Today is a good day to write something here for my beloved Phuket. It’s windy outside with the possibility of rain. But I do hope all people of Phuket will show their love to the island with ‘Keeping Phuket Clean’ campaign this afternoon.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, please see ‘Summer in Phuket ‘campaign website or below

‘KEEP PHUKET CLEAN’ NOW A MONTHLY ISLAND-WIDE PROGRAM

5,000 Participants Expected For Next Island Clean Up August 6th

Phuket, Thailand: The next island-wide Keep Phuket Clean effort has been set for Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM in 28 different locations around the island. Organizers expect over 5,000 volunteers at this month’s clean up and an even broader involvement from Phuket’s schools, charitable organizations, construction industry and local government. Future clean ups have been scheduled for the first Thursday of every month till December 2009.

Last month’s Keep Phuket Clean effort saw excellent progress being achieved in new areas around the island. The fishing village on the south end of Bangtao which has been dramatically cleaned up with the support of the staff at the Amanpuri, will post signage and promote itself as the Bangtao Fish market – the west coast’s only fresh daily fish market. Other new locations include a Chalong focus, expansion into Phuket Town and the mangrove area of Kok Tanod. Importantly RPM, Boat Lagoon, Ao Po area and Yacht Haven have all been involved and are making plans to expand the coverage area.

“The community is getting behind this campaign and seeing real improvement in beach maintenance, public areas such as beach parking and there has been concerted efforts by the local Or Bor Tor in each location to improve waste management and support building public awareness”,” say Nick Anthony spokesperson for the Summer in Phuket campaign, “The last three clean ups have been principally supported and co-ordinated by the hotels and we seek now to broaden the involvement into the community, and to continue to expand the monthly coverage. Phang Nga province is joining us on the 6th and will start both Natai Beach and Khao Lak regular cleanups. Phi Phi Island is also starting their campaign.”

The Keep Phuket Clean community outreach program’s goal, using education and private sector support, is to make the Phuket residents, hotels, small businesses and tourists more aware of the island’s fragile eco-system and the impact that we have on its flora, fauna and surrounding waters and marine reserves. Also, as part of the ‘Summer in Phuket’ campaign, the Keep Phuket Clean program provides an opportunity to spread positive messages about Phuket to the world.

Please see the list of beach locations, times and local organizers below or visit ‘Summer in Phuket’ campaign website

August 6th Island wide

Keep Phuket Clean Location Schedule

Key areas are all scheduled to start at 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009 unless otherwise stated. If the weather doesn’t cooperate the event will take place the following day on August 7th. Until December the groups will continue to meet every month, on the first Thursday of the month: September 3rd, October 1st, November 5th and December 3rd. Those interested in participating can get further information for their particular area at www.summerinphuket.com or email info@summerinphuket.com

THURSDAY AUGUST 6th

Mai Khao Beach, Zone 1: JW Marriott co-ordinating, meet at the park area between JW Marriott and Sala Phuket

Mai Khao Beach, Zone 2: West Sands co-ordinating, meet on West Sands North Boundary

Naithon Beach: Trisara co-ordinating, general beach and community clean from the Middle

Bangtao Beach, Zone 1: Meeting at the Layan National Park

Bangtao Beach, Zone 2: Reggae Bar

Bangtao Beach, Zone 3: Best Western co-ordinating beach and community clean from Best Western South, particularly the Klong area

Bangtao Beach, Zone 4: 9.00am start. Fishing Village, klong and village areas meeting at Amancruise area. (In need of additional support)

Surin Beach: 3.30pm start. Split into 4 Zones, co-ordinated by Marriott Courtyard, meet at car park at the beach

Laem Sing Beach: Road cleanup Surin – Laem sing complete, meet at Main car park

Kamala Beach, Zone 1: Courtyard Marriott co-ordinating North end with board riders association

Kamala Beach, Zone 2: Large gathering at Smile Bar to focus on the local community/police station area

Kamala Beach, Zone 3: Andara, Cape Sienna and Rockfish co-ordinating the school/temple and klong area

Kalim Beach: Indochine and LIMS Restaurant co-ordinating a full beach clean and Klong area

Karon Beach: 10am start General beach and community clean with full support of Hotels. Meet outside Moevenpick and Hilton

Kata Beach: Co-ordinated by The Boathouse. Beach & community clean

Kata Noi: Supported by Villa Royale and Kata gardens

Nai Harn Beach: General beach clean

Rawai Beach: Evason co-ordinating the beach clean and local community

The Aquarium: Sri Panwa co-ordinating the area clean up

Cape Panwa: Cape Panwa co-ordinating beach clean

Chalong Beach: Chalong Pier meeting ground, co-ordinated cleanup by K Methee and Kan Eang restaurant plus dive shops

Kok Tanod Mangove Area: Mangrove planting and area cleaning (confirm details with nick@indigoRE.com )

Phuket Town: Meeting at Soi Romanee

Royal Phuket Marina: Meet at Les Anges

Boat Lagoon: Meet at Watermark

Ao Po Area: Meet at the pier

Yacht Haven: Meet at top of Marina drive and fan into Village

Khao Lak and Natai Beach details please ask

FRIDAY AUGUST 7th

Nai Yang Beach: 4.00pm start on Friday 7th August. Indigo Pearl & DEWA co-ordinating, general beach and community from in front. of both hotels

TUESDAY AUGUST 11th

Patong Beach: 9.00 am start on all the beach and waterfront tourist areas. Over 35 hotels are now involved and will meet in front of the Holiday Inn and fan North and South.

Your efforts count, and your support is much appreciated.
It gets easier and easier!

I had a chance wander around the festival yesterday evening. There’re spectacular shows reflection long time relationships between Phuket and China. Chinese Cultural Performances are brought from 7 provinces in China including Yiantai which is Phuket’s Sister City. I didn’t know that our Phuket has a sister city and I didn’t know where Yantai is, except of course, in China. But I did have an assistant called WIKIPEDIA. After searching about Yantai in the website, this is what I found. “Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively” I still have no idea about it since I’ve never been to China. But if you are luckier than me just let me know by drop me a comment. As far as I can see, this Yantai is not a big deal. She has nothing to compare with our Phuket. See the difference? Feel free to drop me a slap-on-my-face comment as well.

In the festival, you can explore the majestic Sino-Portuguese architecture. I could see that those old buildings are very beautiful during the night time under spotlights. You can also enjoy exotic local delicacies and traditional sweets.

The road in old Phuket town areas were closed to traffic in the evening. So the participants can enjoy colorful street processions, vibrant celebrations, local culture, history and food. It’s the last day today. Everyone should go. You just can’t miss it. And the best part is it’s totally free.

Now Fiji is brought in to our Phuket with the Opening Party on November 22nd at Whitebox in Kalim by Boonrawd Brewery which is also the importer of Corona Beer in Thailand. I was not so surprised to see many hoteliers and prominent local residents here since the party was aimed to introduce the new product to restaurants and hotels across the island.

Khun Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, the heir to the Boonrawd Brewery empire, came down from Bangkok to host the party himself. This guy is so cool. I was surprised to see him in politics couple years ago. Not just a businessperson, he is also a social animal and sportsman.

We often sees its distinctive square bottles in television shows and movies—it is the “in” thing as far as accessories are concerned for the Hollywood celebrities. People in U.S. have considered Fiji Water one of the top 10 things they cannot do without. Can you believe that???

[I'm so gonna drink it just because of her 'Megan Fox'.]

The explosive growth of this Fiji product comes not from millions of dollars spent on advertising, but from allowing the water itself to do the talking. The company has promoted its product by supporting causes like AIDS and breast cancer research through 10-kilometer runs and product placements in the entertainment industry. Word of mouth carries them the rest of the way with a distinct taste of soft freshness.

I’ve been looking for Fiji in Central Phuket Festival the other day but I can’t see any as it is not officially launched till the end of December. I don’t know how much it will cost a bottle of it here but if you’ve drunk Fiji before you might heard people say it’s overpriced.  But there is a price to every premium & niche brand, right?