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

[sriracha john]

Hmmm... curiouser and curiouser....

Lalvani, 68, said he had received permission from Phuket's governor, and construction would start at the end of this year.

followed by...

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

[sriracha john]

Hmmm... curiouser and curiouser....

Lalvani, 68, said he had received permission from Phuket's governor, and construction would start at the end of this year.

followed by...

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

[steveromagnino]

Hmmm... curiouser and curiouser....

Lalvani, 68, said he had received permission from Phuket's governor, and construction would start at the end of this year.

followed by...

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

Lalvani is a personal friend of the former PM. AFAIK The development of RPM required some assistance from 'above' both regarding the marine tax (which Lalvani was indeed instrumental in reducing) as well as in terms of finding a piece of land with a title which allows construction in an area that is basically mangroves, and surrounded by sites that look exactly the same but do not allow construction of condos or dredging. That must have been very lucky to find such a site indeed :-)

RPM's actual marina is very quiet, and fails to meet most of the requirements of a quality yacht racing marina as it has a 40 minute trip out through the mangroves to get to sailing waters; first class though I guess for cruising and stink boats I guess. They sold out their first portion very quickly, and the infrastructure of the place is impressive; however some wonder whether the PR of the place outstrips the actual sales. By Phuket standards, the prices are actually pretty cheap, but bear in mind it is a long way away from the more high profile west coast; in fact it is a fair way away from everything.

They do own some island already and presumably the man made island is an extension of that; pity really as there are plenty of islands on that coast which do have titles enabling construction and whatever without the need of digging big holes and filling in dirt etc etc; the Bill Gates thing is a convenient add on from the PR agency no doubt; I know the Phuket Governor has tried to block other dodgy projects like Villa Santi which look like eye sores; maybe he will stamp out this one as well?

Lots of great natural islands in the area, most undeveloped. Not sure why we need a fake one!

[Mid]

don't need a fake one Steve , and won't be getting one either ........................

on the subject of RPM , how deep ?????

Edited May 21, 2007 by Mid

[astral]

Will it still be called Zoran Island,

or M$ or perhaps Vista Island?

[sriracha john]

Man-made holiday island planned

Regarding the planned construction of a man-made island off the island resort of Phuket for billionaires to moor their yachts while on holiday, which was inspired by a visit there by American billionaire Bill Gates, Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said it will help promote a good image for Thai tourism.

He said Thailand supports foreign investment in the sports and tourism sector, but that more details of this project must be studied further.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Pornsiri Manoharn said the plan for an artificial offshore marina demonstrates the investor's impression regarding the beauty of beaches along the Andaman coast and confidence in the safety of Thailand for well-to-do visitors on holiday.

TAT's campaign has succeeded in reviving tourism along the Andaman coast after the area was hit by tsunami in 2004, she said.

Phuket tourism has grown quickly since then, Mrs.Pornsiri added, by the addition of one thousand more rooms to accommodate tourists, amounting to a total of 32,000 tourist rooms here.

Bill and Melinda Gates sailed to Phuket by luxury yacht in April and were reportedly impressed by the beautiful white sandy beaches there

- MCOT

================================

Apparently everyone knew about the plans except the Governor.

[Mid]

[sriracha john]

Government open to man-made isle plan for Phuket

Exclusive mooring for rich needs to be carefully studied

Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani yesterday welcomed the idea of building a man-made island off the coast of Phuket to provide an exclusive mooring for billionaires' yachts, saying that it could promote a good image for Thailand's tourism.

However, he said more details of the project were needed and it must be studied further.

The project was reportedly inspired by Microsoft founder and US billionaire Bill Gates, Suvit said the government would of course support foreign investment in the sports and tourism sector.

The government committee for national tourism policies will meet to map out strategies to boost high-end tourism.

Bill and Melinda Gates reportedly visited Phuket last month on a 54-metre yacht and reportedly said they would gladly return every year if they had somewhere private to dock their "mega-yacht".

Phuket Governor Niran Kallayanamitr yesterday denied media reports he had already backed the man-made island project. But Niran said he would be "ready for a talk" if the world's richest man was serious about investing in a mega-project off the island province.

Niran spoke after reports suggested Gates was interested in a US$200-million project to construct a man-made island off Phuket.

Reuters quoted the cordless telephone tycoon Gulu Lalvani as saying that Gates visited Phuket last month with his wife on a 54-metre yacht.

Gates told Lalvani that Phuket was one of "the best holidays he'd had", and he would come back every year if he could find somewhere to moor his mega-yacht.

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

Niran said yesterday Gates had yet to contact him. "I don't know exactly how the project is going to be, because I have only received information from news report," he said.

*has the governor not sorted out yet that it's NOT Gates who is interested in building the island?*

But the governor believed a man-made island could be good for tourism, as it would attract tourists with "deep pockets".

Niran said Phuket was recently named Asia's best destination for marine tourism and marinas.

"If a world celebrity comes to invest here, Phuket also gets coverage," he said.

The governor said Phuket and other provinces on the Andaman coast planned to promote yachting tourism within the region.

Niran said he planned to outline the Phuket Bay development project to Gates too if the latter contacted him. "Currently, there are not enough marinas," he said.

*nope... still not sorted it out yet*

However, he would also consider the project's impact on the environment and local people.

Investors from many countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia and India were interested in investing in hotels and marinas in Phuket, Niran said.

Phuket Tourism Association chairman Maitree Narukhatpichai said he would not object to the project, if it did not harm the environment and local ways of life.

In response to reports that Gates' interest in building a large marina in the Phang Nga Bay, Phang Nga Governor Winai Buapradit said Gates had not contacted him.

*Just for the record, Bill Gates has also not yet contacted the OP of this thread.*

"But if he's interested in developing such a project, it's in line with our provincial strategy to promote marine tourism," Winai said.

However, Wildlife Fund Thailand co-ordinator, Thanu Nabnien expressed concern that a man-made island could harm the ecological system. "Phang Nga Bay is an Asian heritage," he said.

- The Nation

[Mid]

some serious clutching of straws here ...................................

must be more hard up for good news than even I thought .

[quiksilva]

Oh I dont know I'd actually like to encourage this sort of reporting, there should be more humour in the news!

[baabaabobo]

Man-made island not yet clear for launch

PHUKET: The Marketing Manager at Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) has confirmed as correct a report that RPM developer Gulu Lalvani hopes to build an island off the east coast of Phuket to serve as a marina for super yachts – but clarified that the project is still only in the planning stages and faces numerous bureaucratic obstacles before becoming a reality.

RPM Marketing Director Wilaiporn Titimanaaree this morning told the Gazette that Mr Lalvani will hold a press conference at RPM on May 25 to announce his plan, which envisions a 6.6-billion-baht marina, luxury hotel and villa complex on reclaimed land about three kilometers off Phuket’s east coast.

K. Wilaiporn told the Gazette that a recent report by news agency Reuters had misquoted Mr Lalvani as saying that the project already had the approval of Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit, who has as a result been besieged with requests to verify the story since it was released over the weekend.

Gov Niran today told reporters that no one had contacted him about the project. “I just learned about it from the media,” he said.

Gov Niran said that it would be good for Phuket to have more ports for yachts as the idea was in line with a provincial plan to turn the island into the new “Marina Hub of Asia”. However, he said the project would first be carefully studied and its potential environmental impact assessed.

Mr Lalvani wished to clarify the matter by saying that he had discussed the idea with former governor Udomsak Uswarangkura, who had only agreed in principal with the plan to build a man-made island off the coast near RPM.

Mr Lalvani said he is aware of the obstacles that will need to be overcome to make the project a reality, including the need to get public approval for a massive marina project in an area not far from where environmental activists have been actively protesting against the construction of a pier, she said.

The idea for a man-made island capable of berthing superyachts was inspired by a visit to Phang Nga Bay in April by CEO founder Bill Gates aboard his yacht, Reuters reported.

Mr Gates was quoted as telling Mr Lalvani that he loved the area so much that he would like to visit every year, if only he could find a marina capable of mooring the 54-meter vessel.

To accommodate the needs of Mr Gates and the world’s other super-rich, Mr Lalvani proposes to build an island named “Zoran”, named after his third son, to site the megaproject. The complex would be reminiscent of “The Palm” and “The World” projects off the coast of Dubai, Reuters quoted him as saying.

Many more details about the project concept will be unveiled at the upcoming press conference, at 5 pm at RPM. The event will also be used to officially announce RPM’s hosting of the PIMEX boat show in early November and to outline the significance of Phuket being named “Asia’s Maritime Capital” at the prestigious Christofle Asia Boating Awards held in Bangkok last month.

Source: The Phuket Gazette

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Phuket Governor denies any acknowledgment of plans by Gulu Lalvani of Royal Phuket Marina to build a new man-made island with marina for super large yachts.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213890

International media Reuters reported that Royal Phuket Marina’s owner, Gulu Lavani, said that a recent visit to Phuket by Bill Gates, the world’s richest man & founder of Microsoft Company, had inspired the planned construction of a man-made island off the east coast of Phuket, so he and other billionaires can moor their huge yachts there. The staff of Mr Lalvani have confirmed to Andaman News that Mr Lalvani has indeed made plans to build a new island, but has not yet got permission from the current governor of Phuket and related agencies. Yesterday, the Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamitr told Andaman News that he did not know the details of the plans to build a new island, apparently doughnut-shaped with 30 to 40 luxury villas and a hotel around a marina costing 8 billion baht, but he agrees with any good idea that helps to promote local tourism and the local marine industry:

Mr. Lavani also told us during a recent interview that he had met Bill Gates in Phuket for informal discussions, but he did not mention the man-made island plan. ( you can watch more from this part of the interview :

Interview with Gulu talking about Bill Gates & other marine matters on

http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213883

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & maybe later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1, Tuesday 22 May 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com {Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket or contact [email protected]}

[sriracha john]

Gov Niran said that it would be good for Phuket to have more ports for yachts as the idea was in line with a provincial plan to turn the island into the new “Marina Hub of Asia”. However, he said the project would first be carefully studied and its potential environmental impact assessed.

The now-almost-mandatory HUB declaration.

Mr Lalvani wished to clarify the matter by saying that he had discussed the idea with former governor Udomsak Uswarangkura, who had only agreed in principal with the plan to build a man-made island off the coast near RPM.

*Well, one Governor is just as good as the next, isn't it? Geez... this Lalvani guy is a real

cut-up.*

Many more details about the project concept will be unveiled at the upcoming press conference, at 5 pm at RPM. The event will also be used to officially announce RPM’s hosting of the PIMEX boat show in early November and to outline the significance of Phuket being named “Asia’s Maritime Capital” at the prestigious Christofle Asia Boating Awards held in Bangkok last month.

ohhh.... a new title.... the "Capital" of something or the other... well, it's run out of HUBS, so I guess we're due.

[steveromagnino]

don't need a fake one Steve , and won't be getting one either ........................

on the subject of RPM , how deep ?????

Indeed. Of course, the reality is that these guys couldn't care less where they store the boat; they just helicopter to it from the nearest airport; and they have little desire to park it in a small marina unless there are other 'suitable people' (read, rich to$$ers) around to look at their toys.

AFAIK RPM has about 4.5m draft in the marina itself as it has been dredged; the Yacht lagoon next door is somewhere around 2m but the bigger boats can dig a bit of a hole for themselves in the silt bottom.

The problem is the channel; it falls down to about 1.5m at low tide, possibly 1.2m can't quite recall. In a super low tide it might even be less than that.

This means that deep draft boats such as your canting Cookson 50 :-) will have a few issues with getting in and out, and probably will have to wait outside the entrance for the tide; it is an unlit winding channel with a few missing markers with sand/mud shallows on either side so perhaps not ideal for boats to travel through at night ;-0

Perfect marina for a stink boat though, just whip out anytime you want and turn on the flood lights :-)

Mind you even Ocean Marina Jomtien gets a bit shallow in the Summer; channel can get as low as about 2m on really low tides; mind you it is only a 50m trip to get to the deeper water.

Let me know when you are coming up from Samui, we'll go for a spin. Are you doing Koh Samui? I have to work

[The Skipper]

$200,000,000 to build an island for super yachts seems cheap.

Paul Allens boat cost more than that.

"Octopus is the world's second largest private superyacht. Measured at 414 feet, she cost $254 million to build. Her owner is Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder. Octopus has Permanent crew of 60, including several former Navy Seals, two helicopters, seven boats, a 10 man submarine and a remote controlled vehicle for crawling on the Ocean floor. The submarine has the capacity to sleep eight for up to two weeks underwater."

[khall64au]

$200,000,000 to build an island for super yachts seems cheap.

Paul Allens boat cost more than that.

"Octopus is the world's second largest private superyacht. Measured at 414 feet, she cost $254 million to build. Her owner is Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder. Octopus has Permanent crew of 60, including several former Navy Seals, two helicopters, seven boats, a 10 man submarine and a remote controlled vehicle for crawling on the Ocean floor. The submarine has the capacity to sleep eight for up to two weeks underwater."

Just perfect for those looooooooooooong inter-galactic business meetings with far-superior beings secreted in the bowels of Planet Earth

[Alf Witt]

Phang Nga Bay is one of the world's finest unspoilt areas of outstanding "natural" beauty consisting mainly of islands.

It takes a really insensitive individual to dream up the idea of creating an "artificial" island there.

It is akin to a proposal to introduce plastic flowers to Kew Gardens or build a concrete mountain in the Alps.

Loads of money but not a grain of class.

[sriracha john]

$200,000,000 to build an island for super yachts seems cheap.

Paul Allens boat cost more than that.

"Octopus is the world's second largest private superyacht. Measured at 414 feet, she cost $254 million to build. Her owner is Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder. Octopus has Permanent crew of 60, including several former Navy Seals, two helicopters, seven boats, a 10 man submarine and a remote controlled vehicle for crawling on the Ocean floor. The submarine has the capacity to sleep eight for up to two weeks underwater."

He does indeed have a nice yacht...

and when one considers that that yacht fits inside of another yacht...

then one can begin to understand the "Octopus"...

but don't forget Mr. Allen's other yacht.... the even-longer 459-foot... the even-costlier 300 million Euro "Crystal Ball"

Mr. Allen's other other yacht... the 302-foot, 110 million Euro "Tatoosh" is not much more than a rice barge by comparison....

Edited May 22, 2007 by sriracha john

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Mr Lalvani’s plan for a proposed new Marina in Phang-Nga bay has now been handed to the Phuket Governor who commented that if it really happens, it will certainly boost the island as Marina Hub of Asia.

A design plan for a new Marina at an man-made island under the concept name ‘Zaron Island Phuket Thailand Mega Yacht Haven’ by the Royal Phuket Marina developer Mr Gulu Lalvani has now been shown to Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamit. The plan design, in a giant donut shape, supposedly to be located 3 kilometres east of Phuket Island was handed over to the Governor, after media reports citing Mr Lalvani’s comments that the American billionaire Bill Gates inspired the project. Named after Mr Lalvani’s son, the project comprises berthing facilities which are surrounded by a resort and villas.

Seeing the plan, Mr. Nirund admitted that this was a mega – project in the sea, and that if it really opened it would certainly boost Phuket Island as a Marina Hub of Asia and could attract more high-end travllers. He however stressed that such a mega-project needs to get approval from the government and that impact assessment on environment and local livilhood be thoughly studied.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213905

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 , Wednesday 23rd May 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket or contact Andaman [email protected] }

[NBT TV Phuket]

Coloured plans from Royal Phuket Marina:

[steveromagnino]

$200,000,000 to build an island for super yachts seems cheap.

Paul Allens boat cost more than that.

"Octopus is the world's second largest private superyacht. Measured at 414 feet, she cost $254 million to build. Her owner is Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder. Octopus has Permanent crew of 60, including several former Navy Seals, two helicopters, seven boats, a 10 man submarine and a remote controlled vehicle for crawling on the Ocean floor. The submarine has the capacity to sleep eight for up to two weeks underwater."

After his One World fiasco, you would think Paul Allen would just give up on all things nautical, and just become Dr Evil already.

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Royal Phuket Marina’s plan & drawings of a proposed new man made island show it to be near Rang Yai island.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213920

Following their submission to the Phuket Governor on Tuesday, Marketing Director of Royal Phuket Marina Wilaiporn Pitimana-aree, has sent Andaman News 12 pages of drawings for the preliminary concept called ‘Zoran Island, Phuket, Megayacht Haven.’ She told us that this man-made island idea had first been discussed with the former governor when he was still in the position. To attract more world billionaires to Phuket, the idea of Zoran Island is to add a super yacht facility plus resort in the Phang-Nga bay area close to the Royal Phuket Marina site, as it’s in the heart of Phuket, easily accessible to island facilities, she explained. It is located about 3km east of the Marina in deeper water, near Rang Yai Island. The drawings show about 10 big berths beside a central hotel or building, about 48 medium berths beside 13 villas and several condo buildings, and 20 smaller berths near a communal area.

Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & maybe later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1, Thursday 24 May 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com {Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket or contact [email protected]}

[sriracha john]

Island is Lalvani's brainchild

UK-based media tycoon Gulu Lalvani said it was he and not Microsoft chairman Bill Gates who was behind the plan to build a doughnut-shaped luxury island off Phuket that would house resorts and be connected to his own marina.

The Pakistan-born billionaire, who owns Binatone - one of the world's largest manufacturers of digital cordless phones - said Gates was linked to the project because he and his wife Linda frequently visited Phuket on their yacht.

After two years of construction Lalvani's Royal Phuket Marina is now complete. It can hold 350 yachts. The Bt7-billion man-made island he plans off Sapam Beach in tambon Koh Kaew will be able to hold 400 yachts, the flamboyant tycoon said.

The island will be named "Zoran" after his youngest child. It will contain 30-40 villas, a condominium, restaurants, cafes and shops, Lalvani said. He said there would be five penthouses with private docking areas. The 65-rai island will be built three kilometres off the coast.

Lalvani said he decided to build an island because constant dredging of waterways to enable yachts to be docked at the marina had left a large amount of earth. His marina was built to accommodate large yachts of up to 40 metres in length and the minimum depth required is six metres.

Lalvani said Phuket's potential as a tourist resort would get a boost after it received the Asia Maritime Capital Award.

He said Phuket still needed more brand-name retailers as well as tourist attractions tailored to high-end tourists. The number of foreign tourists visiting Phuket rose 40 per cent in the first quarter despite political instability, he added.

- The Nation

==================

He sounds a bit miffed that the story had gotten a bit twisted and reportedly had Gates as the front man for this new man-made island.

[NBT TV Phuket]

Press Conference on recent Phuket awards: ‘Asia’s Maritime Capital’ & Kings Cup Regatta as ‘Asia’s Yachting Event of the Year’

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213937

Special Report Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & maybe later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1, Monday 28 May 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com {Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but give cr edit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket or contact [email protected]}

Tourism related figures on Friday celebrated Phuket being awarded ‘Asia’s Maritime Capital’ and Phuket’s annual Kings Cup Regatta being awarded for the 2nd year running ‘Asia’s Yachting Event of the year’ both at the recent Christofle Asia Boating Awards held in Bangkok last month. It was a major press event hosted by the Royal Phuket Marina with the Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT’s support, led by their Deputy Governor for overseas markets Juthaporn Rerngronasa.

Many other leading government and business people in the community came to witness the press conference at the newest and largest of the established marinas in Phuket, developed by telecoms tycoon Gulu Lalvani, who opened the Royal Phuket Marina in Kor Kaew late 2005 on the eastern coast right beside Boat Lagoon Marina, well established since 1994, and even after Yacht Haven open marina started in 1997. Phuket was singled out for the prestigious awards for “placing Asia firmly on the map of international yachting, and in recognition of first class boating facilities that include modern marinas, state of the art boatyards and prime chartering” according to the CEO of Adkom Media Group, organizer of the awards and publisher of Asia Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines. Mr Lalvani, who opened the conference, already announced before that the award recognition underlined his conviction that Phuket will be the world’s number one sailing destination. This was his vision for creating a world class marina rivaling those in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. At the conference the Pakistan born but now resident Phuketian said he was a big fan of Thailand and Phuket, and four years ago he had a dream to make Phuket the best place in Asia, but that now achieved, he claimed it was not enough, and he wanted to make Phuket no.1 in the world. He told the previous Phuket Governor Udomsak his dream and need for more facilities for big yachts. He also repeated the great news he announced on our program’s interview on 3 May about the highest ever occupancy levels of 80-90% for Phuket hotels in the first quarter this year, predicting a record year:

But he said more still needs to be done and Phuket needs help from the government. He invited the press and audience to suggest more ideas to implement here. We then heard more about his recent announcement also on our program’s interview last week that Bill Gates, the wealthiest man in the world, came to Phuket in April on his friend’s 54metre superyacht for a holiday and a chat with Mr Lalvani at the Amanpuri hotel where he still owns a villa. He also told Reuters in Hong Kong last week, about his own plans for a new man made island with marina for (about 10 mega) superyachts: “I just want to clarify one thing….I just want clarify that.”

Then khun Jutaporn the TAT’s Deputy Governor, congratulated Phuket on its awards, and pointed out the statistics for visitors to Phuket last & this year: “I want to inform the numbers … better year already.” (2006 showed 4.5 million tourists came, 79% more than 2005, with 26% increases so far this year over 2006.)

She said the increase in more direct scheduled and charter flights to Phuket helped, with signs that even more are coming in the summer or rainy seasons. She said even more cruise-ships are coming to Phuket from new companies and routes, also backing up the maritime award. Then in answers to the press questions, Mr Lalvani revealed he had met the Head of Marine Department that morning and assured that every environmental survey and official permission would be sought for any new man made island, but he claimed the temporary government was moving slower than usual or previous governments in giving permissions.

He was prepared to justify the cost in the long term and fully invest the high costs of building a new marina, citing the need to build bigger berths of between 65-100 metres in length to accommodate mega-superyachts like those of Mr Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft.

In response to why he didn’t seem to want to develop a natural island, he said he had been offered some beautiful ones to buy, but the water depth was not enough, as it needs 6-8 metres depth for superyachts. Yacht Haven’s berths are a maximum of 80 metres with 5-metre depth.

Mr Lalvani also pointed out the other benefits of more marine visitors citing figures showing 40% increases in Phuket retail sales including the highest ever for sail makers, and the high revenues for Phuket businesses and hotels, even compared to Bangkok where they are dropping. He had received a reputable survey showing Phuket was no1. in Asia for revenue per hotel room, with 43% increases over last year, so much so that 10 hotel companies had approached him last week to open at Royal Phuket Marina.

With that optimism in the air, he ended the press conference but both he and Jutaporn gave us an even more revealing interview beside the marina dock:

--------

Interview with Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor , TAT & Gulu Lalvani, Developer of Royal Phuket Marina

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213946

Our revealing interview today is with Mr Lalvani, Developer of Royal Phuket Marina in Koh Kaew & telecoms tycoon, who talks about promoting at international Boat Shows and promises to open more marinas in Phang Nga & Krabi, not just a man-made island in Phuket, if the TAT can support promotion.

Meanwhile Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor for overseas markets,Tourism Authority of Thailand, talks about need for more budget & help from the press to promote the Andaman area, not just Phuket. But first she talks about the recent awards for Phuket: …….

[Mid]

Tourism related figures on Friday celebrated Phuket being awarded ‘Asia’s Maritime Capital’ and Phuket’s annual Kings Cup Regatta being awarded for the 2nd year running ‘Asia’s Yachting Event of the year’ both at the recent Christofle Asia Boating Awards held in Bangkok last month.

reality ,

Langkawi / Singapore are the regions marine capitals ,

as for the KC Regatta ,

sadly a shadow of it's former self ...................

now where did I put those rose glasses .