PHUKET'S Kata Group yesterday announced plans for a new 1.2 billion baht resort in Khao Lak, the fifth four-star under the familiar brand.
The Khaolak Cassaway Resort and Spa will be a joint venture with backing from the K Bank, which signed an MoU with the Kata Group.
The new resort will occupy 20 rai in a two-phase development that should see the development open in November this year, in time for the high season.
The move is the latest expansion into Phang Nga by well-established Phuket brands.
Kata Group chief executive Pamuke Achariyachai, who is also Finland's honorary consul, said he thought the timing was right to expand because Phang Nga wa attracting five-star guests in greater numbers.
The group already had land at Pak Weep beach, and the plan would enable 148 units with five one-bedroom and two-bedroom pool villas as well.
There will be three restaurants in what's regarded as a ''very natural'' area, with the group planing to add more trees. One of the restaurants and a spa will sit in a lagoon.
The group also has additional space for an expansion of up to 250 more units. That may come in five or six years, Khun Pamuke said. Customers for the Kata Group are mostly Europeans and Scandinavians.
The existing four-star resorts in the group are: Phuket Orchid Resort (525 rooms), Kata Beach Resort (275 rooms), Karon Beach Resort (80 rooms), and the Kandaburi Samui Resort (183 rooms).
The Khaolak Cassaway Resort and Spa will be a joint venture with backing from the K Bank, which signed an MoU with the Kata Group.
The new resort will occupy 20 rai in a two-phase development that should see the development open in November this year, in time for the high season.
The move is the latest expansion into Phang Nga by well-established Phuket brands.
Kata Group chief executive Pamuke Achariyachai, who is also Finland's honorary consul, said he thought the timing was right to expand because Phang Nga wa attracting five-star guests in greater numbers.
The group already had land at Pak Weep beach, and the plan would enable 148 units with five one-bedroom and two-bedroom pool villas as well.
There will be three restaurants in what's regarded as a ''very natural'' area, with the group planing to add more trees. One of the restaurants and a spa will sit in a lagoon.
The group also has additional space for an expansion of up to 250 more units. That may come in five or six years, Khun Pamuke said. Customers for the Kata Group are mostly Europeans and Scandinavians.
The existing four-star resorts in the group are: Phuket Orchid Resort (525 rooms), Kata Beach Resort (275 rooms), Karon Beach Resort (80 rooms), and the Kandaburi Samui Resort (183 rooms).
