Flying high to Mandalay

AirAsia is heading for Mandalay from October 4. The new direct flights between Bangkok and Mandalay in Myanmar will operate four times weekly and add to the airline's three daily flights to Yangon. An all-inclusive ticket to Mandalay wil start from Bt1,500. Mandalay is a former capital of Myanmar and still ranks as its second largest city after Yangon. Visit www.AirAsia.com. A true gourmet feast The 13th annual World Gourmet Festival, set to take place at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, will take place September 3 to 9. Shiqin Chen, Frédéric Vardon, Galvin Lim are a few among many chefs coming to Four Seasons Bangkok this September. Also confirmed to participate in World Gourmet Festival events are Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee, who will be conducting a Wine Masterclass, Eleveur de Fromage Jean-Francois Antony, who will be hosting cheese-tasting events, and a cigar and rum-pairing event with Patoro Cigars and Eastory Rums. Reserve now by e-mailingwgf.bangkok@fourseasons.com. Direct from Dubai to Phuket Emirates is to launch daily flights to Phuket. Operated by a three-class Airbus aircraft, EK378 will depart Dubai at 12.45pm and arrive at Phuket International Airport at 9.55pm. The return flight, EK379 will depart at 12.35am the following day and arrive at Dubai International Airport at 4.35am. Thailand, a Muslim-friendly destination, is a promising market for Emirates, which already operates daily flights between Dubai and Bangkok. Riding the waves in Phuket Phuket is hosting Quiksilver Open Phuket Thailand 2012 from September 12-15. Taking place at Patong Beach, this annual festival brings surf culture, live music and beach parties to Thailand's South. Phuket gained the attention of Asian surfers back in 2002 and the sport took root. Helped along by visiting Australian surfers, a community was born, followed by competitions and club activities to establish safety rules and improve lifeguard techniques. From nationmultimedia