Absolute World

Thailand moves up to 11 among world’s top destinations

Roy — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:51:01 +0000

Thailand is on the move -- upward. The country is showing up on international rankings, listings, and barometers like never before. The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the latest global body to acknowledge Thailand's growing popularity by moving the country up one notch from last year, from no.12 to no.11. Given her current momentum, Thailand could well make the Top 10 by international tourism receipts for 2012, placing it in the stratospheric league of world leaders such as last year's Top 5: the US, Spain, France, China, and Italy. These figures reinforce Thailand's evolving presence among world tourism powerhouses, as well as underscoring tourism's vital role in the country's economy. Regionally, Thailand reigns supreme, well above its Southeast Asian competitors Malaysia at 14, and Singapore at 15. Rounding out the Top 15 are Turkey at 12 and Austria at 13. Thailand is now taking aim at unseating 10 ranked Hong Kong, whose tourism receipts were less than US$1 billion more than Thailand's in 2011. Globally, tourism is recovering from the dire economic events of 2009, and new records are being made in numerous countries, albeit on a lesser scale than Thailand's. UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai is optimistic about the results, noting that the past two years have shown healthy demand for tourism out of many markets, although the economic recovery has been uneven. Europe holds the largest share of global tourism receipts in absolute numbers (45%), which reached $463 billion last year, followed by Asia and the Pacific (28%), the Americas (19%), the Middle East (4%) and Africa (3%). The world's overall international tourism receipts exceeded $1 trillion for the first time last year, up from $928 billion in 2010, the UNWTO said. Strikingly, Thailand was one of only five international destinations whose tourism receipts grew by more than $5 billion in 2011 in absolute terms, as income rose $6.2 billion on 2010 to a new record of $26.3 billion. This comes after a $4 billion rise from 2009 to 2010. The other four members of the "$5 billion-bump club" were the US, Spain, France and Hong Kong. Furthermore, Thailand's Tourism Ministry said international arrivals in 2011 surged 19.8% to reach 19.1 million. Obviously, Thailand is doing something right in the global tourism marketplace to produce these impressive numbers and rankings, another example of which was Chiang Mai being ranked the no.2 destination in Asia by a major TripAdvisor poll this month. Thailand has come a long way in the past decade not only on the tourism front, but in terms of major economic developments. This is clearly being made manifest in all these polls, statistics, and rankings, with the future looking to play out most impressively indeed for this special Southeast Asian Kingdom.

Featured property : Absolute South Beach

Roy — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:28:32 +0000

Absolute South Beach Resort is situated on Pratamnak Hill, the most prestigious area of Pattaya. This seven-story condominium offers a full range of high-end apartments measuring 32 to 75 square meters. The modern interiors feature designer furniture and kitchen units, spacious rooms, ample storage, full air conditioning, and of course, copious natural light. Show stopping amenities at Absolute South Beach Resort include a black ceramic Infinity Pool, stunning rooftop with breathtaking views and guest lounge. Around-the-clock concierge services provide a five-star service, ensuring that all our guests’ wishes can be fulfilled. Apartments at Absolute South Beach will be ready for occupation in Summer 2012. Fractional Ownership from US$ 23,500 As of February 2012 the construction and systems work is now 100% complete! We are now finishing with hard construction, windows, tempered glass, electric & water works, lighting, lift installation, swimming pool tiling, interior lights, doors handles switches, stainless steel installation and ceilings. All the attention will be on the final finishing touches. There will be more painting (interior and exterior), plus external decoration, interior decoration in the units as well as common areas such as the lift entrance and corridors. We are currently working on the installation of built-in wardrobes and kitchens plus the bathroom mirrors.

Vacation Ownership Sales Rise 4% According to Vacation Ownership WORLD

Roy — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:28:07 +0000

Vacation Ownership WORLD’s 2011 Sales Leader Survey – the only research that provides company-specific annual sales data of the leading timeshare and fractional developers, has just been released. Among the highlights of this year’s Survey: In 2011, overall vacation ownership sales rose 4% as compared to 2010. Timeshare sales increased 3.3%. Fractional sales grew 8.3%. Top Ten Sales Leader companies now compose 87.5% of the market, as measured by market share. This is up sharply over pre-crisis levels of around 70%. More developers reported an increase in sales than a decrease in sales. This compares to the situation just two years ago, when 75% of developers experienced a loss.

Featured Property : The Beach Samui

Roy — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:13:37 +0000

Designed by world-renowned design team Yoo, The Beach Samui is a private residence club comprising 21 magnificent beachfront apartments. Situated in the tiny fishing village of Thong Krut on the southern island of Koh Samui, this five-star, consciously developed front line resort is a design-filled dream with endless views of the Moo Koh Ang Thong National Park Islands. Offering everything you would expect from a world-class development and with service that is second to none – a fine dining restaurant and bar, infinity chill out pool, private marina for those visiting by boat, intimate cabanas, private terrace hot tubs, fully-equipped modern gym and an exclusive well-being spa. You and your family will enjoy stunning sea views through floor to ceiling windows, exquisite double shower and double sink bathrooms, stylish fully appointed kitchens and bespoke furniture designed exclusively for the resort by Yoo and boasting state of the art electronics and air controls. The Beach Samui is consciously designed to incorporate solar energy efficiency and waste disposal systems to care for the surrounding environment in Samui. Suites at The Beach Samui can be purchased off-plan, with the project ready for occupancy in Autumn 2012. The Beach Samui is a multi award winning resort having received the 2010 Bloomberg International Property Award and the 2011 Perspective Magazine Award for Best Fractional Resort. Fractional Ownership from US$ 32,500 www.TheBeach-Samui.com

Journey to the Plastic Ocean Fundraiser

Roy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:48:46 +0000

A week’s accommodation at The Village, Coconut Island resort was the incredible prize donation for the Journey to the Plastic Ocean Fundraiser held on Saturday 21^st of April in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong. The prize was the major auction item with Peter Shaw having the winning bid with $19,000. The night was very successful and enjoyable for the 85+ people there. Over HKD$75,000 was raised which will contribute significantly to the HKD$120,000 needed to participate in Algalita’s Japan Tsunami Debris Expedition commencing on 1^st of June. The Sea Dragon will be departing from Tokyo on May 30th and sailing east towards Hawaii arriving on the stunning island of Maui on July 1st. The Sea Dragon team will arc northeast to the Japanese Tsunami Debris Field. Estimates of tens of thousands of tons of debris washed away from the coastline of Japan on March 11th, 2011 after an earthquake occurred offshore, resulting in the worst tsunami on record in that country. The material infrastructure in a developed country was carried out to sea, including cars, boats, homes and also many victims. One year later we will expect to find the field of floating debris to be half-way across the North Pacific Ocean. Knowing the precise origin and date of the disaster, will enable studies on how materials degrade, persist and transport invasive organisms in the marine environment. We will be searching for large debris from the tsunami, but also skimming the ocean surface to better understand the quantity and distribution of plastic pollution throughout the North Pacific Gyre. The goals of the expedition are to study the effects of plastic pollution and marine debris relative to: providing habitat for marine life and its ability to transport invasive species from one continent to another; rates of decomposition of debris; colonization of marine life on, and into, different materials; educating students through the Algalita Ship-2-Shore blog; and spatial distribution of debris along the entire voyage transect Four organizations; 5 Gyres Institute, Pangaea Explorations, Algalita Marine Research Foundation and the University of Hawaii, will collaborate to travel over 7,000 miles to study the impacts of plastic pollution and tsunami debris in the marine environment. A total of 13 people will be on board the ship including four professional crewmembers. There are participants from Australia, Great Britain, Brazil, Switzerland, the United States and of course Hong Kong.

Welcome to the South East Asia Property Awards 2012

Roy — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:32:45 +0000

Asia is now the wealth hot spot and experiencing burgeoning wealth creation. It is also slated to become one of the most influential growth economies globally. According to the Boston Consulting Group’s Global Wealth Report released in May 2011, wealth in India and China will increase at a compound annual rate of 18 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively from 2010 to 2015. Therefore, it is not surprising that South East Asia is where all the action is. The real estate market in this region has continued to outperform the rest of the world with hot money flowing in from Europe, Middle East and America. From Singapore to Bangkok, Phuket to Bali, developers are rising to the occasion by offering only the best luxury properties for discerning high net worth investors. This had inadvertently raised the bar on what luxury living means in this part of the world. With this in mind, Ensign Media is introducing the second South East Asia Property Awards which celebrates the best of the best in the region’s luxury residential property sector, following the successful inaugural launch last year. The South East Asia Property Awards shine the spotlight on the many high calibre work within the real estate industry encompassing construction, architecture, interior design as well as property management services. The South East Asia Property Awards kick off with nominations from the public and industry before continuing on with entry submissions followed by judging by a panel of professionals. The Awards then culminate with site visits for short-listed developments in each category. The competitive and gruelling process results with just one winner in each category. The awards is our way to recognise the hard work, passion and vision shared among real estate agents, property developers, interior designers and architects from around South East Asia who continue to push the envelope in luxury living. The awards ceremony is proudly presented by the producers of the Thailand Property Awards, now in our seventh year running.

To see the categories, click here. For details on the nomination, entry and judging process, click here. For details on the gala dinner, click here.

Rich Asians go full steam ahead into superyachts

Roy — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:36:46 +0000

The newly wealthy in Asia think nothing of spending big money on a big boat for prestige and fun but the region's nascent yachting class may have trouble finding a berth in overcrowded marinas. Asia is home to less than 4 percent of the world's 7,000 superyachts but interest has been taking off for the last five years and many buyers are young, executives from the luxury boat industry said at a conference in Singapore on Wednesday. "We had a guy turn up a few weeks ago in a Lamborghini and say 'Look, my friend has just bought the same Lamborghini. What can we do different?'" Simon Turner, the Singapore-based director of yacht brokers Northrop and Johnson, told Reuters. "So we got some boat brochures and he said 'I'll buy one'. It was done in five minutes. That's a $10 million yacht." As Western economies sputter, Asia has steamed along with growth and wealth creation. The 2011 Merrill Lynch-Capgemini World Wealth Report showed Asia has 3.3 million people with high net worth, just behind the 3.4 million in North America but ahead of the 3.1 million in Europe. It is a trend the yacht industry is keen to capture, along with Singapore, which is rebranding itself as a sophisticated haven for the rich with casinos, top shopping and four marinas that can accommodate boats of 25 metres (82 feet) and longer. This week's Asia-Pacific Superyacht Conference flows into the Singapore Yacht Show that runs from Friday to Sunday, when the ultra-affluent can peruse some of the world's largest boats, check out a showcase of supercars, sip champagne in a VIP lounge and enjoy meals by Michelin-starred chef Pascal Aussignac. The biggest boat in the show, the 57-metre (187-foot) MY Montigne, is also for sale to anyone with a spare $21.8 million. The three-mast sailing yacht has six en-suite staterooms, a large saloon with a piano and "a state of the art audio-visual system throughout, as well as an extensive watersports toys list," brokerage Simpson Marine says. "A DISCO OR A SPA" Hong Kong remains the biggest market for luxury boats in Asia but Thailand, China, Indonesia and Singapore are growing significantly, Jean-Jacques Lavigne, executive director of the Singapore Superyacht Association, told the conference. "We are all here in Asia for one reason - to serve the people who are mariners and make a lot of money," he said. "The big fight is really in production boats, new ones." Established boat builders and related firms are too focused on "gloom and doom in Europe" and not really ready for the shift to new markets and young, wealthy Asian buyers, he said. "You've got to sell new stuff and change your way of thinking," Lavigne told the delegates. Other challenges for the industry and sailors include overcrowded marinas in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, the need for more infrastructure throughout Asia and regulatory uncertainties in countries like China and Indonesia. "It's a question of how can we manage the growth and provide facilities. We have a massive shortage of crew and there's very little training for them out here in Asia," Turner said. "Big yachts are owned by entrepreneurs and important business people so if they come to your country with their yacht, they want to see good service, facilities, assistance in a forward-looking country." Asians value the same things in a luxury boat as Westerners - privacy, adventure, family time, lifestyle and a place to do business - but to varying degrees and with their own touches. Space on deck is not that important to Asians, who prefer to spend time inside their boats, said Francesca Ragnetti, trade marketing manager at Italy's Azimut Benetti Group, which now has offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong. "They ask for a karaoke room, for a mega-cinema room, things like this that they can enjoy with their friends," she told Reuters. "And a disco or a spa." Absolute Fractionals will follow up its successful launch of shared powerboat ownership at the Phuket International Boat Show by exhibiting at the Singapore Yacht Show on the 27-29th April (stand B19).

International Theme Focus of Vacation Ownership Industry Annual Convention

Roy — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:06:04 +0000

More than 2,600 timeshare professionals and industry leaders gathered for the 2012 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) World Convention and Exposition at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from April 1-5. This year’s ARDA World Convention focused on global issues, and the international theme was present throughout all educational forums, workshops, and sessions including how to break into international markets; similarities and differences in sales practices across the globe; and findings from ARDA’s first international research in a decade. “This year’s program at ARDA World featured timely topics on the international landscape of vacation ownership and speakers who addressed global marketplace opportunities,” says Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. “We were thrilled to see so many of the best and brightest in our industry and learn from our international partners about product developments and innovations from around the globe.” ARDA members were joined by hundreds of international colleagues from over 35 countries, and activities included the ARDA-Caribbean Committee, an International Reception, and nine international educational sessions that focused on growth and opportunity in international markets. Additionally, the general sessions and one session from each educational wave featured simultaneous translation into Spanish and Portuguese for ARDA’s international guests. Keynote speaker and loyalty expert Frederick Reichheld, a Bain Fellow and founder of Bain & Company’s loyalty practice, shared his insights into retaining customer loyalty via the Net Promoter Score® management system, of which he is the creator. Attendees also heard from timeshare CEOs representing Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, and Wyndham Vacation Ownership on the state of the industry, the secondary marketplace, highlights from the AIF World Wide Study, and other valuable topics. This year, ARDA also opened its general session to key international members from Europe, Asia, South Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Mexico, who are all developing and doing business in these regions. These international members shared what is and isn’t working in international development and their thoughts on the future of vacation ownership around the world. Other notable sessions included the Social Media Forum, which focused on using the industry’s most powerful marketing tool—happy owners—to turn the tide of online commentary, engage a new generation of prospective buyers, and turn interest into bookings and sales. The Sales and Marketing Forum presented a series of vignettes that depict potentially difficult situations for sales and marketing professionals, and the Technology Forum took a multifaceted and interactive look at the world of Web sites, exploring how to attract and engage users. The Resale Forum addressed resale at the base level (the interval, the owner, and the resort) and explored how a healthy secondary market is critical to continued growth and success of the industry. News of recently passed legislation in Florida, the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act was supported by ARDA and ARDA-ROC in an ongoing effort to rein in fraudulent resale practices, was announced at the forum. This year’s convention also featured its annual golf tournament at The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, at the base of Snow Mountain in the Southern Nevada Desert. RCI once again served as the title sponsor for this event that raised funds to support the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) industry research and education programs. Interval International’s “Party with a Cause,” featuring The Beach Boys, also raised funds for AIF. This year’s Signature Sponsors included: American Express, Capital One, Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Systems International, ICE, Interval International, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, RCI, ResortCom International, Starwood Vacation Ownership, TimeShareWare, and Wyndham Vacation Ownership. The ARDA World 2012 Global Development Sponsor was FONATUR.

Where to Buy ?

Roy — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:05:14 +0000

Absolute Real Estate is proud to offer a tempting selection of properties in Thailand’s most stunning destinations. We invite you to invest in a dream home or holiday retreat on a flexible basis – choosing from outright foreign-owned freehold, long-term 90-year leases, or innovative shared-ownership arrangements. Our own collection of award-winning resort developments include Absolute Nakalay Beach Resort in Phuket, with its incomparable views of the Andaman sea, pink-hued sunsets and stunning jungle-clad mountain landscapes; Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, a contemporary, architect-led resort embraced by two pristine beaches on the outstanding Phuket peninsula; the award-winning designer resort The Beach Samui in Koh Samui, a consciously developed boutique set in the tranquil oasis of a traditional fishing village and Absolute Signature Villas at Palm Grove, a serene five-star hotel set amidst lush gardens a million miles in spirit from the thriving nightlife of neighbouring Pattaya. Phuket is Thailand’s most popular destination, and in 2010 named as Conde Nast’s ‘Top 3 Best Island Destinations’ thanks to its secluded islands, pristine beaches, year-round sunshine and crystal clear waters. Home to some of the country’s most genuinely welcoming people, Phuket is sure to remain a top investment destination. “The Pearl of the Andaman Sea” is the perfect place to unwind, a zen-like home to Buddhist temples and traditional villages. Those looking for adventure can explore tropical landscapes, untouched coral reefs, tiny islands and exotic wildlife, heading back to designer properties by dusk, to prepare for the area’s incredible nightlife. Home to the nation’s second busiest airport, Phuket offers direct connections to Asia’s largest cities as well as transfers to Bangkok, Chang Mai, Koh Samui and Pattaya, throughout the day. Tucked off the east coast of Surat Thani Province in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui offers a perfect blend of stunning natural seaside landscapes and lush tropical vegetation. Testament to the island’s enduring attraction are its awards by Conde Nast as a top 10 island destinations and Trip Advisor as Most Romantic Island Destination. Koh Samui has a resort to suit all tastes, from vibrant Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast, with its lively shopping and nightlife, to the luxurious and exclusive Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi along the western coast and the stunning seascapes of the tranquil Thong Krut in the south. The airport has daily flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, with direct flights to Dubai, Shanghai and Bali in the pipeline. Pattaya City, known globally as the ‘Asian Riviera’, welcomes up to one million excited tourists a year. Situated less than 100 miles southeast of Bangkok on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is the favoured holiday destination of the country’s wealthiest citizens. With a colourful mix of nationalities and ethnicities from near and far, Pattaya is best known for its vibrant and varied nightlife, whilst also boasting an array of international cuisine, adrenalin fueled watersports and lengthy beaches. Fantastic opportunities abound for clients on the lookout for a wise investment in a tropical home away from home, and for those wanting to promote the sale of their own contemporary developments. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, you can be confident of making the most informed real estate decisions, with the support of our fully trained, multilingual sales force on the ground in Thailand. Thanks to its proximity to Bangkok, Pattaya is the ideal location for frequent visitors jetting in for fabulous breaks from all over the world. Is an easy taxi ride from Bangkok and also reachable via excellent rail and bus links, as well as a small airport open mainly to private flights.

Featured Property : Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa

Roy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:15:02 +0000

Spacious corner penthouse apartment in tranquil, architect-led resort overlooking sparkling Andaman Sea. Nestled between two pristine white sand beaches on Phuket’s peninsula and overlooking the sparkling Andaman Sea, Twin Sands is a stunning collection of 45 contemporary apartments all with views over the tropical seascape. The resort benefits from a peaceful location, however residents are never far from world-class shopping, two beaches and of course Phuket’s award winning golf courses, and with all Fractional owners benefiting from the latest Callaway equipment, the toughest decision you will have to make is to relax in the resorts Zen Spa or unwind with a few rounds. The impressive architecture combines glass, stainless steel and textured stone, creating a seamless blend into the surrounding landscape of water and lush tropical vegetation. Inside owners benefit from luxurious contemporary interiors with fully equipped kitchens, double showers and private balconies, all with sea views. In keeping with Absolute’s standards, the development’s 24-hour services and facilities will include private terrace or home dining as well as in-house Twin Sands’ restaurant, wellbeing Zen Spa, multi level infinity pools and fully-equipped fitness centre, sauna and steam room. The apartments are currently available to purchase off-plan and Phase I is due to be ready for occupation Summer 2012 with Phase II and Phase III to follow.

Asia-Pacific Superyacht Conference and Singapore Yacht Show put the spotlight on Asia

Roy — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:09:44 +0000

International participants will gather to debate issues and opportunities in the world’s most exciting emerging superyacht cruising and building destination Singapore. The 4th Asia-Pacific Superyacht Conference is staged two days before the Singapore Yacht Show – Asia’s first superyacht-focused boat show. Taking place at ONE 15 Marina Club from the 25th – 26th April, this year’s conference welcomes an international line-up of speakers and panellists who will debate a range of topics and provide key market insight to delegates looking to grow their businesses in Asia-Pacific. Over 150 yachting professionals from around the world are expected to take part. Fabrizio Scerch from Benetti Yachts will headline day one of the conference by delivering a keynote speech on market entry strategies. Panel discussions will take place throughout the day with representatives from Azimut Grande, Benetti, Feadship Royal Van Lent, Northrop & Johnson, Super Yacht Logistics and HALCYON Group among others. Experts will interact with the audience using a number of presentations and discussions designed to encourage interactive audience participation. Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of the Singapore Yacht Show, explains: “The Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference is the only forum in this region for superyacht professionals to get together; it’s an essential platform to help further expand the top end of the leisure marine business in Asia. The conference is now in its fourth year and is increasingly important as the superyacht industry turns its eye to the opportunities for their businesses in this buoyant region.” By co-locating the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Conference alongside the Singapore Yacht Show, Treadwell’s proposition is that industry experts have additional opportunities to network, not just with other marine and yacht experts but the opportunity to meet high net worth visitors attending the Singapore Yacht Show, and get a real feel for the requirements of Asian superyacht buyers and owners in this emerging region. The industry is in agreement: “The Conference provides a strong platform for some of the biggest names in yachting. It offers a great opportunity for the industry to delve deeper into the Asian market. The region is just beginning to realize its potential as a yachting hub and some of the most influential yachting brands are now focusing their attention on Asia,” said Giordano Pellacani, Asia General Manager of Megayacht Division – Azimut Benetti Group, adding, “This will inevitably spur growth in the region, across all elements of the industry. The outlook for Asia is extremely positive.” Asia has the potential to become one of the most impressive yachting playgrounds in the world, and interest from the West is made manifest by the increasing numbers of superyachts visiting the region and participating in the Singapore Yacht Show. Tork Buckley, AssocRINA Senior Consultant and founder of Big Blue Consulting, said, “The growth in the region is promising as more yachts are starting start to find permanent berths in Asia. Visiting yachts too are vital, and as a founder and committee member of APSA (Asia Pacific Superyacht Association), I am delighted by the success of events like this which will help us grow those numbers. Asia is a completely different market from the more established Western ones with their long yachting legacy and developed superyacht industry.” He added, “However, this region is developing quickly by adapting the regional luxury goods culture and aspirations, so superyacht ownership becomes an integral part of that culture. This Conference provides an ideal forum for regional industry experts to share their wealth of knowledge with global brands looking to make headway in Asia.” Delegates attending the conference include representatives from all areas of the yachting industry such as superyacht owners, captains, designers and builders, through to marina owners, refit and repair yards, as well as government and regulatory bodies and the tourism industry. Visitors to the conference will also be invited to attend a host of networking and social events organised by the Singapore Yacht Show including the Singapore Yacht Show Gala Dinner, held at the exclusive Capella Singapore hotel.

Russian invasion revs up Phuket rental market

Roy — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:52:34 +0000

Despite the impact of the sluggish European economy on some of its core tourist source markets, Phuket continues to attract international visitors and remains a popular choice for holiday-makers. In recent years a new trend has emerged with more visitors choosing to rent private villas instead of staying in hotels. A big improvement in rental demand for Phuket villas and condominiums was seen during the high season last year. These tenants are coming from a greater variety of countries, including Hong Kong and Singapore, Russia, Korea and India, as well as Europe, and are looking into properties on the island from north to south. The inquiries for the ''Millionaires' Mile'' in Kamala are mostly from Europeans and wealthy Russians. In fact Russians are spread across all areas from north to south, but they favour the busy Patong and Karon areas the most for their full range of amenities and attractions including restaurants, nightlife and shopping malls. Koreans prefer to stay in Bangtao, next to the Laguna area. More retail community developments are emerging in many parts of island, not only at Patong. For example, in the Cherng Talay-Bangtao area, the Boat Avenue project is a mixed-use development that integrates commercial and residential functions to get the best use out of the property. This project will create a new walking and shopping street for the Laguna area. Visitors looking for rental units are planning stays for as short as three days and as long as one or two months, depending on nationality. Most Europeans prefer to stay for at least one month, whereas Asians look for places to stay on a weekly basis. The significant increase in inquiries last year and the remarkable growth of the rental market reflect the healthy expansion of tourist arrivals to Phuket _ a record number of more than 4.2 million international passengers passed through the city's airport last year. The island is becoming increasingly popular with a broader range of international travellers because it is a lively destination with lots of activities, accommodation, shopping and other attractions such as a water park and theatre.

The Russian invasion in particular continues to pick up momentum every year. With destinations such as Egypt and Turkey losing favour because of rising concerns over security, Thailand in general and Phuket in particular are drawing more Russians seeking a warm-weather holiday, as well as business investors from Russia. The average length of stay of Russian tourists is two weeks. Koreans make up another growing market but they tend to stay for just four to seven days. Rental rates vary widely depending on unit type, size and property location, as the examples in the chart show. For example, a three-bedroom villa with usable area of 242 square metres in the Laguna area costs about US$1,000 to $1,250 (30,900 to 38,600 baht) per night during the peak season. In Kamala, $2,000 per night will get you a four-bedroom villa with usable area of 950 sq m on a one rai plot of land. Projects located in the Karon and Patong areas are cheaper, with one-bedroom units for as little as $90 a night and two bedrooms for $270. Most of the upmarket villa buyers in Phuket use their residences periodically throughout the year and expect some form of rental management during the time they are not on the island. Some are pure investors and rarely come to Phuket. The two-bedroom segment is the most promising as it meets the needs of the new groups of visitors now coming to Phuket and seeking affordable rentals. This year, many budget condominiums are also being launched across the island, and the developers are offering buyers rental returns guaranteed at 6% for three years in some projects in Patong and nine years for a project located in Karon. Selling prices at these developments range from three to five million baht for a studio unit. Units of this type are expected to be able to command rental rates of 3,800 to 4,800 baht a night in the high season from November to April, and 1,500 baht a night in the low season.

Nattha Kahapana is the director of Knight Frank Phuket

Featured property : Absolute Nakalay Beach Resort

Roy — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:19:16 +0000

Ultramodern 3-bedroom penthouse with private jacuzzi terrace overlooking azure sea. Nestled in a calm and secluded cove along Nakalay Beach, just minutes from buzzing Patong, the boutique Nakalay Beach resort boasts 31 luxury apartments with panoramic views of the Andaman Sea, jungle-clad mountains and spectacular sunsets. Couples and families alike can kick back at the large, freeform swimming pool or work up a sweat at the fully equipped fitness centre, while night owls can hit the Patong Beach party scene., freeform swimming pool or work up a sweat at the fully equipped fitness centre, while night owls can hit the Patong Beach party scene. With each of the development’s spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and penthouses include a private terrace so residents can enjoy a seamless indoor-outdoor experience, extending to the restaurant dining areas. All your security needs will be met, with undercover parking, CCTV, 24-hour concierge and video-entry. Each exclusive apartment features local and Western artworks, fully equipped high specification kitchens, international direct-dial telephones, WiFi, cable TV and DVD players. For those with a slightly grander budget, our mountain and sea view penthouses have their own rooftop terraces and Jacuzzis. Absolute Nakalay is a multi award winning resort having received the 2010 Overseas Property Professional Award.

Songkran: Let the battle commence

Roy — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:48:13 +0000

In stark contrast to the deserted scenes in Phuket’s fun town during yesterday’s tsunami alert, the streets this morning were packed with foreign and Thai tourists and local people making an early start to celebrations. Police, who were yesterday the only people to be seen on the streets are now massively outnumbered by the crowds of revellers. Songkran will be celebrated in Patong for two days, ending tomorrow. A parade along Taweewong Rd took place this afternoon and the official opening ceremony of the Songkran festival takes place this evening at 6pm, followed by a Miss Songkran contest. Tomorrow (April 13), for the early morning from 7:30 am, locals and tourists are invited to join Buddhist ceremonies at Wat Suwankiriwong at the foot of Patong Hill. In the evening, beginning at 6pm, there will be various performances by Patong students in Soi Bangla.

Absolute Thai Magazine : April/May 2012

Roy — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:19:08 +0000

Absolute Thai Lifestyle Magazine has become a staple across the magazine stands of high-end resorts and international airports across Thailand. 60,000 free copies are published every two months, giving readers a taste of the elegance, decadence and exotic luxury of life in Thailand whilst providing them with the latest local offers and exciting opportunities to maximise their holiday experience.

Open publication - Free publishing - More absolute thai