newsREPORT
fast facts The website TripAdvisor. com has issued a list of its top 10 beaches to visit in Asia. No less than seven of them are in Thailand. Top spot went to Boracay in the Philippines closely followed by Koh Phi Phi Don, the beach made famous in the film of the same name. Next was Ko Lanta (3); Ko Phangan (4); Koh Tao (5); Kata Beach (6); Candolim in India (7); Chaeweng (8); Nusa Dua in Indonesia (9) and Bophut (10) completes the list.
The Vineyard nominated for Asian property ‘Oscar’ The Vineyard developments near Lake Mabprachan are in line for yet another major property award. The company behind The Vineyard, Bravo Thai Lifestyle, is one of three Thai companies nominated in the Asia Pacific region’s “Property Single Unit” class of the prestigious International Property Awards. In each of the past two years the company has been highly commended in the Thailand Property Awards. “It’s important to point out that we have been chosen from the entire country,” said Bravo’s boss, Terrence (Terry) Allen Collins. “Our successes in the Thailand Property Awards were just about the Eastern Seaboard.” Terry values his company’s inclusion in these latest awards highly. “I regard them as the ‘Oscars’ of global real estate. Just to be nominated and invited to attend the awards ceremony is a great honour for us,” he said.
Bravo will be represented at the awards which will be revealed at a gala presentation dinner held at the end of a two-day Property & Hospitality Summit at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on April 26-27. Covering residential and commercial categories, the prime focus of the International Property Awards is to seek out the best real estate professionals across the globe. Asia Pacific region The KL ceremony will be specifically for the Asia Pacific region. Winners from AP will compete with other top companies from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Arabia later in the year to be confirmed as the world’s best. Last year the AP region scooped 13 of the world’s best awards and this time the region has produced a record number of entries from 17 different countries. No other region has come
close to matching this feat in the 18-year history of the awards. Stuart Shield, president of the International Property Awards, said: “We were amazed and delighted by the enormous number of entries received for the Asia Pacific region this year. “The standard was also extremely high. Any company that wins one of these awards will have shown exceptional levels of professionalism and competence in their respective field. We look forward to seeing how many more ‘world’s best’ accolades the region can win when competing against the rest of the globe.” In an article printed in this magazine two months ago we quoted Bravo’s Terry Collins with reference to the Thailand Property Awards as saying: “If we were to get an award we would regard that as the icing on the cake.” We wish Terry and every company representing Thailand all the best in KL.
Matrix look to the middle of the city The Matrix Group which has made a name for itself with developments in the Pratumnak and Jomtien areas has now turned its attention to a more central site with the announcement of its new City Center Residence project. The development will sit on 4.5 rai between Third Road and Soi Arunothai opposite where the old X-zyte disco used to be. Its three eight-storey buildings will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom fully furnished units. They may have a different location but pre-launch prices will start at less than Bt1m. Our main picture shows the restaurant and gym area which will overlook the large pool. We hope to carry a more detailed report about this project in our May issue. 64•REm•Issue 131•04/2012