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Imagine an exclusive resort straddling a private
1,800-acre island in the middle of an emerald sea. Stunning sea
views from the gothic hotel entrance are only surpassed by the vista
of Myanmar’s distant mainland seen from the opposite side of
the lobby. A plush teak interior and black-slate flooring bedeck
a Raffles hotel setting, complete with swishing fans and French-louver
blinds drawn from ceiling-high paneless windows. A gentle sea breeze
relives the tropical humidity that dampens normal hotel clatter
and complements the serene picture of mixed-nationality Asian staff
as they gracefully glide about the reception area.
This is the Andaman Club, hotel and resort, on the Myanmar island
of Thahtay Kyun, also known as Kho Son in Thai, just a short boat
ride from Ranong in Thailand
and Victoria Point, now renamed King Bayint Naung by the Mayanmar
Government. Owned by a holding company, VES, this USD 40 million
venture has been operating for six years.
Lately the owners have branched out into the airline business.
Their initial acquisition is a Boeing 737 model 200 with almost
100 seats, 16 of which are first class. It has been put to work
on ferrying the company’s resort guests from Bangkok
to Ranong. The aircraft also flies a scheduled, once a day, flight
to and from Bangkok and Phuket.
Sadly for Phuket residents, there is as yet, no air link from Phuket
to Ranong and the Andaman Club, although a resort minibus can pick-up
travellers arriving by regular bus.
Once at Ranong the island hotel is reached by jet boat from the
specially built Ranong jetty. Thais and international visitors alike
don’t have to bother with the customs office at the seaport
as a customs officer is always on duty at the Andaman Club’s
own departure building to take care of all passport formalities.
At the club your documents are then whisked away to the Myanmar
authorities to be stamped ready for your return, even if this is
on the next hourly boat service.
On the island, guests of the hotel can treat themselves to any
of its copious facilities such as a casino, a full-size swimming
pool, two international-standard restaurants, snooker room, Thai
massage, sauna, fitness room and a 600-square-metre duty-free
shopping emporium. The latter stocks some of the best branded-cosmetics,
liquor, wines and chocolates, all at unbeatable prices. With such
a range of facilities it is hardly surprising that the club is regularly
visited by a multitude of day-trippers.
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Those that stay on for a night or two can luxuriate in any of the
205 deluxe rooms or choice of suites, all of which have panoramic
seaward views. The resort’s entire inventory of air-conditioned
accommodation is equipped with satellite television, IDD telephones,
in-house movies, a fridge and a mini-bar. During a stay guests can
amuse themselves on one of resort’s day-trips, such as scuba
diving or snorkeling at nearby islands, or a visit to the mainland.
“In the near future a 18-hole golf course, now under construction,
will be completed with other facilities such as a zoo or aquarium
being a possibility.” Explained captain Patana Tareekes, CEO
of Phuket Airlines Company Limited.
In the evening the Andaman Club offers some Las Vegas style entertainment
at venues like the Victoria Café, the Andaman Pearl Restaurant
which also boats live entertainment, the Mingala Ba Lounge, the
Oasis Cocktail Bar, a Karaoke pub and almost nightly cabarets in
a main hall.
For those contemplating a weekend away, the Andaman Club is intent
on enticing you to come and stay with them by offering some attractive
package deals, especially during the low season of May 1st to October
31st. Anyone interested should contact the reservation office for
the latest information at 1168/71 25th A Floor, Lumpini Tower Building,
Rama IV road, Thungmahamek, Bangkok,
Tel: +66 (0)2 285 6404 to 7, 287 3031
to 5 or 679 8238 to 40,
Fax: +66 (0)2 679 8236, +66 (0)2 679
8385.
Email: info@andamanclub.com
or info@phuketairlines.com
Web site: www.andamanclub.com
or www.phuketairlines.com
At the time of writing a good example of a low season package deal
was a two nights and three days fully inclusive trip, including
return flight from Bangkok to Ranong, for BHT 7,000. The company
also operates package breaks to the Royal Princess Hotel in Ranong,
with a wealth of natural sights and some famous hot springs near
by.
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