Prince Michael of Kent, a personal friend of Mr. Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina, made a visit to the Marina during his stay in Phuket and was invited by Mr. Lalvani aboard Divia III, for a day’s cruising in Phang Nga Bay.

The Fifth Phuket International Marine Expo was held for the first time at Royal Phuket Marina from 6-9 December 2007. PIMEX is officially supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Sport Authority of Thailand.

Organised by Andaman Marine Consultants, the 4-day international event attracted exhibitors from around the world.

With 42 yachts and 110 brands, combined with the workshops, seminars, daily boardwalk entertainers, children's playground and selection of upmarket restaurants, bars and cafés, the 5000+ visitors had plenty to see and do.

This year also saw the inaugural Phuket International Dragon Boat Challenge Cup with 19 teams competing on 9 December, to 500 spectators. The winning team, "Novotel Patong Resort", will be sponsored to enter the Dragon Boat World Championships in Penang, Summer of 2008.

This was a break in tradition. Previously hosted at Lalvani’s Amanpuri Villa, this year all the guests of the Amanpuri and selected guests from the island were invited to a glittering night at Royal Phuket Marina.

Festivities kicked off in the Town Square with canapés from the newly opened Limoncello and a performance from May Palmer and Band.

Loch & Zazi, the firedancers from Elementricks, then led the gathering from the Town Square through the marina where an extended floating pontoon had been installed, enabling guests to walk all the way to Gulu Lalvani's newly completed USD10 million Grand Villa.

The Grand Villa’s 30-metre swimming pool was covered to form a stage, while the surrounding lawn was arranged to seat 370 guests.

The walls were flanked by ice carvings, complete with an ice bar and guest barman James Pollard from the Armani Bar in Hong Kong.

Guests were entertained throughout the evening by Dejavu and various dance shows, topped off with a finale from the fire-spinning duo and a fireworks show, bringing a spectacular close to an amazing evening.