Phuket Boat Show switches venue

Phuket’s first international boat show, Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX), will be held at The Boat Lagoon Resort from 7-10 December, not at Royal Phuket Marina Resort and Spa, the show’s promoters, IMAGE asia, announced today.

The announcement followed a weekend meeting at Gulu Lalvani’s Amanpuri villa, where the Royal Phuket Marina developer revealed that he had accepted the advice of international property consultants, Knight Frank, to review his development’s master plan.

“We had been kept closely informed on progress,” said IMAGE asia director Andy Dowden, “and until the meeting with Lalvani we were confident that Royal Phuket Marina’s construction schedule was realistic and comfortably achievable in time for our show – if they started work on schedule in March.

“The new circumstances meant we had to move quickly to reassure exhibitors. With 30% of the indoor space and a number of berths already reserved, we needed to be able to assure them that the boat show would have a completed waterfront venue.

“Lalvani was very concerned not to jeopardize the viability of the show and has offered his support in any way he can,” Dowden added, stressing that the early warning of the marina rethink – and Royal Phuket Marina making its site available as logistic support for the show – had enabled his team to take prompt action to secure an alternative location.

Immediately on receiving the news, a meeting was arranged between IMAGE asia management and Kanit Yongsakul, owner of The Boat Lagoon. “Khun Kanit had no hesitation in offering to host the boat show,” said Dowden. “He was enthusiastic and exceptionally helpful. His stance – that he wanted to help the show as it would benefit of the whole of Phuket’s marine industry – demonstrated a spirit of co-operation that is all too often lost in the intensity of competition.”

Dowden added that the show will be more disruptive for The Boat Lagoon than it would have been for the new Royal Phuket Marina, because Boat Lagoon berths and hardstands were full most of the time. Nevertheless, Khun Kanit and his team had looked carefully at future commitments and had spared no effort in making the site available, at the same time taking advantage of Royal Phuket Marina’s offer of its site as logistic support for car parking and vehicle entrance to the show.

The Phuket Boat Show will be a combination of air-conditioned marquees, 20-30 berths for on-water exhibits and hard stand space for displaying boats out of the water. Exhibitors – which will include a number of local boat builders – are expected from USA, Europe and Asia-Pacific, with a strong contingent from Australia and New Zealand.

For more information please contact Grenville Fordham   Email: