Phuket, the country’s largest island and an international magnet for beach enthusiasts, was ranked No. 8 of the world’s top 10 islands in the Traveller’s Choice Award by TripAdvisor.

The announcement today comes two months after Phuket’s Kata Noi beach was voted one of the world’s best beaches by the travel website.

Phuket was described by TripAdvisor as “Blue lagoons and salmon sunsets make for a dream-like atmosphere, and indeed, a vacation here can feel a bit surreal. Watersports are the most popular activities, though once you’ve had enough sun there’s still plenty to explore at the island’s aquariums, gardens, and Buddhist temples.”

Regionally, Phuket was the second best island in Asia after Bali. Koh Samui and Koh Tao were ranked third and fourth respectively.

World’s top 10 islands for 2016
1. Maui, Hawaii
2. Santorini, Greece
3. Jamaica, Caribbean
4. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
5. Bali, Indonesia
6. Mallorca, Spain
7. Mauritius, Africa
8. Phuket, Thailand
9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and its partners recently hosted the 7th annual Mai Khao Marine Turtle Release Ceremony which took place during the Songkran Festival on April 13, 2015 from 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm.

The Phuket Vice Governor, Mr. Khajornkiet Rakpanichmanee was a guest of honour and participated The Thai New Year celebration at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. Furthermore, the Mai Khao Turtle Foundation also has organized the exclusive Turtle release programs on April 15 and 16 from 9 am – 10 am together with IUCN for this year. The event was supported by the Phuket Marine Biological Center and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Songkran Festival is also known as The Thai New Year and Sea turtles represent longevity in Thai culture and releasing animals to nature is believed to bring good luck to the participant. On this occasion, 30 new batch of rehabilitated green turtles stepped into the Andaman Sea, with thousand eyewitness of Phuket residents and hotel guests were cheering and waving them the farewell.

All monies have raised through donations during the event, it went towards supporting the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and its partners: the Phuket Marine Biological Centre’s injured Turtle Rehabilitation Program and the Third Naval Area Command’s Turtle Hatchery Program.

Thailand expects tourism to generate revenues of 15 billion baht (US$428.08 million) during the three-day Songkran festival, some 10 percent more than last year, the country’s tourism minister said on the eve of the water festival.

Thailand expects tourism to generate revenues of 15 billion baht (US$428.08 million) during the three-day Songkran festival, some 10 percent more than last year, the country’s tourism minister said on the eve of the water festival.

Sometimes referred to as the world’s biggest water fight, the festival marks the beginning of Thailand’s traditional New Year and is a major tourist attraction, and a time when Thais visit family and perform religious purification ceremonies.

Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said 495,000 foreign tourists will visit Thailand during the festival, which starts on Wednesday and ends on Friday.

“About 15 billion baht (US$428.08 million) will circulate during Songkran,” Kobkarn told reporters. “This is around 10 percent more than last year.”

This year authorities are calling for restraint during the festival to help conserve water as Thailand faces its worst drought in decades.

That hasn’t stopped revellers from taking part in the festivities which have already kicked off in parts of the country.

International tourist arrivals in 2016 are expected to hit a record high of 32 million compared with 29.88 million last year.

Phuket police have said drinking beer on Patong Beach is still permitted, despite recent rumors that booze had been banned.

The Phuket News reported that although some beachgoers said vendors had told them there was a new ban on alcohol, Kathu Police Chief Col Chaiwat Uikum said drinking “in moderation” on the beach was acceptable.

“Selling alcohol on public land — including the beach — is illegal, but we will not take any action against people drinking alcohol in moderation on Patong Beach,” he said.

One beachgoer had previously told the newspaper: “Two vendors on the beach told us that they were not allowed to sell alcohol anymore.

“They said the military had ordered the ban and that anyone found drinking alcohol on the beach would be arrested and fined.”

The unnamed beachgoer said the beach rules were unclear, with some regulations enforced rigidly and others less so.

“Tourists are not sure what we can do — and cannot do — anymore. It’s terrible, as this can stop a lot of people from coming to Phuket,” he said.

Thais enjoy a public holiday, Wednesday, 6 April, just a week ahead of the popular Songkran festival, 13 to 15 April.

Both are public holidays for government, banks and commercial sector.

The country celebrates Chakri Memorial Day, Wednesday, 6 April, to honour the nine kings who have ruled Thailand under the present Chakri Dynasty.

The first king in the Chakri Dynasty, Rama I, founded the capital in Bangkok. The current ruler, His Majesty the King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the world’s longest reigning monarch. His reign commenced 9 June 1946.

Officially three days, the Songkran festival gets underway a week later, 13  April and ends 15 April. Savvy travel planners who take leave from work on Monday and Tuesday (11 and 12 April) can enjoy a nine-day break by the time the Songkran holiday-week runs out its course on Sunday 17 April.

The three-day holiday prompts a massive exodus of Bangkok residents who return to their rural homes to spend the holiday with their families and friends. However, it usually extends to five or seven days when the nearest weekend is included.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports international arrivals to Thailand passed the 6 million mark, an improvement of 15.48% during January to February, this year.

Released last week, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 6,090,203 visits during the first two months of this year compared to 5,273,791 visits during the same period last year.

Based on Immigration Bureau’s head count of people passing through passport checks at all border checkpoints (land, air and sea) the total does not identify visits for the purpose of tourism.

Association of Thai Travel agents reported just over 1 million visitors travelled on packages handled by its member companies January to February. They entered the country through Bangkok’s two airports.

ATTA has no record of clients entering the country at other gateway airports such as Phuket, Samui or Chiang Mai. Phuket would be substantial due the volume of direct flights to the island destination.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said she was encouraging tour operators to pay more attention to ASEAN tourists, this year, to balance business in case there was a recession in China.

“This year, ASEAN tourists could grow to 7 million visits, which would be close to the volume of Chinese tourist arrivals, while the European market, especially Russia, is expected to improve significantly this year.”

The minister also suggested tour operators should tap new markets such as the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to expand business opportunities.

In February alone, visits recorded at border checkpoints reached 3,088,876, an increase of 15.96% over 2,663,650 during the same month last year.

By regions, all markets recorded increases in the second month of the year except the Oceania.

East Asia (ASEAN included) recorded the highest growth of 19.15% from 1,704,198 to 2,030,624 visits.

The markets that showed improvements were: Myanmar (+55.21%); Vietnam (+34.89%); Laos (+33.97%); Cambodia (+31.93%); South Korea (+25.87%); China (+22.77%); Indonesia (+18.91%); the Philippines (+17.01%); Malaysia (+11.45%); Singapore (+10.38%); Hong Kong (+8.16%); Japan (+3.28%); and Taiwan (+1.91%).

Brunei was the only decline market in the region to show a decline (5.77%).

Africa showed an increase of 16.09% from 8,860 to 10,286 visits. The main market South Africa improved 9.53% from 3,370 to 3,691.

Americas posted a growth of 15.78% from 109,896 to 127,242 visits. Argentina reported an 88.72% increase from 3,359 to 6,339.

The United States recorded the highest visits at 82,335 up 14.49% from 71,915 followed by Canada (26,425; +9.51%) and Brazil (5,356; +4.24%).

Europe grew 10.93% from 644,511 to 714,962 visits. Markets that showed improvements were: Spain (+17.51%); Russia (+14.29%); Sweden (+14.10%); Italy (+13.67%); the United Kingdom (+13.30%); Denmark (+12.44%); France (+12.10%); Germany (+10.26%); the Netherlands (+9.99%); Switzerland (+9.74%); Belgium (+9.67%); Ireland (+7.71%); East Europe (+4.90%); Finland (+3.84%); and Austria (+1.86%).

Norway was the only market that recorded a slowdown (4.86%).

The Middle East increased 10.71% from 41,506 to 45,953 visits. Israel recorded the highest visits with 13,821, slightly improving by 1.44% from 13,625 visits.

Other main markets in the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates (5,946; -3.72%); Kuwait (3,315; -5.88%); Egypt (2,184; +43.68%); and Saudi Arabia (1,086; +44.41%).

South Asia represented an increase of 5.87% from 94,621 to 100,179 visits. India led supplying 75,874 visits up 4.90% from 72,328 followed by Bangladesh (7,337; -6.21%), Sri Lanka (5,729; +15.18%), Pakistan (5,213; +7.24%), and Nepal (3,206; +65.26%).

In contrast, Oceania posted a slight decline of 0.71% from 60,058 to 59,630 visits. The main markets, New Zealand improved 0.41% (6,642) and Australia dropped 0.79% (52,817).

Royal Phuket Marina has officially opened ‘Kids Mania at RPM’, a multi-purpose children’s play zone comprising indoor and outdoor areas that targets the growing number of resident and visiting families to Phuket.

Conveniently located in the centre of the island, Kids Mania at RPM offers a safe and fun environment with professional, trained staff for toddler’s and children up to eight years old.

Who’s in?

“Kids Mania at RPM is something new for Phuket – a fun play area for children that is designed and managed by professionals. A stand alone facility that is open to the public, Kids Mania at RPM will cater to the growing number of families that live in and visit Phuket, and complements our expanding facilities and destination status,” said Mr Michael Ayling, Managing Director, Royal Phuket Marina.

The island’s number one choice for families and children, Kids Mania at RPM is a kids paradise with its air-conditioned indoor soft play area full of toys and ball pools, a large adjacent outdoor shaded play ground with climbing frames, play apparatus, swings and more, and three private indoor activity rooms.

“We have worked with specialists from overseas to design and develop the best kids zone on the island and with professional, trained staff, parents can be safe in the knowledge their children will receive the best care and attention while having a lot of fun,”added Mr Ayling.

Kids Mania at RPM offers day rates and monthly memberships, caters for private parties, and is open 9am – 6pm on weekdays and 9am – 7pm on weekends.