If Philippe isn’t the leading foreigner – if the term still applies – when it comes to knowledge about Phuket’s recent history (and he might well be), he’s certainly the most entertaining.

One man’s treasure

Jit Jai in the Phang Nga Bay

Mega yachts are impressive, but the four Chinese junks in Philippe’s care are the most eye-catching vessels in the area. With sails raised – more for style than function – the boats lend a air of nostalgia to whatever waters they happen to be cruising. In the Phang Nga Bay, with the sheer walls of helter-skelter islands as backdrop, they look especially at home; it’s like they’ve been gracing these waters for three hundred years. The most senior of Philippe’s Junks is just over thirty (in human years), but they all have plenty of stories to tell: They’re intimately familiar with the waters around Phuket. They’ve been in movies. They’ve ridden on the back of trucks. They’ve hosted supermodels. They’ve seen a tsunami. And, no doubt, they’ve witnessed the antics of more than one over-zealous guest. Oh, if these hulls could talk.

Construction of the hull in Terengganu

June Bahtra I and June Bahtra II were built in Terengganu, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Its location in the South China Sea has long been an important stop on ancient trade routes, and it secured a place on mariner’s charts by developing an innovative boatbuilding technique. By starting the construction process with the planks of the hull – joined with dowels and caulked with bark from the Gelam tree – as opposed to the frame, as is often done, the craftsmen in Terengganu found a design that was extremely durable and watertight. The configuration proved suitable for trading and pirating, as well as sightseeing in style.

Ready for my close-up

Lui Magazine - 1996

And that style has been noticed by creative types around the globe. The boats have an acting resume that would be the envy of every waitress in Hollywood. June Bahtra I has been featured in numerous advertisements in Thai and foreign media, and had a role in the 1997 James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. If you can get your hands on the July 1996 issue of Lui – a French men’s magazine – you may notice June Bahtra II. Or you may not – the model onboard is stunning and topless. Jodie Foster also graced the deck of JBII (with clothes on) in Anna and the King, which was filmed in Malaysia and is banned in Thailand due to historical inaccuracies.

When I was your age…

On the road to Chumpon

Philippe has plenty of his own stories, too. Raised in a farming community in the south of France, his parents later took him to Paris, but he always preferred the wide open spaces. In Phuket’s rugged natural beauty, he found that space. “I arrived in Kata and Karon and it was magical. It was one big rice field; organic farming. The sea was almost empty, with only the small boats of the fisherman. No speedboats, no hotels, nothing. At night, when the weather was right and the moon was out, the fisherman would take a big boat and catch fish for the entire village. It was – wow – very different from Paris.”

Cresting a hill in the island’s south as a teenager, he saw the green of the jungle give way to the blue of the sea, with Phi Phi’s islands in the distance, and was instantly hooked. But first he needed to do more research – just to be sure. When he left France, his goal was the French territory in the South Pacific Ocean – New Caledonia. He explored Thailand, then Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia, but restless locals in New Caledonia made it a no go. So it was back to Phuket, the only place that had it all; an inspiring mix of kind people, good food, easy access, and beautiful scenery.

Does that include a film festival?

Boat Lagoon Marina

With shopping malls and multiplexes, this is not the same Phuket Phillipe first fell for. But he has a vision for Phuket – where it’s going and what it can become. “Always deep in my heart, I knew Phuket would one day become like the south of France, like Cannes.” He’s not the only one who sees the potential, especially in the sailing industry. Marinas are filling up, and owners of mega yachts are looking for more parking places. The good news for the economy is these ships require more than just berths. They need maintenance, cleaning, fuel, painting, materials and food.

Realizing that potential is just a matter of time. Phuket may be searching for its identity; finding its footing after dizzying changes. Through it all, its essence – its ‘Thai-ness’ – remains unchanged. Phillipe sums it up best: “I am 100% sure that Phuket will always be on the map and will always be special. It is still beautiful, the people are still nice, and people are still happy to come here.”

How to get there

Phang Nga Bay Cruise Daytrip - Price from 2,900 Baht
	Cruise idyllic Phang Nga Bay in serenity and calm, away from the crowds. A unique and original discovery of Phang Nga Bay on board a traditional Chinese Junk. Lie back on your deck cushions with a gentle breeze blowing under the sun canopy and let the experienced crew take care of the sailing. Read more...

Tour of the month: Phang Nga Bay Cruise