Santorini Fun Park

Cha-Am, Tha-Yang, Kaeng Krachan, and Petchaburi. Discussion on areas north of Hua Hin.
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Pleng
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Santorini Fun Park

Post by Pleng »

Just thought I'd give a little heads up on this place, as I took my girlfriend there yesterday.

The place claims to be open but is not really finished yet. The good side of that is that you don't have to wait to go on any of the rides, the negative being that there are only 3 rides currently in operation; the big wheel, a bungee ball, and a merry-go-round that I'm too big for (my girlfriend was short enough to make fit underneath the height chart, though :)).

So we only went on the big wheel. My stomach isn't cut out for bungee ball, and my girlfriend didn't fancy it either! For 120bt per person you got to go around three times. It's not exactly a London eye but there is a stunning view to be had from the top.

There's a big operational burger van-hut-kiosk type thing in the main park centre, just by the big wheel and there's a little shopping village there but most of the shops are empty and still being kitted out inside. There are a couple of clothing outlets, and an ice cream shop.

There are a couple of slides big enough for adults to go down, and a little children's play area.

And that's about it, to be honest. As I said, it was nice not having to queue for a ride, but there is a certain atmosphere in fun parks that is created by the people and there were just *too* few people to give it that feeling. It felt like one of those travelling fun fairs that spring up in the UK, seemingly unadvertised, on a bank holiday weekend in obscure locations.

There's plenty of room for expansion as there's unused land all around it. But I don't really see how they could fit too many more rides into the current area.

All in all it was a nice day out. But considering how far away it is, and the fact that we were riding on a motorcii, we probably would have waited until it was finished to go if we had known it wasn't really finished before we went.

Entrance is free.
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Re: Santorini Fun Park

Post by Onlychaam »

Pleng wrote:Entrance is free.
Entrance is free during the week, but Friday to Sunday they charge 50 baht. I think it's the kind of place people go once, out of curiosity, but I don't see them getting regular visitors. I'm not a cheap charlie, but a ride on the merry-go-round should be 20 or 30 baht max, not 120 baht. And as Pleng said, there are not enough attractions to make it an amusement park, and not enough shops to make it a shopping center. So for shopping I will still go to the Factory Outlet. As for the kids, they love Black Mountain waterpark, and I don't mind a drive to Dreamworld once in a year or so.
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Re: Santorini Fun Park

Post by buksida »

Supoj Tantichirasakul, founder of the fashion apparel maker Pena House Group, will develop a water park as phase two of Santorini Park in Cha-am.

"The opening of outlet malls in destinations like Phetchaburi, Phuket, Khao Yai and Krabi in the past 10 years alerted me to tourist demand," said Mr Supoj.

"It's a strong foundation for us to extend our tourism-related business in the provinces including amusement."

With this potential, the company is set to build a water park on 12 rai at Santorini Park, near its Cha-am Premium Outlet Mall.

"Water parks are a trend," he said. "Disney launched its DisneySea [in Tokyo], and the Cartoon Network has plans to develop a water park in Pattaya."

Amornphant Nakorn-Siam Park Co has pioneered the water park business in Thailand.

Pena House is in the process of selecting a designer from the US, Turkey or the Netherlands, countries with long experience in water parks, to create its amusement equipment.

The water park is expected to require an investment of 100 million baht for amusement rides. The project will be completed next year.

After that, the 150-room low-rise resort on 20 rai will be ready to fulfil its mission at Santorini Park.

"When all developments at Santorini Park are complete in the next three years, it will be almost on par with Tokyo Disneyland," said Mr Supoj.

"It will be a must-see spot for all who travel Phetkasem Road to Hua Hin and the South."

The 60-rai Santorini Park officially opened last weekend with many amusement rides and 100 retail shops for tourists. It expects 10,000 visitors on Friday and at the weekend.

"We chose Cha-am because we've seen many developments in this area over the past decade, from housing estates to hotels, and the destination is still attractive," said Mr Supoj.

Apart from Cha-am, he will soon try to add a theme park and resort at other outlet malls in Khao Yai and Phuket.

In the fashion business, the group has its own brands _ Pena House and Ten & Co _ and is the authorised distributor of Diesel shoes and all Timberland products here.

"We'll still maintain our bottom line for the fashion business," he said.

The Pena House Group's sales totalled 4 billion baht last year and are seen rising to 4.8 billion this year.

Source: Chicago Trib
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Pleng
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Re: Santorini Fun Park

Post by Pleng »

buksida wrote: The 60-rai Santorini Park officially opened last weekend with many amusement rides and 100 retail shops for tourists. It expects 10,000 visitors on Friday and at the weekend.
Many amusement rides? I'd be interested in seeing where they actually put them all; there really didn't seem to be much space for anything new when I went, and at that time there were 4 rides.

Anybody been recently? Would be interested to know how/if it's progressing.
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Re: Santorini Fun Park

Post by dotx »

I thought there was supposed to be only four rides.
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Re: Santorini Fun Park

Post by TingTongJohn »

Anyone been recently? Is it getting better?
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