Bangkok--Jan 11--TQPR Thailand
Simpson Marine Opens Two New Offices in Thailand Ocean Marina Yacht Club to be location of company’s sales and service office for Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand Phuket Boat Lagoon to be site for sales and service in Phuket and the Andamans
Simpson Marine, Asia’s leading yacht brokerage, announced at the recent Phuket International Boat Show 2004 (PIMEX) that the company is to enter the Thailand market by opening two new offices at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien and at The Boat Lagoon, Phuket. Simpson Marine presently has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia (Port Dickson, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu) the Philippines (Cebu), Taiwan, as well as in Monaco.
The new offices will spearhead Simpson Marine’s growing business in Thailand and complement operations in neighbouring countries by providing sales and service support to yacht owners based in or visiting Phuket and the neighbouring islands and coast line, the Gulf of Thailand, and the new cruising/sailing destinations of Koh Samui, Koh Chang and the the Marine National Parks nearby.
Bill Gasson will be Sales Director of the Ocean Marina operation. As a very well known and respected personality in yachting circles and a 4 time winner of the Phuket Kings Cup Regatta, Bill will bring a wealth of expertise to this venture. Richard Ellis will be the General manager located in Bangkok and concentrating on market development and new customer relations in the capital city. The sales and service office is situated at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Jomtien, 274 Sukhumvit Highway (km 157) Sattahip, Chonburi 20250, Thailand. Simpson Marine Jomtien’s telephone number is 66 38 237306, and the fax number is 66 38 235265. For sales and service inquiries Bill Gasson can be reached via email at [email protected].
Ocean Marina Yacht Club is the premier marina in the Gulf of Thailand and within easy reach for boat owners living in Bangkok or visiting yachtsman who will be arriving through Thailand’s new International Aiport due to be opened at the end of 2005 and less than an hour’s drive from the coast. Situated on popular Jomtien Beach and comprising a 180 x 600 meter U-shaped breakwater, berths for 400 (30-150 feet) boats, dry dock storage for 200 (16-35 feet) boats and the full range of marina and berthing services. The Yacht Club also provides the services of a five-star, furnished hotel in a nautical style including food & beverage outlets, convention facilities, a sports complex and also offers a wide range of sailing services and water activities.
Donald Laird will head up Simpson Marine’s Phuket office. A veteran sailor, he has lived and worked in Thailand and Singapore for several few years. Previously based in the Singapore office, Donald has a first rate knowledge of the Singapore and Thai yacht markets and a Scot’s shrewd eye for yacht values. The sales and service office is situated at Phuket Boat Lagoon, 20, Moo 2, Thepkasattri Road, T.Koh Kaew, Muang, PHUKET, 83000 Thailand. The telephone number is 076-239768 or +65 9817 3920. For sales and service inquiries Donald Laird can be reached via email at [email protected].
Said Simpson Marine’s Hong Kong-based Managing Director Mike Simpson, “The improving Thai economy coupled with the Thai Government’s decision to cut import taxes and duties on boats to zero earlier in 2004 has given a huge boast to the Thai yacht market. The Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are among the most beautiful cruising areas in Asia. Phuket and the Andaman Sea in particular are already well known aboard and large numbers of yachts visit the area to charter or cruise on the other side of Thailand. The new regatta/charter destination of Koh Samui along with superb unspoiled Islands off Koh Chang will greatly encourage yachting in the Gulf of Thailand. We see particular potential for sales of Lagoon catamarans and Beneteau and Wauquiez sailing yachts, and many Thais and foreigners living in Thailand will want the more luxurious lifestyle afforded by the Italian Azimut motoryachts we will be marketing and maintaining in Thailand.”
The Thailand office announcement comes as Simpson Marine participates in Thailand’s biggest boat show, PIMEX 2005. Jyrki Jaamaa, General Manager of Simpson Marine Singapore said the company was displaying an Azimut 68, Beneteau 423 and a Lagoon 380 in addition to its booth and hospitality suite at the show. Said Jaamaa, “Now that memories of the 1997 recession are fast receding and the Tiger economies of Asia are getting into their stride again we see great opportunities for expanding in the established markets and for developing new markets”.
Simpson Marine is Asia’s largest yacht dealer and broker. Established in Hong Kong by Mike Simpson in 1984, Simpson Marine is the leading yacht specialist in the region for motor yachts, sailing yachts and sports boats. It is the exclusive Asian dealer for international yacht brands Azimut-Benetti, Beneteau, Riva, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Lagoon, Wauquiez and CNB. The company also has a Super Yacht division dealing in yachts over 100 feet in length and an active brokerage department.
For media information and interviews, please contact:
In Bangkok:
Tom Van Blarcom/Maetavarin Maneekulpan
T: 02 260 5820 E: [email protected]
In Singapore;
Danny Chaplin, Chaplin Public Relations
T: (65) 6256 5100 M: (65) 9862 6140
E: [email protected]
For sales and service inquiries on the East Coast of Thailand, please contact:
Bill Gasson
T: 66 38 237306 F: 66 38 235265 E: [email protected]
For sales and service inquiries in Phuket, please contact:
Donald Laird
T: 076-239768 / +65 9817 3920
E: [email protected]
For sales and service inquiries in Singapore and South East Asia, please contact:
Jyrki Jaamaa, Simpson Marine (SEA) Lte Ltd
T: (65) 6299 1603 F: (65) 6299 1809
E: [email protected] End.