Shared ownership is looking to gain market share in the challenging resort property market and new entry Anantara Vacation Club is targeting Thailand's resort islands.
With two initial offerings launched for their branded resorts in Phuket and Koh Samui the firm is working on a flexible points based system versus the old school offering of weeks.
The group has announced plans for expansion this year in Bali and then a robust pipeline in the regional including China.
Members are able to utilize points for stays both current destinations and this is expected to be expanded quickly.
AVC has also teamed up with leading global exchange provider RCI which offers a wide variety of international destinations.
For many of our readers who's interest touches on construction, design, project management and quantity surveying one of the bright spots for information is the Thailand Construction News (TCN) website.
Free of charge the resource offers regular news updates about large projects, a job resource for both employers and those seeking work and listings of workshops and seminars.
Aside from Thailand some items cover all of the Asian region.
It's a good read and those interested can visit <link>http://www.thailand-construction.com*CLICK</link>
Having attended the recently conclude Siam Paragon Luxury Property Showcase in Bangkok the island's upscale projects were auspiciously missing in action.
On display were 40 projects from throughout Thailand with only one Phuket based development present.
Both Hua Hin and Pattaya were well represented at the show which ran from March 3-13.
As New York Met's fan's wax poetically there is always next year but for now the Phuket property scene in broad terms seems to have done undercover at the moment.
The much anticipated new REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) initiative of the Thai government has been delayed.
According to reports the Revenue Department is currently evaluating tax issues associated with the REIT structure prior to the Securities and Exchange Commission formalize the scheme.
Currently a number of listed property funds continue to focus on real estate and more recently hospitality assets.
A new REIT regime is expected to take the existing funds into greater alignment with international practice and spur institutional investment.
Leading Thai listed property developer Land & Houses has launched their new project 88 in Chalong.
On offer are over 48 units featuring four types of detached houses.
Land plots range from 60 to 100 square wah.
Initial pricing points for a three bedroom/bathroom unit go from THB5.6 million up to 8 million.
One interesting development of the inland property market is that increasingly foreign take up of these type of properties.
The Village Coconut Island, has appointed the Absolute World Group as its premier sales and marketing agent for the second phase of development of two-bedroom private pool villas and Jacuzzi suites.
The Village Coconut Island is off the east coast of Phuket. This new phase will encompass a total of 192 luxurious Jacuzzi suites and 2 bedroom private pool villas, complementing the existing 44 phase one villas, 39 of which are now sold. Set within 70 rai, the site has a 550-metre beach frontage and views over Phang Nga Bay.
A range of pool villas and Jacuzzi Suites are available for sale both foreign freehold ownership and through Absolute's fractional ownership initiative where a five-week share starts at THB 1.25 million, including benefits such as the use of a fully crewed, five-berth luxury sailing yacht, access to a fleet of luxury speed boats and private vehicles, use Callaway Golf Clubs and membership with a leading international resort exchange company.
Phuket development is continuing to see Patong as the epicenter of progress for hotel, commercial and residential projects.
This week sees the ground breaking for the 20 unit boutique upscale Bluepoint condominium designed by Paul Raff.
Located in South Patong the area is experiencing a surge in launches with the nearby 350 unit Centara Grand Moringa Resort recently announced close to the Amari Estates hospitality led residential project.
While further down the road the Hong Kong owner of Emerald Bay is expected to go public with plans for a new luxury international hotel within this year.
Back at the lower portion of Patong is the ambitious 78 rai Fisherman's Harbour integrated development. This includes 6 international hotels, condominiums and a large convention/exhibition center.
Conversions are always an indication that all things are not good in the broad island residential property market.
News just in as that the developer of the luxury estate The Hermitage in Kata is opting to convert part of the project to a 70 key pool villa resort.
Original plans called for 12 upscale properties which will now only see 5 large homes retained and the remainder of the land shifted to a hospitality project.
According to the developer a local management firm will operate the resort, which is targeted to within 2012.
For resort grade real estate a continuing storyline of resales versus offplan sales continue to dominate the trading space.
A growing number of inland residential projects which cater to both domestic Thai buyer and foreigners are making inroads in the broad Phuket real estate market.
It all goes back to fundamentals where domestic leveraged projects which view the local market as their primary source of buyers are the projects seeing reasonable transaction activity.
Case in point is the Chalong Miracle Lakeview which has condominiums, pool villa and larger lakeside residences which range in price from THB5.9 million for condos up, up to residences at THB26.5 million.
Coming soon will be Land & Houses with their project 88 nearby. Again pricing points are well below the coastal areas and aimed at the growing base of Thai buyers.
Expect foreign buyers to show strong interest in both due to pricing points and scalable development.
