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Published on February 11, 2008

Arayaburi Group has set aside an investment budget of Bt1.5 billion for four new hotels and resorts in Krabi, Phang Nga and Koh Samui this year and next.

Nearly half will be borrowed from banks, and the rest will come from the group's cash flow, president Pisarn Tangkasombat said.

Arayaburi Group is a provincial land-developer owning 10 hotels and resorts nationwide with 700 rooms. Five resorts are on Koh Samui: Arayaburi, Chaweng Buri, Orchid, Samui Youth Club and Chaweng. Two are in Phuket: Tropical Garden and Serene. Arayaburi Resort is on Koh Phi Phi in Krabi. Phu Pai Resort is in Mae Hong Song, and Baan Rai Lanna Resort is in Chiang Mai.

The group generates revenue of Bt1 billion a year.

Pisarn said the company was quite confident it could expand its investment this year and next after strong tourist demand in Krabi, Phang Nga and Koh Samui.

It will invest Bt500 million in the second phase of its hotel at Chawang Beach on Koh Samui, starting in the second half of this year with a completion date in 2009. Another Bt500 million will develop a five-star resort at Khao Lak in Phang Nga province. Construction will start next year and be complete in 2010.

Bt550 million will be invested in Krabi province: Bt350 million in luxury serviced apartments on Koh Phi Phi and Bt250 in a boutique hotel and resort on Koh Lanta. Both projects in Krabi will start next year and be complete in 2010.

The group was established 22 years ago to develop residential projects in Phuket then expanded to Koh Samui with a five-star hotel.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation

Koh Samui