Thailand remains a popular destination for Singaporean travellers, and this month in Phuket, there's an one-day only dinner by the UK Restaurant Chef Of the Year, new hotel openings and the geared-up superyacht capital. Here's why you should head down to Phuket in March. 

The reigning UK Restaurant Chef of the Year is heading to Phuket

With Iniala’s new seafood venture, Ezenzi, and Trisara’s farm-to-table restaurant, Pru, fine-dining on the island has never been this exciting. Now The Nai Harn (+66 (0) 76-380-200) gears up to welcome a very special guest chef.

Will Holland earned his first Michelin star before the age of 30 while head chef at La Becasse, in Ludlow, England. Last year, as head chef of Coast restaurant in Pembrokeshire, Wales, he was named UK Restaurant Chef of the Year at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards. The “Coast to Coast” dinner will take place on Mar 17 with Holland serving up a seafood-heavy six-course menu at Cosmo Restaurant for $191.50 net per person.

Room rates range from $316-$785. 

A Marriott resort and boutique hotel opened in Phuket

Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach (+66 (0) 76-335-300) takes over an old property on Tri Trang Beach to offer accommodation on a secluded little stretch of white sand just south of bustling Patong.

Beside the turquoise seawater, you’ll find three large pools and a spa whose terracotta treatment rooms feature Sino-Portuguese tiles and teakwood floors. A night in a deluxe pool view room will set you back $214 or you can step things up in the royal sea-view suite complete with whirlpool at $940. A massive 414 guestrooms means you won’t be staying alone, but there are eight restaurants and bars to cater to the crowds, the highlight of which is D.O.C.G., an Italian restaurant inspired by the 1960 classic film La Dolce Vita.

This resort follows the opening of Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa on Nai Yang Beach last year. 

There’s a buzzword on Phuket right now: superyachts 

New legislation allowing Thai-registered superyachts to acquire charter licenses means that the Thai government and tourism ministries are pushing hard to make Phuket the number one destination in Asia for these lavish cruisers of 24 meters or above, with ambitious plans to spend around $201 million on taking the island from 100 superyacht berths to 250.

The growing infrastructure required to accommodate the hoped-for tide of sea-going palaces also means that Phuket’s charter sailing industry has never been in better shape. Visitors looking for competent crews, superb facilities, beautiful cruising grounds and a buzzing apres-sail culture are flocking to the island thanks to a range of charter companies whose boats cater to every nautical whim. Perhaps this is also your next holiday destination. Read more here. 

ESSENTIALS

Getting there

Several airlines fly direct between Singapore and Phuket. Flight tickets start at $244 on Jetstar and $497 on Thai Airways.

Currency

$1 = THB$24.87