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SPECIAL FEATURE – Southeast Asian Marinas –
SLIPS AHOY
SOUTHEAST ASIA IS ONE OF THE REGION’S MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS FOR YACHTS,
WITH MANY WORLD-CLASS MARINAS AND YACHT CLUBS – AND MORE IN THE PIPELINE.By James Warner
BOASTING PICTURESQUE CRUISING GROUNDS, excellent year-
round weather and high-quality facilities, Southeast Asia is attracting
sailors from across the region... and the globe.
Already extremely popular for the ease of island-hopping between
Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi and Koh Chang – the Thai government recently
announced plans for a ‘marina hub’ push and identified sites around
Thailand that are optimal for new marina development.
The government does not intend to build the marinas or invest, but
is instead encouraging investment from the private sector for as many as
eight new marinas across the country – Ban Bangchan, The Aqua Star,
Kung Bay, Asia Marina, Bann Laem-sork - Traad, Laem Thien Port -
Cholburi, Mai Gan Cape and Thongtanode Bay.
However Duncan Worthington, Business Development Manager
at Infinity Communications in Thailand, says it might be a little while
before we see the plans come to life.
“It remains to be seen what incentives are to be offered,” says
Worthington. “The main point here being that without private
investment, the marinas won’t happen. While most in the industry
support the plan in principal, it’s a case of wait and see what actually
happens on the ground and it is likely to take some time to see this
bearing fruit.”Royal Phuket Marina
Location: Eastern Phuket, Thailand
Opened in 2004
GPS Coordinates: Latitude 07° 58’ 65” N Longitude 98° 24’ 90” E
Number of berths/moorings: 100 wet / 126 dry / 70 hardstand (296)
Telephone: +66 76 379 3978
Email: [email protected]
Marina Manager: Woranart Wongvanich
Owner: Gulu Lalvani
http://www.royalphuketmarina.comTHAILAND