PHUKET'S Indochine Resort and Villas opened with a splash on Sunday when it blasted onto the island's social scene with a cool pool party on the deck of the SaVahn bistro overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Hundreds of revellers feasted on gourmet food from Vietnam and Laos and busted their best moves on the dance floor to music provided by celebrity DJ Steve Aoki, then cooled off with a dip at the hillside resort at Kalim, minutes north of Patong.

During the afternoon, it was a family affair, with celebrations set to continue into the night.

Guests included Brtiain's honorary consul, Martin Carpenter and his wife Lillian, and a good selection of Phuket's beautiful people, as well as other resort operators, including Sri panwa managing director Vorasit ''Wan'' Issara . . . all keen to check out the new upmarket resort.

Indochine, already functioning and expected to be complete by 2011, will feature 20 pool villas, six large residences, 11 studio units, 19 ocean suites, and a hotel with room for a total of 1000 guests.

There will also be a deli, a nightclub, a restaurant and a beach club complete with rooftop pool in the resort's signature four-tier ''flying saucer'' entertainment complex.

The property, which was previously known as Villa Santi, boasts stunning views over Kalim Bay, Patong and the mountains beyond, and it's likely to become a favorite with Phuket's fun-loving crowd.

General manager Vernon Purcell said Sunday's party was the first of a series of ''soft opening'' parties. A second party will launch the Bar Opiume nightclub on Tuesday night, with tickets available at the door.