Phuket’s most prestigious boating facility is already double the size of any other yachting marina on Thailand’s world famous holiday island. But berthing for 150 vessels of up to 35 metres – including 50 ‘dry’ berths for vessels up to 40 metres – is now stretched to capacity. Even during the summer low season, RPM was the only marina in Phuket with 120 per cent occupancy.  Extensive new moorings accommodating an additional 100 berths are now being developed in preparation for the coming high season. “Expanded berthing facilities are needed to accommodate fast-growing demand,” said RPM developer Gulu Lalvani. RPM is internationally recognised as world-class and a ct-above anywhere else in the entire Andaman Sea and Thailand – with one of Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech yachting infrastructures earning The Gold Anchor Award. As the island’s marina with a boat lock, non-tidal deepwater basin and private moorings on the doorstep of residences, it was recently voted one of Asia\'s Top 5 Marinas. Phuket was also voted favourite sailing venue and best regatta location in Asia in a survey of sailors at the last 2011 Phuket King\'s Cup Regatta, Thailand’s signature annual international yachting event. Growing popularity as a boating paradise was further underlined at this year’s Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), hosted at Royal Phuket Marina. Event Director Andy Dowden reported a record number of Asian and international debuts for many of the world’s leading luxury boat brands. Patima Jeerapaet, Managing Director of Colliers Thailand, also noted: “Wealthy Asians are now a strong buying force for superyachts.” Erwin Bamps, COO of Majesty Yachts, added: “We are convinced that SE Asia will be competing directly with the traditional cruising grounds of the West in the very near future.” Phuket’s growing appeal as Asia’s premier boating haven has been complemented by a recent survey voting the holiday island ‘best place in the world for expats to live\'. The accolade for Phuket is in a recent survey by HSBC Expat Explorer, based on a poll of over 4,000 expats in more than 100 countries. Phuket’s acclaim coincides with the launch of Royal Phuket Marina’s latest residential development, ‘La Reserve Residences’, tailored for families with 40 one and two-bedroom apartments in two condominium blocks, each with their own infinity-edged rooftop ‘Sky Pools. Royal Phuket Marina is internationally renowned as a yachting and lifestyle hubs reminiscent of world-class marinas in Monte Carlo or St.Tropez in the South of France. World-class facilities extend to a Fisherman’s Wharf of restaurants and bars, floodlit tennis courts, Phuket\'s top health and fitness centre, beauty and wellness spa treatments and Thailand’s leading holistic healthcare centre. From traveldailynews