REALESTATE e n i z a g a m thailand
Thailand No 1 in expats survey
City Center Residence at the heart of everything Issue 134 • July 2012
เรียล เอสเตท แม๊กกาซีน ไทยแลนด์
who’swho
Managing Director Dave Buckley Tel: 087 988 0799 dave@thailandpropertymagazine.com Publisher/Editor Mesiya Watson may@realestatemagazinethailand.com Sales and Marketing Wongduan Roberts Tel: 087 535 8096 duan@thailandpropertymagazine.com or realestatemag@hotmail.com or dave@thailandpropertymagazine.com Office/Accounts Tel: 038 406519 or 08 6335 2474 dear@thailandpropertymagazine.com Web address www.realestatemagazinethailand.com Artwork, Design & Layout Zen Grafix • Tel: 038 406519 Publisher Pattaya Property Consultants Co Ltd 21/27 M5 Soi Nern Plub Waan Nongprue • Banglamung Chonburi 20150 Tel: 038 406519 or 08 6335 2474 Fax: 038 041158
Our team
Since 2001 – Thailand’s first English language property magazine
Lull before the ‘storm’ Business is comparatively quiet here in Pattaya at present. Blame it on low season – everyone else does rather than accept any personal responsibility for their own inaction! But I’m wondering if this is perhaps the lull before a storm of property activity in the next high season. I can list at least four developers who have something big
Dave Buckley looks at a worrying trend that is creeping into doing business in Pattaya
planned for later in the year and that’s without really thinking too hard about it. Last high season things went crazy for a few months to the extent it was difficult to keep up with the sheer volume of the project launches. It wouldn’t surprise me if this high season is the same or better. As the owner of a property magazine this is, of course, good news in terms of potential income. But, as our Undercover Agent says in this month’s column (P34), people are starting to ask in increasing numbers if the demand is really there. His reply is it must be otherwise the developers wouldn’t get their bank loans to support the projects.
There is much truth in this. By and large banking operations tend to be fairly frugal with their money and ask more searching questions than your average investor. Except for maybe in Spain where they are now experiencing the backlash of the 2008 property market crash! Many Thai banks will not release money to projects until a certain percentage of units have been sold. They need to be confident that they will get their money back and some on top!
Publication Licence Number 2/2549 Disclaimer: All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the editor. The publishers are not responsible for any error contained within the magazine. The publishers also accept no liability for the accuracy of statements made by the advertisers or writers. The views of correspondents are not necessarily those of the magazine. Articles are produced containing upto-date information to the best of our knowledge. However, we accept no liability for information contained within any article. Copyright © Real Estate MAGAZINE Thailand 2012
4•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
As I say, banks tend to be frugal. So, if they are prepared to lend money to property developers in Pattaya it is because they are confident they will get the money back with interest. Of course they might be wrong. I’m thinking of Spain here, again. But I view the banks as a form of “regulators”. If developers don’t meet their criteria they don’t get to borrow money. No money, no projects! So the number crunchers have done their calculations and projects in Pattaya are still in favour. I’m pleased for my adopted city and its developers. I’m pleased also that in an independent expats survey (conducted by a bank – HSBC!) Thailand has emerged as the No 1 preferred spot on the globe for those seeking to live outside their country of birth. Regular columnist Bart Walters draws a whole number of comparisons with Thailand’s near neighbours who also feature in the poll (P48). In some categories Thailand is lagging but overall it comes out tops. That comes as no surprise to me.
Welcome to
City Garden Pattaya
STARTS FROM
45,000/ SQM
THE BEST OFFER IN THE CITY!
Don’t miss this great opportunity
www.citygardenpattaya.com
- Ready to move in now - Units for sale and for rent - Foreign ownership available -
Soi 15 Pattaya Second Road 038-416-690 • 082-716-1395
OURadvertisers
AAAA Properties 64 A.D Condominium 24 Alan Bolton Property Consultants 92 Amari Residences Pattaya (Nova) 73 Amazon Residence (Matrix) 58 Anaakot Group 29 Art on the Hill (Matrix) 60 Atlantis Condo Resort Pattaya (Blue Sky) 37 Benchmark Asia Property 32 Black & White Properties 17 Big Mango Properties 31, 22-23 CARS Pattaya (map sponsors – Tulip) Inside back cover Centara Grand Residence (Tulip) Inside back cover City Center Residence (Matrix) Cover, 57, Living supp 2 City Garden 3 Coastal Real Estate 26 Colliers International 65-72 C-View (Heights Holdings) 49 East Coast Real Estate 41 Elegance Condominium @ Cosy Beach 27 Euro Design Furniture Living supplement 9 FARANG Services 4-5 Foodland Living supplement 11 Global Property (Global Solidor) 56 Golden Homes Real Estate 10-11 Grande Caribbean Condo Resort Pattaya (Blue Sky) 43 Green Field Villas 4 16 Heights Holdings Inside front cover, 1 Laguna Beach Resort (Heights Holdings) 51 Laguna Beach Resort – The Maldives (Heights Holdings) 46-47 Lion Bar, The Living supplement 47 Matrix Group 62 Meridiem Park Condominium (Domum) 25 Mövenpick Resort Between 24-25 Movers & Shakers (Bangkok) Living supplement 43 Mr Bond @ The Beach 18 Nam Talay (Nova) 55 Neo Condo 21 Novana Residence (Nova) 63 Palm, The (Nova) 33 Pattaya Exclusive Properties 35 Pattaya Realty 14 Porch Land (The Feelture, La Santir) Between 40-41 REBA-ES (Real Estate Broker Association) 84-85 REBA-ES / AREA Seminar 89 Sixty-Three@12 (Anaakot) 28 SMART Expo 76 Sunset Boulevard (Matrix) 61 Talay Real Estate 38-39 Town & Country Property 8-9 Tropical Dream 18-19 Vision, The (Matrix) 59 Waterfront Suites & Residences (Tulip) 80, 87, Living supp 5, 48 Water Park Condo 53 Zen Condominium 77 6•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
OURCONTENTS
cover story
pattaya
Matrix right in the middle of city life living (
SEPARATE SUPPLEMENT
)
Cover STORY: Retired Thai tennis ace Paradorn Srichaphan has a new goal – to train an Asian world-beater ... if his new sporting
12
love of golf does not interfere! Matrix say that people who buy into their City Center Residence will have the choice of a “fast and furious lifestyle” or a “relaxed metropolitan dream”. There’s no denying that the site of the project is about as central as you can get in the city.
10: writing’s on the wall – what is your alltime favourite line from a song, or show, or quote from literature? This is your chance to share it with other readers.
48 42
Blue Sky Group, developers of Grande Caribbean project have launched the 30-storey tower.
8•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
90
Thailand has been ranked No 1 in an expats survey conducted by leading global bank, HSBC.
Nova Group will launch another
18: blinking marvellous – doctors said
project in Wong-Amat just around
Peter Coglan, who could only move from the nose
the corner from The Palm.
up, would never walk again. They were wrong!
NEWSREPORT
Kingdom comes!
Group led by Nigel Cornick has big plans for city Kingdom Property has big plans for Pattaya because its boss, Nigel Cornick, considers the city offers greater potential for profit than Bangkok. According to a report in the Bangkok Post, Kingdom Property will focus only on Pattaya, with at least two Bt1bn condominium projects launched per year and annual land purchases totalling Bt500m. Nigel, the former head of Raimon Land, is already planning a Bt2bn condo project on Pratumnak which he will call Southpoint Pattaya. It will sit on four rai of land. He has held shares in Kingdom since its inception in 2001. The company has a registered share capital of Bt240m. Cornick joined the Binswanger Brooker (Thailand) property consultancy in July 2009 and in the same year upped his stake in Kingdom by 25 per cent to hold 49 per cent. Southpoint Pattaya will comprise more than 600 units sized from
30sqm up. The company is awaiting approval of its environmental impact assessment report. Pre-sales are expected to start next month with an entry price level around the Bt1.5m and units will average Bt75,000-80,000 per sqm. The expectation is that half of
the units will be sold by October, said the Post. Construction is scheduled to complete in 2015. The newspaper quotes Mr Cornick as saying: “Pattaya is more attractive for investment in property development than Bangkok. Compared with a plot on Ratchadaphisek Road now priced at Bt400,000-500,000 per sq wah for development of condominium units priced at Bt90,000 per sqm, a [similarsized] plot in Pattaya makes the same condominium only Bt100,000150,000.” He said a condominium complex in Pattaya also has larger selling space than a similar-sized one in Bangkok, as Pattaya requires less parking. “That’s the main reason many large developers such as LPN Development, Sansiri, Quality Houses and Supalai are jumping into the Pattaya property market,” said Mr Cornick, adding that Thai developers in Pattaya are now the majority of the market, up from only 20 per cent in 2004.
RE/MAX seeks Pattaya franchisees One of the world’s biggest names in property brokerage – RE/MAX – has extended its reach to add Thailand to the 80+ countries it operates in. At a special seminar staged at the Nova Platinum hotel the benefits of becoming a franchisee of the Denverbased RE/MAX group were outlined to interested parties. The RE/MAX balloon brand is well recognised and enjoys No 1 status throughout the Americas and in parts of Africa and Europe. The group says it expects to make rapid inroads into the South-East Asia markets. The Thailand part of the operation already has its first franchisee who will be based in Bangkok. “It’s only a matter of time before we are No 1 in Asia,” said a confident executive of the USA-based group.
realestate e magazin
in brief • The BCCT (British Chamber of Commerce Thailand) is hosting a presentation about Pattaya’s Marina Park Project on July 3. Guest speakers will be Wayne Phillips, PhD, a lecturer in Ecology at Mahidol University and Gwyn Mills of the Dive Tribe organisation. It will be held at the Mercure Hotel starting at 6.30pm. Entrance is Bt650 for members and add another Bt100 for non-members. Price includes cocktail, wine and beer. • Raimon Land are planning a major launch party in late August to herald the opening of the showroom at their Unixx South Pattaya project on Pratumnak close King Rama IX Royal Park. Construction work for the 1,207unit project is scheduled to start soon afterwards. The project already has EIA approval. We hope to be able to carry more details in our next edition.
For the well read ... 07/2012•Issue 134•REm•9
COVERFEATURE
T
he Matrix Group has unveiled plans for a 668 unit condominium complex in the heart of Pattaya, promising buyers the choice of a “fast and furious lifestyle” or a “relaxed metropolitan dream”. Indeed, located as it will be close to Third Road and Soi Arunothai, the City Center Residence will be within walking distance of the city’s main hotspots in the shape of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shopping malls, yet far enough away to benefit from a quiet location. And being situated on one of the city’s main taxi routes will bring beaches and other tourist attractions within easy reach. Matrix, who know a thing or two about condo development having spent eight years building them in the city, describe their new offering as an “oasis of tranquility in Pattaya’s city centre”. Be that as it may, the City Center Residence will be undeniably chic. To coin a phrase, the new development will be exactly what it says on the tin – a superior specification residence (rather than a run-of-the-mill apartment block) offering a host of luxury features and amenities in the heart of the city. Yet despite its central location, the City
14•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
Fast and furious or just relaxed, it’s your choice! Center Residence will initially be offered at an attractive Bt55,000 per sqm. Market value discount The condos will comprise studios, one-bedroom units and twobedroom units ranging in size from 24.43sqm to 68.5sqm and are being offered at a 25 per cent discount against market value to those buying off plan. Initial selling prices range from Bt1.39 million to Bt2.99 million, dependent on size and location. The condos will be contained in three, eight-storey blocks arranged in the shape of a horseshoe around a large, luxury swimming pool with lap pool section. This, in turn, will be surrounded by a pond and will feature a huge bright, shining spiral that will house the fitness Center … all fringed by large palm trees. A Matrix spokesman described it as “a light and pleasant atmosphere, offering a generous amount of space in the pool court
of the three buildings that will be constructed to an extraordinary design and delivered to meet the highest expectations. “The smart interior design of the fully-furnished studios and condos, complete with balcony and accentuated by flowing, rounded shapes, will add a distinguished elegant look that is hard to find elsewhere in Pattaya.” The plans do look stunning. Matrix enlisted the help of one of Thailand’s leading interior designers to produce ultramodern, fully-furnished, space efficient interiors designed to meet residents’ city lifestyle expectations. Fully-fitted kitchens will include a refrigerator, aluminium sink, floor- and eye-level cabinets, double ceramic hob with extractor hood and breakfast bar with stools. The living area will include a sofa, 32-inch TV with shelf, coffee table, side table and wall-fitted air conditioner. The bathroom will feature instant hot water, wash basin, shelf, mirror, cabinet
and sanitary fittings while the bedroom will be fitted with a queen-size bed and mattress, bedside table, built-in wardrobe and TV shelf. Other communal facilities will include a lobby reception with a state-of-the-art fitness Center housed in a glass structure suspended above the pool; landscaped gardens with water feature; 24/7 security with CCTV surveillance; security card entry system; concierge service; WiFi and optional maid service. There will also be a coffee shop, children’s playroom, high-speed lifts and underground parking. Attractive opportunities The Matrix spokesman added: “We believe the City Center Residence will appeal to a wide range of local and foreign investors aged between 25 and 65. It will provide attractive opportunities for those seeking holiday homes, retirement homes or those simply seeking properties for rental or resale. It will also be an attractive entry level investment property for first time buyers in Thailand.” Construction on the City Center Residence is expected to begin in March 2013 for completion in March 2015. The site will occupy 6,400 sqm. One of the development’s
most innovative features will be a custom-designed drainage system equipped with individual pumps for the fast dispersal of storm water. Basic construction will include pre-cast driven piles and reinforced concrete columns providing sheer walls and a posttensioning system. Internal fittings will include high quality doors and aluminium frame windows, sliding glass balcony doors and windows, emergency electric power for common areas and elevators and
a waste water treatment system. Fire protection will include smoke detectors and a sprinkler system and lightning protection to international standards. Enquiries regarding City Center Residence can be made to your preferred broker or direct to the developer, Matrix MR Co Ltd, 352/202-203 Moo 12, Pratumnak Road, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150. T: 08993 94049 (Eng); 08579 79136 (Thai); 038 250120 (office). W: www.matrix-developments.com.
07/2012•Issue 134•REm•15
PATTAYA LIVING • July/August 2012
attra c t i o n s / g o l f
10% Deposit & 90% On Completion
Ready to move in January 2013 – Last Remaining Units Call 038 252 996 or visit our website TheCliffPattaya.com
newsREPORT
Shining Star aim Neo Condo at the young professionals
The Shining Star Group recently launched their latest project – Neo Seaview Condo Pattaya – with a grand opening at the southern end of Jomtien Beach Road. The developers say that the lowrise project is mainly targeting young working professionals. Pirasan Pochatkaew, president of Shining Star Group said: “The Group have been very successful in real estate on the Eastern Seaboard – especially in Pattaya – for more than 26 years. “We have nine large projects such as Musselana (which is just in front of Neo), Jomtien Plaza Condo and Royal Hills Resort condo.
22•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
Guests at the grand opening had plenty to eat and drink after they had been shown around the showroom. A key market for Neo will be young workers based in Bangkok looking for somewhere to call home close to the beach for weekends away.
“Now we have opened this new project in Jomtien.” Key features of the eight-storey lowrise are that many of the 308 units will have sea views and the colour schemes will be cheerful and bright to reflect the colour of the sea. Seafood restaurants Shining Star feel Neo has one of the best locations in Jomtien beach and is just metres away from some of the area’s best seafood restaurants. They say it will be a contemporary modern condo surrounded by nature and the sea. Khun Pirasan continued: “We will have a gym with the best equipment,
swimming pool, roof garden, security key card access, 24-hour CCTV, alarm, parking lot and WiFi. “It’s very suitable for city people who like to enjoy their weekends.” The condo is only 60 metres from the sea and will comprise four buildings on 3,192sqm. The ground floor of each block is devoted to parking lot with 77 rooms on floors two-eight. Of the 77, 14 will be 22sqm studios; with the balance being one-bedroom units of 30sqm. On the roof will be a swimming pool, gym and garden. The project started in April will be finished within 18 months. Prices start at only Bt979,000.
Best Condo Development (Eastern Seaboard)
Just a few units remain!
Ready to Move In Soon!
Tropical Dream Condominium We speak English, Russian, French, Italian and Thai Office (Thai, Eng): + 66 (0) 82 202 0880 Cell (Eng, Ru, Fr, It): +66 (0) 86 260 1222 Showroom: Pratumnak Road, Soi 6 Project: Pratumnak Road, Soi 3 http://www.tropicaldreampattaya.com email: info@tropicaldreampattaya.com
Meridiem Park
Next to King Rama IX Park at Pattaya City PRICES START FROM
44,000 baht / SQM
Studio
28 sqm 1,18 M baht
1 bedroom 1 bedroom
39 sqm 1,69 M baht
40,4 sqm 1,81 M baht
1 bedroom
48 sqm 2,11 M baht
Full fitted, maid service included, for free + 66 (0)8888 10311 –English + 66 (0) 8888 10313 –Thai SHOWROOM AT THAPPAYA ROAD, CORNER OF SOI 13, Pattaya City
www.domum-holding.com
sales@domum-holding.com
SPECIALFEATURE
The web way to build condo communities A
condominium can be the loneliest place on Earth. With few places to mingle outside your own four walls, social interaction is generally confined to chance meeting with neighbours in the lift. It’s a phenomenon that Andrew Sloan is acutely aware of. And as Managing Director of Bangkok-based World Communication Technologies (WCT) he sees the communication aspect of his company’s offerings as vitally important to building a community in a condominium or gated community and providing a simple communication interface to the front office and building management. Andrew saw a need for a simple-to-use system for residents and building management and discovered MyBuilding, a web-based service which can be accessed on a computer or mobile. MyBuilding’s primary benefits centre on four areas that are problematic to all communal residences - package tracking and management, service request handling, building communications and community development. “But what I liked most about it was its social networking element,” said Andrew. “It’s almost like having a virtual village where everyone can get to know each other, share information, and know what is going on even if they are overseas. It’s community building.” MyBuilding operates through the mybuilding.org portal, where each condo or village has its own private site and functionality. It provides building managers with a customisable range of web-based tools, including parcel tracking and notification, key tracking, room reservations, visitor logging, 32•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
service requests, announcements, amenities booking, a private resident market place, local community information links and so on. It also caters for 54 different languages. But in addition, MyBuilding provides residents with a range of options, including the opportunity to create their own profile to introduce themselves and their families to their neighbours. It also provides them with a marketplace to advertise goods and services, make recommendations, arrange events for residents to sign up to, view local offers and discounts, communicate with other residents, post messages, pay bills, view an activity calendar and send and receive emails and SMS messages. Bringing people together “It’s a great way of bringing people together while providing an effective building management system, so everyone knows what is happening when. It also bridges the misunderstood communications barrier by encouraging clear and trackable communications - something we locals and foreigners get frustrated about. It makes for a happier front desk and resident,” added Andrew. Here’s how it works: WCT sets
up the secure building website within the mybuilding.com portal, under the resident domain. Each resident has a unique log-in and password enabling them to access the service from anywhere in the world while management and front desk staff have consoles providing them with easy and efficient means of communicating with residents via email, template based announcements, online status reports and so on, plus the ability to oversee and track the daily functions of the building. Further options include a lobby display screen for announcements and deliveries; a barcode scanner for tracking incoming packages; an electronic signature pad for visitors, deliveries and employee timekeeping; a label printer for visitors’ passes; webcam for access control; driver’s licence or ID card
reader and a key tracking feature. MyBuilding is used in more than 600 properties in 22 US states with more than 100,000 residents registered for the service. WCT is the exclusive representative in South East Asia. Simple solution “MyBuilding provides an accountable and very simple solution to building management and is easy enough for everyone to understand and use,” said Andrew. “It is accessible by mobile phone and the internet and can generate income and commercial savings for residents, as well as provide local business discounts to residents though advertisers that exceed the monthly fee. “WCT can customise the service to meet the requirements of any particular building, carry out any optional installation work, train the staff to use and customise themselves and provide any support services that are required. A typical installation takes only a couple of days to set up and costs around 200 baht per apartment per month.” For more information on WCT or MyBuilding, visit www.wctcoltd. com or www.mybuilding.org. •Left: A typical MyBuilding resident’s log-on page.
TWO UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL PENTHOUSES IN PRESTIGIOUS PRATUMNAK COMPRISING THE WHOLE 7th (TOP) FLOOR OF A QUALITY BUILT CONDO BUILDING ONLY 350 METRES FROM THE BEACH BETWEEN SOIS 4 AND 5. EACH PENTHOUSE COMPRISES 3 BEDROOMS AND 2 LUXURY BATHROOMS. EXPENSIVE FITTINGS AND FURNISHINGS INCLUDING 51” 3D TELEVISIONS ETC. TRAVERTINE FLOORING, FULLY FURNISHED, NOTHING TO SPEND! UNIQUE 120 SQR METRE GARDEN BALCONY WITH 8-PERSON JACUZZI, SAUNA AND SALA. GREAT VIEWS TO SEA AND ISLAND, ONLY 2 MINS TO ASIA HOTEL 9-HOLE GOLF COURSE. PRIVATE KEY LIFT TO TOP FLOOR, RESERVED CAR SPACE. WHOLE TOP FLOOR OFFERED AT DISCOUNT PRICE OF 24.9M THB. CAN BE BOUGHT SEPARATELY, CALL FOR PRICE!
QUALITY BUILT LUXURY HOME LOCATED AT THE TOP OF SOI 6 LAND IS 400 SQR METRES WITH LANDSCAPED GARDENS AND PRIVATE POOL IN PRESTIGIOUS PRATUMNAK. COMPRISING 3 BEDROOMS AND 4 BATHROOMS OVER 2 LEVELS. EUROPEAN KITCHEN WITH GRANITE BENCHTOPS AND BUILT-IN
APPLIANCES, ALSO LAUNDRY ROOM. QUALITY FITTINGS AND FURNISHINGS, uPVC WINDOWS AND DOORS, MONITORED ALARM SYSTEM. PARKING FOR UP TO FOUR CARS. HOMES LIKE THESE IN PRATUMNAK ARE HARD TO FIND, THIS WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU. GREAT HOME! GREAT LOCATION! TOP VALUE AT 16.5M THB
STUNNING HOME WITH UNIQUE PENTHOUSE LOCATED NEAR THE TOP OF SOI 5 IN QUIET LOCATION IN PRESTIGIOUS PRATUMNAK, THE BEVERLEY HILLS OF PATTAYA! LARGE LUXURY HOME OF APPROX 500 SQR METRES OR MORE ON 3 LEVELS.4 BEDROOMS, EACH WITH ITS OWN MARBLE EN SUITE BATHROOM AND BALCONY. GRANITE STAIRCASE, LARGE OUTDOOR BALCONY ON SECOND LEVEL LOOKS DOWN TO POOL THIS HOME COMES WITH NEW QUALITY FURNISHINGS AND EXPENSIVE FITTINGS. ALFRESCO DINING/BBQ AREA UNDERCOVER NEXT TO POOL.
LARGE KITCHEN WITH GRANITE BENCHTOPS ETC PRIVATE POOL WITH OUTDOOR SHOWER, TROPICAL GARDEN WITH NIGHT LIGHTING. “NOW THE PENTHOUSE” THIS IS A MUST SEE, A HUGE AREA ON THE TOP LEVEL WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS TO THE SEA AND SURROUNDINGS, FLOOR TO CEILING TEMPERED GLASS. IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING, YOU COULD HAVE A PARTY FOR ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE! THIS AMAZING HOME IS VALUED AT 34M THB, PRICED FOR QUICK SALE AT 28.5M THB IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND A GOOD INVESTMENT, THIS IS IT!
315/309 Thepprasit Road (Opposite Thepprasit Soi 17), Moo 12, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand *We are located in the new shop houses opposite SK Honey products Hotline: +(66) 081-7929486 • Tel: +(66) 038-304-133 • Fax: +(66) 038-304-146
MYSTERYcolumnist
This month our insider ponders the effect the large number of new projects springing up will have on the overall property market. Owners of older units are already experiencing problems adjusting to competition from the new “kids” on the block ...
Always a question of supply and demand By undercover AGENT
A
s I am sure that anyone who has visited Pattaya for more than a few minutes will have realised, there is a lot of building work going on throughout the city. Whether it is in Jomtien, Naklua or, indeed, East Pattaya it seems that everywhere we turn a new condo or housing project is being built. As an agent I am frequently asked if the demand is really there for these new projects. I answer honestly and say “it must be, otherwise these projects couldn’t be built because the financing wouldn’t be there”. That said, in the current low season is does seem that the number
36•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
of visitors appears to be down on previous years. Demand for these properties is certainly there as is proved by the numbers being sold. Most of the major quality projects are selling rapidly as are some of the projects at the lower end. Rental returns Investors appear to buying into the projects in large numbers and by that I mean 20 and perhaps even more units at a time with rental returns being the primary focus. A lot of this demand is coming from the increasing number of visitors from East Europe and India. A few
‘‘ I think the change in
the visitor
demographics is significant
years ago, these visitors were fewer in their numbers when compared to those from Western Europe, the US and Australasia. These visitors have seen their incomes increase comparatively or, at least, have been less affected by the economic downturn. I think the change in the visitor demographics is significant. Pattaya is now more of a family-orientated destination with fewer single, older men visiting the town. The affect of this is twofold. The single visitors tend to be younger, stay for a shorter period, wish to be close to attractions such as Walking Street and are happy with a hotel style set-up but would prefer to be in a condo.
Park Beach
Sunset Boulevard
Absolute Beachfront! 55 sqm. Studio, 1 Bath
3,800,000 BAHT
High Floor Pattaya Views
Beachfront Full Renovation
Private Pool Euro Kitchen
88 sqm. 1 Bed, 2 Bath
75 TW Land Size Gourmet Kitchen
New! New! New! Resort Facilities
5,168,000 BAHT
ID B10055
Many Properties Available
Condos Houses
Beachfront Luxury Resorts
ID F10051 FROM 12,000 BHT/MTH
ID A10012
The Palm
Wongamat!
ID B10053 5,500,000 BAHT
76 sqm. 1 Bed, 1 Bath
Wongamat Rentals
Nova Mirage
Central Pattaya Convenience
10,500,000 BAHT
ID C10005
Complete Renovation
180 sqm. 3 Bed, 2 Bath
ID A10001 5,900,000 BAHT
Baan Natcha
227 sqm. 3 Bed, 3 Bath
Central Pattaya
Fully Furnished Euro Kitchen
SP Village 5
Wongamat Prestige!
16,500,000 BAHT
Prestige Living 72 sqm. 1 Bed, 1 Bath
ID A10052 4,900,000 BAHT
Garden Cliff
120 sqm. 2 Bed, 2 Bath
Apus
Resort Facilities New Renovation
ID A10054
Wongamat Beachfront!
46 sqm. 1 Bed, 1 Bath
5,800,000 BAHT
Finance! Euro Kitchen
ID A10030
The BEST DEALS and the BEST SERVICE on New Projects – RESALES Available BELOW Developers COST!
We Represent All Major Developers – Secure Your Property From Only 899,000 THB!
Call us to list your quality property for SALE OR RENT. Investors, call about GUARANTEED RENTAL RETURN properties.
MYSTERYcolumnist
The new, modern studios at the lower end tend to be around 25sqm in size with many space-saving appliances in place, giving the rooms less of a cramped feel. Therefore the demand from investors for this type of room is quite high. On the other hand families are looking to buy as end users. This type of client is usually looking for a one- or two-bedroom condo, often close to the beach, if not beachfront, with proximity to the centre of town being of little concern. These units are being bought by investors, but are less popular as the return on investment (ROI) tends to be lower. The outcome of people buying in these newer projects is that a surplus appears to be developing in the older buildings which, by the very nature of their age, are finding it difficult to match up in terms of amenities and design.
‘‘ Can the
internet
providers
really cope with a
massive increase in demand? Let’s hope
’’
Reluctant to cut price The owners in these building who had previously enjoyed renting them out seem reluctant to cut the price and are now often more expensive than rooms that are considerably newer. I had an experience recently with a condo owner in one of the older projects in Central Pattaya. He was looking to sell his condo but was asking slightly more than that being asked in a larger, more modern building. In fact he was actually asking more than somebody selling a double unit in his building that was in far better condition! He was shocked we hadn’t managed to sell his property 38•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
so!
as it had been on the market for some time and had received no offers! There has been recent speculation in the press that the Government are considering increasing the Foreign Quota which currently stands at 49 per cent within a condo (indeed one report was in this magazine). The aim of this change – if they were to execute it – would be to make ownership more attractive to the foreign buyer as more units would be available to purchase in their own name as opposed to being obliged to buy indirectly, in Thai name or through a Thai company. At first glance, this looks to be a sensible idea. However, from my experience, the major investors – those looking primarily at rental returns – have no issues about buying within the Thai quota. Indeed, because of the reduced prices that Thai purchases often attract, these are a more attractive proposition as they get better return for their money. I believe any increase in foreign quota might lead to a decrease in demand as prices may be forced up – a situation that would affect people looking to buy for personal use or by smaller investors. With all the new developments being built there does, of course, come problems. A key issue in Pattaya is the infrastructure. Is the city’s infrastructure capable of coping with the increase in the projects? For example, many of the roads in and around Pattaya are simply not designed to cope with high volumes of traffic. Often these roads are in need of
repair but this proves impossible as they are in constant use by the construction vehicles so closing the road, even for a short period, is not an option. Another problem we encounter is that of insufficient telephone and internet lines. In many buildings we are restricted about what we can offer because there are simply not enough lines in the area, let alone that particular building. This situation is not made any easier when we look at many telegraph poles that have literally dozens of wires running from them. Can the internet providers really cope with a massive increase in demand? Let’s hope so. Flooding potential Something that has been mentioned to me a few times is that new developments are increasing the potential for flooding. An engineer pointed out to me that the rain simply has nowhere to go and couldn’t drain naturally into the ground as it was covered by concrete. He stressed the point that the drains were insufficient and that water was actually coming up from the drains rather than being taken away. Perhaps a solution would be to demolish derelict buildings and replace them with more modern structures or simple let the ground “breathe” and soak the water up. As always, space is once again running short. I hope that this has given you a little insight into the local market and the reason why there are so many developments continuing to be built. So, until next time, keep enjoying the Land of Smiles.
newsREPORT
Feelture launched in style
T
here was no shortage of ladies keen to have their picture taken at the official launch of Porchland’s sixth project – the Feelture. The presence of Nattaraht Maurice Legrand, the Thai-French actor and model, could have had something to do with this! Khun Nattaraht, who features in the advertising for the project, was a most welcome addition to the proceedings which were held in front of the project’s showroom on the Sukhumvit Road opposite Tesco at Pattaya South and next to the Häfale showroom. Feelture, itself, will be built further south at Na-Jomtien where it is more possible to be at one with nature than it is on a main road like the Sukhumvit. The grand opening had all the ingredients that property insiders have come to associate with a Porchland party. Food stalls ran the entire length of the seating area and beer and wine flowed freely all evening. On the opposite side to the foodstalls was the showroom itself. Feelture units come complete with furniture and the room displays manage to get in just about everything a buyer could want without the area looking cramped. 42•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
eastcoast@thaiproperty.com • www.thaiproperty.com city garden Pattaya City Condo size: 46 sq.m Euro kitchen 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom
Fully furnished Modern, designer unit Convenient location Long term only
rent: 19,000 BAHT/month the cove Wongamat Condo size: 155 sq.m 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Euro kitchen
Direct beachfront Hi-tech, Contemporary Panoramic sea views In foreign name
sale: 21m baht/rent: 75,000 BAHT/month mabprachan garden Soi Siam Country Club Land size: 135 sq.wah House size: 180 sq.m Euro kitchen Spacious living area
3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Private swimming pool Long term only
rent: 40,000 BAHT/month highgrove Pratumnak Hill Land size: 100 sq.wah Electric Water Drainage
Residential plots Secured development Easy access to beach In company name
saLE: 6,300,000 BAHT
Jomtien
038 267 030-1 • Pattaya 038 723 615-6
SPECIALFEATURE
Everything is on a grand scale at Grande Caribbean L
ast month the Blue Sky Group developers of the Grande Caribbean Condo Resort in Jomtien staged an open day at their on-site sales office and showrooms to allow brokers and members of the media to get better acquainted with the project. On the same day they took the opportunity to launch the 30-storey tower which drew instant interest. The tower will sit at the front of the project closest to the Thappraya Road just a few paces away from the many up-scale restaurants in the Chateau Dale area. In addition to the tower there are four eight-storey condominiums which were launched a little earlier and have enjoyed brisk sales including several multi-unit buys. The apartments surround an amazing rain forest-style tropical landscape that is dominated by three huge multi-level salt water swimming pools. Also included are a feature lighthouse (pictured above) and two pirate ships. As one might expect with five buildings and giant pools the land size is considerable at approximately 11 Rai. Prices in the 1,064-unit resort start at Bt1.59m for a 34.5sqm one-bedroom fully furnished apartment. These can be easily combined to form a 69sqm two-bedroom unit. Show apartments The Grande Caribbean Condo Resort Pattaya has full-size, one- and two-bedroom show apartments, built in the finished specification, available to view at the sales office. A spokesman for the developers said: “The project 44•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
has colourful, modern design themes, high quality furniture, fixtures and fittings – all combine to create an attractive and relaxing environment. The fully furnished and equipped apartments are designed to be extremely comfortable and are ready and waiting for you to move in.” Payment terms Simplified payment terms are being offered that make Grande Caribbean an attractive investment opportunity. A variety of easy payment terms are available. For example, for Thai nationals and Company ownership, only a 15 per cent deposit is required on contract, followed by a further 20 per cent spread over 24 monthly payments with the balance of 65 per cent due on completion. Foreign ownership is very simple with a 25 per cent contract payment with nothing to pay then for six months! Followed by 30 per cent paid in three installments over 18 months and the final balance of 45 per cent due on completion. Contact your agent for more information or to view. l For more information, visit the website www. grandecaribbeanpattaya.com or call 080 095 8854.
SPECIALFEATURE
HH are building up head of construction ‘steam’
Work on the foundations of the Peak Towers is in full swing with renowned contractor K Tech ensuring a professional job.
T
he so-called ‘low season’ may be upon us here in Pattaya, but for Heights Holdings there has been no let-up – especially in terms of construction advancement. The company reports good progress on construction across their major developments, while they are gearing up to start on a further three buildings over the next two months. As you will note in the column of the facing page there is much to report on the building front. But in among all that HH have found time to start prelaunch sales for ‘Laguna Beach 46•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
Resort 3 – The Maldives’, the third release of the Laguna Beach Resort brand. Laguna Beach Resort Jomtien, their first condominium in Jomtien, stands at more than 90 per cent sold and construction began in April, two months ahead of schedule. Its successor, Laguna Beach Resort 2, has proved equally popular and now sits at two-thirds sold out since launching last December. A spokesman for HH said: “The relentless pace of sales of LBRJ and LBR-2 has prompted the early release of ‘The Maldives’ to market, with a special promotion
on offer for existing investors. “The Maldives will be Jomtien’s grandest resort development to date. The project is positioned on a 15 rai plot just off Thepprasit Soi 9. The project features seven buildings and 1,750 apartments with more than 60 per cent of the land devoted to recreational and green area.” Enormous 5,700sqm pool HH’s newest development includes an enormous 5,700 sqm Maldives-themed lagoon pool with inter-connecting boardwalks and relaxing poolside gazebos, a gokart track, tree-houses and more.
“LBR-3 – The Maldives offers a luxurious resort lifestyle in a tranquil location at marketleading pre-launch prices,” he continued. “These apartments make an ideal holiday retreat while also fitting the bill perfectly as a lucrative rental or resale investment in South East Asia’s fastest growing tourist destination.” l For further details on Laguna Beach Resort 3 – The Maldives, or to request a price and availability list, please contact info@heights-holdings. com or call +66 85 282 6454.
construction updates Park Royal 3 Building B Is at the finish line, with hand-over of apartments already underway. Lighting, plastering and ceiling works are complete, while the majority of electric, sanitary and painting work is more than 90 per cent complete. Energy-saving air conditioning units are now installed in the majority of apartments and the granite kitchen work surfaces, stainless steel sinks and hob with extractor are currently being installed across all units.
The eight-floor skeleton of Laguna Bay has been completed at an astonishing pace – the project only broke ground last December!
Laguna Bay Construction has progressed rapidly since structural work began last December with expected completion now brought forward from April 2013 to December this year. Structural work is complete. The eight-storey skeleton is finished, along with the majority of plastering and painting work. Interior walls are complete, with piping, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical fittings being installed. Internal fit-outs plus landscaping work on the roof and in the tropical atrium are expected to begin in Q3. Club Royal Progress continues at an encouraging pace with Phase 1 (Buildings A & B) approaching the finish. Building A and the adjacent pool area are complete including the lobby, underground parking and all landscaping. Numerous residents have already taken occupancy. Building B is just three months away, with the exterior skeleton complete along with all exterior and interior plastering. Work continues on interiors, tiling and common areas with hand-over expected at the end of September. Construction of Phase 2 is set to start at the end of this month.
Piling works at Laguna Beach Resort Jomtien commenced in April, two months ahead of schedule.
Wong Amat Tower Wong Amat Tower is well underway with the internationallyrenowned Lock-Build group employed as the primary contractor. Lock-Build have an excellent track record of completion of numerous up-market high-rise developments in Thailand and put an strong emphasis on sustainable construction and the preservation of natural environments. Work on the skeleton of the Wong Amat Tower continues to progress well and they are now up to the 6th floor. Structural work on the lobby, juristic office and other ground floor elements are complete. The Peak Towers Following completion of extensive excavation and piling work, structural work on the Peak Towers has begun, with K-Tech employed as primary contractor. Concrete tests were performed successfully in May and pouring of the foundations of Tower A started at the beginning of last month. Other work has progressed well. The management office is approaching completion while all boundary lines and structural guide lines are finished.
Hand-over of apartments at Park Royal 3 Building B began in June.
Laguna Beach Resort Jomtien With the development more than 90 per cent sold, construction at LBRJ started in April – two months ahead of schedule. Since then HH have seen rapid progress, with piling work for Building A expected to complete by the time you read this. Piling for Building B is well underway, with expected completion midmonth. Structural work on the foundations and exterior skeleton will start upon completion of the piling, with KK Construction and Engineering employed as the primary contractor. 07/2012•Issue 134•REm•47
regularcolumnist
American journalist and property investor Bart Walters has been living in Thailand for 11 years, first in Bangkok, then in Phuket and now in Pattaya. Bart publishes his inside views on Pattaya and its property market in various print and online publications including International Living and Escape America. He can be contacted at bkkbart@gmail.com
The Thais that bind ...
W
ho are we? Where do we come from? Why do we stay here? After 13 years in the Kingdom of Thailand, I’m still getting used to be called an expatriate. Where I come from, an expat is someone who has given up life in his country of origin to live somewhere else. As an American, this carries a decidedly negative connotation. “Expatriate” as in “not a patriot” … a quitter … a runner … an abandoner … a fugitive … a person who could not make it in the good old US of A. Less than 10 per cent of American citizens hold a passport. Leaving the warm nest of home is an alien and frightening concept. Stepping out into the big bad world without McDonald’s, network TV and unemployment insurance scares most Yanks to death. Fortunately, I gave up that narrow-minded point of view years ago when I started reading books
‘‘
By bart walters glorifying and extolling the virtues of expatriate life. I adopted a more worldly view as chronicled in books by some of the great expatriate authors of our time like Graham Greene, Earnest Hemmingway and Joseph Conrad. An expat is someone who has received a foreign “posting” to some far flung region, giving up the comforts of home to make his way in the world. Adventurous spirit An expat is a guy who finds a new life in a new country motivated by economic necessity or an untamable adventurous spirit … or both. The expat heroes I read about ended up living away from “home” simply because they didn’t have a choice. Well, I really didn’t have a choice either. When the military gave me the option to serve overseas, I jumped at it. It wasn’t economic austerity that drove me overseas, it was pure youthful restlessness and a desire to
Stepping out into the big, bad world without
McDonald’s,
network TV and unemployment insurance
’’ scares most
Yanks to death
be somehow more “free” than I was. In our official NATO orientation briefing I learned how to count to 10, say “left, right, stop”, “pork, chicken, beef, fish” and “where is the bathroom” in the native language. As it turned out, that’s about all the language skills a person really needs. When I returned from four years of service in Europe, I found that “home” was where I chose to park my boots. “Wanderlust is terminal,” my dear old mother said; just another of many ways she was right about things. I never felt at home in my country again. I spent the next 12 years interviewing new countries. On 4 July 1999 I found Thailand. After 24 hours in a pressurised sheet metal tube, I stepped out into the thick dank atmosphere at Don Muang airport. The thing I’ll never forget is the smell. The freshly mowed lawns, orange blossoms and sterility of my hometown of Orlando gave way to the
No 1: Thailand 50•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
regularcolumnist
No 3: Singapore dog shit, diesel fumes and smoldering joss sticks of Bangkok. My homepage was permanently reset. During the taxi ride to my hotel I saw tiny cat-like women perched side-saddle on screaming motor bikes, talking on cell phones, weaving through traffic … without a hair out of place. I saw a guy with no legs face-down on the pavement, pulling himself along the sidewalk using a cut-off bleach bottle as a beggar’s cup. I was beckoned by a lanky lady-boy standing on the corner munching on a bag of fried grasshoppers … “Hallooo handsome man”. For the first time in my life, I empathised with Dorothy when she arrived in Oz … not in Kansas anymore for sure. After 13 years in Asia, it is my home country that seems alien to me. When I return to visit friends and family, I feel totally disconnected from them. I don’t know what comes on TV when. I don’t know who won the last World Series. I don’t know what actor is sleeping with which actress. And nothing could bore me more than local politics. The things that are important to them are not important to me. After 10 days I’m pawing the dirt to get out of there. I kiss the ground when I get off the plane in Bangkok. I am not Thai, but I am “home”. But, I am not the classic expat from my beloved novels. I did not come here to grind out 9 to 5 days for some multi-national conglomerate. I came here of my own free will, determined to make a new and improved life for myself. So, where do I fit in? How do I explain my presence here? Exactly why did I come? And, more importantly, why do I stay? As it turns out, one would have to cast a pretty wide net to engulf all the categories of expatriates living in 52•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
‘‘ After 10 days I’m pawing at
the dirt to get out of there (America). I
kiss the ground when I get off the plane in Bangkok. I am not Thai. But I am ‘home’.
the Land of Smiles. There are classic expats, entrepreneurials, spouses, part-timers, retirees and of course the much publicised “sex-pats”. We all came here for different reasons. Most of our reasons for coming here have morphed over the years. And we all stay for reasons most of us could not have foretold. The most interesting part of any expat conversation is when you find out what people did before they came here. I hired an Australian ex-hair dresser to build five houses for me in Phuket. I worked for a Swiss stonemason, turned dive instructor turned furniture magnate. My best friend spent his American life selling software and now runs a hotel. I write for a Russian magazine published by a woman who was a city planner in Kiev. My current boss is a German/ Swiss ex-watch maker who is now a multi-millionaire property developer. I know ex-cops, ex-conmen and ex-convicts. I know exdoctors, ex-lawyers and a whole kitchen full of retired chefs. I know merchant marines, nuclear scientists and mercenaries. On a daily basis I converse with people from nearly every continent on this rock. I know bad people who became good Samaritans. I know good people who went to seed. Most of the expats I know shed their old lives like so much dead skin. Nobody is who they used to be … including myself. Running from something … running to something … why and how we all came here seems irrelevant. The real mystery is why we stay here. Most expats living in Thailand can wax philosophical for hours about the virtue of living in
this charming country. Now, believe it or not, there are actually statistics to back it all up. Last week I stumbled upon The Expat Explorer Survey conducted by HSBC, the world’s largest banking institution. This is the largest global expat survey of its kind. In 2011 more than 3,000 expats were questioned on a myriad of topics relating to finances, quality of life and even what it’s like to raise children abroad. The results are surprising. The survey took into account 31 countries; many of them fully developed super powers like the US, as well as developing countries like Vietnam, the Philippines and all the BRIC countries. It is no surprise to us Pattayans that Thailand ranks number one overall. What is surprising is how we rank within certain categories over specific countries in categories one wouldn’t normally consider. In the interest of brevity, I’ll only talk about those in our region included in the survey. They are Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore. Five distinctly different Asian countries that all deserve serious consideration for any expat, no matter what their reasons for leaving home are. Vietnam Recently, I’ve run into a lot of folks touting the charms of Vietnam. The beaches, the food, the people, the booming economy … there are lots of reasons to take a look. Here is what the survey revealed: Overall, Vietnam ranked a distant 18th to Thailand’s 1st. Expats preferred the weather here to Vietnam by double the score, and we equally trounced them with respect to fitting into the local culture, local
regularcolumnist
No 6: Hong Kong shops and markets, sports and quality of accommodations. Thailand also outranked Vietnam by closer scores on local work culture, enjoying local food, using the local language, integration into the community and healthy diet. Some very telling lifestyle questions revealed that Thailand crushes Vietnam when it comes to organizing school for your children. Thailand ranks #3 to Vietnam’s distant #19. It might seem like Vietnam would stack up pretty well with regard to organising healthcare with a respectable #5 ranking, but again Thailand whips them easily as it took the #1 spot in this category. And last, but not least, in the lifestyle sector, is work/life balance. Thailand beats the Vietnamese handily with a #5 ranking to their paltry #24. But, where Thailand really comes on strong against its Southeast Asian neighbour is in the measurable area of quality of life. If you are an expat living in Thailand, the category of nicer/bigger property owned or rented is dominated with another #1 ranking. Vietnam isn’t even an “also ran” at #13. Expats in Thailand are also more likely to have a swimming pool and drive a nicer car. Next time some guy is going off in the local pub about how he’s moving to Vietnam … lay some of these stats on him.
‘‘
Malaysia For a long time, Thailand was considered lagging behind Malaysia economically and a second rate country in comparison. A few years ago, Thailand pulled even on the world economic stage with a Standard and Poor’s rating equivalent to their neighbours down south. I’ve been to Malaysia. They’ve got nice roads, good food and a diverse 54•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
Perhaps
all these
comparisons are unfair.
Vietnam and Philippines aren’t really in Thailand’s
global weight class when it come to quality of life.
No 7: Malaysia and interesting culture. It’s no wonder that they rank 7th overall in this survey. But according to expats surveyed, Thailand beats them in 14 out of 20 categories. Organising healthcare is back at a scary #13 and getting your kids into school must be a nightmare as they rank 26th in that area. There are a lot of close races with the Malays, but Thailand edges them out in weather, local work culture, fitting in at work, local food, local language, community integration, and local shopping. However, expats in Thailand are far more likely to have a healthy diet, live in nicer houses, drive better cars and the all-important work/ life balance isn’t even close with Thailand beating them by 12 ranking points. You are, however, slightly more likely to have a swimming pool in Malaysia. Philippines I’m a big fan of the Philippines. Usually during the Songkran Festival here in South-East Asia, I escape the drunken water throwers by hopping on a plane to Manila. The natural beauty, tumultuous history and kooky culture is endlessly interesting and a nice break from my life here in Thailand. But, I must admit, I feel like I’m travelling in a time machine, not an airliner. If Thailand is still considered a third world country … then the Philippines is fourth world. With that said, they still ranked a respectable #8 overall in this survey. According to the survey, expats choosing to live and work in the Philippines have an easier time with the local work culture, fit into the new culture and integrate into the community easier than in Thailand. Unfortunately for those expats,
Thailand wins nearly every other category hands down. Even though the Philippines ranks #3 in terms of living in a bigger and nicer property, Thailand still holds the pole position in that category, and Thailand expats are more likely to hold down more than one property. There are three peculiar results on this comparison that stand out. Even though Thailand ranks 29th in the “learning the local” language category, the Philippines only makes it up to #15. Everyone assumes the Philippines is “English speaking”, a myth I have long desired to debunk. And, with Filipino doctors and nurses scattered to every corner of the planet, it boggles my mind to see them rank 26th in ease of organising healthcare. It appears they’ve exported all their medical help. Finally, this is one of the rare comparisons where Thailand loses – the work/life balance battle. The Philippines ranks #2 and Thailand #5. But, if you’ve ever been to the Philippines it shouldn’t surprise you that they’d win a contest that includes working less and playing more. Perhaps all these comparisons are unfair. Vietnam and the Philippines (which ranked eighth overall) aren’t really in Thailand’s global weight class when it comes to quality of life. Malaysia arguably is, but as we’ve seen, there are some cultural differences that make it less than desirable for most of us. How about we take some real expat heavyweights? Hong Kong When I think of expatriate Englishmen, I think of Hong Kong. About a billion people piled onto a tiny little island choking on the worst air pollution known to man is not my
regularcolumnist
No 8: Philippines idea of a better place to live. Still, HK ranks at #6 on the survey. These numbers are all you need to know about the comparison between Thailand and Hong Kong: Hong Kong ranks #6 in income to Thailand’s #21. However, in disposable income, Thailand ranks #6 and Hong Kong #11. And that result leads us to the next one … Thailand ranks #1 in nicer/bigger property to Hong Kong’s disastrous #29. You might make more money in Honkers, but you spend it all on small crappy places to live. Hong Kong also bottoms out at #30 when it comes to organising your kid’s education; #27 in learning the local language and apparently HK expats drive the worst cars in the world at #30. It should come as no surprise that their life/work balance is totally out of whack at the worst in the survey … #31. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to leave anywhere to live in Hong Kong.
‘‘
Singapore Anyone who’s ever been to the city state of Singapore knows it is a world class expatriate location. In fact, if you check in at the historic Raffles Hotel and you could stay in suites named after some of those expatriate loving authors I referred to earlier in this article. It is organised to the point of obsession, clean to the point of sterility about as safe as any city on earth. I’ve never been to a place where the entire city was air conditioned … and it needs to be. If you don’t know what the phrase “equatorial heat” means, spend some time walking around Singapore. It does, however, have history, charm and diversity of cuisine and culture. 56•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
It is important to note that this survey
was not taken
with prejudice towards a particular country thus tainting the outcome.
Thailand rising to No 1 status was not preordained ... it is just a fact.
No 18: Vietnam But, how does it rate with expats for living? More importantly, how does it stack up against my favourite country? Overall, Singapore ranks #3 to Thailand’s #1. Out of the 20 survey segments, Thailand wins 12. It should be no surprise that Singapore ranks #2 in incomes but offsets these high marks with a miserable #26 in work/ life balance. Apparently, it’s all work and no play in this island nation. And, once again, when income is adjusted to indicate “disposable income”, Singapore falls to #7, just behind Thailand. Shockingly, organising education for expatriate children must be extremely difficult as it scrapes near the bottom of the barrel at #28. Organising healthcare is more respectable at #7, but it still can’t hold a candle to Thailand’s #1 ranking in this area. Expatriates living in Thailand also enjoy healthier diets, better weather and drive nicer cars than their Singapore living counterparts. And, not only do we enjoy nicer accommodations, we are more likely by a landslide score of #1 to #24 to live in nicer and bigger property. Singapore is hot, boring and expensive – no thanks – I’ll stay here. So, now that I’ve completely overloaded you with way too many numbers, it is important to qualify these results with a couple of reality overlays. This survey was conducted on what I would characterise as “classic expatriates”. Respondents are people living and working in these countries as career choices. Here in Pattaya, the overwhelming majority of expats are other hybrids of retirees, part-timers, later in life entrepreneurs, and yes … sex-pats. But the questions asked and
categories compared are real quality of life issues. I contend they apply as much to me as they do the classic expatriates … perhaps even more … especially with respect to disposable income and work/life balance. It is also important to note that this survey was not taken with prejudice towards a particular country thus tainting the outcome. Thailand rising to #1 status was not preordained … it is just a fact. My country of choice got its highest marks in important segments like availability of healthcare, education, transportation and disposable income. And, since my publisher likes me to make sure to keep these articles “property relative”, please stand up and take notice that Thailand ranks #1 in nicer/bigger properties, #1 in available accommodations and #3 in expats having more than one property. So, when you’re done digesting all these numbers make sure to thumb through the pages of this issue and pick out some nice properties … apparently you are in the right place to do so. On the 4th of July this year, I will be gathering with some fellow American expats to celebrate our country’s independence. I also celebrate my 13th year in the kingdom of Thailand. In an oddly ironic twist, I celebrate my own independence. I never doubted my choice; I certainly interviewed enough other places to know where I wanted to be. I always knew I was in the right place, and now I’ve just spent several hours reading a survey confirming what I’ve known all along. Thailand’s the best place in the world to live. Bart Walters
BY N OVA G R O U P
Affordable Beachside Living FROM
988,760 THB
ED H S I N R U FULLY F
EASY PAYMENT PLAN
1DE0PO% SIT
% 0 7 ,986 0 1 BALANCE THB PER MONTH
10% deposit can be paid using credit
038 706 116
cards
086 846 5995
NamTalayPattaya.com
Luxury Condos, Hotels & Venues Since 1994 NOVA-THAILAND.COM
GROUP
Developing The Future
Luxury Condos, Hotels & Venues Since 1994 Luxury Condos, Hotels & Venues Since 1994
NOVA-THAIL AND.COM
C I T Y L O C AT I O N THB
Novana Residence, Central Pattaya | Prices From 999,000 THB
Call 038 713 338 or visit NovanaPattaya.com
GROUP
4A PROPERTIES realty Your Trust In Real Estate G l o b a l P ro p e r t y B ro ke r
Let’s talk Real Estate Tel: 038 756 370 • Fax: 038 757 015 • Mob: 086 144 1312 or 085 650 0187
Spinnaker: From 47-420sqm. Prices start from Bt5.3m
Under construction: Uninterrupted sea view.
On 21st floor: More than 83.5 metres high.
The only real beachfront with 5-star service from Mövenpick.
Jomtien Plaza: Rental Studios. From Bt18,000-40,000 p/m.
Jomtien Plaza 2-bedroom, 126 sqm from Bt5.9m
The Cove: One bedroom. Empty shell. Bt11m only
Plaza: Studio – 54 sqm. Only Bt3.7m.
Very nice 1-bedroom with sea view make your offer!
La Royale: Best offer. 3-bed, less than developer price!
Rent: One-bedroom Bt35,000 p/m; two-bedroom Bt65,000 p/m.
New developments: For THE best offers talk with us.
Exclusive house: Exceptional living – Bt65m.
Jomtien Condotel: Studio 36 sqm Only Bt2.5m.
Pool villa: 200m from the beach. 2 & 3 beds from Bt14.5-23.5m.
Beachfront Villa: 3 bed – 800 sqm. ONLY Bt29m.
You want to swim here? We know how you can do it!
House with swimming pool: Less than Bt6m.
Resales at Mövenpick Spinnaker
1 bedroom 63 sqm on the 24th floor 2 bedroom 88 sqm on the 30th floor Only 130,000 per sqm! Completion of Mövenpick Spinnaker the 1st quarter of 2013
For more properties and information visit us at our office in Jomtien Plaza 2nd floor www.AAAAproperties.com • info@AAAAproperties.com
Prices From 2.7MB Tel. 038 252 996
www.thelegendpattaya.com
guestcolumnist
Craig Muldoon started in financial services in 1987 with Refuge Assurance in the UK. Some 12 years later, he decided to set up Westminster Financial Management, an Independent Financial Adviser practice in Devon. He has achieved the latest qualifications set by the UK’s Financial Services Authority and is therefore qualified to provide holistic financial planning. He also holds a mortgage advice qualification. In September 2010 he moved to Thailand to further his development and joined the Business Class Group in their Financial Services Department. He can be contacted at info@fsplatinum.com.
Alternative investments
I
nvesting is not without risks. By spreading out your money over different types of investments you diversify the risk. This will help to achieve more consistent returns to realise your financial goals. The simple fact is that alternative investments do exist and each offers a wide range of security, capital protection and excellent returns. So let’s look at just a few that you can consider... Bamboo The world market for bamboo is valued at US$10bn. It is expected to reach about US$20bn by 2015. Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing land plant and you can choose how much you want to invest with a minimum of £3,995* (approx Bt200,000). Your bamboo is then planted, maintained and harvested annually. The company will then sell your harvest and the income is paid directly into your bank account each year (from Year 4) until Year 15. There is an average expected annual net return of about 25 per cent. Self Storage This industry has grown since its inception in the early 1980s and for the investor it has produced an average return over the past five years of between 8-15 per cent. Entry level starts at £3,750 (Bt185,000) with a guaranteed return of 8 per cent in the first two years. Income is for life as the lease on a self-storage unit is for 250 years and is in the name of the investor. Litigation Funding Capital protected, a three-year investment which produces 12.5 per cent in Years 1 and 2, with a final 80•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
‘‘
Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing land plant and you can choose how much you want to invest with a minimum of £3,995 (approx Bt200,000).
’’
By craig muldoon payment of 14.5 per cent in Year 3 plus all your capital returned to you. Minimum investment starts at £27,000 (Bt1.34m). Teak Pay As You Grow? PAYG is a packaged, ethical sustainable investment aimed at parents and family members investing for a child’s future benefit. Previously the huge returns available from the teak forestry investments were only the preserve of larger scale investors. However, PAYG has been formulated by forestry and investment specialists to allow parents, grandparents and guardians to access these investments in affordable amounts of just £3,600 (Bt179,000). These investments can be made one-off or over as many years as you like, with trees and investments growing alongside your bundle of joy, turned hairbrush diva, turned grunting teenager. Renewable energy ‘Green Oil’ Green oil can be produced from many biological sources, waste,
biomass and green oil producing trees such as Millettia (Pongamia), Jatropha, Palm Oil, Rapeseed, Sugar Cane and others. The seeds of the trees are harvested and the oil that is extracted is used to generate electricity. The trees sequester (store) carbon so the electricity generated is carbon neutral and the trees have a productive life of 75 years so the energy is from a renewable source. In addition, many complimentary products can be produced from a green oil plantation, including animal feed, bio-fertiliser, honey, carbon credits and bio-herbicide. A minimum of £10,000 (Bt496,000) over an eight year period returns: 4 per cent in Year 1; 8 per cent Year 2; 12 per cent Year 3, 17 per cent in Years 4-8 with return of original capital of £10,000 at end of the eighth year. None of the above alternative investments are correlated to the market and, as such, are a consideration in terms of providing a balanced Investment Portfolio. * All rates at Bt49.68 to the £.
broker & developer directory
How the Waterfront Suites & Residences will look at night. Piling work on the project has already started.
Your at-a-glance guide to some of the major players in the Pattaya property market. We do not claim this is a comprehensive list of all the brokers and developers who can provide a service but we hope readers will find it helpful.
This section is kindly sponsored by Waterfront Suites & Residences
a g e n t s AAAA Properties Jomtien Plaza Condotel 406/37 M12 Jomtien Beach Road T: +66 (0)38 756 370 F: +66 (0)38 757 015 M: +66 (0)86 144 1312 E: info@aaaaproperties.com W: aaaaproperties.com Principal: Louis J Van den Bergh ACI Enterprise Co Ltd (incorporating ACI Ocean Properties) 672/20 M5 Soi 18, Naklua Road next to Northpoint, Wong-Amat T: +66 (0)38 41 6060 F: +66 (0)38 41 6061 M: +66 (0)81 762 2627 E: info@aci-enterprise.com W: aci-enterprise.com and pattayaoceanproperties.com Principal: Markus Probst Memberships: CRS, REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR
Property Consultants
All Siam Properties M: +66 (0)87 068 5159 E: info@allsiamproperties.com W: allsiamproperties.com Membership: TREA Anaakot Group Property Consultants 138/1 Moo 12, Soi Chayapruk, Jomtien T: +66 (0)38 231544 M: +66 (0)8780 33329 E: info@anaakot-group.com W: Anaakot-Group.com Principal: Jason Young
The following are among the trade organisation memberships or qualifications held by some of the agents. Note that, in some instances, the qualification is with the individual employee – not the company overall. AIPP: Acronym stands for The Association of International Property Professionals which is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to improve the standards of professionalism in the international property market, helping both the industry and the public. Members have voluntarily signed up to follow the AIPP Code of Conduct.
Arise Asia 477/25 View Talay 5C, Thappraya Road T: +66 (0)38 075 610 M: +66 (0)85 228 8911 or (0)89 107 9807 E: info@ariseasia.com W: ariseasia.com Principal: Thanyamai Totharong (Thanya) Memberships: CRS, REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR Benchmark Asia Property Co Ltd 315/309 M12, Thepprasit Road T: +66 (0)38 304 133 M: +66 (0)81 792 9486 E: info@benchmarkthailand.com W: benchmarkthailand.com Principal: Gareth De Silva Memberships: CRS, REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR
CIPS: Certified International Property Specialist – this is a members-only group which is for international practitioners of the National Association of REALTORS®. CRS: Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the top professional designation awarded to REALTORS® in residential sales. Held by fewer than five per cent of all REALTORS®. NAR: National Association of Realtors is North America’s largest trade association representing more than 1.2 million members. Members can call themselves REALTORS®. NAR also functions as a self-regulatory organisation for real estate brokerage. REBA (Thailand): This is the nationwide Real Estate Broker Association with affiliation to the international Council of Residential Specialists. REBA-ES: The Real Estate Broker Association for the Eastern Seaboard.
RETS (Thailand): Real Estate Training School (Thailand) – brokers seeking membership of REBA must have staff attend and pass their test. More overleaf
Big Mango Properties Main office: South Pattaya – Soi Big Mango off Third Road T: +66 (0)38 713 118 Second office: North Pattaya – Wong-Amat Residence, 505/1 Moo 5, Soi 16 Naklua Road T: +66 (0)38 725 001 Third office: BNT Building 155/4-6 Asoke Road, Bangkok T: +66 (0)2 258 8421 F: +66 (0)2 258 8420 M: +66 (0)89 685 2198 E: michael@bigmangoproperties.com W: bigmangoproperties.com Principal: Michael Barricelli Bizhouse Co Ltd 324/22 Moo 9 Central Pattaya Road near junction with Third Road T: +66 (0)38 416 322 M: +66 (0)89 0924593 E: info@bizhouseproperty.com W: bizhouseproperty.com Principal: Richard Arthur buythaiproperties.com 308/69 M10 Thappraya Road T: +66 (0)38 251 644 F: +66 (0)38 251 645 M: +66 (0)8 456 210 40 E: info@buythaiproperties.com W: buythaiproperties.com
AGENTS DIRECTORY • Sponsored by Waterfront Suites & Residences • 07-08/2012 • Issues 134 and 135
Alan Bolton Property Consultants Unit C102, 399/9 M10 The Avenue Shopping Mall Second Road near Villa Market T: +66 (0)38 416 728-9 F: +66 (0)38 416 730 M: +66 (0)81 996 2489 E: info@pattaya-property.net W: pattaya-property.net Principal: Alan Bolton Memberships: REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), TREBS
glossaRY
d i r e c t o r y
a g e n t s
d i r e c t o r y
glossaRY
Coastal Real Estate 216/62 M10, Soi 13 (Soi Diana next to Mega-Break) T: +66 (0)38 421 580 M: +66 (0)81 269 0742 E: info@pattayarealestateservices.com W: pattayarealestateservices.com Principal: Kevin Mattson
AGENTS DIRECTORY • Sponsored by Waterfront Suites & Residences • 07-08/2012 • Issues 134 and 135
Colliers International Thailand 519/4-5 Second Road, opposite Central Festival, Pattaya Beach T: +66 (0)38 427 771 F: +66 (0)38 427 772 M: +66 (0)85 2828 120 E: info.pattaya@colliers.com or mark.bowling@colliers.com W: colliers.co.th Principal: Mark Bowling Memberships: RICS Delight Real Estate Co Ltd 308/58-59 M12 Thappraya Road T: +66 (0)38 251 415 F: +66 (0)38 251 416 M: +66 (0)89 542 3041 (Eng/Ger/Dutch) or +66 (0)89 253 8842 (Thai) E: info@delight-realestate.com W: delight-realestate.com Principal: Anne-Marie Adriaans East Coast Real Estate Co Ltd Office 1: 414/19 M12 Jomtien Complex T: +66 (0)38 267 030-1 F: +66 (0)38 267 029 M: +66 (0)81 862 8034 Office 2: 485/4 M10 Second Road T: +66 (0)38 723 615-6 F: +66 (0)38 426 193 E: info@thaiproperty.com W: thaiproperty.com or thaiproperty.net Principal: David Gray Advertisement: Page 41
RICS: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – an independent body which regulates the conduct of property professionals and surveyors in the UK and other sovereign nations. RICS provides education and training standards, protects consumers with strict codes of practice and advises governments and business. TREA: The Thai Real Estate Association aims to be the hub of the real estate profession here by encouraging entrepreneurs to operate to standards of quality and ethics; to create the maximum benefits for developers, government and consumers altogether. TREBS: The Thailand Real Estate Broker School provides training for real estate professionals. The course includes real estaterelated laws, broker law, broker ethics, listing and sales techniques, reconciliation techniques, property evaluation, property transfer procedure and tax calculation.
Farang Property Services 223/32 M9, Third Road T: +66 (0)38 052 495 F: +66 (0)38 052 496 M: +66 (0)89 938 7433 E: info@farang-services.com W: farang-services.com Principal: Manfred Ehrenheim Advertisements: Pages 4 and 5 Five Star Villas & Condos Main office: Pratumnak – Tara Court 388/109 M12, Pratumnak Road Second office: Jomtien – B30, The Village Shopping Centre M: +66 (0)81 938 8391 Robert or (0)809 16667 Mesiya E: sales@fivestarvillasandcondos.com W: fivestarvillasandcondos.com Principals: Robert and Mesiya (May) Watson Memberships: CRS, REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR, TREBS
Global Property Global Solidor Enterprise Co Ltd North Pattaya – 157/142 Moo 5, Naklua Road T: +66 (0)38 427 364 M: +66 (0)82 469 5551 or +66 (0)81 838 1390 E: info@global-solidor.com W: global-solidor.com Principal: Rainer Heinzmann
Golden Homes Real Estate Co Ltd 33/39 M9 Soi Diana Inn T: +66 (0)38 720 892-3 M: +66 (0)86 826 8821 E: info@goldenhomespattaya.com or Ploy1@csloxinfo.com W: goldenhomespattaya.com Principal: Yupaporn Sangpagdee (Ploy) Jomtien Property 315/185-6 Thappraya Road near entrance to View Talay 2 T: +66 (0)38 303 243 M: +66 (0)86 108 6575 E: info@properties-in-thailand.com W: properties-in-thailand.com Principal: Stu Sutton North Shore Property Co Ltd 315/414 M12 Thappraya Road T: +66 (0)38 303 825-6 M: +66 (0)87 833 5066 or (0)86 323 4607 E: info@ns-property.com W: ns-property.com Principal: Mesa Wongsida NT Realty Asia 215/15-18 Second Road T: +66 (0)38 426 242 or (0)38 425 836 F: +66 (0)38 426 243 E: info@nt-realty.com W: realestatethailand.com Philippines office: 11 Malabanias Road Angeles City, Pampagna 2009 T: +63 (0) 45 892 5719 Principals: John Seymour, Tim Bunker, Peter Randall (directors) and Paul Sutton (regional manager) Memberships: REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR
a g e n t s One Stop Real Estate 219/14 M9, Soi Yamato T: +66 (0)38 710 699 or (0)38 710 725 M: +66 (0)819 454 845 E: onestop@realesthai.com W: real-estate-thailand.com Principal: Mark Welch Memberships: CRS, REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR Paradise City Property 116/27 M9, Pattaya Klang opposite Big C Extra (formerly Carrefour) T: +66 (0)38 373 966 M: +66 (0)81 761 3238 E: pattaya@paradisecityproperty.com W: paradisecityproperty.com Principal: Gavin Perfect
Est. 2001
PATTAYA REALTY Follow us:
http://on.fb.me/pattayarealty
@pattayarealty
Pattaya Realty 219/1 Tipp Plaza, Second Road T: +66 (0)38 412 301-2 6,968,000 M: +66 (0)89 833 6175(CS5049) orSale(0)89 832 7226 Sale 11,900,000 (HS5005) Central Pattaya - Foreign Name: E: info@pattayarealty.com W: pattayarealty.com (HR1449) (CR3816) Principal: Stuart Daly Memberships: CIPS, REBA (Thailand), VJ Vil age REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR int size 190 m sq, ext size 540 m sq, 3 beds, 3 baths, fully fitted kitchen, high quality furnishings, Internet, close to local amenities, security alarm, covered car park, 24hr Security.
Brand new condominium in Pattaya int size 104 m sq, 3 beds, 3 baths, fully furnished, fully fitted kitchen, communal gardens, communal swimming pool, car park, 24hr Security.
(HS4959)
Rent 25,000 / month
Sale 6,990,000
Rent 20,000 / month
South Pattaya: int size 55 m sq, 1 bed, fully furnished, fully fitted kitchen, TV, DVD, Hi-Fi, close to local amenities
: int size 225 m sq, ext size 328 m sq, 3 beds, 2 baths, fully furnished, fully fitted kitchen,private gardens, private swimming pool, covered car park, 24hr Security.
East Pattaya :Ext size 420 m sq, 4 beds+ maid's room, 3 baths, fully furnished and kitchen, security alarm, private gardens communal swimming pool, covered car park, 24hr Security.
Rush! Premier Homes RealBeat TheEstate Co Ltd 240/21 Jomtien Beach Road T: +66 (0)38 231 931 M: +66 (0)81 634 2915 E: premier@loxinfo.co.th W: premierinternational.com (HS0247) Principals: Clayton and Supap: Wade Memberships: CIPS, RETS (Thailand), NAR (HR1041)
(CR4944)
Situated on top of Pratumnak hill, Spectacular sea and city view For special pre-launch prices in the highest building in Pattaya!
Baan Balina I
Rent 35,000 / month
Rent 16,000 / month
Contact Us Now
Na jomtien:Bali Style,Int size 300 m sq, ext size 560 m sq, 3 beds, 3 baths, high quality furnishings and fully fitted Euro style kitchen, maid's room, Private gardens, private swimming pool, covered car park, 24hr Security.
Pratumnak:int size 48 m sq, Studio apartment, fully furnished, fully fitted kitchen, beautiful sea views, communal gardens, communal swimming pool, car park, 24hr Security.
Pattaya Jomtien Property 75/49 Soi 5 Immigration, Beach Road, Jomtien (75m from Immigration Office) T: +66 (0)38 756 755 M: +66 (0)85 129 5657 (Thai); or +66 (0)85 667 3687 (English) E: sales@pattaya-jomtien-property.com W: pattaya-jomtien-property.com Principals: Kevin and Chanram Hurst Memberships: AIPP (International) Pattaya Prestige Properties 2/28 Ground Floor, View Talay 7 F: +66 (0)38 059 632 M: +66 (0)870 217 014 E: info@pattayaprestigeproperties.com W: pattayaprestigeproperties.com Principal: Jan Nuyten
Talay Real Estate Co Ltd 240/18 M5, Naklua not far from Dolphin Roundabout on Second Road T: +66 (0)38 362 352 F: +66 (0)38 362 351 M: +66 (0)87 608 1116 or (0)8 0091 5353 E: info@talayrealestate.com W: talayrealestate.com Principals: Namthip Khanjanavisittaphol (Sandy) and Ted T Okuno
GRE
Rent 44,000 / month
Sale 29,000,000 Jomtien: Fully renovated to a very high standard with 4 beds, 4 baths, fully furnished,
fully fitted kitchen, Jacuzzi, large private gardens, private swimming pool, security alarm, covered car park, 24hr Security.
Opposite Bangkok Pattaya Hospital East Pattaya:4 beds, 3 baths, fully furnished and kitchen, washing machine, Private gardens, private swimming pool, covered car park, 24hr Security.
Sale 12,950,000
The Regents Superior detached, two storey house, int size 650 m sq, ext 1400 m sq,
4 bedrooms + en suite, 5 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen + food storage room, Jacuzzi, private landscaped gardens, large private swimming pool, separate self-contained 1 bedroom + en suite guest house with AC, security alarm, covered car park ,electric gate.
Our office address: 219/1 Tipp Plaza, Pattaya 2nd Road. Next to Mike Shopping Center, Nongprue Chonburi 20150
www.pattayarealty.com
Email: info@pattayarealty.com
Rightmove Pattaya 369/1 M9, Units 8&9 PS Bowl, 2nd Road T: +66 (0)38 361 212 M: +66 (0)89 253 5607 E: info@rightmovepattaya.com W: rightmovepattaya.com Principal: Craig Turner Memberships: REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand) Tel:66(0)38 412 301/2 or 089 833 6175 089 8327226
Sallmanns (Eastern Seaboard) Ltd Near Hanaman Statue, Jomtien T: +66 (0)38 252 588 M: +66 (0)87137 0392 E: pattaya@sallmannsthailand.com W: sallmannsthailand.com Principal: Tim Gladwin Seaboard Properties Co Ltd 316/23 Thappraya Road near Food Mart, Jomtien T: +66 (0)38 252 456 F: +66 (0)38 252 457 M: +66 (0)86 129 8281 E: info@seaboard-properties.com W: seaboard-properties.com Principal: Eddie Buehler Siam Properties Main office: 313/27 M10 Pattaya Tai T: +66 (0)38 415 490 F: +66 (0)38 414 693 M: +66 (0)81 861 1907 (Heiner) or (0)81 821 7045 (Porn) Russian: +66 (0)89 245 2890 (Vera) E: info@siamproperties.net or rus@siamproperties.net W: siamproperties.net
Thailand-Property-Gate Head office: 82/9 Langsuan Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Eastern Seaboard office: 449/84, M12, Thepprasit Road W: Thailand-Property-Gate.com E: Stefan@thailand-property-gate.com M: +66 (0)81 835 99 23 Thailiving 306/90-91 M12 Thappraya Road T: +66 (0)38 364 514 M: +66 (0)81 862 7405 E: info@thailiving.net W: thailiving.net Principal: Supaporn Persson (Sara)
Town & Country Property 63/10-11 Pattaya Tai T: +66 (0)38 374 136 F: +66 (0)38 374 137 Russian: +66 (0)84 873 7425 E: info@towncountryproperty.com W: towncountryproperty.com Principal: Cees Cuijpers Memberships: CRS, REBA-ES, NAR Advertisements: Pages 8 and 9
AGENTS DIRECTORY • Sponsored by Waterfront Suites & Residences • 07-08/2012 • Issues 134 and 135
Pattaya Estate Agents (PEA) Car Park, Tesco-Lotus, South Pattaya M: +66 (0)819 458 650 (Thai) or (0)86 080 3098 (Eng) E: info@pattaya-estate-agents.com W: pattaya-estate-agents.com Principal: Sununtha Bun-um (Boom)
Second office: 334/14 Soi Welcome, Jomtien Hotel off Jomtien Beach Road T: +66 (0)38 059 637 Principals: Heiner and Porn Moessing Memberships: CRS, REBA (Thailand), REBA-ES, RETS (Thailand), NAR
E
(HR1306)
(HS4948)
COM L IN
ENTA
AT R
Pattaya Bay Real Estate 405/23 Soi Bongkot T: + 66 (0) 38 374 623 F: + 66 (0) 38 374 623 M: + 66 (0) 811 580 065 ( English) + 66 (0) 807 247 476 ( Thai) E: info@pattayabayrealestate.com W: pattayabayrealestate.com Principal: Mal Patterson
d i r e c t o r y
REAL ESTATE BROKER ASSOCIATION – EASTERN SEABOARD
ticks all Members of REBA-ES are respected
Member companies in REBA-ES are part of an established and respected real estate organisation which has the support of the Thai Government
professional
Clients of REBA-ES members can be confident that they are dealing with honest, reputable and properly trained real estate professionals
ETHICAL
The high standards we set conform to internationallyapproved rules, regulations, strict codes of ethics and dispute resolution policies
INFORMed
Our members network closely, giving all of them access to the Eastern Seaboard’s largest real estate association
For comprehensive property listings and professional real estate consulting contact our members at www.rebaes.com
www.rebaes.com
REAL ESTATE BROKER ASSOCIATION – EASTERN SEABOARD
the boxes ... Sponsoring REBA-ES members John Seymour +66 (0)38 426 242 info@nt-realty.com www.realestatethailand.com
Mark Welch +66 (0)81 945 4845 onestop@realesthai.com www.real-estate-thailand.com
Stuart Daly +66 (0)38 412 301-2 info@pattayarealty.com www.pattayarealty.com
Markus Probst +66 (0)81 762 2627 info@aci-enterprise.com www.pattayaoceanproperties.com
Heiner Moessing +66 (0)89 499 1000 info@siamproperties.net www.siamproperties.net
Rob Watson +66 (0)81 938 8391 sales@fivestarvillasandcondos.com www.fivestarvillasandcondos.com
Gareth De Silva +66 (0)81 792 9486 info@benchmarkthailand.com www.benchmarkthailand.com
Rainer Heinzmann +66 (0)81 838 1390 info@global-solidor.com www.global-solidor.com
Craig Turner +66 (0)89 253 5607 info@rightmovepattaya.com www.rightmovepattaya.com
... if your answer is ‘yes’ to all, check out the REBA-ES brokers in this
You can trust Advert: Zen Grafix
www.rebaes.com
DE V E L O P ERS d i r e c t o r y
Heights Holdings Co Ltd Thappraya Road next to Bruno’s Italian Restaurant Projects: Park Royal I, II & III, Pattaya Heights, Club Royal, Laguna Bay I & II, Laguna Beach Resort Jomtien I & II, Laguna Heights, The Peak Towers (in co-operation with Vistas) Wong Amat Tower, Water Park Condominium and C-View M: +66 (0)85 282 6454 E: oliver@heights-holdings.com W: heights-holdings.com Principal contact: Oliver Nabarro Katalina Co Ltd 396/66 M12, Pratumnak Projects: Katalina I, II and III T & F: +66 (0)38 306 616 M: +66 (0)80 570 44 33 (English and Russian); +66 (0)81 983 00 68 (English, Dutch and French) E: rogge_tony@hotmail.com or albertdewilde@hotmail.com W: katalinaresidence.com Major Development PCL 141 Soi Thonglor 10, Sukhumvit 55, Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Local project: Reflection Jomtien Beach Sales office: Jomtien Beach Road, adjacent to Suttangrak Restaurant T: +66 (0)38 233 111 F: +66 (0)38 233 730 M: +66 (0)89 247 7158 E: sales@reflectionpattaya.com W: majordevelopment.co.th Principal contact: Chiddao Promma (Bay) Walk
Road
ing Stree
Ro
t
Be
asit Road
Se
nd
kho
ya Road
th
Pattaya Beach Road
w
Ro
ad
ral Patta Cent
Sukh
umv
Soi Nern
Plub Waan
it Road
SUPERCENTER
Third
Road
Road
Patt
Ro
ad
Bua
ird
Sou
Sukhumvit Road
North Pattaya
aya
Roa
d
Theppr
co
Soi Th
SUPERCENTER
Rd.
Check out tear-off map
Thappraya
ad
ach
ien
mt
Jo
o Talo
Domum Holding Co Ltd 391/109 Thappraya Road. Corner of Soi 13, next to Mata Hari Restaurant Project: Meridiem Condominium T: +66 (0) 38 251 464 M: +66 (0) 8888 10311 F: +66 (0) 38 251 733 E: info@domum-holding.com W: domum-holding.com
Modus Group 292/1-2 Moo 5 Soi 12, Pattaya-Naklua, Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Project: Modus beachfront condo T: +66 (0)38 225 999 or (0)38 252 635 M: +66 (0)89-092 1333 E: info@moduspattaya.com or 888modus@gmail.com W: moduspattaya.com Principal: Pimpinan Namthep
Noi
CW Asset Co Ltd 212/13 North Pattaya Road Project: Bang Saray Beach Condominium T: +66 (0)38 414 405 M: +66 (0)85 272 8338 (English) or +66 (0)85 272 8228 (Thai) E: info@cwasset.com W: cwasset.com or bangsaraybeachcondo.com Principal: Ms Imorn Luekhamharn Membership: TREA
Global Tower Group Co Ltd Banglamung Soi 16 Project: Paradise Ocean View M: +66 (0)8 222 66 077 E: info@paradiseoceanview.com W: paradiseoceanview.com
Chiyapurk
DEVELOPERS DIRECTORY • Sponsored by Waterfront Suites & Residences • 07-08/2012 • Issues 134 and 135
CSP Projects Chaiyapruk 2 over rail track on left opposite Baan Suan Neramit Projects: Coconut Grove, Coco Palms and Palm Grove T: +66 (0)38 076 285-6 E: md@csp-construction.com W: csp-construction.com Principal contact: Tom Coghlan
Matrix Developments 352/202-3 M12 Pratumnak Road Current projects: Art-on-the-Hill, Paradise Park, Sunset Boulevard, The View, The Vision, Amazon Residence and City Center Residence T: +66 (0)38 250 120-1 F: +66 (0)38 250 008 M: +66 (0)87 607 8880 E: info@matrix-developments.com W: matrix-developments.com Membership: AIPP
Soi Kha
Bravo Thai Lifestyle Co Ltd Projects: The Vineyard I, II & III near Lake Mabprachan M: +66 (0)89 8677 969 E: terry@siamdevelopments.com W: siamdevelopments.com Principal contact: Terrence Allen Collins
Dusitpattaya Co Ltd Soi Wat Yan off the Sukhumvit near Ban Amphur Project: Baan Dusitpattaya and Dusit Grand Condo View (Jomtien) T: +66 (0)38 343 586 F: +66 (0)38 343 585 M: +66 (0)81 0584 930 (English and Thai) M: +66 (0)868 486 704 (Russian) E: baandusit@gmail.com W: baandusitpattaya.com or domvtae.su Principal contact: Darwan Bunting (Meam)
Soi Khao
Anaakot Group Development 138/1 Moo 12, Soi Chayapruk, Jomtien Project: Sixtythree@12 T: +66 (0)38 231544 M: +66 (0)8780 33329 E: info@anaakot-group.com W: Anaakot-Group.com Contact: Jason Young
New Nordic Occupies a large area of Pratumnak. Go down Soi 4 and look for the orange signs on the right Current projects: New Nordic Suites, New Nordic VIP Condominium I, II and III and IV are planned T: +66 (0)38 250 025 F: +66 (0)38 306 299 M: +66 (0)89 605 4114 E: sales@new-nordic.com W: new-nordic.com Nova Group Nova Park, 80/164 M9, Soi Sukrudee (Soi AR) near Jameson’s Pub Projects: Amari Residences Pattaya, The Cliff, Nova Ocean View, Novana Residence, The Palm and Nam Talay T: +66 (0)38 415 304-8 F: +66 (0)38 415 309 M: +66 (0)85 282 6454 E: info@nova-thailand.com W: nova-thailand.com Principal contacts: Rony Fineman and Keith Storey Petch Property Development Co Ltd Projects: The Cove and Prima Residence Main office: 44 Soi Sukhumvit 59, Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 T: +66 (0)27 143 872 F: +66 (0)27 143 871
inside back cover
DE V E L O P ERS d i r e c t o r y
Walk
Road
ing Stree
Ro
t
Be
asit Road
Se
nd
kho
Pattaya Beach Road
ya Road
w
Ro
ad
ral Patta Cent
Sukh
umv
Soi Nern
Plub Waan
it Road
SUPERCENTER
Third
Road
Road
Patt
Ro
ad
Bua
ird
th
Sukhumvit Road
North Pattaya
aya
Roa
d
Theppr
co
Soi Th
SUPERCENTER
Rd.
Check out tear-off map
Thappraya
ad
ach
ien
mt
Jo
Sou
Shining Light Co Ltd Project: City Garden Pattaya Soi 15, Second Road close to The Avenue T: +66 (0)38 416 690 F: +66 (0)38 724 249 E: info@citygardenpattaya.com W: citygardenpattaya.com
Tulip Group Co Ltd 88/58 Moo 4, Bowin Sub District, Siracha, Chonburi Projects: Centara Avenue Residence & Suites Pattaya (behind The Avenue), Centara Grand Residence Pattaya (Na-Jomtien) and Waterfront Suites & Residences (Bali Hai) T: +66 (0)38 959 180 F: +66 (0)38 959 508 M: +66 (0)83 718 0005 E: jason@tulipgroup.co.th W: tulipgroup.co.th Principal contacts: Kobi Elbaz and Jason Payne
o Talo
Royal Oak Developments / Royal Jomtien Property Services Co Ltd Projects: Acqua Condominium, The Gallery, SP Townhomes, SP Villages I-V, The Urban, The Urban Suites and Acqua T & F: +66 (0)38 231125-6 M: +66 (0)86 323 1908 E: theurbanproperty@gmail.com W: thegallerycondo.com, theurban pattaya.com, theurban-property.com Principal contact: Thanyarak Meesuk
Vistas Development Chateau Dale Complex, Jomtien Projects: The Peak Towers (solo), Park Royal II and Water Park Condominium (in co-operation with Heights Holdings) English: +66 (0)87 803 3329 Thai: +66 (0)740 8999 Russian: +66 (0)80 826 6992 E: sales@vistasdevelopment.com W: vistasdevelopment.com Principal contact: Menachim (Meny) Borenstein Tudor Villas Co Ltd Showroom Pratumnak Hill, Soi 2 Projects: Tudor Court Condominium M: +66 (0)81 863 0201 E: tudorvillas@yahoo.com W: tudorcourtthailand.com
Tropical Dream Pattaya Co Ltd Showroom Pratumnak Road, Soi 6 Projects: Tropical Dream I (II coming soon) T: +66 (0)38 252 299 F: +66 (0)38 252 209 M: +66 (0)82 202 0880 E: tropicaldreampattaya@gmail.com W: tropicaldreampattaya Principals: Gery Kis and Sylvie Schäffer
Noi
Ratanakorn Asset Co Ltd 300/6 M10 Pattaya Tai Current Projects: Life Star City Tower, Pattaya Klang Center Point, Ratanakorn Park View, Ratanakorn Villages 12 and 13, R-Con Residence, TW Garden Hill, TW Jomtien Beach Resort, TW Park View, TW Wong-Amat Beach Resort Condominium, Vela Casa. T: +66 (0)38 421 534 or +66 (0)38 421 274 M: +66 (0)81 762 6080 E: marketing-ratanakorn@live.com W: ratanakorn.com
Chiyapurk
DEVELOPERS DIRECTORY • Sponsored by Waterfront Suites & Residences • 07-08/2012 • Issues 134 and 135
Raimon Land PLC 22nd Floor The Millenia Tower, Bangkok Projects: Northpoint, Zire Wong Amat and Unixx South Pattaya T: +66 (0)26 519 601 M: +66 (0)81 3717 888 E: info@raimonland.com W: raimonland.com Principal contact: Piaras Moriarty
Town & Country Property 63/10-11 Pattaya Tai Projects: The Meadows, The Residence and Whispering Palms F: +66 (0)38 374 137 Russian: +66 (0)84 873 7425 E: info@towncountryproperty.com W: towncountryproperty.com Second office: B23 The Village Shopping Centre, junction of Sukhumvit and Soi Chaiyapruk Principal: Cees Cuijpers
Soi Kha
Poompatta Co Ltd 450 M9 Nongprue, Chonburi 20150 Project: Patta Village T&F: +66 (0)38 371 555 E: info@poompattapattaya.com W: poompattapattaya.com
The Siam Oriental Trading Co Ltd 267/4 M12, Pratumnak Projects: Siam Oriental Condominium, Siam Oriental Garden, Siam Oriental Twins T: +66 (0)38 250 873 M: +66 (0)84 872 1272 E: sami.sarajarvi@gmail.com W: siamoriental.com Principal contact: Sami Sarajärvi
Soi Khao
M: +66 (0)89 991 1999 Sales office: 193/1 M5 Naklua Road T: +66 (0)38 428 284 or (0)38 428 595 E: info@ppd.co.th W: ppd.co.th Principal: Itthi Chavalittamrong
VKK Real Estate Co Ltd Sukhumvit 87 just before the rail track and the new road Projects: Porchland I, II, III (The Blue Residence), IV (The Time), V (La Santir) and VI (The Feelture) T: +66 (0)38 757 375-7 M: +66 (0)82 444 1147-8 E: theblue@porchland.com W: porchland.com VSPN Property Co Ltd 162 Moo 2, Sukhumvit Road (next to soi Banglamung 16), 500 metres past Kratingline Tri-junction Project: Seabreeze Villa Pattaya M: +66 (0)84 460 5335 E: seabreeze_villa@hotmail.com W: vspnproperty.co.th Principal: Ukarin Kerdkitsadanont Wandeegroup (Thailand) Co Ltd Thappraya Road on the left as you go up the hill towards Jomtien Project: The Touch® T: +66 (0)38 364 321 E: info@wandeegroup.com W: wandeegroup.com Principal contacts: Mario Kleff and Nittaya Wongsin Wise Power Land Co Ltd City Office Tower 1, Rama 3 in Bangkok Project: La Royale, Na-Jomtien T: +66 (0)26 826 255 E: info@wiseassetgroup.com W: wiseassetgroup.com
inside back cover
REAL ESTATE BROKER ASSOCIATION – EASTERN SEABOARD
in association with area – agency for real estate affairs are proud to present a leading edge seminar
pattaya property outlook
2012-2013
on august 8 at eastern grand palace hotel (Noon-5pm) Gain a better understanding of the up-to-date market position as recently surveyed for investment purposes with: l An In-depth analysis of residential properties including single houses, duplexes, townhouses, shophouses, condominiums and land plots in eight price ranges l The most comprehensive survey conducted covering 650 projects: 250 projects are in Pattaya City, 330 projects are in six other urban centres in Chonburi and 70 projects in three urban centres in Rayong. l The most up-to-date survey conducted as of July 2012 for Pattaya and March 2012 for the other regions. The report will be presented by by Dr Sopon Pornchokchai, PhD D.FIABCI CRS MRICS, President, Agency for Real Estate Affairs (www.area.co.th). Followed by a panel discussion by renowned local experts on the Pattaya market.
call +66 2 295 3905
or visit www.trebs.ac.th/English/SUMMARY/seminar_pattaya.php to register Participation: Baht 850 per person including handouts and refreshment. Comprehensive research paper: Baht 4,000 per copy.
REALESTATE ine magaz Media partner
www.rebaes.com www.area.co.th
newsREPORT
Wong-Amat at less than
92•REm•Issue 134•07/2012
Bt1m is Serenity offer N
ova Group’s newest condominium development means that it will be possible to live in one of Pattaya’s most sought-after areas at an affordable price. The new project – Serenity Wongamat – is the latest in the long-running Nova success story. A spokesman for the Group said: “We are delighted to be able to announce this new project which is well priced for such a high-demand area. “With prices starting at less than Bt1m we’re confident it will prove a popular buy.” Sound investment He added: “Serenity follows great projects such as The Cliff, The Palm and Nova Ocean View so buyers can be confident that they are making a sound investment when they buy in Serenity Wongamat.” The new project will be built just a short walk away from Nova’s prestigious The Palm, close
to the end of Wong-Amat’s Soi 16. Work on clearing the site should begin later this year with a view to starting construction in the middle of next year and completion is set for the first quarter of 2015. The area where Serenity will be built matches up to the name. It’s tranquil and peaceful but the best beaches (200 metres), nightlife and restaurants of North Pattaya are just minutes away. It will be built on 375 sq/wah, rise to eight floors and comprise
153 units. Some units on the upper floors will enjoy sea views and all residents will be able to look out to sea from the roof area which will be home to a 18m x 7m swimming pool. Fitness centre Other amenities planned include underground parking, a koi pond and garden, round-the-clock security and a fitness centre. Serenity will have studios and one- and two-bedroom units and all will come with a furniture
package included in the price. Studios will range in size from 21.49sqm to 24.51sqm with prices starting at Bt956,250 for Thai or company ownership. They will include a 32” TV with cabinet, fridge-freezer, queen-size bed with mattress, two-seater sofa, fully fitted kitchen with cooker hob and fan, fitted wardrobes, fully-fitted bathrooms, and built-in ceiling air conditioning units. The one-bedrooms are between 31.75sqm and 32.30sqm with a start price of Bt1,428,750. The furniture package for the onebedroom is similar to the studio but there will be an extra 32” wallmounted TV for the bedroom, plus a larger 40” TV with cabinet for the living area. The two-beds are from 42.95sqm to 51.48sqm and start at Bt1,932,750. In the twobedroom the furniture package matches that of the one bedroom but, of course, there will be an extra bed, TV and set of fitted wardrobes in the second bedroom. 07/2012•Issue 134•REm•93