Phuket Square Co, the operator of Jungceylon shopping complex in Phuket, is scheduled to unveil the first phase of its store facelift on Dec 16, welcoming shoppers back for the year-end festive season.
Prawit Janyasittikul, the company's chief executive, said it allocated several hundred million baht to renovate the four-storey complex at Patong Beach on a 55-rai plot of land.
Work started earlier this year and is scheduled to be fully complete in December next year.
Mr Prawit said the first phase of Jungceylon's facelift will be unveiled in one week to draw both domestic shoppers and international tourists with a range of new lifestyle attractions.
Foreign tourists are projected to account for 80% of visitors, with the remaining 20% locals.
"The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects Phuket's tourism activities will return to normal levels by 2025," he said.
"Despite the ongoing challenge of Covid-19, we are implementing standard safety measures and the continued recovery of foreign arrivals in Phuket is a good sign."
During the first 11 months this year, Phuket airport welcomed 1.2 million visitors. The top five foreign source markets that visited Phuket and Jungceylon were Russia, India, Australia, the UK and Singapore.
Mr Prawit said Jungceylon's revamp will cover the entire mall spanning 200,000 square metres.
The mall's interior was upgraded across all zones in the first phase. Robinson, SF Cinema and Big C hypermarket remain important anchors.
"We are transforming Jungceylon into a shopping oasis in Patong, providing a relaxing, comfortable and refreshing environment," he said.
Zones and shops scheduled to open in the first phase include The Botanica Zone, located close to Patong Sai 3 Road, connecting different zones including a five-star hotel and Millennium Resort Patong Phuket, which will be rebranded as M Social Phuket to accommodate small groups, independent travellers and young customers, said Mr Prawit.
The Botanica Zone is decorated with a blooming flowers concept. The zone consists of Robinson Department Store, Big C hypermarket and a variety of shops selling clothes, shoes, cosmetics and accessories, including Coach, Jaspal, CPS, Under Armour, Levi's, The Coffee Club, Watsons and SF Cinema.
Kidzooona and Froggy's Amusement Park, a family fun park covering 1,200 sq m on the third floor, are also slated to open.
The Jungle Zone at the main entrance offers what the architects call a "Tropical Resort Mall".
Shops opening in this zone on Dec 16 include X=Act, Jelly Dream, Viera by Regazze, Jelly Bunny Misty Mynx, American Eagle Outfitters, Rip Curl, Shoe Bar, Naraya, Burger King, Swensen's and Starbucks.
There are several eateries at the Bay Zone, an outdoor functional area in the middle of the mall.
