Phuket has been named Asia's Maritime Capital at the 3rd Christofle Asia Boating Awards – a prestigious accolade that also acknowledges Thailand's remarkable post-tsunami recovery.

The southern resort hub – which was devastated by the 2005 tsunami – attracted the popular vote among the 20 judges, who rewarded Phuket for its first-class boating facilities, which include modern marinas, state-of-the-art boatyards and prime chartering.

The awards ceremony, which was held at the Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok belonged to Thailand's boating community.

The annual King's Cup sailing regatta won Yachting Event of the Year while Phuket-based Asia Marine carried off the Best Asia-Based Charter Company award.

"This is a special night for Thailand and its boating hub, Phuket, which has justly been voted as the best boating location – a celebration and reward for a venue that helps put our region firmly on the map," said Olivier Burlot, CEO of Adkom Media Group, organiser of the awards and publisher of Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines.

The judges also took note of China's rapid emergence as a modern megayacht builder by voting Guangdong-based Kingship Best Asian Megayacht Builder in the 100ft-plus category – the third time that a Chinese boatyard has won the award at the annual event.

And one of the main movers and shakers in Malaysia's burgeoning boating industry, Datuk Patrick Lim, the organiser and promoter of the Monsoon Cup, was voted Personality of the Year.

"The annual Christofle Asia Boating Awards is our region's way of rewarding and acknowledging the great work of our ever-expanding leisure maritime industry. We can all feel proud to be part of this exciting time in the industry's history as we celebrate the hard-won achievements of both the winners and the nominees," added Burlot.

Full coverage of the awards ceremony will feature in the next edition of Asia's premier boating magazines, Asia Pacific Boating and China Boating – out in May.

For media enquiries and photos, contact:
Elson Koh, Marketing Manager, Adkom Media Group
Tel: +852 2165-2800
Fax: +852 2868-1799
E-mail: queries@adkom.com

CHRISTOFLE ASIA BOATING AWARDS 2007 – Winners
Asia's Maritime Capital - Phuket (Thailand)
Best Asian Marina - Raffles Marina (Singapore)
Yachting Event of the Year - Phuket King's Cup Regatta (Thailand)
Best Yacht Management Services - Simpson Marine (HK)
Best Asia-based Charter Company - Asia Marine (Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar)
Best Asian Boat Show - Boat Asia (Singapore)
Best Sailing Yacht (Under 100ft) - Beneteau (France)
Beneteau Oceanis 50 Best Asian Yacht Builder (Under 100ft) - Horizon (Taiwan)
Best Asian Megayacht Builder (100ft Plus) - Kingship Marine (China)
Best Motoryacht (Under 40ft) - Riviera (Australia)
3600 SY Best Motoryacht (40-70ft) - Pershing (Italy)
Pershing 46 Best Motoryacht (70-100ft) - Sunseeker (UK)
Sunseeker 90 Yacht Best Megayacht (100ft Plus) - Benetti (Italy)
Ambrosia III 65m Personality of the Year - Datuk Patrick Lim - promoter of The Monsoon Cup - Malaysia
Best Brand Presence in Asia - Ferretti Yachts (Italy)

Source: BoatThai2007 press release dated April 27, 2007