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The 2007 Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX), being held at Royal Phuket Marina between 6-9 December, is attracting widespread support from exhibitors.All of the in-water display space has been booked for the expo with a further 10 spaces added for the 50 new boat designs expected to exhibit. Yacht brands displayed include Gulf Craft, Sunseeker, Bavaria Yachts, Cranchi, Rodman, Grady White Marlin, Tiara Sovran, Horizon, Hanse, Grand Banks and Lagoon.

Among brokers and dealers confirmed to exhibit are Elite Yachting, Royal Phuket Marina Cruising Club, Starship Yachts, Derani Yachts, Kingfisher Marine, Asia Marine, Peninsular Boating, Max Marine Asia, Neptune Marine, Best Dealz and Go Boating.

Marine suppliers include Bobs Machine Shop, Sika, Precision Shipwright, East Marine and Marina Systems International. Sunsail has also confirmed attendance and the Thai Marine Business Association will exhibit for the first time.
With 2,000 square metres of air-conditioned exhibition space complimenting Phuket’s most state-of-the-art marina facilities with an 80-berth inner basin, Royal Phuket Marina is proving popular across the yachting fraternity.

Show facilities extend to restaurants, clubs, a sports bar and underground parking for 250 vehicles.

Now in its fifth year, PIMEX is Thailand’s first annual international boat show. It relocated to the new “luxury lifestyle community” at Royal Phuket Marina this year.

“We are taking bookings at a quickening pace from both regular and new exhibitors as the expo draws closer,” said show director Andy Dowden of Andaman Marine Consultants. “PIMEX is well established as Thailand’s premier boating and lifestyle event.”

PIMEX is timed to immediately coincide with Phuket’s annual Kings Cup Regatta, which attracts racing yachts and crews from across the globe.

A spectacular attraction taking place at Royal Phuket Marina during this year’s PIMEX is the inaugural event in The Phuket International Dragon Boat Challenge Series.

The series is designed to bring Dragon Boating to the island in a big way and the Tourist Authority of Thailand is co-sponsoring the event, with marketing support by Paul Poole (South East Asia).

Royal Phuket Marina developer Gulu Lalvani welcomed PIMEX as part of his vision to position Phuket as the region’s premier destination for marine leisure. “Phuket is becoming the hub for sailing and cruising across Asia,” he said.

Published by e-Travel Blackboard