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CONTENTS

What’ sL O C A L

ISSUE 1 December 2008

Thai Traditions - Loy Krathong Festival- The Wai

Hotel News General Manager’s Cocktail Party

Staff NewsStaff Sports Day

The King’s Cup Regatta

Up & Coming

WelCome to Otter’s Tales – Cape

Panwa’s newsletter all about you and

your favourite hotel. This month we

have a look at the biggest yachting

event in Asia – The King’s Cup. We also

pay a visit to Phuket Aquarium, only

minutes away from the hotel, along

with three wedding celebrations on

our beach.

Otter’s Tales is where first to read

about hotel improvements, staff and

guest news and Thai culture.

We hope you enjoy this issue!

Weddings at Cape PanwaBrian and Sylvia Constable came to renew their vows on the beach of

Cape Panwa Hotel. Also along was their family, who stayed at Kantary Bay,

Cape Panwa’s sister hotel. Brian has also started to gain his PADI accreditation

so he will be able to teach scuba diving in Thailand.

michael Rowley and Abigail

louise Robbins had a traditional

Thai wedding followed by a surprise

trip on the Panwa Princess, thanks to

Mum and Dad, followed by a classic

Thai dinner at the

ever-romantic Panwa House.

Michael Rowley and Abigail

Louise Robbins

Brian and Sylvia Constable

Finding Nemo – just around the cornerThe Phuket Aquarium

is a mere stroll away cont’d. on p.2 cont’d. on p.2

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Phil and margaret Bennet were

married western style followed by a

Thai blessing on the beach where

Nadia (see photo) dropped by to

wish them well.

We can make your wedding

dreams come true. Just email

meeting@capepanwa.com and

find out how from Khun Krittaya.

Loy Krathong FestivalLoy Krathong is, in Thailand’s rich plethora of traditional festivals, by far the most enchanting. The Thais have, for hundreds of years, placed their ‘krathongs’ – simple floatable banana stems with beautiful flower arrangements, often with nail clippings and a few baht coins on rivers, seas and any waterside confluences – and simply let their worries, stresses and preoccupations, float away on

Our beautiful staff Outside shot of Panwa Housethe nighttime tide. Sounds simple? Well, of course – we all need stress-busters – even the easy-going Thais and more so us, used to day-by-day pressures of a western lifestyle. Here are some pictures from last month’s Loy Krathong celebrations at Cape Panwa.

The WaiYou will be greeted

with the traditional Thai

‘wai’ wherever you go in

Phuket. However charming,

this gesture of respect is, it

is easily misunderstood by

westerners. In Thai society

it is not necessary for you

to respond with a wai to children, or to those considered social inferiors

and it is a little perplexing for Thai people if you do so. A smile and a

gentle nod of your head easily suffices. However, always wai back to

persons in authority such as monks and senior officials and especially a

Thai traffic cop who pulls you over for speeding...

Phil and Margaret Bennet

What’ sL O C A L

T h a iT R A D I T I O N S

from Cape Panwa Hotel. Part of the

renowned Marine Biological Centre

and built in 1983, the aquarium

recently underwent extensive

renovations. A step inside here is a

step into another world – with over

150 live tropical marine specimens

from the Andaman Sea and the Gulf

of Thailand. One of the aquarium’s

highlights is a stroll through the new

tunnel tank. Immerse yourself in the

ocean, surrounded by huge stingrays,

groupers, wrasses, sharks and

snappers. At the end of the tunnel

are eight massive man-sized giant

groupers in a 110-ton tank that have

been living in the aquarium for over

20 years.

T h a iT R A D I T I O N S

cont’d. from p.1

cont’d. from p.1

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General manager’s Cocktail Party Every week we have lots of fun at our General Manager’s cocktail party.

Claude says he looks forward to making new friends and also to Chef Phudon’s

finger food.

Rochidee the baby hijacker Congratulations to Khun Vinai (our

Assistant Front Office Manager) on his

recent marriage. With all these nuptials

and what with both Claude and Tim

having young children at a recent

celebration Rochidee, feeling left out

and not to be outdone, tried hijacking a

younger guest…

Jaroon - Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee Jaroon is the face of Cape Panwa’s bellboys and probably the first person you’ll

meet on arrival at the hotel. He also teaches

Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) seven evenings a week

from 17:00-19:00 and his

team fights every Friday at

the local stadium – sometimes

even attending Muay Thai

meets in Bangkok. In addition,

Jaroon has been teaching this

impressive martial art for 20

years. Now you know you’re in

safe and strong hands from the beginning

of your stay here.

Cape Lounge Introducing the Cape Lounge for guests who are checking out in the afternoon but are unable to keep their rooms past midday Everything here is complimentary – internet use, tea and coffee, cakes, fruit and biscuits.

Guest Loyalty ProgramWith the introduction of our GM cocktail parties we have also introduced a Guest Loyalty Program for all of you who have visited us previously. We would like to say thank you to the great many people who choose to come back. There are two cards (gold or silver) and they have different benefits, from a dinner at Uncle Nan’s Italian Restaurant to a Siamese Massage at the Spa. If you are lucky enough to have a gold card you can visit the Cape Lounge everyday during your stay. More details of this Loyalty Program are available from the website www.capepanwa.com

H o T e ln e w s

Chef Phudon

Our GM, Claude Sauter with guests

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The King’s Cup Regatta has evolved into the biggest yacht meeting in Southeast Asia. The world-famous, five-day event starts from off the leafy shores of Kata Beach and then circumvents

Phuket’s azure surroundings and neighbouring islands. This year’s races have attracted a record number of sailors and participants. Now in its 22nd year, the King’s Cup is the

epicentre of Thailand’s maritime sporting events and we can offer you a minivan to the best viewpoint to watch the exciting start of the race.

Staff Sports DayThis year we held a football

tournament but first we held a Fun

Run – in the pouring rain… The day

proved the point that it’s not who

won who counts (a good job too as

we can’t remember who did) but all

about participating. Loads of fun and

a lot of tired, but happy faces.

S T A F F S P O R T S D A Y

S T A F Fn e w s

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You can contribute, too! Please send us your holiday photos and we’ll post them in otter’s Tales. Please post to am@capepanwa.com

S T A F F S P O R T S D A Y

S T A F Fn e w s

U p & C O M I N G

Next year is shaping up to be a big one for us here at Cape Panwa. In the coming editions of Otter’s Tales we will fill you in on many exciting changes that will be taking place over 2009 in and around the hotel. In the meantime think about joining us for our fabulous Christmas and New Year celebrations, these will be two events not to be missed! Best wishes and good health for 2009, the staff and management of Cape Panwa.