EVASON PHUKET RACEWEEK 2007

Asia's fastest-growing regatta July 19th - 22nd 2007

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The Evason Phuket Raceweek 2007, now in its fourth year, will take place on the beautiful waters off the Rawai Beach on the South Eastern side of Phuket Island.With the promise of international-standard yachting and five-star parties, the Regatta will play host to over 40 boats and 300 participants. Evason Phuket Raceweek is the fastest-growing regatta in Asia; the event creates the perfect opportunity to relax, network and entertain.

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This year’s Raceweek comprises a four-day regatta covering seven race classes. While the final composition will be determined shortly before the event, likely classes include Racing Sports Boat Class, IRC Class, Club Class, Multihull Racing Class, Multihull Performance Cruising Class, Firefly 850 One-design Class and Classic Class.

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The lower sea view terrace of the Evason Phuket Resort and Six Senses Spa will operate as the Phuket Raceweek HQ. The resort is the sponsoring host venue for the fourth year running, and is set among 64 acres of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens. Meanwhile, all the look-out points on the South Eastern side of Phuket Island will provide spectacular vantage points for the action.

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Evason Phuket Raceweek is held under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand. Organisers

Image Asia Events Co., Ltd. will draw upon their vast experience with the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, and the Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX) to create an event that perfectly showcases the region, and the sport.Image

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Asia Managing Director Grenville Fordham said: “We are really excited to be organising the 4th EvasonPhuket Raceweek. The 2007 event will undoubtedly be the best yet. It is rapidly becoming a big draw for spectators and participants alike, so such a prestigious event is very important for the local area and economy.”

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English commercial sponsorship & partnership marketing opportunities executive summary attached. For aThai version, please contact Thanthip Kaewsri on +66 8 1694 7412 or thanthip@email.com

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Full details can be found at: www.paulpoole.co.th/phuketraceweek and www.phuketraceweek.com and www.image-asia.com

Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) and Boat Thai 2007

26 February 2007 (Singapore) – Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) and Boat Thai 2007 will join forces to deliver more substantial content and deeper synergies for exhibitors and visitors. Spanning wall-to-wall floor space of 7,000 square metres, ADEX and Boat Thai will be collocated in Hall 106 of the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand from 27-29 April.

Heavyweights in their respective industries, ADEX brings to the pairing a solid 13-year track record of providing world-class trade and consumer platforms for the dive industry and related businesses. Recognised by the industry as Asia’s leading international dive exhibition for the gathering of quality buyers and sellers, ADEX delivers a conducive business and networking environment that propels the growth of dive businesses.

By www.boat-thai.com

Chong Samae San

Chong Samae San

Amphoe Sattahip, Chonburi

This village offers good fishing opportunities and is located approximately 17 kilometers further from the Sattahip deep-water port. Bungalows are available for serious fishing visitors and boats can be chartered to go fishing in the nearby islands. All these small islands are under the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai navy.

TAIWAN TRAVEL OPERATORS & CHINA AIRLINES INITIATE CHIANG MAI-KAOSUNG FLIGHTS

Recognizing the potential for increased travel between Kaosung and other nearby cities in Taiwan and the city of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, ten Taiwanese travel operators have been working in cooperation with the China Airlines representative office in Kaosung on the introduction of Kaosung-Chiang Mai flights.

China Airlines has been operating charter flights on the Kaosung-Chiang Mai route since March 25, 2007, and is planning to launched scheduled flights on the Kaosung-Chiang Mai route from 18 April 2007 onwards. There are currently three charter flights per week – on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. The full capacity for each charter flight is 150 passengers.

Outbound flights depart from Kaosung in Taiwan at 07.00 hrs., while return flights depart from the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai at 14.50 hrs.

According to initial plans, the flight frequency on scheduled flights being introduced by China Airlines in April 2007 will be three times per week. However, the airline timetable is subject to change.

SORUCE: TAT News Room

Website: http://www.tatnews.org/

Wat Yai Inthraram

Wat Yai Inthraram

Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi

Located on Chetchamnong Road, the temple, which is believed to have been built in the Ayutthaya period, clearly shows the influence of Ayutthaya-style architecture. The Ubosot and Vihan were built in their distinctive Gunwale Curve base and the Mondop were built over the Holy Footprints.
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The Ubosot itself was renovated during the reign of King Rama lll using glassware to decorate the gables and windows. Within the Ubosot are murals covering the entire four walls, which have been continuously restored over the years. In front of the temple stands a statue of King Taksin the Great who according to legends once stopped his troops here while on the way to set up his base in Chanthaburi during the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.

Ho Phra

Ho Phra

Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi

Located on Wachiraprakan Road, approximately 500 meters from the town hall, the shrine houses a replica of the Phra Phutthasihing the one that was cast in pure silver. The image receives utmost respect by the locals.

Khao Sam Muk

Khao Sam Muk

Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi

A low hillock situated between Ang Sila and Bang Saen on the road that runs along the seashore is Khao Sam Muk a place known by most Thais for its tragic love story. According to the legend, two lovers jumped off of the cliff to declare their eternal love after facing parental objection to their marriage. A panoramic view of Bang Saen beach can be seen from the hilltop. Good quality Thai and Chinese seafood restaurants are located at the foot of the hills providing reasonably priced sumptuous dishes.

The Institute of Marine Science of the Burapha University

The Institute of Marine Science of the Burapha University

Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi

The University operates a modern aquarium with real underwater environment and a marine science museum which opens daily, except Monday, from 8.30a.m.to 4.30 p.m. For more information, call (038) 391671-4.

Nong Mon Market

Nong Mon Market

Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi

This market is located on Sukhumvit Road along the way to Bang Saen and has gained popularity over the years. Nong Mon Market offers a vast variety of locally produced seafood products such as fish, squid, and shrimp, both fresh and preserved. In addition, sweets and other local sweetmeats are also popular with the most popular item being Khao Larm a traditional thai-style dessert cooked and served in a bamboo tube.

Bang Saen

Bang Saen

Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi

This ever popular seaside town is situated approximately 14 kilometers from the city. To get to Bang Saen from Sukhumvit Road, take a right turn at Km. 104 and proceed for another 3 kilometers. Bang Saen is especially popular amongst Thai visitors who enjoy strolling along the long white sandy beach and tasting the delicious seafood available from vendors along the pavement. Unlike weekdays, weekends are always particularly crowded. A wide range of hotels and bungalows are located by the sea and recreational gear and bicycles for rent are available in shops nearby. For budget travelers, several buses depart daily from Ekkamai Bus Terminal throughout the day. In addition, there are local ''Song taew'' or local transport services connecting Chon Buri town-Nong Mon Market-Bang Saen.

Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2007 Returns to Bangkok With Full Backing From Exhibitors and Dive Enthusiasts

Singapore, 22 March 2007 – Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2007 gears up for another winning international dive show in Bangkok, Thailand this year as key dive industry stakeholders snap up exhibition spaces. With an influx of new exhibitors and with existing exhibitors significantly increasing their booth presence, organiser Suntec Integrated Media (SIM) is confident that the Asia Dive Expo 2007 (ADEX), which will be held on 27-29 April 2007 at BITEC Bang-na in conjunction with Boat Thai, will be bigger and better than ADEX 2005 when the show was held in Bangkok. This increase in the number of world-class companies taking up booths at ADEX 2007 also promises to attract a larger pool of quality visitors.

Many existing exhibitors such as BAUER Compressors have pledged a stronger presence at ADEX this year, increasing its booth space to 27 square metres. Stephen Hines, Managing Director, BAUER Compressors Asia Pte. Ltd., said “BAUER is expanding its presence at ADEX 2007 because we recognise ADEX as the leading international and regional dive exhibition and the only one that attracts the key industry leaders who matter. It is a must-attend for us because this is the ideal platform for meeting agents and distributors, networking and making new contacts. The Thai market is also an important one for us and ADEX 2007 presents an excellent opportunity for BAUER to strengthen its position there.”

National tourism organisations such as the Philippines Department of Tourism is rallying the Philippines dive resorts to form a much larger pavilion at ADEX 2007 while distributors and wholesalers of quality scuba diving equipment such as Dadriba Ltd and Coltri Sub are planning to participate in a bigger way. International training agency PADI has also increased their booth space reservation by 25% from 2006 to a whopping 180 square metres, representing support from a greater number of local dive centres.

New exhibitors, such as Seacam and Dive Supply, are riding the wave of confidence following the success of ADEX 2006 in Singapore to reserve significant space. For example, Dive Supply, the biggest distributor and wholesaler of big brand names such as Scuba Pro, Seac Sub, and Suunto, showed strong confidence in ADEX by confirming a 54 square metres booth in 2007.

Roel van Leeuwen, Director of Suntec Integrated Media said, "It's good news to see some manufacturers effectively doubling the booth space because they have recognised that ADEX is the ideal regional platform from which to do serious dive business. What makes ADEX different from other dive shows is our 'holistic' approach to the dive business. We've created the broadest possible range of programmes designed to draw quality visitors from distributors and dive operators, to travel buyers and consumers. The interaction between these different groups of visitors and exhibitors really makes our show special."

”TCEB is proud to officially support ADEX 2007 and to include it in our growing portfolio of international exhibitions. ADEX is the premium dive exhibition in Asia where quality buyers and sellers will converge under one roof. We believe that the hosting of ADEX in Bangkok not only enhances Thailand’s stature as an optimum dive destination, but also helps to boost the regional dive market by injecting new opportunities. Visitors to ADEX will definitely benefit from the excellent programming and professionally assembled activities,” said Vithaya Sintharapantorn, Director – Exhibition Sector, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

ADEX 2007 has also designed and incorporated other winning programmes aimed at drawing in quality visitors. The Dive Business Seminar Series will feature presentations, business and marketing tips as well as case studies by the movers and shakers of the dive industry. Other programmes include Dive Certification Updates which will be a hit with dive centres and training agencies. This module offers agencies, like PADI, an excellent opportunity to inform their members on the latest training programme, product information and promotions, new course materials and marketing support. InDepth Training and its Public Service Diving division, Professional Emergency Response Training (PERT), will also bring an exciting new development to ADEX 2007 with the Asian launch of PERT, a 15 year-old programme which is being introduced to Asia on a wide scale for the first time. According to InDepth Training, PERT is set to revolutionise the way Public Safety divers are trained and other dive professionals will be able to get an exclusive preview of this at ADEX.

Visitors can also look forward to an exciting line-up of dive-related activities and promotions, including the My Virgin Dive activity, a collaboration between ADEX 2007 and Virgin Radio to promote diving to the general public, where non divers will get to try-out diving in a 45 square metre pool and participants will receive a certificate of participation and Virgin Radio premiums. In addition, great dive deals like dive equipment and accessories and dive trips will be up for grabs at only US$1.00 with the very popular ADEX Dollar Deals. There will also be free public talks on a broad range of dive-related topics such as underwater photography, marine conservation and dive safety. Asia Dive Expo 2007, held from 27-29 April 2007 at BITEC Bang-na, Bangkok, Thailand, is organised by Suntec Integrated Media. Established since 1995, ADEX is the leading international dive exhibition in Asia and expects to welcome 10,000 international, regional and local trade and public visitors and 200 exhibiting companies. It offers companies in the dive and travel industry an integrated and cost effective marketing platform utilising multiple media such as exhibit space, print media, e-marketing and vital face to face contact time with key stakeholders. ADEX 2007 is endorsed by DEMA (Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association) and supported by TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) and TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau). ADEX 2007 is free for trade visitors while public visitors pay 100 Thai Baht for adults and 50 Thai Baht for children below 12 years of age. Admission tickets also entitle the holder to free entry into Boat Thai 2007.

About Suntec Integrated Media

Suntec Integrated Media (SIM) is a full-fledged exhibition organiser committed to offering value-added, innovative and creative media and business strategies, which are designed to deliver targeted industry exposure as well as the key objective of exhibitions bringing buyers and sellers together. SIM is a division of Suntec Singapore.

SIM is the leading dive event specialist, organiser of Asia Dive Expo, China Dive Expo, Asia Scuba Tour and Asian Village @ DEMA.

Ang Sila

Ang Sila

Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi

A seaside-fishing village situated approximately 5 kilometers from town, Ang Sila is well known for its granite products. The fishermen are not only skilful in catching fish, but also in making implements from granite and have passed on their craftsmanship from generation to generation. Their most renown products are the mortar and pestle which are widely used in Thai households, and decorative items such as figurines of animals i.e. lions, elephants and horses.

Si Chang Palace

Si Chang Palace

Amphoe Ko Si Chang, Chonburi

Si Chang Palace was built during the reign of King Rama V as a summer palace. The landscaping of the palace compound was carefully planned with residential quarters, lawns, pools, and swamps designed and located in ascending tiers from the beach up to the top of the hill, alternated with frangipani trees (Plumeria acuminata) of different colors.

Each building was named after the Kings consorts who supervised its decoration, for example, Watthana Mansion, Phongsi Mansion, and Aphirom Mansion. On the beach there is a green house made of wood decorated with gingerbread patterns.

The palace was abandoned when the French occupied the island in 1894. Thus, the construction of the main throne hall called "Man-That Phairot" was unfortunately stopped. In 1910 the king ordered the removal of the incomplete hall to Dusit Palace in Bangkok, where construction was finally completed and was later granted with the name "Vimanmek". The place is now a museum and is open to the public.

The white Chedi that overlooks Hat Tha Wang, is definitely part of a temple called Wat Atsadang Nimit". Built near the palace, the temple was the place where King Rama V meditated. The temple, which was a mix of western and eastern architectural styles, houses an outstanding Buddha image.

Adventure lovers should not miss the opportunity to explore Tham Saowapha, located not far from Wat Atsadang Nimit. This relatively large limestone cave plunges deep into the island.

Ko Si Chang

Ko Si Chang

Amphoe Ko Si Chang, Chonburi

Si Chang island is a perfect getaway for travelers addicted to history and having fun. This tiny island has a population of only 500 people, mostly fishermen who practice the old way of life.

Travelling to Ko Si Chang
There are boats departing to Ko Si Chang daily, on an hourly basis from the Pier in Si Racha. The first boat leaves at 6.00 a.m. and the last departs at 7 p.m. The fare is 30 bahts/person. (one-way). If you dont plan to stay overnight on the island, try catching the last boat which leaves at 6.00 p.m. from the island back to Si Racha.

Travelling around Ko Si Chang
Motorcycle taxis will take you anywhere on the island. The fare ranges from 20 30 bahts, depending on the destination. You can negotiate the fare down to the local price after shopping around.

Khao Khat Pass and Hat Hin Klom

Khao Khat Pass and Hat Hin Klom

Amphoe Ko Si Chang, Chonburi

The name "Hat Hin Klom" originated from the rounded rocks on the beach which have been naturally "rounded" by the westerly wind that flows from March to September. The white sand gives the beach a clean and clear look. Khao Khat Pass on the other side of the island is a fascinating and romantic point from which to watch the sunset.