A Thai luxury property developer and a socialite fashion designer are feuding in court over a luxury ‘lifestyle experience’ cruise that the developer says did not live up to its expectations for marketing exposure.
Reignwood Holding has filed a civil lawsuit against Vatanika Group, the company founded by the fashion designer and social media personality Vatanika Patamasingh Na Ayudhya, seeking 21.8 million baht for alleged breach of contract linked to the luxury experiential travel venture.
The dispute centres on the Equilibrium Trip, a project proposed by Vatanika Group in March as a luxury lifestyle experience combining travel, wellness and leisure for VIP clients.
Vatanika Patamasingh Na Ayudhya. (Photo: Lotus Arts de Vivre)
Vatanika Patamasingh Na Ayudhya. (Photo: Lotus Arts de Vivre)
According to the plaintiff’s account cited in the court filing on July 9, Reignwood agreed to participate as a principal sponsor and paid 9 million baht under a contract signed on April 12. The agreement allowed Reignwood and companies within its group to showcase their products, services and trademarks during the programme.
Reignwood Group is best known for Reignwood Park, a 2,000-rai mixed-use development in Pathum Thani where luxury residences can cost up to 300 million baht. An international school and golf course are also on the site.
Founded by Chinese-Thai billionaire Chanchai Ruayrungruang, Reignwood also has high-end property projects in the UK and China.
The company’s lawsuit claims that the invitation-only Equilibrium Trip was also designed to use the Sea Bear, a luxury yacht operated by Reignwood, with Vatanika Group responsible for managing the experience for selected VIP guests. The itinerary was to involve two yachts and accommodation at five-star hotels or above.
Reignwood alleges that several conditions of the agreement were not fulfilled during the first trip.
Among the claims are that products from businesses competing with those of the sponsor were included, while Reignwood’s branding was either not displayed or was not given sufficient prominence.
The company also alleges that the event did not deliver the experience outlined in the agreement and that its management fell below the expected standard. Ms Vatanika, who was described as the project’s principal organiser, spent only about 30 minutes aboard the Sea Bear during the event, it said.
Following the first cruise, Reignwood said it terminated the agreement and subsequently sought compensation. It said it had attempted to resolve the dispute through negotiations before turning to the court.
Woraphanit Ruayrungruang, CEO of Reignwood Group. (Photo: Government House)
Woraphanit Ruayrungruang, CEO of Reignwood Group. (Photo: Government House)
The collaboration between the two companies had initially been presented as an extension of Reignwood’s lifestyle philosophy. In May, Reignwood Park described Equilibrium by Vatanika as an experiential lifestyle platform built around the idea of balancing enjoyment and wellbeing.
Vatanika Group has disputed the allegations.
In a statement dated on Sept 16 and posted through Vatanika’s social media channels the following day, the company said the allegations that it had breached the contract had no basis and that it had appointed lawyers to defend its position in court. The company also said it had filed counterclaims for damages.