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John Magee, the high-flyer who landed in Phuket
John Magee, the high-flyer who landed in Phuket
John Magee is well known as the American entrepreneur who in 1993 founded the ’Phuket Gazette’ and published it for 25 years. It was the island’s first English-language newspaper and it had an enormous impact on the development of Phuket – not just as a tourist destination but also as a cosmopolitan and much sought-after place to live.
Trailblazing, Phuket style
Trailblazing, Phuket style
As Phuket’s economy struggles to revive from the effects of a pandemic that has decimated the local tourism economy for nearly two years, it’s interesting to remember how the island went from a rather obscure tropical vacation destination to one of the world’s most vibrant and desirable playgrounds for those wanting winter sun, sand, recreation and entertainment not easily found anywhere else.
Jennifer Fredin – a Phuket Star is Born
Jennifer Fredin – a Phuket Star is Born
Jennifer Fredin is a home grown success story. This young graduate of British International School Phuket (BISP) is on her way to becoming a major television and runway celebrity.
When insurance skips a beat
When insurance skips a beat
Long before COVID, expats caught out without health insurance were trapped in nightmare scenarios, some of which have become island legend. Bruce Stanely here recounts some of those tales of woe, and explores how to remedy the problem.
Geisha Sayuki visits Phuket
Geisha Sayuki visits Phuket
Thanks to the Phuket Sandbox, the island is receiving thousands of visitors from around the world as the rest of Asia remains in lockdown for the unforeseen future. These visitors have braved numerous hurdles to get here, including mandatory hotel stays, numerous COVID tests, mandatory insurance, visas and air flights known to cancel with very little notice.
Young artist rises in Patong
Young artist rises in Patong
Recently I decided to drive over to Patong Beach to see what excitement was happening with the opening of the island to the international visitors. I hoped restaurants and shops were open welcoming guests for the first time in well over a year.
Gerald Hogg’s grand adventure
Gerald Hogg’s grand adventure
Gerald ‘Ged’ Hogg has written eight books since he retired to Thailand in 2017. While many older Westerners spend anxious hours wondering what to do with their newly acquired freedoms, Ged spends his time exploring life in Southern Thailand and writing travel books, his autobiography and has completed his first two mystery novels about the adventures of Thai Police Lieutenant Chai Son Sinuan, who battles both violent crime and police corruption.
Marilyn Band – Black and White at Villa Royale Gallery
Marilyn Band – Black and White at Villa Royale Gallery
With a successful show of new paintings on display at Mom Tri’s Gallery of Modern Art and Cuisine, the artist Marilyn Band has decided to present another, quite different exhibition of her more familiar, more classical work of original drawings, prints and limited editions at the Villa Royale Gallery at Kata Beach opening 3 January until 10 February 2020. She’s named the new exhibit, Black and White, to describe this substantial body of work. “I’ve had a long, happy career drawing the beautiful villages and people around the Indian Ocean while I have been sailing with my husband, Nick. We’ve explored the region from Zanzibar to the outer islands of Indonesia and I’ve drawn the cultures from many regions. Now I want to share these new and original images.” She also believes this art will show a vanishing world when the skies and the ocean were cleaner and people could more easily support themselves when living in remote villages. When Nick and Marilyn sailed to Phuket in 1980, the island was heavily populated with water buffaloes and covered with rice fields. There was no international tourism. The beaches were empty and it was difficult to make from one place to another. There was no road connecting Karon and Patong beaches and it was rumored that dangerous animals still inhabited the hills between Phuket Town and the western beaches. Marilyn’s early work from this period will be available for purchase. “I think it’s important for Phuket residents to understand that we need to protect the environment including the quality of air and water that has seriously been threatened by overdevelopment,” she says. “I hope my art from an earlier time will remind people of what if being lost.” In addition to a collection of black and white graphic images of Thai religious and cultural sites, Marilyn will offer a variety of colorful work from different periods of her career. Marilyn comes from four generations of English stained glass artists whose commissions even included work on Exeter Cathedral. They were kept busy repairing damage to churches and building damaged during World War II. As a child, she worked with her father at drawing and fabricating colored glass for their creations. She later studied graphic design at High Wycombe Technical College in Buckinghamshire, England and started her career as a graphic artist in a variety of advertising agencies in London. But on holiday to the Seychelles, the young artist met her future husband Nick who had sailed his yacht from Africa to the Seychelles. Together they have explored the wide Indian Ocean for 40 years where Marilyn has taken inspiration for her art. They built their studio, made from locally sourced materials, in Rawai in 1980 and Marilyn has been painting and drawing and building collage ever since. She will be in residence at the Villa Royale Gallery most days from lunchtime til 7pm. For more information, contact Villa Royale at 076 333 568 or info@villaroyalephuket.com
Street Life: Inside Soi Dog, Asia’s largest animal welfare organisation
Street Life: Inside Soi Dog, Asia’s largest animal welfare organisation
I’ve lived on Phuket for 30 years. I’ve seen this island change. In 1989, it was not possible to buy coffee or butter except in one little store in Phuket town. There was neither an international hospital nor a traffic light. Electricity cut out many nights leaving people sweating until dawn.
Sail alongside Marilyn Band in her latest exhibition
Sail alongside Marilyn Band in her latest exhibition
Marilyn Band has been drawing and painting idyllic scenes around Phuket since she sailed to the island in 1980. She is undoubtedly the most celebrated local artist, with gallery shows at such distinctive venues as The Boathouse at Kata Beach. Her graphic designs have even animated the King’s Cup Regatta.
From Italy with love: Phuket’s slice of fine Sardinian dining
From Italy with love: Phuket’s slice of fine Sardinian dining
Two bright stars in Phuket’s culinary scene both come from southern Sardinia and are celebrating restaurant anniversaries this year, a testament to surviving many chal­lenges including tsunamis, bird flu, SARS and drastic changes in the visitor market.
The Man of Steel - Mom Tri dissolves the human form in his latest exhibition
The Man of Steel - Mom Tri dissolves the human form in his latest exhibition
Mom Tri Devakul has decided to devote much of his remaining years creating and building art. Expanding his design ideas by working with new mediums, he is presenting his new sculptural work, DISSOLUTION IN STEEL at WOK Gallery Kitchen opening Saturday, December 15 at 6:30pm. The public is very welcome to attend.
Sam Fauma: A community-minded man
Sam Fauma: A community-minded man
Sam Fauma is well known on Phuket as a principle partner in the respected International Law Office Phuket which has helped many foreign residents set up companies to protect their investments.
Expat author Patrick Campbell to launch his Phuket memoirs
Expat author Patrick Campbell to launch his Phuket memoirs
Patrick Campbell is undoubtedly the best writer on Phuket. He is best known for his many contributions to the local press in his intelligent columns on gardening and the environment.
Phuket's famous Chef 'Noi' doubles down with second Suay Restaurant
Phuket's famous Chef 'Noi' doubles down with second Suay Restaurant
It’s almost noon on a clear Sunday when most people are at the beach, enjoying brunch or relaxing at home.
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