Phuket Gazette - Phuket Business

Illegal Phuket migrant workers get five-month reprieve

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:29:09 GMT

PHUKET: More than 20,000 unregistered migrant workers in Phuket now have until mid-June to register with the government, thanks to a Cabinet resolution earlier this month extending the deadline by five months.

The extension gives employers time to obtain two-year work permits for unregistered alien workers from Burma, Laos and Cambodia, said Phuket Provincial Employment Office Chief Noppadol Ployudee.

Workers whose permits were set to expire on January 20 or February 28 now have until June 14 to extend them, but their employers need to request the new permits and submit documents to begin their employees national verification process by April 12.

Phuket business: Local suppliers to extend reach

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:32:00 GMT

PHUKET: Red Bull�s national distribution arm is looking to capitalize on local supply markets, a strategy which could extend the reach of Phuket-sourced products into greater national, regional and global markets.

Durbell, a key logistics affiliate of the Red Bull Beverage Company (the producers of Krating Daeng) aims to diversify its offerings and keep ahead in the expanding wholesale and retail business.

A report in The Nation recently revealed that the company is investing 500 million baht in domestic expansion projects, which include the purchase of 300 new transport trucks, as well as new warehouses in Chanthaburi and Phuket.

Phuket business: FC Phuketonomics: ball business

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:15:00 GMT

PHUKET: Despite having nearly been dissolved due to swelling debts, FC Phuket 1688 Co Ltd generated the fifth highest turnover out of 18 Division 1 clubs, statistics released by the Thai Premier League (TPL) have revealed.

Concluding last month, the 2011-2012 season�s tallied receipts show that the Southern Sea Kirin had generated more than 2.8 million baht, which equates to 4.

Phuket business: Inflated eats; Flower sales bloom; Kata � Karon branded green; Taiwan bar raised

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:14:33 GMT

PHUKET: In light of the continuously rising cost of living, accounting books of rice and noodle vendors across Phuket and Thailand could become subject to increased audits this year.

As of yesterday the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) issued official price cap suggestions for 10 common Thai menu items to be priced under 35 baht.

These include rice dishes served with omelet, curry, boiled egg, pork leg, basil stir fried or fried rice (with pork or chicken), as well as several common noodle dishes � with and without soup.

Phuket tourism shrugs off Bangkok blasts: PTA

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:18:23 GMT

PHUKET: The recent bombings in Bangkok have not resulted in cancellations of hotel bookings in Phuket and the island's tourism industry prospects for 2012 remain strong, the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) has announced.

Barring a �major incident�, Phuket can expect to have strong tourist arrival figures from both Europe and Asia throughout 2012, PTA President Jirayus Somboon told the Gazette.

Sustained and aggressive destination marketing, including roadshows to India, has resulted in continued growth in the Indian inbound market, he said.

Phuket business: Skyscrapers and economic woe

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:06:27 GMT

PHUKET: There's an economic-cycle theory based on the link between the building of skyscrapers and economic strife. Guess what it�s called? Correct: the Skyscraper Index.

While many trends and theories these days are based on cycles, this economical theory is based on the completion of skyscrapers.

Chinese government eyes interest in Phuket light rail

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:20:31 GMT

PHUKET: A state enterprise from the People�s Republic of China is the latest party to express interest in investing in Phuket�s light-rail project.

An administration and engineering team from Mashucon Co Ltd announced the news in a meeting with Phuket Governor Tri Augaradacha at Provincial Hall yesterday afternoon.

Executive Chairman Nopphon Tansakul told the governor that his team came on behalf of the Shanghai Association of International & Technological Cooperation, a Chinese state enterprise based in Shanghai.

Phuket Business: Toyota Sure opens shop

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:07:38 GMT

PHUKET: With so many new cars hitting the streets, the island�s used car and trade-in market is rapidly growing � particularly good news for car owners having second thoughts about a recently purchased or leased vehicle.

Benchmarking market growth, Phuket�s Toyota Pearl recently held the soft opening of Toyota Sure, the brand�s renowned second-hand car dealership, located off Chalermprakiat (Bypass) Road at the Bang Khu intersection.

Speaking exclusively with the Phuket Gazette, Phuket�s Toyota Sure Deputy Managing Director Chaipat Na-Ranong said, "Our aim is to be a one-stop service.

Phuket Business: Medical tours vital to economy

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:55:34 GMT

PHUKET: Medical tourism in Phuket is flourishing and contributing greatly to the local economy, a representative from one of Phuket�s major international hospitals has said.

Speaking exclusively with the Phuket Gazette, Peter Davidson, assistant manager of international services at Phuket International Hospital, said that "the number of people coming to Phuket for dental work and plastic surgery continues to expand dramatically".

Mr Davidson estimated that between the island�s top two international hospitals � Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Phuket International Hospital � at least 20,000 rooms are being booked annually by international tourists coming to Phuket specifically to do plastic surgery and dental work.

Phuket flower shops report blooming sales

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:36:24 GMT

PHUKET: Flower shops in Phuket are doing brisk business today, St Valentine's Day 2012.

Many flower shops report record orders for floral arrangements, from both inside Phuket and off-island. Classic red roses remain the most popular items among the adults, while teddy bears and chocolates are increasingly popular among teenagers.

Phuket Business: �Q day� is fast approaching

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:49:23 GMT

PHUKET: Many expatriates in Phuket with UK pensions have held off on transferring them offshore due to the relative infancy of the industry and the fact that there has been little guidance on some of the more technical aspects relating to the transfers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

That is all changing as the new legislation introduced recently in draft form is set to go live on the coming "Q day", as it has come to be known, when the legislation goes into effect on April 15.

The reason for an update of the original legislation is to put an end to the practice of "pension busting", first made popular in Singapore until their providers were blacklisted by HMRC, and more recently by providers in New Zealand, who were allowing clients to completely cash in their pensions.

Laguna Phuket ready for Amway mega-event

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:58:27 GMT

PHUKET: The Laguna Phuket resort complex in Cherng Talay is gearing up for its largest-ever incentives event in April and May, when it will host some 16,000 Amway sales representatives from China.

Phakwiphoo Tanpradit, project manager for Laguna, said the Amway employee seminars will run from April 15 to May 14. They will arrive in staggered batches, with about four to six hundred participants daily.

Phuket Business: Get ready for higher petrol prices

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:11:32 GMT

PHUKET: Now that we are fully into the swing of 2012, the Christmas tradition of goodwill to all men seems a lifetime away.

When I get out of bed and go on my now regular morning beach run in Phuket � yes, my New Year�s resolution is still being adhered to � global problems seem to be a million miles away. However, sooner or later, one of these global problems could very much affect us all.

Phuket Business: Cool solutions to cut costs

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:26:52 GMT

PHUKET: Despite rising energy prices and the scorching heat outside, home and business owners in Phuket can reduce their electric and utilities overheads by taking advantage of the latest energy saving innovations.

Up until recently, Phuket�s green energy market has been supplied with only a limited offering of environmentally friendly technologies and energy saving solutions.

Notably, a handful of key players have stepped up.

DaVinci charters steps forward for 2012 Bay Regatta

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 18:01:11 GMT

PHUKET: It's not unusual when marinas and yacht brokers cross over into the restaurant business, but co-sponsor of the Bay Regatta 2012, Phuket�s iconic Italian restaurant DaVinci � scored a first when they crossed in the opposite direction.

Sponsoring yachting and yacht racing is one thing � and DaVinci has shown other island businesses how that should be done � but what�s an Italian restaurant doing dipping its toes in the yacht charter market?

According to DaVinci partner, David Roberts, also CEO of Aedas, the world�s largest architectural outfit, the move should come as no surprise.

"The restaurant and boats are individual business units, but as part of the same brand they�re complementary � as will be our future real estate and retail businesses.