Category Archive

West and east have always represented opposites whether simply geographic or in terms of ideals and culture. What is even more ironic is that even on an island as small as Phuket this has, until very recently, applied. The west of the island has long appealed to westerners while the eastern side of the island has been largely ignored by all but the reclusive.

Both sides of the island have their own unique attractions but what is becoming clear is that there is a merging of ideas from both camps and the appeal of the island is no longer confined to one or the other.

The East is rising.

Just recently I had a client that emphasised this point. He was looking for a resort style condominium on the west coast, close to the sea with a great view. Of this he was adamant. The problem was he only had six million baht to spend. After hours of deliberation I finally all but blindfolded him and drove him to the Bel Air Panwa development at Cape Panwa.

I think he was unaware we were driving south-east until I finally told him upon arrival we were not actually on the west coast at all. He immediately loved the development and the location and promptly signed on the bottom line.

The point here is simple: the styles of development on each side of the island are merging. The west coast no longer represents the face of outright commercialism while the east coast is not simply the gateway to Phang Nga Bay. This is echoed right through the complete range of developments. Take Andara on the West Coast at Kamala and Cape Yamoo on the East Coast.

Draw a line across the island and they are diametrically opposite but their appeal is not dissimilar – outstanding luxurious multi-million dollar villas in an exclusive setting with stunning sea views.

Without a doubt the east coast is now getting the attention it so rightly deserves. To get a fine meal you will no longer need to rely upon either a trip to Phuket City or The Watermark – Royal Phuket Marina will soon have a number of fine restaurants and caf?s along its Boardwalk, not to mention a host of new eating establishments that are planned for the forthcoming year along the whole length of the east coast.

The same goes for accommodation – besides the well-established Evason and Mangosteen hotels between Chalong and Rawai, soon to join them are the 5-star Conrad at Cape Panwa and possibly Phuket’s first 6-star establishment at Cape Yamoo.

Undoubtedly the previously ignored east coast is being discovered. The sheer awe of Phang Nga Bay is beyond question. But while the east coast appears calm and serene no-one can doubt the alluring appeal of the west coast – and the sun will always set in the west.

I recently returned from the UK having visited two major overseas exhibitions in London and in the process missing the Phuket Post anniversary party and the Lalvani/Cadbury wedding, despite being fortunate enough to receive invitations to both (unfortunately after I had booked to go).

Despite all the recent publicity and my own observations about the high number of enquiries we have been receiving from the UK of late, the Thailand Phuket presence was still insignificant and could easily have been overlooked altogether by a large number of the visitors.

Of course, who but the big developers can afford to be represented there? Well actually, I hope in my own small way to go some way to correct that oversight. I intend to take a selection of some of the finer developments – by finer I do not necessarily mean expensive – to the major exhibitions in the UK next year.

Unfortunately it means time away from paradise to walk the mean streets of Britain, but courage and determination was never for the faint hearted.

Tourist visas are exactly what they are stated to be – visas for tourists. Those of us who wish to stay here indefinitely have a number of means by which we can do that.

Why should we be so surprised about this latest enforcement of the law? Ask a Thai travelling to Europe or, for that matter, a member of the EU travelling to the States. Could a Thai fugitive accused of murdering his daughter hide so easily in the US for almost two years?

Anyway enough political debate, let’s take a refreshed look at the local property market. If you are a regular reader of this column you will know I have been in Europe for the best part of two months. Unlike most of Europe, I am pleased to report that Thailand, and Phuket in particular, is still booming.

What I have also noticed is an increase in enquiries from countries that one would normally count as a holiday destination in their own right. By that I mean Italy and Spain, not to mention Mexico and Brazil.

Additionally we are seeing an increasing number of enquiries from expats living in other parts of Thailand, especially Pattaya, who are considering a purchase in Phuket and seeking a permanent residence here.

The surprise for many of them is the cost of moving here. We had an enquiry last week from an expat based in mainland China seeking a three bedroom apartment for one million baht! I had to ask him if he was referring to a rental. Not surprisingly he did not reply.

I am a little concerned about a trend I first warned about several months ago. Some developers are increasing their prices out of line with usual upward movement during construction. Increased prices are going to happen during construction for a number of reasons – why else would anyone buy off-plan?

As the development gets closer to completion, and to reflect the increasing costs of construction during the course of the development, fair price rises are inevitable.

That is not my concern. I am more worried about developers raising prices out of pure optimism – and perhaps a little greed. I have seen this happen all over the world and it is disastrous for the market. Too much boom is almost certainly followed by bust, ask any market man, not that I see that happening here.

Most developers look to the long term and see Phuket as I do, as one of the future, if not already, most desirable upmarket destinations in the world.

There is another problem I see for some developers. There are already too many developments on Phuket that are not answering the demands of the buyer.

It is frustrating to take a sincere client around the island to look for a certain type of property only to find that property does not exist – in one particular case that meant a good western quality apartment close to any coast for less than ten million baht.

Six months ago I could have shown the client a number of developments around the island but now these are selling out and very little is coming along to take their place.

If you are a developer with just such a development and I have somehow missed you, please give me a call. To paraphrase the usual salesman’s hype: we have clients waiting!

By David Wade, Tropical Homes Real Estate