Steering Phuket toward a superyacht future

The site’s location is strategic – just 15 minutes from Phuket Town and 45 from the airport. Already cleared and environmentally approved, it’s been granted a coveted Marine Operating Licence, the type of authorisation that can take years to obtain. The land is available for outright purchase or long-term lease, with adjacent plots suitable for dry-dock facilities, wellness resorts or hospitality developments.

For Phuket, this marks a significant moment. Once famous for tin and tourism, the island is now looking to the sea as the next driver of growth. Yachting has become the new luxury frontier across Asia, but marina capacity in Thailand remains limited – a gap that this project could fill.

As global investors eye the Andaman coast, Phuket’s advantages are clear: pristine waters, world-class hospitality, year-round sailing and a culture that blends maritime heritage with cosmopolitan flair. While Singapore and Malaysia have long dominated the region’s yachting scene, Thailand offers something less manufactured – a destination with depth and authenticity.

The government has recognised this potential, easing charter regulations and lowering the ‘superyacht’ threshold from 30 to 24 metres to encourage growth in marine tourism. After welcoming ten million visitors last year, Phuket is forecast to double that number by 2030, signalling strong momentum for high-end infrastructure and investment.

The project’s ambition extends far beyond yachts and docks. The vision is to create a true international waterfront village – a place where culture, design and community converge. Imagine a boardwalk lined with dining, art, shopping and wellness, where residents, travellers and locals mingle against a backdrop of the bay. Rather than an exclusive enclave, the development could become a cultural hub that celebrates Phuket’s creativity and connection to the sea.

It’s a model that speaks to the island’s evolution – from beach resort to sophisticated lifestyle destination – and one that positions Phuket alongside the world’s great coastal capitals.

At the nexus of Phuket’s crossroads stands one of the island’s most influential families. The Na-Ranong name is woven into the local history – from its 19th-century governors to its modern tourism pioneers. The family’s patriarch, Wichit Na-Ranong, is widely credited with helping transform Phuket from a quiet provincial outpost into a global travel destination. In the 1970s, he famously persuaded James Bond producer Albert Broccoli to shoot The Man with the Golden Gun in Phang Nga Bay, a move that instantly put the island on the map and spurred its first international flights.

Half a century later, his daughter, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong – known as Khun Moo – is helping steer Phuket toward its next transformation. As owner of The Slate Phuket, she has already proven her ability to merge design, heritage and hospitality into one seamless experience. Now, she’s applying that same philosophy to the sea.

‘Phuket’s secret weapons are its beauty and its people,’ Krystal says. ‘We have pristine waters, world-class hospitality and an authenticity that money can’t manufacture. It’s not just a transactional destination – it’s a place with soul.’

At The Slate, she has worked closely with architect Bill Bensley to weave local tin-mining heritage into the resort’s design. In Old Phuket Town, her new venture, Coolie’s Club, reimagines her great-grandfather’s former shophouse into a bar that celebrates the island’s working-class history. ‘It used to be the red-light district,’ she laughs. ‘We turned it into a celebration of heritage – proof that design can tell stories.’

Krystal says the timing for Phuket’s next evolution couldn’t be better. ‘The pandemic reset travel behaviour,’ she notes. ‘People now seek privacy, wellness, sustainable luxury and bespoke experiences. Yachting fits perfectly – it offers freedom, safety and exclusivity.’

For investors, that convergence of trends makes Sapam Bay a rare opportunity. ‘The groundwork is done – the permits, the infrastructure, the approvals,’ she explains. ‘It’s a plug-and-play site for anyone who believes in the future of Phuket.’

While the family has received interest from both local and international groups, Krystal says the project isn’t simply about selling land. ‘Waterfront property is always strategic, but the highest bidder won’t necessarily get it,’ she says. ‘We’re looking for someone who shares our values – respect for culture, nature and sustainable tourism. Design integrity is key. We want a partner who sees Phuket’s global potential yet understands its soul.’

Phuket’s story has always been one of transformation – from tin mines to tropical resorts, and now toward a new maritime era. ‘My father’s Bond moment changed how the world saw us,’ Krystal reflects. ‘Maybe this will be ours – a project that puts Phuket back on the map for the right reasons: creativity, culture and connection to the sea.’

For potential partners the message is clear. This isn’t just a real-estate deal – it’s an invitation to help shape the next chapter of one of Asia’s most storied islands.