment room.

Ocean View Lofts – Chic and stylish, with double height ceiling, glass wall opening to private sun deck directly connect to large swimming pool, boasting full view of the sea. A great place to relax and unwind.

Pool Villas – If you wish to have complete privacy, a world to yourself with no tan line, this is a superb choice.

Pool Suites – These signature suites are right on the beach. Designed with outside-living-in concept, they feature floor to ceiling glass wall to allow full view of the Andaman Sea. Private Jacuzzi connects the room to private terrace overlooking the sea where you can sunbathe to the sounds of the surf. Each suite comes with top terrace for a great Al Fresco private dining.

AMENITIES & SERVICES
Bathtub and separate shower, some outdoors in nature
Bathrobe and slippers, Hairdryer
Daily gourmet treat, Gourmet mini bar
Daybed
DVD player (in villas)
Electronic in-room safe
Exclusive Designer 100% natural range of toiletries
Exclusive “Cloud 9″ Mattress and luxurious linens
Individually controlled air conditioning
International direct dial telephone
Pre-programmed iPod music system with extensive additional music library
Private terrace overlooking the ocean
Satellite TV with international channel selection (in villas only)
Tea and coffee making facilities
Wireless Internet connection
Conference Room capacity = 70.
Shop/boutique

An intimate stylish restaurant serves Thai and international dishes with emphasis on healthy and seafood selection. Extensive wine menu with special wine of the month from various regions of the wine.

The menu changes daily to ensure the freshest ingredients from land and sea. Organic vegetables are mostly grown in the resort’s private nursery. Open from 7:00am to 10:00pm daily.

Living Room bar overlooking the sea, complete with beachside dining. Open 10am-10pm daily.

Room Service – 6:00am – midnight.

ACTIVITIES
Outdoor swimming pools
Natai Beach
Complimentary bicycles
Yoga Classes and Retreats
Full-service Spa
Gymnasium
Boating/Sailing/Yachting/Fishing Excursions — the resort maintains a private charter fleet.
Golf Courses
Nature tours, Jungle, Waterfalls
White water rafting
Elephant trek
Scuba Diving
Snorkelling
James Bond Island adventure
Marine turtle sanctuary

SPA & FITNESS
Aleenta Spa features full service facilities with professional therapists and in-house Yoga instructors. Detox programme focusing on spa cuisine and detox diet for long term effect can be customized.

Yoga instruction
Sunrise tai chi instruction
Steam Room
Sauna
Jacuzzi tub in treatment room
Relaxing garden for pre- and post-treatment
Spa cuisine and Spa Cooking Class
Private indoor treatment rooms
Outdoor natural treatment area with sea vie

LOCATION

Address: Natai Beach, Phang Nga, Pranburi, Prachuab Khirikhan, Thailand.

This group of nine remote islands located 95 km northwest of Phuket was designated as a national park in 1982. The Similan Islands are some the worlds most beautiful and unspoiled islands and together with the splendor of the rich and varied marine life, and stunning coral reefs they offer a world class underwater paradise for scuba divers. elow the surface the Similans offer a wide variety of underwater scenery and marine life. You can draw a line roughly down the middle of each island in the chain separating them into two parts, with each offering totally different diving environments. On the western side of the islands, huge granite boulders are stacked on top of one another creating magnificent archways, and plunging drop-offs. Most of these granite boulders are so completely covered in colorful soft corals that the rock is no longer visible.

Diving on the eastern side of the islands can give you the impression of diving in another part of the world. Here hard coral gardens gradually slope down to approximately 30-40 meters where sand takes over as the water depth increases. Massive schools of colorful tropical fish are attracted to the nutrient rich water that swirls around these islands. Sightings of large fish are rather rare in these waters but you may occasionally encounter leopard sharks and even whale sharks here.There are more than 20 documented dive sites in the Similan Islands, many of which have developed there, own international reputation. Christmas Point, on Island #9, Ko Bangru: is famous for a series of dramatic archways for divers to swim through while they swim with the schools Blue Fin Trevally, and Jack Tuna. Fantasy Reef, on Island #8, Ko Similan: is a popular site to exploring the massive underwater rock formations, and for a likely encounter with some of the many species of rays that live there. Elephant Head, on Island #8, Koh Similan: is probably the most famous dive in the group, the site is named after an unusually shaped group of rocks that jut out of the water just to the southwest of Koh Similan.

The Similan Islands are consistently ranked as one of the top ten dive sites in the world, and there is good reason to believe they will remain that way for future generations. The Thai Government can be justly proud of their efforts to preserve and protect this group of pristine islands. In one effort the Fishing Dept placed mooring buoys in the most popular anchorage’s allowing visiting boats to tie up rather then dropping an anchor and risk damaging the fragile reef. It is easy to applaud all efforts to preserve the wild, unspoiled beaches, magnificent coral reefs, and the turquoise blue water of this special area.

Sai-Rougn Residence is located in Patong Beach in the southern part of the beautiful island of Phuket. The Thai style Residence overlooks the bay of Patong, located about 1 kilometre from the sea. Patong Beach is about 45 minutes from Phuket International Airport and is one of the most amazing and famous destinations in the world.

Come alone or with your family and take advantage to become the owner of one of the 18 fully furnished apartments equipped with 2 air conditioned bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1 terrace of 25 square metres.

When you are away we are able to rent your apartment for your own benefit. Furthermore, why not spend and enjoy your holiday at the Sai-Rougn hotel, where you can have the choice between a room, a suite apartment or double suite apartment.
In the Residence you will find many excellent services, like a sea view solarium, swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, massages, bar, restaurant (Thai and French food), to make your stay unforgettable.

Patong Beach is a beach on Phuket’s west coast. It is the main tourist resort in Phuket and contains the centre of Phuket’s nightlife and cheap shopping on the island. The beach became popular with western tourists, especially Europeans, in the late 1980s. Numerous large hotels and chain hotels are located in Patong.

Patong Beach is maybe more famous for its nightlife than the 2-kilometer beach that runs the entire length of Patong. Nightlife is centered on two main areas Bangla Road and Paradise Complex, with Bangla Road being predominantly straight and Paradise Complex being predominantly gay. Much mixing of the two scenes occurs due to Phuket Island’s tolerant nature.

On December 26, 2004, Patong Beach along with many other areas along the western coast of Phuket and Thailand were struck by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The wave caused a great deal of destruction to the waterfront of the beach although the destruction was not nearly as bad as nearby in Khao Lak. It took probably less than 6 months to rebuild 80% of what was destroyed and 1 year after you could hardly not see any traces of destruction caused by the Tsunami.

Patong Beach – History
Official permanent population is 14797 persons but the real number is probably as high as 60,000 in high season.
1827 Baan Kathu and Baan Patong are small villages without convenient transportation
1898 The Island is organized into five grades of local administration.
1947 The government approves 60,000 THB for a basic road over the hill to Patong
1969 Patong is upgraded to a “sanitation district” and taxes of 20,000 THB a year are collected.
1976 A sealed road is built to Patong.
1979 Electricity arrives
1994 Patong sanitation district is upgraded to a municipally
2004 Patong was hit by the Asian Tsunami 26 December
2005 Recovery year, tourism back to 80% at end of the year. Opening of Patong OTOP Shopping Paradise, Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P (south end).
2006 Jungceylon, Patong’s first full-fledged modern air-con shopping mall, complete with 200 shops, integrated hotel, etc. Still under construction and the opening has been postponed several times, but will probably launch some time in end of 2006.