A new mixed-used development in Phuket is hoping to standout from the competition by including an opera house and erotic museum hosting 2,000 erotic sculptures the developer has collected over the years, The Bangkok Post first reported. They say sex sells and Uthaiphan Charuwattanakitti, a former artificial flower maker and adviser to the Royal Thai Police, hopes it’s true in order to attract tourists to his new project.
The Post noted that he is currently negotiating with a medium-sized Chinese property firm for joint development of a multipurpose complex in Phuket that will include the niche erotic museum and opera house. The new development will also have a boutique hotel with a minimum of 100 rooms and a shopping mall, but it’s the sultry aspects that have caught most people’s attention.
Uthaiphan told the newspaper that he used to run an artificial flower business and traveled to many trade fairs worldwide which is where he started to collect erotic the art pieces that will end up on display at the museum. He added that every time he traveled international he would visit local erotic museums in places such as India, China and Japan.
His plans for the opera house include creating a 300-seat venue that will have one or two performances a day. It is hoped these shows resonate with curious tourists coming from abroad. “Erotic opera will be a niche in Phuket, targeting European tourists,” Uthaiphan claimed.
A deal could be reached soon that would see construction on the project began before the end of 2016. It is estimated that the development will take three years to build and will cost THB3 billion, according to The Bangkok Post. The complex will be located on a 30 rai plot of land near Phuket’s Heroines Monument.
“We hope our new development will fulfil the entertainment and retail expectations of both locals and tourists,” Uthaiphan added. The Post noted he has experience working in property having teamed up with Sukhumvit Property Co to build serviced apartments on Sukhumvit Soi 38.
