Friday, September 27, 2013

24 Provinces underwater in Thailand with more rain on the way!

Thailands rainy season is getting into full swing. Although the Pattaya - Chonburi area has not yet been hit hard, Thailands Northeast "Issan" and Central Plains are feeling the effects!

This article for this mornings "The Nation" tells which provinces are flooded along with how Bangkok and the Chao Praya River are coping.

http://2-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.thaivisa.com/www.nationmultimedia.com/new/2013/09/27/national/images/x30215774-01_big.jpg.pagespeed.ic.s8p4B9IAYM.jpg 

 Northeast, East brace for tropical depression approaching from Vietnam

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Irrigation Department is keeping a close eye on the impact of the upcoming tropical depression from Vietnam, which might affect several provinces in Thailand's Northeast and Eastern regions.


Ubon Ratchatani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Prachin Buri would likely be affected by the upcoming depression. These areas are already severely hit by floods, the department's deputy director-general Suthep Noipairoj said yesterday.

He expressed concerns about the flood situation in Prachin Buri as the Pasak Chonlasit Dam is now nearly full and needed to discharge some volume of water before the new tropical depression arrived.

To date, the volume of water in Pasak Chonlasit Dam was 785 million cubic metres while the full capacity of the dam was 960 million cubic metres.

"We have to discharge about 8.9 million cubic metres per day from the dam to prepare for the upcoming depression," he said.

Meanwhile, Chao Phraya River should drain water at 2,300 cubic metres per second, which exceeds its capacity of 2,195 cubic metres per second.

Suthep explained that the department would drain the excess amount of water into the fields on the western and eastern banks of Chao Phraya River.

However, he explained that most of the flood-affected areas were located along the river and waterway and that is why they were at risk from the adverse impact of the flooding.

Floods have already affected more than 2.1 million people this month and ravaged more than 1.14 million rai of farmland.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Phromlert said yesterday that floodwater had also damaged 2,310 roads, 6,900 houses and 145 bridges. "Of the 29 flood-hit provinces, the situation in just five has returned to normal as of today," he said.

Still under water are Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram, Amnat Charoen, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Mukdahan, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Chainat, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Ayutthaya, Angthong and Suphan Buri.

Many of these provinces are heavily flooded. The worst-hit spots in Chaiyaphum are about 2.8 metres under water.

In Buri Ram, floodwater levels have soared above three metres in Krasang district, marooning more than 200 families. Officials are making desperate efforts to get relief items to these victims.

Working alongside local administrative bodies, the department has mobilised thousands of volunteers to deliver assistance. More than 1,500 boats have been dispatched to reach the victims. Not all, however, are happy with the authorities' response.

Anong Thongsri, a 46-year-old resident in Prachin Buri's flooded Kabin Buri district, lamented that assistance efforts had failed to reach all those affected. "The floodwater level is also rising," she said.

Department of Religious Affairs chief Preecha Gunteeya said, meanwhile, that 295 temples in 12 provinces were flooded, affecting 2,014 monks.

The Government Housing Bank has offered a debt moratorium for flood-hit customers, whose loan repayments will be suspended for up to nine months depending on the severity of their situation. During that period, no interest will be charged on the loans.

Should flooding damage the whole house of a loan recipient, the bank will write off all outstanding debt on the house, leaving just the debt from the land purchase to pay.

Flood-hit loan recipients can contact the bank for help at (02) 645 9000.


-- The Nation 2013-09-27

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Exclusive home in North Pattaya for Sale

North Pattaya House for Sale in Exclusive Gated Community.

 This executive style, 2-storey home sits on a spacious corner plot in this secure gated community.  The home features mature garden area, private swimming pool, 3 spacious bed rooms, a dining room and 2 lounge areas.  The home is fully and tastefully fitted, and includes the finest quality window treatments throughout.

The home is situated on a corner plot and surrounded, and the wide roads within the estate are lined with mature tall trees.  The community can be accessed from Pattaya 3rd road or Sukhumvit Road, providing easy access to the motorway to Bangkok and to other areas in Pattaya.


This is a prime piece of real estate, with recent bank valuations of over 120,000 THB per t.w., meaning the land alone is valued at over 12 million THB.  Add on a top quality 2-storey house, and you will begin to understand why this is a sound value.

Spacious Living room with Cathedral Ceilings


Big balconies overlooking the village and the pool






 Full European Kitchen with 4 Burber Hob and Hood, Western Oven, Refrigerator, Rice Cooker


Private Swimming Pool in Beautifully Landscaped yard



If you want the convenience of being in Pattaya's city center while having the privacy associated with a private home, this exclusive home should be considered.

For more information or to arrange a viewing email
I.D.# 28739

Monday, September 23, 2013

Return of the house = a maturing market

I saw this article in Pattaya Realestate Magazine and thought i would share it. An interesting look at Pattaya's changing housing market. Enjoy



MG 2397

Return of the house = a maturing market

My doctor in Bangkok is a cagey 70-year-old veteran. Whenever he sees me, he’ll take a gander at my X-rays, or blood tests, or results from whatever diagnostic gismo I’ve been examined with, then look me right in the eye and ask: “How do you feel?”
This seemingly harmless and open-ended question usually draws every bit of information he needs out of me. I ramble on, jumping from symptom to symptom; occasionally offering my own diagnosis and opinion on exactly why my 52-year-old body is betraying me. He doesn’t have to prod or pry. We don’t have to play 20 questions. He gets all the information he needs in one shot.
Brain-picking

I borrow his technique when I want to find out what’s going on in a particular property market. The other week I was in Pattaya and paid a visit to my usual cadre of real estate rangers. Some hate to see me walk in the door, because they know it’s brain-picking time.

But, most of them are relieved as it is a rare opportunity to tell the truth with no spin, shine or exaggeration regarding the prevailing property market on the Chonburi Coast. I am neither buyer nor a seller.

I am well-versed in how the real estate business in Thailand works, so there’s no need to educate me. Most importantly, I am known for keeping my promise of anonymity.

My opening question and invitation to confess is always the same: “What’s selling?” I don’t want to hear about which developer has a new project. I don’t care who lost their best sales person. Whether or not a project has gotten EIA approval does not interest me. Just tell me what kind of property you’ve sold lately and who you sold it to. It’s that simple.
Living pool

Useful anecdotes
Usually they respond to me the same way I do with my physician. I learn what has sold, how much it sold for, who it was sold to and naturally some useful anecdotes and opinions on the direction of the market.

It has been nearly two years since I last conducted such a survey. The recent results were eye-opening, but confirmed my sneaking suspicion that things were changing in and around Fun City.

One longtime veteran in the Pattaya property trenches put it very succinctly … “Sellin’ a lot of houses, dude … a lot of houses”. I was overjoyed. I’ve been predicting this for a long time. But, I guess if you predict something for long enough, it will eventually happen.

What’s more, I wanted it to happen. In my decade and a half here in Thailand, the most money I ever made coupled with the most creative satisfaction was building and selling houses. It thrills the crap out of me to see the trend arrive here in Bangkok Beach.
Out of 10 property jockeys I spoke with, two said nothing was selling, two said they were flogging a whole bunch of 31 sqm people boxes, and the other six all expressed a surprised elation at selling single family dwellings … mostly in East Pattaya.
I discarded the first two as lazy remoras and the second two as “captive shops” with their signage and marketing material paid for by the ruling oligarchy of high-rise developers.

Not surprisingly, the six agents who said they were selling houses are some of the oldest and most established firms in the area. In fact, more than half of them make their bread and butter serving the corporate relocation and working expatriate market. I keep telling people Pattaya is a real city and here is more proof!

But why are houses suddenly in vogue? And who is buying them? Enquiring minds want to know!

I believe the answer to these questions comes in three parts. Houses have changed, buyers have changed, and Pattaya has changed.

Pt1 Houses have changed

Last year while researching housing developments in East Pattaya and also the far southern end, I learned a lot about how the design, style and construction quality of houses has morphed in and around the city. (See the Tales of the Darkside series and Goin’ South series archived on our website at www.remthai.com) It appears to me there have been three distinct stages of development over the past 15 years or so.

Keep in mind, I’m not talking about “one off” houses where someone has secured some land and built their own single house. I’m referring to proper housing developments. The original development style was focused on two axioms: 1) build them all the same; 2) build as many as you can on the land you have. The houses themselves were a hybrid design of Thai sensibility and mimicry of what they thought a foreigner’s house was like. Most were built in the ubiquitous “Thai-Bali” style … or what they thought we thought Thai-Bali looked like.

Outdoor kitchens, maid rooms and those hideous little ceramic columns surrounding tiny outdoor verandas are dead giveaways of housing produced during this era. Semi-spacious farang-style living rooms were prone to having a single electrical outlet with the wires running through a plastic conduit on the outside of the wall.

No space

There was no space between the houses whatsoever. Where I come from we call these “zero lot-line” houses. If you had a 200 sqm lot; 180 sqm was covered in concrete. Grandiose and ornate entry ways to these developments with imposing security guard shacks were erected first, usually to be torn down later and replaced with shop-houses.

Once most of the project was sold, the developer usually just went on to the next cookie-cutter project to repeat their atrocities. Little or no management was left in place to control or maintain common areas like the streets, clubhouses or communal swimming pools that might have existed.

The design was rudimentary. The quality was sub-standard. The management was non-existent. And, some of those developers are operating in the same manner to this day. Their only saving grace is that they didn’t cost very much.

Then in the late ’90s and early ’00s, a housing renaissance occurred. What I would describe as “American-style” gated communities emerged. Well-lit wide streets, big lots, private swimming pools and a variety of designs.

Unfortunately, many of these were mere façades, like fake Gucci bags. Most of them looked the part with fabulous entrances and almost military security structures. But, alas, the quality was all over the place.

One development in particular comes to mind. (Since I’m going to put it down, I decline to name names). The entrance to this famous East Pattaya estate is one of the most breathtaking I’ve ever seen, complete with modern sculptures and manicured landscape. The houses sit on huge lots, but are only slightly better quality than those built 10 years before.
 

Plagued with bad design, poor material and shoddy workmanship; it’s like wearing a $1,000 suit going to a five star restaurant and ordering a hamburger. “What’s the matter hoss? Spend all your money on the suit?”

Still others sported the fancy storefront and, for the most part, lived up to it. Phu Tara and Siam Royal View in East Pattaya come to mind. Whoever designed these estates understood the concept of luxury gated community living and followed through with some pretty well turned out abodes.The problem here is they kind of over-did it. The “build it and they will come” philosophy backfired. Some of these kinds of homes sit empty or the plots remain available because they are just too expensive. The market for houses in that prices range is yet to mature.

In the past few years up to the present, we have seen a second renaissance I’d call the modern age of practicality. Today’s Pattaya home builder has employed some reverse-engineering. Houses are geared towards what the buying public want, not some grand vision of the developer.
Whispering Palms (6)

Smart houses

Ornate ridiculous entrances and unused theme park-like common areas have been replaced with value-added features for each house. LED lighting, solar-powered water heaters, salt water swimming pools and “smart” houses that are so wired-up you can cook dinner on your way home with your iPhone.

Developments like Sedona, Whispering Palms and Greenfield Villas mirror North American communities with their open plan houses and flexible floor-plans. Professional management ensures the investment buyers make isn’t degraded by their neighbours. 

Forward thinking designers like Silver Hills in Bang Saray give buyers huge lots with a long list of “green” features and “smart house” gadgetry. Now a “luxury gated community” is just that and not a poor copy of a Rolex watch.

In my opinion, among the most shining examples of how far housing has come are the projects offered by BravoThai – The Vineyards Phase III and the recently unveiled Amaya Hill. The designs are modern, flexible and timeless. The execution is precise and completed with the highest quality materials.

The genius of these developments is in the planning. Instead of creating homes and shoving them down the consumer’s throat, the folks at BravoThai delineated specific markets and set out to satisfy them.

The Vineyards Phase III is a small-ish development with only 21 units. It is an intimate project with big plots. The houses are spacious open-plan affairs with plenty of garden and swimming pool.

Minimalist styling allows owners to bend the décor to their will. On-site amenities like a coffee shop, fitness centre, taxi/mini-bus service, pool cleaning, house-sitting and maid services tell the tale of exactly who these houses are targeting.

Priced at Bt13-20m, limited to a small close-knit community and chock full of convenient amenities, it is quite obvious this place is aimed at retirees.

Award recognition

Apparently BravoThai know what’s what as half the units have been sold in less than one year. All phases of The Vineyards have been recognised repeatedly at the Thailand Property Awards 2011 and 2012 and Pacific Property Awards 2012 and 2013.
Amaya Hill targets a different group. With 85 units planned, it is a much larger project with smaller plots. Built on an elevated knoll near Lake Mabprachan, Amaya Hill enjoys great location, access to the motorway and views of Pattaya in the distance. The houses mirror the design of The Vineyards with their clean minimalist lines and practical layout.

According to Adam Coulson, sales executive for BravoThai, Amaya Hill is geared more toward families. Floor-plans range from 128sqm to 240sqm. Lots can be combined and floor-plans rearranged.Prices run from Bt7-15m. Adam described the homes at Amaya Hill as “affordable luxury” and I must agree.

Once again the boys from BravoThai seem to have found the mark as many of the units on the first phase are sold and they don’t even have a showroom yet.

In the future I would expect any switched-on development company to follow BravoThai’s lead. Terrence (Terry) Collins, MD of BravoThai, said it best: “People don’t want a discount … they want a lot of house for their money.”

It occurs to me that BravoThai have taken the developer’s ego out of the equation and decided to “just give the people what they want”. This is a very definitive shift in house builder philosophy.

Pt2 Buyers have changed

So, what has changed about the oh-so-elusive consumer? Are they the same people who used to buy condos with a different mindset? Or, are they a different group altogether? The answer is … a little of both.

Terry Collins again: “Consumer trust has flipped.” We discussed the old condo developer fear tactics used in the past. “You can’t own it … you can’t own it!” the condo mongers would say referring to houses; playing on the fears of buyers that the only property legal for a foreigner to own in Thailand was a (49 per cent) condo.
Now, not only have buyers become more educated and comfortable with the various methods one might “own” a house, some are becoming increasingly suspect of condominiums.

“People are afraid some of these condos aren’t going to get built,” said one veteran agent. Indeed, construction delays, design changes and rampant rumours of developer insolvency have some property buyers looking at condos with a suspicious eye.

Of course it is only the very few condos that deserve to be viewed with such suspicion but the “one bad apple” rule can still affect the rest of the condo builders’ “barrel” in the perception of buyers.
“People want to feel in control,” said Terry Collins. “While the buyer is waiting for a 40-storey high-rise to get built, he is at the mercy of the developer. With a house, the owner can come to inspect progress every day, and payment is based on pre-set benchmarks, not the developers’ need for cash flow.”

Potential buyers

My personal experience has seen some changes in the characteristics of potential buyers. Last December, my big three-bedroom condo in Jomtien Beach was vacant and for rent. This place is 168 sqm and feels like a house connected to the end of a condo. Many prospective renters consider it instead of a house.
In three days I had three couples from three different countries looking at it, but all for the same reason. Each and every one included a male head of household that had recently been re-posted to an industrial estate near Pattaya.

Two worked with companies forced out of Bangkok by the floods who chose to relocate rather than rebuild. The other was with a multi-national conglomerate that was planting their flag in advance of the AEC inauguration in 2015. No punters, sex-patriots or fugitives … just real people that needed real housing.
Overheated Asian economies have also changed the face of who is buying houses here.

More than one agent told the story of Singaporeans who can’t afford to retire in their own country, choosing Thailand for its fresh air and easy way of life. The same goes for Hong Kong Chinese that are falling victim to mainland Nuevo-riche Chinese driving real estate prices to the stratosphere.

Disgruntled North Americans and Europeans make up a hefty slice of the house-buying pie. Rising inflation and taxes create new expatriates every day.

Adam Coulson from BravoThai told me he’d had a flurry of French buyers who are fed up with the exorbitant taxes and political turmoil of their own country. I meet more of my own countrymen every month who also weary of carrying an increasingly top-heavy government on their back.

According to Adam, the off-shore worker making off-shore money no longer feels the urge to repatriate their hard earned cash to their native countries. He considers them the “perfect buyer”.
And, let’s remember that Thai people make up the lion’s share of real estate purchasers whether it is houses or condos.


“Thai people are using agents now,” said Adam. “We haven’t seen that before.” Traditionally Thai buyers used word-of-mouth and personal connections to lead them to a purchase.

Apparently they’ve gotten over the idea of paying a commission and are learning about the higher quality and better design of some Pattaya developers (even if they are farangs).

Pt3 Pattaya has changed

Now, I know it is taboo to say this, but the riots and floods of recent years did Pattaya a favour by forcing Bangkok Thais down the road to see how things had changed. Primary infrastructure like the motorway and other roads make it easier to get here and get around. Secondary infrastructure like schools, hospitals and major shopping venues create a much more livable environment.

The new generation of Thais isn’t affected by Pattaya’s old stigma of Thailand’s “brothel-by-the-sea” reputation. They see Pattaya for what it is; a dynamic and vibrant resort town. It’s easy to get here, bristling with all kinds of healthy recreation and quite a bargain compared to other regional competitors.

Having a little condo for weekend getaways is nice. Owning a big house with a private garden and swimming pool is better.
So, this month I played doctor with the Pattaya property market by making a house call and asking it: “How do you feel?” After hearing it ramble on for a couple of days about changes in developments, changes in consumers and changes in Pattaya, I came to the same conclusion my grumpy old doctor always arrives at about me. “You’re okay,” he’ll say. “You’re just getting older”

Friday, September 20, 2013

The Cube Condos on Pratumnak Hill

The developers of Tudor Court proudly announce their new project 

"The Cube"

 

"The Cube is a new low rise condo development from Tudor Court. The project will be right next to Tudor Court and is expected to start development early next year. Investors are already rushing to purchase units given Tudor Courts prior success. Studio units are already sold out but 1,2 and a few 3 bedroom units still remain. Prices starting at as low as 3.7 MB for foreign ownership.

Open floor plans with spacious living room


Nice dining area in 1 bedroom unit



Modern European Kitchen




Fully fitted En Suite Bedroom




Roof top Fitness center and Swimming Pool







For more information or to arrange a viewing Email

Thailand braces for first Tropical Depression of the rainy season

http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.thaivisa.com/www.nationmultimedia.com/new/2013/09/20/national/images/x30215229-01_big.jpg.pagespeed.ic.BojtuN5nmF.jpgBangkok Thailand and its North East region of "Issan" are bracing for heavy rains and flooding 

 

 

 

 

This article from this mornings "The Nation"

Tropical depression already drenching parts of Northeast

BANGKOK: -- Authorities have identified 37 flood-prone spots in Bangkok in the face of a coming tropical depression.


The depression, which entered Thailand's Northeast yesterday morning, is expected to reach the Central region today. It is expected to bring rain.

Traffic Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tavichai yesterday said Bangkok residents should avoid all of the 37 flood-prone spots, if possible, during heavy downpours.

Among these spots are a portion of Rajavithi Road between Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and the Krung Thon Buri Bridge; a portion of Phya Thai Road in front of the Livestock Development Department; and a stretch of Ratchadaphisek Road in front of Robinson Department Store.

Sanya Chenimit, deputy permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said some of the capital's low-lying spots had already been drained in preparation for possible rain.

Based on what he has seen so far, Sanya expects the coming depression to affect the city only indirectly.

"It may cause light rain, but will not bring any serious downpours," he said.

As part of the preparations, Sanya said officials had been instructed to conduct constant checks to ensure that no garbage blocked drainage pipes. Clogged pipes are often blamed for flooding.

He added that people could ease the problem of clogged pipes by putting garbage into bins.

In a separate interview, PM Yingluck Shinawatra emphasised the need for the BMA to dredge canals and drainage pipes.

"I don't want to see the BMA [waiting to] talk about drainage until upstream run-off water has already arrived," she said.

She said the central government had worked hard on managing water volumes in upstream and midstream areas so as to minimise the impacts on Bangkok.

At the peak of the 2011 flood crisis, the central government and the BMA quarrelled over how best to manage the water volume. The floods submerged some parts of the capital.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Phromlert said the depression would increase rainfall in Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Roi Et, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Sa Kaew, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat during the next two days.

"We are now paying close attention to risky areas such as at the foot of mountains and low-lying areas," he said.

Meanwhile, downpours continued in many parts of Phitsanulok yesterday.

The province's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office warned people in Wang Thong, Nakhon Thai, Chat Trakan, Wat Bote and Noen Maprang districts to beware of possible flash floods and landslides.

Phitsanulok is among the flood-prone provinces that Yingluck has expressed concerns about.

-- The Nation 2013-09-20



Monday, September 9, 2013

A THAI flight slides off Bangkok runway Sunday night, 13 injured


Photo : Wing Magazine (Twitter)

THAI International Airways is investigation into an accident in which its TG 679 skidded off the runway while landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday night.

Sorajak Kasemsuvan, THAI president said thirteen passengers suffered minor injuries from the accident that took place at 11.20pm.

The Airbus A330-300 left Guangzhou at 9.25pm local time with 288 passengers and 14 crew member on board.

Sorajak said while the flight was landing and touching the runaway whthe landing gear, making it skid off the runaway.

During the incident, there was some sparks at the base of the right wheel, making it caught fire.

Sorajak said Captain of the flight then managed to control the airplane and ordered evacuation of the passengers through emergency exit.

Any more information, please contact at 02-545-3181.

The Airbus A330-300 involved in the incident was delivered to Thai Airways in March of 1995.
Article from The Nation


Friday, September 6, 2013

2 Story Pool Home in East Pattaya Priced for Quick Sale!

East Pattaya Pool Home off of Soi Siam Country Club for Sale at the Bargain Price of 5.5 MB

Also for rent at 35,000/month on 1 year contract


This spacious 2 story, 3 Bed 3 Bath home sits on 145 TW of land and has over 250 Sqm of living space. The house comes fully furnished with 6 air con units, full hotwater through out house, washer and dryer, security alarm, and safe in a secluded housing complex.

Living room is spacious and included leather sofas, ceiling fan, flatscreen tv with dvd player, in built in wood cabinets.








Kitchen includes 4 burner hob with hood, refigerator, western oven, toaster, microwave and sink with separate dining area.








Master Bedroom has built in wardrobe, en-suite bath, 
and huge private balcony








Second and third bedrooms include air con, built in wardrobe with second bedroom having private balcony










All wood staircase



Huge long drive way with secure covered 2 car parking







Private Swimming Pool in nicely landscaped yard.



Side yard perfect for garden



For more information or to arrange a viewing 
Email: Brian@bigmangoproperties.com
I.D.#28689


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

First Tourist Court to Open in Pattaya Tomorrow



Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

PATTAYA: -- Thailand's first tourist court will open tomorrow in the popular beach resort city of Pattaya as part of the government's move to reassure travellers of their safety while visiting the country.


From 4.30pm to 8.30pm, foreign tourists can come and lodge complaints, especially over unfair services and personal security. Consideration of cases will be cut to one day for uncomplicated disputes from the usual six months, Wirat Chinwinigkul, secretary-general of the Judiciary, said yesterday.

The specialised court will encourage negotiations between parties. Most of the cases are about consumer protection, so it is easier to reach a compromise. If it's a serious issue, the case will be transferred to the regular court. There will be capable officials speaking foreign languages to help.

Six more night courts are planned - Pathum Wan district for the Silom area and Dusit district for khao san in Bangkok, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Those tourist destinations have faced various problems, especially cheating by operators.

The Pattaya court would be a pilot project. It is expected to take up speedboat services, which is one of the serious issues corroding the country's tourism image. It's also related to criminal cases.

Yesterday, four parties - police, prosecutors, the courts of justice and the Tourism Ministry - signed an agreement to set up the court and work together to help take care of foreign holidaymakers.

The court will also be responsible for looking after Thai tourists and scrutinising the role of tourism operators in providing fair services to tourists.

The ministry should set up a department to handle cases because some tourists have to go home before a ruling is handed down, he said.

In the future, Thailand should enact legislation to regulate the industry, like in France, because tourism is an important industry strengthening the national economy. It has grown rapidly, but existing laws cannot keep up, he added.

Tourism Minister Somsak Pureesrisak said it's a good sign for the country's tourism industry. The night court would help secure the industry's role in the long term, especially in achieving the target of Bt2 trillion in tourism revenue in 2015.

The ministry has made a big effort to standardise the industry, launching measures and regulations to crack down on scams. Especially Phuket needs a clean-up. The resort island is overrun by illegal services and gangsters.


-- The Nation 2013-09-04

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Jomtien Beach Paradise Ocean View Condo for Sale

Jomtien Beach Condo for Sale! Fully renovated with ocean and city views. 2 Bedroom 2 bath with private guest quarters. 7.9 MB!

 
Over the Top Renovation - No Detail Spared - Fantastic Space to Entertain Guests 


Where do we start? Perhaps simply stated, this is easily the nicest, most inventive renovation in this building just a 5 minute walk to Jomtien Beach, and it may be the nicest renovation in all of Jomtien. You can purchase this unit for less than half the price per M2 of newer projects nearby. Why pay the premium for a cookie cutter residence with the most basic design and average fittings? 
 
 
The owner considered every detail including vented cabinet doors to avoid moisture, the best quality teakwood, even platform floors to create separate living areas. This property owner studied and has designed the layout with good feng shui principles in mind. Lots of open space, use of mirrors, water effects, natural light and natural breezes combine to make this a most harmoniuos living space. 
 
 
 
 
One of the most interesting feature is the design of the balconies, which mazimizes existing space to create observation areas from which to enjoy stunning ocean views during the day, amazing sunset views, and the bright lights of the city at night. Who wants to stare out onto a dark black ocean at night? In fact sliding glass doors open out onto both balconies, which effectively extends the living space.

 
 
This spacious 2 bedroom unit actually offers 156 M2 of living space, as the unit combines the adjoining studio and the title deeds were never merged. If you open the front door door and leave only the vented door open, as well as the sliders to the balcony, a nice cooling breeze is created.

 
 
This fine residence was clearly decorated to entertain, as evidenced by the following:
  • 2 exterior balconies with comfortable and ample seatiing. The stools are the perfect height and constructed of strong aluminium to avoid rusting
  • A wet bar with separate fridge and bar stools in the main living area
  • A raised platform floor to create a "separate" entertainment area within the main living area. A reclining leather sofa adds to the quality
  • 6 seat solid teakwood dining table
  • Gourmet kitchen with 4-burner hob, hood with exhaust, American standard frindge, and compartments to store everything in an organized fashion.
  • Two generous sized bedrooms at opposite corners to maximize privacy.
  • Hot water heater in both bedrooms as well as hot water in the kitchen sink.
  • Front load washer/dryer in laundry area.
  • Walk-in closet, hallway closet, and other hidden storage areas enable you to store all your items neatly
  • The best quality furniture and decoration is on display throughout.
We challenge you to find anything that you might want which is included in the purchase of this fine residence.  This is truly a matter of packing your bags and moving in.






For more information or to arrange a viewing
Email Brian@bigmangoproperties.com
I.D.# 28674