Rubber ducks paddle down the klong, helped by the amazing Duck Machine, complete with bongo drummer and dancers.

The Phuket Community Foundation is celebrating the success of its second annual Race Day, which raised more than B800,000 for the charity’s activities.

Race Day, held on Sunday, brought together a range of entertainments including dragon boat and kayak races, and – very popular with spectators – a cardboard box race for children.

One the event stage next to the Latitude marquee in the Laguna Phuket complex, the event was opened by Phuket Vice-Governor Somkiet Sungkhaosutthirak, followed by a song performance by students of the Phuket International Academy. This was followed by the popular Delightful Ducklings costume contest for kids.

Other entertainment during the afternoon included a spell-binding show by illusionist Joe Conrad and a glittering dance performance by students of the Phuket Academy of Dance in Chalong.

Meanwhile, visitors could take rides in beautifully restored old cars brought along by members of the Phuket Classic Car Club, pose for photos inside Phuket’s only stretch limo, or try to figure out the secretes to the close-up magic of Dan Berlin.

The trampoline saw steady action all day, as did the expert face painters and the quiet Kids’ Art Korner.

The dragon boat races are always spectacular.

The Cheeky Chickies won the women’s dragon boat final, while the Old Novotelians took the men’s event and the teachers’ team from Kajonkiat School (otherwise known as the Pirates of the Andaman) took the mixed teams title.

The Kayak final was won by crew members from the yacht Silolona and the winners of the cardboard box race were Ben and Brodie, paddling one of only two surviving boats in the gruelling cardboard box race.

As in 2009, the Dream Gallery Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race was the highlight of the day. Some 1,600 rubber ducks were dropped from the Dusit Bridge into the klong below, then blown along by the Monstrous Rubber Duck Machine – devised by the engineers of Laguna Phuket and believed to be utterly unique.

This year 27 prizes were up for grabs in the duck race, ranging from a US$27,000 cruise aboard the Silolona for 10 people to nights in top resorts, luxury boat trips, to spa vouchers and Comedy Club tickets.

Results of the duck race may be seen here. For other details of the day go here. For more pictures, scroll down.

Screams all round as a shark ploughed into the duckies. Luckily, none was hurt.

Spectators cram the bank of the klong as the rubber ducks approach the finish line.

Emcee Pam introduces contestants in the Delightful Duckling costume contest.

Glittering performers from the Phuket Academy of Dance.

The crew from the yacht Silolona raced in kayaks and dragon boats - and still had the energy to put on a song-and-dance performance.

Volunteers did brisk business selling duck race tickets, duck caps and coupons for food and activities.

Uh oh. Back to the drawing board for some of the cardboard box race crews.

Phuket ducks bring in the bucks is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

Skins of leather, hearts of gold: Bikers at the last Naiharn event, in March this year. Click on the pic for more shots.

Phuket Bike Week – the big biker event – may be some months away (it takes place around the Thai New Year, in April), but in the meantime the island’s bikers are planning an event to raise money for charity.

Nine bike clubs (there are nine bike clubs on Phuket?) are combining to organise the 2nd Annual Nai Harn Rock-n-Roll Bike Event on January 15, around Nai Harn Lake in the south end of the island.

Children’s events, including rides on big bikes, will run from 9:30 am to 12 noon, before the real biker stuff starts kicks in - bike building, a tattoo artist to add a new death’s head or “Mum” to your personal gallery, bike rides, the obligatory wet T-shirt contest and live rock ’n’ roll music.

For those who think they may feel a little tired and emotional by the end of the afternoon, there will be free space for camping.

Most of the entertainment, including the music, is being provided free, and where there are costs to meet, the bikers are digging into their own leather pockets to ensure that 100 percent of the money spent on the day will go to their favourite charity, the Life Home Project, which offers shelter and job training for women with HIV/Aids and their children.

Anyone, whether a biker or not, is invited to join the event. For more detail, visit this page.

Phuket bikers party for charity is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

Soi Dog vice president John Dalley with Nuts, a young dog currently being treated for distemper.

Distemper is caused by an airborne virus that attacks the animal’s nervous system and kills roughly half of its victims. Survivors are often left part-paralysed or with tics or twitching of varying severity. Puppies are particularly at risk.

Treatment of dogs with distemper is difficult. There are drugs but the side effects can be almost as deadly as the virus. However, for dogs that are not yet infected, an effective vaccine exists, and Soi Dog hopes to carry out a massive vaccination campaign to prevent the spread of the disease.

Soi Dog has been desexing dogs for almost a decade in Phuket, and has spayed more than 30,000 animals in that time as a humane way of reducing the island’s  stray dog population. It also has a shelter where sick animals are treated and then offered for adoption.

Dogs that are spayed or treated by the charity are routinely vaccinated against rabies, but Soi Dog does not have the funds to battle the distemper outbreak, said Soi Dog vice president John Dalley. “Distemper is an insidious disease that leads to a slow and painful death. The only effective way to eradicate distemper is to vaccinate all the dogs.

” The costs involved are significant. The cost of the vaccine alone is 105 baht and each dog needs 2 vaccinations two weeks apart. The test to determine if a dog has distemper is 200 baht.

“For a dog testing positive to distemper seven days of treatment costs 1,750 baht for the drugs alone plus the cost of high protein food. So over 2,000 baht is required to treat a dog that tests positive.

“Soi Dog has never had the resources to vaccinate dogs for distemper. In the past we have seen and dealt with localized outbreaks, however distemper is currently appearing throughout the island. Money needs to be raised urgently.”

Donations may be made through the Soi Dog website, using PayPal, or by bank transfer. To contact Soi Dog, visit this page.

Phuket dog charity appeal for funds to fight virus outbreak is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

Rick Eiderdown poses after the press conference with race organisers and sponsors.

Thousands of Phuket-based competitors are now in training for the Dream Gallery Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race, which will take place on January 23 next year.

World Drake Champion Rick Eiderdown has already signed up, as has World Duck No 1 Sally Shoveller, fresh from victory in the Great British Duck Race, and her closest rival, Chinese racer Mei-li Mandarin.

Race organiser Alasdair Forbes said at a press conference at the Blue Elephant restaurant in Phuket Town, “We’re delighted to have such illustrious Anatidae signing up for the race. They add lustre to the event, and prove that our race is now firmly on the world map.”

Asked for comment, Eiderdown said, “QuackquackquackQuackquaaaaaaak,” which his translator said meant, “I’m looking forward to it. I’m coming to the race to win. The other quackers don’t a have a chance in hell.”

Forbes explained that members of the public will be able to participate by backing ducks in the hotly-contested race, which will be part of a day-long fundraising event organised by the Phuket Community Foundation at Laguna Phuket.

“We’ll be rolling out our duck ticket sales network across the island over the coming few days, or people can back a duck online here. We have some amazing prizes for those who back winning ducks, including a 3-day trip for 10 people aboard the five-star schooner Silolona.

Other events on the day will include dragon boat, kayak, home-made raft and cardboard box races. “Although these events do not have the  high profile of the duck race, they do give mere mortals the possibility of achieving local glory on the water. They can find out more by visiting this web page,” Forbes said.

“We’ll also have plenty of entertainment on stage, including dancers, a magic show, a band and a Delightful Ducklings costume contest for kids, along with a trampoline, rides in classic cars, a beat-the-goalie contest and much more. It’ll be a great day for all the family. We hope everyone will come along.”

Eiderdown had one final message, his translator said. “Back a duck! Better yet, back lots of ducks!”

Rubber ducks in training for Phuket mega-event is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

The girls of the WWP. From left, Able, Mem, Fon, Riz, Kwaung, Kathy and Orn.

That calendar is out. At a big bash at Cape Sienna hotel in Kamala on November 5, attended by hundreds of Phuket’s local glitterati, dressed to the nines, the ladies of the Women’s Will Power group (WWP) launched their calendar for 2011, aimed at raising funds for the Phuket Shelter for Children and Families, a haven for abused women and children.

The WWP’s guiding light, the gorgeous Tipwarintron “Riz” Tanaakarachod explained with a tear in her eye that she had a special interest in the Shelter, having watched her mother being abused for years by her stepfather.

After these sober thoughts, however, it was all fun, fun, fun, with fire dancers, hula girls, an auction of donated prixes (run by the evergreen Martin Carpenter MBE), an exotic fashion show and even – for those who’ve never seen one before – a katoey show from the Boat Bar. Then the dancing started, presided over by DJ Jay le Shark.

The 2011 calendar has less bare skin than last year, but compensates with pictures all aimed firmly at male fantasies – leather, Barbie dolls, air hostesses, leather gear, an elephant – well maybe not all the pictures. The WWP assembled no fewer than six of Phuket’s top photographers for the job, and a classy job it is.

The whole project was underwritten by 33 sponsors (including the Phuket Observer). Lead sponsor was John  Underwood’s Art Factory, where one of the photo shoots took place. Underwood has also pledged to help the Shelter by employing women from the Shelter and teach them the Italian art of mosaic.

The calender costs B299, and is available from all branches of Seng Ho book stores; Central Festival (November 13 and 14 only); Stereo Lab (Surin Beach); Senses Spa (Bang Tao and Boat Lagoon); Bit n’ Restaurant (Jungceylon); Woody’s Sandwich Shoppe (Cherng Talay, Chalong – Fisherman Way Business Centre and Villa and Home Pro Village) – and Patong; and at matches of the Phuket Soccer 7s (November 27 and 28). For bulk orders call Riz at +66 (0) 8 7466 5140. The WWP website is here.

More pix from the Cape Sienna event:

The WWP calendar models with the Head of the Phuket Shelter for Children & Families, Jiranan Jiamjarern (3rd from left)

Riz, calendar and a couple of bodyguards. In bow ties, of course.

The fashion show.

Something for everyone.

Definitely not models: Simon Samaan, Phil Teese and Warwick Renolds.

Are we having fun yet?

Phuket’s powerful women launch THAT calendar is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

The One Night In Rio event takes place at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, a favourite PIWC venue, on Saturday, November 13, beginning at 6:30pm and ending around 1am.

The ticket price of B3,000 a head includes dinner, cocktails and drinks.

The PIWC raises money to pay for the education of Thai girls in Phuket, mostly those in late secondary of tertiary education.

For tickets, contact Susan Arnulphyby calling +66 (0) 8 7277 6948 or emailing info@phuketiwc.com

Latin flavour for Phuket’s No 1 ball is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

Fly me - from left, Riz, Kwaung, Kathy, Able, Fon and Mam.

The girls – er, sorry, the women –  of the Women’s Willpower Group (WWP) are at it again, creating a new sexy calendar for charity, in this case the Phuket Shelter for Children and Families (PSCF), which offers a refuge for children in trouble, for unmarried mothers and for disabled people in trouble.

This year’s calendar, though it features less skin area than last year’s, is every bit as sexy, with seven girls modeling a variety of male fantasy themes ranging from leather-clad biker girls to Barbie dolls to – yes – air hostesses.

The Observer was delighted to be invited along for a behind-the-scenes look at the air hostess shoot, which featured six of the ladies, three photographers, a videographer, two hair and makeup artists – and an airplane, loaned for the occasion by the brand new Happy Airlines.

The models for the airport shoot, led by WWP founder Tipwarintron “Riz” Tanaakarachod, were Able Wanamakok, “Ms Mam”, Parichart “Kathy” Namchoo, Dr Pantita “Fon” Tieamtat, and Angkana “Kwaung” Jamsrikaew.

Keep an eye on this site for word of the calendar’s publication, and where to get hold of a copy hot – and we mean HOT – off the presses. F or more on WWP, go to their website, or see their Facebook page.

Enough words. We’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Photographer Kim Khamzin keeps energy levels up on a grey, damp afternoon.

All aboard for a flight into fantasy

Lemme see! Lemme see! Kim shows off his big lens.

Who said checking light settings can't be fun? Photographers, from left, Kim Khamzin, Phonsunt 'Daeng' Phatrapeephan, Dan Miles and Elena Volkova.

'You like your bread rolls HOT?' Riz hams it up.

Mam gets the giggles. There was a lot of that.

The hostesses-for-a-day check pictures on Elena's camera.

Phuket models on runway for Women’s Willpower Group calendar is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

'Clownfish V' by Christopher Hogan is the top prize in the charity raffle.

A raffle to win a unique signed painting valued at 60,000 baht by Australian artist Christopher Hogan is raising funds for a school in Phang Nga province supported by Laguna Phuket’s “Developing Sustainable Schools” program.

Hogan is currently Artist in Residence at Laguna Phuket’s Summer Family Festival – and the raffle draw will be the centerpiece of the Summer Family Festival “Art Party” in Canal Village on  July 31, when his residency ends.

The raffle prize  - Clownfish V – is a metre-square acrylic painting on canvas and an outstanding example of Hogan’ well-known aquatic-themed work.

With tickets being snapped up, the raffle has already raised thousands of baht for Baan Jao Krue School in Phang Nga province, the current focus of Laguna Phuket’s Developing Sustainable Schools program.

The 100-baht raffle tickets are available from reception desks and tour counters at Laguna Phuket hotels, as well as around the Laguna area in Pepper’s Bar, Khun Woody’s Sandwich Shoppe, Black Cat restaurant, Farang restaurant, Lady Pie restaurant, Village Bakery and the Cherngtalay branch of Siam Commercial Bank.

Other prizes include two nights at a Laguna Phuket resort, a Banyan Tree spa package for two, rounds of golf at Laguna Phuket Golf Club and a Laguna Tours trip for two to Phi Phi Island.

Hogan holds daily painting classes for hotel guests and local residents as part of the Summer Family Festival in Canal Village. He is also volunteering creative art lessons for teachers and pupils of Baan Jao Krue School to initiate the children’s creative studies.

The Laguna Phuket Summer Family Festival runs until August 20 with daily Kidz Fun Zone adventure activities, a Flying Trapeze, Hollywood@Laguna family filming of a “Virtual Motorcycle Tour of Phuket” and nightly entertainment in the beer tent.  The Festival also has a range of offers for children to stay, eat and play free at Laguna hotels until October 31.

Nemo painting is top prize in Laguna charity raffle is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

Two of the PSV kids on the water at the Phuket Yacht Club in Ao Yon.

The Topper Sail Phuket sailing school and Phuket Sunshine Village (PSV) are looking for a sponsor or sponsors to make a dream come true for a group of orphans from the village.

The seven kids have been training hard at Phuket Yacht Club in Ao Yon with the aim of competing in the Thailand Optimist Nationals at the Top of the Gulf Regatta in Pattaya, from April 30 to May 4.

As Katy Gooch and Paul Firmin of Topper Sail stress, it “would be an incredible experience for these children”.

The seven kids have been sailing most Sundays for just over a year, and have taken part in club racing at Phuket Yacht Club. If they can get the funding, they will also be joined by two other club members, making a total of nine junior entries from Phuket.

“To prepare the children for the Nationals we are arranging for them to join the Advanced Optimist Course run by the Junior Sailing Squadron ( JSST) at Sattahip Naval Base, Chonburi from the 17th – 25th April,” Katy explained.

“This will give them a great opportunity to improve their sailing skills and racing knowledge and the chance to practice with a larger fleet. Arrangements are also being made for them to stay on for further practice before competing in the Nationals.

Staff at Topper Sail Phuket have given their time to teach these children to sail and arrange races for them every month, and Phuket Yacht Club has allowed the children to use its facilities for these races at no cost.

However, the cost of sending the children to the training camp and to the regatta itself is estimated at approximately 100,000 baht, which would cover accommodation, food, course fees, boat charter, entry fees and transport.

“Travel arrangements have not been confirmed,” Katy explained, “so we are looking at various options including the possibility of any sponsored flights from Phuket to Bangkok and/or Bangkok to Phuket.

“I’m happy to give my time to these children from the PSV, but I am not in a position to donate 100,000 baht as well.

“They love to sail and have improved so much since they started learning with us. It would be fantastic for them to have the opportunity to go and compete in the nationals. Sailing helps to instill self-reliance and quick thinking and I have seen first-hand how it has helped these children develop both on and off the water.”

Anyone interested in sponsorship should contact Katy Gooch by email or by calling her at +66 (0) 8 5215 9185

The Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation was founded in 2004 after the Asian Tsunami hit Phuket and provides a safe and secure home for children who are either orphaned or who are no longer able to live with their natural parents.

Sponsors sought for orphans’ bid for sailing glory is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.

From left: Kkaew, Jane, PSV Director Nuttisa, Riz, Able and Poy.

You may recall the story we ran about Women’s Will Power, a group of five 30-somethings living in Phuket who removed 90% of their clothing for a glamour calendar, which was then sold to raise money for charity.

The exercise, we’re happy to report, was a success, with the ladies recently visiting Phuket Sunshine Village (PSV), a shelter primarily for abused children but also for kids suffering in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian Tsunami.

The five – Tipwarintron “Riz” Tanaakarachod, Able Wanamakok, Jiraporn “Jane” Chaiyasat, Tippanate “Kkaew” Pittyasamai and Pathamaphan “Poy” Ratanaphan – were fully clothed when they arrived at PSV to hand over a giant cheque for 120,000 baht to the home’s director, Khun Nuttisa. Magician Khun Magic (what else should she be called?) entertained the kids to make the visit complete.

Able says that there are still a few calendars left, which are selling at the discounted price of B299. To get one, contact her by email or look for the Women’s Will Power Charity Group on Facebook.

Sexy calendar girls hand over cash for kids is an article from: Phuket Observer - Phuket lifestyle magazine.