VANA Nava Hua Hin Jungle water park will debut in Hua Hin come end-October, hot on the heels of the Cartoon Network Amazone water park that is due to launch in July in Pattaya.
“We decided to open a water park in Hua Hin because the attractions are not diverse enough in this leisure destination,” said Usa Boonchalakulkosol, director of sales and marketing at Vana Hua Hin.
The one billion baht (US$30.7 million) integrated development is split into three phases, with the water park marked for the first phase while an InterContinental Hotels Group property and a 400-room residential condo are slated for the second.
Located in Hua Hin city centre near InterContinental Hua Hin Resort and Cicada Market, the 3.2ha jungle-themed water park boasts over 19 attractions designed by Canadian water park specialist, WhiteWater West.
Highlights include Thailand’s first Abyss slide, a surf shack with a surf simulator, a 1,600m2 wave pool, a multi-level aqua course, a 345m lazy river and an events plaza. Other facilities include an open-air concert venue, F&B outlets, massage pavilions, souvenir shops and lounges.
Besides catering to families and leisure vacationers, the water park can also be used as a corporate teambuilding and events venue, with the Tree Top Lounge and VIP Event and Meeting rooms available for private rental.
When asked about the similar product coming up in Pattaya, Usa pointed out the different strengths in each attraction. She said: “Hua Hin and Pattaya attract different market clientele, and we also view more water parks in Thailand as healthy competition.”
While pricing details are still not available at press time, Usa affirmed that the attraction’s management is already devising plans to package the destination with Hua Hin hotels and offer incentives for travel consultants, in addition to organising media/trade fam trips and participating in travel trade shows to drum up awareness of the new attraction.
