Samui Phangan Real Estate Magazine April May 2011 by Satayu Publishing Co., Ltd.

The Definitive Guide to Samui & Phangan Real Estate

April / May 2012 | ISSN 1686-8838

Rewarding Quality Real Estate The 2012 Thailand Property Awards

Living the High Life Hilltop luxury at Laan Dara

www.samui-phanganmagazine.com

2 OCEANFRONT LOTS F o r s a l e o n To n g S o n B a y

• 2 CHANOTE LOTS WITH A TOTAL OF 66 METERS OF OCEANFRONTAGE • CAN BE SOLD SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER • LOT “A” IS 0.50 RAI = 15 MILLION BAHT • LOT “B” IS 0.65 RAI = 15 MILLION BAHT • ALREADY HAS PAVED ROAD AND UNDERGROUND UTILITIES • DIRECT ACCESS TO WHITE SAND BEACH • 2 SETS OF COMPLETED HOUSE PLANS AVAILABLE . BEST LOCATION ON THE BEACH IN SAMUI

CONTACT KHUN MICHAEL THAI TELEPHONE: 08 4707 6396 US TELEPHONE: +1 (808) 870 - 1800 E-MAIL: baskindesign@gmail.com

HOUSE FOR SALE

A 2 bedroom/2 bathroom private pool villa in a quiet Bangrak location. The villa has a western kitchen, open-plan living/dining area, air-con throughout & an electric gate. There is a garden, patio & park space for 2 cars.The land is chanote title - 91 talang wah. Contact owner on 0840562293 or mirandathailand@hotmail.com

Island Update

PAY IT

FORWARD K

oh Samui has been developing at breakneck pace for the last 15 years and for those that have lived on the island through its modern evolution, the dramatic changes that have taken place are both positive and negative. In many ways, Samui is a microcosm for the wider world. In the rush for progress and profit, mistakes have been made, but at the same time lessons have also been learned. Growth is a process, and Samui is fortunate in that it is now home to an eclectic, multi-cultural community most of whom respect and appreciate the island for its rare blend of global influences and preservable assets.

destination began to falter when a combination of natural, economic and political influences caused physical damage, a slowdown in business and tourism, and fortunately, a sharp re-assessment of the direction the island should be moving in.

The last few years have perhaps brought the biggest changes and challenges for Koh Samui. What at first seemed like an effortless rise from untouched backwater to wealthy international

Discussion and co-operation gradually began to take place, both within the native Thai community and across different sections of the island's multifaceted populous. The result was a change in

By then, many of those responsible for the major problems had cashed in and moved on, but others saw the opportunity to approach things in a different way, recognising that all was not lost and making positive moves to preserve and build on the advantages that made the island such a unique place to visit, live and work.

attitude that brought a stronger community spirit, greater awareness and sensitivity of the natural environment, as well as new organisations, events and media and conversation that inspired more positive action. One of the most significant results of this shift in attitudes was the election of a completely new local government four years ago, one largely made up and supported by Samui people with a vested interest not only in economic prosperity, but also in the island's long term future. Once installed, however, the island's new representatives soon realised the enormity of the challenges they faced. The wider infrastructure was on the verge of collapse, local people felt disenfranchised and a complete lack of coordination meant a sense of social responsibility was almost non-existent. Facing what was basically a complete island makeover, members of the Municipality Office decided to opt for a measured approach, looking at ways to heal the island rather than following previous attempts to cover its wounds with bandages that soon fell off. To help in the process they sought expert opinion from many sources, drawing on knowledge within Samui's multitalented international community, as well as the talents and experience of its original citizens. The size and scope of tasks was daunting to say the least, and the setbacks were manifold. Heavy rains caused damage before adequate drainage could be installed and a promise of funds from Bangkok was hindered by political upheaval in the Thai capital. Gradually, however, solutions were agreed upon and the results began to become evident. Among them new road surfaces, better drainage, rejuvenated public spaces, cleaner beaches and environmental education in schools. The local elections are just around the corner again and although non-registered Thais and foreign residents are not entitled to vote, many employ or work with local people and come into contact with local government representatives on a regular basis. By recognising the progress made, pointing it out to fellow Samuians, offering professional support and becoming more actively involved in projects that promote responsible development, everyone that spends time on Koh Samui can contribute to a positive, successful and sustainable future for the island. 9

Legal Update

THE PITFALLS

OF CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENTS

Over the last 15 years or so, Bangkokâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-end condominium market has matured, and now showcases some of the most recognized and sought after luxury condominium projects in the world. Phuket has also been credited status amongst global developers and the savvy real estate investors alike for its selection of opulent condominium developments. However, for reasons not fully understood, Koh Samui is significantly lagging behind both Phuket and Bangkok in its offering of high-end condominiums. Nonetheless, over the last year, developers with a presence in Koh Samui have expressed considerable interest in the development of condominium projects on the island. Developers targeting foreign buyers recognize that one of the key benefits of condominiums over other forms of real estate is the ability of foreign persons to acquire ownership of the units therein with title akin to freehold. Foreign persons may own up to 49% of the private living spaces in a registered condominium. The remaining 51% of the private living spaces must be owned by Thai individuals or qualifying Thai entities, although the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thai quotaâ&#x20AC;? of private living spaces may be leased to foreign persons on a long term basis, in accordance with Thai law.

Noting the key benefit of condominiums, developers intending to establish a condominium project in Koh Samui or Koh Phangnan must be aware that there are a number of pitfalls and hurdles associated with developing a condominium project in Thailand.

ZONING RESTRICTIONS Before commencing construction plans for the development of a condominium, it is paramount that the developer first investigates the zoning regulations applicable to the target land. Developers should be aware that Koh Samui is subject to specific zoning 10

regulations, which divide the district into roughly a dozen different land “zones”, each one subject to various construction specifications and other restrictions and prohibitions, Indeed, condominiums are specifically prohibited in certain zones of Koh Samui.

and will be deemed at law to form an integral part of the condominium unit sale and purchase agreements. In addition, the condominium unit sale and purchase agreement must contain certain “buyer friendly” terms and conditions, and any terms to the contrary and not advantageous to the buyer will be unenforceable.

The developer should determine whether the zoning regulations permit condominiums on the target land, and whether the other applicable construction specifications correspond to the developer’s vision of the condominium project. It is also important for developers to note that condominiums can only be built upon land which has Land Title Deed with “Chanote" status, and no construction permit will be granted for a condominium irrespective of zone if the land carries any form of title other than “Chanote”.

JURISTIC CONDOMINIUM PERSON Before the condominium registration process may be completed, it is necessary for the developer to establish the “Juristic Condominium”, for the purposes of owning, managing and maintaining the common property of the condominium. The Juristic Condominium is a juristic person and has the capacity to enter into legal acts, although it is controlled by its founding regulations, and by the joint owners through resolutions and similar corporate processes.

SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION

The basic corporate structure of the Juristic Condominium consists of the Joint Owners, the Board and the Manager. The Joint Owners are simply the end-buyers who jointly own the common property of a condominium. They are required to pay maintenance fees and to convene annually in order to vote on management decisions. The Board consists of 3-9 joint owners (or the spouses, heirs, custodians or curators thereof), and is responsible for overseeing the broad management of the Juristic Condominium in the nature of a board of directors. The Manager is appointed by the joint owners to carry out the day-to-day management of the common property, by providing services including security services, collecting maintenance fees and acting as an authorized representative of the Juristic Condominium.

In order to register a residential project as a condominium in Thailand, the developer is required to submit a formal application to the regional land office. The condominium application requires the submission of a number of documents, including (but not limited to) the land title deed for the target land, condominium plans and drawings, details of the condominium units and common property, plus the ratio of ownership, certification that there are no mortgages registered on the target land and a draft of the Regulations for the Juristic Condominium person (see below). The formal registration of a condominium cannot occur until the construction has been substantially completed and approved. This is of significant consequence to the developer and the foreign endbuyer alike, because the land office cannot issue condominium unit title deeds to the end-buyers until registration of the condominium is complete. It is therefore impossible to guarantee freehold title to foreign end-buyers until the later stages of development.

This article is intended to provide investors with a brief insight into the key legal characteristics of developing condominiums in Thailand. As in any jurisdiction, it is important to seek independent legal advice before entering into a legal transaction or development.

MARKETING AND SALES

This article was written by Jeffrey Martin, Senior Associate of Limcharoen Hughes & Glanville (Samui). For further information, please contact the Koh Samui office on (0) 84 714 8800 or e-mail jeffrey@limcharoen.com. Other offices are located in Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali and coming soon, Hong Kong.

Although condominium unit title deeds cannot be issued until the condominium is registered, it is possible to market and sell condominium units “offplan” before the condominium is registered, which is common for the purposes of generating cash flow for the project. However, the developer must be aware that strict consumer protection measures apply to the marketing and sale of condominium units. In particular, all advertising/marketing materials exhibited to promote the condominium must be retained by the developer, must be identical to the corresponding materials submitted in the application, 11

Tax Update

OFFICIAL APPRAISED VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY: Part II

n our last article we analysed the Land Office’s appraised value of general buildings/structures. This article will examine the Land Office’s appraised value of condominium units.

The appraised value of a condominium unit is of significant importance for the calculation of fees and taxes upon transfer of such unit. Like land and other general buildings/structures, a condominium unit is transferred by a written registration at the authorized Land Office. The current fee and taxes applicable to and payable upon the registration of ownership thereof are the: (1) transfer fee; (2) income tax (payable as withholding tax); and (3) stamp duty or specific business tax/local development tax. The transfer fee and the (individual) seller’s income withholding tax that is required to be deducted and paid to the authorities upon transfer are calculated based on the Land Office’s appraised value of the condominium unit. The stamp duty or specific business tax/local development tax are calculated based on the Land Office’s appraised value of the condominium unit or the sales price of the unit, whichever is higher. Section 30 of the Condominium Act (1979) (“CA”) provides that the provisions of the Land Code (1954) (“LC”) regarding land registration and the Ministerial Regulations issued under said provision shall be applied to the registration of rights and juristic acts of the condominium unit mutatis mutandis. In addition, Section 62 of the CA provides that the relevant provisions of the LC regarding fees, such as Sections 104, 105 and 106 shall be applied to the fees under the CA mutatis mutandis. The assessment of the appraised value of a condominium unit is made periodically by the “Valuation Committee” in accordance with Sections 105 and 105 quinque of the LC. Pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Valuation Committee’s Regulations for Determining the Criteria and Procedures for Valuing the Immovable Properties for Purposes of Levying Fees for Registering the Rights and Juristic Acts (1992) (amended in 1998) issued under Section 105 quinque of the LC, the criteria to be taken into account by the Valuation Committee in determining the appraised value of a condominium unit can be summarized as follows: Sale and purchase price, terms and conditions of the sale and purchase agreement or rental amount of unit(s) in each floor of that particular condominium and of other same/similar style condominiums nearby; Quantity and quality of the common property of the condominium; Facilities and services provided in the condominium; Quality of the materials and built-in decorations of the unit; Purpose of use of the unit e.g. for commercial, residential or office space, etc; Style of the unit and it is located in that particular condominium; Common property management system of the condominium; and Market price of land upon which the condominium is located, which is the common property of the condominium, and construction costs as of the date of condominium registration. After the Valuation Committee has gathered such information, it then determines the official appraised value of a condominium unit by using one more of the following methods: Comparing it with the market price of the same/similar style condominium unit nearby; or Comparing it with the rental amount of the same/similar style condominium unit nearby; or in case (1) and (2) are insufficient or incomparable Using the construction costs and the depreciation of the unit for the determination.

Usually the appraised value is designated floor by floor or, alternatively, unit by unit. But note, if the condominium comprises of several buildings, the appraised value of the floors and units in each building may well be different. Thus, each condominium in Thailand has its own official appraised value. Herein below are two examples of the current appraised values applicable to the transfer of ownership of two specific condominiums in Phuket Town and in Rawai, Phuket Province (which for purposes of this article and not providing their actual names we shall call “X” and “Y”): Condominium X in Phuket Town

Condominium Y in Rawai

Appraised Value (THB/m2)

1st Floor, Commercial Unit

48,500

49,000

1st Floor, Commercial Unit, Balcony

20,250

24,500

1st Floor, Residential Unit

40,500

41,000

1st Floor, Residential Unit, Balcony

20,250

20,500

5th Floor, Residential Unit

41,500

43,000

5th Floor, Residential Unit, Balcony

20,750

21,500

In general, the appraised value of each condominium must be re-evaluated by the Valuation Committee every four years. The current appraised value of Condominium X was announced in 2009 and that of Condominium Y was announced in 2010. Therefore, the next re-evaluation and announcement of the appraised value will be in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The higher the appraised value is, the more expensive the fee applicable to and payable upon the registration of ownership of the condominium unit at the authorized Land Office will be. By way of example, the highest appraised value of a residential condominium unit in Phuket at the moment is 91,000 THB/m2. Taking such appraised amount into account, the registration fee payable upon of ownership of a 200 m2 unit would be THB 364,000 [91,000 x 200 = 18,200,000 x 2% = 364,000]. Article by Weerya Imchai - Assoicate Partner at DUENSING KIPPEN, LTD. DUENSING KIPPEN is a multi-service boutique law firm specializing in real estate and corporate/commercial transactional matters as well as arbitration proceedings arising therefrom. It is the only such firm in Thailand that also compliments its transactional expertise with a core tax law practice. DUENSING KIPPEN can be reached at: samui@duensingkippen.com or for more information please visit them at: www.duensingkippen.com

The Emerald Tongson

The Emerald Tongson Development results from a vision to create an innovative design with iconic modern, yet tropical architecture in an environmentally sensitive haven. This exclusive ocean front compound of only four 2 bedroom pool villas along one of the most inspiring shore lines of Choengmons Tongson Bay presents a new cool approach to exclusive tropical living. Features: • Car park with 4 lots • Common entrance lounge • Built to marine environment standard • Low consumption LED light features • Copper/Silver mineral pool treatment • Total villa size: 200-220m2

JMan Marina Co Ltd Mobile: +66 (o) 8 1893 5996 www.jman-marina.com Email: info@jman-marina.com 8/10 Moo 5 Bophut Koh Samui 84320 Thailand

Overseas Property Portfolio (OPP) is an experienced and established real estate agent on Koh Samui. Our business includes Property and Land Sales, Rentals and Property Management.

FEATURE PROPERTY: HOTEL & TAPAS BAR Ref : S206 Location : Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Village

Bedrooms : 7 Bathrooms : 7

Swimming Pool Restaurant An opportunity has arisen for the lease of a small, manageable hotel in the boutique Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Village, Bophut. The hotel rooms, 6 standard and 1 suite, were refurbished two years ago by the current owners, as well as introducing a successful Thai tapas bar on street level.

Along with the white sandy beach and the turquoise sea just moments away, this has enabled the hotel to be a success and has proved to be profitable. The owners are reluctant to sell but for family reasons are leaving Samui. The lease available is 15 years at 10,000,000 THB, including the Thai company, and the Freehold can be negotiated with the landlord if required. Full sets of accounts are available to serious buyers. This hotel has organically grown to a position for a buyer to come in and take over and continue to build on its success. An ideal opportunity for someone looking to run a small business in a popular location. To arrange an immediate viewing, please contact Emma on 080 535 1725 or by email emma@overseaspropertyportfolio.com

T FO

T EN R R

Villa • Bophut • Ref: S105

From 6,500 THB/night - 70,000 THB/month Set in a quiet location yet walking distance to Fisherman’s Village, this 2 bed villa with ensuite bathrooms, sits in an elevated position with partial sea views and private pool.

EN R R FO

Villa • Plai Laem • Ref: S164

From 12,500 THB/night Spacious 4 bed walled in villa with private pool and sea views. 3 mins walk to the secluded beach and communal pool. Plenty of indoor and outdoor living areas.

R FO

EN T

From 7,500 THB/night - 85,000 THB/month 3 bed duplex with 180° stunning views, master has a Jacuzzi bath, furnished throughout to a high standard, direct access to the communal pool, lift and underground parking.

EN T

Duplex • Bangrak • Ref: S059

From 6,500 THB/night - 60,000 THB/month A new and modern Balinese style 2 bed villa, with all the mod cons, set in beautiful, tropical gardens with a large private pool. Shops and restaurants are just a 10 minutes walk.

Villa • Bophut • Ref: S118

Villa • Bophut Hills • Ref: S157

From 17,050 THB/night Luxurious 4 bed villa with elegant furnishings, perched on Bophut Hills, with stunning views and an infinity edge pool. There’s a small gym, Massage beds and live in couple.

Villa • Bophut Hills • Ref: S147

62,000 THB/night A private and luxurious high-end villa with 4 bedroom suites, an in-house spa and full time chef. The extensive grounds are manicured with a large swimming pool and built in Jacuzzi.

SALES • RENTALS • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Mobile : +66 (0)80 535 1725 Office : +66 (0)77 425 679

LE SA R FO

Duplex • Bangrak • Ref: S144

Reduced to 10,000,000 THB Owner looking for a quick sale, 3 bed end property with private Jacuzzi and direct access to the communal pool. Fully furnished throughout, will make an ideal holiday home/rental.

R FO

Villa • Laem Yai • Ref: S204

20,000,000 THB Stunning sea and tropical mountain views, without another property in sight, just 10 mins from Nathon. Spread over 3,200 sqm with 3 bedrooms and large living terraces.

Villa • Bophut Hills • Ref: S207

17,000,000 THB A 3 bed, single storey villa in a private location with panoramic sea views and value for money for the location. Fully equipped Western kitchen and all bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms.

12,900,000 THB Large 3/4 bed villa with sea views. Option for separate apartment with use of communal pool and separate living with private pool. Ideal investment/ rental opportunity.

Villa • Chaweng Yai • Ref: S200

9,500,000 THB Sea view townhouse with 3 bedrooms and open plan living, dining and full western kitchen. Just 6 semi-detached houses with a communal pool and well maintained gardens.

Townhouse • Bophut Hills • Ref: S127

info@overseaspropertyportfolio.com www.overseaspropertyportfolio.com

Villa • Bang Kao • Ref: S173

23,500,000 THB Main Residence and a Cottage, situated in the South on the hillside with beautiful views. A well-managed estate, 24hr security, Yoga sala, communal pool and clubhouse.

119/20 Samui Town Center, Moo 1, Bophut, Koh Samui

Living on Koh Samui & Koh Phangan

134

36 Koh Samui Map 37 Living on Koh Samui 40 Personal Profile: Samui-Phangan Real Estate Magazine 126 Koh Phangan Map 127 Living on Koh Phangan Property 8 10 12 42 54 58 76 78 80 81

Island Update Legal Update Tax Update Home Buyer's Guide: Don't Just Build. Build Value Developer Profile: Laan Dara Samui Main Feature: Awarding Quality Agent's Talk: Preparing For The Rental Market Building Regulation Villas Letting Villas Letting Agents

Legal Tips

92 93 94 96 98 100 102

Land Title Deeds Chanote Land Title Tips for starting a new business: English Tips for starting a new business: Chinese Tips for starting a new business: German Tips for starting a new business: Russain Visa and Work Permits

House & Home Tips 38 108 110 112 114

Shopping Architect's Talk: Bridge House Interior Tips: Designing a Home Library Garden Guide: Living Walls Home Maintenance: Large Insects

Island Life 116 130 134 136

Smart Samui: Saline Solutions For The Pool Expo: Fantasy Becomes Reality Green File: Hybrid Auto Technology Island Health

33 44 52 62 64 66 72 144 148 149

Baansuay Land & House Eco Real Estate Ko Samui Properties The Beyond Koh Samui Replay Samui Horizon Homes Advance Inter Developments Siam Immo Company Angthong Villas Choengmon Gardens

Legal & Accounting Services

Home Directory

82 IPM Samui 103 DFDL Mekong Legal & Tax Advisers 104 Limcharoen Hughes & Glanville

138 Home Directory

Finance Services

Koh Samui Developers and Estate Agents

51 GFS Australasia

2 4 5 6 7 14 16 17 26 32

Architect & 3D

The Beach Republic Estates Beach Land For Sale Mandalay Beach Villas House For Sale Laan Dara Samui Infinity Samui The Emerald Tongson Overseas Property Portfolio Samui Villas and Homes Blue Building

84 SIL Architects 91 Thai Revival Design Architecture Audio Visual Interior Design 86 AV Installation System

Properties Services 50 Managing Samui 85 Nite Stone 87 European Rain Guttering 105 Infinity Management 125 Ecopest Samui 140 Jman Ltek - LED Lighting Interior Design 83 I.P.M. Samui 88 Nuttarat Decorate 106 Surat Baansuy 142 Framer Custom Framing Photography 74 Fantasy at Work 147 Helicam Kitchen & Hardware 83 I.P.M. Samui Sport Engineering 141/143 Seara Sports Swimming Pools 118 TSP Swimming Pools 120 CP Pool 121 Desjoyaux Pools

Security 90 B-Smart Systems Construction & Project Management 31 RS Built 32 Blue Building 48 Palm Construction 150 Samui Villas & Homes Leisure Samui 122 BBC CafĂŠ 124 Cofee World 140 LomPrayah Hight Speed Catamaran

Management & Editorial

Laan Dara Samui www.laandarasamui.com

Distributed at Samui Airport & Suwannaphume Airport Courtesy

Published By: Satayu Publishing Co.,Ltd. จัดทำ�นิตยสารโดย Managing Director: Yuwares (Yu) กรรมการผู้จัดการ (66) 08 9772 1589 yu@satayu.com Sales & Marketing: Yuwares (Yu) ฝ่ายขายและการตลาด ยุวเรศ ข่าทิพย์พาที (66) 08 9772 1589 sales@satayu.com Associate Editor: Julz K. Writer: Julz K. Legal Advisor: Surin Puangpakdee ที่ปรึกษาด้านกฎหมาย from NSP & Laws Firm Publication Design: Satayu Publishing Co.,Ltd. Graphic Design: Jeadsada Yuenyong Accounting: Yuwares (Yu) ฝ่ายบัญชี (66) 08 9772 1589 Distribution: Satayu Publishing Co.,Ltd. จำ�หน่ายและวางนิตยสาร (66) 08 1261 3083 Publisher License: ISSN 1686-8838 เลขมาตรฐานสากลประจำ�นิตยสาร ใบอนุญาตจดแจ้งการพิมพ์ สศก ๑๔ นศ/๒/๒๕๕๓ Publisher Office: Satayu Publishing Co.,Ltd. สำ�นักงาน 34/9 Moo 4, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Thailand. Tel/Fax (66) 077 484 616 Mobile: (66) 08 9772 1589 Homepages: www.samui-phanganmagazine.com Printing & Colour separation: Amarin Printing and Publishing Co.,Ltd สถานที่จัดพิมพ์ 65/101-103 Chaiyaphruk Rd., Taling Chan, Bangkok Thailand 10170 Tel. 66 (0) 2422 9000 Disclaimer: All the information, discussions and opinions contained herein are not to be a comprehensive study nor to provide advice, legal or otherwise and should not under any circumstances be used as a substitute for specific advice, legal or otherwise, in respect of individual situation and circumstances.

Welcome Welcome to April/May 2012 edition on Samui Phangan Real Estate Magazine, the island's leading publication for property news, plus insights, tips and information on island living. Samui and Phangan have enjoyed a busy high season this year with the islands' international reputation now firmly established and visitors arriving in large numbers to enjoy the famed boutique services and stunning natural landscapes. The property market is also picking up again with a good number of new projects already launched for 2012, adding to the range and diversity of quality investments on offer to those in search of a second or permanent home on what has become one of the world's most appealing lifestyle destinations. In this issue we take a look at some of the attractive new developments on offer, such as the exclusive Laan Dara development above Chaweng. We also highlight the property sector's growing success and recognition with a feature on the Thailand Property Awards, for which nominations are now open. Our regular features, such as Interior Tips, Garden Guide and Agent's Talk provide valuable insights for residents, investors and visitors alike, while the Legal and Tax columns are written by industry experts to help property investors plan and manage their financial decisions in an effective, secure way. As always, our mission is to promote and support the islands' responsible development and to showcase the quality and appeal of Thailand's premiere resort destinations to the world, both in print and online.

ขอต้อนรับทุกท่านสู่นิตยสารสมุย-พะงัน นิตยสารด้านอสังหาริมทรัพย์ ฉบับเดือนเมษายน - พฤษภาคม 2555 ค่ะ เกาะสมุยและเกาะพะงันของเรา ได้ผ่านฤดูกาลท่องเที่ยวที่แสนวุ่นวาย แต่ก็เต็มไปด้วยความสุข ไปอีกปีแล้ว และฤดูท่องเที่ยวปีนี้ ก็เป็นอีกปีหนึ่งที่มีินักท่องเที่ยวจำ�นวนมาก ที่เดินทางมาเที่ยว เกาะของเรา ต่างก็มีความสุขกับการได้รับการบริการที่ดีมีคุณภาพ รวมทั้งได้เพลิดเพลินกับวิว ทิวทัศน์ทางธรรมชาติที่สวยงาม นอกจากนี้ ตลาดอสังหาริมทรัพย์บนเกาะยังคงมีแนวโน้มที่จะพัฒนาไปในทางที่ดีขึ้นอย่างต่อ เนื่อง โดยจะเห็นได้จากจำ�นวนของโครงการใหม่ๆ ที่พร้อมจะเปิดตัวในปี 2555 นี้ ซึ่งจะเพิ่มความ หลากหลายทางการลงทุนที่มีคุณภาพ ให้กับผู้ที่กำ�ลังมองหาบ้านหลังที่สอง ให้กลายเป็นจุด หมายปลายทางในฝันของนักเดินทางและผู้คนจากทั่วโลกมากที่สุดแห่งหนึ่ง สำ�หรับนิตยสารสมุย-พะงันฉบับนี้ เราขอแนะนำ�ให้ทุกท่าน ได้รู้จักกับโครงการที่อยู่อาศัยสุดหรู โครงการใหม่ๆ ยกตัวอย่างเช่นโครงการ “ลานดารา” ที่เฉวง รวมทั้ง คอลัมน์ที่ให้ความสำ�คัญกับ เรื่องของการมอบรางวัล Thailand Property Awards ให้กับโครงการอสังหาริมทรัพย์ ที่ประสบ ความสำ�เร็จและการเติบโต ซึ่งตอนนี้เปิดให้โครงการต่างๆสามารถเสนอชื่อเข้าชิงรางวัลได้แล้ว หากผู้ใดสนใจสามารถดูรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมที่ www.thailandpropertyawards.com สำ�หรับคอลัมน์ประจำ� เช่น เคล็ดลับการตกแต่งภายในบ้าน การดูแลสวน รวมทั้งคอลัมน์ กฎหมายและภาษีน่ารู้ ที่เขียนโดยผู้เชี่ยวชาญในเรื่องนั้นๆ จะสามารถช่วยเพิ่มความมั่นใจให้แก่ นักลงทุน ในการวางแผนการลงทุนและจัดการทางการเงินอย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ และเช่นเคย เป้าหมายของเรา คือการเสนอโครงการอสังหาริมทรัพย์ ที่มีคุณภาพ ให้ออกสู่สายตา ชาวโลก ทั้งในสื่อสิ่งพิมพ์และโลกออนไลน์

บรรณาธิการ

Bophut Hill – 3BR

HV111

Price : 8,700,000 THB A luxury townhouse development offering spectacular sea views out towards Bophut and Koh Phangan. The house itself is two stories, and has 176 sq meters of living space...three bedrooms, three bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, large store room, laundry room, 3 balconies, and 2 terraces. The three bedrooms, living room and dining room all have aircons. The house comes with a full western kitchen and all appliances (fridge, microwave, cooker, and oven). The guest bedrooms have fitted closets, and the master bedroom has a walk-in closet. The masterbath has a bathtub as well as a shower.

BAAN DALAH

HB 027

Price : 36,500,000 THB

Baan Dalah is a modern property situated on the beachfront in Bang Rak; on the northeast coast of Koh Samui. Consisting of three spacious bedrooms in a walled environment, this villa has the benefit of privacy and stunning views to neighboring Koh Phan Ngan. It’s also conveniently positioned to enjoy the local restaurants and bars. Samui’s busiest resort area of Chaweng Beach is only 10 minutes away.

MAE NAM - 4 BR

HB045

Price: 36,500,000 THB

This is a truly exceptional villa with an interesting layout which is enhanced by an exquisite collection of furniture and artwork. Having entered this private and exclusive luxury estate you’ll be immediately aware of the overall quality, beauty and the care taken to keep these homes in pristine condition.

THE HEADLAND VILLA

HB 047

Price: 29,250,000 THB

As part of Samui’s most exclusive, prestigious and private estate of just six properties this villa has an instant appeal. From the moment you arrive at the Headland estate you will be struck by the peace and nature of the location. A tree-lined stone pathway leads to the villa and also directly onto an absolutely idyllic white-sandy beach. From the villa, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Five Islands, the Ang Thong National Marine Park and over to the mainland.

LUXURY REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS 11/7 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 8 1968 3486, +66 (0)77 427 648 ext.108 www.epsamui.com Email: sales@epsamui.com

PLAI LAEM - 3 BR

HV110

Price: 17,500,000 THB

HB057

Price: 18,000,000 THB

This house is situated high on a mountainside in the Choeng Mon area of Koh Samui. Boasting spectacular views the property is situated in Landscaped Gardens with a concrete driveway. Secluded swimming pool with large Sala and BBQ area. The house consists 2 stories fully furnished where 3 large double bedrooms on the ground and the upstairs comprises of open plan Lounge, Kitchen and Dining Room. The property is ready to walk into and would make a lovely family home or have excellent rental potential. All furniture, televisions etc. will be included in the sale .Guarantee privacy and an abundance of tropical land scaping.

BANG PO - 2 BR

HG062

Price: 11,000,000 THB

This beautifully presented villa benefits from its own private pool and sun deck (garden is south facing for sun worshipers). High walls and gated entrance offering you total peace and quiet. Cable TV, 6Mbs broadband wifi connection. Large flat screen TV with surround sound and DVD player in the lounge with smaller TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with DVD players in the bedrooms. Fully fitted western style kitchen, Large lounge with high vaulted wooden ceiling with feature beams, luxury bathrooms with rain head showers (bath tub in master en-suite). Both bedrooms benefit from air-conditioning and ceiling fans.

The Emerald Beach Villas is a stylishly designed estate with houses benefiting from a blend of contemporary architecture with traditional Thai influences creating attractive and eye-catching beachfront properties. The beach at Laem Noi is secluded but only meters away from the main road that offer the views over to the Ang Thong Marine Park.

BIG BUDDHA BEACH - 5 BR HV112 Price: 30,000,000 THB

Villa Le Paradis is one of style, class and quality. Just a few minutes away from the beach and the airport, and this villa has magnificent views over the floating temples of Wat Plai Leam and Big Buddha Beach. The villa is 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. The en-suite bathrooms in all of the bedrooms are simply breathtaking. The Master Bedroom is located in a separate pavilion. The other bedrooms have large double beds, twin washbasins, rain showers, wooden floors and big terrazzo bathtubs - perfect for relaxing after a long day in the sun or shopping in the many attractive shops on the island. All the bedrooms have air conditioning.

BOPHUT - 5 BR

HG061

Price: 15,000,000 THB

The villas are tastefully designed and built to blend with the tropical environment around them that Koh Samui is popular for. The villas are ideal for family and also perfect for whom that is looking to have a small business on the Paradise Island.

CONDO - CHOENG MON Price: 6,270,000 THB

Designed to fit seamlessly into the landscape, The Park Samui provides 24 well-designed living units, two spacious swimming pools, lobby, reception, exercise room, lush tropical gardens and water features in view from every window, terrace and balcony of each unit.

LUXURY REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS 11/7 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 8 1968 3486, +66 (0)77 427 648 ext.108 www.epsamui.com Email: sales@epsamui.com

TALING GNAM - 3.5 rai

B155

Price: 60,000,000 THB

V172

Price: 52,000,000 THB

A Rare opportunity to acquire on of the very few remaining plots of smallish beach front land available on Koh Samui. The government/Tesebaan build permits are already in place for 2 huge beach front mansions, electric, water and concrete road is also already installed

BAAN TALAY - 1.25 rai

PHANG KA - 6.5 RAI

B149

Price: 19,000,000 THB

A rare opportunity-a stunning plot of beach front land with wide frontage. This plot of beachland is located in Baan Talay area in the South West of the Island with a beautiful calm beach. The plot has full infrastructure in place of concrete road, electricity at corner of the plot. this plot is an ideal for private luxury villa or anyone who are looking for future investment.

Ocean view land plot in Phangka, on the gently slop hill, fantastic 180 degree sea view of Phangka bay and Thong Tanote beach which has got the most beautiful sunset view on Koh Samui. Just 100 meters to the beach, the land face to Koh Taen, Koh Mud sum and The Five Islands.

BOPHUT - 1.3 RAI V166 Price: 5,000,000 THB Spectacular 180 degree seaviews from high up on Bophut Hill. This 1.3 rai (2,080 sqm) property offers an easy building site with fully infrastructure to the boundary.

CHAWENG NOI - 6.5 RAI

V151

Price: 35,750,000 THB

A rare opportunity- enjoy the best of both worlds that are sea view and beachfront land. It comes with concrete roads enbling access to the land. This plot size of 6.50 rai is located in an exclusive part of the island in Chaweng Noi area (North East of Samui island). It has fantastic views with a beautiful calm beach so that

BOPHUT - 1,200 sqm.

V169

Price: 4,000,000 THB

The land situated in a very good spot, prime location but still remain privacy. Decent land size to build a dream holiday home, the upper floor of the house will get the partial sea view of the famous Bophut beach. Fully infrastructure, very reasonable price.

LUXURY REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS 11/7 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 8 1968 3486, +66 (0)77 427 648 ext.108 www.epsamui.com Email: sales@epsamui.com

PHANG KA - 6.5 RAI Location Land Size Price Ownership

V172

: Phang Ka : 6.5 rai : 52,000,000 THB : Freehold

LUXURY REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS 11/7 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 8 1968 3486, +66 (0)77 427 648 ext.108 www.epsamui.com Email: sales@epsamui.com

Bophut Hill â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3BR Location Area size No. Bedrooms Price Ownership

: Bophut : 176 sqm. :3 : 8,700,000 THB : Freehold

A luxury townhouse development offering spectacular sea views out towards Bophut and Koh Phangan. The house itself is two stories, and has 176 sq meters of living space...three bedrooms, three bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, large store room, laundry room, 3 balconies, and 2 terraces. The three bedrooms, living room and dining room all have aircons. The house comes with a full western kitchen and all appliances (fridge, microwave, cooker, and oven). The guest bedrooms have fitted closets, and the master bedroom has a walk-in closet. The masterbath has a bathtub as well as a shower.

LUXURY REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS 11/7 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 8 1968 3486, +66 (0)77 427 648 ext.108 www.epsamui.com Email: sales@epsamui.com

At â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blue Building Co. Ltd.â&#x20AC;? we are specialized in residential and commercial building projects. The company is run by a fusion of Italian and Thailand management and combine European experience and design with traditional Thailand style. Full residential and commercial building Project Development Project Planning Supervision Land Survey Architectural design

Interior Design Engineering Design Sanitary & electric system Landscape Swimming pools, hydro-massage and water plays

LAMAI Five minutes from Lamai centre and 200 meters from the beach, TROPICAL SEA VIEW villas 2 or 3 bedrooms, with large roofed outdoor spaces. Rock, wood and sand stone finishing. Start from 4,000,000 THB

FROM THE NEW YEAR BETWEEN LAMAI AND HUA THANON, AVALAIBLE BEAUTYFULL 2 BEDROOM AND 3 BEDROOM VILLAS WITH SWIMMING POOL FOR RENT SHORT AND LONG TIME

LAMAI: Sea view Land for sale Chanote title 2337 sqm. The land is only 250 meters from the beach, and 1.5 km. from Lamai center, You can use the land to build the villa of your dreams, or otherwise you can divide the land in 4 plots and build a 2 bedrooms villa on each plot. 7,500,000 Baht

LAMAI: 4 plots Land for sale Chanote title in an amazing coconut palms garden.The land is only 650 meters from the beach, and 2.5 km. from Lamai center, The plots vary in size, starting from 645 sqm. to 885 sqm., From 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 Baht

LAMAI: Luxury 360 sqm. 3 bedrooms villa for sale, with swimming pool and suggestive sea view; the land plot is 830 sqm. Spacious roofed terrace with a panoramic view, circular shaped swimming pool with Jacuzzi area and pool bar. 13,900,000 Baht

124/62, Moo 3, T. Maret, Lamai, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand Mobile +66 (0) 870 461 314 (Diego) diego@samuibluebuilding.com www.samuibluebuilding.com

Tel: 081 691 1719, 077 426 967, 088 296 2024 Fax: 077 426 967 Email: info@baansuaylandandhouse.com 118/1 Moo 1 Robkoh Rd. (Opp Big C), Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani

Concept คือ สำ�นักงานขายบ้านและที่ดินที่ราคาถูกของเกาะสมุยเกาะพงัน และทั่วประเทศ เป็นที่ดินที่หลุด จากการขายฝาก และจำ�นอง 1. ขายที่ดิน และบ้าน (ราคาถูกกว่าท้องตลาด) 2. รับซื้อฝาก ที่ดิน บ้าน อาคารพาณิชย์ ทาวเฮ้าท์ โรงแรม 3. รับรังวัด แบ่งแยก เชอเวย์คอนทัว ที่ดิน 4. รับประเมินราคา หลักทรัพย์ (ใช้สำ�หรับ ธนาคารและสถาบันการเงินต่างๆ) 5. รับปรึกษา การขอสินเชื่อกับสถาบันการเงินต่างๆ 6. รับปรึกษา ทางด้านการเงินทุกรูปแบบ 7. รับเขียนแบบ ออกแบบ รวมขออนุญาตก่อสร้าง บ้านที่อยู่อาศัย อาคาร สำ�นักงาน Our main concept is selling foreclosure realty on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and nationwide. • Villa and land sales (Cheaper than market prices) • Deposit purchase for lands, villas, townhouses, business units and hotels • Land surveying, subdivide and contour map. • Lands and properties price evaluation (For financial purpose e.g. bank loan) • Consultation for a mortgage loan from financial institutions and banks. • Provide all types of financial advisor. • Architect design drawings and construction permission for residential homes, business units, buildings and offices.

Tel: 081 691 1719, 077 426 967, 088 296 2024 Fax: 077 426 967 Email: info@baansuaylandandhouse.com 118/1 Moo 1 Robkoh Rd. (Opp Big C), Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani

Arun 1

Baan Jinda 2

Baan Kaowta 3

Location

Location : Bophut

: Bophut-Koa Pra

: Bophut-BangRak

Land Size : 1 Rai 1 Ngan 77.3 Sqw.

Land Size : 0 Rai 2 Ngan 20 Sqw.

Land Size : 0 Rai 2 Ngan 19.2 Sqw.

Access

: Public

Title Deeds : Chanote

Price

: 4,200,000 THB

: 5,000,000 THB

: 3,000,000 THB

House Opp Big C 7

Chanweng Soi10 8

Mr. Jim House

Location

: Bophut, Chaweng

: Chaweng

: Bophut, Chaweng

Land Size : 0 Rai 0 Ngan 165 Sqw.

Land Size : 115 Sqw

Land Size : 0 Rai 0 Ngan 55 Sqw.

Access

: Public

Title Deeds : Chanote

Price

: 4,200,000 THB

: 5,500,000 THB

ราคาดังกล่าวอาจมีการเปลี่ยนแปลงโดยไม่จำ�เป็นที่จะต้องแจ้งล่วงหน้า

: 3,700,000 THB

Tel: 081 691 1719, 077 426 967, 088 296 2024 Fax: 077 426 967 Email: info@baansuaylandandhouse.com 118/1 Moo 1 Robkoh Rd. (Opp Big C), Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani

Ketsarin 4

Baan Talay Kaow 5

Maret 6

Location

: Bophut

: Bophut-BangRak

: Lamai Maret

Land Size : 0 Rai 0 Ngan 23.3 Sqw.

Land Size : 0 Rai 2 Ngan 23.3 Sqw.

Land Size : 5 Rai 0 Ngan 80 Sqw.

Access

: Public

Title Deeds : Chanote

Price

: 5,800,000 THB

: 11,500,000 THB

: 2,500,000 THB

Montila 10

Yupa Land 11

Villa Lamai 12

Location

: Bophut

: Lamai

Land Size : 1 Rai 2 Ngan 86 Sqw.

Land Size : 0 Rai 0 Ngan 158 Sqw.

Land Size : 1 Rai 1 Ngan 14 Sqw.

Access

: Public

Title Deeds : Chanote

Price

: 6,800,000 THB

: 4,900,000 THB

: 8,500,000 THB

Those prices are subject to be changed wihtout notice

Koh Samui Map

Living on

Samui

Koh Samui’s enduring appeal as one of the world’s top holiday destinations has inspired many people to relocate to the island, either choosing to make it their permanent home or spending extended amounts of time living what those in less blessed locations would understandably consider an idyllic lifestyle. In the last ten years, the island has developed into a full service destination and the range of facilities, amenities and services has therefore expanded considerably, making Samui one of very few places in the world where you can literally choose your preferences, both in terms of the way you pass your days and nights and also the amount of money you want to spend. Although the island’s tourist and residential worlds often collide, they can also be very distinctive. But in terms of choice, both groups benefit from the island’s incredibly diverse and eclectic offerings, whether in terms of accommodation, retail, dining, entertainment, health or adventure. As a long term resident on Samui, if you stop to consider the sheer extent of comfort and convenience on offer around the island today it’s sometimes difficult to remember that you are living on a small island in the Gulf of Thailand. As soon as you leave the beach you are spoilt for choice - shopping malls such as Tesco Lotus and Big C stock all the daily necessities and more, specialist outlets like Tops Supermarket and Villa in Lamai offer indulgent imported goods, while 7Elevens, Family Mart outlets and local shops make impulse buying a an easy option, even at 4 in the morning. A selection of fresh food markets also cater to an ever growing Thai community with everything from rice by the kilo to fresh Tiger Prawns sold by the kilo at what are very reasonable prices when compared to the deli counters of most western supermarkets. For those who prefer to dine out, Samui has developed a deserved reputation a s gourmet paradise with an enviable choice of restaurants, their menus often created by chef’s of international repute and wine lists that rival those in some of the world’s top city bistros. Excellent Thai food is also readily enjoyed, either roadside at one of the island’s many affordable local eateries or in more opulent surroundings accompanied by five star service and stylised, cultural designs and entertainment. The Samui party scene has also developed in leaps and bounds in the last few years, sophisticated Beach Clubs like Beach republic and Nikki Beach serve top class food and beverage choices in chic poolside surroundings. They also host regular parties with international DJs and performers. Western style pubs and nightclubs line the popular tourist strips, with sports bars like The Islander and Bondi in Chaweng showing live international sporting events. Those in search of a more healthy, green lifestyle on Samui can easily avoid the tourist bustle. The quiet beaches on the island’s south coast still feel relatively untouched by development and many small residential communities have emerged in places like Baan taling Ngam and Lip Noi, where the pace of life is slow and the tropical landscape still untroubled by crowds and commerce. Spas and wellness centres offer a wide range of treatments and therapies to rejuvenate tired souls, while yoga, meditation and other more spiritually inspired activities can be studied and practiced at various centres around the island. Families are increasingly well catered for on Samui and the island now boasts its very own International School (ISS), as well as several other learning institutions catering to to both Thai and expatriate students. The island’s clubs and organisations often organise family friendly gatherings, regular Walking Streets offer festival style outings and there are also several restaurants that cater for children’s parties. With so much on offer to residents, Samui has now become as much a place to live as it is a place to visit. It is now a multi-faceted residential island with an enviable range of services and facilities to choose from, all of which combine to offer permanent and long stay ‘Samuians” one of the most appealing and diverse tropical lifestyle experiences on the planet. 37

Shopping

03 02 01

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE! Lights are no longer just for practicality â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they have now become feature pieces that can add the final touch to the ideal interior design. The right lighting is imperative in creating that perfect ambience and setting the mood and tone of a room....so find your light and shine on!

08 09

10 1.@HOME - Ph. 02 129 4491 2.IKEA - Ph. 02 708 7999 3.IKEA - Ph. 02 708 7999 4.SB Design Square – Ph. 02 515 0922 5.@HOME - Ph. 02 129 4491

6.IKEA - Ph. 02 708 7999 7.Le Design - Ph. 02 692 5021 8.IKEA - Ph. 02 708 7999 9.HomePro – Ph. 07 723 1900 10.Beautiful World Thailand – Ph. 077 332 379

If you have any new products to display in our magazine please contact: 089 772 1589 or sales@satayu.com

Personal Profile

TIME FOR A CHANGE..... Samui-Phangan Real Estate Magazine has graced the shores of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan for 7 wonderful years and has many excellent longstanding contributors and advertisers alike for which we are forever grateful – as without them, we could not produce the publication to this date. The magazine currently has approximately 12,000 copies printed per bi-monthly issue, and over 150 continuous customers, so it’s no wonder this magazine is referred to as 'The Bible' for all real estate needs.

Yuwares Khathiphathee, Owner of Samui-Phangan Real Estate Magazine says 'We are so excited to give the magazine a well-deserved facelift with fresh new ideas and inspired new content. Without losing focus on our main objective of real estate, we want to give readers something a little more – something they truly want to pick up and read and keep coming back for more. 2012 is set to be a great year for Samui-Phangan Real Estate Magazine and we are thrilled to be re-energising our publication.'

Here at the magazine we thought it was time to give back to those who make it happen as well as our loyal readers and present the magazine with a whole new visual look and feel, as well as an overhaul of content. We're going under the knife!

We look forward to delivering the latest incarnation to you all in our June 2012 issue and welcome all feedback and any and all contributions from those who live in Koh Samui or Koh Phangan and even abroad.

Aiming to generate a wider readership with a more balanced gender content through lifestyle and wellbeing articles, Island profiles on places, people and organisations as well as home renovation, interior design, building and buying tips and tricks – SamuiPhangan Real Estate Magazine is set to mix things up and present itself in a new and inviting way.

We hope you are as excited as we are – so watch this space and get ready for a contemporary fresh new edition come June! All of us, Satayu Publishing – Samui-Phangan Real Estate Magazine

2012 is set to be a great year for Samui-Phangan Real Estate Magazine and we are thrilled to be re-energising our publication. 41

Homebuyer's Guide

Don't just build. Build value.

here are many decisions to be made when renovating or adding on to your existing property. We can spend many hours, weeks, even months discussing how we want it to look, how big it should be, how many rooms we need and how much it should cost. Yet 95% of people, even people within the industry, will never consider the value added to a property (or not as the case may be) by way of design, functionality and practicality.

• Evaluate your decision — having a bar in your living room may be fun, but really? • Aim high in the design — you may never build that extra room, but selling the idea later adds value • Land versus size — small properties on plenty of land will always out sell a big house on nothing • Stay away from dreams — your dream home is not always going to be someone else's dream

Examples of this oversight are present in every building ever built. Not because it’s impossible to achieve, but because one person’s idea of perfection is not always the same as another's. But building with functionality and practicality in the forefront of your mind, not just for you, but future owners, normally costs no more, and in fact saves money if done correctly. It should not alter your general design and ideas for what you want from your property. Instead it should dramatically increase the property value, and just as importantly, the ability to sell in the future.

• Stay away from trends — timber ceilings were chic, but not for long • No one’s getting younger — if only my parents could afford to buy your property, shame about all them stairs • Space over numbers — having a feeling of space will always outweigh the quantity of rooms • The above is true except when its bedrooms — the number of bedrooms is the single most important factor but needs to be comparable

Even if your not looking to sell, knowing that your property is worth more than the same house next door or a similar property is satisfying and rewarding in itself, no matter who you are or what you have in life.

This is just a shortlist of considerations, but there are many more. Finding the right balance between what you want from your property/investment in the short term, long term, as well as thinking about the future value and saleability is not easy. There is also no perfect balance or solution to this objective, as everyone’s idea of perfection, practicality, functionality, and value differs. But you can achieve a balance in your own eyes and therefore be more in line with other people’s perception of what is functional, valuable and practical.

As discussed in our previous ‘Homebuyers Guide Thailand’ articles, (Construction and The Real Land Purchase Issues), your first consideration always should be to work within the rules and understand the laws that govern property construction in Thailand. Expert advice for this specific subject in question (functionality and practicality of building design) is not widely available, but there are simple guidelines you can follow. So before starting any final planning and design aspects of your property, work through these basic principles as a minimum of what is needed to ensure you build value into your property.

If you would like specific help or clarification of any of the information provided above, please feel free to contact us directly for a free consultation. For more information contact: Palm Group Asia © www.palmgroupasia.com

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS: • Keep sizes comparable — a massive property with parking for one car will never show a true return

________________________________________ *Whilst every reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate and useful information, no responsibility is taken or accepted for any inaccuracy within this article.

• Let location and views be your guide — a small house on amazing land will outsell a large house on average land by 10-1 • The numbers must match if you can afford it — four bedrooms = 8 people = 8 sun beds, 8 seater sofa, 8 seater dinning table, etc • Keep to one standard — having a huge swimming pool but a cheap kitchen is a waste of the value added 43

Ko Samui Properties offer independent advice on all types of real estate based on ten years experience on Koh Samui. Please feel free to consult us without obligation. Harry Bonning F.R.I.C.S - Mobile 081 741 6443 OVER 600 PROPERTIES ON OUR WEB SITE

Lipa Noi - 2 Bed Sea view bungalow Baht 5,250,000 HH 1419

Bang Po - 5 Bed Ocean view pool villa Baht 12,500,000 special offer HH 1239

The Ridgeway - fully serviced plots Baht 5 - 12,000,000/rai LH 1395

Taling Ngam - 4/5 Bed Sea view villa Baht 14,500,000 HH 1346

Choengmon - 2 bed pool bungalow Reduced Price Baht 3,500,000 HF 1418

Bophut - 5 bed sea view villa Baht 17,500,000 HH 1254

CONDOMINIUMS REPLAY - Bangrak

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Celebrating TEN YEARS on Koh Samui Professional Advice from RICS Qualified Chartered Surveyor Visit us in our new offices Residential Sales and Rentals - Resorts and Hotels - Project Management A SELECTION OF SUPER LUXURY VILLAS

Udorn Thara - Bophut Hills Baht 280,000,000 HH 1398

The Palace - Thong Krut Baht 90,000,000 HB 1407

5/6 Bedroom Beach House in Bang Po Baht 47,700,000 HB 1198

Ban Makham - 6 Bedroom villa with pool Baht 38,750,000 HH 773

Luxury Residential Investment Plai Laem Baht 139,000,000 BI 1420

West Coast Resort Lipa Noi Baht 160,000,000 BH 1360

Lamai 3 Bed Villa Teak House Lipa Noi 3 Bed Villa Pool Bang Po 3 Bed Villa Sea View Baht 9,950,000 HH 1390 Baht 6,500,000 HF1426 Baht 28,000,000 HH 1385

Ko Samui Properties

58/11 Moo 4, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320. Thailand Telephone: 077 484 770, 077 484 771 Telefax: 077 447 777 Mobile: 081 741 6443 (English) 085 798 8682 (Thai) Email: contact@kosamuiproperties.com www.kosamuiproperties.com

Developer Profile

LIVE THE

HIGH LIFE AT LAAN DARA

aan Dara is a rare investment opportunity, a master planned luxury residential community on Koh Samui that boasts a secluded natural hillside setting affording breathtaking views, but with easy access to the island's most famous beach and lifestyle amenities. Remote enough to relax and absorb the undisturbed beauty of the natural setting, yet close enough to the soft sands, fine food, shopping and entertainment options on offer in Chaweng, the Laan Dara development features a limited number of exclusive homes, built to the highest international standards on titled land parcel spread over 20 acres of lush, forested land.

residence, villa owners can enjoy the ultimate island lifestyle, whether floating in their generous, private pool, relaxing in their spa-designed sala or gathering with friends in the air-conditioned comfort of their luxurious glass-panelled living space. Charming Thai features add a sense of the exotic location, while contemporary designs and amenities create the perfect balance of luxury and natural elegance.

Laan Dara's hilltop location guarantees residents and guests peace, tranquility and constant sea breezes amid unspoilt surroundings peppered with coconut palms and leafy outcrops. While in

Laan Dara offers buyers an attractive, safe investment located on freehold "chanote" titled land, the safest form of deed in Thailand and backed

by title insurance. The land parcels range in size from approximately 1,100 to 2,000 square metres, with a choice of appealing â&#x20AC;&#x153;modern Thaiâ&#x20AC;? customdesigned houses available, created by a reputable Architect and built by a pre-qualified building team. House sizes range from 2+1 bedrooms upwards, and total floor areas are around 470 sqm for the 2+1 bedroom houses, up to approximately 600 sqm for 3-bedroom properties. Each home also comes with its own large swimming pool and two-thirds of the masterplan will be developed into a boutique hotel, with an indulgent spa and a full range of 4-star services and facilities.

The dramatic coastal views from the development are nothing short of spectacular, day or night. During the day, residents enjoy a constant connection to the glassy blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand, while at night Laan Dara lives up to its Thai name - A Million Stars - the vistas enhanced by twinkling lights of fishing boats on the horizon. Despite the sense of seclusion, Samui International Airport is just 15 minutes' drive away, as is a major international-quality hospital, a Tesco-Lotus hypermarket and a wide choice of recreation and watersports options. Chaweng's diverse range of

purpose company owned and managed by a team of professionals with extensive experience in Thailand’s property market and backed by a small group of private investors, comprising prominent businessmen and professionals in New York, London, Zurich and Hong Kong.

restaurants serve everything from local seafood to fine international cuisine and there's a vibrant nightlife scene for party lovers, all just a stroll away from the long, fine white sand beach that is widely considered the best on Samui. From a spacious, eco-friendly villa on the slopes of Chaweng Hill, residents at Laan Dara truly live the high life, enjoying the best of all worlds with the added security of a sound investment.

Contact: Tel : 66 2684 1500 M : 66 81925 8093 www.laandarasamui.com laandara.admin@gmail.com

The property is owned and developed by Laan Dara Estate Venture Company Limited, a special-

Project Features: Project name : Laan Dara Developer : Laan Dara Estate Venture Co., Ltd. Properties : Private villas and boutique hotel Location : Chaweng Hills Ownership : Freehold Number of plots/houses : 12 residence villas and and approximately 120 keys of pool villas and family suit Price range : US $ 750,000- US $ 2,000,000 Facilities : Private pool, engineered RC road with underground utilities, top security and privacy Contact : laandara@gmail.com

Main Feature

AWARDING QUALITY IN THE PROPERTY SECTOR The Thailand Property Awards celebrate the best of the best in the Kingdom's real estate industry and offer an unrivalled showcase of properties on offer to investors in Thailand's top locations. Now in their seventh year, the Thailand Property Awards assist in promoting the high level of quality in Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate, construction, architectural and interior design sectors, as well as the professional services on offer in the Kingdom. Koh Samui featured prominently in last year's awards, with Beach Republic The Residences taking home the award for Best Shared Ownership Development and Kalara Developments topping the national list as Best Boutique Developer, as well as winning the Best Residential Development (Samui) award for its resort style condominium, Code. Kalara's exclusive duplex condominium Panu was also Highly Commended, as were Mandalay Beach Villas in Choeng Mon.

Bigger and better

recognise their peers and also celebrate the Thai property industry’s achievements in the past 12 months. Deputy Minister of Finance, Viroon Tejapaibul addressed the gathering in a speech that highlighted the continued confidence in the future of the country's property market and the 31 dedicated categories were a testament to the resilience of Thailand’s residential property market.

The 2011 Thailand Property Awards were sponsored by Thanachart Bank and took place on December 6th with a Gala Dinner and presentation ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok. Around 600 participants attended the event to

Winning a Thailand Property Award is a sign of achievement and recognition of the high standard and level of quality of a property business or development, as determined by independent judges. Being a winner also provides companies with a valuable marketing tool to give them the edge over their competitors.

Nominations open Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Thailand Property Awards but close on April 18th. Seven new categories have been added, including five new agent awards as well as new additions in the Eastern Seaboard and Phuket, which both now have “Best Boutique Condo” categories. The

judging criteria for the new agent awards will include an assessment of agents’ online presence and marketing efforts, as well as phone interviews to qualify their services and approach. Nominations by the public and the industry are followed by entry submissions and an intense judging period carried out by a panel of professionals, including site visits for the top shortlisted developments in each category. “The new category additions are a recognition that the property market in Thailand is continually expanding and diversifying,” said Terry Blackburn, CEO of Ensign Media, the organisers of the event. “The range of new projects and developments being launched in various locations around the country is setting new industry standards. We have extended the awards categories to ensure that companies in every sector are give the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements and levels of quality.”

A glittering ceremony This year's gala ceremony and dinner will be held on October 13th, 2012, with a new venue at the famous Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok, during which the

winners in all categories will be announced and the awards presented. “The awards are a clear reflection of both the success and the strength of the Kingdom’s real estate industry," continued Blackburn. "We are confident that they continue to have a very positive effect as the gold standard of quality for the property sector.” The professionally run awards have also put Thailand’s real estate industry on the world stage with widespread media coverage and companies using the recognition in the marketing materials online and in print. The awards are highly coveted by real estate agents, property developers, interior designers and architects in Thailand’s residential real estate industry and the annual Gala Dinner attracts leading figures from the Kingdom’s real estate and business communities. To nominate a company, property development, agent or architecture firm, visit the website, read the criteria and select an appropriate category. www.thailandpropertyawards.com

The BEYOND KOH SAMUI, a new collection of 32 elegant villas and apartments in Koh Samui, glamorous property contoured steep dramatic hillside. Reflecting the harmonious blend of contemporary and minimalist design, extensive landscaping of over 3 Rai – with its own a indoor pool from which Gulf of Thailand sea view stretch to infinity. An Excellent investment opportunity for almost any budget.

“Create your own visual style…let it be unique for yourself yet identifiable for others” Orson Welles (1915-1985)

■ First in Koh Samui – Apartment with own private plunge pool facing the sea ■ Stylish Pool Villa with own private lap pool and huge roof-top terraces ■ Contemporary architect and minimalist interior designs, furniture and decoration on demand ■ 1bedroom apartments to 4 bedroom villas with 196 to 326 sqm total living area* ■ Located at the charming Chaweng-Noi ;

- 1 minute walk to the Beach

- 10 minutes away from the animated city

center ■ Surrounded by international quality of golf course, hospital and the international school

Financial Incentives ■ Great invest opportunity with 40% developer financing and rental opportunities

For further information : Basedevelopments Co., Ltd.

■ Wild range units depending of the lifestyle you seek and your financial object ■ The estate’s five-star management

Tel : +6677961762,+66816147785 E-mail : info@thebeyondkohsamui.com www.thebeyondkohsamui.com

Price starting at : 3,500,000 THB or 114,342 USD or 82,914 EUR *All total living areas include both internal and external areas

Agent's Talk

ED APPROV FOR RENT

Preparing your property for the rental marketâ&#x20AC;Ś

Koh Samui has a strong rental market with plenty of properties to suit most needs and requirements, from small apartments to high-end staffed villas. For tourists visiting Samui, renting a property rather than staying in a hotel can often be cheaper, and more comfortable, plus they have more freedom to come and go as they please. Due to the above factors and high demand for properties to rent on Koh Samui, many property owners are now capitalizing on this, rather than leaving their property empty when not in residence. Before renting your property, however, there are several key factors to consider and checks to carry out before making it available.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that your property looks lived in and not sparse. Remember, most guests will be bringing just their clothes and toiletries and will expect the property to be fully equipped. Make sure all items from the draws and wardrobes in the bedrooms are removed, as well as your personal toiletries in the bathrooms.

To ensure items from your property donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go missing, draw up an inventory. This is best logged room by room. Another idea is to take photos; these are much easier to look at for general purposes.

Guests never look after your property like you do, so have a cupboard or something that you can lock and put away any personal and valuable items. You may also want to buy a few replacement items to put out just for guests.

If you aren’t living near your property, or even in the same country, it is important someone holds a key for you. A key point to note here is that in tropical climates, your property should be cleaned and aired at least once a week, even if it isn’t being used, as well as being maintained.

Make a safe available for guests. It’s comforting for them to know they can lock away their personal belongings. Even large ones that fit laptops are not expensive and worth investing in.

An insurance policy is essential for your contents and a specific policy is available for when you are looking to rent your property. This covers you for any third party damages and isn’t expensive.

Some Koh Samui property agents can assist you in the setting up of your property and advise you on what is required. This is an ideal option, especially for those not living on Samui and looking to move forward quickly. Choose your agent carefully. It's best if you have been referred by another owner who is using their agent services. If this isn’t an option then speak with a few agents and ask for details of their services and check their website for other rental properties. Renting your property can be fruitful, as long as you do it properly from the beginning.

Make sure you have plenty of towels and bedding, not only for when guests are staying, but also for change overs. A minimum of two sets of bedding for each bed and two or three sets of towels for each person including bath, hand and face towels will be required. To save your fluffy towels, it’s also a good idea to have separate towels that can be used around the pool and on the beach. It's good to differentiate between these and the bathroom towels, so try and stick to a simple colours like white, so if anything requires replacing, its quick, simple and inexpensive.

Overseas Property Portfolio can advise and

assist you in preparing and renting your property. To see how we can help you further, and for your free consultation, please contact us:

Office: 077 425 679 Mobile: 080 535 1725

Email: emma@overseaspropertyportfolio.com www.overseaspropertyportfolio.com

Building Regulations

Holiday Villas

69/93 Moo 5, T. Maenam Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand 84320 Tel: +66 (0)77 247 796, Fax: +66 (0)77 247 768 Mobile: +66 (0)8 1921 1473 E-mail: nite_stone@hotmail.com

The best service The best possible care บ ริ ก า ร แ ล ะ ดู แ ล ที่ ดี ที่ สุ ด

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หจก. ณัฐรัตน์เดคอร์เรท Nuttaratdecorate 105/17 M.6 Rob Koh Rd. Maret Koh Samui Suratthani 84310 Tel: 077-920-266 Tel/Fax: 077-418-549

Mobile: 08-1832-6811

Email: nuttarat.nr@hotmail.com www.nuttarat.com

ARCHITECTURE

V A I L DE V E R SIG I A H

ThaiRevivalDesign.com

American/Thai architectural firm offers new Thai style home designs with beautiful Thai rooflines, modern floor plans, maintainence free materials and affordable construction cost. International contact in US:

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Somporn Khovitoonkij Mobile: 089-612-0648

Legal

Land Title Deeds in Thailand There are two main types of land ownership in Thailand which we should explain

Rights of Possession Firstly there is the right of possession, for example, land that has been used by a family for generations to the benefit of the land and they have possession rights of the land under the civil and commercial code. Such titles are Sor Kor 1,Tor Bor 5 , 6 or Sor Por Gor 4. These titles basically are only family possession rights and generally only used for farming. These titles can not be bought or sold and no building rights or legal acts would be allowed on the land. I do know of cases where families being in possession of certain pieces of land for generations have been able to upgrade them to regular land title deeds but this is not generally the case and any serious investor would not normally give any credibility to these titles of possession.

Rights of Ownership Usually we are looking for land title deeds giving right of ownership not possession. Here there are basically three title deeds:- Chanote, Nor Sor 3 and Nor Sor 3 Gor. The most sought after titles are the Chanote and the Nor Sor 3 Gor as both these titles have legal documents of Rights of Ownership and can be sub-divided into smaller plots and planning permission and any such legal acts can be carried out immediately on the land.The only difference with the Nor Sor 3 is that although legal documents are issued for the land it has not been accurately surveyed which can lead to problems in verifying actual land area. And if any legal act is to take place on this land it must be published for at least 30 days. As we have been saying all the way through if it is not clear 100%, seek the advice of a legal professional in this field, as there are also many other issues that are important to consider such as servitude, access and rights of way.

Land Measurement & Survey Land in Thailand is measured in Rai, Ngan and Talang Wah. • 1 Wah= 4 sqm • 1 Ngan= 100 Wah or 400 sqm • 4 Ngan= 1 Rai or 1600 sqm In comparison to Western Standards: • 2.50 Rai= 1 Acre • 6.25 Rai= 1 Hectare 92

Legal

Tips for starting a new business Are you planning to start your own business for the first time in Thailand? If so, we hope this useful information will help put your business on the right track. The simplest and easiest sort of company for foreigners to form with a small business is a Thai Limited Company. In Thailand, a Limited Company is a company with up to 100 shareholders, who share the same business purpose and is formed with a Capital divided into equal shares. Getting started To set up a company, you must first have the memorandum that can be acquired at the registration office. To properly register, you are required to provide the authorities with details of your company and list a minimum of three shareholders (who can either be Thai or foreign nationals or both). At least seven days after you first approach the department, you can call a shareholder’s meeting to reach an agreement on the purpose of your business and set up the company’s operational rules. Having agreed on the purpose of your business, you can then apply for business registration at the same department. If you cannot agree on company rules, you can refer to those stated in the Civil and Commercial Code’s partnership and companies section. Shares Besides the issues of business registration, you must also make sure that your company’s shares are worth no less than 5 baht each. These shares can be transferred or even sold if the company has no regulations on this matter. Every shareholder must be given a share certificate, a document that guarantees their status as a shareholder. Should anyone wish to transfer their shares to another party; they have to fill in the share transfer form that confirms the deal between the transferor and transferee. The company also has to have in its possession a register of shareholders that contains a record of all the company’s shareholders. The book is evidence that will identify the company’s shareholders. Shareholders and Chairperson A Limited Company’s shareholders can be either Thai or foreign nationals or both, but the percentage of shares held by foreign national plays a significant role in determining the nationality of your company, which may impose serious limitations on the company’s rights, such as landownership. If less than 49% of your company’s shares are held by foreigners, your company is considered a Thai company. However, if foreign nationals hold more than 49% of the shares, your company is a foreign company. The significant differences between Thai and foreign companies operating in Thailand lie in their rights to buy and own properties or other businesses. It is therefore important, especially for those in real estate and development businesses, to know and remember that unless your company is Thai, you are restricted in the ability to possess and obtain land and property in this country without an exemption granted by the government.

Foreign companies are also restricted to certain activities and to proceed with certain operations the company will have to apply for permission from the government. In such instances, applications will be considered case by case. They will also face tough scrutiny and strict restrictions on their right to operate and ability to run their business. These companies will be treated in the same way as foreign nationals seeking jobs in Thailand. If you are registered as a Thai company, you are automatically granted the right to purchase and own properties and other business and will be treated the same way as a Thai citizen. However, according to new legislation that has recently come into effect, the Land Department’s staff are now required to thoroughly investigate your Thai shareholders’ sources of income. Thai shareholders in a company wishing to purchase properties in Thailand have to declare their income and provide the authorities with evidence that proves their ability to co-invest with other foreign shareholders in the same company. Only those successful in convincing the authorities are granted the right to purchase and possess land. Companies with approval from the Land Department can then proceed with their applications for land title deeds or other certificates of use and possession. Little things that matter A company limited has to have its own board of directors to act on behalf of the company. This panel will, however, act under the regulations and agreements approved by the shareholders. Appointing directors or removing any of them requires shareholders approval. At the end of the company’s financial year, within five months, it shall be the duty of the company to present the balance sheet to the Department of Business Development (DBD). If your company fails to present the balance sheet, the company will be fined up to 50,000 baht and the company’s board of directors may also be fined up to 50,000 baht. If the committee refuses to pay the fine, the police can appeal to the court for a warrant and file a lawsuit against the resilient parties. Withdrawal of the company’s business registration is also another penalty the company may face, should they not provide the authorities with the necessary statement. Information courtesy of Khun Surin Puangpakdee Senior Lawyer NSP&Laws Firm

Rechtsgrundlage

100

101

Legal

VISAS & WORK PERMITS I have recently been asked to clarify the way the Thai system works with visas and work permits if you are opening a company here and would like to have a work permit. Firstly I must point out that each Thai province does follow slightly different guidelines and my information does in no way substitute you actually having a legal consultation with a reputable lawyer’s company if you actually intend to work. There are those that believe the little they would do in reality would make a work permit hardly worth the trouble. This is a big mistake and one that could cost you more problems than you would believe. The Thai Immigration takes cases of foreigners working without a work permit very seriously and the penalties are harsh. If you are here on a tourist visa you cannot in any way participate in a job. So let’s have a look at what’s actually required to apply for a work permit. Firstly you need to have a business class visa which in most cases will have to be applied for at a Thai Consulate outside of Thailand. There have recent changes to the system, whereby smaller Thai embassies such as the one in Penang, Malaysia, have stopped issuing multiple entry visas. Initially there were those who whispered that the only way to arrange these multiple entry visas was for the individual in question to return to their home country and obtain the visa from their local Thai embassy. This however had been proved to be incorrect with the embassy in Kuala Lumpur still issuing multiple entry visas until recently, but currently the situation remains in a state of flux with even legal professionals unsure as to the long term guidelines. We therefore strongly advise obtaining up-to-date legal advice well in advance of pursuing your visa run, to ensure you are fully equipped with the documentation currently required for your business visa. Those working in Samui who earn a salary of 50,000 Baht per month however, shouldn’t have to face these visa run hassles, as they’re entitled to a business visa that only needs to be renewed once per annum at an immigration office. Further details of this scheme can be obtained via a legal professional or at the local immigration office in Na-Thon. Either way, once you have the correct visa, you’ll be able to apply for or renew your current work permit. Once again there are procedures required for this, which your legal professional will prepare for you. This process might seem tedious, but it is nothing unusual, with every country having its own procedures and legal applications. Thailand is no different and don’t be fooled by the laid back and casual attitude of many Thai people on the island, as this is no reflection of the order required in any formal legal requests such as visa or work permit applications. When it comes to legal matters you need to ensure you follow the correct procedure and can produce the appropriate paperwork. All in all, it is easy to see why the services of a professional and thorough legal company are invaluable, saving you much confusion, stress and potentially time and money. 102

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Architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talk

108

109

Interior Tips

DESIGNING A

HOME LIBRARY Book lovers and voracious readers often build up quite a collection of literature over the years. Home libraries are a good way to organize your book collection and make it easier to find books in the comfort of your home. When it comes to putting together a home library there are three basic elements to consider: space, shelving and book types. You can either custom design an entire room for your library or choose an existing space to house your books. Virtually any room will suit, but there are a few exceptions. A room with large windows and lots of light is refreshing, but storing books in natural light can be harmful to them. Attics and basements heavy with humidity may cause mould and attract insects and basements are prone to flooding.

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Recessed or built-in bookshelves can provide space-saving floor-to-ceiling book storage and you can also mount hanging bookshelves onto a wall or buy glass cases. The latter might be preferable if your collection includes antique books that you want to preserve, but remember that as your bookshelves up the wall, you may need a library ladder to reach them. When considering library furniture, desks are a useful addition if you write or take notes on your reading. You can include a sofa and comfortable chairs to encourage family or guests to spend a few hours reading every day. In terms of lighting, try to source a lamp that that is bright enough for you to see the smallest text you will read. The lamp should be positioned over your shoulder, so that the light is not directly in your eyes, thus reducing glare. It should also be brighter than the rest of the room. However, all light will eventually damage books, so be careful not to make things too bright and try to spend time reading during the daylight hours. A good system of organization will help you find the book you want quickly. Alphabetizing by author works well for fiction, but not as smoothly for non-fiction books that may be better organised by subjects. A chronological system could include shelves that track the progress of your life, stacked from childhood reading through to college textbooks and even parenting books. Some readers simply store their books as either read or unread. Prioritizing when you might want or need to read a book lets you keep unread books at the forefront of your collection, as well as books you reach for frequently, such as reference books or favorite novels. You can also decorate bookshelves with personal items, such as photographs and souvenirs which can break up the rows of books visually, and it would also give you room to expand as your collection grows.

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Garden Guide

LIVING WALLS

The first of a two part series on creating a living wall in your home.

cover an extended area of a building. Also, indoor walls will be easy to water and take care of, while outdoor walls will be more complicated, and perhaps require special building permits and permission from members of the community. A simple exterior living wall may consist of a climbing plant that grows up a wall from the ground. However, it may take a decent amount of time for this type of living wall to grow and become established.

A living wall is a vertical arrangement of plants and other organisms that naturally removes toxins and unhealthy contaminants from the air that we breathe. Living walls can be complete ecosystems or simpler configurations of plants that thrive in and help to decontaminate urban environments. Many living walls are indoors, but they can also be outdoors, such as on the exteriors of buildings.

Appropriate plants and other organisms Living walls are primarily composed of plants that absorb and filter out airborne toxins. All plants are able to remove toxins, but some plants are better at filtering out such harmful substances than others. The plants that are especially good at removing toxins include: azalea, bamboo palm, chrysanthemum, spider plant, aloe vera, English ivy, elephant ear philodendron, golden pothos, and peace lily. Different plants can remove different types of toxins, so use a variety of plants. Choose plants that are well adapted to the environment that they will be living in. Account for light intensity (indoor, outdoor, shade, full sun), available water, humidity and temperature. Other organisms that can

In or Outdoor Walls An indoor living wall will help to remove toxins from the air. Indoor air can be very high in pollutants and toxins, and given that most people spend the majority of their time indoors, this can impact on your health dramatically. Outdoor living walls can help to improve the exterior environment, but may be primarily used to reduce energy costs during the summer months. Indoor living walls can be relatively small and simple, while outdoor walls may be very large and

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be used include soil microorganisms and aquatic animals. Soil microorganisms also help to remove toxins, so fertilize the soil with natural, microbe-rich fertilizers. Certain aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians, and mollusks that consume algae and such can help to make a living wall a complete, essentially self-sustaining ecosystem.

Building a structure for the living wall The living wall will be primarily vertical, but can have a bottom area that serves to house additional plants and an aquatic area. A simple structure can consist of a series of shelves. An array of plant containers can also be attached to a wall or hung from the ceiling. A more complicated structure may consist of a vertical wall and a horizontal base. A reinforced layer of growing medium intact with living plants may be hung vertically on a wall that has been waterproofed with plastic sheeting. In this instance, the plants will grow out horizontally from the vertical growing medium. Be sure to align the structure so that every plant will obtain adequate light once situated, and that every plant can be watered properly and easily. This may involve staggering the shelves or containers in

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some manner, perhaps somewhat horizontally. The vertical wall should be permeable to some extent so that air can pass through it. At the very least, air should be able to freely pass of over or past the wall. Also keep in mind that the growing medium must be somewhat permeable to air (so should not too dense or completely watertight), as the roots of plants require some oxygen. Air should circulate through or over the wall so that the airborne toxins can be absorbed and removed. If making a large or complex wall, an irrigation system (such as a drip irrigation system) should be part of the wall. Walls that consist of a vertical layer of growing medium should be watered with an irrigation system, and water will most likely need to be supplied from the top so that it can trickle down to the bottom. It may be important to use many small plants, and perhaps just mosses, for the vertical wall. The base of the wall may contain larger plants and an aquatic area. Information provided courtesy of Green Living

Home Maintenance

LARGE INSECTS AND ARACHNIDS There are lots of creepy crawlies and a large variety of bugs to watch out for in Thailand. These 3 are probably the worse culprits for making people's skin crawl and fill them with terror. However, the old addage holds true: "Don;t bother them and they won't bother you". Giant Centipedes These angry creatures can grow to 15 inches long. Upon receiving a bite, it takes between 4 and 5 days of the intense pain before the effects start to ease off. An injection of Morphine will help only a little. If you are feeling adventurous you can buy some, Triple distilled Thai white whiskey infused with this highly venomous tropical giant centipede. This centipede whisky is used in some parts of Southeast Asia as an Aphrodisiac and is also claimed to have medical uses, such as the treatment of back and muscle pain.

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Scorpions There are over 1700 different species of scorpion all over the world, and only about twentyfive of these different species of scorpions are deadly to humans. Some types of scorpion venom is being used to develop medicines for diseases such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis. In Thailand, there are two types of scorpions, the small brown ones (sometimes white) and the large black ones. Bites from the Black scorpions are quite mild and they are sometimes kept as pets. Thai People in some regions will also eat the black ones, deep fried. The small brown scorpion causes a very different and more painful reaction. If you are bitten the treatment consists of a injection of anti-venom, If you have an allergic reaction, medical oxygen can also help, get antibiotics and anti-tetanus injections as well to be on the safe side. Also ice packs will help reduce the pain.

Spiders Spider bites rarely kill. IN fact, the total number worldwide last year was only 3, so there is not a lot of chance your going to be a victim. Having said that it is still nice to know what we are dealing with here in Thailand. Most of the Tarantulas and Giant bird eating spiders live in woodland areas and they do have something of a unjustified reputation for being aggressive. Most common spiders here are relatively harmless. If they do bite you, it feels more like a bee sting. To help prevent close encounters with any of these creatures, always remember to shake out your shoes before putting them on. When walking through jungles or through overgrown areas, try and cover your legs and arms to prevent them from gaining skin contact. It is rare to encounter problems, but prevention is always better than cure. For any pest issues, please call ECOPEST SAMUI on 0857 912 496 115

Smart Samui

SALINE SOLUTIONS FOR THE POOL

stralPool is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest distributor of systems and components for swimming pools and water leisure sectors with an extensive network of offices and company-owned warehouses around the globe. The company currently distributes their products to more than 180 countries and owns subsidiaries in 35 countries, with a total of 140 branches and sales offices. Astral pool recently incorporated a new line of equipment into its current salt chlorinator range for residential pools, under the name AstralPool Chlore. Salt chlorinators provide a new concept in water treatment for swimming pools, improving water quality, avoiding the use of chemicals and simplifying maintenance tasks. Water treatment using a chlorinator is a closed cycle in which there is a very low salt consumption. The salt chlorinator generates chlorine from common salt dissolved in the water, the chlorine then destroys organic material and germs present in the water and changes them back into salt. The use of this system saves considerable amounts of water and salt chlorinators also prevent skin or eye infections as they destroy the chloramines that cause them.

How it Works The AstraoPool Chlore system can be installed in any pool without the need for construction work and is very easy to use. There is no chemical transportation, storage or handling risks as it is not necessary to handle or store chlorine. Salt chlorinators are completely safe as they operate using a maximum voltage of 10V, which is equivalent to the voltage used in a light bulb. These systems automatically and safely generate chlorine in situ.

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AstralPool’s salt chlorinators comes in three models: AstralPool Chlore Smart is the most basic system in the range. It has a bubble detector, a salinity alarm that uses a split LED to indicate an excess or deficiency in salt levels in the water and an automatic system that prevents the formation of incrustations on the chlorinator cell. It is programmable for 2 to 3 hours, and has electrodes with a 10,000 hour useful life under laboratory conditions and from 3,000 to 5000 hours under normal conditions. AstralPool Chlore Smart+ is the standard system in the range. A bubble detector, flow volume detector and 50 1⁄2” water inlet are standard. It also has a salinity alarm that indicates necessary salt input levels using LEDs and is equipped with high quality electrodes, with a 15,000 hour useful life under laboratory conditions and from 4,000 to 7,000 hours under normal conditions. In addition, it has an automatic system that prevents the formation of incrustations on the chlorinator cell and is programmable for 2 to 3 hours. AstralPool Chlore Elite is a comprehensive pool water control system. A bubble detector, flow switch and compact probe holder come as standard and it also has high-quality electrodes, with a 15,000 hour useful life under laboratory conditions and from 4,000 to 7,000 hours under normal conditions. The salt levels in the water are controlled through a powerful system of salinity alarms that have different LED indicators for high and low salt levels. The necessary salt input levels are also indicated. AstralPool Chlore Elite features an automatic system that prevents the formation of incrustations on the chlorinator cell and the user can programme the system from a control panel. Another outstanding product feature is the complete and automatic control of water treatment, when pH and chlorine control are added to the benefits of the salt chlorinator.

Understanding Salt types Pool Stores sell salt specifically branded as pool salt. But what is pool salt ? Is it any different that normal salt ? The answer is NO. Salt is salt, but some salt contains additional elements. Table Salt, for example, usually contains sodium chloride and is referred to as Ionized Salt. This type of salt is not pure salt and is not good for salt chlorinators. Ice Salt (used on the road) is very cheap salt and is not pure. It contains other mineral particles and is also not good for salt chlorinators. Water Softener Salt (used in home water softener) is pure salt and is perfectly fine for salt chlorinators. The only notable feature of this salt is that it comes in small pellets of about 1/4” thick by 1/2” long. It therefore takes a little longer to dissolve in the pool than fine grain pool salt, but is much cheaper. The pellets usually dissolve within an hour or two, and you need to wait that amount of time anyway because the chlorinator’s salt measurement system takes about 24 hours to adjust. For more information contact Astral Pool 077 247 550-1 tsppools@gmail.com 117

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Koh Phangan Map

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The Evolution of Koh Phangan

Thong Nai Pan Estate Photo Courtesy of Steven Willeboordse

Stunning beaches, an affordable lifestyle and an appealing island environment have drawn a growing number of visitors and residents to Koh Phangan’s tropical shores. Many of the island’s visitors choose to stay longer than they originally planned and this has led to the establishment of a sizeable foreign community of long stay tourists, working residents, business owners and retirees. The number of foreign investors choosing Koh Phangan as their second home is increasing every year, with easy transport access, a fast developing infrastructure and a range of lifestyle and hospitality services all adding to the island’s growing appeal. Koh Phangan is a rare island escape just a short boat ride from Koh Samui’s more developed and commercial environment. This means residents and visitors can enjoy the unspoiled beauty of some of Thailand’s finest beaches while still having access to the comforts and benefits of a modern lifestyle. The recent growth in the number of luxury hotels and private villas on the island has prompted the emergence of more upmarket retail, dining and entertainment choices, with cool nightspots and restaurants opening in the more popular beaches like Haad Rin and Thong Nai Pan. As Koh Phangan evolves from a backpacker haven into a full service destination, the island is attracting those with the spending power to combine natural escape with a sophisticated island lifestyle. The Thai government and its tourism authority has long been promoting Koh Phangan as an eco-destination in order to transform the island’s reputation from party venue to tropical escape, promoting Koh Phangan’s natural beauty and untainted environment to the world. Eco adventures and marine based activities are widely available to visitors and residents with mountain biking, diving, wake boarding and jungle treks all on offer to encourage a more sensitive approach to island life that also minimises the impact on the island’s eco-system. On a practical level, the opening of a modest Tesco Lotus Supermarket, combined with a significant increase in the number of foreign run businesses has had a real impact in terms on the ease of living on Koh Phangan. Designer boutiques, international cuisine, real estate agents and developers are all gradually changing the island landscape, yet the laid back lifestyle has thus far survived and the local people are known for their commitment to 127

preserving their traditional culture. Whether selling the daily catch from their boats, chatting with friends in the shade of the village ‘sala’ or celebrating weddings with dances and local music, local people remain distinctively Thai in many ways. As for the foreign residents, the ease of life, natural beauty and diversity of lifestyle choices make Koh Phangan a unique destination as either a permanent or second home. Koh Phangan real estate Koh Phangan’s real estate sector has grown as the island has developed and become more popular with visitors from around the world. Investment opportunities abound, whether it is raw beach and mountain land, off plan residential purchases or completed luxury villas for sale. Prices are considerably lower than they are on Koh Samui, which often attracts adventurous Thong Nai Pan Estate Photo Courtesy of Steven Willeboordse investors looking for an affordable slice of paradise. Restrictive ownership laws in Thailand, however, mean buyers are advised to go through reputable law firms when considering any purchases on Koh Phangan. As is the case on Koh Samui or Phuket, it is important for anyone considering an investment to thoroughly research the laws and regulations, as well as to ensure that any land titles are thoroughly checked and that the most secure method of purchase is found to guarantee a trouble free, long-term investment. Investors should also look into the track record of any construction firms they employ to guarantee that their reputation is solid and that any previous projects have been successfully completed. Island development Recent road improvements have made Koh Phangan significantly more accessible to visitors and potential residents. Work is ongoing in several areas, particularly on the road that links Ban Tai with Thong Nai Pan, as well as the mountain pass that connects the west and east coast beaches. This means it is much easier to travel around the island and therefore also more convenient for long stay visitors to base themselves on a particular beach and head out for shopping, dining or entertainment. Reaching Koh Samui is also very swift and easy with ferry companies offering regular services from Thong Sala to Big Buddha Beach and Nathon, including a car ferry service that also continues on to the mainland at Suratthani. The Haad Rin Queen ferry leaves and departs the south of the island for Samui four times a day, depending on the season. It is also possible to hire a speedboat, which can take as little as 15 minutes to cross the channel that separates the two islands. A planned airport has yet to be confirmed on Koh Phangan with local people both for and against such a move. Various plans have been discussed, but the island’s geography 128

means construction of an airport would be expensive and complex and may even involve land reclamation or the creation of a floating runway. Phangan Hot Spots Haad Rin was made famous by the monthly Full Moon Party and consists of two sweeping beaches known as sunrise and sunset and connected by a small but thriving tourist town on the east tip of the island. Haad Rin has become a bustling centre for shopping, with a large selection of retail outlets offering beach wear, jewellery, crafts and souvenirs. Haad Rin also boasts a handful of modest medical centres, but for serious conditions patients are transported to the larger and better equipped hospitals on Koh Samui. Baan Tai beach is a small oceanside community situated around half way between Haad Rin and the port of Thongsala. Most of the beach resorts in the area have their own Thai and western restaurant, and the village that lines the road has developed into something of a modern hippy enclave, with a bakery and a handful of international cafes. Haad Yao has long been a popular holiday location and is easily reached by road from Thongsala. The beach is known for its fabulous sunsets and the laid back feeling that Koh Phangan is well know for. A good selection of beach and village restaurants serve both tourists and long stay residents, with tasty Thai food and western favourites all available. There’s also a good bakery serving fresh bread. Chaloklum is one of the island’s largest fishing villages and still offers fishing boats a safe harbour during the storm season. The long, secluded beach is a picturesque idyll and the village that has grown along the coast now boasts a diverse bar and restaurant scene, known to many residents and regular visitors for its fine seafood restaurants and water sports centres. Haad Salad is on Koh Phangan’s west coast is known as a quite, family oriented beach, lined with resorts but with some new residential offerings in the surrounding hills. Located down a steep hill from a hillside road, the beach has retained a remote feel but still offers plenty of good food and recreation choices. Thong Nai Pan on the North East coast of Koh Phangan is home to what many people feel are two of the best beaches in Thailand. Tong Nai Pan Noi (small) is the location for some of the island’s most luxurious accommodation, while Thong Nai Pan Yai (big) features a range of mid-range resorts-restaurants and a luxury private development at Thong Nai Pan Estate. Both beaches are also the chosen location for new residential projects in the nearby hills. Other popular beach areas on Koh Phangan include Bottle Beach, a peaceful desert island destination, Sadet beach, home to Koh Phangan’s most famous national park, as well as Had Thien and Had Yuan beaches, only accessible by boat and famous for their wellness centres and peaceful tropical surroundings. 129

Expo

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ANTASY BECOMES

REALITY

FantasyatWork, Bayside Group, for 25 years offers top marketing imagery and advertising photography for hotel and real estate companies, providing top quality corporate image consistency and brand identity of different products within the same brand. The company's latest portfolio clearly demonstrates the quality, variety and depth of creativity on offer to clients in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. FantasyatWork is a specialist photography and imaging company with an impressive client list that includes major hotel chains such as Minor Group, Hilton Group, Aleenta Group, Imperial Group, Orient Express Group, also including Banyan Tree. The company currently boasts more then 130 clients in Thailand in the resort and real estate sector, and is also supported by the TAT, Skal, the THA Southern Chapter, TAKS, SCC and more. The company is known for its superior image quality, reliability and flexibility and under the experienced leadership of General Manager Claudio Cerquetti, from Rome, Italy, FantasyatWork provides professional photography and HD video services that cover a multitude of subjects and uses. With a 25 year proven track record, including 11 years in Southern Thailand working in the field of advertising photography, including architecture, food, spa, lifestyle and travel, the team at Fantasyatwork can manage the organization of any kind of photo shoot, providing the best in final imagery with professional touch up and post-production work included.

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COST EFFECTIVE FLEXIBILITY

generally quoted by project, and according to a shot list provided by the Marcom office, the team creates three different options with three different prices to be chosen by the client. All three options cover the same areas, with the differences related to the kind of lighting effect used and since there is no day charge, the client pays nothing if in the designated day of the shoot brings an unexpected downpour, as often happens on Islands like Samui and Phuket, or if any other unpredictable event affects the schedule. In addition, there are no added charges such as travel expenses or accommodation for the photography team. As an example, if the team has to shoot 6 locations, they will

FantasyatWork does not charge a daily rate. The challenges associated with each photographic assignment and the need for perfect results mean factors such as the variability of the weather, lighting conditions, location specific variables such as construction work, power cuts and the amount of retouch required, mean flexibility is key. As a result, photographic assignments are

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estimate a budget, and schedule for how long the job will take â&#x20AC;&#x201C; photographically speaking - to achieve the best results. After that, whether the photo shoot takes 3, 4 or 5 days, the cost will not change at all and the delivery date deadline will be met in accordance with the agreed schedule. Claudio Cerquetti's mission is to always provide client satisfaction and he makes this a point of pride with a perfectionist approach to all visual issues related to the promotion of a property or brand. He and his team respect all corporate branding specifications and consistency, and they create photographic selections that can be perfectly blended with pre-existing imagery, if required, as demonstrated by the work they

have done for major brands like Renaissance, Anantara and Hilton. As a further service FantasyatWork can also offer the publication of articles and reviews in magazines if the shoot is part of a wider project such as cultural events, lectures, photo exhibitions. This will help attract public attention to a specific property and ensure the images reach a wider audience. To view more examples of the extensive FastasyatWork portfolio, visit www.fantasyatwork.com or request the last updates to: fantasyatwork@yahoo.com

133

Green File

Hybrid Auto Technology to cars and trucks, a hybrid refers to a vehicle that combines aspects of different technologies to use a mixture of fuels. As long ago as the early 20th Century hybrid engines were being used for trains and ships, while diesel electric buses began to appear in the 1970s. Today, hybrid cars are widely available to regular buyers, and most of the major car manufacturers are either creating hybrids or actively working to start producing them. The most common design is the electric hybrid, which melds a gasoline engine with an electric motor, charging system, and battery storage.

hen it comes to vehicles, the term 'hybrid' can be confusing. Examples of nonautomotive hybrids include submarines, trains and even electric buses, which use various combinations of fuel sources. The cars available on the market today are generally gasoline and electricity hybrids that run 20 to 30 miles further to the gallon on average, at the same time reducing emissions and therefore causing less harm to the environment. In genetics, a hybrid is the result of combining elements from different species. When it comes

Parallel vs Series Engineers have numerous options when it comes to employing hybrid systems, but the two most popular forms of hybrids available today are called "series" or "parallel" hybrids. Series hybrids are also called "mild" or "partial" hybrids, while parallel hybrids are often referred to as "full" hybrids. In a series hybrid, an electric motor assists the gasoline engine when needed, such as during acceleration or times of heavy load, but it can't power the car on its own. The batteries that power the electric motor can be recharged by the engine, or during deceleration (called regenerative braking), and examples of models using this system are the Saturn Vue Green Line and the Honda Civic Hybrid. Parallel hybrids use similar recharging scenarios, but these cars can be powered by the gasoline engine only, the electric motor only, or both at the same time. The Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, and Yukon hybrid SUVs are examples of parallel hybrids.

134

Standard operating systems

together, so a polymer film, called a separator, prevents them from touching, which would create a short circuit. What is commonly called “the battery” is actually a battery pack that houses a number of individual cells. The battery pack of the second generation Toyota Prius, for example, consists of 28 Panasonic prismatic nickel metal hydride modules—each containing six 1.2 volt cells—connected in series to produce a nominal voltage of 201.6 volts. The number of cells used in various hybrid car models varies, as does the voltage produced. The nickel metal hydride battery used in Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400 is packaged in a newly developed metal battery casing. The 240 cells deliver high voltage of 288 volts, but the motor-generator units operate on variable voltage anywhere from 280 volts to 650 volts. The battery pack supplies 288 volts, but a boost converter ups this to 500 volts. This battery pack therefore provides 40% more power than the Prius battery, despite being 18% smaller.

In practice, like a normal petrol powered car, a series hybrid vehicle has an engine that is usually running all the time. An electric motor placed "in series" between the engine and the wheels helps drive the car. In assisting the engine, the electric motor helps improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Some series hybrids also feature a "start-stop" function, which turns off the engine completely when the car is stationary, restarting it instantly when the brake pedal is released. Unlike a series hybrid, a parallel hybrid can operate like a fully electric car up to speeds of roughly 2030 mph. In situations such as stop-and-go traffic, or under light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle's engine may not run at all, relying completely on electric propulsion. The results are vastly improved miles per gallon performance in urban settings, and while in full-electric mode, the cars achieve zero emissions.

Design dynamics

Plug in systems

As well as offering drivers significantly higher fuel efficiency than a traditional internal combustion engine by storing kinetic energy, many hybrid car designs also improve fuel performance through specific design techniques. Simple but effective ideas are applied, such as reducing drag from around the vehicle by using aerodynamic designs and stiffer tires. The weight of a hybrid car is also reduced because most models are built with strong but lightweight materials, like carbon fibre. In this way, every aspect of a hybrid car works to help you get the most out of the gasoline you buy, while at the same time also helping reduce the impact you have on the environment while getting from A to B.

A "plug-in" hybrid is basically a parallel hybrid, but often with a larger battery pack that allows it to run in electric-only mode for longer distances or at higher speeds. Additionally, instead of the batteries just being replenished by the vehicle's engine or through regenerative braking, the car can also be recharged by plugging it into an electrical outlet. Though no plug-in hybrids are currently being offered by major car manufacturers, several are scheduled to hit the market in the next few years.

Hybrid batteries Like all batteries, hybrid batteries have two electrodes that either collect or emit an electric charge. The electrodes are typically very close

TOP HYBRID CARS

Toyota Prius Hybrid A gas-powered sedan Honda Insight With cost-effective technology Ford Escape Hybrid The most fuel efficient SUV available. BMW X5 xDrive35d A high-performance, luxury SUV. Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid Energy efficient full-size pickup.

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Island Health

Nuts for Coconuts Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are both blessed with a natural abundance of coconuts. Used in Thai food, medicines, drinks, beauty treatments and just about anything else you can think of, the coconut has long been a ubiquitous part of Thai culture and the rest of the world has also now become an addict of this healthy, delicious gem. The name actually derives from the Spanish 'Coco', originally referring to the 'monkey face' hidden in the hairy brown surface and its three holes for the nose and eyes. More recently, the coconut has become known for its varied nutritional properties, with celebrities like Madonna, Matthew McConaughey and Demi Moore swearing by the benefits of the water and flesh inside the shell. Now being touted as one of the world's super foods, along with other fruit such as the the goji berry, scientific evidence suggests that drinking coconut water is not only good for you but can also help treat skin problems, aid digestion and metabolism, and replenish essential electrolytes. Coconuts also have anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic properties, with a high vitamin and mineral content that includes potassium, vitamin c, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, folates, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc. Whether or not coconut water is just a passing fad in the ever expanding health and beauty industry, or is really the answer to a more youthful appearance and longer-lasting health, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are definitely great places to enjoy them at their freshest. The delicious juice is sold in most restaurants and roadside stalls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so stop and enjoy a refreshing treat, then sit back and feel the goodness.

Massage Me Good Massage therapy has gained widespread popularity over the years, not only because it helps relaxation and provides relief for muscle strain and fatigue, but therapeutic massage has also been proven to improve overall health and well-being. The benefits of massage range from the physical to the emotional, and it also makes you feel great. Thailand is home to countless numbers of spas and massage centres, each offering a variety of massage techniques ranging from traditional Thai Massage to Hot Stone Massage and a whole host of other therapies. Traditional Thai massage has been a part of Thai culture for centuries, a blend of styles from various Asian influences passed down through the generations. Unlike the scooping and continuous strokes of Western massages, the Thai approach uses point pressure alongside muscle stretching and compression, which is performed in a rhythmic movement with a gentle rocking of the body. 136

A Thai massage will leave you feeling invigorated, but at the same time totally relaxed. Before choosing a Thai massage, make sure you speak with the massage therapist and explain any areas that are causing you significant discomfort and if you wish for these areas to be worked on or left alone during your massage. Your therapist should also ask how hard or soft you would like the pressure of your massage, as everyone has different comfort levels and the last thing you want is to walk away feeling sore, or even worse - feeling like you were massaged with a feather. The most important thing is to enjoy your massage. Just close your eyes and relax - a Thai massage will ensure your feeling of well-being lingers long after the ritual is complete.

Active Island Pursuits If you're on Koh Samui or Koh Phangan and looking for something to do, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find there's something on the island to suit everyone, whether it's a relaxing day out sightseeing, a tropical adventure, a romantic escape or some family fun. It's also easy to keep fit and active on the islands so that you return home looking your best. Whilst on holiday it is always good to keep up your normal fitness routine to avoid piling on those extra pounds. Some people even find that on holiday, extra energy kicks in, so even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exercise regularly at home itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good way to start a new fitness regime. Samui and Phangan offer endless activities, be it water sports such as kayaking, kite boarding, jet skiing, or land based sports and activities such as tennis, badminton, football golf, go-karting, canopy rides, Muay Thai...the list goes on. Anything that gets your blood and body pumping is great for the body. Thailand's national sport, Muay Thai, is taught in various places around the islands and in recent years football has also become popular with the locals, with a large number of the younger generation increasingly involved with football clubs and associations. You will often see young kids kicking a football around in the afternoon and it's easy to join a game. If Muay Thai sounds a little too strenuous (it's not easy and requires a lot of training), you will also find many gyms and fitness centres on the islands or can simply use the stunning beaches to walk or run and enjoy the stunning views at the same time. 137

Homes Directory

PROPERTY DEVELOPERS/ ESTATE AGENTS ADVANCE INTER DEVELOPMENTS ADVANTAGE PROPERTY ANGTHONG APARTMENTS ANGTHONG VILLAS AQUALINA SAMUI ARTRIUM SUITES BAAN FAA SAI BY ANGTHONG HILLS BAAN RAK TALAY BAANSUAY LAND & HOUSE BAMBUH BANGPOR VILLA BAN SWEET COCONUT BASE DEVELOPMENTS BEACH REPUBLIC CD&P CHAWENG SILA CHEONGMON GARDENS COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTY DD EVOLUTION DHEVATARA PROPERTY DREAMCOAST DEVELOPMENTS DREAM PROPERTY ECO REAL ESTATE ASIA EXCLUSIVE VILLA FIRST CHOICE PROPERTY FLAMINGO RESIDENCE FUNCTION HOMES GREEN CORE HALCYON SAMUI PROPERTIES HORIZON HOMES IN ASIA INFINITY SAMUI IPM SAMUI KOH SAMUI LAND & HOME KARMA SAMUI KOHABITAT PROPERTY KOH PHANGAN HOLIDAY HOMES KOH SAMUI PROPERTY KALARA INTERNATIONAL PROPERTIES KIRIKAYAN LAAN DARA SAMUI LOTUS TERRACES MANDALAY GARDEN MANGROVE VILLA MINI GOLF NARESH OCEAN 11 BEACH FRONT RESIDENCE OCEAN 13 THE RESIDENCES OVERSEAS PROPERTY PORTFOLIO PALM CREEK RESIDENCE PALM GROUP ASIA PLAI LAEM VILLAS PEARL PROPERTY PHATHONG RESIDENCE PLANTATION HEIGHTS PLATINUM ASIA PROPERTIES PLUMERIA PLACE PROJECT PARTNER PROPERTIES PROPERTYBROKERSTHAI.COM RENT SAMUI.COM REPLAY SAMUI ROYAL SAMUI HEIGHTS SAMRAN GARDENS SAMUI PHANGNAN PROPERTIES SAMUI QUICK SALE SAMUI SANCTUARY

077 231 625 081 8926 372 077 430 326 089 972 1539 0843224680 087 607 6078 086 256 555 077 430 326 077 426 967 086 061 4280 081 341 4755 089 500 9800 077 961 762 089 011 9538 081 924 9574 077 430 779 086 043 5438 089 866 2062 077 960 927 077 430 326 081 082 9355 077 245 869 077 960 991 084 708 1501 081 893 8521 084 308 0967 077 430 540 077 377 018 089 971 7194 077 417 005 077 448 078 089 587 7997 081 894 4093 089 474 1837 077 413 901 077 430 399 087 898 3918 077 230 606 077 246 100 077 247 867 077 414 204 089 972 3043 080523 4488 081 374 0014 081 787 9148 077 426 944 089 813 5715 085 885 3434 080 535 1725 081 374 00414 080 535 1725 085 782 4910 081 370 2480 089 813 5715 077 234 203 086 271 3800 077 430 043 077 248 300 077 430 399 077 448 201 077 414 222 089 474 1837 081 979 0679 081 082 4030 084 689 7081

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SAMUI ESCAPES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 077 245 136 SAMUI VILLAS & HOMES 077 427 648 SAGE LAND & HOUSE 089 016 9750 SAMUI BEACH VILLAGE 077 430 326 SAMUI DIAMOND PROPERTIES 087 895 4132 SEA VIEW LAND FOR SALE 081 651 1444 SHAMBALA 077 236 632 SHAMBALA SUNSET BEACH VILLA 089 972 1539 SIAM IMMO COMPANY 081 850 6475 SINTHORANEE PROPERTY 077 414 222 RENT SAMUI 077 430 399 ROYAL NATURE RESORT & SPA 089 0169 750 TALING NGAM TROPICAL VILLA 089 651 0302 THAI PROPERTY 086 948 443 THAILAND RETREATS 077 427 774 THE EMERALD THONGSON 081 893 5996 THE MANDALAY VILLAS 085797 0477 THE PHUFAR RESIDENCE 0815359100 THE ROYAL MOUNTAIN 081 956 1636 THE SEA KOH SAMUI 077 961 982 THONG NAI PAN ESTATE 083 391 8159 TIC 077 247 710 TONGTIP MANSIONS 081 476 2646 TROPICAL HOME 082 179 3933 VILLA SOPHIA & VILLA COCONUT 087 823 7371 X2 RESIDENCES 082 495 2525 LEGAL SERVICES LIMCHAROEN HUGHES & GLANVILLE BIG BUSINESS BLUMENTHAL RICHTER & SUMET CHARNDELL DISPUTE MANAGEMENT IPM SAMUI DFDL MANIT ASSOCIATES NAT ACCOUNTING NAI ANDREW PARK NSP & LAWS FIRM SUKHOTHAI INTER LAW VITTAYA BUSINESS LAW OFFICE WONDERFUL SERVICES

077 246 185 077 413 764 077 231 732 02 514 9170 081 894 4093 077 246 081 077 458 135 077 246 249 081 830 4462 077 458 204 077 430 642 077 484 470 081 086 5141

LIGHTING SYSTEMS CREATIVE SYSTEM PROJECTS FIBER OPTICS JMAN LTEK LED-LIGHTING KUNINI: FUTRONIX HOME & DECOR

080 698 6811 077 448 077 081 893 5996 077 230 839

AMBERELY FURNITURE BEAUTIFUL WORLD CERA ETERNAL FLAME GOLDEN DRAGON NUTTARAT DECORATE ORIENTAL LIVING SALAK THAI SEASIDE DÉCOR SURAT BAANSAUY

077 430 329 081 956 0337 077 247 805 089 772 1589 083 646 555 077 920 266 077 247 675 077 234 368 083 390 3711 081 691 1719

SECURITY SYSTEMS B-SMART SYSTEMS CREATIVE SYSTEM PROJECTS KUNINI

077 248 362 080 698 6811 077 230 839

IHOMES

081 170 0201

AUDIO VISUAL INTERIOR DESIGN AV INSTALLATION SYSTEM AVIVA CREATIVE SYSTEM PROJECTS TECHWORX PROJECTS

ENGINEERING SERVICES 089 971 5775 02 685 3676 080 698 6811 077 961 910

GARDEN & LANDSCAPE BOTANICAL DESIGNS LANDSCAPING HELICONIA LANDSCAPE GARDEN KITCHEN HARDWARE FRANKE KITCHENS H.A.FELE IKON KITCHEN I.P.M. SAMUI KITCHEN STUDIO RS VENTURE

084 315 9742 081 090 5489

02 236 9777 077 423 073 089 972 2789 081 894 4093 077 423 073 02 662 3571-3

SWIMMING POOLS CP POOL DES JOYAUX JD POOLS PURA POOLS SIAM POOLS TSP POOLS

077 234 410 077 247 588 077 427 356 077 960 565 077 602 444 077 234034

DESIGN SERVICES 3D ARCHITECT ARCHITECTUAL VISUALISATIONS BOTANICAL DESIGNS LANDSCAPING OPEN DESIGNER SAMUI GRAPEVINE SIL ARCHITECTS THAI REVIVAL DESIGN

077 238 962 077 247 862 084 315 9742 089 890 4960 080 620 9964 083 690 9700 089 612 0684

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRONOS DYNAMICS CLAUDIO / FANTASYATWORK.COM HELICAM AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ORIENTAL LIVING

081 894 4513 087 270 4972 089 874 7464 077 247 675

HOME SERVICES AUTOMATIC GATE CERIS LAFARGE ROOFING ECO PEST CONTROL ECOMATE ELECTRIC FENCE EUROPEAN RAIN GUTTERING EZ DOCK (THAILAND) FAR THAWEE PORN INFINITY HOME MANAGEMENT JOHNSON HEALTH TECH NITE STONE SAMUI MASTER WATER SEARA SPORTS SUNFLEX ASIA THE STONE DOCTOR TRUE VISIONS UNIVERSE LOGISTICS

081 892 1066 02 586 5600 085 791 2496 083 637 8700 089-733-3672 077 423 073 077 426 955 077 245 570-1 077 426 608 076 304 040 077 247 769 077 427 726 076 355 040 077 414 412 087 282 4930 077 231 490 086 344 4989

EASTERN TECHNICAL ENGINEERING

077 295 316

FINANCE SERVICE GFS AUSTRALASIA

080 535 1725

INSURANCE SERVICES CT TRADING INSURANCE ENSURE ASIA PROJECT MANAGEMENT DMA PROJECT SOLUTIONS RS BUILT SIL ARCHITECTS

038 420 618 077 417 015

085 790 1520 089 724 8511 086 271 0156 083 690 9700

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES BLUE BUILDING EXIM STUDIO HAPPY ELEPHANT PALM CONSTRUCTION P&W CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT RS BUILT SAMUI VILLAS & HOMES SEA B.C. TROPICAL BUILDERS

077 430 411 02 934 7921 077 422 651 077 425 548 077 238 182 086 271 0156 077 430 326 077 960584 077 602 262

MAINTENANCE SERVICE MANAGING SAMUI SQUEAKY CLEAN WINDOWS

077 430 010 087 013 7650

OTHER BANGKOK AIR WAYS 077 422 512-9 BLUECHIP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 089 651 0020 FIREWORKS SAMUI 087 263 4371 SAMUI RESCUE 077 421 444/087 263 4371 TESCO LOTUS 077 245 400 TS-TEAK 081 893 4933 LEISURE SAMUI 100 DEGREE EAST DIVE CENTER 077 245 396 BAAN TALING NGAM RESORT & SPA 077 429 100 BBC CAFÉ 077 425 089 BLUEWATER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 077 484 548 DANCING CRAB 077 425 519 HAVELI INDIAN CUISINE 082 8183 416/417 HARLEY DAVIDSON BANGKOK 02 934 4855 MAGNOLIA SPA 077 601 133 MAX’S MURPHY 077 413 614 OCEAN 11 BEACH FRONT RESTAURANT 077 245 134 OCEANS ELITE CHARTERS 077 427 244 RAJDHEVEE CLINIC 077 430 702 PAUL ROPP SAMUI 086 270 3060 SEA BREEZE RESTAURANT 077 245 255 SENSEDAYSPA 077 246 295 WECI & COMPUTER INSTITUTE 077 233 101

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HOUSE FOR SALE

BANGRAK • CHARMING • 4 BEDROOMS Price: 8,900,000 baht A stunning 4 bedroom villa perfectly located in Bang Rak. Built to European standards with luxurious finishing’s throughout. Private pool within beautiful landscaped gardens and a well appointed terrace for outdoor entertaining. A sumptuous master suite with private terrace for that truly luxurious feel. Two well thought out guest bedrooms privately contained with pool/garden views.

A “ must-see” villa at an incredible price! siam-immo@hotmail.com www.siam-immo.com TEL : (66) 081 850 6475

LAND FOR SALE

BANGPO SOI 4 • LAND FOR SALE • 800 METERS FROM THE BEACH ONLY : 17,500,000 baht Fantastic panoramic sea view 2 rai 295w2 = 4.380 m2, suitable for Hollywood Star mansion, hotel, villa project, condominium, concrete road, gentle slope.

BANGPO SOI 1 • 5 PLOTS 0F LAND FOR SALE • 2 PLOTS WITH SEAVIEW • 800 METERS FROM THE BEACH Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot

1 2 3 4 5

seaview : 162 w2 = 648 m2 = 2,150,000 seaview : 184 w2 = 736 m2 = 2,100,000 hill view : 146 w2 = 584 m2 = 1,450,000 hill view : 167 w2 = 668 m2 = 1,650,000 hill view : 330 w2 = 1,320 m2 = 2,900,000

baht baht baht baht baht

Concrete road, all plots have water and electricity. TRANSFER FEES INCLUDED

siam-immo@hotmail.com www.siam-immo.com TEL : (66) 081 850 6475

AngthongVillas Sunset Sea and

Mountain Views Lipa Noi

Lots for Sale

1.4 Million Baht per Rai Lots From 497,000 Baht

“Земельные участки на продажу: - от 1,4 млн. бат за 1 “рай” (1600 кв. м), Земельные участки, площадью менее 1 “рая” - от 497 000 бат” B Lots: 1.6 Million Baht Per Rai C Lots: 1.4 Million Baht Per Rai B3

1068 Sqm

568 Sqm

604 Sqm

1220 Sqm

Sold

692 Sqm

628 Sqm

C Lots: 875 Baht Per Sqm

1276 Sqm

1600 Sqm

800 Sqm

756 Sqm

1536 Sqm

B Lots: 1,000 Baht Per Sqm

• Ready to build all Chanote Title • Approved Plans in place (2-5 Bedrooms) • Electric and water to lots • Additonal Lots Available for investment Angthong Villas Tel: +66 (0)8 9972 1539 E-mail: karamat2011@hotmail.com www.samuivilla.asia Sea Scale Tel: +66 (0)8 1499 9353

Choeng Mon Gardens

Koh Samui Thailand

Choeng Mon Gardens Resort An imaginative residential vacation resort with a central swimming pool water feature sympathetically landscaped and maintained. Individual Town Houses in groups of three- 2 floors, balconies, gardens. A short walk from a Cheong Mon beach with many restaurants and bars-yet far enough away to be peacefully removed. Chaweng is a few minutes drive. Built by the Owners, for the Owners. Join us in completing the site within 2012. A sound and realistically priced investment in a sought after Tropical Paradise.

ONLY FOUR TOWN HOUSES REMAINING

Starting from 6,900,000 THB For a viewing appointment Call

M: +66 (0) 860 435 438 E: samuims@asia.com, choengmongardens@gmail.com www.choengmongardens.com