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Laguna Phuket (17 July 2007) -For parents planning a family vacation, time to relax for Mom and Dad can come hand-in-hand with tons of fun to be had for the children at Laguna Phuket, Asia’s finest destination resort!

This integrated resort offers families a wide range of luxurious accommodation choices and fun
activities. With complimentary inter-resort transport in the forms of shuttle buses and ferry boats and a cashless central billing system, among other conveniences, the entire family can forget all the hassles and really kick-back and relax.

Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree Phuket is offering a Family Adventure Package, providing accommodation in a Deluxe Two-Bedroom Pool Villa and quality family time onboard an all-day cruise in stunning Phang-nga Bay (two adults and two children under 12 years of age). The package also includes a gourmet lunch onboard the cruise, roundtrip VIP van transfers between hotel and marina, daily American buffet breakfast at the resort’s Watercourt restaurant, one high-tea during the family’s stay, daily fruit basket, a special Banyan Tree Gallery gift and late check-out at 3pm (subject to availability). Children get extra benefits with 20% discount off food and beverages on the Kids’ Menu, 50% discount off kids’ items for laundry service, and a complimentary Kids’ Goodie Bag. The Family Adventure Package is available at USD1275+++ (subject to service charge and applicable government taxes) per villa per night until 30 September 2007. A minimum of threenights’ stay is required.

For reservations, contact +66 76 324 374 or email banyantree@lagunaphuket.com

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket
At Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, children can enjoy the Very Important Kidz Club (VIKC). Treated as the VIPs that they are, kids have their own special registration cards, a VIKC backpack chock-full of goodies, a welcome letter from the VIKC boss, toys, safety kits, and a “Tippy Cup”. The VIKC has both indoor and outdoor recreational areas with lots of games and activities for children of all ages, as well as a Cyber Zone, which offers online and interactive games. A list of activities, which change on a weekly basis, is posted each day. Kids will also get to meet Yum Yum and Lily, the resort’s two baby elephants.

As “Very Important Kidz”, they will also enjoy special privileges, such as express meal service, a special menu for in-room dining, kids discounts off food and beverage, special laundry prices for kids’ clothes and a large selection of children’s movies.

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket also offers a wide range of accommodation choices from interconnecting rooms to two-, three-, or four-bedroom villas with multiple bathrooms and cooking facilities.

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket’s Family Getaway Package offers the whole family a chance to
experience the resort’s new Private Pool Villas starting from USD429+++. This price is inclusive of daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfer by shared van, complimentary use of the hotel’s 24-hour fitness centre, daily sunset cocktails and other exclusive villa privileges.

For reservations, contact +66 76 324 101 or email sheraton@lagunaphuket.com

Dusit Laguna Resort
Young guests at the Dusit Laguna Resort immediately become members of the Busy Bee Kids Club. The benefits they receive as members of the Club start with a special kids’ rate, with no additional charge for an extra bed for children under 12 years of age occupying the same room as their parents and 50% discount offered on a second room during the year, excluding the high season. Upon arrival, kids receive their own welcome letter and daily activities program. Activities vary from sports and fun games, such as Junior Olympics, water polo, and Scavenger Hunts, to arts and crafts, such as batik painting, bracelet making, sand art, and finger painting. There are also plenty of beach activities including beach sculpture, Footprint Scramble and Limbo dance. They can also simply enjoy playing at the Club’s outdoor playground.

Busy Bee Kids Club members are also entitled to 50% discount off kids’ laundry, kids’ food and beverage menus at special prices in all restaurants plus 50% discount on normal menus consumed in restaurants provided for children aged 4-12 years. Complimentary birthday parties
can also be arranged for children celebrating their birthday during their stay at Dusit Laguna Resort.

Babysitter services are available on an hourly or daily basis. Baby amenities are also available upon request.

For reservations, contact +66 76 362 999 or email dusit@lagunaphuket.com

Laguna Beach Resort
Families choosing to stay at Laguna Beach Resort enjoy large, spacious rooms, most of which have been recently renovated, and a fantastic waterpark with a 50-metre waterslide, among many other sports and recreation facilities.

The hotel’s “Nong Chang” Kids’ Club provides a large array of activities and fun for children aged 4-12 years old, such as waterslide races, elephant rides, face painting, batik painting, mini Olympics, and golf lessons with a PGA professional.

Laguna Beach Resort’s Family Programme offers accommodation in a Superior Studio for two adults and two children, daily breakfast for the entire family, roundtrip airport transfer by hotel shuttle bus, welcome drinks, garlands and fruit plate upon arrival, Laguna Plus Card privileges and late check-out (subject to availability). In addition, children receive a Special Kids Club pack, free ice-cream coupons, free use of the Kids’ Club and most of the resort’s sports and facilities and one small piece of batik painting per room. The Family Programme is available at USD170+++ per room per night, with a minimum of two nights’ stay required. Extension nights are USD160+++ per room per night, including breakfast.

For reservations, please contact +66 76 324 352 or email lagunabeach@lagunaphuket.com

Allamanda Laguna Phuket
Allamanda Laguna Phuket’s Kids’ Suite is specially designed with young people in mind. The Kids’ Suite has a separate bedroom for children with colourful bedding on bunk beds, a specially decorated bathroom, plus tons of toys, games, videos and Playstation. The Kids’ Suite is also close to the recently renovated Kids Club, giving children easy access to a large outdoor
playground and sandpit or the indoor recreational area. Accommodation at Allamanda Laguna Phuket are all one or -two-bedroom suites with separate living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchenettes. It is also possible to have an extra bed set up in the living room to accommodate the family’s youngest members.

Apart from the usual playground equipment like slides and swings and the quintessential sandpit, inside the Kids Club children are also able to enjoy toys, board games and activities such as batik painting, tattoo stencilling and glass painting. The program at the Kids Club at Allamanda Laguna Phuket is for children aged 4-8 years. Younger children accompanied by a parent, guardian, or babysitter are also welcome to use the Kids Club’s facilities. Allamanda Laguna Phuket also has three children’s pools.

For reservations, contact +66 76 324 359 or email at allamanda@lagunaphuket.com

Allamanda Laguna Phuket has also launched a pizza delivery service straight from the oven at the hotel’s Courtyard Café. Pizza delivery is limited to the Laguna Phuket area.

Tiger Cubs Club
Children staying at Laguna Phuket will have the chance to discover the pure enjoyment of golf at the Tiger Cubs Club, Laguna Phuket Golf Club. The Tiger Cubs Club, open to children aged 7-13 years, meets every Saturday from 4pm to 6pm. Children will learn basic golfing skills as well as new golfing techniques. They will also have the chance to compete in on-course competitions and gain a handicap, in addition to many other fun activities. The membership fee is THB1000 per session, or THB3000 per month, including a free T-shirt.

For reservations, please contact Laguna’s golf pros Bruce Whitehead at +66 1 187 3840, Andy Coombe at +66 6 943 1601 or email golfteaching@lagunaphuket.com

Quest Laguna Phuket Adventure
Quest Recreation programs provide plenty of personal challenges and the ultimate fun for individuals, families or groups. Among many of the programs available to choose from, families can opt to try the Family Challenge Program, created specifically with the family in mind. The Family Challenge Program is designed to foster co-operation and healthy competition within the
family.

The Family Challenge Program is available on weekdays from 9am to 1pm. Participants must be
at least 7 years of age. The activities involved in the Program are rock-climbing on Quest’s 15- metre, three-sided tower, exciting high rope elements, including the high beam and trapeze, raft building and racing, and a fresh fruit break and jungle Thai barbeque lunch. The Family Challenge Program is available for THB2500 for a family of three, with a charge of THB800 for each additional person.

Reservations can be made at any of the Laguna hotels’ tour desks or telephone +66 76 324 062-3

Camp Laguna
Another option for Laguna Phuket’s young clientele is located next to Laguna Beach Resort at the
Quest facility, called Camp Laguna. Children aged 9-14 years are provided with adventure activities divided into challenge courses, leisure sports, arts and crafts, and environmental activities offered in half -and full-day programs.

Challenge courses include rock-climbing, low ropes exercises such as the Fidget Ladder, Tension Traverse, and Swinging Log and high ropes courses. Leisure sports involve activities such as Capture the Flag, water basketball, waterslide and canoeing. Environmental activities present children with fun activities such as bark/leaf rubbings, nature scavenger hunts and beach games.

A half-day morning program, inclusive of lunch, is THB800 per child. A half-day afternoon program, inclusive of a snack, is THB700 per child, while a full-day program, including lunch and a snack is THB1100 per child. Camp Laguna is open year-round, except for weekends, public holidays and dates when there are corporate group bookings at Quest.

Reservations for Camp Laguna can be made at any of the Laguna hotels’ tour desks or telephone +66 76 324 062-3.

A wide range of luxurious accommodation and fun recreation activities is not all Laguna has to offer. Tee-off at the award-winning, 18-hole Laguna Phuket Golf Club or indulge and pamper yourself at one of the four Angsana Spas or the Banyan Tree Spa. Canal Shopping Village is also conveniently located within Laguna Phuket to help satisfy any sudden need for some retail
therapy.

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Laguna Phuket (9 July 2007) - Dusit Laguna Villas, located within the renowned Dusit Laguna Resort on beautiful Bang Tao Beach, are now available for sale via a convenient 15-year payment plan, and offer a healthy 6% guaranteed rental return.

This innovative financing program, catering specifically to foreign investors, allows lakeside villa buyers 5, 10 or 15 year plans with a very attractive interest rate. The variable lending rates are based on the Thailand MLR (Minimum Lending Rate) which is currently 7%. Interest rates for 5 and 10 year financing are MLR plus 0.5%. The 15 year plan is MLR plus 1.0%, resulting in a very competitive interest rate of 7.5% for 5 and 10 year plans, and 8% for the 15 year plan.  In addition, buyers can finance up to 70% of the selling price.

Dusit Laguna Villas will be managed by Dusit Laguna Resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of  the World, which is centrally located within Laguna Phuket – Asia’s finest destination resort. Owners will receive 60 days complimentary usage of their villa per annum and options to receive either a 6% guaranteed yearly rental return or 33% of room revenue. The rental contract is renewed every 6 years and owners can change between these two options freely upon contract renewal.

While the 6% fixed option is very popular among conservative investors, the 33% of room revenue option is very tempting considering the Dusit Laguna Resort has one of the highest occupancy levels in Phuket with the 2006 year-round occupancy at 75%. The rack rates of Dusit Laguna Villas’ beachfront units are US$1,475 to $2,785 (from low to peak season) and US$1,250 - $2,100 for lakeside.

TThe 28 new Dusit Laguna Villas are three-storey terraced properties within 100 metres of the beach, with the six beachfront units located right on the beach. Each villa has two bedrooms with sea or garden views, terrace and ensuite bathrooms on the first floor. The second level features an open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with an extended terrace to enjoy the scenic water views. To further maximize the stunning vistas, a roof-top pool, outdoor shower and private sun deck occupies the third storey.

Dusit Laguna Villas are priced at Baht 32 million for lakeside villas and Baht 56 million for beachfront. Furniture is included and owners receive complimentary membership to the Laguna Phuket Golf Club (valued at Baht 950,000), plus a Resident Privilege Card entitling them to free use of Laguna Phuket hotel facilities with generous discounts on dining, spa treatments and tours.

Construction of the Dusit Laguna Villas is scheduled to be completed in mid 2008.

For more information, please contact the Laguna Property Centre at +66 (0)76 324 366 or email property@lagunaphuket.com.

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Laguna Phuket (27 June 2007) - Laguna Phuket will be the venue for YRock’s Summer Music Camp during 6-11 August 2007. The music camp will comprise free daily workshops, culminating in a concert at the Laguna Holiday Club Resort the evening of Saturday 11 August from 7:30-9:30pm.

YRock is Hong Kong’s hottest youth events and performance platform providing opportunities to develop and showcase youth talent, putting in place the stepping stones to progress and develop towards industry standard and a potential career in the music industry. It aims to build an international youth scene on- and off- line in Hong Kong and across Asia-Pacific based around music, promoting the international music scene by encouraging original material at the grassroots level. YRock provides a unique opportunity for teenagers and talent to meet other likeminded individuals, form bands, create music/digital media and perform on a regular basis.

YRock performances are held every month and allow Hong Kong’s aspiring young musicians to display their talents on their way to competition in the YRock POP Asia Pacific’s International Teenage Music Challenge in December.

Phuket youngsters will now have the same opportunities as their peers in Hong Kong. The workshops will take place every afternoon from 3:00-5:00pm at the Allamanda Laguna Phuket. YRock workshops are open to any act, talent or audiovisual crew. Talent includes musicians, bands, vocalists, soloists, dancers, DJs and media jocks. For classically trained musicians, the workshops also offer CLOCK, which is a fusion between classical and rock. Music genres range from rock, pop and rap to CLOCK.

The concert on Saturday will feature guest performances from 2006 YRock POP winners Ghost Souljah and Dani & Maren, as well as special performances from youth talent involved in the week’s workshops.

For those interested in participating in the YRock Summer Music Camp at Laguna Phuket, please contact Belinda Howard at belmike@netvigator.com or visit www.yrock.com.hk for further details.

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Laguna Phuket (17 June 2007) - The second Laguna Phuket International Marathon, held on Sunday, 17 June 2007, was another tremendous success with over 3,000 participants from 40 countries competing in the 42k Marathon, 21k Half Marathon, 10k Fun Run, 5k Walk and 1k Kids Run.

The races started early morning with the Marathon runners leaving the start line in Laguna Phuket at 5am. The Half Marathon started at 6am, followed by the Fun Run at 06:30am and the 5k Walk at 06:55am. The Kids Run started at 9am.

The 5k Walk, which is a new race introduced this year, added additional excitement and colour to the event with the large turnout of teams from local businesses and organizations participating. Many teams wore their own colours and had pledged to raise money for charity. There were also many individual entries, bringing the total number of participants in the 5k Walk to 500.

Also contributing to the excitement of the event were Charlie Webster and Andy Penders, football presenters for ESPN STAR Sports and Japanese “ecomarathoner” Hajime Nishi. Charlie, a former professional 800m runner, competed in the 21k Half Marathon and finished in 1:53:32, coming in second in her age category. Andy Penders and Hajime Nishi took a more leisurely approach to the races with Andy participating in the 5k Walk and Hajime staying true to his ecomarathon philosophy by taking time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and chatting with crowds along the course.

The first runner to cross the finish line was Niwat Oytip from Thailand, competing in the Half Marathon, time 1:21:14. Anthony Seakins from the UK and Dominic Yu Ho Chung from the People’s Republic of China placed second and third in the Half Marathon in 1:22:25 and 1:22:36. The winner of the men’s marathon was Brent Christian Roeger from the USA who crossed the finish line with a time of 2:45:44. Second place men’s finisher was Eddy Ou of the USA in 3:11:10, followed by Seppo Rosnell from Finland in 3:15:37.

Winner of the women’s marathon was Nicola Green from the UK, time 3:16:46, followed by Lai Chee Yong from Singapore coming in at 3:50:46 and Diana Finkel from the USA at 3:51:03. The top three female finishers in the Half Marathon were Vivian Tang from Singapore, Gillian Castka from the UK and Pauline Mulroy in 1:29:05, 1:33:29 and 1:36:51, respectively.

For complete race results please visit the Laguna Phuket International Marathon website at www.phuketmarathon.com.

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Laguna Phuket (7 June 2007) - Southeast Asia’s premier multi-sport event, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2007, will take place on Sunday 2 December with a succession of new changes—a new swim course, changes to the bike course, a new start time, and wave starts.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon is supported by Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Renowned as the “Race of Legends”, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon boasts possibly more world champions racing in past fields than any other race in the world short of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii. Pro triathletes who have participated at Laguna Phuket have won more than 50 world championships from every discipline in the sport of triathlon: Ironman, Olympic, 70.3, Duathlon and Xterra. The list of Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists, World Cup, US Pro, Ironman, European and various national champions defies accurate count. Legendary triathletes who have raced at Laguna Phuket include Mark Allen (USA), Greg Welch (AUS), Simon Lessing (GBR), Mike Pigg (USA), Scott Molina (USA), Paula Newby-Fraser (USA), Karen Smyers (USA) and Michelle Jones (AUS).

The Triathlon, comprising a 1.8k swim, 55k cycle and 12k run features both the individual race, which offers a USD20,000 pro prize purse, and the Herbalife Corporate Challenge Team Relay. The first three teams to finish the Team Relay event will win USD1,000, USD750 and USD500, respectively, as well as gifts from Herbalife.

The 1.8k swim course at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon is unique in that it comprises two bodies of water. The new swim start will be on the beach at the Laguna Beach Resort. Athletes will swim the first 1200 metres in the sea before sprinting 100 metres across the beach to swim the last 600 metres in a lagoon.

Minor changes have also been made to the 55k bike course, which leads competitors from Laguna Phuket to the north of the island past tropical jungles, rubber plantations, beach front and local villages. A rough part of the course has been eliminated and an extra stretch has been added in place.

The race start has been changed to 7am with two start waves. The first wave start will be open to all non-relay swimmers. The second wave start, scheduled for 07:10am, will be for all relay swimmers and any individuals who opt into this less-crowded wave.

Race entry is available online only. The entry fee includes the pre-race Pasta Party, Competitor's T-shirt and Race Kit. Closing date for entries is 31 October 2007, unless registration reaches capacity in which case it will close prior to that date. Early-bird registration fees are USD120 for the individual triathlon, available until 30 June 2007.

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Laguna Phuket (1 June 2007) - ESPN STAR Sports presenters Charlie Webster and Andy Penders will participate in the Laguna Phuket International Marathon 2007 on Sunday 17 June 2007. Both Charlie and Andy visited Phuket in March to help raise funds, together with Laguna, for Life Home Project.

Charlie Webster of Club EPL will be participating in the 21k Half Marathon, scheduled to start at 6am. She will also start the 1k Kids Run at 9am. Charlie is a former English 400m runner, a photographic and catwalk model, a linguist and a specialist in football. She is also a qualified personal trainer, studied as an actor and has a degree in English Language and Linguistics. Prior to joining ESPN STAR Sports, she spent a season with Real Madrid International Television. She worked and travelled with Real Madrid FC throughout the La Liga season including the pre-season training, world tour and Champions League matches, interviewing the Galacticos regularly as well as the world’s biggest stars past and present. Charlie is, at the moment, the only female football presenter in Asia who is able to go on air “live” without a script to read from.

Fans will also get the chance to meet Andy Penders of Football Crazy who will join the 5k Walk, a new event introduced this year. Andy started his career in the football journalism world at TeamTalk, the United Kindom’s largest football news company, where he was editor of one of the world’s largest football websites. Having covered the Euro Championships for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), he then moved to Australia to work as a content manager for one of the country’s largest bookmakers, followed by a move to Singapore as Chief Editor of the acclaimed ZoomSports network of websites. Andy’s role at ZoomSports gave him his television break as a pundit on Channel 7 where he would give his expert opinion on Premier League matches. After a two-year stint at ZoomSports, Andy moved to ESPN STAR Sports as Senior Producer. Andy’s predictions and overall football comments made him the ideal candidate to host Football Crazy.

The 5k Walk, which will start at 06:55am, has received great interest from local clubs and organizations, all of whom are encouraged to use this event as a fund raising and team/fitness building opportunity not only to demonstrate support for their organization and their community spirit, but also to raise funds for either a charity of their own choice or the Marathon’s official charity, HOPE worldwide Thailand.

HOPE worldwide Thailand supports and promotes activities of the Department of Public Welfare and the Ministry of Social Development. In 1999 the charity established a Computer Training Centre at the Kredtrakarn Protection and Occupational Development Training Centre in Nonthaburi Province, a governmental rehabilitation centre for young girls under 18 years of age who are at risk of human trafficking and suffer from various types of social problems. There are 348 girls at the centre who remain at the centre for two years. HOPE teaches basic Microsoft Office computer skills for approximately 150 students per year.

The charity also supports work at the Nonthapum Home – home for children with disabilities in Nonthaburi Province by teaching computer skills and encouraging them to participate in fun activities. There are more than 400 disabled children in the Nonthapum Home.

Participants may seek individual sponsorship to support their participation in the event which can be conveniently managed (pledged and paid) online at www.phuketmarathon.com with the donations going to HOPE worldwide Thailand.

Organizations that have confirmed their participation in the 5k Walk include Laguna Phuket, the Rotary Club of Laguna Phuket, Amanpuri, The Chedi Phuket, Horizons Learning Centre, and the Phuket International Women’s Club, which has confirmed 25 participants in the Walk.

The cost for locals to enter the 5-km walk is only THB 200 and entries will be accepted up until 16 June.

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Laguna Phuket (11 May 2007) - Renowned for its genuine Thai hospitality that has become synonymous with the Dusit name, Dusit Laguna Resort will extend its ‘Thai Way of Life’ philosophy to include private property management. With the introduction of Dusit Laguna Villas, the Phuket resort is the first of the Dusit Hotels & Resorts chain to offer luxurious pool villas.

Set within the gardens of Dusit Laguna Resort, though situated to ensure total privacy, Dusit Laguna Villas are three-storey, two-bedroom homes that offer owners spectacular views of a tropical lagoon and the Andaman Sea. The villas are, quite simply, breathtaking, among the best to be found anywhere. At one time it was only possible to enjoy such glorious panoramas by booking a room or a suite at a Laguna Phuket resort. Not any more! The new Dusit Laguna Villas offer Laguna Phuket’s extraordinary views as part of a lifestyle package designed to meet the needs of idealists who want to wake up every day to those sweeping skylines. The villas themselves are as spectacular as the views, built specifically to appeal to active achievers and situated close to the best recreational facilities and restaurants that the holiday island has to offer. The whole concept should have great appeal to those who wish to be able to call Laguna Phuket home, or just invest in those villas.

Given the special nature of the assignment, the villas, positioned along the edges of the lagoon and the Andaman Sea, needed special treatment. Leading interior designer Dharmali Kusumadi acknowledges that the panoramic position of the villas has governed the architects’ thinking. The result, now available to view at the recently opened display villa, actually turns design thinking upside down. The two bedrooms are on the ground floor, each with a private walled courtyard garden, and the way to the living space is up... all the way up to the 6x3x1.3-metre deep pool on the third storey top deck. The thought of being up high in a private pool, looking across the finest water views on Phuket, will probably prove a temptation for many.

Both bedrooms have spacious storage areas, with the main bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe. Both also have large en-suite bathrooms. Living space has been delivered to the tune of more than 290 square metres, and Dharmali’s expectation is that the seclusion of the bedrooms will contrast neatly with the floor-to-ceiling openness upstairs. Beyond the kitchen and dining area, a huge sofa of tempting dimensions flows to the patio and the vista. But there’s no necessity to open the doors: the view comes spilling inside. Upstairs lies the rooftop pool, a pair of sundeck loungers, a sublime outdoor shower and a table setting . . . plus that glorious panoramic view, with the ceiling peeled back to reveal an impeccable Phuket sky. In every way, it’s an adaptation of the penthouse lifestyle into something unique to Laguna Phuket. But as Dharmali is quick to point out, these are villas, with more to offer. “With all that lounging space it’s certainly more comfy,” he says. “But it’s also much more like a home than a suite. Yet the location means it has all the luxury of resort living.”

Dusit Laguna Villas offer owners both a fantastic lifestyle and unique investment opportunity. Owners can receive a 6% fixed return on their investment for six years through Dusit Laguna Resort’s managed rental program, while retaining 60 days a year for their own complimentary usage.

Owners of Dusit Laguna Villas will also receive complimentary membership to the Laguna Phuket Golf Club as well as an entry to the Laguna lifestyle with Laguna Residents’ Privileges to access the facilities at all the Laguna Phuket hotels.

Laguna Resorts & Hotels Plc has started construction on a total of 28 Dusit Laguna Villas, designed and constructed by Architrave Design and Planning, Banyan Tree/Laguna’s architectural arm, to be completed mid 2008. The fully-furnished Dusit Laguna Villas are currently available for sale and start at 32 million baht.

To inspect the display villa, telephone +66 (0) 76 324366, drop by the Property Desk in the foyer at Dusit Laguna Resort or visit the Property Centre in Canal Village Shopping Centre at Laguna Phuket.

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Laguna Phuket (10 May 2007) - Laguna Phuket, Asia’s finest destination resort, is proud to announce that it has signed on as title sponsor and official host of the Laguna Phuket International Marathon 2007, which will take place at the resort complex on 17 June.

Laguna Phuket is a holiday paradise with hotels linked by sparkling lagoons and three kilometers of beach frontage; its name is synonymous with the beauty of the Andaman region and is therefore the perfect sponsor for the event. Taking place on 15-17 June 2007, during the traditional low-season, the event will encourage Phuket’s tourism industry to thrive throughout this typically quieter time.

Organised by Go Adventure Asia, the Laguna Phuket International Marathon 2007 expects to welcome some 4,000 participants, including 1,500 runners from approximately 40 different countries to participate in this year’s event, following the success of the inaugural Phuket International Marathon last year.

“With the large number of participants and the worldwide media exposure received last year, we fully believe that the event is destined to be the most successful destination marathon in Southeast Asia and we are extremely proud to be supporting it,” commented Michael Ayling, Managing Director of Laguna Resorts & Hotels Plc.

“Laguna Phuket has been instrumental in making the Phuket International Marathon a reality in 2006 and the increased level of sponsorship proves that Laguna Phuket understands the significance of the event for Phuket and the potential it represents in terms of attracting tourism,” commented Raimund Wellenhofer, the marathon race director.

A series of events will kick-off on Friday 15 June starting with a 2-day expo featuring sponsor booths and a number of activities. Race day on 17 June will comprise a 42k Marathon, a 21k Half-marathon, a 10k Fun Run, a 1k Kids Run and, new this year, a 5k Walk.

The 42k Marathon’s flat, scenic course will start and end at the Y-Junction entrance to the Laguna Beach Resort within the Laguna Phuket complex, passing through lush tropical rainforests and rubber plantations and local villages, heading north towards Nai Yang beach, before turning back to Laguna Phuket.

Participants in any of the races at the Laguna Phuket International Marathon are also encouraged to take part in fundraising for charity, whether it is a charity of their choice or HOPE worldwide Thailand, the event’s official charity. HOPE worldwide Thailand supports and promotes activities of the Department of Public Welfare and the Ministry of Social Development. Each participant taking part in the fundraising effort is to pledge to raise a certain amount of money for the charity at the same time that they pledge to compete in one of the races on 17 June.

For more information and online registration, please visit the official event website at www.phuketmarathon.com or email info@phuketmarathon.com.

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Laguna Phuket (26 April 2007) - Laguna Phuket will showcase its new Chapel-on-the-Lagoon, at the National Wedding Show held at Siam Paragon from 3-6 May.

Laguna will celebrate the launch of its Chapel-on-the-Lagoon into the Thai market by offering 15 lucky brides-to-be the opportunity to experience a free wedding make-over at the Wedding Show. Complimentary bridal ‘hair and make-up’ trial sessions will take approximately one and half hours to complete, and are available free of charge for three days only from 3-5 May to future brides planning to marry within Thailand during the next year. Interested candidates are encouraged to make an advance appointment by telephoning Laguna’s Wedding Services Manager, Ms Cindy Chan on 081 9587684.

Inspired by the Kingdom’s waterborne culture, the elegant Chapel-on-the-Lagoon perches on stilts above the tropical waterways of the integrated resort complex. Centrally located within Laguna Phuket, the non-denominational chapel is only minutes from any of the deluxe Laguna hotels. Although the exterior design is reminiscent of traditional Thai architecture, the interior reflects a modern minimalist style which allows the main focal point to be the stunning 360-degree panoramic water views offered through the Chapel’s floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

If the extraordinary appeal of the lovely Chapel-on-the-Lagoon and its surrounding natural beauty coupled with Laguna’s exceptional service standards and five-star hotel line-up, isn’t enough to convince couples to treat themselves to an exquisite wedding at Laguna Phuket, then visitors to the Laguna booth number 61 at the National Wedding Show will also receive a complimentary discount voucher entitling them to 10% off the standard Wedding Chapel Package priced at 51,990++ baht, plus complimentary hair styling and make-up for the bride on her wedding day, currently valued at 7,000++ baht. This offer will be applicable for wedding chapel bookings confirmed before 31 December 2007 for weddings held prior to 31 December 2008.

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Laguna Phuket (March 2007) - Laguna Phuket introduces Thailand’s first resort wedding chapel on the holiday island of Phuket, to make the big day of brides and grooms the most memorable event.

Imagine sharing vows within a charming Thai-styled chapel surrounded by stunning panoramic views of the sparkling seaside lagoon and white sand beach nearby, Laguna Phuket, with a team of dedicated wedding specialists, will cater to your every need to ensure your special day is fulfilled to your highest expectation.

Inspired by Thailand’s waterborne culture, the charming Chapel-on-the-Lagoon floats on stilts above the tropical waterways of the Laguna Phuket resort complex. As a special touch, brides and grooms can access the chapel by private vessel, making the arrival and departure even more romantic.

The airy, light interior with its white colour scheme evokes an atmosphere of reverence. Flooded by natural sunlight, the Chapel’s side walls comprise of sliding glass doors that can be opened for an alfresco ambience, or closed to enjoy air-conditioned comfort without interrupting the stunning lake view. With its lofty ceiling, glass walls, watery backdrop, lush tropical gardens and nearby beach, the Laguna Chapel offers countless memorable photo opportunities.

Centrally located within the resort, this non-denominational chapel is only minutes away from the six deluxe Laguna Phuket hotels, comfortably accomodating up to 100 people.
Your wedding reception can be catered by any of the Laguna Phuket hotels. All offer tempting selection of delicious international and Asian menus that can be served in a variety of lovely venues within the grounds of Laguna Phuket.

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Laguna Phuket (26 March 2007) - Laguna Phuket and the ESPN STAR Sports football broadcasting team together raised THB 500,000 for Phuket’s Life Home Project this past weekend. The Life Home Project is a shelter for mothers who are HIV positive and their children. The proceeds were raised from a charity golf tournament, dinner and quiz night, with an auction of autographed team shirts from Manchester United and Fulham Football Clubs, as well as tickets to an English Premier League game inclusive of roundtrip Phuket-London flights, among other items.

Phuket locals showed great support for this charity event and the opportunity to get up close and personal with TV personalities Andy Penders and Sharkee Tan of Football Crazy; John Dykes of Football Focus and Andrew Leci of Here We Go; ex-Burmingham City’s Paul Masefield; highly-respected pundit Jamie Reeves; Malaysian ex-footballer and renowned sports commentator Shebby Singh; former Hong Kong Rangers footballer Derek Currie; and Club EPL’s Charlie Webster.

Forty-eight golfers participated in the charity golf tournament at the Laguna Phuket Golf Club on Saturday. Eight of the celebrities played in teams with three other golfers. Later in the evening over 100 guests attended the charity dinner, during which the football quiz, hosted by John Dykes, and the auction were held. Former Scottish professional footballer Murdo MacLeod was a surprise guest speaker at the dinner and regaled dinner guests with anecdotes from his professional football career, which includes playing in two World Cups, drawing laughter and applause throughout his 20 minutes on stage. The winners of the golf tournament were also announced at the dinner, each receiving two-nights’ accommodation at the Laguna Holiday Club Resort inclusive of the Sunday BBQ for two at the hotel’s @Seventeenth restaurant.

The following morning the ESPN STAR Sports team visited the Life Home Project where they had the opportunity to meet with the women and children living at the shelter as well as the volunteers working at the Project. The ESPN STAR Sports team was warmly received by the children who were thrilled to show them around the Project’s new and impressive facilities. The THB 500,000 donation presented to Life Home Project will go towards the purchase of a mini-van to be used as a schoolbus for the children at Life Home Project.

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Laguna Phuket (7 March 2007) - The ESPN STAR Sports football broadcasting team will visit Laguna Phuket from 23-25 March to participate in a charity event in support of Phuket’s Life Home Project.

The Life Home project is a shelter for mothers who are HIV positive and their children where they can live safely in a supportive community.

The line up of TV presenters and pundits in the ESPN STAR Sports team coming to Laguna Phuket include Football Crazy’s Andy Penders, PJ Roberts and Sharkee Tan; Football Focus’ John Dykes and Andrew Leci of Here We Go will be joined by in-house football experts ex-Birmingham City’s Paul Masefield, highly-respected pundit Jamie Reeves, Malaysian ex-footballer and renown sports commentator Shebby Singh and former Hong Kong Rangers footballer Derek Currie; plus Club EPL’s Charlie Webster, co-presenter of the live coverage of English Premier League matches on STAR Sports.

During their visit Phuket-based English Premier League fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the football presenters, and simultaneously donate to a worthy cause. On Saturday 24 March, the celebrities will be playing in a charity golf tournament at Laguna Phuket Golf Club followed by a charity dinner and quiz night at Laguna Holiday Club Resort’s @Seventeenth restaurant in support of the Life Home Project.

Golfers will make up a team of four with one of the EPL celebrities, while dinner guests will be seated on tables together with one guest celebrity, who will no doubt prove a great asset during the after-dinner Football Quiz conducted by host emcee John Dykes.

Golf and Dinner Packages are available to Laguna Phuket Golf Club members at THB5,000 per person and THB6,500 for non-members. The charity dinner and quiz night will be limited to 100 guests with dinner only tickets inclusive of wine and beer available at THB2,500 per person. Entry to the golf tournament and tickets for the dinner will be sold in advance at the Laguna Phuket Golf Club pro-shop.

The English Premier League television coverage is significant household viewing with more than 276 million viewers tuning in to watch the ESPN and STAR Sports’ coverage of the English Premier League in Asia.

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Laguna Phuket (7 March 2007) - Play unlimited rounds of golf at the Laguna Phuket Golf Club with Golf Unlimited Packages offered at all five Laguna Phuket hotels!

Voted by readers of “Asian Golf Monthly” in the “2006 Top Ten Best Golf Resorts in Asia”, the Laguna Phuket Golf Club is a resort-style, 18-hole course featuring gently undulating fairways, large welcoming greens, attractive lagoons and extensive practice facilities including a driving range, practice putting green and chipping green.

Golf Unlimited Packages include unlimited daily rounds of golf at Laguna Phuket Golf Club, daily buffet breakfast, welcome drink and in-room fruit platter, free inter-resort transportation between the six hotels, golf club, and shopping village, and signing privileges at a wide range of dining outlets within all the Laguna hotels.

Banyan Tree Phuket
Voted the "World's Best Spa Resort" by readers of Condé Nast Traveller, Banyan Tree Phuket is offering its Deluxe Villa for USD 370+++ (plus 10% service charge, 7% VAT, and 1% provincial tax) for single occupancy and USD 380+++ for double occupancy. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 374 or banyantree@lagunaphuket.com.

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket
Surrounded by tranquil lagoons on its own “island within an island” and facing the Andaman Sea, the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket is offering its Lagoon Room for USD 155+++ single occupancy and USD 175+++ double occupancy. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 101 or sheraton@lagunaphuket.com.

Dusit Laguna Resort
For those looking to experience “the Thai way of life”, Dusit Laguna Resort is right on par. From 15 April 2007 to 10 July 2007 and 1 September 2007 to 14 October 2007 a Deluxe Lagoon View Room is USD 145+++ single occupancy and USD 165+++ double occupancy. During 11 July 2007 to 31 August 2007 a Deluxe Lagoon View Room is USD 165+++ single occupancy and USD 185+++ double occupancy. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 324 or dusit@lagunaphuket.com.

Laguna Beach Resort
With its Water Park featuring a 50-metre waterslide, waterfalls, jet-pool, free-form, lap and scuba pools, as well as other sports and recreation facilities, Laguna Beach Resort provides guests with plenty of fun along with luxurious accommodation. A Lagoon Room is available at USD 130+++ single occupancy and USD 150+++ double occupancy. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 352 or lagunabeach@lagunaphuket.com.

Allamanda Laguna Phuket
This all-suite hotel provides guests with the chance to enjoy both the comforts of home and the luxury of a resort. All suites feature a kitchenette, separate dining and living areas, and one or two bedrooms, each with bath and shower. A One-Bedroom Suite, Golf Course View at Allamanda Laguna Phuket is available at USD 85+++ single occupancy and USD 100+++ double occupancy. A One-Bedroom Suite, Lagoon View is available at USD 120+++ single occupancy and USD 150+++ double occupancy. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 359 or allamanda@lagunaphuket.com.

Golf Unlimited Package rates are valid 1 April 2007 - 31 October 2007 unless otherwise noted and are on a per room per night basis, subject to availability. Bookings can be made directly with the hotels (quote booking reference “LPGOLF07”).

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Laguna Phuket (7 March 2007) - The ESPN STAR Sports football broadcasting team will visit Laguna Phuket from 23-25 March to participate in a charity event in support of Phuket’s Life Home Project.

The Life Home project is a shelter for mothers who are HIV positive and their children where they can live safely in a supportive community.

The line up of TV presenters and pundits in the ESPN STAR Sports team coming to Laguna Phuket include Football Crazy’s Andy Penders, PJ Roberts and Sharkee Tan; Football Focus’ John Dykes and Andrew Leci of Here We Go will be joined by in-house football experts ex-Birmingham City’s Paul Masefield, highly-respected pundit Jamie Reeves, Malaysian ex-footballer and renown sports commentator Shebby Singh and former Hong Kong Rangers footballer Derek Currie; plus Club EPL’s Charlie Webster, co-presenter of the live coverage of English Premier League matches on STAR Sports.

During their visit Phuket-based English Premier League fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the football presenters, and simultaneously donate to a worthy cause. On Saturday 24 March, the celebrities will be playing in a charity golf tournament at Laguna Phuket Golf Club followed by a charity dinner and quiz night at Laguna Holiday Club Resort’s @Seventeenth restaurant in support of the Life Home Project.

Golfers will make up a team of four with one of the EPL celebrities, while dinner guests will be seated on tables together with one guest celebrity, who will no doubt prove a great asset during the after-dinner Football Quiz conducted by host emcee John Dykes.

Golf and Dinner Packages are available to Laguna Phuket Golf Club members at THB5,000 per person and THB6,500 for non-members. The charity dinner and quiz night will be limited to 100 guests with dinner only tickets inclusive of wine and beer available at THB2,500 per person. Entry to the golf tournament and tickets for the dinner will be sold in advance at the Laguna Phuket Golf Club pro-shop.

The English Premier League television coverage is significant household viewing with more than 276 million viewers tuning in to watch the ESPN and STAR Sports’ coverage of the English Premier League in Asia.

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Laguna Phuket (1 March 2007) - Laguna Phuket is proud to welcome ten of the world’s top pro golfers, including Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Retief Goosen, Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie to the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, the official host hotel for the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic.

The 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament will be held from 1 - 4 March 2007. Considered to be Asia-Pacific’s premier golf tournament, it is also tri-sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian Tours and boasts past champions in the caliber of Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo. This will be the third time the tournament has taken place in Phuket, the first occasion being in 1994 when Greg Norman took the title and then again in 1998 when Tiger Woods beat Ernie Els at the first extra hole.

To kick-off the multitude of events that will take place this week at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, was a special tee-off by world number four Australian Adam Scott, Thai golf pro Thongchai Jaidee, and Vorathep Rangchaikul, President of Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd. The trio teed-off from a specially-constructed tee in the Sheraton’s lobby to a floating green in the middle of the lagoon, mirroring the famous Johnnie Walker advertisement featuring Adam Scott and Paul Casey challenging each other to a number of tricky golf shots.

On Thursday evening the top stars of golf will try their hand at bartending at the “Golfer Behind the Bar” fundraiser, taking place at the Sheraton’s Gecko restaurant. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to charity. Saturday evening will see the Gala Dinner at the Sheraton’s beachfront.

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Laguna Phuket (20 February 2007) - Come to Laguna Phuket and experience what summer dreams are made of!

The Laguna Phuket hotels are inviting Thai residents and expatriates to enjoy their Thai Tour Thai rates for excellent accommodations as well as free use of inter-resort shuttle buses and boats to easily access everything that Laguna offers: 30 bars and restaurants, the 18-hole Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Banyan Tree Spa & Gallery, four Angsana Spas, Canal Shopping Village and Quest Adventure, plus miles of white sandy beach.

Banyan Tree Phuket
Offering guests luxurious private villas and impeccable services, the Banyan Tree Phuket is renowned as being one of the best resorts in the world. Thai residents or expatriates in Thailand can enjoy a Banyan Tree experience in a Deluxe Villa for THB 9799. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 374 or banyantree@lagunaphuket.com.

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket
Situated on an island surrounded by tranquil lagoons and the Andaman Sea, guests at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket can stay in a Lagoon Room for THB 4,199. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 101 or sheraton@lagunaphuket.com.

Dusit Laguna Resort
Renowned for Dusit’s gracious Thai hospitality, this beachfront resort is now offering a Deluxe Room for THB 3999. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 324 or dusit@lagunaphuket.com.

Laguna Beach Resort
Guests at the Laguna Beach Resort can enjoy luxurious accommodation and facilities, such as the fantastic water park, in a Lagoon Room for THB 3,799. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 352 or lagunabeach@lagunaphuket.com.

Allamanda Laguna Phuket
This all-suite resort is a great alternative for families and groups of friends. A Junior Suite, Fairway View is available for THB 2,899. For reservations, please contact 66 76 324 359 or allamanda@lagunaphuket.com.

Rates are on a per room per night basis, subject to availability, valid until 31 October 2007, and are inclusive of breakfast for two persons, welcome drink and fruit platter, as well as applicable government taxes and service charge. ID or work permit may be requested upon check-in.

Visitors to the Laguna Phuket booth (number 86, 87,and 88) at the Discovery Thailand 2007 held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from 8-11 March 2007, can also book their summer holidays direct with the hotels and receive a special bonus:
- Book 2 nights and receive a Laguna Phuket Plus Card, valued at THB 1,500.
- Book 3 nights and receive a Laguna Phuket Plus Card plus one complimentary lunch for two at your hotel.
- Book 4 nights and receive a Laguna Phuket Plus Card, one complimentary lunch for two, plus one complimentary dinner for two at your hotel.
- 20% discount on a la carte treatments at Angsana Spa.

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Laguna Phuket (31 January 2007) - Winners of the Laguna Phuket Global Travel Awards were announced at an awards ceremony held at Raffles Hotel in Singapore today. Over 100 distinguished members of the travel industry attended the event, held just prior to the commencement of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2007.

The Laguna Phuket Global Travel Awards were presented to members of the travel industry in appreciation for their support of the five Laguna Phuket hotels during 2006. The award categories include Best Supporters for each hotel individually and collectively for Laguna Phuket overall, Best Marketing Partnership for individual hotels, Laguna Phuket Best Supporting TAT Office and Event of the Year at Laguna Phuket.

Winners of the Laguna Phuket Global Travel Awards were:
- Banyan Tree Phuket, Best Supporters — Kuoni UK, Diethelm Travel (Thailand), Airtours International GmbH.
- Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Best Supporters — Qantas Holidays, Kuoni UK, Diethelm Travel (Thailand).
- Dusit Laguna Resort, Best Supporters — Kuoni Zurich, TUI Germany, Asian Trails Ltd.
- Laguna Beach Resort, Best Supporters — Royal Orchid Holidays, Asia Hana Tour, Tai Phu Travel, Ltd.
- Allamanda Laguna Phuket, Best Supporters — Premier Holidays, Qantas Holidays, Destinations of the World.
- Banyan Tree Phuket, Best Marketing Partnership — Island Marketing, Korea.
- Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Best Marketing Partnership — Thai Airways Australia.
- Dusit Laguna Resort, Best Marketing Partnership — Leading Hotels of the World.
- Laguna Beach Resort, Best Marketing Partnership — Somak Holidays, UK.
- Allamanda Laguna Phuket, Best Marketing Partnership — Gullivers Travel Associates.
- Laguna Phuket overall Best Supporters — Qantas Holidays, Royal Orchid Holidays, Kuoni UK.
- Laguna Phuket, Best Supporting TAT Office — TAT Sydney.
- Event of the Year—Diethelm Travel (Thailand), Ltd.

Multiple award winners included Qantas Holidays, Kuoni UK, Diethelm Travel (Thailand) and Royal Orchid Holidays.

The Event of the Year award was presented to the Hagemeyer Connections event organizer, Diethelm Travel (Thailand), Ltd. The Hagemeyer Connections event in April 2006 brought over 1,000 delegates to Laguna Phuket, making it largest incentive program ever to be hosted within the resort complex.

In his keynote speech, Laguna Phuket’s Managing Director Michael Ayling promised “we’re committed to further develop and constantly improve our services and facilities to ensure that our guests experience their most memorable holidays ever at Laguna Phuket.”

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Laguna Phuket (5 January 2007) - Laguna Phuket was honored to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali to stay at the Banyan Tree Phuket during 28-30 December 2006.

HRH Princess Soamsawali was welcomed to Banyan Tree Phuket by Michael Ayling, Managing Director, Laguna Phuket, Pancho Llmas, Area General Manager, Banyan Tree Phuket, and the management team of Banyan Tree Phuket during her visit.