OUTLET Premium, the large upmarket retail centre on Phuket's bypass road, is holding a boat show from January 23 to February 7.

The Outlet boat show has the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and it comes just a few days after the long-labelled Pimex Phuket International Boat Show, which runs until January 10 at the Royal Phuket Marina.

The marina is just around the corner from the Outlet centre.

Phuket region TAT Director Bangornrat Shinaprayoon says that Phuket now attracts 1200 yachts a year, and many in the industry hope the island will eventually become the yachting centre for South-East Asia.

Both shows are commercial ventures so they are likely to be competing for the hearts and minds and wallets of the same boat buyers.

That certainly gives Phuket important yachting events, spreading from the King's Cup Regatta, which is always held in early December, right through to February.

Among those who dropped by to check the sleek shapes at Royal Phuket Marina was British supermodel Naomi Campbell, who has been holidaying on Phuket with fellow catwalker Kate Moss. Ms Moss, a regular visitor to Phuket, reputedly missed her original flight to the island this time because she overindulged at Christmas.

The Phang Nga Bay Regatta retains the wind in Phuket's sails, and perhaps sales, from February 3-7.

The regatta is organised under the auspices of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club, with courses set by Phuket-based Andy Dowden and Simon James.

Chalong is to soon have its one-stop checkpoint for yachties reinstated.

The concept of sailors being able to easily win documentation will be reintroduced once the checkpoint is repaired.

Responsibility for running the checkpoint is to be handed from the local Orbortor Chalong council to the larger Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation.