West of Friendship Beach, close to the southernmost tip of Phuket lies the Wellness House. It is the home and workplace for Dr. Richard Cracknell, a triathlete, chiropractor, acupuncturist, healer, life coach and a well-versed raw food cook (Or non-cook, in this case).

The B180 million Phuket Tin Mining Museum on Kathu-Koh Kaew Road in the Phuket countryside was officially opened in early March after almost five years of building and installation of attractions.

John Underwood has a vision for Phuket’s art scene: create a centre of excellence where artists of every hue can gather and display their works.

The Yamu, the 5-star+ hotel in Phuket that was stalled by the global financial crisis, is once more under construction, and Como of Singapore has been appointed to manage it.

Who said the days of the tall ships were over? Aboard the yacht Montigne you can taste sailing life in real style.

The eighth Phuket International Boat Show, still known by its origional initials, PIMEX, opened this morning at the Royal Phuket Marina with 86 exhibitors on the water and in the exhibition hall, a record number for the eight-year-old show. The total value of the boats on display exceeded 3 billion baht, said organisers Informa Yacht Group.

Australian teenage singer-songwriter Teischa Jones – she’s just 13 – is set to be a music star after recording tracks at the Legend Music recording studio in Boat Lagoon.

The Phang Nga Bay Regatta, which has been a key event in the Southeast Asian yachting calendar, was in danger of collapsing after its founder and main organiser, photographer and publisher John Everingham, declared himself to be unable to help with the 2011 event.

The Famous Beach Club, with its own deejay station looming over all, its long inviting pool with, at the far end, a large raised sala and, along one side, comfortable tents for lounging in.

It was shuffling room only in some parts of the old town as tens of thousands of people thronged the streets of the old town of the annual Phuket Old Town Festival.