ON THE WALL of the ThaiRus Development Co Ltd office in Kathu there are four clocks, showing the time in London, Phuket, Moscow and Vladivostok.
Seven hours is the difference between the Russian capital and Vladivostok, its large Pacific port, across the strait from Japan.
That's an impressive demonstration of the size of Russia, world's largest country in terms of area.
There are more than 141 million Russians. And if the latest figures on tourism arrivals are anything to go by, most of them will be coming to Phuket any minute now.
That's where ThaiRus comes in. ThaiRus is Russia's property pioneer in the region, focussing on the desire of Russian tourists for fun in the sun.
In 2007, Russian numbers staying on Phuket surged remarkably, rising 40.7 percent to 122,419. Little wonder that Russian language signs are now appearing all over the island.
In April, according to the manager of real estate, Nikita Derkach, ThaiRus will begin advertising its Andaman developments in Russia for the first time, and he anticipates quick sales.
''I think we will sell out in the first week,'' he said. ''The Andaman is a popular destination.''
ThaiRus has two projects at present, the 12-unit Kamala Orchid Estate priced at 7.5 million baht to 10.5 million baht and the villa-and-condominium Ocean Breeze Residence, on an island off the coast of Phang Nga, with prices varying from 6.9 million baht to 23.1 million baht.
''I have been here almost two years,'' he said. ''I miss the snow but we like this place. The island is beautiful.''
His boss, ThaiRus's principle investor, has a long track record over more than two decades in construction in Bangkok and Pattaya. But he liked the natural look of Phuket.
Kamala Orchid Estate is scheduled for completion in April, with the Ocean Breeze Residence, on Kho Khao, due to be polished off one year later.
While Kamala Orchid offers low-rise condos near FantaSea in a clubhouse estate with communal swimming pool, fitness centre, bbq area, the Ocean Breeze Residence is considerably larger, as you'd expect in the open spaces of Phang Nga.
On offer are 12 condominium units and eight villas, varying up to 385 square metres, with a long list of amenities that include swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna, steam room, restaurants, pool bar, childrens playground, management office.
Oh yes. Plus a tsunami safety centre capable of holding more than 100 people. ThaiRus says it's the first time anywhere in the world that this kind of precautionary care has been part of a private development.
The safety centre is unlikely to ever be needed, but it's certainly going to be reassuring to know that it's there.
More likely to be used are the other features. The villas each have two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a maid's room and living space aplenty.
Judging from the specifications and with the experience of ThaiRus's principle in construction, the fixtures and appointments will be to quality Western standards and include lashings of teak and granite.
''We are the best real estate company for Russians because we have plenty of staff who speak Russian, Thai and English,'' Mr Derkach said.
He said the popularity of Phuket was understandable. ''Russians like the Andaman Sea and warm weather. It's minus-50 sometimes in Russia in winter.
''In Siberia, it's extremely cold. So people like to come here. More and more will be coming.''
More property projects are on the way. Each of the present projects has an on-site office, and there's the HQ in Kathu.
In the absence of having a Russian honorary consul on Phuket, Mr Derkach has established a reputation for helping Russians who experience difficulties here.
Visa problems, how to find your way around the region . . . Mr Derkach is happy to help where he can.
At 28, his education lies in law and business, and he is an advocate for Vladivostok rather than Moscow.
The port city is home to one of only two universities in Russia where the Thai language is taught.
Mr Derkach feels a strong affinity for his home city, even though it is much further away from Phuket than Moscow.
But people from anywhere in Russia, and elsewhere for that matter, are bound to be greeted cordially at ThaiRus.
Additional reporting: Maewmong
Nikita Derkach, telephone: 076 202271 Mobile: 083 5035153 E: real-estate@tr-d.ru, www: thairus-development.ru
Seven hours is the difference between the Russian capital and Vladivostok, its large Pacific port, across the strait from Japan.
That's an impressive demonstration of the size of Russia, world's largest country in terms of area.
There are more than 141 million Russians. And if the latest figures on tourism arrivals are anything to go by, most of them will be coming to Phuket any minute now.
That's where ThaiRus comes in. ThaiRus is Russia's property pioneer in the region, focussing on the desire of Russian tourists for fun in the sun.
In 2007, Russian numbers staying on Phuket surged remarkably, rising 40.7 percent to 122,419. Little wonder that Russian language signs are now appearing all over the island.
In April, according to the manager of real estate, Nikita Derkach, ThaiRus will begin advertising its Andaman developments in Russia for the first time, and he anticipates quick sales.
''I think we will sell out in the first week,'' he said. ''The Andaman is a popular destination.''
ThaiRus has two projects at present, the 12-unit Kamala Orchid Estate priced at 7.5 million baht to 10.5 million baht and the villa-and-condominium Ocean Breeze Residence, on an island off the coast of Phang Nga, with prices varying from 6.9 million baht to 23.1 million baht.
''I have been here almost two years,'' he said. ''I miss the snow but we like this place. The island is beautiful.''
His boss, ThaiRus's principle investor, has a long track record over more than two decades in construction in Bangkok and Pattaya. But he liked the natural look of Phuket.
Kamala Orchid Estate is scheduled for completion in April, with the Ocean Breeze Residence, on Kho Khao, due to be polished off one year later.
While Kamala Orchid offers low-rise condos near FantaSea in a clubhouse estate with communal swimming pool, fitness centre, bbq area, the Ocean Breeze Residence is considerably larger, as you'd expect in the open spaces of Phang Nga.
On offer are 12 condominium units and eight villas, varying up to 385 square metres, with a long list of amenities that include swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna, steam room, restaurants, pool bar, childrens playground, management office.
Oh yes. Plus a tsunami safety centre capable of holding more than 100 people. ThaiRus says it's the first time anywhere in the world that this kind of precautionary care has been part of a private development.
The safety centre is unlikely to ever be needed, but it's certainly going to be reassuring to know that it's there.
More likely to be used are the other features. The villas each have two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a maid's room and living space aplenty.
Judging from the specifications and with the experience of ThaiRus's principle in construction, the fixtures and appointments will be to quality Western standards and include lashings of teak and granite.
''We are the best real estate company for Russians because we have plenty of staff who speak Russian, Thai and English,'' Mr Derkach said.
He said the popularity of Phuket was understandable. ''Russians like the Andaman Sea and warm weather. It's minus-50 sometimes in Russia in winter.
''In Siberia, it's extremely cold. So people like to come here. More and more will be coming.''
More property projects are on the way. Each of the present projects has an on-site office, and there's the HQ in Kathu.
In the absence of having a Russian honorary consul on Phuket, Mr Derkach has established a reputation for helping Russians who experience difficulties here.
Visa problems, how to find your way around the region . . . Mr Derkach is happy to help where he can.
At 28, his education lies in law and business, and he is an advocate for Vladivostok rather than Moscow.
The port city is home to one of only two universities in Russia where the Thai language is taught.
Mr Derkach feels a strong affinity for his home city, even though it is much further away from Phuket than Moscow.
But people from anywhere in Russia, and elsewhere for that matter, are bound to be greeted cordially at ThaiRus.
Additional reporting: Maewmong
Nikita Derkach, telephone: 076 202271 Mobile: 083 5035153 E: real-estate@tr-d.ru, www: thairus-development.ru
