Postponed due to September’s hiccough in Thailand’s political scene, the Bangkok preview of Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX) 2006 went ahead last week, from the 5 – 7 October, at All Seasons Place in Bangkok’s Wireless Road business district.

PIMEX is organized by Image Asia Events, and the main show is held in Phuket from 7-10 December, at the Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina.

A cross-section of exhibitors, representing the type of product on display at the main PIMEX show, brought a combination of trailer boats, RIBs, charter holidays, safety equipment, property, luxury cars, on-the-water sponsorship opportunities and regattas direct to a Bangkok audience – for the first time.

“We were aiming at a representative selection of PIMEX exhibitors,” said Image Asia Director, Andy Dowden, “and we achieved our objective.”

Commenting on the synergy between the property and marine leisure industries, Henri Young, Director of Marketing for Raimon Land, said, “A large percentage of our properties in places like Phuket and Pattaya are sold to expatriates, as are the boats on display at PIMEX. At RaimonLand we’re marketing a lifestyle, and yachting is very much a part of that lifestyle. Together, yachts and luxury properties represent an ‘export’ market with huge potential for foreign exchange earnings.”

The outside display, with boats valued between 1.0 – 2.5 million Baht, included a 1920s design Asian Classic powerboat, a Bayliner 'Runabout', a Chaparral Cruiser, a Rigid Inflatable and several different models of Land Rover cars, attracted enthusiastic attention from shoppers and business people in the All Seasons Place area.

“We started showing the ‘Classic’ to potential buyers even before the show opened,” said Mark Horwood of builders Latitude 8 yachting, noting that the Asian Classic was the perfect boat for enjoying the upper reaches of the Chao Phraya River in style.

Similarly, Craig Murphy, managing director of yacht dealers Max Marine Asia, reported a busy few days. In addition to the Bayliner Runabout displayed outside, Murphy was showcasing top-end, luxury Sunseeker power yachts built in UK, for which his company is the sole dealer in Thailand.

As PIMEX Preview closed, Murphy said he was fairly confident of at least one sale. “But even without that sale, the contacts we’ve made here have been excellent,” said Murphy, who also reported high level discussions between his company and Land Rover Thailand.

“We’re exploring the possibilities of joint promotional activity with Max Marine,” said Richard Haigh, Vice President Jaguar and Land Rover, Asia Pacific. “Initially we are working towards a form of co-operation at PIMEX 2006,” said Murphy, adding, “Land Rover, one of the best all-round towing vehicles, coupled with the latest trailer boats on the market from Max Marine, makes an unbeatable combination!”

“Judging by initial feedback, visitors to the preview welcomed the opportunity to get a glimpse of what PIMEX has to offer,” said Image Asia Managing Director, Grenville Fordham, adding, “But most confirmed that they would prefer the opportunity to view the wide selection of boats in the water at PIMEX rather than make a purchase decision in the city.”