Phuketwan is tops for Tourism, Property and Dining, too

THE GOVERNOR of Phuket, Niran Kalayanamit, is concerned that there may already be an oversupply of condominiums on the island, with 60 projects now under construction.

Given the speed of development in the current economic climate, his concern is probably justified.

More than 1000 units are being built in Phuket City alone, Khun Niran said.

Most of these are near the Macro cash and carry store, opposite Central Festival, or in the popular restaurant suburb of Samkong.

Usually they were a combination of foreign and Thai investment, he said.

Land Office spokesperson Jareeporn Punaudom said that 20 condominium projects had been approved this year, equal to the total for the whole of 2007.

Rawai, Kata, Karon, Patong Chern Talay and Phuket City were all home to large building sites.

Chaiyut Pitakteetam, manager of Phuket Villa property developers, believes Phuket was growing in popularity but the price of land was now higher than ever before, with the 80-metre height limit preventing expansion.

Khun Chaiyut said large tracts of land for subdivision into villas or bungalows were no longer easy to find.

Builders seemed to be maximising land by going upwards, with condominiums.


SINCE Phuketwan revealed that the Rixos Premium brand was coming to Khao Lak, we have discovered a little more about the group's plan.

The five-star, 300-room resort will be the first all-inclusive accommodation in the region, presumably along the lines of Club Med, where room rates cover meals, activities, and even most alcoholic drinks.

A wellness centre will form part of the resort, we are told (which, if you read the next item, may not be a bad idea).

The founder and chairman of the Turkish luxury brand, Fettah Tamince, says the company is ''excited to be entering the Southeast Asian market, especially in such a prime location as Thailand.''

Starting his career as a carpet dealer, entrepreneur Tamince has become a ''market leader in the tourism business'' by making critical decisions at the right time.

He says his success is based on the concept of combining a ''youthful, dynamic and specialist perspective'' with an international business vision.

''I look forward to the upcoming opening and also being involved in the bright and promising hotel industry in Southeast Asia,'' he was quoted as saying.

Rixos operates eight hotels in four countries.

Bookings for the Rixos Premium Khao Lak will be taken from August in readiness for a November opening.


WHAT CAN Rixos be expected to add to Khao Lak in the way of character? Perhaps more quirkiness.

In a visit in 2007 to the Rixos Premium Hotel Belek in Turkey, which then claimed to be Europe's first seven-star, Gemma Bowes wrote in Britain's Observer newspaper:

''There is a climbing wall, skate ramp, trampoline, beach volleyball, 10 tennis courts, playgrounds, archery, table tennis, a cinema, dance studio, football pitches, gondola rides along the lake and watersports.

''The point of the hotel becomes clear - it is heaven for kids. There is even a Troy-themed waterpark with rapids, curly slides and a 25-metre wooden horse.

''Next door is the dolphinarium. I am forced to inspect it by Volcan, the hotel manager. Dolphins circle a cringingly small pool to a pumping dance soundtrack, and a few minutes into the show I'm horrified to see the trainer leading a performing walrus out onto the stage.

''The creature is wearing a sweatband, for god's sake. It drops to the floor to do press-ups and sit-ups, then stands upright while the trainer produces a microphone.

''The dance music cuts out and a wailing ballad drains from the speakers while the walrus sways, mimicking a karaoke act.

''The whole thing is gruesome and ridiculous. It would be funny if it weren't so sick.

''Volcan doesn't really get my point when I say that these creatures are amazing enough behaving naturally in the wild; capturing them and forcing them to act human is demeaning. 'But they are only animals,' he laughs.

''I get a similar reaction when I ask about the hotel's eco credentials: 'It's just not something we've thought about.'

''Volcan believes the facilities at the hotel justify the seven-star claim, and you can't argue with their quantity - it's the quality I question.''

After praising the stunning private pool villas, she adds: ''The tranquillity of the indoor pool is disrupted somewhat by the raucous group of Russian businessmen who delight in dive-bombing each other and screaming down the slide.

''Some of the drunker ones turn up at the excellent gym clutching cans of beer, and one falls flat on his face off the running machine after trying to mount it on full speed.''

Her complete review can be found online.

Life in Khao Lak may be about to become more interesting.

Look for every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.

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Look for every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan.