CENTARA have been asked to brand a new 1.5 billion resort that a landed family plans for the ''hot'' Phuket east coast island of Koh Sireh.

The new resort would be close to the existing two billion baht Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa Phuket, which pioneered large-scale development on one of Phuket's remaining havens with its 2010 opening.

Centara, Thailand's most significant resort business, has spurted growth of its Phuket business with a number of new resorts and the establishment of a second Centra three-star brand on Phuket within the past few months.

Centara Hotels and Resorts has outlined a five-year plan to expand from 42 properties to 65, one year earlier than its previous plan.

While the proposal to Centara to brand the new resort remains a suggestion, plans are proceeding for constructing the Koh Sireh (also Siray) resort, Phuketwan was told today.

Phuket MP Tossaporn Thepabutr said that the planned resort was on 137 rai of property owned by a rich Chiang Mai family.

''They have expansive real estate and business interests in Chiang Mai,'' Khun Tossaporn said. ''Koh Sireh is ready for expansion. The family has held that real estate for 10 years.''

The site is on the north coast of Koh Sireh, and the development is expected to be 200 to 300 rooms. An application for construction is expected to be made to Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha within the next few weeks.

Governor Tri heard about the new resort from Khun Tossaporn and the investing family today.

''A very warm welcome,'' he said. ''We are pleased to see more five-star investment. It is good for Phuket. To have another highly regarded brand on Koh Sireh will be good for the industry.''