PHUKET'S successful bid for the 2014 Asian Beach Games leaves Governor Tri Augkaradacha with closer ties than ever to Phuket's rival Bali, where the first games were staged in 2008.

Generating interest in the Asian Beach Games will concentrate Phuket's tourism and property marketing masterminds on making Phuket the centre of the beach world in the leadup to 2014.

That task should also mean serious attention to beach safety, water pollution and beach cleanliness in the meantime.

It's the perfect focus for Phuket to get its year-round holiday destination act together. The island's motto should be: Go for gold, Phuket.

So far, Bali is the only destination with a real knowledge of requirements for holding the Games, having staged the first event two years ago.

The second Asian Beach Games are due to take place in Muscat, Oman, from December 8-16 this year, and the third Games are set for Haiyang in 2012.

Boracay in the Philippines was thought to be the top candidate for the 2014 Games but the Philippines Olympic Committee baulked at the $30,000 bidding fee and the follow-up $180,000 entry fee, costs that Thai officials must have determined worthwhile for Phuket.

The 500 million baht event, likely to be set for November 15-24 in 2014, would be the biggest test yet of Phuket's ability to stage a major sporting event, with at least 40 countries expected to compete.

Phuket has learned much from holding the annual women's beach volleyball event and surfing titles, with Laguna Phuket a proven performer at attracting the world's best to its annual triathlon and marathon.

The events are likely to include handball, takraw, volleyball, sailing, paragliding, football, water skiing, bodybuilding, windsurfing, jet-skiing, a triathlon, a swim marathon, boat racing, muay thai, extreme sports, climbing and wakeboarding.

Some of these events should go to Phang Nga and Krabi, to take advantage of the superb conditions and backdrops that apply right through the Andaman region.