The consortium, which includes Igor Protasov, CEO of Thai Business Development Group, is led by the PAX Group, which has built large-scale amusement rides around the world and the huge, complex mobile gantry used to handle SOYUZ space vehicles in Kourous, French Guiana.
Mr Protasov, speaking at a press launch today (Mar 29), declined to estimate the cost of the project or set a target height of the wheel to be created.
He also noted that a location had yet to be selected.
“The entire project site will occupy 30-40 rai, and the location will be co-ordinated with the Anuphas Group. We would not buy the land, but instead occupy it through a long-term lease,” he told The Phuket News today.
The Anuphas Group of companies is the business conglomerate of Phuket’s well-known Hongsyok family, who operate Honda dealerships across the island, headed by patriarch former Phuket Towm Mayor and former Phuket Senator Phummisak Hongsyok. (See family history here.)
Mr Protasov said he expects the world’s largest Ferris wheel in Phuket to take only “about 18 months” to build, despite the famed Singapore Flyer “observation wheel” taking about 2.5 years to complete.
The Singapore Flyer opened in 2008 and stands 165 metres tall. The world’s largest Ferris wheel, the the “High Roller” in Las Vegas, is only three metres taller and also took more than two years to build.
The mega-project aims to put Phuket in the forefront of world tourism while attracting European investment, specifically from United Kingdom, producers, representatives and distributors of space technology and renowned hi-tech theme park attractions, said a press release issued at the launch today.
“It will be a landmark project, enhancing tourism to the province, and heralding a new era of choice for those wanting to see more on their holiday than the island’s many natural wonders,” Mr Protasov said in the release.
“They’ll come just to say they took a ride on the world’s highest Ferris wheel,” he said, adding that the new attraction will add jobs and income to the nation’s balance sheet.
“What’s lacking here (in Phuket),” he explains, “is a modern work of architecture, something of a landmark nature, that transcends eras and acts as a magnet to attract tourists in increasing numbers.”
The release noted that the PAX Group could build Ferris wheels up to 200 metres high.
As for the design, Mr Protasov said visitors will ride in clear “capsules” with “a full range of facilities” and seating in each for 20 or more: “Appropriate for groups of friends, families, or people on field trips,” he said. Materials will be of the highest quality and durability, said the release.
The PAX Group is presently in talks with government agencies regarding construction, preparatory to selecting a site – one that will not result in adverse effects for the environment or local communities.
“As soon as it’s clear where building is to take place, it can begin immediately,” Mr Protasov said.
He added, “If Phuket people want to see this giant Ferris wheel built, they should show their support for the project.
“This is something amazing that will make Phuket even more famous, at the same time benefitting tourism by providing a new experience, one that, when construction is complete, people here can see with their own eyes.”
According to the press release, the PAX Group was founded 27 years ago and achieved fame for designing and building the huge, complex mobile gantry used to handle SOYUZ space vehicles in Kourous, French Guiana.
For this, PAX Group was awarded the Golden Medal in 2013 from the Russian and International Unions of Scientific and Engineering Public Associations. “The facility was used in 11 successful launches of Galileo navigation satellites. PAX also designed the 28 containers used to transport launch vehicles in parts from Russia to Guiana,” the release said.
“The group also is well-known for amusement park rides, such as the remarkable roller coaster at King Fahad Park (now Cobra Amusement Park) in Saudi Arabia, constructed at 520 sites in Europe, Asia and the United States.
“They have designed and built six of the world’s largest Ferris wheels, including the 90-metre one at Mirabilandia Park in historic Ravenna, Italy, Europe’s largest; and the 80-metre high Panoramic Wheel built on the roof of a 40-metre-tall building in Ulsan, South Korea.”
The group has gained recognition from the International Standards Organization (ISO) Technical Committee 254 by developing three new safety standards during 2012 - 13 for amusement park rides. Ulsan’s Panoramic wheel has been certified by TUV NORD and the mobile gantry by TUV SUD, both well-established and internationally respected German technical service and certification providers, the release noted.
The PAX Group’s giant Ferris wheel project has been presented to the provincial office in Phuket for consideration. If approved, it will be sent to the central government for further consideration and final approval, the release said.