Members of the board of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and officials from the Tourism Ministry will meet on Tuesday at the ministry to select an acting governor for the TAT.

The incumbent, Juthamas Siriwan, will leave the agency's top post on September 10. The recruitment committee is also expected to announce applications for her replacement.

Tax collection: Phuket to pick up Bt5 bn this year

The Phuket Area Revenue Office expects to have raised Bt5 billion in taxes this fiscal year ending September 30, up Bt1 billion from last year.

Pensri Passakul, chief of the tax office, said that between last October 1 and July 31 of this year, the office collected Bt4.16 billion, an increase of more than 27 per cent on the same period last year when Bt3.26 billion was collected.

In July, Bt330 million in taxes was collected, 30 per cent up on the Bt254 million collected a year ago, she said.

The increase in revenue was mainly due to the booming property market, she told Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura's monthly meeting with provincial office chiefs on Wednesday.

Supot Suwannachote, chief of the Phuket Provincial Land Office, also reported to the governor that from last October to the end of July, the land office collected Bt921 million of land taxes and Bt295 million in land service fees.

"We could have about Bt1.2 billion by the end of this September," Supot said. "In the same period last year the office collected Bt1.09 billion."

Etihad airways : New boss for Thailand

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, recently appointed Florian Preuss as its new manager for Thailand and the Mekong region.

Preuss will oversee the airline's activities across the region and play a crucial role in ensuring its continued growth.

Watson's anniversary : Stores offering birthday discounts

Health and beauty retailer Watson's has launched a promotion to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Thailand. Until September 20, customers are being offered special prices and the chance to win prizes worth more than Bt1 million.

Nuanphan Jayanama, marketing controller for Central Watson Co Ltd, said yesterday that customers will get a free Bt300 book of coupons, which can be exchanged for participating L'Oreal products, when they spend Bt200 or more at any Watson's store.

Spa awards : Thai venues scoop 5 top prizes

Four Thai spas and wellness retreats won five top honours at the 2006 SpaAsia Crystal awards presentation in Hua Hin last week, during the second SpaAsia Wellness Summit.

They are the Six Senses Resort and Spa; Dheva Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai; Chivasom International Health Resort, which received awards for best wellness retreat and best complementary and alternative medicine; and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle.

Nearly 300 delegates from 30 countries attended the summit, held in Hua Hin for the second year running.