FILE PHOTO Army, police and municipal officials have raided 18 hotels on Koh Samui claiming that they are illegally owned by foreigners. The hotels in questions are on a mountainside on the Gulf island, the second largest island in Thailand. Officials carried out the search and raids on Chaweng Noi Mountain in Moo 6 village in Tambon Bophut and found that 18 luxury mansions had been modified as hotels to cater to foreign tourists
by Bill Barnett of C9Hotelworks.com At the beginning of the year Phuket’s tourism and hotel sector was cautiously optimistic after a strong first half of 2018 and humbling second half. Key terms that kept popping up were Mainland Chinese, Thai Baht Appreciation, Elections and Supply Concerns
Anantara Hotels Director of Operational Excellence & Events Tim Boda has announced Thailand’s first “Elephant Boat Race & River Festival” to be held between March 29 – 31, 2019.
Chinese tourists are flocking back to Phuket for Chinese New Year 2019 after a six month hiatus following last year’s Phoenix boat tragedy.
Meliá Hotels International, a leading Spanish hotel company, has announced the signing of Meliá Phuket Karon, the second property in Thailand, followed by Meliá Phuket Mai Khao. Meliá Phuket Karon will be the group’s sixth property in Thailand, continuing their dedication in providing exceptional hospitality with a Spanish touch, to the island’s thriving accommodation market
PHOTO: Constant training and up-skilling was at the core of the Phuket Lifeguard Service The nine year relationship between the Phuket Lifeguard Service and the Phuket provincial and Thesaban administrators is over. The contract for providing professional lifesavers at Patong beach, the final beach under their watchful eye, finished yesterday. Speaking to the MD of the Phuket Lifeguard Service Company, Vitanya Chuayuan, today The Thaiger noted a tone of resignation in her voice after the long battle the company had to provide skilled and professional lifeguards along Phuket’s beaches.
Chocolate… mmmmm. But did you consider it as part of a broader savory menu?
By Sirivish Toomgum All members of the Phuket Hotels Association have jointly committed to eliminate plastic water bottles and drinking straws from rooms by 2019 as part of an effort to ensure a sustainable future for Phuket, said association president Anthony Lark. The association has also provided information to its hotel members about companies that provide alternatives to plastics for food storage, waste bags and guest amenities.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket organised a day filled with activities as part of an on-going partnership with SOS Children’s Village Phuket, an orphanage that was set up in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami and looks after local, unattended children. On Saturday, June 16, 2018, 20 children from the SOS Children’s Village Phuket were invited to the resort to “be our guests” and spend a day on the resort’s ground to have fun and discover different jobs related to hospitality. The children were picked up in the morning and were introduced to the concepts of eco-sustainability, a key foundation of the resort, by visiting the gardens and learning about the different species of flora that can be found on the property
PHOTO: Manon Hostel, Chiang Mai Concerns over interpretation of the current Hotels Act, following a court-ruling last month about a Hua Hin condo being deemed illegal when renting rooms by day or week, have spread to Chiang Mai where guesthouse and hostel owners are seeking clarification. Guesthouse, hostel and small hotel owners in the northern city have filed a petition to the Lawyers Council expressing their concerns and seeking amendments to the Hotel Act. The petition has been signed by 500 local business-people.