The once hang-out of university dropouts has now become a key player in the luxury international property market, writes Helen Kelly
With year-round balmy weather, an established tourist trade and hospitable people, Thailand has been a popular holiday destination for close to two decades.
Even the cataclysmic tsunami of 2004 has not dented the allure of this beautiful country, which has made a real effort to encourage tourism and overseas property investment back to its shores.
That drive has been successful and tourism figures are very near their pre-tsunami level, according to Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun.
Many just cannot resist the allure of luxurious island life, a slice of which can still be bought — but at a price. For investors with a little extra to spend, Barama Bay Private Island is an exclusive resort and residential development located just 500m off the northeast coast of Phuket. This untouched tropical island has been greanted planning permission for just 31 residential plots ranging from 4,000sqm to 11,200sqm with landscaped tropical gardens. Every plot has breathtaking sea views and 26 of the 31 homes will have direct waterfront access to beaches.
The private homes are designed according to the owners’ wishes following an Asian theme set out by the architect, Bishop International. Inside space will range from 800sqm to 2,500sqm and will be designed to fit in with the landscape. The residential area is closed to all except homeowners and their guests and privacy is guaranteed with state-of-the-art security across the island.
The Jumeirah Barama Bay Private Island Resort, due for completion in 2009, will house 79 villas each with private pool, a spa and wellness facilities and is set on 450 metres of white, sandy beachfront.
Entry level at Barama Bay is around the US$3 million mark for land and house, while single bed hotel villas will go on the market for about US$1.4 million as part of the hotel rental pool, but these are strictly guide prices only. When buying into the island, owners will receive a 10-year prepaid marina berth lease, Founder Private Members’ Yacht Club membership, family lifetime membership to Blue Canyon Golf & Country Club and an electric vehicle for use in the resort, among other perks.
Phuket International Airport is just 15 minutes away, including a short four-minute boat ride. Alternatively, guests can choose to arrive by helicopter directly from the airport. But investors will have to get in quick or else risk losing out. The project was officially released in September and, within weeks, 16 of the 31 estates were sold.
If living on your own secluded island does not appeal and you want to be closer to the action, Peregrina Bay in Laem Set, Maret, on the island of Koh Samui, could be the answer. This luxury low-rise residential development located in a secluded beach position on the southeast side of the stunning island, has been designed by Woods Bagot (Thailand) and is expected for completion in mid 2008.
Homes will be designed to the owner’s needs, but as a guide the show house has five bedrooms with 800sqm of total area, including decking and pond features. In addition, the house has five Jacuzzis and two external pools. A twin-car garage is also installed together with a maid’s quarters.
The low-rise condominium building will have a total of six units, each with twin level duplex layouts, three bedrooms and its own swimming pool with ocean views. Football fans might be interested to know that former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has bought one of the condos as Peregrina Bay, with reportedly other interests from the football world raised.
But don’t bee too surprised if you never see Eriksson or any other homeowner for that matter, as always with this kind of luxury development, you are paying a premium for privacy.
