It all seems to be happening in Phuket this summer. It’s not long since I was talking about the scuba party in Patong and now for water lovers, all be it surface water lovers, there’s a surfing competition being held in Kalim bay on the island of Phuket.

the Monsoon Riders event at Kalim Beach is the first of the three international surfing competitions that will be held this year in the Phuket area of Thailand. The second event, named The King of the Jungle will be held at Kamala Beach from 14-16 August, and the third and final event will be the Island Crown at Kata Beach from 4-6 September. (src)

Kalim Beach is situated just north of Patong Beach, and although a beautiful long strip of white sand. it isn’t the best beach in Phuket for children. Exposed to the western winds this beach does get strong currents often but if you find it on a good day it is a wonderful place to spend some time. It has some wonderful coral heads just off the shore so on the good days you could spend it snorkeling from the beach.

From June to September large storms in the Indian Ocean can generate enough swell to create surfable waves up to 6 feet in height. According to Phuket Boardriders President Chanin “Joob” Aiyarak, “Already this early in the season we’ve had some very good days of surf, and so we are very confident that over this three day period we’ll have waves that will give the competitors in all divisions great conditions in which to compete.”(src)

This is yet another reason to visit Thailand and Phuket especially during the “Green Season”, with bargains to be had from Phuket hotels, biker festivals, blues festivals, scuba parties and surfing competition it would seem now that the summer is the best time to visit Phuket.

Once again it has been shown that holidays to Thailand are the best in Asia, not only for backpackers but for family holidays and couples also. So now regardless if you are traveling on a budget or tourists who want to have a luxury experience a holiday in Thailand will be the best on offer from all the Asian countries.

TripAdvisor recently conducted an online survey of its 9 million members and the Travelers’ Choice Awards 2009 were announced, Thailand topped many of the available categories.

Layana Resort & Spa, Ko Lanta proved to be the best luxury in Asia while Peninsula Bangkok, Bangkok and Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui were successful to be on 3rd and 5th position in the same category. Layana Resort & Spa did not only top the Asia list but also got 2nd place in the “Top 100 Best Luxury in the world”.

One of the most important categories, for me and my family anyway, was the “Top 10 Best for families in Asia”. Thailand took 2 spots  with the Merlin Beach Resort, Patong taking 3rd place and Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Karon grabbing 5th. I must confess I’ve never been to either of these hotels with my family but from others I have spoken to my vote would be for Le Meridien, The Merlin Beach Resort may be a better hotel, I’ve just never heard anyone talk about it.

Another category I was  interested in was the “Top 10 Best Hidden Gems in Asia”. Surprisingly Thailand took the top 3 spots. The Oriental Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi, took the number one spot with  Rimping Village Hotel, Chiang Mai grabbing 2nd and LaLaanta Hideaway Resort, Ko Lanta 3rd.

There were other categories in which hotels in Thailand took either 1st or 2nd place, categories such as “Top 10 Best Bargains” and “Top 10 Best for Romance” I’ve listed each category below in which a hotel in Thailand was in the top 10.

Best Bargain Hotels in Asia

1. Oriental Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

6. The Waterfront Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand

7. Rimping Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Best Hotels for families in Asia

3. Merlin Beach Resort, Patong, Thailand

5. Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Karon, Thailand

6. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Mai Khao, Thailand

7. Laguna Beach Resort, Thalang, Thailand

9. Rimping Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Best Hidden Gems in Asia

1. Oriental Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

2. Rimping Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand

3. LaLaanta Hideaway Resort, Ko Lanta, Thailand

8. Rabbit Resort,Pattaya, Thailand

9. The Waterfront Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand

Best Hotel for Romance in Asia

2. SALA Samui Resort and Spa, Koh Samui, Thailand

3. Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand

5. The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort, Krabi, Thailand

6. Layana Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta, Thailand

Best Luxury Hotel in Asia

1. Layana Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta, Thailand

3. Peninsula Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

5. Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand

I hope these give you some suggestion for your next holiday to Thailand, I know for a fact I’ll be visiting the Oriental Kwai Resort in Kanchanaburi. This is a great part of Thailand that is not visited enough by tourists, but with wonderful rain forests, white water rapids and so much more to do it reminds me a lot of Chiang Mai but without the added hype.

Do you have a favorite hotel or location or maybe a gem of a beach that others on holiday to Thailand may like to visit? Then just leave a comment with a link to the webpage that shows us the best parts of Thailand, according to you.

With all the troubles in Thailand 2008 you would be wondering why anyone would even consider a holiday to Thailand in 2009? I can imagine that for many people who had planned a holiday to Thailand in 2008 found themselves changing those plans at the last minute to go somewhere less in the media.

Last year seen a continuation of ‘problems’ with the government leaders and Taksin Shinawatra, who was for ever popping up now and then keeping media attention focused on his political plight. Thailand’s problems however hit the headlines when PaD protesters managed to close down the International airport for a long period of time. As was to be expected the protest ended without too much fuss and the headlines of yesterday are long forgotten, when something new captures the media headlines.

So back to the fun side of Thailand and why I think you should consider a Holiday to Thailand in 2009.

With the world economy in a tailspin and the UK in recession, prices are dropping everywhere and the tourist industry is no different. With airline operators and hotels all slashing prices to entice overseas travellers to use them, you are in a great position to get a bargain.

If you are in the unfortunate position to have been laid off work or just can’t find a job, then why sit in the UK and be miserable? Avoid the recession and go travel! Sell your stuff, grab a cheap flight and head of for Thailand beaches. You won’t worry about the recession lying on a beach and you can always come back when the economy is better.

Winter in the UK is a time to batten down the hatches and semi-hibernate for the long cold months ahead. Usually however Christmas and New Year was a time to get out and party with friends and family but again the recession put that on the back burner this year. So more likely than not you have been living a day to day existence through the winter, with nothing to look forward to. A holiday to Thailand won’t only heat you up but you will meet a lot of new people from all over the world doing the same thing you are, escaping the recession!

You’ve been working all year, you deserve a break! Sitting behind a desk or working on the factory line or stacking shelves in ASDA for eight hours a day is no fun if there isn’t a light at the end of that tunnel. Let’s face it, between worrying about next month’s budget or sitting on the beaches in Thailand, everyone would choose the beach.

A holiday to Thailand is often a life changing experience, it was for me and many other people I have met while travelling Thailand. You only get one chance at life your so make it worthwhile and don’t let media scare stories stop you from anything. There’s no reason not to go to Thailand in 2009 as many of the reported problems have either subsided or were blown out of proportion by the media.