Samui a world property hotspot

• The expert overseas property company, David Stanley Redfern, has recently highlighted Samui as the second best worldwide location for a property investment after the Philippines. It stated that Samui now has more 5- and 6-star resort developments than any other Southeast Asian island, and the competition in the market is good for buyers because it’s forcing developers to find ways to make their developments stand out. In a separate report the company has again promoted investments on Samui stating that people who bought on the island in recent years have made 100% profit on their investments and resort properties continue to grow by 20% a year. Samui’s incredible growth is fuelled primarily by impressive tourism figures. As the number of people taking advantage of the island’s white sandy beaches, tropical climate and relaxed atmosphere increases by 20% per year, resort properties on Samui will continue to attract a great proportion of the visitors, and property prices continue to grow accordingly. Renowned property agency Colliers International supports this opinion and states that foreign investors are expected to invest up to Bt70 billion in the Thai property sector this year, following the lifting of the Bank of Thailand’s 30% capital reserve requirement (Read More)

More hotel arrivals

• Tanayong, a large residential and commercial property development company, has announced plans to open 12 hotels in Thailand over the next 5 years. Managing Director, Khun Kavin Kanjanapas, said the company intended to acquire and build a deluxe brand of hotels and resorts including one on Samui. Tanayong has appointed InVision Hospitality, a hotel consultant firm, to create the brand U Hotels and Resorts. Each will have a maximum 100 rooms and in some cases will include a residential element. TCC Land has set aside an investment budget of nearly Bt10 billion for new hotels this year. Samui will see the opening of two Imm Brand Hotels. The Erawan Group has released a plan to double revenues with its biggest expansion drive for 25 years. The three-year Bt9 billion development plan focuses on the hotel business. It will build 12 new hotels including an Accor Ibis budget hotel on Samui and rooms will be added to Renaissance Samui as part of the plan. After 36 years of operating locally Amari Hotels and Resorts is expanding internationally. However, despite the move abroad, the company is also in the process of developing a new hotel on Samui worth Bt1.6 billion which is scheduled to open in 2010 (Read More)

Asia’s boutique island to grow

• Research by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) has shown that Samui is experiencing significant growth. Last year, the island welcomed 1.5 million visitors, up from 600,000 in 2000. These tourist arrivals are expected to rise further with the introduction of the Thai Airways’ flights. In fact, the number of airport arrivals this year is expected to surpass the 2 million mark. Khun Prakaipeth Meechoosarn, Manager of CB Richard Ellis Samui, stated, “The improved connectivity will be a key factor in supporting growth in the area’s property market.” CBRE remains confident of the long-term prospects of the Thai resort market. Last year, the company opened on Samui as part of its plan to expand its network in Thailand. Its research said land prices in Samui continued to rise last year even though the number of individual transactions dropped, due to uncertainty surrounding proposed changes to the Foreign Business Act. The value of property transactions in 2007 was estimated at an average of Bt413 million a month, down from an average of Bt450 million in 2006. But, since last December’s general election, viewings and sales have increased. CBRE is now witnessing more developments within a price range of $2 - 3 million and believes that Samui is poised to soar on the back of a growing supply of strong, reputable brands. Samui may always be smaller in size than Phuket but it’s forging ahead in the real-estate field (Read More)

A Perfect Samui Landing For “Royal Orchid” Service

• Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. led by Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, President, organized a gala dinner to launch their new route to Koh Samui at Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui. The guests of honour included Vinai Buapradit, Governor of Suratthani, Supatra Chirathivat, an owner of the hotel and Senior Vice President – Development of Centara Hotels & Resorts, Dr.Prasert Prasartthong-Osoth, Chaisawas Kittipornpaiboon, The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport, Adisorn Kumnerdsiri, Sheriff of Koh Samui. The theme ‘French Polynesian’ was set in the main lawn of Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui. The theme colour was purple which is the colour of Thai Airways International’s (TG) logo. The guests were asked to wear white and cream. The party started with a cocktails reception, followed by a buffet dinner. When all the guests arrived, the Brazilian Dancers of Samui Zico’s Restaurant performed and Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, the President of TG came up on the stage welcoming all the distinguished guests and presses. Thereafter, Vinai Buapradit, the Governor of Suratthani province, was invited to give an opening speech. The champagne was opened and then everybody toasted to mark the launch of this new route. Famous singer Jennifer Kim came on Stage with the Famous Ko-Mr.Sax Man to surprise all the guests. Great fun was had by all and the party concluded with a lucky draw to win round-trip tickets Samui-Bangkok-Hong Kong, a round-trip ticket Samui-Bangkok-Chiang Mai and a round-trip ticket Bangkok-Samui with accommodation. Now TG is ready to receive bookings to Samui!! (Read More)

New Thailand tourism website; Songkran festival in April

• Chiang Mai's Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi Hotel can be found in the 'Thainess' section of TAT's new Web site.The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a new themes and deals website, a handy tool for those beginning research on a trip to the Southeast Asian hotspot. Information on the colorful site is organized into themes, including beaches (from Samui to Phuket), nature (think luxury tents and jungle tours), trendy (Bangkok boutique, baby) and Thai-ness (historic palaces and the like). It’s a site still needing polish as well as time (e.g., travelers’ reviews will be a great addition to the site, if and when they can build the audience that includes inspired review-writers). However, even in its infancy, the site offers a useful range of info for those interested in some online exploration of Thai travel possibilities. Surf around and see what kinds of accommodations and special deals are available. Though not a booking site, it gives brief overviews on a variety of accommodations, and then the venue contact info in case you want to reserve anything. In the Festivities section, I was reminded that the country’s largest, most boisterous event, the Songkran festival, is just around the corner. A countrywide party in which everyone throws water on everyone else, it occurs April 13-15, 2008. If you’re thinking about soaking it up (or soaking in it, rather), you’ll need to make plans very, very soon. (Read More)

Samui expected to pass Phuket as most expensive resort destination

• The 10 or so luxury resorts planned for Koh Samui over the next five years will make the island the most expensive destination in the Kingdom. The Mandarin Oriental, the world's top chain of luxury hotels, is considering building a resort on the island. It will be its third property in Thailand, following Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Banyan Tree, Intercontinental, Conrad, Sheraton and W Hotel of the Starwood Group are also at different stages of development. Local chains like Amari will not be left behind. It will launch the Sirimaya Resort next year or in 2010, along with an X2 Resort this year. Tourism Association of Koh Samui president Seni Puwasetthawon yesterday said more than 10,000 guestrooms would be added over the five years to the 14,000 rooms available today. (Read More)

Samui airport to become second international flight hub

• Bangkok Airways, the country's largest privately owned carrier, plans to turn Samui Airport into a second international air hub after Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in the next one or two years. The airline would launch more direct international flights for medium-haul routes through the small resort airport. The plan falls under Bangkok Airways' growth plan and the mandate of the Samui Property Fund. Also in the pipeline are plans to offer direct flights from Samui to Dubai, Shanghai, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur. The airline already has scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Singapore. Being instrumental to the launch of the direct international flights from Samui is the arrival this year of additional A319s boost capacity for the longer flights, said Bangkok Airways vice-president M.L. Nandhika Varavan. The first of the six A319s that Bangkok Airways has ordered is already operating, while three more are due for delivery this year with the rest gradually joining the fleet until Nov 2009. ''The definite launching dates of these international flights has yet to be decided, but are unlikely in the very near future,'' M.L. Nandhika said. That depends on the four-year marketing plan Bangkok Airways is finalising, she added. The bulk of Bangkok Airways' flights originate from Suvarnabhumi and a substantial number of its passenger traffic is between Bangkok and Samui. Bangkok Airways carries about 600,000 passengers a year through Samui Airport. With a limited number of international flights, Samui Airport is largely classified as a domestic airport, flying mostly foreign tourists from Bangkok to Samui.Aside from Bangkok Airways' own international-bound services, Samui serves a handful of international flights from Malaysia by the low cost carrier Firefly and Selangor-based Berjaya Air. Part of the problem is environmental restrictions on the number of flights and operating hours, with a total of 36 flights per day currently allowed. But Bangkok Airways is eager to make Samui Airport its second traffic base to support the airport's new 500-million-baht passenger terminal that was completed early last year. The new terminal is four times larger than the old one and can handle 16,000 passengers a day. It is intended to cope with surging foreign tourist traffic to the island over the next 10-years. Meanwhile, air traffic through Samui last year slowed from the previous year. According to the Department of Civil Aviation, total passenger throughput dropped 15.71% to 1.18 million from 1.40 million in the previous year while combined aircraft movements also fell 15.87% to 15,783.
  

THAI could begin Bkk-Samui flights by April

• Thai Airways International (THAI) hopes to start Bangkok-Samui flights in April, but only if it can reach an agreement on landing times and fees with the airport's owner, Bangkok Airways. THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said the national carrier wants to ferry tourists arriving from Europe straight to Koh Samui. Many of the European flights arrive in Bangkok between 5am and 6am, so Thai Airways would schedule its flights out of Bangkok for Samui for between 7am and 8am, he said. ''But without a proper flight window we might have to abort plans to fly to Koh Samui,'' he said. ''We will not operate flights when there are no passengers.'' Bangkok Airways has a monopoly on flight services to the resort island as it built and operates the only airport there. The monopoly has lead to public complaints about expensive fares and too few flights. (Read More)

Authorities ease restrictions on high-capacity Koh Samui flights

• Environmental authorities have given the green light to airlines that want to operate higher-capacity aircraft and offer more flights through the privately run Samui Airport. The recent approval of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning would lead to a 62% increase in permitted aircraft seat capacity to and from the island in the Gulf of Thailand. As part of the approval, carriers would be allowed to operate two additional daily flights beyond the previous maximum of 34 flights per day while using two more aircraft types, the Airbus 319 and Boeing 737-400. The endorsement allows Bangkok Airways, which controls the bulk of air services through the airport that it owns and manages, to use the larger A319, capable of seating 144 passengers. Bangkok Airways will now be able to use its new higher-capacity Airbus A319 at Samui. (Read More)

In the online world, anyone can be a real estate magnate

• Mike Jameson owns more than 700 cities, including Washington, D.C.; Lake Buena Vista, Fla., (home of Walt Disney World Resort); and Manchester, Conn., the town where he lives. Jameson is not a big developer or politico. But in the virtual world of Weblo.com, anyone can own any real property, such as a building, an airport, a city, a state, a country. And in the Weblo world, users can make real money off their virtual properties. Jameson signed on to the Web site when it came out in September after being frustrated by other virtual world sites that he said were too hard to use. In the real world, Jameson sells real estate in Connecticut and Massachusetts. In the virtual world, he owns 195 properties, 94 airports, 760 cities, 13 states, 17 celebrity fan sites and 1,430 domains, and counting. He has earned hundreds of dollars off individual sales. For example, Jameson said, he bought Heinz Field, where the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers play, for $ 2. He sold it to another Weblo user for $ 150. ''What I liked about it was the concept, the idea. I think the first week I heard about it, I pretty much bought every town that was available in Connecticut,'' said Jameson. ''From there, I just kept growing. Obviously, the demand is going to be there. Virtual networks are growing drastically.'' The creator of Weblo, Rocky Mirza, seized on an opportunity to join the phenomenon of virtual worlds, where people create avatars — online versions of themselves — and create worlds where they can fly, walk, drive and meet people all around the real globe. Major companies have been using virtual worlds by creating business meetings in-world (as it's called when someone is using the virtual world) or by creating a virtual product and having virtual consumers test-drive it. The most famous virtual worlds are Second Life and There.com. (Read More)

Phuket Residential Market Overview

• Already considered the ultimate resort destination in South-east Asia, Phuket continues to enhance its offering to global tourists and property buyers, according to international property consultants CB Richard Ellis. The island’s striking natural beauty and its unique hospitality already place it amongst the most popular holiday, second home and retirement destinations. The continually increasing range and quality of its facilities and its low cost of living, which remains a fraction of that of Hong Kong, London or New York, truly sets Phuket apart. Many five-star international hotel brands are already operating in Phuket; a second international school is currently being planned and Phuket International Hospital, one of the three private international hospitals on the island, has started construction of a new extension. Phuket’s 6 golf courses are regarded as some of the best in Asia; the new Royal Phuket Marina’s high-end boat facility is now in service; and Jungceylon is scheduled to open its retail centre in Patong in time for the high season, improving the already wide range of shopping facilities. Local authorities are also continuously improving the island’s infrastructure. (read more)

Rental villas compete with hotels

• Natai Beach, Phangnga _ Luxurious hotels in this province and neighbouring Phuket are facing some competition from the owners of posh villas who want to earn a bit of money to cover operating costs with a little left over as profit. People don't really buy expensive villas to make money but some do rent them out to cover maintenance, says Andrew Craig, general manager of Phuket Villas & Homes, an affiliate of the successful Samui Villas & Homes, which has been operating since May of this year. "We try to keep the house occupied at least 20% of the year and that results in some sort of return for the owner and the operating and running cost of the house are then covered." Clearly illustrating this are the four Jivana villas on this pristine beach in Phangnga province, which is very close to Phuket Airport. Each sits on a four-rai land plot with a large beachfront and all are owned by Hong Kong families. Rental rates in the current low season for each of these six-bedroom houses _ with two maids and a full-time chef _ are US$1,200 a night. (read more)

Eriksson set for Samui

• In a further boost to Thai island Koh Samui’s international profile it was announced last week that ex-England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has invested there. Speaking exclusively to APR he outlined the reasons behind his purchase in the Peregrina Bay development. “I was contacted five or six months ago by Jem (Sanders, one of the partners in developer Jemro Development Co,. Ltd) asking if I was interested to promote it and Lans (Sternmarker) my agent went down to see the place and said it was beautiful so I said OK, I’m happy to do that,” he said, speaking in Bangkok this week. Eriksson has bought a 400 sqm penthouse in the development which will have six villas and six condominium units when complete and is located in Laem Set on the island’s secluded south east coast. (Read More)

Six nabbed for animal cruelty

·      Surat Thani _ Police yesterday arrested six men on Koh Samui on charges of illegally possessing protected species of wildlife and cruelty to animals. The six, suspected to be members of a wildlife smuggling gang, were nabbed in front of the Green Mango pub on the resort island's Chaweng beach. Police found in their possession four gibbons, a python and an iguana. During the raid, some of the gang members managed to escape with an eagle and a crocodile, police said. The suspects were identified as Islama-ae Klang, 24, Yarla Porji, 22, Chatchawal Salee, 20, Anand Mangmee, 38, Kriangsak Kitkarn, 28 and Pundit Sepsabai, 27. Police, led by Pol Maj-Gen Boonmee Somsuk, commander of the wildlife protection unit, acted on a complaint filed by Edwin Wiek, director of the Wildlife Friends of Thailand Foundation. The rescued animals were put in the care of the foundation

Koh Samui is a Top Ten Leisure Destination

• Results from the "2007 Best in Travel Poll" have been tallied and Koh Samui is one of the Top Ten Holiday destinations among a field of over 100 destinations. BEST TRAVEL BRANDS 2007 to see the Top Winners voted in Asia’s best business hotels, luxury resorts, spas, destinations, business cities, and the world’s best airlines and airports. The results of the 2007 “Best in Travel Poll” can be seen at http://www.smarttravelasia.com/travelpoll.htm

Thailand’s villa rental market

• For the world’s discerning travellers, nothing carries quite the same prestige as spending a holiday in a luxurious private villa somewhere exotic. And who can blame them? With such added perks as personal chefs, butlers and drivers at your beck and call as you relax by a private infinity pool in your five-bedroom retreat, that 5-star resort down the beach suddenly pales in comparison. Villa owners in Europe, the Caribbean and the US have been capitalizing on this mindset for decades, but it is a trend that has only really started to catch on in Thailand in recent years, partially because the country’s high-end villa sales market itself is still in its infancy compared to other global resort markets. Thailand’s villa rental market is for the most part limited to two areas: Koh Samui and Phuket. Hundreds of travel agencies and rental firms specializing in villas around the world are beginning to take an interest in these two destinations, which has translated into an increase in the number of local firms turning to villa management as a way to offset the recent sales slump that has enveloped the country.(read more)

Firefly Airlines links popular islands

• Phuket and Samui in Thailand are often compared for their natural beauty and lifestyle attractions, as are Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia. Each unique yet all four have similarities, not least their buoyant real estate markets. And now they are joined, not by land but by air, following the announcement of new services by Firefly Airlines. Launched in April and wholly owned by Malaysia Airlines, Firefly is a low-cost start-up based in Penang that currently features a fleet of two Fokker F50 turboprops. As the newest arrival on the Asian aviation scene, Firefly is focusing on non-trunk sectors, rather than going head-to-head with more established rivals. Termed a ´community airline´, Firefly has targeted unique routes as a distinct point of difference. Along with its two popular international routes to Phuket and Samui, it offers domestic flights from Penang International Airport to Kota Bahru, Langkawi, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu. Firefly executives are now aiming to break even in the company´s first year following a positive response in the first month of operation. “Response has been very encouraging as Firefly´s services have been long awaited,” said Eddy Leong, CEO of Firefly Airlines. “Our destinations appeal to leisure travellers, as well as for expatriates residing in Phuket and Samui. We may add new routes once our load targets are achieved.” Firefly´s initial intention is to focus on the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle, with the city of Medan in Indonesia earmarked as a future destination. Over the next five years, the airline´s core network could include markets like North America, South America and South Africa.

Samui Villas & Homes now in Phuket

• Beach villa specialist Samui Villas & Homes (SVH), the 2006 Winner of Best Agent at the Thailand Property Awards, opens a new office in Phuket on the West coast of Thailand today. Situated near Cherng Talay, Phuket Villas & Homes (PVH) will focus on high-end estate management, villa management and villa lettings. The office has already won its first contract for the highly prestigious Jivana Villas, located at Natai Beach, Phang Nga, a short 30 minutes from the airport. The four villas are designed and finished to the highest western standards and each sits on six rai of land with over 60m of beach frontage. Guests will enjoy the ultimate luxurious experience in the most exclusive and private tropical environment, with each villa providing a private pool and up to six resident staff, including a Thai gourmet chef. In particular, PVH prides itself on offering its guests a very high level of concierge service in keeping with the famed Thai hospitality. PVH has appointed Australian Andrew Craig as General Manager; Mr Craig has lived on the island for 6 years and is familiar with high end profile products. Mr Craig said: “I am delighted to be leading Phuket Villas and Homes’ launch of its high-end property service. The company is well known on Koh Samui for setting exemplary standards in the luxury villa market so I very much look forward to extending this reputation here on Phuket. Our focus will be on managing only the most luxurious of villas and estates and delivering the most exclusive levels of personalised service to our guests.” Since inception in 2001, Samui Villas & Homes (SVH) has grown into one of Koh Samui’s leading businesses in the luxury property services sector with a particular reputation as the island’s beach villa specialist. Their portfolio boasts a glittering selection of the finest and most exclusive villas and land on the island, many of which are also employing the full range of property management and letting services.

Ease up on Bangkok Airways, says real estate MD

• In recent months, Bangkok Airways has been at the receiving end of a significant amount of criticism relating to its Bangkok-Samui route. As reported in Property Report Thailand’s December edition, the airline axed a proposed fare hike following complaints from Samui business owners and tourism industry workers that it would have an impact on the island’s economy. But not everyone is pleased with the airline’s flip flop. In fact, John Birt, managing director of Samui Villas and Homes, says businesses should be thanking the airline for opening up a whole new market to them, rather than protesting. “People react to any news about Bangkok Airways without thinking it though. All of us in business on the island wouldn’t be here if not for BA,” says Birt, adding that the airline’s CEO, Dr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, came to the island and built the airport himself, when nobody would assist him financially. “Most people don’t know the true story behind the airline." (read more)