OWNING a tropical island still sits at the top of most people's lists of Things To Do Before I Grow Too Old. Even if it's just for sitting on and dreaming, an island all one's own is a pleasant concept.
Among the spectacular offerings of villas and property revealed at a media briefing by Indigo RE on February 27 at Joe's Downstairs was this little gem:
Island for Sale: Koh Rang Yai - 275 Rai
Where: 5km from Phuket on the east coast in Phang Nga Bay.
Total Price: 4.125 Billion THB ($138 Million USD)
Brief: This private island is mostly uninhabited except for a pearl farm and a restaurant. These would be closed upon completion of a purchase. Island is easily reached by long tail boat from Laem Hin Pier, about 10-15 minutes away. The island has approximately 1km sandy beach.
Well we've often enjoyed lunch or dinner at Laem Hin, which may be as close as we get to owning this island, unless it is eventually sold in extremely teensy lots. Still, it's a nice dream.
Someone began living the dream in 2007, as Phuketwan reported, with the purchase of Mai Thon island, one of the largest privately owned islands close to Phuket, 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.
More and more, these private island are going to be picked up and offered as resort destinations.
The rich will simply hop a Destination Air seaplane flight at Phuket Airport, and be sipping a cocktail on their own island sand within minutes.
Half their luck.
But then, there's always Phuket, too . . . we've noted in the past how Nai Yang has been overlooked in the push for development to the south of the island. That's changing.
Beachfront Land for Sale: Nai Yang Beach - 116 Rai
Where: Nai Yang Beach on the west coast of Phuket
Total Price: 1.508 Billion THB ($50.4 Million USD)
Brief: There is approximately 890m of waterfront, mainly rocky but includes 150m of private sand beach. Sea views are directly west, with spectacular sunsets and to the north, overlooking Nai Yang beach. Land has great resort potential due to its location immediately adjacent to the Hyatt Hotel.
We will watch with interest to see who picks up both those little plots. The betting is they will both go to big-brand resorts.
Phuket is branded ''hot'' right now.
Other offerings from Indigo also seem to hint that Phang Nga is no longer Phuket's lower-priced little sister. The province is definitely more secluded but the days of bargain basement prices have long gone.
It may not be long before Phang Nga is even pricier than Phuket. Here are some of the other top-of-the-range Indigo offerings:
Beachfront Land for Sale: Natai Beach - 11.5 Rai
Where: Natai Beach, Phang Nga
Total Price: 164 Million THB ($5.5 Million USD)
Brief: 120 meters of white, sandy beachfront with some mature coconut trees. Natai Beach is only 10 minutes from the Sarasin Bridge which links Phuket to the mainland.
Beachfront Land for Sale: Natai Beach - 2.1 Rai
Where: Natai Beach, Phang Nga
Total Price: 40 Million THB ($1.3 Million USD)
Brief: White, sandy beachfront of 60 meters. The land is reasonably flat, relatively square with some mature trees. Ideal for private, luxury beachfront estate.
Beachfront Land for Sale: Na Glua Beach - 50 Rai
Where: Na Glua Beach on the west of Phang Nga Bay
Total Price: 425 Million THB ($14.2 Million USD)
Brief: 163m of white, sandy beach frontage. Na Glua Beach is only 3 minutes from the Sarasin Bridge which links Phuket to the mainland.
For details, call Duane Lennie Tel: +66 86 948-6836
Fax: +66 (0) 86 948-6836 Email: duane@indigore.com
Among the spectacular offerings of villas and property revealed at a media briefing by Indigo RE on February 27 at Joe's Downstairs was this little gem:
Island for Sale: Koh Rang Yai - 275 Rai
Where: 5km from Phuket on the east coast in Phang Nga Bay.
Total Price: 4.125 Billion THB ($138 Million USD)
Brief: This private island is mostly uninhabited except for a pearl farm and a restaurant. These would be closed upon completion of a purchase. Island is easily reached by long tail boat from Laem Hin Pier, about 10-15 minutes away. The island has approximately 1km sandy beach.
Well we've often enjoyed lunch or dinner at Laem Hin, which may be as close as we get to owning this island, unless it is eventually sold in extremely teensy lots. Still, it's a nice dream.
Someone began living the dream in 2007, as Phuketwan reported, with the purchase of Mai Thon island, one of the largest privately owned islands close to Phuket, 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.
More and more, these private island are going to be picked up and offered as resort destinations.
The rich will simply hop a Destination Air seaplane flight at Phuket Airport, and be sipping a cocktail on their own island sand within minutes.
Half their luck.
But then, there's always Phuket, too . . . we've noted in the past how Nai Yang has been overlooked in the push for development to the south of the island. That's changing.
Beachfront Land for Sale: Nai Yang Beach - 116 Rai
Where: Nai Yang Beach on the west coast of Phuket
Total Price: 1.508 Billion THB ($50.4 Million USD)
Brief: There is approximately 890m of waterfront, mainly rocky but includes 150m of private sand beach. Sea views are directly west, with spectacular sunsets and to the north, overlooking Nai Yang beach. Land has great resort potential due to its location immediately adjacent to the Hyatt Hotel.
We will watch with interest to see who picks up both those little plots. The betting is they will both go to big-brand resorts.
Phuket is branded ''hot'' right now.
Other offerings from Indigo also seem to hint that Phang Nga is no longer Phuket's lower-priced little sister. The province is definitely more secluded but the days of bargain basement prices have long gone.
It may not be long before Phang Nga is even pricier than Phuket. Here are some of the other top-of-the-range Indigo offerings:
Beachfront Land for Sale: Natai Beach - 11.5 Rai
Where: Natai Beach, Phang Nga
Total Price: 164 Million THB ($5.5 Million USD)
Brief: 120 meters of white, sandy beachfront with some mature coconut trees. Natai Beach is only 10 minutes from the Sarasin Bridge which links Phuket to the mainland.
Beachfront Land for Sale: Natai Beach - 2.1 Rai
Where: Natai Beach, Phang Nga
Total Price: 40 Million THB ($1.3 Million USD)
Brief: White, sandy beachfront of 60 meters. The land is reasonably flat, relatively square with some mature trees. Ideal for private, luxury beachfront estate.
Beachfront Land for Sale: Na Glua Beach - 50 Rai
Where: Na Glua Beach on the west of Phang Nga Bay
Total Price: 425 Million THB ($14.2 Million USD)
Brief: 163m of white, sandy beach frontage. Na Glua Beach is only 3 minutes from the Sarasin Bridge which links Phuket to the mainland.
For details, call Duane Lennie Tel: +66 86 948-6836
Fax: +66 (0) 86 948-6836 Email: duane@indigore.com
