Construction of a THB800m (US$24.5m, £17m, €23m) waterpark is underway in one of Thailand’s busiest tourist destinations – the southern island of Phuket.

Phuket Aquapark is set to open later this year, as plans by owner-investor Levente Perjesi to bring more family-oriented recreational activities to the island are finally coming to fruition. The project, which began in 2009, had stalled in part due to the unpredictable political climate at the time.

In 2013, 12 million tourists visited Phuket, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). However, Perjesi said the project will be marketed to the domestic market as well as foreign holidaymakers.

The park is being developed by Hungarian firm Csenki Co and supplied by waterpark specialist Polin.

“There’s an increasing demand for family recreational activities,” Perjesi told Attractions Management. “Tourists are looking for something in addition to going to the beach. Both tourists and local residents want to have a new kind of experience, especially where the whole family can have fun together.”

The eco-friendly Vana Nava Hua Hin waterpark opened in Thailand in December, and Ramayana waterpark will open in the country later this year. Both are supplied by WhiteWater West.

Cartoon Network Amazone and the upcoming Dino Waterpark are further evidence of the country’s increased activity in the industry.

Read more on Thailand's waterpark developments in Attractions Management Q1 2015: http://lei.sr?a=r9J5O