Former Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, Chairman of Eastern Star,  unveiled a two-stage program of development for the Eastern Star Resort which would begin with the upgrade of the existing facilities.  This will be followed by the construction of a 200-room hotel and a detached 4,000 square meter conference center. Total investment is estimated at $23 million.

�We are very pleased and excited about this opportunity to work with Eastern Star. It is a pleasure to be associated with Khun Anand and his Board. We are confident that, together, we can develop an exceptional �Living, Learning and Leisure� environment,� stated Burt Cabañas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Benchmark Hospitality.   

Mr. Cabañas continued, �With the completion of Thailand�s express toll way, the Eastern Star Resort is less than a two-hour drive from downtown Bangkok. It will provide the very latest in conference facilities and technology in a relaxed, distraction-free setting that is necessary for serious information exchanges and high quality training.�

Eastern Star Real Estate PCL was established in 1989 to develop environmentally friendly projects in the Ban Chang District in Rayong Province on Thailand�s Eastern Seaboard. The company is committed to sustainable development and the safeguarding of cultural and natural resources.

With headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, Benchmark Hospitality is a recognized leader in resort, conference center and conference hotel management.