Bill Barnett is back a third time with 'Collective Swag' a phantasmagorical collection of rabid essays on everything from the evils of low cost travel to the blunders in modern architecture.
Reading his frantic, caffeine-charged chronicle of life on the road around Asia Pacific and the Indian Sub-continent is a sure cure for elevator music gone viral.
His previous works "It Might Get Weird" and "Last Call: Never Trust A Mayan Selling Real Estate" continue to live lives of their own. As for Bill's other life as a leading hospitality consultant, public speaker and columnist, he is quick to point out, "there is no such thing as owning too many black t-shirts."
Collective Swag is available to read online <link>http://issuu.com/thephuketinsider/docs/collective_swag_bill_barnett/0*CLICK</link>
Property firm Siam Real Estate has released a new Phuket property market report.
The document focuses on some unique points such as tracking historical land prices and also covering the current rental market trends.
As land prices continue to escalate the report provides an island-wide perspective on pricing in various Phuket locations.
To learn more about the report <link>http://www.siamrealestate.com/services/phuket-residential-market-report/*CLICK</link>
Every resort island in Asia has a growth trajectory and in the case of Phuket and Bali the increasing urbanization is simply a fact.
Like it, don't like it, it doesn't really matter as the world is becoming a crowded house.
Improvements to the transportation infrastructure is a game changer for real estate, tourism and the economy.
If you want to read an update on the island's planned light rail system that will trigger the changes, read the update in the Phuket Gazette published today
<link>http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-light-rail-a-game-changer-says/44001#ad-image-0*CLICK</link>
One of this year's key Asian real estate story lines has been the surge of overseas transactions by Singaporean property buyers.
Nearby Malaysia has been a strong beneficiary of the influx of investment buyers as has the more mature market in the UK, and the overflow has even been felt here in Phuket.
While the Singapore government underwent a series of cooling off measures including higher levies and restraining onshore borrowing.
At the same time new money from overseas buyers in the Lion City propped up the marketplace.
There is chatter in the Singapore market that buyers may be waiting to reinter their home turf should pricing start to rationalize
For now overseas developers are hoping the capital drift continues this year as was seen in 2014.
The finishing touches are being put in an exclusive single private island hideaway in Phuket which is being likened to Richard Branson's famed Necker Island.
Located in Phang Nga Bay, Koh Rang Noi has been developed as a exclusive private villa for rent.
Featured are two twin ultra villas with eight bedrooms each, with a strong emphasis on Asian art.
Rang Noi is easily accessed from the Phuket mainland and is reportedly over 2 hectares in size.
The developer is a reclusive American businessman who is based in Asia.
Over the past holiday period the island hosted an exclusive VIP party and is expected to gain global attention going forward as a unique self contained private island experience.
A sneak peak of the property was unveiled recently on the Bloomberg television network and hosted by Stephen Engle.
To see the video <link>http://www.bloomberg.com/video/boxing-day-tsunami-anniversary-approaches-Lq6T~0ywQECGk54Dr9CV2g.html*CLICK</link>
One of the most successful retail projects on the north side of the island is the Boat Avenue project in Cherngtalay.
I spoke to developer Boon Yongsakul who is rolling out a series of seven new four story commercial spaces tagged Boat Avenue 3 Premium.
Of key interest to our readers is the group will be improving the entrance road into Laguna this February, as many of you know this is a private road and certainly the upgrade will be welcomed.
Secondly is a new road connection will be established between Boat Avenue and the Lagoon Road (road leading into Laguna Phuket) by April.
As for the new commercial units, currently there are only 3 for sale, the units can be split by floor and dedicated for different uses.
These units which will be completed by year end and are priced at THB11 million up to THB12.5 and are over 250 square meters.
In other Boat Avenue news the most recent additions is the just opened Yoga + Studio and coming up is the Quattro home accessory gallery.
As part of the expansion of the project additional parking spaces are in the works.
The Chergtalay area remains in a growth stage as a mini-metro, which will be further reinforced once the Central group who own the land adjacent to Boat Avenue move forward with their plans.
For readers who are interested in the new commercial units they can call 081-8919955.
Next year's AOCAP event will join the HICAP alliance r and is scheduled for March 18th and 19th at the Pan Pacific Singapore.
Tagged as the region's leading conference on alternative ownership the event focus is on vacation ownership/timeshare, fractional ownership, condo hotels, and hotel branded residences.
C9's Bill Barnett will again take the stage, this year leading a regional focus.
After an extremely successful event in Hong Kong two years ago, AOCAP looks to be coming into its own as a focused conference event for Asia Pacific.
For more on AOCAP 2015 <link>http://hicapconference.com/aocap/*CLICK</link>
The owners of Bali's famed beach club Ku De Ta have won an appeal in the second round of a legal dispute over the trade name in Singapore.
According to the Straits Times the Singapore club based at the Marina Sands trading under the name may be forced to change identities.
There has been an ongoing dispute over the prized intellectual property in terms of the Ku De Ta brand between the original Bali owners and Nine Squares which is controlled by former Bali Manager Arthur Chondros.
Condros had licensed the name to a Hong Kong entrepreneur who subsequently sold a significant stake in the company to LVMH affiliate L Capital Asia.
To read the full account of the ruling <link>http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/courts-crime/story/ku-de-ta-may-not-get-keep-name-20141224*CLICK</link>
A new hospitality led residential condominium project has been launched next to the entrance of Laguna Phuket, called Oceanstone.
Developed by Millstone Limited the property has 84 units priced from THB2.5 million.
Facilities include a rooftop swimming pool along with other amenities including fitness center and restaurant.
An appointment with a hospitality chain for the management is expected to be announced shortly.
Property sales are being handled by CBRE Thailand on a Sole Agency basis.
Completion of the project is targeted for 2017.
