There’s something quietly symbolic about the Na-Ranong family deciding to part with a prime slice of waterfront land in Phuket. They were among the pioneers who helped steer the island from a sleepy tin-mining outpost into one of Asia’s most recognisable luxury playgrounds. Now they’re inviting the next wave of investors to take the helm.
They offer a rare deep-water marina site with room for up to 200 berths, which isn’t simply a parcel of coastal real estate. It’s a statement that Phuket, long loved for its beaches and cocktails at sunset, is ready to anchor itself as the region’s yachting capital.
A Site with Serious Depth
Phuket’s rising marina – where legacy meets luxury, and vision anchors deep investor faith.
The land in question spans roughly 60,800 square metres of waterfront and another 78,000 square metres of adjoining property suitable for residential or mixed-use development. In real terms, that’s enough space for a serious marina, a clubhouse, perhaps a sprinkling of waterfront villas and, if imagination allows, a retail promenade to rival Port Hercules in Monaco.
“Phuket is now firmly on the map as a world-class yachting hub,” says Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong, owner of The Slate Phuket. “We are seeing a surge of interest from high-net-worth travellers who are drawn to Thailand’s natural beauty, warm hospitality and unrivalled cruising grounds. This deep-water site offers an extraordinary chance for visionary investors to create something truly iconic.”
It’s classic Na-Ranong, polished, confident, and grounded in the family’s belief that Phuket’s prosperity lies in balancing progress with heritage.
From Tin to Titanium Credit Cards
The Na-Ranong legacy reads like a primer on Thai tourism history. Krystal’s father, Wichit Na-Ranong, famously persuaded the producers of The Man With the Golden Gun to film on location in the 1970s, introducing Phuket’s limestone karsts to cinema screens worldwide. The move triggered the first international tourism boom, proof that vision sometimes needs little more than charm and good timing.
Half a century later, Krystal invites investors to write the next chapter, one powered less by mass tourism and more by selective luxury. “Yachting is no longer a niche pursuit,” she adds. “It’s becoming one of the most desirable ways to discover Thailand.”
A Market Riding a Tailwind
She’s right. The Asia-Pacific superyacht market is expanding faster than most analysts predicted. According to industry reports, more than 10 percent annual growth is now considered conservative. Wealthy travellers, particularly from Europe and the Middle East, are looking eastward for warmer waters, lower mooring costs and a dash of cultural authenticity money can’t buy.
Phuket’s marina dream – where turquoise ambition meets teak elegance and timeless island promise.
Thailand is well placed to capitalise. Government agencies, led by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, have declared their ambition to make the country the marine tourism hub of Asia. Several new marina and cruise-liner projects are in the pipeline, each designed to accommodate a clientele that measures holidays not by days but by nautical miles.
Government Winds at the Bows
Phuket’s Governor Sophon Suwannarat has publicly endorsed the proposed development:
“Phuket is fast becoming the boating capital of Asia, and we welcome the development of this marina site,” he said. “It will attract more high-spending international tourists and considerably enhance Phuket’s economic growth.”
Importantly, the property already carries a Marine Operating Licence, which complies with international safety and environmental standards. This is no small advantage in a country where bureaucracy can test even the most patient investor.
That alone shortens the development timeline considerably, turning what might otherwise be a five-year saga into a ready-to-build proposition.
Numbers That Make Sense
Tourism arrivals to Phuket are expected to double by 2030. The segment driving that growth is high-value travellers who arrive by jet, charter a yacht, and dine without checking prices. Their spending doesn’t just buoy the marina sector; it trickles into hotels, maintenance yards, catering, and local crafts.
Phuket’s deep-water haven – where old money, new ambition, and ocean dreams converge.
Analysts point out that marinas typically generate some of the highest economic multipliers in tourism, often outstripping golf courses and convention centres. Each berth can support up to four local jobs, from mechanics to restaurateurs. Multiply that by 200, and the employment argument writes itself.
Strategic Positioning
Phuket’s geography also helps. Sitting squarely on the Andaman Sea, the island offers direct access to cruising routes that stretch from Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago to Malaysia’s Langkawi. It’s a nautical triangle of tropical abundance that’s increasingly attractive to yacht owners weary of the Mediterranean’s seasonal congestion.
With improved infrastructure, an upgraded airport, better road access, and new five-star capacity, the island is finally matching its natural assets with logistics worthy of global investors.
Legacy and Leadership
This sale isn’t a retreat but an evolution for the Na-Ranong family. Their developments, including The Slate, have always carried an ethos of creative stewardship. “We’ve always been passionate about Phuket’s future,” Krystal says. “By making this unique site available, we’re opening the door for the next chapter in the island’s tourism evolution.”
There’s that familiar blend of optimism and restraint: enthusiasm tempered by pragmatism, as any seasoned investor would expect from a family that’s seen both the highs and lows of Thailand’s tourism cycles.
An Opportunity Rarely Seen
Phuket’s luxury marina – where turquoise tides meet teak decks and bold investors dream.
The site is available for long-term lease or outright purchase, with flexibility that should appeal to investors who prefer to keep their capital mobile. In property terms, deep-water sites of this scale in Phuket are vanishingly rare. Much of the coastline is already developed or environmentally protected, making this listing one of the last chances to secure a substantial marina footprint.
Krystal hints that the family would consider partnership models. “The potential uses for this site are limited only by the vision of the buyer,” she says. “We’d be open to working with them to ensure the success of the project.”
The Bigger Picture
There’s more to this than berths and breakwaters. The listing underscores a broader vote of confidence in Thailand’s post-pandemic economic recovery. Investors who once viewed the region as volatile are re-examining its fundamentals: stable governance, strong domestic demand, and a tourism base that remains one of the most diversified in Asia.
Marinas, in particular, offer a hedge against market turbulence. They attract the kind of visitor who doesn’t blink at fuel prices and who measures time by tides, not calendars. For a country eager to lift visitor spending without inflating visitor numbers, that’s an economic sweet spot.
Setting Sail into the Future
This one carries a certain solidity in a world awash with speculative real-estate plays. The sea, after all, isn’t moving anywhere. The Na-Ranong family has spent decades helping shape Phuket’s identity; now they invite others to build upon that foundation.
If the right investor answers the call, Phuket could soon have a new harbour not just for yachts but also for renewed confidence in Thailand’s maritime ambitions.
By Kanda Limw
BIO:
Kanda Limw is a self-motivated administrative professional with a strong track record of supporting business operations efficiently and precisely. Highly organised and adaptable, she brings a wealth of skills to the table, from multitasking and prioritising competing demands to managing complex filing systems and ensuring smooth office workflows.
Her background spans professional secretarial work, customer relations, and project planning, where her critical thinking and proactive approach have consistently delivered results. Kanda is experienced in managing directors’ schedules, coordinating meetings, and streamlining administrative processes while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
With progressive experience in office management, she has developed a reputation for reliability and attention to detail. Colleagues value her calm under pressure, her ability to anticipate needs, and her dedication to keeping operations on track. Kanda continues to build on her diverse skill set, driving efficiency and excellence in every task she undertakes.
