Zoran Island Will Be A New Man-made Island Built By Tycoon

[sriracha john]

Bill Gates yacht inspires new man-made Thai island

HONG KONG - A visit to Thailand by Bill Gates has inspired the construction of a man-made island off the resort of Phuket, so the world's richest man and other billionaires can moor their huge yachts.

Hoping to build an Asian playground for the rich and famous to rival the French Riviera and the Caribbean, cordless telephone tycoon Gulu Lalvani plans to build a doughnut-shaped island of 30 to 40 luxury villas and a hotel around a marina.

"Bill Gates was there last month with his wife on a 54 metre (177 foot) yacht and he loved it so much," Lalvani, founder of phone maker Binatone told Reuters in an interview.

"We sat on the beach together and he said it was one of the best holidays he'd had, and he would come back every year if only he had somewhere for his mega yacht."

Lalvani, 68, who built the Royal Phuket Marina on the island's east coast "as a retirement hobby", said he had received permission from Phuket's governor, and construction would start at the end of this year and take four years.

"The governor is a close friend," Lalvani said. "We'd discussed it before, but after Bill Gate's visit, he sanctioned the project."

Zoran Island, named after Lalvani's youngest son, will be 3 km (1.9 miles) off Phuket, in Phang Nga Bay, where limestone outcrops provided the backdrop to the James Bond film "The Man With the Golden Gun".

The island and development, reminiscent of huge man-made islands such as "The Palm" and "The World" projects off Dubai, will cost around $200 million, Lalvani said.

Phuket's western and southern coasts were battered by the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, with more than 200 lives lost on the island, but the resort property market has since rebounded.

"This is on the east coast, it's sheltered. The tsunami damage was on the west, it didn't touch us whatsoever," he said.

Most people had moved on from the disaster, he added.

"First quarter arrivals and hotel occupancy were at an all time record. 2005 was a disaster but now every hotelier is over the moon. The tsunami's a thing of the past, everyone's forgotten about it."

At the Royal Phuket Marina, which is too shallow at low tide to admit large yachts, two-bedroom condominiums have doubled in price on the secondary market to about $600,000 in the past 18 months.

A five-bedroom villa and yacht berth at the resort, similar to the type that will be built on the new island, fetch around 3 million euros ($4.05 million), about the same as a 30-year lease on a yacht berth in the south of France, Lalvani said.

Paul Allen, who formed Microsoft Corp. with Gates, visits Phuket once every two years, and Chelsea Football Club's Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, travels to the island every year, Lalvani said.

"It's paradise," he said. "That's why the James Bond movie and other Hollywood films are made here."

Karachi-born Lalvani, who now divides his time between London, Hong Kong and Phuket, said the Thai government reduced the import duty on yachts to zero from 220 percent after a chat he had with then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2004.

- Reuters

[sriracha john]

Gulu Lalvani

MAY 08, 2007

Indians amongst richest Asians in UK

....

Gulu Lalvani and family (450 million pounds) [29.2 Billion baht] have been listed as the fourth richest British Asian.

Karachi-born Lalvani is the founder and Chairman of Binatone, one of the world's largest manufacturers of digital cordless phones.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Indian...how/2019603.cms

[Mai Krap]

GREAT IDEA! Next they could dynamite the reef at Ko Chang and moor some old wore out tourist ship so VIPs could could gamble with hookers in peace. Or how about place a huge AMWAY sign as the largest and highest visible thing when arriving on the ancient island city of Ayutthaya. Oh to late, both those things have been done. Mother FFFFing sell outs, cant see the forests because of the trees, no problem, cut down the rest of them.

[khall64au]

"This is on the east coast, it's sheltered. The tsunami damage was on the west, it didn't touch us whatsoever," he said.

Most people had moved on from the disaster, he added.

"First quarter arrivals and hotel occupancy were at an all time record. 2005 was a disaster but now every hotelier is over the moon. The tsunami's a thing of the past, everyone's forgotten about it."

[dogleg]

Astonishing!!! All that came out of one person's mouth?? Just sick!

And the next film down there will be "The man with the Golden Bung"!!

Edited May 19, 2007 by dogleg

[ozymandious]

I have serious doubts about this happening. It's one of those "I'll believe it when I see it things"

I don't doubt that Mr Lalvani has the resources to pull this off, but I don't see his other Phuket project, Royal Phuket Marina at full capacity either. While units may have sold in RPM just to secure berthing rights (Phuket is severely lacking berths for all the boats that would like to come here) the place is mostly a ghost town with little occupancy and the commercial aspect around the board walk marina has yet to materialize except for one restaurant which is supported by the benefactor of the marina.

That being said I've seen the master plan for the full phase 2 and 3 and it will prove interesting if the whole project gets built out.

While an exclusive private man made Island may bring some interest and noterity to the Island. What Phuket really needs is a larger mega marina to suit the everyday yachtsman provide service and repairs and just provbide enough space for the demand.

The demand is here. I have a site that's perfect. I have a feasibility study done. Just need an investor with big bucks to make it happen.

[ozymandious]

found the Reuters article

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArtic...ia-298867-1.xml

[ThaiGoon]

Cool.

[PeaceBlondie]

I don't think the Thais in the south have forgotten the tsunami.

[sbk]

Astoundingly callous attitude towards a tragedy that killed 200,000 people across Asia.

I guess with an attitude like that he probably doesn't give a toss as to how his projects affect not only the local people but the environment either.

[Crossy]

Had to look twice, Max Zorin was the bad guy in A View to a Kill (Bond 1985), didn't he have an island??

[Mid]

nothing new here , this idea comes and goes with the wind .................................

[ovenman]

Astoundingly callous attitude towards a tragedy that killed 200,000 people across Asia.

I guess with an attitude like that he probably doesn't give a toss as to how his projects affect not only the local people but the environment either.

Just think of the number of quality tourists this might bring. I'm sure that all of the potential connected beneficiaries are salivating at the possibility of the potential windfall.

[Mid]

found the Reuters article

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArtic...ia-298867-1.xml

wonder why this bit didn't make the cut ............................

" Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in September, and the government has since sought to close a loophole that allowed foreigners to own land in Thailand. However, foreigners are still allowed freehold ownership of condominiums to up to 49 percent of a project "

[KireB]

I am very curious to see the reports and studies concerning its environment.

What about marine life, currents, polution, coral reef, etc....?

Can't fool nature!

[kmart]

Had to look twice, Max Zorin was the bad guy in A View to a Kill (Bond 1985), didn't he have an island??

Was just thinking the same. Is this Indian guy some sort of frontman for SPECTRE? Is he planning some sort of Heath-Robinson death machine that will annihilate half of the planet and allow him to dominate the world...? Good job the photo doesn't show him stroking a cat.

Probably been watching too many Bond movies on UBC recently...

Edited May 19, 2007 by kmart

[The Skipper]

It irks me when people go to a beautifull place, then want to change everything.

[Maestro]

...cordless telephone tycoon Gulu Lalvani...told Reuters in an interview...”The tsunami's a thing of the past, everyone's forgotten about it."

I’d say Mr. Lalvani is a lot more than presumptuous, nay, callous in saying that. Probably none of the relatives of the many people who lost their lives, were injured or lost property in the tsunami have forgotten, nor have many other Thai people, I am sure.

--------------

Maestro

[sonnyJ]

At least he didn't name anything Zorg, yet.

Isn't Phangngaa bay protected marine area?

Mangroves anyone?

[Cuban]

Just think of the number of quality tourists this might bring.

7 ?

On a more serious point; island building 'aint easy. Dubai has a huge amount of sand availible and the islands were built in shallow water on a sandy base, but they had problems with erosion from long shore drift and settling sand.

I get the impression that the ideas men have no idea of where the sand/rock will come from, if only there was a few piles of rock available locally they could use...

Where will the funds come from ?

1. Rice harvest taxes
   
2. Mooring fees
   
3. Airport tax
   
4. Oil revenues
   
5. The Moon
   

....

[Old Croc]

The sand for the palm islands off Dubai didn't come from the desert as you might expect. This sand was considered unsuitable as it didn't hold together properly.

The right consitancy sand was dredged from 3-10 miles off shore.

I feel Phuket needs a large boat harbour of some sort, but would be concerned with the possible ecological impacts of any proposals.

[MaiChai]

I see Phuket becoming more like a Sukhumvit down south. Full of rich foreigners with all the local Thais forced to move out because everything becomes so expensive (including land and property)? Not my kind of 'paradise'. Also these high prestige developments benefit so few; in fact most people who invest/buy these developments wont spend much time there. So much like the other 'ghost town' developments for the rich scattered across Europe. How often is Bill Gates going to visit each year in a super yacht? In fact how many 'super yachts' will visit each year and what will they look at when they arrive? Maybe 'paradise' will have moved on due to over development and there wont be anything to see (like Pattaya).

$200M does not seem much money to me for building an island.

[Johpa]

I see Phuket becoming more like a Sukhumvit down south. Full of rich foreigners with all the local Thais forced to move out because everything becomes so expensive (including land and property)? Not my kind of 'paradise'. Also these high prestige developments benefit so few; in fact most people who invest/buy these developments wont spend much time there. So much like the other 'ghost town' developments for the rich scattered across Europe. How often is Bill Gates going to visit each year in a super yacht? In fact how many 'super yachts' will visit each year and what will they look at when they arrive? Maybe 'paradise' will have moved on due to over development and there wont be anything to see (like Pattaya)..

I seem to remember a time when there weren't many Thai people living along the most popular beach areas of Phuket, especially the area from Karon down to Nai Harn. The land grab began in earnest after Club Med committed to Phuket on Kata Beach back in the early 1980s. Nai Harn Beach use to be largely public land until it became but one of many major land scandals involving Thais, including one prominent MP, stealing land from the State and stealing from other Thais.

I think the story about Gates is hogwash anyways. There are far more beautiful and exclusive resorts towards Tahiti. At best it is two rich guys exchanging obligatory pleasantries while complimenting their hosts. Why would these folks want to move their luxury yachts outside the safe harbors between the Greek Islands and the Bahamas? It is one thing for Paul Allen to maybe voyage through these waters with his Navy Frigate sized yacht staffed by a SEAL team, but a more traditional sized luxury yacht would be quite a target.

As for Phuket "becoming more like a Sukumvit down south", I think you are using the wrong verb tense.

[sfokevin]

This project could save the Elite Card program

[Mid]

[khall64au]

Bill Gates yacht inspires new man-made Thai island

HONG KONG - A visit to Thailand by Bill Gates has inspired the construction of a man-made island off the resort of Phuket, so the world's richest man and other billionaires can moor their huge yachts.

Hoping to build an Asian playground for the rich and famous to rival the French Riviera and the Caribbean, cordless telephone tycoon Gulu Lalvani plans to build a doughnut-shaped island of 30 to 40 luxury villas and a hotel around a marina.

"Bill Gates was there last month with his wife on a 54 metre (177 foot) yacht and he loved it so much," Lalvani, founder of phone maker Binatone told Reuters in an interview.

"We sat on the beach together and he said it was one of the best holidays he'd had, and he would come back every year if only he had somewhere for his mega yacht."

Lalvani, 68, who built the Royal Phuket Marina on the island's east coast "as a retirement hobby", said he had received permission from Phuket's governor, and construction would start at the end of this year and take four years.

"The governor is a close friend," Lalvani said. "We'd discussed it before, but after Bill Gate's visit, he sanctioned the project."

Zoran Island, named after Lalvani's youngest son, will be 3 km (1.9 miles) off Phuket, in Phang Nga Bay, where limestone outcrops provided the backdrop to the James Bond film "The Man With the Golden Gun".

The island and development, reminiscent of huge man-made islands such as "The Palm" and "The World" projects off Dubai, will cost around $200 million, Lalvani said.

Phuket's western and southern coasts were battered by the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, with more than 200 lives lost on the island, but the resort property market has since rebounded.

"This is on the east coast, it's sheltered. The tsunami damage was on the west, it didn't touch us whatsoever," he said.

Most people had moved on from the disaster, he added.

"First quarter arrivals and hotel occupancy were at an all time record. 2005 was a disaster but now every hotelier is over the moon. The tsunami's a thing of the past, everyone's forgotten about it."

At the Royal Phuket Marina, which is too shallow at low tide to admit large yachts, two-bedroom condominiums have doubled in price on the secondary market to about $600,000 in the past 18 months.

A five-bedroom villa and yacht berth at the resort, similar to the type that will be built on the new island, fetch around 3 million euros ($4.05 million), about the same as a 30-year lease on a yacht berth in the south of France, Lalvani said.

Paul Allen, who formed Microsoft Corp. with Gates, visits Phuket once every two years, and Chelsea Football Club's Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, travels to the island every year, Lalvani said.

"It's paradise," he said. "That's why the James Bond movie and other Hollywood films are made here."

Karachi-born Lalvani, who now divides his time between London, Hong Kong and Phuket, said the Thai government reduced the import duty on yachts to zero from 220 percent after a chat he had with then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2004.

- Reuters

Having re-read above story.... it appears a creative ploy by Lalvani's new PR team to draw attention to Phase 2 of the "tycoons" marina condo sales. Hype, hype, super-insensitive hype!!!!

[quiksilva]

It does sound like a James Bond villain's island doesn't it. Unless those 30-40 villas (which can't be brought by foreigners) are tiny by Mega Yacht owners' standards, the island would have to be at least 50 Rai, and then in a doughnut shape??

That's enormous, I can't see this justly passing an EIA.

His comments say alot about him. I wonder how Bill & Melinda would react to reading that..?

[sriracha john]

In their never-ending quest to get the news sorta, kinda, perhaps a bit right... the good ol' boys at TNNBPRD somehow manage to get things just a little bit twisted in the reports :D :

Tourism and Sports Minister and TAT Governor supports idea of Bill Gates in building an island to draw in rich tourists

Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee indicates that Microsoft's founder and world's richest man Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates traveled to Thailand last month and expressed their interest in building an island near Phuket for wealthy tourists worldwide to spend their vacation and park their huge yachts.

Mr. Suwit says the project would be beneficial to Thailand and will promote the good image of the country. He says Thailand is ready to support foreign investment, but the investors’ details and conditions have to be considered nonetheless.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Pornsiri Manoharn says the news regarding Mr. and Mrs. Gates’ plan to build an island for rich tourists is very positive as it shows their confidence and affection to the country. It also shows the TAT’s accomplishment in campaigning tourism in the Andaman coastal provinces following the tsunami tragedy. She says most foreigners look at Phuket as the main tourist attraction in the country, and Phuket will help revive tourism in other destinations as well.

Mrs. Pornsiri says tourism in Phuket has grown tremendously. By the end of this year, 1,000 more accommodations will be built. Currently, the island has more than 32,000 accomodations. According to the tourism survey by Future Brand magazine, Thailand topped the ranking in the value for money last year, while Phuket ranked 9th in the most beautiful beaches in the world.

- TNNBPRD

---------------------------------

evidently they read the news about as well as they write it. but it's ok, guys... ya mean well. Keep plugging away at it...

[ovenman]

In their never-ending quest to get the news sorta, kinda, perhaps a bit right... the good ol' boys at TNNBPRD somehow manage to get things just a little bit twisted in the reports :D :

No man is an island unless he's built it himself... or something to that effect.

[quiksilva]

Meanwhile in the Nation

No one contacts me about Gates' project : Phuket Governor

Phuket Governor Niran Kallayanamitr denied on Monday a media report that he agreed with Microsoft founder Bill Gates's project to construct a man made island off the resort of Phuket for his yachts.

The project was inspired by a recent visit of Gates to the resort island recently.

Reuters quoted cordless telephone tycoon Gulu Lalvani as saying that Gates visited Phuket last month with his wife on a 54 metre yacht and he loved it so much. Gates told Lalvani that Phuket was one of the best holidays he'd had, and he would come back every year if only he had somewhere for his mega yacht."

"The governor is a close friend," Lalvani said. "We'd discussed it before, but after Bill Gate's visit, he sanctioned the project," he said.

Niran said that no one contacted him about the project. "I just learnt about it from the media," he said.

Considering tourism strategies, Niran said that it would be good for Phuket to have more ports for yachts.

However he said the project would be studied to know an urgency and environmental impacts.

The Nation