We have great pleasure in announcing the winners of the Phuket Post/Phuketwan Phuket Awards for 2011.

Business of the Year goes to Airports of Thailand, for enlarging Phuket Airport well ahead of the rapid boom in tourist arrivals; Innovation of the Year goes to the public bus company that is doing such a good job along Phuket's west coast tourist centres; and
Phuket Person of the Year goes to the smiling driver who gave the island's last surviving Phuket tuk-tuk to the National Museum.

Oh, sorry. We've allowed our dreams to run wild again. But then, the Phuket Post/Phuketwan Phuket Awards are an opportunity to let dreams run wild and imagine ''What if... '' about Phuket, the wonderful island beloved by most residents and tourists. It's still a natural gem that we would like to see achieve its full potential.

The judging panel at the Phuket Post and Phuketwan, together with some outside experts in specialist areas, hereby reveals this year?s nominations and also breaks with tradition by already declaring the winner in one category.

In the other categories, we've narrowed down our nominations after considering some fine candidates. And it's not too late for a reader to submit a ''wild card'' for consideration in any category.

As in past years, there are no nominations for the Phuket Post/Phuketwan Phuket Person of the Year 2011.

The judges will be holding more meetings before announcing that particular prestigious honour, won last year by former Phuket City Police Superintendent Colonel Wanchai Eakpornpit, the man who introduced the successful ''100% helmet'' campaign on Phuket and won national awards for his strategic life-saving campaign.

Here are this year?s nominations for the other categories:

Phuket Business of the Year 2011
This year's nominations:
The Phuket News: For adding to the depth of choice in Phuket media.

Phuket International Academy: For consistently expanding the boundaries of schooling, sport and spirituality.

Supercheap: For fighting inflation and establishing Phuket-owned convenience outlets.

Last year's winner: Centara


Phuket Innovation of the Year 2011

Saphan Hin Public Park: For its musical fountain and improvements to Phuket's favorite festival venue.
Phuket's Honorary Consuls: For giving a voice to tourists and expat residents.

PATA/Skal: For getting together to broaden tourism?s scope.

Last year's winner: Phuket Tin Mine Museum, Kathu.


Phuket Resort of the Year 2011

This year's nominations are three old favorites that are being reinvented:
Boathouse Kata
Angsana Laguna Phuket (formerly the Sheraton Grande)
Sri Panwa: Home tothe second-best beach bar in the world, according to cnngo.com.

Last year's winner: The Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa Phuket

Phuket Good Value Restaurant of the Year 2011
This year's nominations:

The Yellow Door, Phuket town: Funky and fun food.

Suay: A country cottage in the city.

Gitano: Tasty and tangy Tex Mex.

Last year's winner: Uptown, Phuket City

Phuket Best Restaurant of the Year 2011

This year's nominations: Yet to be confirmed. We are looking for readers' suggestions. Tell us what you think via phuket-post.com or phuketwan.com

Last year's winner: Sea.Fire.Salt., Anantara, Mai Khao

Environmental Excellence of the Year 2011 Award

BEING adventurous and bold, we've selected the old Sarasin Bridge as this year's winner of the Phuket Post/Phuketwan Environmental Excellence of the Year 2011. Why? Because it's a great example of Reuse, Recycle, Reduce.

The old bridge could have been left to decay when the new Sarasin 2 Bridge was erected to cater for motorists streaming off Phuket to the mainland.

Instead, some brilliant designer opted to remake it as a pedestrian sunset lookout, lifting it up so yachts could sail beneath.

So instead of being a conduit for gas-guzzlers, the bridge is now a place where people exercise by walking, and where the natural beauty of each day's sunset can be appreciated.

The bridge should act as a metaphor for Phuket.

The island can be reinvented, the good bits can be enhanced and lifted up, and a balance with nature can be preserved in the face of progress. Sarasin
Bridge, we salute you.