Phuket bounces back

by Suzy Rayment on 1 Aug 2005 The Evason Race Week has shown that Phuket is back in action - that this small island is a happening place with a booming property market and growing sailing scene.

This ‘Green Season’ regatta has proven that Phuket is an all year round sailing destination and that it has definitely recovered from the effects of last year’s tsunami.

With the financial support of major sponsors Evason Phuket Resort, TAT, and Raimon Land and the assistance of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club, 29 boats have enjoyed near perfect sailing conditions during the six-race series. The summer winds have provided the draw card for sailors, and the Evason Phuket Resort has provided the fantastic setting to make this year’s event entertaining both on and off the water.

At the opening of the regatta the Governor of Phuket, Udomsak Aussavaranguran highlighted some issues that have been facing the region over the last couple of months. ‘It has been a difficult year for the Andaman Coast of Thailand but the recovery has been impressive with the help of many from overseas and within Thailand.

‘Now most of the damaged areas have been restored and the beaches are back to their former glory. We are now ready to accept visitors with a welcome smile.’

The Governor is very proactive in expanding the marine industry and marine tourism in the Ao Chalong region, and new developments are currently being looked at.

The Phuket King’s Cup, now in its 19th year, was for many years the only sailing regatta in the region. Now there are five regattas in and around Phuket, which include the Evason Phuket Race Week, Top of the Gulf Regatta, Koh Samui Regatta, QBE Insurance Phang Nga Bay Regatta and the exclusive Phuket Invitational.

Along with this growing sailing scene, is a developing property market. Henri Young of Raimon Land has noted that growth has been steady over the last couple of years. ‘The investors are here for the long term and the tsunami has not overly affected their interest.

‘The market though has changed and according to Young it is more condominium development that is attracting buyers rather than the luxury resorts.

Raimon land has 33 condos currently being built on the Kata Headland, and Young notes that the Kata Gardens project has been very popular with investors. More people are able to afford these mid range apartments and Henri explains that when the projects are completed in December it will be a mix of both residential and rental accommodation.

Coming on line in December, to coincide with the Phuket Kings Cup Regatta, is The Heights development. Young believes that this will be equally popular and will help bring new people into the region.

‘We have been strong supporters of the Thailand sailing regattas, and the Top of the Gulf Regatta was another opportunity to showcase another of our developments, this time in the Pattaya region. The North Shore development was very popular and 90% of the units were sold off the plan.’

It would seem that sailing and property are interlinked in Phuket, and both are destined to continue to grow in the foreseeable future.