Devastated by a Burmese invasion in 1809, traders from the British Straits moved all mining activity to the Bay of Tongkah near Old Phuket town. By the early 1900s, Penang merchants flocked to the island and life was more culturally linked to Malaya (now Malaysia) than Bangkok, influenced by European architecture and Chinese settlements in Penang, Singapore, and Malacca. Tin mining collapsed in the 1970s, however, direct flights from Europe to Bangkok infused new life into local economies with tourism to Phuket’s stunning beaches. Phuket town’s early architecture is referred to as Sino-Portuguese in design. A movement to restore the pre-World War II streets is now in full swing – from ancient shop houses to sacred shrines and temples. Modern Phuket is diverse in culture – Buddhist, Muslim, and home now to people from all over the globe with the laid back traditional and cosmopolitan lifestyle reflected in food, art, and the fabulous outdoors. Public transport is an ongoing issue on Phuket. Thai locals use a Songthaew bus between beaches unless they own a car or motorcycle. Hotels will arrange reputable vehicle rentals; it’s best to have an international driving license. In Phuket city, walking is easiest to enjoy the history and daily ambience. For longer trips in town, take a Songthaew or a faster motorcycle taxi. Drivers wear coloured vests for easy identification; just wave one down and off you go. For time-limited travellers, an island tour by self-itinerary is best organized with a taxi driver who will take you where and when you desire for a set price all day long. Just like having a personal chauffeur and guide in one; you may even make some Thai friends! 07.00 Try old Town breakfast at Aroon restaurant, 124 Thalang Road, with roti (pancakes), roti hluay (banana pancakes), khai nok (egg), gaeng (curry), and tarik (iced tea) or ga-fae ron (latte). 08.00 Grab a Phuket Town Treasure map at Art & Culture, 16 Soi Rommanee and do a walking tour of Sino-Portuguese architecture on Krabi Road; don’t miss the exquisite Blue Elephant Governor’s Mansion. 10.00 Shopping and artists: See Sarasil Gallery, 121 Phang Nga Road and Rinda Magical Art, 27 Yaowarat Road, for fresh, colorful, and unique Thai creations. Enjoy fun, funky boutiques such as Island Paradise along the way! 12.00 Lunch at Siam Indigo, 8 Phang Nga Road – named a Best Restaurant in Thailand by Tatler magazine – and favorite of fashionistas, with fabulous fusion and Thai cuisine in artistic heritage surroundings. 14.00 Visit Giant Buddha – Nakkerd hill, off Chaofa East Rd, Chalong. Funded entirely by donation, built of Burmese marble, and standing 45m tall, this big icon gazes over the entire island. 15.00 Spa time at golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort, Rawai in Phuket South; this Ayurvedic health spa is offering Oryx readers a 40% discount on any treatments from the alluring spa menu. 16.30 Enjoy fresh fruit-shakes; try mango or coconut at fabulous seafront café Nikita, Rawai – or head to the far end of the esplanade for juicy oysters with zingy local condiments at Baan Haad Rawai. 17.00 See King of Thailand’s Laem Promthep lighthouse, with its unique elephant collection and local market; then stroll on Nai Harn beach for a spectacular sunset at the most southerly point of Phuket. 19.00 Mom Tri’s kitchen overlooking Kata Noi Beach offers splendid evening fine dining, with Thai and European cuisine amid artistically landscaped gardens in the former home of a Royal family connection. 21.30 Show time at Simon Cabaret, Patong Beach. A Phuket institution, this renowned spectacular is famed for its lavish sets, brilliant costumes, and glamorous dancers. Do late drinks at sophisticated Indochine, Kalim-Patong. Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort & Spa 99/4 Moo 7, T. Rawai, Phuket 83130, Thailand Tel: +66 76 289399 – Fax: +66 76 289389 reservations@goldentulipmangosteen.com

You have not experienced Phuket if you have not been in the South of the Island! There is more to experience in the South of Phuket than you would have thought. Rawai Beach and Nai Harn are now lively areas with a multitude of local and international restaurants in every price category. The beach walk features many authentic Thai restaurants as well as seafood restaurants offering delicious and fresh fish, crabs, lobsters and oysters. There also are international dining venues and a variety of bars. Insiders know the location of two rather sophisticated night clubs! Different from other tourism hotspots on the island, in the South, locals, expats and tourists mingle in a very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. It is hence not a surprise that many of the frequent visitors to Phuket say that without any doubt, this is their preferred part of the island as it is only here that they can experience the real local Phuket. The resorts located in the South of Phuket are in close proximity of Nai Harn beach which is among one of the best beaches of Phuket. Another advantage for tourists staying in Rawai or Nai Harn is the proximity to Chalong pier from where most of the sea excursions as well as all diving trips depart. The well known Ao Chalong Yacht Club is based here as well. Phuket’s only flood-light golf course, being Phunaka Golf Course & Golf Academy is a ten minute drive from Rawai and in the same area, one can find the famous tourist attractions such as the 45 meter tall Big Buddha and Chalong temple. And last but not least, the famous Prom Thep Cape where millions of visitors admire the spectacular sunsets is located in the South. Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort and Spa is one of the resorts in the South of Phuket. Located on a private hillside, the resort offers fantastic views over Chalong Bay and various islands in the Andaman Sea. The Villa style rooms are designed as a “home away from home" by Interior Designer John Underwood and ensure privacy and tranquility. Surrounded by tropical gardens, each Villa feels like a piece of private paradise. Spacious al-fresco bathrooms feature a Jacuzzi tub. The smallest unit offers a generous space of 58 square meters and all units feature a balcony with a hammock and spectacular views. The centre of the resort consists of the 680sqm free form pool, the Restaurant, the Lounge Bar and the Fitness Centre. The resort also has the first authentic Ayurveda Spa in Phuket, based on authentic Ayurvedic healing techniques from the South of India. A free shuttle service is offered to guests to make the short seven minute trip to Nai Harn beach during the day. In the evening the resort operates a free shuttle to Rawai and Nai Harn to give guests the opportunity to explore these popular areas only five minutes away from the resort. The resort is located twelve kilometers south of Phuket town and is situated between Chalong and Rawai (three kilometers from Chalong circle). Kata and Karon are eight and eleven kilometers away respectively and a drive to Patong takes just half an hour. Phuket’s largest shopping centers, including Central Festival, are less than fifteen kilometers from the resort. This is Phuket at its very best!

Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort & Spa, Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort now with Ayurveda Health Spa. Chillax at our secluded, natural resort and great location. See the Big Buddha, try Phuket's best Seafood Restaurants, enjoy Phuket's best sunsets at Promthep Cape, swim at Phuket's best beach Nai Harn Beach, see Phuket's most famous temple, Wat Chalong. http://www.goldentulipmangosteen.com - Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort!

Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort & Spa, Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort now with Ayurveda Health Spa. Chillax at our secluded, natural resort and great location. See the Big Buddha, try Phuket's best Seafood Restaurants, enjoy Phuket's best sunsets at Promthep Cape, swim at Phuket's best beach Nai Harn Beach, see Phuket's most famous temple, Wat Chalong. http://www.goldentulipmangosteen.com - Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort!

Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort & Spa, Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort now with Ayurveda Health Spa. Chillax at our secluded, natural resort and great location. See the Big Buddha, try Phuket's best Seafood Restaurants, enjoy Phuket's best sunsets at Promthep Cape, swim at Phuket's best beach Nai Harn Beach, see Phuket's most famous temple, Wat Chalong. http://www.goldentulipmangosteen.com - Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort!

Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort & Spa, Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort now with Ayurveda Health Spa. Chillax at our secluded, natural resort and great location. See the Big Buddha, try Phuket's best Seafood Restaurants, enjoy Phuket's best sunsets at Promthep Cape, swim at Phuket's best beach Nai Harn Beach, see Phuket's most famous temple, Wat Chalong. http://www.goldentulipmangosteen.com - Phuket's most romantic Boutique Resort!

Phuket Ayurvedic Spa Experience Stay for two nights at Golden Tulip Mangosteen with your loved one and enjoy superb benefits of our Spa package: Deluxe Jacuzzi Suite, daily breakfast, 2 times 1 1/2 hour Ayurvedic Spa treatment per person, a herbal spa bath in your suite and a late check-out until 4pm. Package price for 2 nights: 8,400 Baht only, incl. tax and service charge. Or simply book before 15 July 2010 to take advantage of this special rate: 2,500 Baht net per night per room, incl. breakfast. Stay any time before 31 October 2010! Book two nights and pay only 4,900 Baht. Other great deals and packages are available. Valid until 30 September 2010. International standards, local flavours Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort & Spa 99/4 Moo 7, T. Rawai, Phuket 83130, Thailand Tel.: +66 (0) 76 289399, Fax +66 (0) 76 289389 reservations@goldentulipmangosteen.com www.goldentulipmangosteen.com

Adopting ancient Ayurveda spa techniques, the Ayurveda Destination Spa is the only venue on Phuket basing its concept on these practices. In this exclusive Destination Spa, expect high quality service, product and well trained therapists. Signature treatments such as Udwarthanamb is designed for relaxation and detoxifcation, while buttermilk and medicated herbs in Thakra Dhara relieves tension and acts as a skin condition remedy. For painful muscles, joints and arthritic conditions, experience the sand bolus compress in the Valuka Swedam treatment. Open daily from 9.00 to 19.00 hours. Reservations recommended. 99/4 Soi Mangosteen, Rawai t +66 (0) 76 289 399, f +66(0) 76 289 389 reservations@goldentulipmangosteen.com www.goldentulipmangosteen.com

http://www.i-love-phuket.com new website launched for Golden Tulip Mangosteen Resort and Ayurveda Spa, Phuket Thailand - The site is concentrating on special packages with extra benefits, not offering room only. Still under construction but ready to take bookings the 6th of June. Look out for Phuket Resorts special offers for packages, honeymoon package, golf, spa, escape and others.

Here are the special conditions for our new Spa Promotion! Ayurveda is system of healing that originated in India thousands of years ago. Ayurveda is more than just a medical system. It is a Science of Life. We are all part of nature and we, just as animals and plants, should live in harmony with nature and utilize the Laws of Nature to create health and balance. Ayurveda is a system that helps maintain health in a person by using the inherent principles of nature. In essence Ayurveda has been in existence since the beginning of time because we have always been governed by nature's laws. Whatever age, lifestyle or state of health, Ayurveda helps you to live with better health, harmony and youthfulness. Even healthy people experience improved energy and vitality. Ayurveda is not merely a system of Healing, but an entire way of life that aims to bring about the perfect balance of the entire personality - body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda is based on theory of “tridosha”, the three Biological forces - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Disease arises when there is an imbalance among the three Doshas and aim of the therapy is to bring about the required equilibrium. All treatments begin with a detailed consultation with our specialist Ayurvedic Doctor. The consultant determines your “Dosha” and prescribes the treatments most appropriate to you. Balance between the five elements connected with your “Dosha” is seen as the key to good health. The introduction of Ayurveda into a modern life style combines ancient ingredients and age-old procedures. From the sublime to the mundane, each treatment offers our guests a sacred space to calm the mind and ease the soul.