Megaquarium site still not chosen

BANGKOK: Plans by Minor International Plc to build a 2.1-billion-baht aquarium in Phuket are still in the land acquisition and design phase, and the company doesn’t expect to finalize plans or announce the project site until some time later this year at the earliest.

In July 2007, Minor International Plc announced its intention to build Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium as part of its plan to expand its entertainment and retail property holdings on the island.

According to initial reports, Minor International would enter into a joint venture with Ripley Entertainment to build the aquarium, encompassing 10,000 to 12,000 square meters.

Minor International already runs the Ripley’s Museum in Pattaya under a franchise agreement with Ripley International.

At the end of last year, Minor International founder and CEO William Heinecke said the aquarium project was set to be completed in 2010.

Minor International’s Senior Finance Director, Prapharat Tangkawattana, told the Gazette yesterday that the project was not yet “solid” and that the two sides were still in the discussion phase.

“The construction site and design are not yet finalized. The current status remains on land surveys, proposing construction designs and so on,” she said.

“I believe we will be able to provide more updated information about the project in the second half of this year,” she added.

As a listed company, Minor International would first have to inform the public through a formal statement issued through the Securities Exchange of Thailand, she said.