Diego Maradona Has Big Plans for Pattaya

Siripun Sinbuathong 19.03.2011 01:08

Diego Maradona with his girlfriend Veronica along with the Alcazar performers during their recent visit to Pattaya.

Former Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona recently visited Pattaya where he looked at possible sites to build a five-star hotel as well as a football school. Diego projects have received a 3,000 million baht budget granted by a Chinese company.

Former Manager GuoJin ti Hui said, “We want to invest in Pattaya because Pattaya is a safe city and is very multicultural. We have been granted a large budget from a major real estate company in Beijing who will be joint venturing with Diego.”

“Diego also has plans to open up a restaurant under the name Maradona. The hotel will represent the culture and art of Latin America, which greatly differs from hotels currently operating in the area. Diego also has plans to open up a football school or club in Pattaya,” he added.

“Pattaya is the first area in Southeast Asia that we looked at. Pattaya is famous because of its tourism and people come here to relax and from around the world” Diego said.

Diego continued, “I came to Thailand the first time on a holiday with my girlfriend and fell in love with it. After my visit I’ve always wanted to invest here. With the backing up from a Chinese company, I will try to find a local investor to join in on the business and share my success.”

Deputy Director of The Tourism Authority of Thailand Akkarawit Thepprasit said, “I think Diego’s various projects will do very well here. There will be fans coming from all over the world to experience it. Locals already love football so his school will be popular as well.”

 

Diego happily signed autographs and posed for photos with fans during his visit to Pattaya.

Mr. Phawin Phettrakul (left), Ms. Thithiphan Phettrakul (second from right) and Mr. Juthiphan Phettrakul (right), the three managers of Pattaya's Alcazar who warmly welcomed Diego Maradona and his girlfriend Veronica during their visit.