Marine Expo attracts many exhibitors

PIMEX

The fifth Phuket International Marine Expo (Pimex) will take place from December 6 to 9, this time at the Royal Phuket Marina in Koh Kaew. The show this year is being organised by Andaman Marine Consultants, whose managing director, Andy Dowden, was heavily involved in previous Pimex shows. He has also been central to the organisation and development of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta for many years, and was regatta president in 2002.

So far, 23 yachts are lined up for the show and more are on the way. More than 80% of the in-water display space is already booked.

Boat brands signed up for the exhibition include Azimuth, Benetti, Beneteau, Riva, Sea Ray, Gulf Craft, Sunseeker, Bavaria Yachts, Cranchi, Rodman, Grady-White Marlin, Tiara Sovran, Horizon, Hanse, Grand Banks, Wauquiez and Lagoon.

Other marine suppliers among the exhibitors include Bob’s Machine Shop, Sika, Precision Shipwright, East Marine and Marina Systems International. Yachting holiday company Sunsail has confirmed its space and the Thai Marine Business Association will exhibit for the first time.
Brokers, dealers and other marine leisure companies that have reserved places include Elite Yachting, Royal Phuket Marina Cruising Club, Starship Yachts, Derani Yachts, Kingfisher Marine, Asia Marine, Peninsular Boating, Max Marine Asia, Neptune Marine, Best Dealz, Simpson Marine and Go Boating.

Adding extra fun to this year’s show will be the inaugural Phuket International Dragon Boat Festival, which will see Hong Kong-style dragon boat races taking place in the marina basin.

Property Award

The venue, the Royal Phuket Marina, was awarded the prestigious Five Gold Anchor Award from the Yacht Harbour Association, an arm of the British Marine Federation, in 2006. In September this year it won a citation for best interior design at the International Property Awards in London, for its Aquaminium Condos and Royal Villas.

This is the first year that Pimex has been staged at the marina, but already the management have confirmed that they will be delighted to provide the venue again in 2008. This year’s Pimex is officially supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Board, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Sport and Tourism.

Airpark well under way

The airstrip under construction

Good news for small aircraft enthusiasts: Phuket will soon have its first private airfield. Phuket Airpark, in Paklok village, near the east coast of the island, is almost ready to go. It is now awaiting inspection by the Department of Civil Aviation, which is expected to take place within weeks.

Wayne “Red” Graham, one of the chief instigators of the Airpark, told Phuket.com that the club house on the site – almost 70 rai of land bought by Suchard Raksangob, MD of Phuket Airpark – is already complete, and construction of the airstrip is well underway.

Plans include aircraft hangars, homes, shops, a climbing wall and much more. The idea is to have everything to hand that aircraft enthusiasts might need after landing. It will also be a place for families to spend a weekend or time out together. For more information, see www.phuketflying.com

Site chosen for International Convention & Exhibition Centre

Mai Khao Beach

Early in October, Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit announced that investment group ING Funds (Thailand) has finally chosen a site in Mai Khao, in the north of the island, for the proposed Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Centre (ICEC). The place selected for the three-billion-baht project is a 350-rai plot on government-owned land near the sea, between Tah Chat Chai School and Sirinath National Park.

The long-awaited project was first proposed many years ago. A variety of sites were proposed and rejected, including Saphan Hin, Ao Makham and Koh Maprao. In the end, the Mai Khao site beat the only other remaining contender, a parcel of land off Chao Fa West Rd, belonging to local trading and property development company Anuphas & Sons.

Local people are still divided in their opinions about the choice of Mai Khao. Some believe it is too far from the main commercial and business centre of the island, Phuket City, while others welcome it because it is not likely to add significantly to the traffic congestion in the middle of the island. Supporters also point out that it is conveniently close to Phuket International Airport and will be easy to reach from nearby provinces such as Phang Nga and Krabi.

Despite the years of wrangling, the project is still in its infancy, with ING Funds’ concept of financing the ICEC through a limited public company having yet to receive approval from the Ministry of Finance.