Hua Hin Today
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Volume 8 issue 10 August 2011
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Volume 8 Issue 10 August 2011
turn buyers towards Thailand
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ith Hong Kong property prices soaring, investors from the city are looking elsewhere for property speculation opportunities. Pace Development has cashed in nicely on this trend, with Hong Kong buyers snapping up sales of over THB350 million (US$11.69 million) in just three days after a roadshow for luxury development MahaNakhon, according to the Bangkok Post. Currently, prices in Hong Kong are about five times as great as prices in Bangkok,
with new condo units fetching as much as THB1.2 million (US$40,080) per sq m. Currently, interest rates for deposits are usually around two per cent, and thus purchasing property has become the preferred form of investment for wealthy Hong Kong residents and mainland Chinese alike. As prices continue to climb, eyes have started to turn elsewhere, and Thailand is a popular alternative location. Speaking with the Bangkok Post, executive director for investment
and project marketing at CB Richard Ellis said, “Bangkok is still a top-two destination for lifestyle in the eyes of investors in Hong Kong. Their interest in luxury Thai property is driven by a lift in optimism about the overall political and economic environment in Thailand.” Pace Development executive Sorapoj Techakrasri claimed interest picked up after the election, with investors optimistic about new proposed infrastructure projects, which could cause many developments to appreciate considerably in the near future. After the enthusiastic response in Hong Kong, Pace will hold another roadshow in Singapore this weekend. It targets sales of 15-20 units at a value of about THB600 million (US$20.04 million) from both roadshows. Mr. Sorapoj said smaller units were preferred by investors while larger ones were more suitable for buyers seeking a residence. The super-luxury MahaNakhon mixeduse project will be worth THB19 billion (US$634.6 million) and will have 194 condominium units priced between THB225,000 (US$7,520) and THB345,000 (US$11,523) per sq m. The 77-storey building will be the tallest in Bangkok. It will also house a hotel, Bangkok Edition, operated by RitzCarlton and will have 27,000 sq m of retail space. Mr. Sorapoj said luxury project units with a hotel brand were easier to resell. Pace has sold 35% of the MahaNakhon units and expects the figure to increase to 40% after the two roadshows. It aims to have sold 45% of the units by the end of the year.
Hua Hin/Cha-Am
Golf Festival 2011 to Start in August A
iming to encourage Golf enthusiasts to play the sport at all golf courses of international standard in Hua Hin and Cha-Am at only one economical price of 800 baht/person (excluding golf cart and caddie charge), the Golf Festival also let players participate in a golf tournament on every Sunday … Read more in Golf & Sport Section
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Hua Hin Today Volume 8 issue 10 August 2011
Hua Hin Today
Volume 8 issue 10 August 2011
M
Soaring Sukhumvit
ore than 10,000 apartment units in projects worth more than THB10 billion (US$324 million) in Bangkok’s prime area between Ploenchit and Sukhumvit soi 55 are driving up competition among property developers. According to a survey by The Nation last week, both listed and non-listed firms have introduced more than 100 projects since last year and construction will be complete between the end of this year and 2013. Condominiums along this route are in the price range of THB80,000-200,000
Thai Property News
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New Haus launch in Bangkok
(US$2,591-6,478) per square meter with the more expensive projects located between the Ploenchit intersection and the top of Sukhumvit Road and prices ranging from THB80,000-150,000 (US$ 2,591-4,859) can be found between sois 10 and 55. Noble Development president Thongchai Busrapan said that after bookings for Noble Ploenchit opened from June 19-22, the company achieved presales worth THB7.2 billion (US$233.1 million), or half of the total project value of THB14 billion (US$453.3 million). “Although this location has high competition, our project is freehold, which is difficult to find in this area, where most projects are for long-leasehold contracts,” he said. According to a survey by the Real Estate Information Centre, demand in this location is sufficient to absorb the high number of condominium launches as both local and foreign buyers have driven condominium prices 10-20 per cent higher than their presale prices, depending on how close they are to the skytrain.
Child Custody Disputes T
he owner of Siam Firm Inter Laws, Khun Somsak I an established an Attorney at Law with 30 years of working experience in domestic and international law, for individuals both foreign and local, domestic entities and in-house legal counsel for numerous established international companies. Khun Somsak will be giving legal advice about the ever changing situation in regards to Thai Law and keeping readers up to date with the constant changing business and social environment here in Thailand. Child custody disputes between foreign and Thai partners are more complicated than custody disputes between two people of the same nationality abroad or here locally. Under Thai law if a man and a woman have a child together and are not married, the lady will have one hundred percent custody of the child. The reason for this is because she is certain to be the mother of the child as she is the one pregnant whilst the father cannot be confirmed so easily. To obtain custody of the child the father must go through the family court and apply to be the father of the child and be approved; this can be avoided if you have the mothers consent on the issue. After you have received the court order and are registered as the father of your child. Or if you are already married at the time of birth, you are now eligible for fifty percent custody of your child upon separating with your common law wife or wife. In Thailand it is different from the west in that it is not a real fifty-fifty split for custody; the most important factor is the education and care of the child. The parent that takes care of the child’s education will have custody on working days from Monday to Friday. Whilst the other partner will have custody on the weekends, school holidays will be split fifty-fifty between the two parents. Another important factor is the paying of expenses for the child; this payment is also split between the parents fifty-fifty per month with the approximate court order relative to age of the child: 1 to 10 years old 10,000 Baht, 10 to 15 years old 15,000 Baht, 15 to 20 years old
by Khun Somsak Chopaka
20,000 Baht. If one parent has sole custody they do not have to pay for their child as the child is living with them, so half of the amount must be paid by the other partner every month. You have to understand that custody in Thailand is not permanent. Every time that you have the child in your custody you will have to care for them personally, you cannot leave them in the care of a nanny or a relative. If this is the case the other party has the right to submit a case to the court for full custody of the child, if this were to happen it is very difficult to regain custody of the child. But even in this worst case scenario in that you lose all custody, you will still get the chance to visit your child on special occasions such as birthdays or days that are important to them like graduation. It will not mean that you do not have the right to see your child at all. Our comment: It is very difficult to take a child to a foreign country if your child does not have dual nationality passports. If he/she doesn’t have one you will need to apply for a visa at your countries embassy, the chancellor will need to ask the mother of the child to give consent for the child to leave the country. Please understand also that a court order from a foreign country regarding custody will not have any effect here in Thailand whatsoever, vice versa any court order here will not have any effect in your home country. So if you have any problems regarding custody of your child please resolve it here in Thailand. If you have your own case or any questions regarding Thai law feel free to write in to us and we will answer any questions or concerns in this column. By Somsak Chopaka of Siam Firm Inter Laws English Hotline: 081 808 9175, 089 774 6001, 084 979 4714 Pattaya Office: +66 (0) 38 906 721-3 Bangkok Office: + 66 (0) 2 260 3025 – 7 Hua Hin Office: +66 (0) 32 531 508 somsak@siamfirm.co.th For more information see www.siamfirm.co.th
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hai-Singapore developer Dalvey Place launched its 236-unit condominium Haus 23 Ratchada-Latprao in Bangkok. The aptly named project will be located just 190m from the Lat Prao MRT station, and is valued at THB900 million (US$29.3 million), reported The Nation. The location should appeal to buyers who are
looking for a condominium close to the BTS or MRT, but wary of rising prices in central areas such as Silom and Sukhumvit, said Noel Goh, Dalvey Place’s business management developer. Units range in size from 24 to 56.5 sqm, with prices starting from THB2 million (US$65,000) for a fully-furnished unit.
Thailand Property
Awards 2011 receive a flood of nominations
A record number of nominations have been received for the 2011 Thailand Property Awards – widely regarding as the ‘Oscars’ of the Kingdom’s real estate industry. More than 1,350 developers, developments, property agents, architects and real estate companies were nominated by the public and their peers when nominations closed this week. Last year’s winner of the prestigious ‘Best Developer Thailand’ award, Golden Land, is up against 36 other developers who have been nominated in the flagship category. The ‘Best Affordable Condo Development (Bangkok)’ category, a new addition this year, will also see fierce competition with more than 45 nominated projects now eligible to enter. Terry Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer of organisers Ensign Media, said: “The record level of nominations for this year’s Thailand Property Awards is a sign of the strength of the industry. Previous winners have gained significant benefits from winning a Thailand Property Award and I would strongly urge all
those who have been nominated to now submit their entry.” Entries are now being sought from nominated companies. Each entry will subject to a rigorous evaluation process, with just one overall winner selected in each category. A panel of independent industry experts, including lawyers, surveyors, agents and engineers, will be considering each entry in detail and taking into account a range of qualitative factors. Judges will them embark on site visits to shortlisted developments. The Thailand Property Awards, first held in 2005, are widely recognised as a benchmark for excellence in the Kingdom’s residential real estate industry. The Gala Awards will take place at the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok on November 5, and is expected to attract more than 600 attendees. For more information on the categories and judging process for the Thailand Property Awards visitwww.thailandpropertyawards. com
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Hua Hin Today Volume 8 issue 10 August 2011
Hua Hin Today
Golf & Sport 15 The Hua Hin/Cha-Am Golf Festival “tee off” on the 7th of August
Volume 8 issue 10 August 2011
T
he 10th Hua Hin/Cha-Am Festival 2011will tee off the Suan Son Pradiphat Golf Course on the 7th of August. Aiming to encourage Golf enthusiasts to play the sport at all golf courses of international standard in Hua Hin and Cha-Am at only one economical price of 800 baht/person (excluding golf cart and caddie charge), the Golf Festival also let players participate in a golf tournament on every Sunday. The tournament, of which application fee is 2,000 baht (including caddie charge and an evening party), will be held at 10 participating golf courses, namely The Eagle Mill Ford, Suan Son Pradiphat Golf Course, Palm Hills Golf Club and Residence, The Imperial Lakeville Resort and Club, The Banyan Golf Club, The Sawang Resort and Golf Club, the Kaeng Krachan Country Club and Resort, The Luang Hua Hin Golf Course and The Springfield Royal Country Club. Taking place between August and September, the event has many lucky draws for players
who hit the furthest or play a hole in one. Registered golfers get a 10-30% discount at the shops of all participating golf courses . A not-to-be-missed event for golfers, the 10th Hua Hin/Cha-Am Golf Festival 2011. For more information, please contact the TAT, Petchaburi Office at tel. 032 471 005-6 or Prachuab Khirikhan Office at tel. 032 513 885 and all the earlier mentioned golf courses.
เทศกาลหัวหิน-ชะอ�ำ กอล์ฟ เฟสติวลั 2011 นางปิน่ นาถ เจริญผล ผูอ้ ำ� นวยการการท่องเทีย่ ว แห่งประเทศไทย ส�ำนักงานจังหวัดประจวบคีรขี นั ธ์ เปิด เผยว่า การท่องเทีย่ วแห่งประเทศไทยส�ำนักงานจังหวัด ประจวบคีรขี นั ธ์และส�ำนักงานจังหวัดเพชรบุรี ร่วมกับ ชมรมผู ้ บ ริ ห ารสนามกอล์ ฟ จั ง หวั ด เพชรบุ รี ประจวบคีรขี นั ธ์ สมาคมธุรกิจการท่องเทีย่ วหัวหิน-ชะอ�ำ ร่วมจัดงานเทศกาลหัวหิน/ชะอ�ำ กอล์ฟเฟสติวลั ครัง้ ที่ 10 ประจ�ำปี 2554 ขึน้ เพือ่ กระตุน้ ให้นกั ท่องเทีย่ วที่ สนใจกีฬากอล์ฟได้มีโอกาสตีกอล์ฟในสนามที่ได้ มาตรฐานระดับนานาชาติในพืน้ ทีห่ วั หิน-ชะอ�ำ ด้วยราคา สุดประหยัด โดยผูเ้ ข่าร่วมงานสามารถเล่นกอล์ฟได้ใน ราคาเดียว เพียงท่านละ 800 บาท (ไม่รวมค่าแค็ดดีแ้ ละ รถกอล์ฟ) ทุกวัน ทุกสนาม โดยเลือกทีจ่ ะออกรอบที่ สนามใดก็ได้ ยกเว้นสนามทีจ่ ดั การแข่งขัน ส�ำหรับผู้ สนใจเข้าร่วมการแข่งขันจะมีการแข่งขันทุกวันอาทิตย์ เริม่ ต้นเพียงท่านละ 2,000 บาท (รวมค่าแค็ดดีแ้ ละเข้า ร่วมงานเลีย้ ง) โดยตารางการแข่งขันจะผลัดเปลีย่ น หมุนเวียนกันไปแต่ละสนาม นอกจากนีย้ งั มีการลุน้ รับ ของรางวัลมากมาย เช่น รางวัลการแข่งขันตีไกล เลือก ซือ้ สินค้าทีร่ ะลึกส�ำหรับนักกอล์ฟในราคาลดพิเศษ 1030 % ทันทีทโี่ ปรช็อปทุกสนาม ลุน้ รางวัลโฮล์อนิ วันใน
วันปิดเทศกาล และยังมีโอกาสได้รบั เลือกเข้าแข่งขันฟรี ในวันปิดเทศกาลอีกด้วย ส�ำหรับเทศกาลหัวหิน-ชะอ�ำ กอล์ฟเฟสติวลั ครัง้ ที่ 10 ประจ�ำปี 2554 ในครัง้ นีจ้ ะจัด ขึน้ ตลอดเดือนสิงหาคมถึงกันยายน 2554 และส่วน สนามกอล์ฟทีเ่ ข้าร่วมงานในปีนมี้ ี 10 สนามด้วยกัน ได้แก่ สนามกอล์ฟ ดิ อีเกิล้ มิล ฟอร์ด สนามกอล์ฟ สวนสนประดิพนั ธ์ สนามกอล์ฟปาล์ม ฮิลส์ กอล์ฟ คลับ แอนด์ เรสซิเดนซ์, สนามกอล์ฟ เดอะ อิมพีเรียล เลควิว รีสอร์ท แอนด์คลับ, สนามกอล์ฟ เดอะ บันยัน กอล์ฟ คลับ, สนามกอล์ฟสว่าง รีสอร์ท แอนด์ กอล์ฟ คลับ, สนามกอล์ฟแก่งกระจาน คันทรี่ คลับ แอนด์ รีสอร์ท, สนามกอล์ฟหลวงหัวหิน และสนามกอล์ฟสปริงฟิลด์ รอ ยัล คันทรี่ คลับ โดยจะมีพธิ เี ปิดงานเทศกาลหัวหินชะอ�ำ กอล์ฟเฟสติวลั ในวันที่ 7 สิงหาคม ณ สนาม กอล์ฟสวนสนประติพทั ธ์ ส� ำ หรั บ ผู ้ ที่ ส นใจเข้ า ร่ ว มการแข่ ง ขั น สามารถ สอบถามรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมได้ที่การท่องเที่ยวแห่ง ประเทศไทย ส�ำนักงานประจวบคีรขี นั ธ์ 032-513885 หรือส�ำนักงานจังหวัดเพชรบุรี 032-471005-6 หรือ สอบถามได้ที่ สนามกอล์ฟทีเ่ ข้าร่วมโครงการทัง้ 10 สนาม
Petchaburi – Prachuab The Hua Hin International
Hoteliers Kick off Jet Ski Championship
Traditional Football Match
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he Hotel Association of Western Thailand and the Association of Tourism Business in Cha-Am & Hua Hin, together with the Association of Petchaburi Tourism and the Sheratan Hua Hin Resort and Spa organized the 17th Traditional Football Match for Hotel staff in Petchaburi and Prachuab Khirikhan, kicking off on the 6th of July at the football field of Rama VI Military Base, according to Dr. Rungrot Sileungsawas, the chairman of the Association of Tourism Business in Cha-Am – Hua Hin. Taking place daily between 6 July and 17 August from 2 p.m. onwards, the traditional football match aims to strengthen relations and unity of all participating organizations and hoteliers. Among many participating hotels in Petchaburi and Prachuab Khirikhan, the hotels
that send their staff to take part in the event are Aka Resort Hua Hin - Asara Villa Suite - Cher Resort - Chiva-Som International Health Resort - Dusit Thani Resort Hua Hin - Haven Resort Hua Hin - Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa - Hua Hin Grand Hotel & Plaza - Hyatt Regency Hua Hin - Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort - Long Beach Cha-Am & Tara Mantra Cha-Am Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin - Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & V-Villas Hua Hin. The final match will take place on 17 August together with the prize awarding and closing ceremony. For more information and timetable for each match, please contact 032 708 000.
T
in November 2011
by Supansa
he Hotel Association of Western Thailand and the Association of Tourism Business in Cha-Am & Hua Hin, together with the Association of Petchaburi Tourism and the Sheratan Hua Hin Resort and Spa organized the 17th Traditional Football Match for Hotel staff in Petchaburi and Prachuab Khirikhan, kicking off on the 6th of July at the football field of Rama VI Military Base, according to Dr. Rungrot Sileungsawas, the chairman of the Association of Tourism Business in Cha-Am Taking place daily between 6 July and 17 – Hua Hin. August from 2 p.m. onwards, the traditional football match aims to strengthen relations and unity of all participating organizations and hoteliers. Among many participating hotels in Petchaburi and Prachuab Khirikhan, the hotels that send their staff to take part in the event are Aka Resort Hua Hin - Asara Villa Suite - Cher Resort - Chiva-Som International Health Resort - Dusit Thani Resort Hua Hin - Haven Resort Hua Hin - Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa - Hua Hin Grand Hotel & Plaza - Hyatt Regency Hua Hin - Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort - Long Beach Cha-Am & Tara Mantra Cha-Am Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin - Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & V-Villas Hua Hin. The final match will take place on 17 August together with the prize awarding and closing ceremony. For more information and timetable for each match, please contact 032 708 000.