In a rare move to increase relations between the public and private sectors in Phuket, the BayCliff Hotel and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) are planning to open a hotel in Patong.

The three rai of land on which the project will be built upon is owned by the PEA and the BayCliff Hotel will be effectively leasing it for a 30 year period, over which time they will need to pay the PEA 25 million baht. This figure is not inclusive of rent.

Songphol Yuwanichayakul, director of PEA Area 2 (South) said "We have a policy to develop land to make it useful for state enterprises. By working with investors this enables us to develop the community and benefit both the government and public service. This is also a way of controlling the risk from the public sector's investment."

There will be two hotel buildings with seven floors, containing 286 rooms. There will be a hotel dining room that can hold up to 200 people and a conference room that can accom- modate 60 -100 people. On the 7th floor there will be another dining room and club, with a swimming pool on the terrace. A business centre and a wireless Internet system is also in the plans for the complex.

In building A, there will be a PEA Office for all matters relating to the electricity board that will also be used for customer relations.

Wiriya Likitwong, CEO of the Baycliff group company said "We are thankful for the opportunity that the PEA has given us.

The project aims is to set up an electricity office in Patong in order to provide the best possible service to people who live in Patong and also to offer quality accomodation at a reasonable price to the tourists who come to stay in Phuket. I hope this relationship can benefit Phuket in the future.”