Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort
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4 & 7 Phuket’s beaches
What’s on: For the latest events, visit windowonphuket.com/whats-on/phuket-events
BOATING
8 Tide tables
9 Yachting Thailand
DINING
10 PVC Phuket Food Challenge - 2021
11 Foodies Phuket
PHUKET LIVING
16 Discovering the island’s Sino-Portuguese style
24 UWC Thailand International School
33 Buying bargain real estate in Phuket leasehold or freehold: which is best for you?
35 Art-Tec Design
36 Mac-Nels Shipping (Phuket) - Any shipment any where
HOmES, INTERIORS & ACCOmmODATION
5 Smarter Energy Solution
6 PSD – Thailand’s PVC window specialists
22 Four Points by Sheraton
26 Riverhouse Phuket
28 Zenithy Pool Villas
32 Tile-it
LEGAL mATTERS
34 What kind of justice do you deserve? Are you, like most humans, a liar, a cheat, dishonest, biased, prejudiced and snobby? by Desmond Hughes 24
WinDoW on Phuket is by image Asia Events Co., Ltd. 99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu, Phuket 83120 Thailand
COVER: Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort offers a wide range of delicious non-alcoholic beverages, including the mocktails featured here
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Foodies Phuket
Discovering the island’s Sino-Portuguese style
Zenithy Pool Villas
UWC Thailand international School
What's your favourite beach?
Phuket's fame and fortune is founded primarily from its stunning beaches – and they are still the fundamental reason most, if not all, holidaymakers hit this tropical island year after year. but how many are there? Where are they? Which is the most beautiful? Why? on this page, and on Page 7, you'll find most of Phuket's beaches. The number in the blue circle corresponds to the same number on the Page 5 map, making it easy to plan your beach itinerary. We recommend renting a car – and driving carefully!
seafood & BBQ, steaks & Grills, Thai: Al Fresco dining at its best, on the shores of Mai Khao beach. Enjoy an extensive menu of fresh seafood, international flavours & Thai delicacies. 0 7633 8888
Kata Rocks, Kata
Thai, Mediterranean: Located right on the oceanfront, featuring authentic Mediterranean & Thai delicacies & spectacular views over the Andaman Sea. 0 7637 0777
sienna Rocks, Kamala
All day breakfast, International, Japanese, Mediterranean: Sitting al fresco at Sienna Rocks Café & Pool Club, you can easily imagine you’re in a hip coastal eatery somewhere along the Mediterranean Sea or cosy in Japan… 0 7633 7300
Tonsai Restaurant, naka island
Thai: Taste traditional Thai dishes at Tonsai. This worldly island restaurant offers buffet & à la carte options to satisfy your individual palate any time of the day in Phuket. 0 7660 2435
SALA Restaurant
Tonsai Restaurant
Sienna Rocks
The Kata Rocks
International Mediterranean seafood & BBQ, Thai: Fresh & contemporary dining concepts combine with a stunning seaside location to inspiring effect at The nai Harn. 0 7638 0200
Rock salt, nai Harn
seafood & BBQ, Mediterranean, Thai: Rock Salt is a popular beachside restaurant with an idyllic position overlooking the Andaman Sea. The location inspires lazy breakfasts, long lunches, extended sunset happy hours, & indulgent evening dining affairs. 0 7638 0200
Barbecue & Healthy eats: A popular restaurant on Soi Taied with a newly opened branch in nai Harn, Ali’s bbQ is a favourite amongst the Muay Thai fighter crowd. Grilled meats, fresh vegetables, homemade panini and pita bread and local produce combine for delicious meals. Do try the Lamb Steak Grill, Salmon Skewers and the Falafel Pita. 083 642 0142
Thai: A hole in the wall Thai restaurant recognised by the prestigious Michelin Guide, Khunjeedyodpak is famous for its Thai rice noodle dish, Radna, served with pork or seafood. i t is also a wonderful place to munch on freshly grilled pork or chicken satay. Popular with local Thais, there is often a queue outside of the restaurant, but the simple dishes served here are worth the wait. 061 246 6656
Vanilla
Cosmo, nai Harn
ALI’s BBQ, Chalong & nai Harn
KHuNJeeDYODPAK, Phuket Town
Rock Salt
KHUNJEEDYODPAK
Cosmo
ALI’S BBQ
LeT’s MeAT BAR & GRILL, Phuket Town
steaks & seafood: Let’s Meat bar & Grill is a steakhouse in Phuket Town that serves high quality meat cuts, including imported Australian beef, the freshest local seafood and also has an all-you-can-eat salad bar as well as a pizza menu. The steaks available are good value for money and are served with various homemade sauces and choice of potato. 083 554 5422
WINDOW ON KARON BIsTRO, Karon
International & Thai: A beachfront bistro, Window on Karon bistro offers international cuisine and local Thai fare. Prices are affordable, and portions are large. Highly recommended is their Gnocchi Four Cheese Sauce, Chicken burger with avocado and their epic Phuket Lobster Thermidor. 094 604 0172
DIM suM CAFe, Kamala
Dim sum & Vietnamese: Located in Kamala, Dim Sum Café serves up fresh, homemade dim sum and Vietnamese dishes. Dim sum is excellent here, and it is highly recommended to try the Vietnamese nem which are fried spring rolls stuffed with chicken or pork. 063 896 9716
LA
Italian: A pizzeria, i talian restaurant and deli located in Kathu, La Casina Rossa specialises in traditional i talian dishes with authentic tastes. Enjoy flavourful pastas, massive pizzas or takeaway cheese and cold cuts from the in-house deli. 061 726 4260
CAsINA ROssA, Kathu
LA CASINA ROSSA
WINDOW ON KARON BISTRO
DIM SUM CAFE
LET’S MEAT BAR & GRILL
Cakes & Coffee: An adorable coffee shop at nai Yang beach, Chill House serves up excellent homemade cakes and delicious coffee. The cakes are some of the fanciest you’ll find in Phuket, and in addition to being delicious, are beautifully presented. Highly recommended is the new York Cheesecake. 086 947 9090
THe BeACH CuIsINe, bang Tao
Mediterranean: A beachfront restaurant owned and operated by a French & Thai chef, The beach Cuisine is popular for its fresh Mediterranean dishes. Every Sunday, the restaurant offers up Wood Fired Seafood Paella and make sure to check out their Couscous Friday with lamb shank, chicken and Moroccan beef meatballs. 093 668 5182
THe PANWA CAFe, Cape Panwa
International & Thai: A completely Halal restaurant in Cape Panwa, The Panwa Cafe offers up scrump-tious, authentic Thai fare, noodle dishes, sandwiches and pizza. Try one of their fusion dishes such as the creamy, crunchy Spinach Roti with cheese. 083 592 7544
FIVe LOAVes BuRGeRs & CAFÉ, Phuket Town
International: A cute café in Phuket Town, FiVE Loaves burgers & Café serves up juicy home-made burgers served on housemade buns, crunchy French fries and authentic milkshakes. Quality ingredients and fresh produce make the burgers a tasty treat. Highly recommended is the Classic Cheeseburger Set. 092 920 3233
sALsA MeXICANA, Patong
Mexican & Thai: nestled between Kamala and Patong, Salsa Mexicana serves up authentic Mexican favoUrites such as sizzling fajitas and stacked nachos, freshly made Thai food, European favoUrites and a stocked tequila bar. With a great location on the cliff, Salsa Mexicana is perfect for a romantic sunset dinner. 082 287 4287
Foodies is compiled by Amy Bensema, copywriter & content creator Amy is an American expat who has lived in Phuket since 2008. A longtime contributor to Window on Phuket, Amy seeks out unique local experiences & off the beaten path attractions which truly highlight the island’s natural charm & Phuketian flavour. She also writes feature articles on travel & Phuket’s dynamic dining scene. https://bensemaamy.contently.com
THE PANWA CAFE
CHILL HOuse, nai Yang
THE BEACH CUISINE
CHILL HOUSE
SALSA MEXICANA
FIVE LOAVES BURGERS & CAFE
Uniquely Phuket: Discovering the island’s
Sino-Portuguese Style
Phuket is a diverse island. Popular for its plentiful beaches, the island boasts a wide variety of activities to please holidaymakers. beyond the beaches, Phuket is most famous for its party scene and glitzy lifestyle; however, there is another side to this tropical paradise that is well worth exploring.
Phuket truly has a unique culture and an interesting history. During the 18th century, much of Phuket’s booming tin mining was carried out by Hokkien Chinese. i t was the Hokkien Chinese who became most invested in building the part of the island that is now referred to as Phuket old Town. Two styles of buildings became popular during this time: shophouses and mansions depicting the Sino-Portuguese style of design and architecture.
Two styles of buildings became popular in Phuket during the 18th century: shophouses and mansions depicting the Sino-Portuguese style of design and architecture.
The Sino-Portuguese buildings of Phuket provide a certain charm to Old Town and are lovely backdrops for photographs
The island’s unique history and culture is worth exploring in Phuket Old Town
up close and personal with the old town’s shophouses
Centered around Dibuk, Thalang and Krabi roads, Phuket old Town is a must-do when visiting Phuket. Take a walking tour around the old town, famous for its SinoPortuguese buildings and cultural heritage. This central area of Phuket provides an interesting glimpse into local life set against the backdrop of colourful, beautifully preserved shophouses. Many of the shophouses have been passed down through generations of local families, and even today, families both live and conduct business in the shophouses of Phuket old Town.
b uilt in rows, the island’s shophouses are all similar in make and design. Each shophouse is approximately five metres wide, but can be up to fifty metres long.
Phuket Old Town’s famous Thalang Road is alive colorful Sino-Portuguese shophouses and unique street art
built in rows, the island’s shophouses are all similar in make and design. Each shophouse is approximately five metres wide, but can be up to fifty metres long. The sheer length of the shophouses offers spacious living quarters for families and an interesting area to admire and explore when permitted. Most feature a living room as well as another space that is open to the sky, allowing cool air to flow in. The rear of the shophouses tends to feature a kitchen and wash room, while upstairs is the family’s private area and bedrooms.
There is no doubt that the Sino-Portuguese shophouses are lovely. Each colourful shophouse features distinct architecture and a colourful facade. Many of the shophouses have been restored to quite close to their former natural state. The Sino-Portuguese shophouses are the darlings of Phuket old Town and make for stunning photographs.
Soi Rommanee is a charming lane perfect for photographs and selfies
sino-colonial mansions in Phuket
i f you find the Phuket old Town shophouses to your liking and have a passion for old houses, it is definitely worth exploring a bit further afield. Keep a sharp eye out and you are sure to discover some of Phuket’s amazing old mansions, many of which are hidden just behind or amongst some of the more modern buildings that have taken over the island.
A small number of Phuket’s old mansions have been restored and are fully functional. These buildings now serve as government offices, museums, kindergartens, boutique hostels and restaurants. These restored mansions are a real reflection of the colonial period, and without a doubt add a bit of unexpected charm to any visitor’s Phuket experience. Even so, it is the now unoccupied, dilapidated and even a bit eerie mansions that are the real treasure.
Massive, a bit worse for wear and majestic in their ruin, these old, abandoned SinoColonial mansions really do showcase so much character. The mansions truly are beautiful, and when standing in front of one, appreciating its detailed design, it is easy to imagine a very different Phuket. 100 years ago or more, these mansions surely must have been the talk of the island while being constructed as well as giving their owners a certain sense of affluence in the community.
Baan Chinpracha is a living museum open to the public
Mansion behind the Thavorn Museum
Thai Hua Museum is a glowing example of the beautiful SinoColonial architecture
Hidden in Phuket Town, the Limpanon House is one of the most beautiful Sino-colonial mansions on the island
Mansions in the Sino-colonial style started popping up all over town during the tin mining boom, as many wealthy Chinese immigrants built them to use as their family home. Most of the mansions were designed with a large covered porch leading to the main entrance of the house. A terrace on the upper floor and a courtyard in the middle of the mansion were also notable design features.
i nterestingly enough, the courtyard was also the location of the family well, which often made it a busy place. Water would be brought to the master’s quarters by servants, and the courtyard is where general washing and bathing would also take place.
A few of Phuket’s larger Sino-colonial hidden mansions have more than one courtyard. Although it is left to the imagination, it is quite easy to assume that the owners of these mansions must have amassed an awesome amount of wealth. The tin mining industry brought much prosperity to Phuket, and it is good that we can appreciate that era through these lovely shophouses and mansions left behind.
Phuket’s history truly is eclectic and intriguing. There is more to this island than just beaches and parties. So much of Phuket’s true heritage is uniquely preserved through the restoration and upkeep of Phuket old Town’s famous Sino-Portuguese style shophouses and the exquisite Sinocolonial mansions – Phuket’s true hidden gems.
Massive and majestic, the old mansions evoke memories of a very different Phuket
FOUR
POINTS BY SHERATON
PHUKET PATONG BEACH RESORT UNVEILS WORLD-CLASS MICE FACILITIES FOR LONG-AWAITED OCEANFRONT EVENTS AND WEDDINGS
With two ballrooms, seven meeting rooms and extensive alfresco space, this new beachfront resort invites corporate planners and wedding organizers to look to the future and create unforgettable experiences.
Bangkok, Thailand, 13 May 2021 – Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, the brandnew international resort in Phuket’s most dynamic district, is set to become the destination-of-choice for events and wedding organizers in the post-pandemic era, after it unveiled its impressive new MICE facilities, including spectacular indoor and alfresco spaces that overlook the Andaman Sea.
Having started welcoming guests on 1st october 2020, this contemporary beachfront hotel has now embarked on the exciting second phase of its opening, as it invites event planners to see how they can create business meetings or social soirées that live long in the memory. With two ballrooms, seven breakout rooms, pre-function spaces, outdoor terraces and verdant lawns, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong beach Resort will be able to host any size and type of event, from intimate occasions to the grandest gettogethers, once the world starts to open up again.
The hotel’s 495-square meter, 500-guest Akara Grand ballroom, with its six-meter-high ceilings and ocean views, sets the stage for major company conferences, glittering
award ceremonies and gala dinners, while the 180-square meter Kathu Junior ballroom has a capacity of 176 people for seminars, product launches, media briefings and more. both ballrooms are blessed with spacious foyers, can be set up in a range of different layouts and divided into smaller spaces, offering full flexibility for organizers, while state-of-the-art audio-visual technology will bring every event to life.
Seven other function rooms can cater for important strategy sessions, board meetings or workshops, while the inviting outdoor areas – including the grass lawn, garden terrace and sparkling poolside – present beautiful backdrops for teambuilding sessions, sundown receptions and evening dinners.
The azure Andaman Sea provides a beautiful backdrop to events at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort
The Akara Grand Ballroom is a spectacular space with elevated ceilings
A diverse selection of themed breakout and catering options is available, including Phuket’s best brews™, as part of Four Points’ signature local best brew program, and the hotel’s professional team will be on hand to provide inspiration and ensure that every function runs smoothly and seamlessly.
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong beach Resort is also an enchanting venue for one-of-a-kind weddings. From elegant alfresco ceremonies on the lawn or terrace to lavish celebrations in a choice of ballrooms, the hotel’s dedicated team of experts will create breath-taking occasions that the happy couple will treasure forever. With a long list of trusted local partners, stylish set-up options and creative catering, every “big day” can be crafted to the exact dreams and desires of each couple.
To celebrate the launch of its MiCE facilities, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong beach Resort is now offering a series of attractive packages and promotions, with flexible terms and plenty of rewarding extras.
Under “The Time is now” offer, corporate planners who book their meeting or conference between now and 31st December
2021, and host it by 31st December 2022, will enjoy a choice of benefits including one complimentary guest for every 10 paid delegates, double Marriott bonvoy points, or one free room night for every 15 paid nights. And that’s not all! The hotel is also offering 20% off themed full-day meeting packages and local experiences. To learn more, please visit marriotteventsasia.com/thetimeisnow.
For future newlyweds, a choice of attractive packages is now available, starting from just THb 59,000 net and including a romantic overnight stay, an exquisite ceremony, floral decorations, dining and more, so every couple can give their wedding a wow factor.
With 600 contemporary rooms and suites including 200 twin bedrooms, capable of accommodating every guest or delegate under one roof, a collection of five restaurants and bars, and world-class leisure facilities including three swimming pools and a 24-hour gym, all in a soothing seafront setting just 38km from Phuket i nternational Airport, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong beach Resort sets the stage for sensational seafront events.
All guests and delegates can rest assured that Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong beach Resort upholds the highest standards of health and hygiene. i n line with Marriott i nternational’s “Commitment to Clean” certification program and official regulations, the resort operates enhanced sanitation standards across all areas of the property. These include deeper and more frequent cleaning, with extra attention given to high-traffic areas, and social distancing in all parts of the hotel. The resort has also achieved the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification.
FO u R PO int S By SHERAtO n
PH u KE t PAtO n G BEACH RESOR t 198/8-9 Thawewong Rd. Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand
The elegant Garden Terrace presents an exquisite setting for alfresco weddings
Event planners can take advantage of themed breakouts and creative catering
ADVERTORIAL
UWC Thailand becomes a full member in the Global UWC movement
On 16 April 2021, UWC Thailand was officially granted full member status to the United World College (UWC) movement, ending its probationary status which it has held since 2016 when it first joined.
The UWC i nternational Board recognised that there has been a significant positive change with regard to the governance structure, personnel and funding of UWC Thailand, as well as an agile response to the difficult current year.
Jens Waltermann, Executive director of UWC i nternational, said “UWC Thailand for many years has made important and innovative contributions to UWC education, be it through its Mindfulness programmes or arrowsmith. after its impressive transition to becoming a school firmly rooted in, and carried
by, its school community, we have also seen a recommitment to scholarship provision and to building a true residential community on the beautiful UWC Thailand campus. i am more than happy – on behalf of the UWC i nternational Board – to reconfirm UWC Thailand’s status as one of the 18 UWCs around the globe.”
as a full member, UWC Thailand will continue to extend the distinctive UWC educational model, vision and mission to this part of the world and offer more students access to its progressive global programme.
“We would like to thank everyone in the UWC i nternational Office, the i nternational Board and the Probation Panel for their decision and endorsement of our school. We are excited
about the future ahead,” Ben gilmartin, deputy Chair of the UWC Thailand School Board explains. “a lot of work has been done in the past year, despite Covid, to establish UWC Thailand firmly and deliver the visionary education that UWC offers in asia. We are stronger than ever before.”
This news follows two positive re-accreditation reports that UWC Thailand received in the past six months from the i nternational Baccalaureate (iB) and the Council of i nternational Schools (CiS). These accreditations demonstrate UWC Thailand’s ability to meet and exceed the high standards of professional practice iB and CiS demand for international education, as well as UWCT’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“The most distinguishing feature, and greatest strength, of the school is its engagement and action within and beyond the school community. The mission and values the school truly believes in, promises and practises are outstanding. Using the
five pillars, and the educational model as an organisational structure, the impact of student learning is authentic, significant, and powerful.
“The evaluation team saw positivity, genuine warmth, and enthusiasm with which staff and students approach their work in the school, and it is clear that the school culture is a result of intent, concerted effort and belief in the mission of the school. The new governance structure is sustainable for the future of the school, but it was the belief in the mission that sustained the school community during 2020.” – CiS Evaluation Report
“We are very proud to be a member of the UWC movement. i t has taken an immense amount of belief, time and effort from everyone to make this happen, from our Boards, leadership team and our amazing community of staff, to the students and parents who had faith in what we are doing.
UWC Thailand truly is a community like no other,” commented Jason McBride, UWC Thailand head of School.
Clean energy on the rise in Thailand
There is no question that green energy is becoming more and more popular around the world. Thailand is currently developing one of the world’s biggest hybrid floating solar farms. The h ydro-Solar project has more than 144,400 solar panels that are currently being installed on a reservoir in northeastern Thailand; it covers an area of about 226 football pitches. The hybrid facility can switch between the solar panels and dam turbines to generate energy. When finished in June, the solar farm and dam will have a 45-megawatt capacity. Thailand plans to replicate the model at eight more dams over the coming 16 years. The country aims to draw 35 percent of its energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2037.
Riverhouse Phuket is a villa development project with the vision of using green energy throughout the development. not only have we installed 10,000 kilowatt panels on the rooftops of each villa, but we have also installed electric vehicle chargers in our common area for those who are like minded. Everything from air-conditioning, dehumidifier, and hot water systems have been carefully designed and thought through to make Riverhouse Phuket, a truly environmentally friendly home.
The vR v air conditioning system by daikin is what keeps you comfortable indoors while enjoying tropical island weather. along with double-tinted glass panels in our
living area, argon gas filled in the space between the two panels helps further insulate the space and keep the inside cool. dehumidifier systems are placed in all bedrooms to keep the humidity at a level that avoids that moldy smell when you are back from several months away from home. as an eco-friendly development, we like to add green areas into every corner of our villas, so planter boxes have been designed to offer privacy at the same time helping you feel like you are living surrounded by nature.
Electric vehicle charger
Solar panels rooftop
With more people around the world looking into coming back, or even relocating, to Thailand, we definitely have a lot of interest, especially when considering our convenient location – only 800 metres away from Boat avenue, which has international supermarkets, restaurants, etc. and only one kilometre from Porto de Phuket by Centra groups, the lifestyle mall and international supermarket. Because Riverhouse Phuket is very convenient to get around, we have had rental enquiries coming in from early on; a rental programme is available for interested investors.
One cannot deny that this is an interesting time for Phuket; the province is trying to get business back to normal in order to help the economy of the island in general. according to the plan, Phuket has been selected as a pilot province and has set a goal to vaccinate at least 70 percent of its population in order to achieve herd immunity. That will allow Phuket to reopen to vaccinated tourists once again.
i t is an interesting time, not only for Phuket, but for all of us around the globe. Stay safe and stay tuned for the latest green energy updates from Riverhouse Phuket.
RIVERHOUSE
143 Pasak soi 1, Bandon-Cherngtalay Rd., Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110
The zenith of fine living. Where luxury meets exceptional value.
This new development of 29 stylish and modern pool villas is located in the Pasak area of Cherngtalay, one of the most sought-after residential areas in the north of Phuket, Thailand.
Zenithy offers contemporary tropical living with a touch of glamour, featuring an interior design concept in light brown tones with gold and grey finishes, giving the villas a luxurious yet warm and welcoming ambiance. Each villa is surrounded by verdant landscaping and green mountain views. Zenithy Pool villas seamlessly blend elegant modern design together with high quality materials and a touch of nature.
These chic modern villas feature a stylish openplan living area with double-height ceiling and tall glass windows that create a bright and airy interior. Beside the dining area is a fullyequipped open kitchen complete with island. On the other end of the living area, the gorgeous master bedroom features a walk-in closet and spacious ensuite bathroom with separate bathtub and shower.
Both the living area and master bedroom open to the pool terrace beside an inviting 3 x 9 metre private pool with a salt chlorination system that is kinder to your skin. at the front of the villas is a covered double carport and storage.
an interior staircase leads to the upper floor where you find two en-suite bedrooms, both with private balconies. an additional family living area maximises relaxation and leisure space.
With an attractive starting price of 14.xx million Baht, Zenithy Pool villas are an exceptional choice as fulltime residences, holiday homes or pure investment with promising capital gains and rental income potential, especially considering the ideal location.
Zenithy’s prime location ensures residents experience a secluded environment that is only a few minutes’ drive from a wealth of amenities and lifestyle destinations. Within a short drive are the famous Bang Tao and Layan beaches, upscale supermarkets, luxury resorts, golf clubs, beach clubs, nightlife, and a wide choice of dining options.
Zenithy Pool villas is developed by Jenjad Pattana development Co., Ltd (JJP), a world-class developer that is a cooperation between an experienced investor and an exceptional realtor with many years of experience in the Phuket real estate market. The company provides complete project development services to discerning investors as well as a consulting service.
The Zenithy common area is managed by k night Frank, the international property management expert that takes care of over 26 properties with more than 10,000 residential units in Phuket.
ZENITHY POOL VILLAS
79/2 Moo. 4, Pasak Soi 8, Baandon-Chengtalay Rd., Chengtalay, Thalang district, Phuket Thailand
home i n Phuket is a leading real estate agency on the island of Phuket, Thailand. We only list the best properties, handpicked by our experienced team with many decades of experience in Phuket’s real estate market. Our experience encompasses not only property sales but also construction, project management, and property development. By leveraging our expansive property database, network of co-brokers, market trends and community information, knowledge and experience, we are well-positioned to assist you in finding your dream home in Phuket. From start to finish we provide advice to ensure the most appropriate choice of property, assisting with negotiations to reach an agreed price for the property, and continue to liaise with all parties in the process until the property is legally transferred to the new owner.
i f you are looking to purchase a property in Phuket, whether as a holiday home, investment or permanent residence don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Home in Phuket Co., Ltd.
35/512 Moo. 2, k oh k eaw, Muang district, Phuket Thailand
which includes consultancy, the supply of a wide range of accessories and machinery for installation and finishing, as well as care and maintenance products.
visit our website www.tile-asia.com for more information on our tiles, accessories and service. Scan the QR code below for quick access. Or drop by and visit us.
Our Phuket showroom is located in an easily accessible area of Cherng Talay at Baan Wana Park, not more than five minutes from the Two heroines Monument.
Discover the tile solution that’s a cut above the rest
are you a home owner searching for tiles that are ‘different’ – with a touch of class? you’re yet to be inspired by anything you’ve seen? Then a visit to our professional, friendly team at tile-it will be the answer.
Our unconfused showroom displays take the ‘bazaar’ out of tile selection, while our knowledgable showroom team are happy to listen to your needs and to offer real solutions – based on a stunning range of imported i talian tiles, as well as our own range of porcelain floor tiles, made to European standards, from China to cater for tighter budgets.
Or are you a developer looking for a reliable, serviceoriented and knowledgeable supplier of top quality imported porcelain tiles who won’t let you down and will always go that ‘extra mile’.
Service is key at tile-it, both the tendering of expert pre-sales advice and an impressive after-sales service,
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In the current real estate market, a by-product of Covid-19, Phuket buyers are finding some bargains. This article aims to provide a clear explanation of the choices you face between buying a condo, house or villa in Phuket, and whether a freehold or leasehold legal ownership structure is the best option for you.
Most foreigners are aware that the law allows them to own a freehold condominium in perpetuity, and that the title deed may be registered in their own name at the Phuket Land department.
The Condominium act states that every condominium project may sell 49% of its unit area as freehold to foreigners. The remaining 51% must be owned by Thai nationals, but some foreigners choose to buy a 30-year leasehold on these units.
Whether freehold or leasehold, the west coast condo market in Phuket is driven predominantly by foreigners, who must decide which option represents the soundest investment for their own circumstances.
Most buyers are looking for an asset that they can sell at a profit in a few years’ time, and for these buyers leasehold units make no sense. a leasehold is a temporary form of occupancy with certain options for a renewal (or perhaps in some circumstances possibly changing it to a freehold), and because of this the condo could depreciate in value during the term of the lease. The choice between a depreciating asset and an appreciating one should be a no-brainer.
There is also the question of whether the promise of a lease renewal will ever be honoured. any renewal arrangement with an individual owner is not legally binding on their descendants, and even companies which make these promises may have a limited lifespan. They may just decide to close down, may go bankrupt, titles may be frozen by Revenue department or other court orders may force them to cease business. i t is possible that a change in ownership and/or shareholders (or even a change of heart) can mean an eagerly anticipated lease renewal never materializes.
however, this does not mean leasehold properties are always a bad idea for the buyer – quite the contrary. For example, someone in their 70s looking for a home for the next 20 years might find an excellently priced leasehold with 20 or 25 years remaining. This could be ideal, especially if the equivalent freehold property is significantly more expensive. Right now, with some bargains to be found, finding a leasehold condo which matches the buyer’s needs and their budget would make perfect sense.
The choices become a little more complicated, however, when we consider the bargains currently available for buying villas, houses, bungalows or town homes. We all know that foreigners cannot purchase landed property in Thailand, so they must decide on the means of legal ownership or control with which they are most comfortable.
a Thai Company may be used to satisfy local ownership requirements, but any new buyer today must ensure their company can stand up to thorough legal scrutiny. i t is possible to form a fully compliant Thai company, but please note it may not be cost efficient to set up and operate a company. Should you establish that it is worthwhile, then it is vital you use an experienced and competent lawyer to ensure the company adheres to all the corporate laws of Thailand. i t is important to understand that it is the Thai Company – not the foreign individual – who owns the property or land. The main advantage of this ownership structure is that your property may be easily sold to either a Thai national or another
foreigner. Thai buyers (including foreigners married to Thai spouses) comprise an increasing percentage of properties sold, making this choice far superior to other legal ownership structures if the main concern is ease of selling in the future.
Leasehold villas also remain popular with some buyers. Whereas a Thai Company allows absolute ownership with proprietary rights, a leasehold villa, by contrast, is more akin to a long-term rental. While not ownership in the traditional sense of the word, the lessee enjoys exclusive possession and the exclusive right to use the property.
developers will generally offer a new buyer an additional 30-year lease after expiration of the first one and/or offer to convert the leasehold land to a freehold at any time, and most fully intend to honour that promise. But as with a leasehold condominium, this is never cast in stone. a developer may go bankrupt or sell their company; key people may pass away and leave decisions to their beneficiaries. as circumstances change, the “guaranteed” renewal becomes more and more tenuous.
and it stands to reason that any changing circumstances which result in the guarantees not being fulfilled will significantly reduce the resale value of the leasehold, or even make it virtually impossible to sell in the future.
The risks associated with such unforeseen events can be at least partially mitigated by the foreigner ensuring that they are given ownership of the home itself, i.e. the bricks and mortar. While this still does not guarantee a renewal or a future freehold conversion, it does offer the foreigner a certain level of protection. i rrespective of changes in the land owner, the foreigner will still own the physical building in which he lives.
There are other measures which can be used to protect foreign buyers, blending the concepts of freehold and leasehold. Using a legitimate Thai Company Limited (meaning it has proper Thai shareholders, is run a like a business, generates revenue, submits accounts and pays taxes), the foreigner can then lease the land from the company, while also owning the building structure themselves for added security and protection.
i t is important to remember, getting a bargain in the current economic climate means far more than buying the property at (or below) its fair value. i t also means ensuring that you have chosen the right legal ownership structure for your personal circumstances. a bargain can soon become a “lemon” without proper understanding of the laws in Thailand. think4photop/shutterstock.com
This article is from the Thai Residential Phuket Property Guide. To download the 2019/2020 Guide visit ThaiResidential.com by Thai Residential Phuket Property Guide
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What kind of justice do you deserve?
Are you, like most humans, a liar, a cheat, dishonest, biased, prejudiced and snobby?
Making an effort to self-reflect: This is a deliberately provocative title, in keeping with the ever-increasing rise of social media campaigns designed to capture the consumer’s interest through attention entrapment. Combining a reading of law with any other substantive subject such as science, psychology, sociology or politics can provide a consilience of ideas revealing about humanity, and a general dearth of ability to properly self-reflect without serious effort.
Understanding these issues exist is not limited to legal minds; much of society realises that there is a disintegration of norms and values causing global friction. Serious effort to self-reflect has become more challenging with the mountainous advent of superficial and shallow representations of humanity, most notably on Tik Tok, i nstagram and other forums which, despite potentially offering a forum for positive developmental communications, are unfortunately the receptacles of some of the most shallow and narcissistic attacks on the time of multiple generations of ‘digital consumers’.
How iMperfect are You? Self-reflecting as much as possible, i am an imperfect human being. My body is quite obviously far from a ‘perfect’ shape using primeval-esque criteria or a doctor’s handbook as an assessment method – which i don’t use when i observe or interact with other humans.
My mind has been assaulted by junk information for many years, although i try hard to filter and to absorb intellectually information where possible – but this is sometimes like swimming in the great Pacific garbage Patch.
i have made many life mistakes and i haven’t learned properly from all of them; i am not alone, thankfully. i have been mean to others, sometimes when i meant to be mean and sometimes through carelessness and i regret this, which is woefully inadequate as a remedy. There are worse misdemeanours, but i won’t list them here because other humans are excellent exploiters and will use such information as leverage, and i actually don’t trust most humans.
i am not writing an article criticising humanity from a position of superiority. My life ‘successes’ to date are truly meaningless in the timeline of humanity, and as a close friend often reminds me when we have occasion to meet, most of us are going to be forgotten after we die so worrying about our own importance now is meaningless and fruitless. i think the world might be a less egotistical darwin-oriented free-for-all if a greater percentage of the populous admitted their lives have human meaning based on more than individual pursuits for gain. Shallow status seekers really are wasting their time and everybody else’s.
global cHaos wHirlpool reflects HuMan cHaos: The poor state of part of humanity is reflected most obviously in the polarisation of ideologies in global politics, the increasing divide between haves and have-nots, the abuse of concentration of power by undemocratic states, and the abuse of shadow control and power by so-called democratic states. This has been accentuated by the COvid19 pandemic. Some
of the worst behavioural traits of mankind have manifested themselves in full view of and scrutiny by most of the world due to the speed and efficiency of digital communications. anti-vaxxers, pro-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, conspiracy and control cartel deniers, greedy self-serving state officials, careless negligent leaders allowing their citizens to be unnecessarily exposed to health risks, citizens not caring about their elderly, youngsters or other citizens as a trade off against their own selfish idea of freedoms. The list is close to endless.
Don’t cite tHe law as otHer people’s slave Master: This is a wake-up call to those who refer to ‘the law’, ‘in accordance with rules’ and other misguided beliefs in the ‘foundations’ of a legal framework, without any recognition of the purpose of law. This is a rejection of the stalwarts and dogmatic hypocritical snobby prudes who, out of sight behind closed doors, are totally fine with breaking social norms and the law, provided they aren’t caught or identified in the process. Law is a reflection of societal norms; it is implemented in imperfect political systems by imperfect societies in an imperfect world. To refer to it as an immoveable definitive object is to deny the purpose of justice itself. Law often falls behind evolution of ideas and is often implemented to reflect electoral demand for a new legal regime, or international pressure to update global society, trade, business or the trend of the year. By its nature, law must be adaptable and must be adapted. That is because law governs humans and creatures on earth. none of us is static, nor can the law that beats at the heart of how we function be.
o ur Min D s are co M plex, i ntuitive an D i nstinctive, anD we Must self-regulate: Many humans function with similar patterns or behaviour, but there are millions of differences due to the complexities of brains and physical make up. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Johnathan haidt, is an amazing book that explores how our minds typically work – the engagement of the ‘intuitive’ part of our brain prior to the ‘analytical part’ – and how this function and embedded genetic or hereditary values combine to cause political discord and polarisation. applying The Righteous Mind to some classic Orwell works, namely The Road to Wigan Pier and Keep the Aspidistra Flying, it is quickly apparent that the human race’s fuel appears to contain a large percentage of liquid snobbery.
s nobberY is a M eans to p revent t H e working c lass fro M e levation: i n the i ndustrial Revolution in the United k ingdom, coal miners, the ‘working class’ and the ‘poor’ were looked down upon as the ‘great unwashed’, considered deserving of the squalid conditions they occupied, pushed into the mental box of ‘uneducated and therefore better for nothing other than manual labour’ and generally avoided by the middle class and elites whenever possible.
Looking around in asia today, the same issues can be seen manifested in the acceleration of growth of the middle
class and the scramble for higher peaks by the already ‘high’ societal enclaves. The poor and working class, immigrants and migrants are often mistreated and considered ‘dirty’, ‘foreign’ and only good for a purpose to be determined by a state and the ruling class. and yet, this same group of people are called upon to fuel growth, construction, foreign direct investment and support of their despisers. i f you aren’t driving a Benz, BMW or Ferrari, you just aren’t ‘successful’. This is 84 years after The Road to Wigan Pier was written. Technology develops fast, civilisation and virtuous behaviour, not so quickly.
aside from the ‘hard’ actions we as citizens can put into play to try and improve our communities, such as altruistic behaviour, charitable contribution, overly promoted beach clean-ups and much flouted “i am taking a canvas bag to the supermarket” campaigns, there is a lot we human beings can do to change society for the better – me included.
This applies whether or not a person is guilty of some of the misdemeanours in the title of this article. We can all start calling out our own snobbery – where someone lives, what car they drive, how they were educated, their accent and our perception of their ‘background’ – and replace these stigma-compounding thoughts with warmth and interest, not highlighting uncomfortable differences, and helping those that want it, without expectation of reward.
We should stop lying to ourselves that what we read, what we observe is ethically ‘wrong’ and ‘unfair’, and that we are inherently fair inside. We humans are not fair – we are natural takers and exploiters; we have to regulate our minds and discipline so that we don’t ‘take too much’ from each other and from the planet we live on. We cheat ourselves and, when we promise to do more, we are lazy to fulfil that promise. We are dishonest when we jump on a social media
thread and quickly criticise others with our ‘righteous minds’, not pausing to consider other points of view, the possibility that circumstances might have produced an extraordinary outcome or bad decision and that under pressure and stress we may also make the same mistakes.
i aM tHe l aw, You are tHe l aw, we are tHe l aw: if we want to cite laws to improve, we must improve our society and the system through which law is implemented. Law is a product of ourselves, and society has a collective responsibility for dysfunctional law. if we allow states to use their invented laws to murder their own citizens in the streets, supress and imprison journalists for reporting, and support modern concentration camps humiliating people for their religious preference, then we can’t point to the ‘law’ and say ‘it is what it is’. The law is us, we are the law, we are responsible.
“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5 [k ing James Bible]
By Desmond Hughes, Senior Partner of Hughes Krupica. hughes krupica
is a law firm which specialises in Real Estate; Construction; hospitality; Corporate; Commercial; Personal injury; dispute Resolution; and Litigation, operating in Bangkok and Phuket, servicing clients in relation to their business activities in Thailand and in other regions of asia. www.hugheskrupica.com
