Looking for Phuket villa rentals with Andaman Sea frontage? House Phuket Kata Beach on Phuket island, Thailand is one of the best luxury villas for rent in Phuket. Located on the western most tip of the southern headland of Kata Beach which is relatively undeveloped as Club Med takes up about 70% of the mile long beach. The developer/architect is ML Tri Devakul who was the developer/architect for The Meridien, Yacht Club, Club Med,and The Boathouse. Baan Kata Villas is under the same management as The Boathouse and Villa Royale considered by many to be the 2 best boutique hotels in Phuket.
The villa is located on the side of a steep hill and has several huge boulders on the site which have been incorporated into the villa. It fronts right on the rocks which lead down to the sea about 15 meters below.
The swimming pool (6Mx15M) is on the edge of the rocks and has a dramatic infinity effect. The villa faces directly west so there are always spectacular sunsets. There is a great view of Pu island which is one of the few islands along the west coast of Phuket. There is a tastefully designed wall around the villa and much vegetation. It is very private and secluded.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Baan Kata Villas, Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand
Car Rental in Phuket :Chaofa Thanee Village
Car Rental in Phuket
The best way to discover Phuket island "self drive", with a wide range of cars, and motorbike in exceptional condition. But also, cheaper to rent through internet with airport delivery, and premium insurance.
Services:
- Rental per day (24h), per week, per month or longer
- Free delivery
- Infant seat available
- Maps available
- Premium insurance
- Recent vehicles, steadily maintained
Suzuki Sporty
Manual, 1.3 litre, 4 wheels drive, 4 cylinder, 2 doors, air conditioning, 2 seats + 1 banquette, power steering, radio and tape player.
Rates
from Mar 15th to Dec 14th - 800 Baht/24h from 15.12 to14.3 - 1000 Baht/24h
Honda City
Automatic, 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder, 4 doors, air conditioning, 4 seats, power steering, radio and tape player.
Rates
from Mar 15th to Dec 14th - 1200 Baht/24h from 15.12 to14.3 - 1400 Baht/24h
Honda City Type Z 1.5l
Manual, 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder, 4 doors, air conditioning, 4 seats, power steering, radio and tape player.
Rates
from Mar 15th to Dec 14th - 1200 Baht/24h from 15.12 to14.3 - 1400 Baht/24h
Honda Jazz
Automatic, 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder, 4 doors, air conditioning, 4 seats, power steering, radio and tape player.
Rates
from Mar 15th to Dec 14th - 1200 Baht/24h from 15.12 to14.3 - 1400 Baht/24h
Honda Dream 125cc
4 gears semi-automatic, all our motorbikes are new or recent.
Rates
from Mar 15th to Dec 14th - 150 Baht/24h from 15.12 to14.3 - 200 Baht/24h
Car Rental in Phuket :Chaofa Thanee Village
9/127 Chaofa Thanee Village, Moo 5, Chaofa Road
Tambon Chalong, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel/Fax: +66 (0)76 281 018
Phuket Villa and Apartment Rentals
Holiday rentals in Phuket are unique and different from any normal hotel stay. Enjoy total privacy with your family or friends. A range of accommodation is available for every taste and budget.
Why would anyone choose a holiday villa rental over a hotel room? Generally, a holiday rental affords more privacy, more room and more freedom to enjoy yourselves. One of the biggest selling points of a holiday rental is the size of the room compared to that of a hotel room. When you are on holiday, don't you like to spread out just a little? The average size of a hotel room is about 30 sqm. With holiday villas in Phuket you can rent a whole house with sizes ranging from 100 - 800 sqm.
Holiday rentals range from single studio apartments to six bedroom villas. These can come with a variety of amenities like private swimming pools, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis. As in a hotel, service staff such as maids, babysitters, cooks and chauffeurs can also be included.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Loy Krathong Festival
Wan Loy Krathong or Loy Krathong day
LOI KRATHONG - 'FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS'
As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called Loi Krathong - the 'festival of lights". This is one of the Kingdom's oldest and best-preserved traditions.
The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways. The practice was subsequently adopted and adapted by common folk.
Krathong floats are made from basic materials easily found around the village and reflect the simplicity of life beyond the palace walls. They typically take the shape of lotus in full bloom, swans, chedis (stupas), and Mount Meru from Buddhist mythology. However krathong floats in the shape of lotus blossoms are most popular. 
The Origins of Loi Krathong
There are various fascinating accounts about the origins of Loi Krathong. It is not known as to when the tradition first began but authorities speculate that it is of Indian origin and based on the "Deepavalee" ritual which is also accompanied by floating lights in an act of worship of the Brahmin gods - Brahma, Siva and Vishnu, or an act of remission to the Indian Ganga or Ganges. According to another school of thought, the ritual is said to be based on ancient Buddhist tales and is undertaken to pay respect to the sacred footprint of the Lord Buddha on the bank of the mythical Nammadhammahantee river.
However, given the river-based culture that formed the foundation of the traditional Thai way of life, Loi Krathong evolved into a ritual in which offerings are made to Mae Khongkha – Mother of Waters, the Thai equivalent of the Hindu goddess of water, in an expression of gratitude for providing life-sustaining water throughout the year. It is also believed that the offering are made in an act of appeasement to beg her forgiveness for Man's carelessness in polluting the pristine water that nourishes all life. Over time the tradition spread throughout the country.
Some believe that by setting the krathong adrift, one symbolically casts away one's grief, misery and ill-fortunes to the extent that there are bizarre tales of the superstitious placing tufts of hair or clipped finger-nail into the krathong in the hope of ridding themselves of a spell of bad luck or misfortune. Coins are also placed in the krathong as offerings.
For the romantic at heart and young couples, Loi Krathong is the time to make wishes for happiness together and success in love.
At dusk, as the full moon begins to rise, the krathong is decorated with fresh flowers and the candles and incense sticks are placed in the krathong. The float is then taken to a waterway where the candle and incense sticks are lit and the krathong set adrift. The floats are carried downstream by the gentle current, candlelight flickering in the wind.
The lighting of fireworks is undertaken in the same spirit as when lighting candles in an act of worship so fireworks displays are very much an integral element of the secular and religious rituals performed.
Soon after, attention turns to celebration. The evening's festivities consist of impressive firework displays, folk entertainment, stage dramas, song and dance. Scenes as described in ancient Thai literary accounts are still very much in existence today.
Loi Krathong customs and traditions reflect local beliefs and cultural evolution. Interesting regional variations can be seen. In Tak province, the banana-leaf floats are replaced by coconut shells which are threaded together and launched simultaneously so they appear as long chains of hundreds of glittering lights on the Ping River, hence the origin of its name, Loi Krathong Sai.
In the Northern Thai provinces that were once part of the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom, the Yi-peng Northern Lantern Festival is still being celebrated. Tubular lanterns, resembling hot air balloons, are lit and released into the night sky as an offering the Lord Buddha. As hundreds of illuminated lanterns drift into infinity, this conjures the same sense of wistful closure as the krathong float downstream. 
Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi
Phang Nga Bay is famed for its natural beauty and its formation of limestones jutting out of the shallow water - small island mountains in the sea. They impress with their sheer size, the changing colours and the ubiqitous caves, some are right on the doorstep of Evason Hideaway at Yao Noi.
Phangnga Bay covers an area of 400 square kilometres and was declared Ao Phang Nga National Park in 1981. While most of the park is covered by the Andaman Sea, mangrove forests grow around the margins and 42 large and small islands dot the milky green waters.
Evason Hideaway & Six Senses Spa at Yao Noi focusses on the reality of the destination with attention to details and commitment to the environment. Accommodations present an uncompromised standard of luxury and provide generous personal space with elegantly designed modern architecture.
Evason Koh Yao Noi adopted local construction techniques, using natural, environmentally friendly materials. Roofs are thatched by sugar palm leaves, while external and interior walls are wood paneled.
Evason Hideaway Ko Yao Noi villas have open-style bathrooms that create an atmosphere of space and light boasting magnificent views of the bay and the surrounding forest. Each villa has its own infinity-edge pool with sundeck, creating the illusion of infinity between pool and the waters of Phang Nga Bay. This gives a real feeling of seclusion.
At Evason Hideaway and Spa on Koh Yao Noi, each villa is attended by a butler, anticipating every whim. This service is designed to create a new and unique concept for in-house guests.
The Evason Hideaway Yao Noi will reflect the warmth and welcome of a home on a plantation estate. The Main House accommodates all dinning and entertaining alternatives.
The Living Room and Terrace offers tempting buffets at breakfast and dinner and showcases an open cold-kitchen and patisserie, into which guests are invited to wander in and help themselves. Being close to the beach and constructed from traditional material with a timber flooring, this all-day dining choice offers alfresco or undercover seating.
Evason Ko Yaonoi's Dining Room features contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. The dining area is on the lower level, with private dining pavilions set up in the mangroves around, while the chef's table with the cooking station is on the top level. A natural water meanders through this area.
Koh Yao Noi Hotels Phang Nga
Koh Yao Noi Island, like a jewel necklace, is ideally situated in the Bay of Phang Nga with untamed scenery and many natural wonders. Located on the eastern coast of Phuket, Koh Yao Noi is a beautiful and enchanting tropical island that serves a great escape from the hustle-bustle of the city life. Surrounded by rain forests, tropical reefs, and sandy beaches and mangroves, Koh Yao Noi offers peaceful place to live.
Some activities available on the island include agricultural demonstrations (rubber and fishing), kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, and swimming. Koh Yao Noi hotels in Phang Nga offer eco-friendly accommodation options. The extensive online database of AsiaRooms provides good information on Koh Yao Noi hotels, as well as other hotels of this region. Make your online reservations with AsiaRooms and get best hotels deal at special discounts now.
Ko Yao Island Resort on Ko Yao Noi
We stayed at the Ko Yao Island Resort and absolutely loved our experience. The rooms were big, the bed was comfy and clean...the bathroom/shower was an outdoor villa...and it came with a big fridge for holding our cocktails and fruit for the day. The food was inexpensive and good...and the thing we were most impressed with here...was the service. The manager, Gavin... and his staff gave us one-on-one attention...and would ask what we were hungry for that evening...and would came back from market with something new and yummy.
We tried chicken legs and foods we have never eaten before...and along with their excellent wine selection...we were in heaven. You can rent mopeds to travel around the little island for cheap...and there are amazing hikes, markets and beaches. It's absolute escape from reality... We went the week after the tsunami...and there was not a lot of damage on the island. There are really only 2 main resorts, and probably 8 smaller resorts on this island. You won't see alot of tourists...and it is not commercialised at all. There was only 1 7-11...which we were happy to see after a hot day b/c it had a/c and cold drinks in the fridge. If you want a relaxed, laid back holiday...away from lots of people and big city life...this is a great escape.
Ko Yao Island Resort on Ko Yao Noi: Escape from the Real World
By lesaandbill
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai Islands
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are a pair of large islands in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, equidistant to Phuket and the Krabi mainland. While the pace of development is accelerating on Koh Yao Noi in particular, the islands remain a quiet refuge that feels far removed from the crowds of Phuket.
In 2002, Koh Yao Noi gained worldwide attention after receiving the World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship from Conservation International and National Geographic Traveler magazine for the eco-friendly homestay programs offered by its local residents.
Other activities available on the island include agricultural demonstrations (rubber and fishing), kayaking, hiking, snorkelling and swimming.
Note that the islanders are keen to preserve their traditional ways, so it's important to respect the local culture by dressing modestly and refraining from drinking alcohol outside of the restaurants/resorts catering to visitors.
Getting to Koh Yao
Long-tail boat ferries make daily trips to Yao Noi from Bang Rong Pier on the east coast of Phuket. From the airport, a taxi will take you to the pier in 25 minutes. To get to the pier, take route 4027 east from the Heroines' Monument, then turn right at the sign for Bang Rong (or Bangrong) and follow along for a few kilometers.
The fare is 50 Baht for the one-hour journey, with daily departures from Phuket at 9.30 am, 12 noon and 5 pm. The boat will make a short stop on Koh Yao Yai, then cross to Koh Yao Noi, only 8 minutes away. Long-tail boats can also be hired at Ao Po pier for charter to Koh Yao.
Staying over
Many visitors will include few nights on Koh Yao in a south Thailand discovery trip, on their way from Phuket to Krabi (or reverse). There are about half a dozen bungalows and resorts on Yao Noi, a "homestay" program, plus a luxury resort is now being built. Click here to see The Paradise Koh Yao or Koyao Island Resort . Yao Yai has a few bungalows for rent.
Neither of the islands have banking facilities, but Internet service, restaurants and some shops can be found on Yao Noi, including a brand new 7-Eleven with a very powerful air-con, a good chance to cool down and get some sugary drinks and ice creams. So if you plan to stay over, remember to withdraw some cash money before you go, even though there are few opportunities to spend it!
What to Do in Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi does not have any particular landmark or stunning view point, nevertheless, while driving around, you will discover a place that has changed very little in 20 years, aside from a few more motorbikes and the new 7-Eleven. A drive around its quiet roads reveals a place of true peace and simplicity for the traveller.
Wooden houses all along the roads, buffalos taking mud baths in the rice paddies, the cool, shaded roads passing through the many rubber plantations and the beauty of the mangrove with its trees standing in the middle of the sea are just a few of the natural charms of this simple island. The laid-back feeling of the island is contagious, time slows down and nothing seems to pressure the inhabitants who spend a lot of time chatting in small groups, lounging in the afternoon under salas or in hammocks.
Amphoe Ko Yao
Amphoe Ko Yao (Thai: เกาะยาว) is a district (Amphoe) in the province Phang Nga in the south of Thailand.
History
The minor district (King Amphoe) Ko Yao was established in 1903 as a subordinate of Mueang Phang Nga district. On January 1 1988 it was upgraded to a full district
Geography
The district covers several islands of the Ko Yao archipelago within the Phang Nga Bay, near the island of Phuket. The two main islands are named Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi (big long island and small long island).
The northern tips of the islands are part of the Ao Pang Nga National Park.
Administration
The district is subdivided into 3 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 18 villages (muban). Ko Yao itself has township (thesaban tambon) status, which covers parts of tambon Ko Yao Noi. There are further 3 Tambon administrative organization (TAO).
No. Name Thai name Villages Inh.
1. Ko Yao Noi เกาะยาวน้อย 7 4,644
2. Ko Yao Yai เกาะยาวใหญ่ 4 2,551
3. Phru Nai พรุใน 7 5,549
Koh Samui - Asia's Hottest Property Market
On the opposite coast sits Phuket, which over the last 15-20 years has experienced massive growth and is now a millionaires playground. It was originally visited by backpackers, who as we all know always find the best beaches. Well, now is the turn of Koh Samui, which is seeing the visits of Backpackers slowing down, who instead pass through on their way to the "Angthong National Marine Park', which was the setting of the movie 'The Beach'. In their place is a flock of overseas investors looking to buy or build their own luxury getaway and at the same time a great investment property. Prices have been going up at a very healthy rate and don't show any signs of slowing down soon.
There are several different ways to get into the Koh Samui real estate market, ranging from buying your own little holiday villa up to collecting a large parcel of land of which to build your own development, or even securing your own island for a tropical Eden.
Whichever way you decide to go Samui Network Realty can help you every step of the way, our contact details are on each of the link pages.
Services available:
- Land sales and acquisitions
- Luxury villa sales
- apartment sales
- private island sales
- project development
- full network of real estate agents on Koh samui
Koh Samui - Asia's Hottest Property Market
By Nick Thatcher
