Some may think that this shortage of beer is a major crisis, especially with the high season just beginning. While others are using it as an opportunity to make fast money, with some bars and restaurants charging ridiculous amounts of Baht for a bottle of this favourite brew. It is not just Singha bottles that are dwindling, Heineken and Tiger are at a shortage as well. The solution seems simple to me; drink Leo or Chang.

As a local living here it is a bit worrisome as it may greatly affect business for some on the island. Although it does not directly affect me, it is just another hit to the already problematic high season. Many local business owners fear that they will take a direct hit as they will be unable to provide beer at reasonable prices, or will be unable to restock as the prices on beer are fast rising.

I do realize that many tourists enjoy drinking Singha, Heineken and Tiger while on holiday here but it is not the end of the world. You can still enjoy a beer-drinking holiday if you stick to Chang and Leo.

Surfing is fast becoming a popular thing to do in the low season in Phuket and there are more and more shops offering boards for rent each year. These are located right on the beach so it is very easy to find a board that is just right for you. Prices on boards vary but can generally be rented for one hour, one day or one month. Beginners can even get private instructed lessons for around 800 baht an hour. This fantastic sport can be enjoyed by travellers of almost any age and is a fantastic way to enjoy the sea and the waves at this time of year.

The Racing Fest will take place at Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town and will feature three races. There will also be fun activities for kids and adults to enjoy between the races. This will begin tomorrow at 08:30 and end on Sunday (the 18^th) at 17:00 with a live stage performance.

On Wednesday make your way to the Phuket Graceland Resort on Patong beach for 09:00 when the surf competition will kick off. This event is part of the ASEAN Surfing Championship and is sure to be a great one. The actual surfing takes place each morning followed by surf clinics throughout the day. The event will end on the 27^th with an awards ceremony followed by a free concert and fashion show.

Both of these events are sure to be thrilling so arrive early if you don’t want to miss out on the fun!

The park can be found at the very north end of Phuket just over the bridge from Phang Nga province and covers an area of 90 sq. kms that is 76% beach and 24% forest. Nai Yang, Nai Thon and Mai Khao are the beaches found within the park and are arguably the most spectacular on the island, with crystal blue sea and white sand. They are also where some of Phuket’s most luxurious resorts are located. With the forests the government also offers basic bungalows and camping facilities so even those on a budget can enjoy a holiday here.

Casuarina Oak dominates the beach forest and there are plenty of birds that call these massive trees home. The mangrove forest sees evergreen type trees and there is a mixture of both freshwater and seawater here supporting a unique eco-system. There is an 800m wooden walkway for exploring the forest and witnessing its fantastic wildlife.

The entrance fee to visit this magnificent park is 100 Baht for adults and 50 Baht for children. There is a restaurant and a visitor’s centre onsite as well as plenty of free parking.

But of recently, there is a noticeable increase in family tourist  choosing to spend their holiday at patong beach because it has more to offer other than the Phuket nightlife for which it became famous. The recently built shopping mall is very enticing to the family tourists plus the long and crystal sandy beach which is a sunbather’s paradise, not forgetting the clear and clean waters of the Andaman Sea which family tourists love because snorkeling and diving dream becomes true for all.

Along the beach road of Patong, shoppers will find hundreds of shops and market stalls which sell anything from the latest music albums and recently released Hollywood blockbuster movies to the latest Italian designer suits, designer watches, designer underwear’s, designer handbags and belts, hand bags and so on at very reasonable prices.

There are numerous spots along the three kilometers sandy Patong beach for single and family tourists to rent a nice umbrella and beach chair and just as many places to purchase a refreshing coconut shakes and other cooling products for the children or an ice cold Heineken for adults while watch the kids or read a book.

And there so many activities to be found at Patong beach for both single and family tourists as they are several places where one can rent a jet ski, partake in parasailing, wind surfing and water-skiing or even just relax and have a energizing massage from one of the many beach masseuses.

Andaman Apnea is the first permanent free-diving school in Phuket offering Apnea courses and stages. While at the Andaman Apnea academy, you will be treated to free-diving day trips around the Andaman Sea with personalized training stages at all levels with free-divers at your service.

You will learn the spectacular tandem sled dives in total safety assisted by professional free-divers. This is an amazing day out experience with young and motivated instructors who are highly professional and love water sports. So if you love water sports and Phuket, why don’t spend a day with the Andaman Apnea academy for an experience you will never forget and for free.

You can find them at 8/8 Patak Soi 5, Karon, Phuket 83600 or call on + 66 86 654 31 319 to get more information, why don’t you try info@andamanapnea.com.

This tour is a great tour because it includes a visit to the pearl farm on the island, a visit to Hong and James Bond islands which became famous from the movie” The man with the Golden gun”, explore the Grotto caves and navigate amongest the labyrinthine mangrove swamps. You will also enjoy a great lunch on the panyee island or the Sea Gypsy Village which built entirely on water and after lunch, you will take a tour to Khai Nok island or Naka Yai island depending on the tides, for swimming and snorkeling.

You can book this tour through your hotel or guest house and normally the pick up is 9.00 am from your hotel, though you have to be ready atleast 30minutes prior to the leaving time and the the tour takes nine hours and normally costs $108 though the prices tend to fluctuate slightly between companies and at various times of the year.

SNUBA is growing in popularity around the world, with a number of SNUBA operators being found in places like Hawaii, Japan, Mexico, and the Caribbean. SNUBA is considered to be the easiest and the safest way to try scuba diving without the hassle of having to get a certificate. You also don’t have to worry about lugging around heavy equipment.

Phuket’s SNUBA operators take visitors to most of the popular dive sites around Phuket, so you can enjoy the same sights and experiences as those going scuba diving. SNUBA allows you to go down a maximum of seven metres, so you really can enjoy the best of scuba diving as well. You will be able to explore some of the most amazing reefs and marine areas around Phuket.

All of the SNUBA operators make sure that you have a fully qualified guide and instructor accompany you on a trip. One of the great things about SNUBA is that it is a very family-friendly activity. Unlike scuba diving which is restricted to adults, SNUBA can be enjoyed by anyone as young as eight years of age.

It is easy to organise a SNUBA trip from Phuket. Almost all travel agents will be able to book you a seat on a SNUBA boat, so all you need to do is just tell them the time and day that you want to try it out.

Koh Hae has a quaint little fishing village which is a great chance to explore the traditional way of life which still exists in many respects. The rest of the island is virtually untouched, and is covered with lush jungle and tropical vegetation.

The beach at Koh Hae is perhaps the main attraction which has lured many visitors, and has been the reason why Koh Hae has become a very popular day trip for visitors staying in Phuket.  Day-trips to Koh Hae can easily be organised through any travel agent, and even some guest houses in Phuket. There are a number of boats and ferries which can transport you out to Koh Hae, and will then bring you back after an enjoyable day by the beach.

An alternative is to go on a day trip to Koh Racha and tours can be organized by a travel agent. Koh Racha is split into two islands called Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. The white sandy beaches of the islands attract many tourists and the clear water is a good place to go swimming. Popular activities include snorkeling and diving.

There are diving sites suitable to both beginners and experienced divers. In some regions the water is deep and larger animals can be seen such as manta rays, whale sharks and barracuda. Through the clear water you can see sandy seabeds, coral formations and schools of tropical fish. The water depth ranges from 3 to 30 meters and the visibility of the water is good.

If you are diving during rainy season Koh Yai’s east coast is the best place to dive and there are areas that are sheltered from the wind.

For accommodation options head to Koh Racha Yai which is the larger island and luxury resorts are also available. The island is inhabited by Muslim people, who make a living from the land, fishing and tourism.

Crops that are farmed include jack fruit, coconuts and cashew nuts. Located on Koh Racha is Ter Bay, which is a beautiful beach where you can swim and snorkel. There are facilities available such as a snack bar and sun chairs.

At Siam Bay you can relax on the white sandy beaches and enjoy a traditional Thai meal by the ocean. Batok Bay is another option and tour boats are available to hire in this region.