"We've been talking to Ferrari for some time," said Andy Dowden, director of organizers Image Asia Events, "and they confirmed last week that they want to be part of the show because they see the lifestyle synergy between boats and luxury cars."

"Of course there's a very important trade element of the show, with people in the industry from all over the world getting together and making deals," said Image Asia managing director Grenville Fordham, "but there's also a lot at PIMEX this year to interest the general public too. We have boats of every kind imaginable, at prices ranging from just one million Baht up to one million US dollars - and more.

"But we also have a whole host of Phuket villas, condominiums, resorts and luxury homes from just five million Baht all the way up to two million dollar ocean-view villas. And Ferrari will show at least one of their cars on the hardstand. We encourage people to take a weekend break in Phuket and come over to the Boat Lagoon to have a look around. They won't be disappointed."

Exhibitors from 18 countries - including France, China, Taiwan and Japan for the first time - representing 120 companies will attend the Phuket show in December, with products and services ranging from yacht charter holidays, luxury island homes, top-of-the-range powerboats and racing yachts, the latest marine electronics equipment, marina construction systems, water sports gear and even a fold-up, trailerable boat from Australia.

"The anticipation and interest surrounding this year's show has exceeded our highest expectations," said Fordham, "and we have exciting companies such as top racing yacht builders, DK Yachts from Malaysia and Sleeker Yachts from Italy, as well as Dubai powerboat builder GulfCraft - and of course Ferrari - coming for the first time." He added that the government's continued efforts to streamline the entire marine leisure industry were a significant factor in the widespread interest in Thailand .

World-famous top brands at PIMEX 2004 include Sunseeker, Ferretti , Riviera , DK Yachts, Azimut, Selene Ocean Trawlers, Possilipo, Rizzardi, GulfCraft, Sea Ray, Sleeker Yachts and Boston Whaler.

The show organizers have increased the size of the show both inside and outside compared to 2003. Air-conditioned exhibition space has been increased by 40 percent to 1,000 square metres, while 40 boats on display in the water are expected. More boats will be displayed on the hardstand, where the star of the show will - of course - be the Ferrari demonstration car. The organizers are unable to confirm whether test drives will be on offer.

A feature of PIMEX 2004 that the organizers describe as encouraging for the future of the industry is the number of local boat builders with interesting new products. Latitude 8 will be showcasing their new Asian Classic, jet driven 50s style power boat; Samui Ocean Yachting are bringing their totally new twin-masted Radical Bay 8000 catamaran . "But the real success story," says Fordham, "is Phuket Water Taxi's (PWT) deal with Patriot Marine of Australia. The deal, which was struck at PIMEX 2003, has PWT building in Phuket, under contract, commercial power catamarans for export markets."

Other Thailand-built boats aiming to capture local and international markets include the only super-yacht built in Thailand , 'Payoon 3', owned and operated by Kingfisher Marine; Payoon 3 is available for corporate and private charter. Then there's the new 'Buzz Eight' sports boat from Pattaya, competing with the Phuket 8, which was launched at PIMEX 2003.

On the trade front, it is interesting to note that four international docking systems companies are exhibiting at PIMEX 2004 - indicative of confidence that Thailand will see a lot more marinas built in the coming years.

"PIMEX 2004 is the biggest boating, leisure and lifestyle show in the region since before the Asian crisis," said Fordham, adding that Phuket was clearly destined to emerge as the top marine leisure centre for South East Asia.

For more information please contact Grenville Fordham   Email: