Phuket, Thailand, November 7, 2009 -- The FIVB's first venture into Thailand featured the sanctioning of challenger/satellite events along with the staging of the 2003 SWATCH FIVB Youth World Championships for players under the age of 18.

And after those introductory events, including a 2005 Challenger event to mark the first anniversary of the Tsunami of 2004, Thailand has been the site of SWATCH FIVB World Tour competitions where Pentangle Promotions of Bangkok has played an instrumental part in hosting the planet's best women's Beach Volleyball participants for the Phuket Thailand Open powered by PTT.

Led by Geoffrey Rowe, Pentangle Promotions has worked with the Thailand Volleyball Federation and Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) the past four years to continue the development of the staging and promotion of the event as the Phuket Thailand Open features season-ending competition at one of the world's top resort destinations.

"The growth of this event has been amazing," said Rowe, who was also involved with the initial Thailand events in Pattaya and Bangkok. "In addition to the support from Thai Volleyball and SAT, the local government here in Phuket has been outstanding. Their support helps drive our local sponsorship program. It is very encouraging when you have the backing."

The biggest improvement for Rowe and his staff has been with the facilities as Pentangle Promotions worked with the local government to prepare a part of Karon Beach to stage the competition with an expanded centre court with enlarged seating areas along with "leveled" side and warm-up courts. The improved facilities also feature sponsors, vendor and hospitality area for the fans and VIPs. The area has also been developed to attract other sporting events, like beach soccer.

"During our first three years, we had trouble developing the beach facilities," said Rowe. "We had problems with the tides washing away the courts or we had to stage the side courts a thousand meters away from the main staging area. With the help of the local government, we have now solved that problem by constructing an area between the main road and the beach to stage four competition courts along with the entertainment area."

The growth of the Phuket Thailand Open has also been marked by the largest field in event history as the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Tour competition has attracted 66 teams from 28 countries. The last three Karon Beach events had entry lists of 51 (2006, 23 countries), 50 (2007, 26) and 35 (2008, 20) teams. The 66 teams this year marks the largest women's field on the 2009 SWATCH calendar, including the 40 pairs in the qualifier.

"We have been encouraged about the response from the players," Rowe added. "Combined with our improved facilities and Phuket's renowned reputation as a tourist spot, we have a lot of advantages in attracting teams and followers. What pleased us Thursday was the response for the Russian teams. We usually have a lot of American and German fans, but Thursday it was a day for Russian followers."