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Hua Hin Today
Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
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Volume 9 Issue 11 September 2012
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YOTEL – Minutes from Check-in & Arrivals
he Schiphol Airport hotel ( at Amsterdam) is located in the ‘airside’ or ‘transit’ area of the main terminal. The location in Lounge 2, near Pier D gives customers the ultimate experience of being only minutes away from departure and arrival gates. They have created a first class hotel experience at a great value price. ‘Cabins’ are bookable by the hour with check in and checkout times totally flexible for you to choose. The cabins are small but perfectly formed, smartly designed so that everything is at your fingertips, simple and easy to use. They also have free WiFi and hot drinks, ‘Food to Go’ is available 24/7, you can order from our menu at the Galley. So the next time you have an early flight, a stopover or are in transit, why not get a few hours to relax, refresh, connect and sleep before your onward journey. CABINS: The ‘cabins’ come with free WiFi and a workstation. Beds come with luxury sheets and each cabin has a monsoon power shower room with body wash and towels.
The technowall has a TV and power services. In fact, everything you’d find in a luxury hotel in under 10sqm. PREMIUM CABIN: Moving double bed with luxury sheets. Monsoon power shower room with body wash and towels. Technowall with TV and workstation with power services, free WiFi. Underbed luggage storage.110sqft or 10sqm. PREMIUM CABIN DOUBLE BUNK: Double bed and two large bunk style single beds with luxury sheets. Monsoon power shower room with body wash and towels. TV and workstation with power services, free WiFi.248sqft or 23sqm. - max occ. 4,To book this cabin please select the “Twin” cabin in the booking process. STANDARD CABIN: Large bunk style single bed, cosy for two with luxury sheets. Monsoon power shower room with body wash and towels. TV and workstation with power services, free WiFi. 75sqft or 7sqm. Assistant Editor note: Yotel has three cabin-style airport hotels with cabins ranging in size from 75 sq.ft to 108 sq.ft and
each comes equipped with wireless internet, flatscreen tv, foldout desk, en-suite bathroom with shower and 24-hour room service. Oh, and a bed! All for about $50 for the first 4 hours and $12/hr for each additional hour for a standard cabin. In addition to the one in Amsterdam, there is one at Gatwick and Heathrow airports, in London. The NYC Yotel is the first non-airport site, with larger “cabins” at 170 sq.ft and $149 per night. There will be an airport-style self check-in and a robot (Yobot) to store left luggage. For more information please check on www. http:// www.yotel.com
“Wondrous Hua Hin” Special Night by Amari Residences Hua Hin
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mari Residences Hua Hin, the first hotel-serviced condominium with fully furnished by the high quality loose furniture exclusively provided by Chanintr Living, has recently presented .Wondrous Hua Hin the memorable and wonderful experience to launch the ready to move-in condominium project to provide a truly impressive experience with a number of special activities for welcoming all guests and customers at Hua Hin, Khao Takiab road, Prachuabkirikhan. Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, President & CEO of Amari Estates Co., Ltd. stated, “We are proud that the project has been successfully developed as our intention. To express our sincere thanks to our many satisfied customers, we arranged the special moment,Wondrous Hua Hin to provide the truly experience on location for our customers, and to share the happiness and enjoyment during the festive holiday period. The event atmosphere is filled with vibrant colors. From the front of project, there was a stunning installation, Wondrous Hua Hin decorated by colorful sparkling mosaic, coming along with the orange umbrella decoration. Moreover, the lobby of the hotel has opened for welcome guests especially. Golf carts were provided to transport guests to the event zone. When stepping into the event, it was amazed
with the beautiful landscape with the wide green lawn, swimming pool which surrounded by the building of hotels and condominiums like a new kingdom in HUA HIN. Furthermore, there were several D.I.Y. activities for entertaining kids and adults such as batik painting, body painting, cotton candy, as well as Tasty Hua Hin signature food stations. The riveting event came to a magnificent conclusion with a mini concert led by the energetic and cheerful MC Puttachart “Tuitui” Pongsuchart, following by Jennifer Kim, featuring with Tu Nantida alternating beautiful songs and amusing stories.The distinguished guests attending “Wondrous Hua Hin” included Maj Gen Srikanya Tongbaiyai, Sunetta Pathaisawan, Somjai Lertsettakarn, Krissadawan Sayamanond, Arthit Laosakul, Sophit Sucharitkul, VarapornThongsuk Nampawiwat, Amnart Soboonkerd, Nirin Pornprasit Hast-Chayanin Limlarppol, Wattanaporn Limpsaengsri, Duangwimol-Kittipong Petchmontien, Bell-Suphol Puasiriruk, Peck Palitchoke, etc. Live to your own rhythm at Amari Residences Hua Hin and experience the luxury show suite fully furnished and decorated exclusively by Chanintr Living at the sales office, Khao Takiab Road. In addition, don’t miss the upcoming new project in Phuket, which is scheduled to open later in the year.
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Hua Hin Today
Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
Hua Hin Today
Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
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Thai Property News
Bangkok to get new lifestyle complex
hai-based W-Property has announced a THB1 billion investment to create W District, a new lifestyle centre located in the heart of Sukhumvit. In addition to W District, the company also launched Weltz Residences, a luxury condominium targeting highend customers in the Sukhumvit area. “Prakhanong connects downtown and midtown. In the midtown area there are more residences and more people living in this area, and they need quality urban facilities to suit their lifestyle. We have undertaken an in-depth study of the area and our target group, and we are creating a lifestyle mall under the concept of ‘Urban Fusion Lifestyle’ that will be a new lifestyle district, variety, offering a better quality of life and a new urbanista,” said Wichai Poolworaluk of Woraluk Property Company Limited, the developer of the W-Property brand. W District will consist of a retail complex of 10,000 sqm divided into different zones including a super market, restaurants, open spaces, shops and fashion and beauty offering as well as an outdoor activity zone and a hostel. Construction is underway and the project is expected to be completed in the third quarter
Thailand tourism continues digital push with “Thailand in your Hand”
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of 2013. Weltz Residences comprise 177 high-end condominium units that come fully furnished, ready to move in. Facilities include the Skywalk and Sky Lobby on the 46th floor which offers 360 degree panoramic views of Bangkok, an aquarium, waterfall and green spaces. The condominium is centrally located close to the BTS and a BTS walk way connecting the project to the BTS has been approved my the BMA. Weltz Residences includes Thailand’ first commercial helipad on a residential condominium in Thailand, and it is now open for service.
he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is continuing to keep ahead of the competition in the use of digital technology to promote the country as a tourist destination. A couple of weeks ago, the TAT has launched http://mobile.tourismthailand. Making 19 Thailand tourist related phone apps available as free downloads. The apps can be used across a spectrum of digital devices including IPhone, Ipad, Android, Blackberry and Nokia. including IPhone, Ipad, Android, Blackberry and Nokia. Presenting the new ‘Thailand in Your Hand’ service to the press and tourist industry luminaries, Suraphon Svetasreni, the head of the TAT, said that the apps were particularly helpful to first time visitors providing more information that can be carried in a guidebook available at people’s fingertips. He stated ‘these facilities and services will help them (tourists) focus on enjoying themselves, rather than wasting time, effort and money just gathering all the necessary’. The apps have been developed by a specialist IT development team within TAT and as a result, Thailand has become a world leader in utilising the latest technology to promote the tourist industry. The Amazing Thailand
Smooth Life Tower Appoints CBRE as Its Sole Agent
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mooth Life Tower, a 26-storey office development on Sathorn Road, announces an official appointment of Office Services team at CBRE Thailand to act as its sole agent for office space leasing. Situated on North Sathorn Road at the core of Bangkok’s central business district, this 12,300-sq.m. building is easily accessible to the interchange station of Silom MRT and Sala Daeng BTS and close to several five-star hotels including Sofitel So Bangkok Hotel, The Sukhothai Hotel, Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel and The Metropolitan Hotel Bangkok. According to Mr. Nithipat Tongpun, Executive Director – head of Office Services at CBRE Thailand, “Having a column-free design, the building provides a high level of space flexibility. Smooth Life Tower is also built with raised floors making it easy for cabling and communication systems. With a floor plate of 870 sq.m., it can be subdivided into spaces of 80 sq.m. or more to accommodate different space requirements. A multipurpose meeting room is located on 23rd floor which is perfect for meetings with great city views. The asking rental is also very attractive for the Sathorn area at THB 550 per sq.m. per month”.
Bangkok Bank presents a second Baht 2 million The Energy Hua Hin condominium to lucky credit cardholder
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angkok Bank Credit Card Vice President Mayuree Tantibhana (right) and Baan Rajprasong Director of Sales Supreeya Laddaklom (left) co-presented the second 31.78 sq.m. The Energy Hua Hin condominium, valued at Baht 2,174,000, to Jane Jongsathitwatana (center) a lucky Bangkok Bank credit cardholder. The total prize value of the campaign is Baht 6,522,000 and the 3rd and last lucky draw to win a condominium will be held on 30 August. For more information, please contact any Bangkok Bank branch nationwide, call Bualuang Phone 1333 or visit: www.bangkokbank.com
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app, which contains highly detailed, easily accessible travel information has even topped as the most popular Android download. The development team believe the technology gives them a definitive edge over competing South East Asian countries. The apps cover an enormous range of travel and holiday information from the ‘Amazing Thailand’ information app which functions as a digital guidebook, to highly specialized information like the Thailand Medical Tourism app which provides the latest information on the international standard medical facilities available throughout the country. One app is dedicated to newlyweds. The Blissful Honeymoon app is designed specifically to help couples enjoy their first taste of married life. Another is specifically aimed at golfers, providing comprehensive information on over 150 courses across the Kingdom.One of the most useful TAT apps is a translations app to help people communicate in the Thai language. ‘Speak Thai’ is a personal translator that has 2,500 useful words and phrases. The app can translate English, French, simplified Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
Sales looking up for listed Thai firms
recent article by The Nation reported that while the overall demand to buy residences in Thailand has begun to recover in Q2 of this year, listed firms have enjoyed perhaps the best financial results, in many cases, topping their estimates made earlier this year. The director and chief business officer of Pruksa Real Estate, Prasert Taedullayasatit confirmed that the total revenue of his company in Q2 was THB6.8 billion (US$215 million) higher than in Q1 which saw a total revenue of THB4.6 billion (US$145 million). It has been inferred by this that the demand to purchase residences was beginning to gradually recover for single detached houses, townhouses, low-rise homes and high-rise homes. “We believe that the property market this year will grow between 10 percent and 15 percent compared to last year and that the overall property market in Bangkok and suburban areas will see sales of between THB270 to THB280 billion (US$8.58.8 million) by the end of this year,” said Taedullayasatit. On the other hand, the managing director of LPN Development, Opas Sripayak, said that because the company had just three condominium projects set to be transferred to its customers in the first half of 2012, the total revenue of the company was in fact lower than it had been in the same period of the previous year. That said, the company remained optimistic since it plans to deliver THB10 billion (US$317 million) worth of
residential projects over the course of Q3 and Q4 this year. It is anticipated that this will contribute to driving its total revenue up to THB13 billion (US$412 million) by the end of 2012. In contrast, the senior vice president of finance and accounting at Asian Property Development, Phumipat Sinacharoen, said that it was primarily down to the company’s condominium projects launched in the first half of this year that the company’s financial results had experienced strong growth during that period. The condominium projects were accountable for as much as 40 percent of the company’s revenue in the first half of the year which was a total of THB7.08 billion (US$224.5 million), an increase of 12.4 percent from Q1 and Q2 of last year. Furthermore, compared to that period in last year, the company enjoyed an increase in net profit by 66 percent, partly down to the recent reduction in corporate tax from 30 percent to 23 percent.
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Asia Property News
25 Chinese cities experience property price rises
t has been reported by Live Trading News that China is more determined than ever to maintain property sector curbs since home prices were seen to rise in more than a third of the country’s main cities. Of the 70 cities tracked, 25 saw prices climbing in June, the highest recorded figure since July last year and after just six cities registered month-on-month price rises during May. The capital of Zhejiang, Hangzhou experienced the highest growth rise, with an increase of 0.6 percent from May. Both Beijing and Shanghai experienced growth in the region of 0.3 percent. The sudden climb in the 25 cities has been attributed to cuts made to the central bank rates.“Rising home prices in June were partly led by booming transactions stimulated by lower interest rates and demand from first-home buyers,” explained a bureau official. “Amid positive market sentiment, some developers even raised prices.”He went on to explain that the current cooling policy will not be eased, since the government is still focused on the long term goal of curbing speculative buying. Xinhua News Agency responded to speculation that the curbs may be eased off: “It is local governments and property developers who are trying to push home price higher. The central government should introduce more long-term cooling measures,
including taxes,” the agency announced, quoting officials and analysts. The stern cooling measures have lowered property stocks, with China Overseas Land & Investment experiencing a decrease of 4 percent. It has been noted in a People’s Daily commentary that China’s former economic growth may be due partly to the investment of property developers, with real estate contributing to 5.5 percent of the gross domestic product over the past decade, making it a national pillar industry. The commentary went on to declare however, that the country should not rely on the same tactic in future:“To boost economic growth now through property development would be poisonous for China.”
South East Asia marches ahead with high end residential project prices
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ccording to the latest residential index published by Jones Lang LaSalle, capital value growth of luxury residential properties throughout Asia are being topped by those of emerging South East Asian cities. Jakarta lead the way with a huge increase of 19.2 percent during the twelve months before the end of the second quarter this year.“Jakarta has outperformed its neighbouring markets once again this quarter in the high-end residential sector. The market has been fuelled by strong wage and employment growth, low interest rates and high consumer confidence. We expect this upward trend to continue for the rest of the year, in line with projections that Jakarta will see the strongest price growth in the luxury residential space in 2012,” said Todd Lauchlan, head of Jones Lang LaSalle Indonesia. Another emerging South East Asian city which registered a high increase over the last year up until the end of Q2 of 2012 was Manila, with an increase of 10.5 percent.“South East Asia (SEA), led by Indonesia and increasing the Philippines, is enjoying a growth spurt on the back of commodity demand and offshoring and outsourcing activities. How the SEA region would respond to the slowing global demand remains uncertain but the strong underlying domestic demand could mitigate this downside risk” said Dr Chua Yang Liang, Head of
Research South East Asia. In comparison, cities that have traditionally been considered powerhouses in the Asian property market have not been as successful, with high end residential prices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Beijing experiencing annual declines as high as 8 percent.“Prices in China are expected to soften further in the second half of 2012 with policy restrictions likely to remain in place, although tight supply in prime locations will likely limit price discounts by developers. Rental correction, government policies and generally weaker investor sentiment should underpin further price declines in Singapore in the second half of 2012. On the other hand, Hong Kong prices are expected to stay relatively flat in the last half of 2012 because of tight supply and low holding costs.” said the company’s head of research for the Asia Pacific region, Dr Jane Murray.
Hua Hin Today
Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
Impiana Nusajaya Resort Apartments, Nusajaya, Malaysia
Price: From RM301,888 (US$95,477) to RM3,071,888 (US$971,563) Ownership: Freehold Investment overview Nusajaya is located within Iskandar Malaysia and just next to Singapore. By 2018, Nusajaya will enjoy greater connectivity to Singapore with a proposed Rapid Transit System (RTS) that will link the MRT extension from Tuas to Medini. Nusajaya is supported by various economic clusters which include education, tourism, wellness, Islamic banking and finance. Major projects coming onstream this year include LEGOLAND Malaysia, ‘Bob the Builder’ and ‘Hello Kitty’ theme parks. Property brief Just
15 minutes’ drive to Singapore via the Second Link and close to LEGOLAND Malaysia, Medini Business District, Puteri Harbour and EduCity, Impiana Nusajaya is a luxury freehold condominium offering views of the Straits of Johor or the gardens of East Ledang. Comprising 488 units in four blocks – two 11-storey low-rise and two 23-storey high-rise buildings, it will be tastefully designed with bold, clean lines. Choose from 1-bedroom studio apartments to luxurious 4-bedroom duplex and penthouse units with private gardens. Impiana Nusajaya Resort Apartments is developed by UEM Land Bhd and is a gated and guarded development.
The Scotts Tower Singapore
Price: From S$2 million onwards (US$1.6 million), Ownership: Freehold Investment overview The Scotts Tower enjoys close proximity to the shopping belt at Orchard Road, the new financial hub at the Marina Bay Financial Centre and the entertainment hotspots along the Singapore River. Residents have easy access to a plethora of shopping malls and promenades at their doorstep, and a huge variety of international dining options. Recreational facilities such as American Club and Tanglin Club are in close proximity. Easily accessible via the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) and Central Expressway (CTE), connectivity to The Scotts Tower is enhanced with Newton and Orchard MRT Stations nearby. Property brief Located in prime district 9 at the intersection of Scotts Road and Cairnhill Road, The Scotts Tower is designed by international award-winning Dutch architect, Ben van Berkel of UNStudio. This development comprises 231 SOHOconcept apartments that offer breathtaking views over the height of 31 storeys, with recreational facilities abound at the sky terraces on Level 2 and Level 25. Choose from luxurious 1-bedroom to 2-bedroom SOHO apartments, size ranges from 624 sq ft to 850 sq ft. Each units come with high floor-to-floor ceiling.
A unit in Frank Gehry-designed Opus Hong Kong recently
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old For HK$470 million (US$60.6 million), setting the record for the priciest condominium in the city, and possible in the world, after London’s One Hyde Park, reported The Property Observer. The 576-square metre unit, bought by an unidentified buyer, fetched HK$81,597 per square metre. It occupies the entire eight floor of Opus Hong Kong, located in the upscale Peak neighbourhood. The developer Swire Properties declined to confirm the deal. “We have no information to share at this point,” Swire spokeswoman May LamKobayashi told AFP.At the time of launch, Swire indicated they intended to hold on to Opus Hong Kong and that units were
meant to be available on a rental basis only. However Swire did say the units would be available for sale if the right offer was made. According to Bloomberg, Opus Hong Kong cost HK$27,000 per square foot to build, including land premium. The plot on which Opus Hong Kong is built has been in the possession of Swire since the 1940s and until recently housed a company executive.Opus Hong Kong is Frank Gehry’s first residential project in Asia. The world-famous architect has entered the competition to win the contract for the highly-anticipated National Art Museum of China to be built in Beijing. Hong Kong local media said the previous record was HK$360 million, paid last year.
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Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
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GOLF & SPORTS
Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin
3rd Annual Charity Amateur Golf Tournament Banyan Golf Club – Friday, October 26th, 2012 Shotgun start – 12:00 noon
Hua Hin Today
Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
Hyatt Open 2012
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Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
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Hua Hin Today
Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
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Volume 9 issue 11 September 2012
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