The Phuket Collegiate Magazine

23/03/2023

https://www.thephuketnews.com/on-campus-a-celebration-of-learning-86565.php

23/03/2023

The last The Phuket Collegiate Magazine article published in The Phuket News

https://www.thephuketnews.com/on-campus-a-celebration-of-learning-86565.php

I have to admit that in retrospect, and irrespective of any assignment or given job title, it seems that I’ve spent my entire career in international education as I learned early on that what is com

23/03/2023

https://www.thephuketnews.com/on-campus-a-vision-for-sustainable-aquaculture-86210.php

12/01/2023

Where’s Pablo?

By Karla Courey

Pablo, we’ve traveled the world together for over ten years. We saw a total of 31 countries and over 100 different cities. On our most recent trip in Phuket, Thailand, you decided to wobble away and I am left with only the memories and stories to tell. We spent close to two weeks in Thailand, enjoying the beach, hanging out with the elephants, tigers, and amazing people, trying new foods, and walking all over Phuket. My heart wants to believe you wanted to stay on the continent of Asia.

Your journey started from Cleveland, Ohio, when you were put in a cardboard box with a love letter and a promise ring. I was living in Okinawa, Japan at the time when my current boyfriend, now husband, decided to surprise me with you. Looking back, I wish I would have started capturing our moments a lot sooner. I know you are just a little old stuffed animal, but to me you were my traveling partner. My travel companion who never said no to climbing, swimming, going on adventures, and especially to be in the pictures.


We met in Asia and now you stayed behind in Asia. A relationship of 10 years has wobbled away and you left me here just reminiscing on our adventures together. I lost you while walking back to the hotel, within 10 minutes I noticed that you had fallen out of my pocket. I retraced my steps and searched everywhere for you, hoping that I would find you–but I didn’t. I cried the whole way up and down the street; a grown woman, a 31-year-old successful teacher, realtor, and photographer, crying for a stuffed penguin. I hope that the person who found you loves you, takes you on trips, and adores you the way I did.
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Continue reading Karla's touching story of her adventure with Pablo, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karla’s parents are immigrants from Guatemala, so traveling outside of the country as a child was not possible for her due to her parents’ immigration status. Nevertheless, her parents would always take her to a new city whenever they could. This sparked her passion for traveling from a young age.

03/01/2023

As Peaceful Haven for Rescued Elephants

By Cam McLean

Located on the west coast of the beautiful island of Phuket–in close proximity to Layan, Bangtao, and Surin Beaches–is the accredited, sustainable, and ethical Phuket Nature Elephant Reserve. A must-visit site for anyone wanting to experience a unique community-based elephant sanctuary that also includes a restaurant and a host of wellness and educational workshops.

Founded in 2019 by a New Zealand expat Cam McLean, it has not been an easy ride navigating the turbulent waters of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The Phuket Nature Elephant Reserve had barely opened its door for a little under 2 months before the pandemic hit, resulting in a 15-month closure, untold heartache, and financial and emotional stress.

Good things are meant to survive, and the Phuket Nature Elephant Reserve did survive, backed with strong community support and a revised open-door policy offering a host of activities and workshops to cater to many interests.
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Continue reading Cam's incredible journey starting and operating the Reserve, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Originally from New Zealand, Cam has been living and working in Asia since 1994 and based in Phuket since 2016. Cam founded the Phuket Nature Elephant Reserve in 2019 and has a passion for the outdoors, traveling, adventure, and animal welfare.

29/12/2022

Wishing you all a happy new year! 2023 will be an awesome year. Stay safe during the holidays.

19/12/2022

The Growth of the Muay Thai Business in Phuket: A Tale Borne out of Love

By Dr. Lynne Miller

Diana Campillo was a PhD student at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County, USA. 9/11 gave her pause for thought, deciding she would like to travel more. She went to China on a whim. The friends she met there persuaded her to accompany them on a visit to Thailand even though she had no particular interest in the country. Nevertheless, she thought she would join the group to find out more about the place everyone spoke so highly of. Little did she know that Thailand would not be the only thing she fell in love with on that trip.

It was during a boat trip to the Similan Islands that she met the guy who was to become the love of her life. Tuk, who was born in the back of a Tuk Tuk (hence the nickname), was a 24-year-old Muay Thai fighter on the cusp of retiring from his stadium fighting career in Bangkok. His fighting name was Sakaddao Sor Ayupinda. In the peak of his career, he fought all over Thailand as well as in Australia.

Love was quick to bloom and Diana decided to give up her studies and her life in America to stay in Thailand to be with Tuk. The question was, how was she going to achieve this? In common with most retiring Muay Thai fighters, Tuk had little to show for it financially. Diana had 10,000 USD in savings.

Diana came up with the idea of opening a gym in Phuket that would cater for foreigners, including women. At the beginning of the millennium, there were many small village gyms in Phuket, primarily focused on training young Thai boys. Elsewhere in Thailand, there were a few larger gyms such as 13 Coins in Bangkok, Fairtex in Pattaya, and Lanna Muay Thai in Chiang Mai. Tuk and Diana visited them all. Diana felt that together they could come up with something even better in Phuket.
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Continue reading Lynne's insightful article on the background and history of the Muay Thai gym business on the island, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr Lynne Miller is the founder of Sumalee Boxing Gym Phuket based in Thalang. She has been involved in the Muay Thai business in Phuket since 2009. Together with her daughter Rhian, she opened her own Muay Thai gym in 2011. She is the author of the book “Fighting for Success: Unravelling the Muay Thai Business in Thailand.” Contact Lynne via email at [email protected] or send a message via WhatsApp +66(0)880173020.

15/12/2022

The Benefits of Yoga as a Study Aid

By Fitri Silman

With the increasing pressures to ace the exams and the stress of entering a competitive job market, many students and educational institutions around the world are turning to yoga to help reduce stress and anxiety and increase academic excellence.

Here, we look at five reasons why incorporating yoga into a study routine may benefit the student’s overall academic performance and wellbeing.

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Improve Attention and Focus

Yoga employs a number of centering techniques, such as mindful breathing, to improve concentration.

When teachers at Edmunds Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa, USA introduced a “Be Well” discussion on wellness into their morning routine, followed by breathing exercises and mindful meditation, they noticed the result immediately. The students’ test scores improved by more than 18 percent. One teacher commented, “Practicing yoga and taking these mindful pauses throughout the day is like hitting the reset button, for all of us. I was going to leave teaching. I was so overwhelmed. Not anymore.”

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Alleviate Stress

Any amount of pressure, academic or otherwise, can lead to stress if not properly managed. Yoga provides coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and anxiety, and can leave the practitioner with an improved sense of wellbeing.

In her research paper titled, “The Role of Yoga in Education,” Daniela Cvitkovic observed that, “…yoga has proved to be effective in treating a variety of conditions and diseases. Practicing yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressions.”

Further study on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques in “Reducing Stress in School-age Girls Through Mindful Yoga,” Laura White pointed out that such techniques can lead to both an acknowledgment of stress and improved coping mechanisms...........................................................................
Continue reading Fitri's article discussing the 5 benefits of yoga as a study aid, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Fitri Silman is the CEO and Founder of Fit Yoga, a luxury wellness brand offering stylish, multi-purpose yoga apparel.

08/12/2022

Discover the Diversity of Phuket’s Dining Scene
By Amy Bensema


Phuket is a foodie’s paradise. While best known for its stunning beaches and the electric nightlife of Bangla Road, the dining scene in Phuket is not to be missed. Dubbed a ‘City of Gastronomy’ by UNESCO in December 2015, Phuket’s gastronomy continues to go from strength to strength.

Locals, expats, and travelers to the island will be delighted to know that Phuket’s dining scene caters to all budgets – it really is possible to be as low-key or extravagant as you like! So, whether you are looking to tuck into street food favorites, indulge in a fine dining experience, or taste the explosive flavors of southern Thai cuisine, Phuket offers an array of dishes to tantalize the taste buds and please discerning palates.

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Sample the Best Street Food

Street food in Phuket is a foodie’s dream come true. Stroll through the stalls and stands of Phuket to sample heaping plates of Pad Thai, succulent skewers of grilled meats and poultry, fresh and spicy salads, as well as savory snacks and sweet treats.

So, now that your taste buds are tempted, where can you find the best street food in Phuket? The honest answer is – everywhere on the island! However, here’s a few recommendations to explore.

Lock Tien Food Court on the corner of Dibuk and Yaowarat Roads in Phuket Town features stalls serving a number of typical Phuket dishes including Po Piah, fresh spring rolls, and Loh Bak, deep-fried pork offals served with deep-fried tofu and red chili sauce.

Head to A Pong Mae Sunee on Soi Soon Uthit for the best A Pong on the island. A Pong is a thin and crispy deep-fried rice flour pancake that resembles a crepe. This shop makes both sweet and savory forms, and it’s fun to watch the owners shift the street snack over hot coals.

The street food market at Kalim Beach is a great place to grab some cheap eats and watch the sunset. The market sets up every afternoon and the various stalls offer up favorite delights such as grilled chicken with papaya salad, roti, noodle soup, and a variety of spicy curries.

More classic street food dishes and snacks can be found at any of the daily markets across the island. Visiting a market is an exceptionally fun way to eat your way around Phuket. Plus, do not forget your camera as you are bound to get some great shots of all the delicious food being sold.
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Continue reading Amy's foodie review and recommendation in Phuket, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Bensema is a Phuket-based copywriter. She seeks out unique local experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations that truly highlight the island’s natural charm and Phuketian flavor. Amy writes feature articles on travel, hospitality, leisure, and Phuket’s dynamic dining scene for a variety of local and international publications.

01/12/2022

Welcome to Phuketland
By Krix Luther

What do you imagine when you hear the word leisure? Most assume it means relaxing in a spa and being pampered. But leisure is simply what you enjoy doing during your free time. So, it could be different things for different people. That’s what makes Phuket such an excellent place for leisure activities because there is such a wide variety of things to do that no one would feel bored or left out.

However, many of Phuket’s leisurely activities are already known, such as scuba diving, relaxing on a beach, or going to Patong etc. I wanted to bring some light to some incredible activities that are not so well advertised on this island. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are some new and unique things you can do during your free time.
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Continue reading Krix's comprehensive list of leisure activities found in Phuket, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Krix has lived in Thailand for 15 years as a Personal Trainer and an entrepreneur. He is also an avid free diver and environmentalist who started his own beach clean up organization called “Clean The Beach Boot Camp.”

21/11/2022

Those Days in Phuket
By Xiangmin Jiang

I came to Phuket to study at Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus (PSU Phuket) in August 2021 and this is my first time traveling far away from China. Since arriving here, I have met so many Thai friends at the university. I think Thai people are really friendly and sometimes, just because of one eye contact, we will start talking. Through them, I learn more about the beauty of Phuket. My Thai friends would take me to many different places to have fun and enjoy some local Thai food.
I remember the first time I arrived here, my teacher took me to a restaurant to try Tom Yum Kung soup for the very first time. To me, the taste was so unique that I cried after eating it. This made my teacher laugh hysterically.
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Continue reading Xiangmin's first impression of life in Phuket as an international freshman student, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Xiangmin or Vincent is a 2nd year Chinese student studying International Business: China at the Faculty of International Studies, PSU Phuket. He enjoys walking along the beach and playing billiards. For him, the best thing about living in Phuket is the warm weather.

16/11/2022

Bueng Kan and Phuket: Two Thai Cities with Different Cultures

By Thakon Phewphong

Have you ever heard of Bueng Kan City in Thailand? I’m sure many Thais and foreigners would probably say no, but if someone asks if you know Phuket City in Thailand, I believe many people would answer with a resounding yes. Although both Bueng Kan and Phuket are in Thailand, they have extremely different cultures and traditions in terms of tourist attractions, language (accent), beliefs, climate, music, and transportation.

Bueng Kan City, where I am from, is located in the northeastern part of Thailand by the Mekong River bordering Laos. Because Bueng Kan is a rural city that is mostly covered with forests, we don’t have any taxis, trains, or even an airport. Here, most people use tuk-tuks as a mode of transportation on a regular basis. The people here live quietly and harmoniously with nature, so you will rarely find coffee shops and cafes around the town.
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Continue reading Thakon's comparison of life in Bueng Kan vs. Phuket, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Thakon is a Grade 11 student from Bungkan School โรงเรียนบึงกาฬ, Bueng Kan province, Thailand. He loves writing essays in English. He is the winner of the 2021 Monomousumi International Essay Contest (India). He was also a youth representative of Thailand in the 4G Project of the US Embassy in Thailand.

14/11/2022

Yeehawww.....!!! Another article from the magazine is published in The Phuket News. Go visit Intara farm agro tourism and seafood -อินทรฟาร์ม!

Jitti Intaracharoen, or ‘Ko Mhai’, witnessed the economic devastation in his community on Koh Maphrao during the pandemic. As a Phuketian and Chairman of the Koh Prao Mangrove Forest Community Ent

07/11/2022

20 More Hours to Go

By JieJie Limpanapa

In the past, when someone asked me about leisure activities in Phuket, I never knew how to respond to this question because I have lived here my entire life. At the time of this writing, I am 20 hours away from landing at Phuket International Airport. After spending half a year overseas, this got me thinking about the many leisurely activities available on this tiny island. Now, I think I can finally answer that question.

I have lived in Phuket for 13 years; I have seen so many beaches, sunsets, sunrises, and misty mornings to a point that they no longer stand out. However, while I was away, I sorely missed them all. Believe it or not, I actually miss going to Laem Promthep, one of the most well-known tourist attractions on the island. Many “beginners” would most likely observe the scenery from the highest point of the Cape, while “masters” like me would descend straight to the rocks and beaches–I have done that at least ten times. I enjoy spending my time watching the sunsets with my family.
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Continue reading JieJie's reflection on her life in Phuket, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JieJie is a Phuketian teenager who enjoys travelling to experience new environments and experiences to inspire her writing. Something of a polymath, she hopes to see a lot more of the world in the coming years and strives to be a perfectionist in her studies.

02/11/2022

A Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture

By Milla Budiarto

The father of modern management, Peter F. Drucker, famously wrote, “You cannot predict the future, but you can create it.” During the economic turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Jitti Intaracharoen, who goes by the name Ko Mhai, witnessed the devastation and desperation of the people in his local community in Koh Prao. As a Phuketian himself and also the Chairman of Koh Prao Mangrove Forest Community Enterprise Group, a part of the Small and Micro Community Enterprise (SMCE) self-reliance program, he wanted to help his people have a continuous and sustainable income.

The Koh Prao Mangrove Forest Community Enterprise Group comprises 22 local community members who have a common way of life in aquaculture conservation in the Koh Prao area. Equipped with his educational background in Forestry Science from Kasetsart University and Public Administration from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), expertise in the field of aquaculture and brackish water aquatic animals (Royal Award for Outstanding Farmer 2009 by The Department of Fisheries), business acumen recognized by The Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP), and his family’s over 50 years of experience in marine aquatic farming, Ko Mhai made the strategic decision to build a platform in the middle of Sapam Bay to sustainably cultivate marine animals. He named this Intara farm agro tourism and seafood -อินทรฟาร์ม and officially opened it in September 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. With the support of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Intara Farm was able to welcome COVID-19 community volunteers to visit the farm free of charge.
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Continue reading about the amazing story behind Intara Farm, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Milla is passionate about four things: environmentalism, feminism, mental health advocacy, and cats. She earned her master’s degree in environmental planning and management from Louisiana State University (LSU) in the US. She is the founder and co-facilitator of Phuket Women’s Peer Support Group for Emotional and Mental Health and also the creator of Mental Health Phuket Facebook group.

25/10/2022

A Celebration of Learning: The Role of Leisure Activities in Student Recruitment and Student Success

by Dr. Richard L. Carhart

I have to admit that in retrospect, and irrespective of any assignment or given job title, it seems that I’ve spent my entire career in international education as I learned early on that what is commonly called comprehensive internationalism in academe is really an integral component of any dynamic and proactive educational environment. Integrating a global perspective into the teaching, research, and service missions of higher education is critical to the viability of the institution and to the core learning it provides its students. It goes without saying that the presence of international students on our campus facilitates the exchange of people and ideas while serving to enrich the overall learning environment in which we all participate. I often recall the comments of a well-respected president of a major university in the U.S. who said that globalization broadens and enriches our students’ world…and the internationalization of our campuses prepares them to live in it. How appropriate, and really, how true. ..........................................................................
Continue reading Dr. Carhart's thorough observation of the role of leisure activities in student recruitment and student success, on our website: https://www.phuket.psu.ac.th/en/home-2/magazine-issue52022/
or on Issuu: https://issuu.com/iacpsuphuket/docs/the_phuket_collegiate_magazine_issue_5_oct_2022
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Carhart has served as President of Stamford International University, Thailand; Dean of Student Services at Maui College, University of Hawaii, USA; Provost and Campus Director of Southern Illinois University-Niigata, Nakajo, Japan; Provost of the Hawaii Technology Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Executive Director of the American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF-Fulbright Commission), Jakarta, Indonesia; and Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at Thammasat University, Thailand. You can reach him via email at [email protected].

17/10/2022

See you in 2023!

17/10/2022

After nearly two years of publication, it’s bittersweet to announce that issue #5 will be our last issue published under Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus (PSU Phuket). The Phuket Collegiate Magazine will move to its own new domain in order to expand its content and scope independently. This is not an end, it’s a new beginning. The “new” magazine will be relaunched in 2023, so watch this space!