According to the Phuket Gazette, the island's latest religious addition, the Cherngtalay Catholic church will open next month.
A consecration is set for July 6th.
The official name is St. Joseph's Church Cherngtalay and it's located on Pasak Soi 8.
Once in service the institution will be the permanent home for the church, which had been using temporary facilities in Laguna Phuket for a number of years.
Lombok's hotel and property market has been increasingly on the radar of developers since the opening of the new international airport.
C9 Hotelworks who have extensively worked in the Greater Bali region has compiled an analysis of Lombok's real estate sector, with a particular viewpoint on taking a forward looking view of the development cycle.
A historical look back is important at Asia's Big Two destination islands of Phuket and Bali is critical to understand how this exciting destination may be transformed leading up to 2022 and beyond.
Critical questions remain such as "Will Hotel Branded Residences be a relevant early cycle model?" Or "Who will the customers of tomorrow be? " C9's Bill Barnett who has authored the report provides a unique level of insight on Lombok and how will the storyline unfold.
To read the full report <link>https://c9hotelworks.com/downloads/future-resort-residential-market-lombok.pdf*CLICK</link>
Phuket's international schools are continuing to gear up as the island is becoming an education hub for both Thai and overseas students.
Coming up shortly will be Phuket International Academy's new boarding facility which will feature single and double room apartments.
British International School already has a large boarding accommodation block and demand is on the rise.
International school's are a key demand driver for the island's upper tier property market, especially for the emerging Eastern European segment.
Education and dependent visa's for parents figure largely into the equation.
To see more about PIA's new facility <link>http://www.phuketinternationalacademy.com/school-life/boarding/accommodation*CLICK</link>
Political reforms in India is a currently a red-hot topic.
Fresh from elections, the country has christened Telangana as the newest 29th state.
As part of a strategic alignment the move will see a shared capital in Hyderabad for both the new upstart and southern neighbor Andhra Pradesh.
The latter will see a transition period of 10 years to built a new capital.
Hyderabad is a leading global tech center, which has critical support for IT giants Facebook and Google.
Hoteliers are also taking a new look at India given an expected wide range of economic reforms.
Longtime Phuket expatriate Graham Doven has passed away in Bangkok at Mission Hospital according to Alasdair Forbes of The Phuket News.
He died of natural causes, though suffered medical complications. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
For the real estate sector here on the island Graham was a fixture first with the Phuket and Samui Property Shows that were held in Hong Kong, Samui and Bankgok nearly a decade ago and also with his affiliation with Phuket Magazine.
I attended all of those early events, and recall how important they were in bringing so much recognition to Phuket.
Graham's office is close to my own on Cherngtalay an he would often just drop in for a casual chat.
Being a true Aussie he loved his pub time and was known for his humor and wit. He will be missed by many.
I always enjoy receiving the press releases from Thanyapura, as they absolutely love to elevate the art of title-ism.
The latest news is the appointment of a new CEO and President Philipp Graf von Hardenberg.
Graf von Hardenberg is actually well known here in Phuket, given a legacy of work with Yaowarit School, and efforts with underprivileged children in Phang Nga.
In a previous life he was also a senior executive with Ritz-Carlton.
Bill Heinecke's Antantara Vacation Club has announced that Melanie Smith will head Club Operations and Howard Lee assumes the role of Chief Financial Officer.
Leigh's background includes a posting with Marriott International, and Smith did stints with InterContinental and Langham.
AVC currently operate in Phuket, Samui, Bali, Queenstown New Zealand and Sanya China.
Here in Phuket, the Mai Khao property has earned a number of awards since opening.
Natasha Eldred's Phuket-based public relations firm Shine PR has earned an award for marketing.
As part of the Asia Pacific Property Awards, Shine topped the list representing luxury villa estate Samujana for Best Development Marketing Thailand.
Good news for an island firm and indeed Shine On You Crazy Diamond.
A second Krabi maritime development, the Port Takola Yacht Marina is planning to open it's first phase of development in January 2015.
The marina when fully constructed will have 250 pontoon berths accommodating watercraft from ten to thirty-five meters in length.
Early next year the first phase will see 49 berths available, dry storage and facilities for yacht owners.
The entire master planned project is located on approximately 300 rai of land and is branded as Port Takola Yacht Marina and Waterfront Community.
Shoreside ammenities will include a boatyard and services. The marina design was completed by Simon Arrol.
Later phases of the development will include hospitality and residential components.
Similar to Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina here on the island, the Krabi facility will have tidal access.
