The paradise island earned the accolade at the annual Christofle Asia Boating Awards, held in Bangkok earlier this week.

Phuket was singled out for the prestigious award for placing Asia firmly on the map of international yachting, said Olivier Burlot, CEO of Adkom Media Group, organiser of the awards.

The award from the publishers of Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines was recognition for first-class boating facilities that include modern marinas, state-of-the-art boatyards and prime chartering.

These now include the country's largest and most sophisticated moorings at Royal Phuket Marina, developed by Hong Kong telecoms tycoon Gulu Lalvani.

Lalvani, who opened Royal Phuket Marina last year on the island's eastern seaboard, said the recognition underlined his conviction that Phuket will be the world's No-1 sailing destination.

"This was my vision for creating a world-class marina rivalling those in the Mediterranean and Caribbean," he said.

The state-of-the-art yachting haven has already been recognised among the world's leading marinas with the prestigious Five Gold Anchor award from the Yacht Harbour Association, an arm of the British Marine Federation.

It is the highest of three honours a marina can earn in the Gold Anchor Award Scheme, established to improve facilities for boat owners worldwide.

Royal Phuket Marina is one of only two marinas in Asia to rank in the top category.

It is part of a US$150-million (Bt5.2 billion) luxury lifestyle marina community in Phang Nga Bay.

With 350 berths, it by far the largest marina in Phuket and the only one with a dock, non-tidal deepwater basin and private moorings on the doorstep of a luxury residential development of 400 villas, penthouses and condominiums that has been snapped up by investors.

It is also home to a Fisherman's Wharf-style boardwalk of restaurants, the island's trendiest new spa and wellness centre, an upmarket shopping centre and recreational facilities so far including swimming pools, tennis courts and fitness facilities.

A five-star boutique hotel is included in longer-term plans, along with speedboat shuttles to an exclusive private beach club on a nearby tropical island.