IndoChine Group, the Singapore based multi-national restaurant and entertainment company moved into the local hospitality and hotel management sector by acquiring a majority stake in Villa Santi two years ago.

Michael Ma, CEO of IndoChine group, known in Singapore as ?The Dude? revealed to the Post that that the group is finally ready to open its uniquely designed four-restaurant-tiered building by the end of the year.

IndoChine Resort and Villas is located 2km north of Patong, in front of Kalim bay. The property has 88 residential units, a 35-room hotel, the IndoChine Waterfront restaurant and bar complex and five private spa suites. It is the IndoChine Group?s first venture in Thailand.

The restaurant and bar complex consists of Deli Caf??providing a unique light menu ideal for a quick bite, snacks and drinks, Bar Opiume (which held its soft launch last month) ? a bar and entertainment area with a function room. Also eithin the complex IndoChine Waterfront- a playful mood meets serious food in an Indochina style, and lastly the IndoChine Beach Club - rooftop dining in a stylish and comfortable atmosphere, allowing stunning views of Patong Bay.

Instead of aiming to compete with other businesses they wish to work closer with them and create more opportunities for the island.

Mr Ma explained why IndoChine will be operating with a business to business (B2B) model, ?We are trying to raise Phuket?s international profile and attract more people here, especially those from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Middle-East, and China.?

Mr Ma added that ?What we are doing is making a bigger pie, not eating the pie and making it smaller. We don?t see the nearby restaurants as competitors but as our business partners.?

The IndoChine Group?s business model is ?unique? as although it arguably adopts a ?typical? bar and restaurant networking style of business, it does so in a very social and environmentally friendly way.

IndoChine has long been a strong supporter of the IUCN, the world?s oldest and largest global environmental network.

?We do lots of charitable activities. We donated a huge volume of money and supplies to the Red Cross of Phuket after the tsunami. It took just three days to arrange this donation through our world-wide network of clients,? said Mr Ma.

The goal of IndoChine is not just to be an international lifestyle group and not just to provide entertainment, generate money, and be a successful player but also bring more value to Phuket, in an environmentally friendly way of course.

Apart from 15 venues in Singapore, the group has establishments in Jakata, Indonesia; Hamburg, German; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and New Delhi, India.

As the name implies IndoChine?s cuisine and entertainment events are influenced by the cultures of Indochina, notably Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

The group is famous for its entertainment events and have hosted such notables as David and Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey, INXS, Prince Albert of Monaco and Sting. It is owned by the Ma family.