FC PHUKET has a booming baht budget and a VIP bus to take it to the top of Thailand's Division One football table.

With a budget set at five million baht last year as the Phuket team played its way from the bottom of Division Two to promotion, the amount was at first doubled for this year. And today came news that it is now 25 million baht, plus a new VIP coach to travel around Thailand in style.

An old but reliable coach may also be a useful, unexpected addition. Efforts are also being made to win back coach and manager Ajarn Songsamssub, who announced after guiding the fairytale rise up the ladder that he was going to Spain to take part in a coaching development course.

The deadline to submit the names of the playing squad of 24 is February 9, with the Division One matches expected to begin in the middle of next month.

Last night the reconstituted group of FC Phuket players had a training session at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City and had the chance to see the form of imports bidding to replace the stars who helped the team to the D2 peak in 2010.

Leading the newcomers was Korean Choi Jae Won, 25, who has crossed from Nakhon Pathom, a club that has been suspended for two years after supporters attacked the referee in a playoff game.

Other definite players for Phuket are goalkeeper Treerawat Pinprabud, 25, from Muangtong United, Wiratroj Jantem from Pattaya United and airforce player Watcharapong Jannga.

FC Phuket's nemesis seems to be emerging as FC Buriram, which beat Phuket 1-0 in a match between the two sides being promoted this year, then pocketed star Phuket players Adisak Kaisorn and Chachis Rawanprakorn, along with the million-baht winner's purse.

Phuket's three Ivory Coast imports, Diarra Ali, Nene Bi Tra Sylvestre and on field heart-attack victim Camara Ahmed, will not be reappearing in 2011 with the ''Hulks.''