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Welcome to www.samuipropertyonline.com, the online
version of Samui Property, an independent monthly property and real
estate broadsheet newspaper published by Siam Map Co. Ltd. On Koh Samui
in Thailand. Samui Property offers impartial, objective monthly news,
articles, stories, legal advice and information, zone maps, photos,
classified adverts and features about real estate, property, villas,
developments, homes, house and land for sale and other real estate
related items on Koh Samui. Come back every month for fresh news and
information on the Koh Samui Property and Real Estate Market.
Star Attraction
Samui isn’t just a desirable destination for the average holidaymaker, it’s now high on the list for superstars, too.
For many years sitting on the beach and gazing up at the stars has been a memorable experience of any stay on Samui. But, up until fairly recently, it’s been a purely night-time occurrence. However, as Samui’s reputation continues to improve it seems that star gazing on the island is taking on a completely new meaning.
Samui is, without doubt, one of the leading tropical island destinations in the world. And any luxury destination will attract a number of celebrities. The difference here is that not only are famous people coming to sample the Samui hospitality, but many are investing in real-estate and hoping to buy a piece of the relaxing island lifestyle.
Having well-known visitors and residents can have exciting repercussions on the tourism industry for the island. Some celebrities are hugely popular, interesting, and incredibly influential. And not just for love-sick teenagers with a crush. Tabloid newspapers and glossy magazines, filled with pictures and gossip about the stars, consistently outsell more serious journalism and literature. People of all ages love to know what famous people are up to; who they’re with; and where they are.
And it goes further than mere nosiness. People are influenced by everything the stars say and do. It’s not a coincidence that sports, movie or music stars often earn more money for endorsing products than in their actual careers. For example, if Brad Pitt is photographed in a magazine drinking a particular brand of drink, its sales will go up. Similarly, if Angelina Jolie is in the same picture wearing a certain make of sunglasses, again sales will be impacted. And, if that picture is taken on a beach on Samui, it will attract a lot of people who will want to see what the island has that can attract such superstars.
Samui is actually the perfect relaxing getaway for those living in the spotlight. Although it’s a relatively small island it has an extraordinary choice of exclusive luxury hotels and private villas where the stars can remain anonymous, if they wish. It’s also easy to find a spectacular stretch of beach with either no-one else on it or at least only a handful of people.
In addition to the ability to stay out of the public view, for those that do venture out from the privacy of their own accommodation, the nature of Thai people is very non-intrusive in comparison to other places. And, when discretion is required, it can be achieved here. The laid-back atmosphere of the island offers an ideal escape and this specific asset may be one of the reasons why so many sports stars seem to find their way here. The World Cup winning Italian football team, golfer Vijay Singh, Aussie Rules players, Rugby Union and Rugby League players, as well as Formula 1 stars Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton have all been visitors.
The recent much-publicised, but unphotographed, trip to Thailand by David Beckham and his family was proof that even the most high-profile of international superstars can come here and remain practically invisible. So much so that people now doubt whether the Beckhams were actually here at all. But the rumours persist that the couple are investing in a holiday home right here on Samui. Manchester City manager, Sven Goran Erikkson and ex Premiership referee, Graham Poll have been more open about their real-estate purchases on the impressive Peregrina Bay Complex, and you can expect more big names from the world of football to buy homes on this development soon.World number-one tennis star Justine Henin has also been happy to confirm that she’s bought a home, this one at the Infinity Samui project.
Resort residences such as those offered at Karma Samui are continuously linked with stars from the world of sport, fashion, movies and music. And the many new branded residences are likely to follow suit.
The list of stars rumoured to already have homes here, or that have looked at property on the island includes music megastars Mick Jagger, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams. Hundreds of other recognisable faces come to the island regularly, not all are A-list stars who would be known by everyone. For instance, stars from British soap operas such as EastEnders and Coronation Street have allegedly been seen here. In fact, everyone you talk to has a story about one celebrity or another that’s been seen. Each celebrity that arrives is a potential property investor in the same way as any other visitor.
In relation to celebrity real-estate on the island, about four years ago the popular TV program A Place in The Sun did a celebrity special-edition on Samui featuring British TV presenter Gail Porter and her (then) husband, guitarist Dan Hipgrave. The show takes people around a number of homes within their price range in the place where they wish to buy. Gail and Dan looked around a selection of properties on Samui. And, for many British people, this show was probably the first time they’d ever heard of or seen the beauty of Samui. The fact that it was aired on a cold Christmas Day made the island seem even more desirable to some.
It makes sense that celebrities will be attracted to Samui. Every day new tourists arrive and a very high percentage of them return year after year. People fall in love with the island and want to own a home here. They then return to their countries and promote Samui to their friends, families and colleagues. So why should the celebrity world be any different. Samui has all of the luxuries that anyone could wish for and the more celebrities that come, the more are likely to follow. And as an added bonus when a celebrity is pictured here, or mentions Samui in an interview on TV or in a magazine, it raises the profile of the island for a much bigger audience. Each star that’s rumoured to be buying property or holidaying here will encourage more visitors to see what the fuss is about.
Developments like Peregrina Bay, Infinity Samui and Karma Samui have already proved attractive for stars wanting to invest in property. Other new developments will be equally as attractive for celebrities; hotels like Sila Evason and SALA Samui often entertain superstars. The newer Four Seasons, Conrad, W Hotels, D2 and The Banyan Tree hotels will all cater to superstar guests as well as offering them real-estate investments, so it’s highly possible that over the coming months and years, sitting on the beach looking at the stars may become just as popular a daytime event as it now is in the evening.
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