PHUKET: Perplexed staff wondered precisely what was happening today as a well-known Phuket resort, the Evason Phuket and Bon Island, sacked 394 workers and intimated it would close within a week or so.
The sharp farewell was accompanied by a payout of all legal entitlements, staff said today. But they added that instant dismissal was hardly the way for a resort previously noted for its quality and environmental excellence to say farewell to loyal workers.
The remaining 50 or so staff are expected to see the resort through until the doors formally close on June 8. Guests still at the resort today were transferred to alternate accommodation.
A number of ageing Phuket resorts remain likely candidates for purchase by investment firms with similar intent.
A broad hint that life was about to change came a couple of months ago with the transfer of the annual yachting fixture, Phuket Raceweek, from the Evason, its home for almost a decade, to the Cape Panwa Hotel and its sister, the Kantary Bay Hotel.
Sacked staff plan to go to Phuket's Department of Labor and Welfare on Wednesday to seek a doubling of payouts because they were not given three months notice.
Staff who had been at the resort for between one and three years were given three months' pay - tomorrow they will ask for six months; staff who had been at the resort for four to six years were given six months - tomorrow they will ask for 12 months.
Others with longer service aim to double their payouts accordingly.
The instant sackings are likely to alarm workers at all resorts of similar vintage to the Evason Phuket and Bon Island. First resort in the line of dominoes to fall was Laguna Beach Resort, where staff were given notice earlier this year before a six month remake.
Few of the old staff at Laguna Beach Resort expect to be rehired when the ''new'' resort opens before next high season, although the new owners, a Singapore investment firm with Thai connections, have offered that inducement.
Evason has been a pacesetter on some fronts, particularly regarding environmental concerns. The name was created by Sonu Shivdasani, chairman and CEO of the Soneva Group, who named both Evason and Soneva after his wife Eva and himself.
Some staff were retrenched in June 2009, when everything was done by the book. Six Senses Resorts and Spas acquired full ownership in 2010, when a 100 million baht remake was undertaken - without the resort closing.
A name change converted the Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa into the Evason Phuket and Bon Island.
Like the staff, Phuketwan, which recently forecast this trend in a prescient article, has no idea what's planned next.
Online, the resort's site says: ''Evason Phuket is set amongst 64-acres of beautifully landscaped tropical parklands and gardens, and looks out to stunning views across the Andaman Sea. The resort follows the Six Senses philosophy of uncompromised responsibility to the environment whilst offering guests a vast array of personal services and facilities. Evason service standards ensure attention to detail and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
''The resort's long tail boat will take you to Evason Phuket's private island, Bon Island, just 15 minutes away. It's white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water make it a heavenly place for swimming and snorkeling.''
The sharp farewell was accompanied by a payout of all legal entitlements, staff said today. But they added that instant dismissal was hardly the way for a resort previously noted for its quality and environmental excellence to say farewell to loyal workers.
The remaining 50 or so staff are expected to see the resort through until the doors formally close on June 8. Guests still at the resort today were transferred to alternate accommodation.
A number of ageing Phuket resorts remain likely candidates for purchase by investment firms with similar intent.
A broad hint that life was about to change came a couple of months ago with the transfer of the annual yachting fixture, Phuket Raceweek, from the Evason, its home for almost a decade, to the Cape Panwa Hotel and its sister, the Kantary Bay Hotel.
Sacked staff plan to go to Phuket's Department of Labor and Welfare on Wednesday to seek a doubling of payouts because they were not given three months notice.
Staff who had been at the resort for between one and three years were given three months' pay - tomorrow they will ask for six months; staff who had been at the resort for four to six years were given six months - tomorrow they will ask for 12 months.
Others with longer service aim to double their payouts accordingly.
The instant sackings are likely to alarm workers at all resorts of similar vintage to the Evason Phuket and Bon Island. First resort in the line of dominoes to fall was Laguna Beach Resort, where staff were given notice earlier this year before a six month remake.
Few of the old staff at Laguna Beach Resort expect to be rehired when the ''new'' resort opens before next high season, although the new owners, a Singapore investment firm with Thai connections, have offered that inducement.
Evason has been a pacesetter on some fronts, particularly regarding environmental concerns. The name was created by Sonu Shivdasani, chairman and CEO of the Soneva Group, who named both Evason and Soneva after his wife Eva and himself.
Some staff were retrenched in June 2009, when everything was done by the book. Six Senses Resorts and Spas acquired full ownership in 2010, when a 100 million baht remake was undertaken - without the resort closing.
A name change converted the Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa into the Evason Phuket and Bon Island.
Like the staff, Phuketwan, which recently forecast this trend in a prescient article, has no idea what's planned next.
Online, the resort's site says: ''Evason Phuket is set amongst 64-acres of beautifully landscaped tropical parklands and gardens, and looks out to stunning views across the Andaman Sea. The resort follows the Six Senses philosophy of uncompromised responsibility to the environment whilst offering guests a vast array of personal services and facilities. Evason service standards ensure attention to detail and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
''The resort's long tail boat will take you to Evason Phuket's private island, Bon Island, just 15 minutes away. It's white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water make it a heavenly place for swimming and snorkeling.''
I wonder if the resort has taken future bookings and if those bookings will be "transferred to other accommodations" or refunds issued.
Posted by Joe on May 22, 2012 20:37