Phuket Travel Secrets

For all your Phuket Travel Secrets

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phuket Travel Secrets brings you the latest additions to our travel secrets and what is happening in Phuket.

If you like this e-zine, please do a friend and me a big favour and "pay it forward." If a friend did forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting...

Phuket Secrets Ezine

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Issue No 5, 26th March 2010

This issue….

April is generally one of the hottest and driest months in Phuket. This is mid-season for Phuket and although there are still a lot of visitors the hotels and resorts start to lower their rates around this period as demand drops. So keep an eye out for some cheaper accommodation in Phuket.

What’s on in Phuket in April 2010

April is a fantastic time to be holidaying in Phuket, with lots to see and do.

Laguna Phuket Turtle Release at the Sheraton Grande on Friday the 2nd April from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. To help protect Thailand’s endangered sea turtles, Laguna Phuket will host this annual event in association with the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and the Royal Thai Navy. This year’s event will feature the release of 2 juvenile turtles equipped with satellite tracking devices, part of the ongoing research that maps local feeding grounds and migration patterns of these turtles.

Phuket Bike Week is one of the biggest motorcycle events in Southeast Asia and is to be held in Phuket from the 9th April through to the 13th April. With over 5000 motorcycles riders from all around the world expected to attend.

Taking place on Patong Beach the festival brings an international celebration of motorcycle culture to Thailand's largest island. Visitors staying in Phuket can look forward to a busy programme of events over the five days, with a motorcycle exhibition at Jungceylon showcasing the latest custom bikes and equipment. Other highlights include a tattoo contest and the Miss Phuket Bike Week beauty pageant.

During the festival, Patong's Loma Park hosts a daily beach party and rock concert, while there is also the chance to attend the grand dinner at the Thainaan restaurant on April 9th. Now in its 16th edition, the bike week will include a "ride for peace" around the island.

The Songkran Festival is the traditional Thai New Year celebration which is held from the 13th to 15th April. It is also known as the Water Festival, and a great excuse for a massive water fight…….

Songkran is celebrated by Thais throughout the country by pouring - traditionally only a little, but these days a lot – of water on other people to wish them good luck for the New Year.

Songkran is a festival that shouldn’t be missed, if you are fortunate enough to be holidaying in Phuket on the 13th April head to Patong with a water pistol or bucket in hand for a massive day of water fighting fun.

The festival is the most celebrated of holidays on the Island and a time for lots of fun. The Thai people love to soak tourists during the festival, so it is a good idea to have your mobile phone, camera and wallet in a water-proof bag before you venture outdoors or leave them in your safe at your resort during the Festival. In Phuket the water throwing festivities are only on the 13th April.

Songkran celebrations take place all over Thailand in April, but there is one aspect of the festival that remains unique to Phuket and that is the Turtle Releasing Festival. The turtle releasing festival is not an independent festival but a continuation of the Thai New Year festivities.

The Department of Fisheries has declared it as National Fisheries Day. Baby sea-turtles are released into the sea at various beaches. The main beaches for this festival and releasing of the turtles are located on the northwest coast of Phuket, at Nai Yang, Bang Tao and Mai Khao Beaches.

As the numbers of sea-turtles have been drastically reduced over the years this government sponsored program is hoped to both increase the number of turtles and increase public awareness about the importance of conserving and protecting this endangered species. The festival is held on the 11th April.

For visitors that are staying around Kata or Karon, check out the new sports bar that opened in December 2009 at Kata.

Dukes Sports Bar @ Kata Beach is owned and operated by Americans, Mark and Karen Ellison. The bar has 5 big screen televisions with live sports coverage from all around the world. Go along and meet Karen and Mark and their friendly staff and enjoy a cold beer or a cocktail with free popcorn and sports television. Happy Hour prices everyday from 3.00pm to 8.00pm.

Open daily from 11.00am to 2.00am, located at 89/6 Moo 4, Tai-na Road, Kata Beach (next door to Rico's Pizzeria & Steakhouse).

We hope that you have enjoyed this issue of Phuket Travel Secrets e-zine.

Enjoy

Jeff & Paula