PHUKET: The Beach Condotel launched at the weekend, a 1.3 billion baht resort-real estate development of 174 units that aims to target among others senior Phuket resort managers between now and completion.

Just 400 metres from Kata beach, the four-building, eight-storey project starts with prices at 2.99 million baht, rising to 11 million baht.

It's on 20 rai and the developers, The beach Development Co Ltd, expects to find a market among both Thais and expats. Units in two of the buildings are up for off-the-plan sale.

According to the brochure, ''Low introductory prices in an expanding upmarket mixed-use development with resort facilities help ensure handsome returns for many years to come.''

Beach life, night entertainment and resort facilities are said to be ''right on your doorstep.''

About half of the condos - in two of the buildings - are expected to be bought by people who wish to live and work on Phuket in a resort environment. The other 50 percent are expected to go to investors.

''Russians and Singaporeans are especially likely to be interested,'' says General Manager Kan Prachoomphan.