Regional event organisers say Phuket remains an option for incentives, though will remain cautious about Bangkok and northern Thailand until the situation is clearer.

“Companies are still considering Thailand within their long-term plans,” says Worapot Srabua, CEO of Oriental Events in Phuket. “With Phuket relatively unaffected by the problems in Bangkok, we believe encouraging results are there to be won.”

New offerings
Renaissance Phuket opened in early April off Mai Khao beach in northern Phuket. The 180-room resort is located beside the Sirinath Marine National Park and offers a 17km stretch of pristine coastline. Event facilities include a ballroom seating 160 people in theatre style. Outdoor functions for a similarly sized group can be held on the beach or by the pool. There are five on-site restaurants including Thai cuisine at Seakram, all-day dining at Sand Box and fresh seafood at Loca Vore. The Quan Spa offers eight treatment rooms with outdoor showers.

Centara Phuket opens in October with the unusually rare feature of open beachfront access. The newly built property sits directly on Karon Beach and offers 262 guestrooms and villas with seaview balconies, including 18 pool suites, 45 pool premium rooms and 81 deluxe spa rooms with Jacuzzis on the balcony. Its Phuket Grand Ballroom can seat 820 delegates theatre style, and there are two breakout rooms. All-day restaurant, The Cove, seats 160 people, while Italian restaurant Mare seats 262.

Laguna Phuket will open waterfront venue Latitude mid-year. The facility includes a 1,000 sqm air-conditioned marquee seating 1,000 people theatre style or 800 for receptions, as well as a large pre-function area.

Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa will open in August with 261 guestrooms and 645 sqm of facilities for small- to medium-sized groups.

Boutique resorts
Indigo Pearl has welcomed many high-end incentive groups and several small conferences this year. The 277-room hotel offers a mix of accommodation including standard rooms, villas and private pool and garden pavilions and suites.

Its two-storey conference pavilion can host hi-tech events for 700 people, while its Modular Marquee can seat 900 people theatre style. Meeting breaks and evening events at its restaurants are the highlight and the hotel also offers on-site teambuilding programmes.

Paresa Resort opened earlier this year near Kamala Beach. Its three-level Grand Villas can accommodate 12 people for residential-style events. Memorable dinners for the same number can be held at Recipe, a private dining venue with ocean views. 



Off-site dining
Firm favourite Baan Rim Pa celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The two-storey teak house seats 180 diners and pairs ocean views with Royal Thai cuisine – a combination that has proven hard to beat.

However, the group has successfully expanded to include Joe’s Downstairs, a modern, all-white venue for 90 people that also features an outdoor deck overlooking the ocean popular for pre-dinner drinks.

One step further along, Da Maurizio offers Italian fine dining for 100 guests. Nike, Sony and Philips are among the many companies who have held events here.