Phuketwan EXCLUSIVE
MAI THON island, one of the largest privately owned islands close to Phuket, has been sold for 765 million baht.
The new owner, sources believe, plans to invest hundreds of millions more in a six-star resort and a quality property development.
Mai Thon has long been viewed as one of the uncut jewels of the Andaman Sea because it has no inhabitants and has been privately owned for more than 15 years.
The island, about nine kilometres south-east of Cape Panwa, lies delicately postioned, half way between Phuket and Phi Phi Don island.
It is about the same size as Coral Island and Phi Phi Lay island, which are on either side of Mai Thon.
Land Titles Office officials have confirmed that the sale took place on November 29.
The price of 765 million baht comprised 700 million baht for the land and 65 million baht for all of the buildings on the island.
Building of the existing 74-room resort, with two large swimming pools, was begun by a Japanese company after it invested in the island in 1991.
Post-2000, a European company replaced the Japanese investors. The European company expanded and renovated the Mai Thon Island Resort.
The resort has now closed for a year while the new owner decides exactly what the future holds for the investment.
With the emergence of Destination Air and seaplane flights direct from Phuket Airport to once hard-to-reach destinations, the attractions of a six-star resort with private villas nearby have improved considerably.
The island already has a helicopter pad.
Any developer would need to consider how to provide water and electricity to island residents.
The island is remote, without being inaccessible. That's what gives it appeal in a world where secluded holiday destinations and private retreats are becoming more difficult to find.
Visitors who have anchored off the island resort in the past have been charged 500 baht a day per person, a price that has kept tourists at bay.
The resort itself has its own sandy beach, about one kilometre long. Jungle covers low-lying hills towards the centre of the island.
Boatmen say the island is notably because of the number of dolphins seen at times in large pods off its shores.
The present resort relies on generator power and fresh water trapped in tanks. More fresh water has to be brought by boat during the dry season.
MAI THON island, one of the largest privately owned islands close to Phuket, has been sold for 765 million baht.
The new owner, sources believe, plans to invest hundreds of millions more in a six-star resort and a quality property development.
Mai Thon has long been viewed as one of the uncut jewels of the Andaman Sea because it has no inhabitants and has been privately owned for more than 15 years.
The island, about nine kilometres south-east of Cape Panwa, lies delicately postioned, half way between Phuket and Phi Phi Don island.
It is about the same size as Coral Island and Phi Phi Lay island, which are on either side of Mai Thon.
Land Titles Office officials have confirmed that the sale took place on November 29.
The price of 765 million baht comprised 700 million baht for the land and 65 million baht for all of the buildings on the island.
Building of the existing 74-room resort, with two large swimming pools, was begun by a Japanese company after it invested in the island in 1991.
Post-2000, a European company replaced the Japanese investors. The European company expanded and renovated the Mai Thon Island Resort.
The resort has now closed for a year while the new owner decides exactly what the future holds for the investment.
With the emergence of Destination Air and seaplane flights direct from Phuket Airport to once hard-to-reach destinations, the attractions of a six-star resort with private villas nearby have improved considerably.
The island already has a helicopter pad.
Any developer would need to consider how to provide water and electricity to island residents.
The island is remote, without being inaccessible. That's what gives it appeal in a world where secluded holiday destinations and private retreats are becoming more difficult to find.
Visitors who have anchored off the island resort in the past have been charged 500 baht a day per person, a price that has kept tourists at bay.
The resort itself has its own sandy beach, about one kilometre long. Jungle covers low-lying hills towards the centre of the island.
Boatmen say the island is notably because of the number of dolphins seen at times in large pods off its shores.
The present resort relies on generator power and fresh water trapped in tanks. More fresh water has to be brought by boat during the dry season.
