In addition, for its planned move into the real-estate business, the family - which began in the auto and auto-parts business - has assigned consulting firm CB Richard Ellis (Thailand) to study the feasibility for development of another 3,000-rai plot in Pattaya. This is in anticipation of booming investment in the resort city following last year's opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Siam Country Club managing director Pornthep Pornprapha yesterday said that of the total investment of Bt735 million, Bt185 million had been earmarked for an upgrade of the 18-hole golf course - renamed Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course.

Following the upgrade, the green fee will be doubled to Bt2,500 on weekdays and Bt3,000 on weekends. The Old Course is scheduled to open on May 14,

with a grand opening on September 7.

The new course, located on a 670-rai plot two kilometres from the original course, will require an investment of Bt550 million and is expected to commence operations in early 2008. Named the Siam Country Club Pattaya Plantation, it will be operated by Sombat Thavorn, a subsidiary of the Phornprapha family.

Both courses were designed and improved by Schmidt-Curley Design, a world-leading golf-design firm.

Despite the current political uncertainty, the Phornprapha family is confident that the golf courses will attract both local customers and foreign expatriates and tourists.

With a prime location in Pattaya, the family has been spending a long time outlining its master plan of developing plots for its future real-estate business.

Prasertchai Phornprapha, project manger of the two courses, said the family's property development could take place in the next five to 10 years, depending on the conditions at the time. "Currently, we provide purely golf-course services without accommodation or spa," he said.

He expects the Old Course to reach break even in three years, and the Plantation in five.

"All the services at both golf courses were designed to serve the high-end target group," said Prasetchai, adding that their main customer base would be the 50,000 Japanese and 70,000-80,000 Western expats who work at more than 10,000 manufacturing plants in Chon Buri and Rayong.

The upgraded Old Course, he said, would challenge golfers with 101 steep bunkers and a line of 35-year-old trees. Tees and fairways will be covered with Seashore Paspalum and Novotex grasses.

"The group believes Pattaya will become the capital for golf courses, as it's a tourism destination located near Suvarnabhumi Airport," said Prasertchai.

He added that the tourism sector was still progressing well and was little affected by the current political uncertainty. The group's golf business should not be adversely affected either, he said.

Sasithorn Ongdee

The Nation