Article Category - Business in Phuket

The midday sun in Phuket is brutal. My fair skin all but bursts into flame after thirty minutes of exposure to its punishing ultraviolet rays if not protected by thick applications of sunscreen. Such was the state of my face and arms when I reached the offices of Shades one recent lunchtime. Thankfully, Shades Managing Director Graeme Chuck soon took me out to experience first hand some of his company's handiwork.

After bouts in the ring, a bout of flu caused an about turn in fortune for Blair Speers. With not enough money in his pocket to leave Thailand, he headed back to his rented house, away from the airport, and away from the bread line in the place he once called home. Today this motivated and driven young man sits, literally, on top of his empire. His modest but tasteful office is situated at the head of a tight, metal, spiral staircase. He shares this office with partner and long standing friend Stephen Baxter, who kick-started Blair into business.

With a grounding in Journalism and TV and having had extensive work-experience in Public Relations with one of the biggest PR companies in the world, Chanut (Tum) Nawnarong believes that: "Phuket has so much to offer, but is still in its infancy as far as PR goes."

“We wanted to create a place beautiful enough for angels,” says Khun Kantima, explaining the inspiration behind the name of the Apsaras Beach Resort & Spa. Apsara is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Celestial nymphs'.

On the boardwalk at the Royal Phuket Marina, with the Phuket International Marine Expo., for a backdrop, I am meeting Paul Poole for the first time. His name has been synonymous with the majority of international events on the island this year, but as he clarifies feelingly, “never in front of the event. Always behind. It is the event that we want to showcase, not Paul Poole the company.

“My right is falling back, My left is caving in. My centre is under pressure - Situation excellent. I Attack.” These were the words of the least bad commander in the first World War (Marshall Foch) in the middle of a battle which he subsequently won. Investors might have been feeling the same recently:

Nestled in the midst of a tropical jungle on Rang hill Phuket city, the last place you'd expect to find an office for any usual business, is where Khun Wanpen drives to work every day. And surely enough, the work that goes on there is far from ordinary.

The Phuket International Hospital, poised to commission another great milestone in its illustrious history, is no stranger to the island. Way back in 1978, Dr Anuroj Tarnsirioj and his wife Dr Supanee nursed a vision of providing affordable, quality healthcare to the people of Phuket. Dr Aburoj and Dr Supanee started small, running a clinic on Phang-nga road in Phuket town.

What is it about the sea that so constantly mesmerzies and attracts us land-dwellers? The literal ocean of mysteries which compels thousands to frolick at its edges, cut across its surface, and plunge into its depths, looking for fun, excitement and adventure. And what is it about the Andaman sea? There are beaches, islands, bays and capes all over the world. And then there is Phuket. Even those with beautiful waters at their own doorsteps find their way here, and often enough, don't find their way back.

On a recent holiday to Koh Samui, Doctor Yupares ran into a childhood friend, from way back when they were in school together. Delighted to see each other again, they talked about their lives and what they do now. “I'm an orthodontist” Dr Yupares, who's also known by her nickname 'A' told her, never expecting the look of stunned disbelief that crossed her friend's eyes, at this revelation.

"Pension Fund Trustees are planning legal action against several London Hedge Funds in a desperate bid to salvage investments threatened by the recent credit crunch". What on earth were pension funds doing putting their money into Hedge funds in the first place? Well, Al Van Den Berg, a legendary U.S. investor in the Warren Buffet mould, and C.E.O. of Century Asset Management (one of the most prestigious old style value orientated fund managers who have steered their clients' money successfully through all the big market setbacks of the last thirty years) wrote in his annual letter of April 2004 (no less):

Seven years ago, Sue Ultmann decided it was time to retire. Asia was in fact where her husband Tom and Sue had always wanted to live. “And so we came to Asia.” She was no stranger to the continent, as her high-profile media job with the number one travel publication in Australia- TravelWeek, sent her trotting frequently around the asian region.

Raimon Land PLC announced in August that Mr Neil Hutchinson has been appointed as Project Procurement Director. Neil has 34 years of experience and expertise in the construction industry, including 20 years in project procurement.

Mr Rujayapha Abhakorn wears many hats. You would be forgiven for thinking they're part of a disguise, he's an elusive man to track down. Having your fingers in several pies means frequent airplane meals symbolic of a high-profile, jet-setting lifestyle. The Phuket Post managed to pin Rujayapha down at last, one Friday afternoon, at his office in Phuket.

FTSE100 - 1st JANUARY 2007 6220 FTSE100 - 1st JULY 2007 6640 +6.7% FTSE100 - 29th JULY 2007 6212 -6.5% THE ABOVE demonstrates very clearly what has happened in the last few days of July - the year’s gains have vanished in the correction, long predicted, but which finally happened after enough investors finally decided that it would not happen.

It is important for Buyers and Sellers alike to understand that in a property deal the transaction has not necessarily completed if only the purchase price has been paid and the Buyer has moved into their new home. The legal transfer of the property will sometimes still need to be concluded and a considerable amount of forward planning prior to acquisition will be required to ensure that transfer takes place as agreed between the Buyer and Seller.

My first impression of M. Claude de Crissey is one of quiet dynamism. He strides into the room where we await him and offers his greetings, saying barely much at all, but managing nevertheless, with a direct gaze and straightforward smile, to put everyone at ease. There is no mistaking the towering presence he exudes.

There is so much interesting commentary revealed in the financial papers over the last month relevant to long term investment strategy that it is hard to know where to start. However two items stand out particularly.

Just as there are different schools of architecture there are three great and distinct serious stock market investment religions: value investing, growth investing and momentum investing.

Ever since the birth of the first economist, financial students have attempted to bring sense and rationality to the financial markets.