PHUKET: The Centara brand, expanding rapidly on Phuket, in Thailand and internationally, is engaged in talks to take on management of Phuket's large West Sands Phuket resort, Phuketwan has learned.

More than one source has confirmed that a deal is being negotiated, although the issue was not raised in a recent interview with Chris Bailey, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Centara.

A West Sands spokesperson today would not confirm or deny the negotiations.

It is not known whether the branding deal would also include management of the Splash Jungle waterpark, Phuket's only international-standard waterpark and an integrated part of the resort.

Separating the waterpark from West Sands' villas and condominiums would be difficult.

The 426 ''prestige villas and residences'' are set close to the sand along what the West Sands site describes as ''its own 500 metre private beachfront,'' a phrase that goes some way to explaining the resort's one-time conflict with surrounding residents about road access to the sea.

Confirmation of talks comes with a posting at thephuketinsder.com where Bill Barnett reports: ''Plans call for the property to expand over the next two years up to 784 units and it will be rebranded as a Centara Grand.''

West Sands is majority-owned by former British Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy and Central and City Developments Paul Mercer. It was recently described in a promotional article in the British media as ''an eco-resort.''

West Sands occupies a prime spot close to Phuket International Airport on Mai Khao beach and is expected to benefit from the planned construction of a large sports and conference centre in north Phuket and the inevitable demographic shift away from the urbanised south of Phuket.

Managing the largest resort north of Phuket airport would be another big step forward for Centara as it leads other Thai brands and takes on international competitors in expansion at home and overseas.

Latest Centara branding on Phuket comes in the shape of the four-star Waterfront Suites Phuket by Centara -a marketing styling that could be repeated with West Sands and other management deals or developments.

The 39 one and two-bedroom suites, in a 21-storey block close to Phuket's popular central-west coast Karon beach, are mostly likely to be occupied by Europeans, Scandinavians, Russians and Australians, Centara's Mr Bailey says.

''We expect guests here will stay for between 10 and 90 days,'' Mr Bailey says, with October set as the opening date.

A slurry of Centara openings and brandings - along with the alternative Centra label - has followed the opening of the 262 rooms, suites and villas at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, on the Karon beachfront.

Centara Hotels and Resorts now operates 61 properties comprising more than 10,000 rooms in Thailand, the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Central Plaza Hotel Plc has also been reported as planning to enter the European market as part of its 4.5-billion-baht expansion plan from 2012-15.

Fifteen properties are owned outright or joint ventures, while the rest are under management contracts. The Centara and Centra branded resorts on Phuket are:

Centara Villas Phuket 72 Thai-style villas - Deluxe Villa 49, Deluxe Ocean Facing 11, Spa Villa 5, Pool Villa 7. Facilities include two swimming pools, two restaurants; The Cliff Restaurant, The Bayview Restaurant & Bar, The Cliff Bar and SPA Cenvaree.

Centara Kata Resort Phuket Modern style, two km walk to Kata beach. The 158 rooms and suites offer three categories are 86 of the deluxe rooms, Family deluxe 25 rooms and Family suites 47 provide a separate bedroom to the living and dining room. Seasons Restaurant, Waves Pool Bar, Emerald Pool Bar.

Centara Karon Resort Phuket Four residential zones with 316 rooms are 128 in The Terraces , 90 in The Lagoon, 98 in Tropicale, and 19 The Cabanas (as villas). There are three swimming pools, two restaurants, the Lotus and Azure, also Tropix and the Mix bar.

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket A five-star beach resort with 262 rooms, suites, and villas consisting of 126 Deluxe Rooms, 63 Spa Deluxe Rooms, 45 Deluxe Pool Suites, 18 Luxury Pool Suites, 6 One-Bedroom Pool Villas and 4 Two-Bedroom Pool Villas. Two restaurants and four bars.

Centara Sawaddi Patong Resort Phuket There are 148 guestrooms and suites, including 49 Superior rooms, 85 Deluxe rooms, 9 Premium Deluxe rooms, 2 Deluxe Family Studio and 3 Deluxe Family Suites. One restaurant , one lounge and one bar. Formerly Best Western Sawaddi Patong Hotel Phuket (near police station) the resort has planned to install an elevator before August 24.

Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong 110 Superior rooms two bars and one restaurant.

Waterfront Suites Phuket by Centara Newest addition to Centara Residence and Suites Collection. The 21 storey block includes 17 One Bedroom Suites and 22 Two Bedroom Suites.