PHUKET: Phuket's golf property segment gained a shot in the arm - or rather, a shot to the lush, soft portion of the green near the pin - when MBK announced plans for a village development as part of the Red Mountain course yesterday.

A Phuket golfing university, to be established as part of a 50 million renovation of the neighboring Loch Palm course, is also part of MBK's plan to drive golf on Phuket.

MBK is best-known for its Bangkok retail outlet and the Pathumwan Princess Hotel in Bangkok but it also has tourism-related interests in Phuket and other Thai destinations.

MBK Golf managing director Somboon Wongrassamee and Phuket general manager Theera Nongsawanon explained yesterday that the new development could cost as much as five billion baht and include up to 300 plots for homes, with prices beginning at two million baht.

MBK would open a community shopping mall as part of the village.

Both men believe that golf is a strong attraction for a segment of the Phuket tourism market and they expect to attract interest from Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Increasing numbers of Indians are already playing Red Mountain, they said.

The course, opened in 2007 and the Phuketwan Phuket Innovation of the Year, has striking views across Phuket and some stunning uphill and downhill challenges.

Loch Palm's clubhouse refit will make room for a golf university for would-be professionals in association with Bangkok's Ramkhamhang University. Students would be accommodated at MBK's TinideeHotel@Phuket nearby.

The pair said land disputes at or near the courses had been resolved or were in the process of being resolved.