So What's New?
A monthly round-up of the latest Samui information.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
So What's New?
A monthly round-up of the latest Samui information
Samui Index
There are few details available at present but if the billboards are to be believed Samui will soon be home to an Index Living Mall. There are few details available at present but if the billboards are to be believed Samui will soon be home to an Index Living Mall.
There are currently eight branches of this popular furniture store in Bangkok and nine elsewhere in Thailand, including other tourist destinations such as Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin. International branches are planned for India, Indonesia and Dubai.
The arrival of such a store will improve the furniture options available to home owners on the island and be a very welcome addition.
The best getting better
The luxury Baan Taling Ngam Resort recently announced a further Bt90 million investment to continue the ongoing upgrades to this already outstanding property.
The new investment will be utilised to complete a modernization programme for guest rooms, villas, public areas and guest services.
The General Manager of Baan Taling Ngam Resort, Nigel Tovey, announced, “While many resorts on Samui are now cutting back on investment plans, we are actually heading in the opposite direction and have embarked on the next stage of a major programme designed to upgrade the hotel. We believe in the future of Samui as an outstanding holiday destination, and we’re showing this by putting our money where our mouth is.”
As part of the improvement plan the resort will see the construction of a 150m pier which will include dining facilities, non-motorised water sports and an on-site dive school. Other upgrades will include a retail delicatessen and boutique as well as a new fitness centre.
The new plans follow a Bt40 million upgrade which has already been completed and the sales team for the resort is soon heading to Australia, the UK and Ireland to help promote the new facilities at Baan Taling Ngam Resort, and the island in general.
Update on tax proposals
It was recently announced by Thailand’s Finance Minister, Khun Korn Chatikavanij,that a draft bill regarding land and property tax will be presented to the Cabinet for consideration in August. If this draft bill is approved it would then be passed onto parliament.
DFDL Crawshaws explains that the land and property tax is aimed at helping property owners make better use of their property and land, especially in terms of selling any that is unused.
The rates of tax, as proposed for used land, are set out as below:
1. Land and property tax for commercial purpose will not exceed 0.5% per annum valued against the appraised price.
2. Land and property tax for residential purpose will not exceed 0.1% per annum valued against the appraised price.
3. Land and property tax for agriculture purpose will not exceed 0.05% per annum valued against the appraised price.
However, for any unused land, it has been suggested that the tax collection will be slightly higher than the figures quoted above. Moreover, if the said land is unused for a period of three years or more then the owner or possessor must pay double the rate of tax they would usually be liable for. This tax will not however exceed 2% of the appraisal price.
It is at yet unclear as to how land and property will be valued under the new tax regime especially where the utilization is mixed, such as partly residential and partly commercial or agricultural. At present, details are somewhat sketchy however DFDL Crawshaws will continue to watch developments with interest and, in any event, the company understands that this new law, if approved, would not be implemented within the next year.
Getting into the Gap
The popular US clothing store, Gap, will be opening outlets throughout Thailand in the near future. The retailer has signed a franchise agreement with Armin Systems Ltd. to open the Gap stores, with the first scheduled for 2010.
In January 2006, Gap signed its first franchising agreement to expand its international presence and today there are 100 Gap and 34 Banana Republic (its subsidiary) stores open in 17 countries. In Southeast Asia, Gap has franchised stores open in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore.
Visaa for free
The Royal Thai Government has agreed to extend the exemption of the Thailand visa fee for tourist visa applications until 4 March 2010. This exemption will apply to all applicants for a Thailand visa on arrival at all international airports in Thailand, as well as those applying at Thai embassies and consulates abroad for stays longer than the normal eligible period.
Thailand currently gives a Visa on Arrival for 15 or 30 days depending on the country of origin. Visitors wishing to stay longer can apply for visas at the Thai embassies or diplomatic missions abroad before their arrival in the country.
The extension is one of several measures taken by the Thailand tourism industry to encourage more visitors following a number of global and local events which have led to a temporary drop in arrivals.
TAT Chairman, Khun Weerasak Kowsurat, stated, “As a result of the global economic downturn, the worldwide travel and tourism sector has declined as people have become more cautious about spending on leisure and business travel. Hence, the government has implemented many measures to enhance Thailand’s competitive advantage & strengthen our country’s unique qualities.”
New budget allocation for Samui
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance has allocated a budget of Bt900 million to redevelop and upgrade infrastructure on Samui. Finance Minister, Khun Korn Chatikavanij, and Deputy Finance Minister, Khun Pruttichai Damrongrat, recently visited the island to observe repairs and reconstruction work in progress on the ring-road.
Samui’s rapid development and increased traffic have caused flooding and damage to the roads making the existing infrastructure insufficient to serve tourism. The allocated funds will finance the improvements until 2012.
The Finance Ministry has also conducted a feasibility study on building an international conference centre on the island. The Tourism Association of Koh Samui (TAKS) chairman, Khun Senee Puwasetthavorn, said there were only a few hotels capable of accommodating 100-200 people for seminars.
It is believed that if the government develops a conference centre with capacity to serve thousands of attendees, the island will attract more tourists with higher purchasing power. It will also be able to hold larger events, such as craft and product exhibitions, to help generate more income.
Khun Korn Chatikavanij said that the project could be government-funded or structured as a public-private partnership.
UK tourists reject Europe
A growing number of British travellers are avoiding traditionally popular European locations in favour of long-haul destinations, as seen by a decline in the number of online searches for flights to Spain, France and Italy.
Online flight booking site, Skyscanner, has reported a drop of 15% in flight searches to Eurozone destinations, as compared with the same period in 2008. However searches for flights to long-haul destinations have risen significantly. And, more interestingly, searches for flights to Bangkok are up by 271%.
The strength of the Euro against the pound is believed to be partly responsible for the decline. A recent report published by Telegraph Travel showed that Britons were paying an average of 50% more for Eurozone hotel rooms than last year.
In addition to those statistics, a report by holiday travel company Hayes & Jarvis confirms that British tourists seem happy to visit trouble-torn countries. The company states that bookings to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Kenya, who have all suffered political unrest, are actually going very well.
Ikea in Thailand
Siam Future Development Plc (SF) has announced a joint venture with foreign and Thai partners to develop a Bt10billion home-furnishing centre which will finally bring the Ikea brand to Thailand.
SF Chief Executive Officer, Khun Nopporn Witoonchart, stated that construction will start at the Mega Bang Na complex in the third quarter of this year and the centre is scheduled to open by October 2011.
Mega Bang Na will occupy a 290 rai plot and have a total space of about 200,000 square metres. Its features will include a 40,000 square metres Ikea store, a department store, branded fashion outlets, restaurants, an IT centre, an entertainment centre and parking for 8,000 cars.
Ikea currently has 300 stores in 35 countries and in addition to Mega Bang Na the plan is to open two more stores over the next 10 years.
Lalit on Samui
The Delhi-based Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, which used to represent the InterContinental Group of Hotels before re-branding last year under the Lalit brand, has seven 5-star properties. Five hotels are under the Lalit brand and two have a co-branding with InterContinental.
The company is expanding its 5-star brand hotel business by building 10 additional properties including 2 abroad. Lalit Suri Hospitality Group CMD, Jyotsna Suri, said, “The economic slowdown has not impacted our plans and we are on track with development targets for all our hotels.”
The company’s two overseas projects in Dubai and here on Samui are expected to open in the next 2-3 years.
Split stay with SALA
SALA Resorts & Spas is offering free flights between the group’s 5-star resorts in Phuket and Samui so guests can experience the attractions and benefits of both destinations during one holiday.
The SALA Fly Free promotion is available until 31st October for any guests staying at least five paid nights and it can be tailored for any combination of nights at either luxury resort, whether one, two, three or four. Air-fares can either be deducted from bills or reimbursed in cash, and the offer is valid in conjunction with any other packages.
SALA Samui was recently voted one the world’s Top 10 most romantic resorts and the most romantic in Thailand in the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards 2009. Of its 69 luxurious villas and suites, 53 have private swimming pools.
SALA Phuket Resort & Spa was voted on Condé Nast Traveller’s‘Hot List’ 2008 of the world’s top new resorts and spas. It features 79 luxurious villas and suites, 63 with their own private pools.
With many visitors wanting to get more for their money and possibly wanting to visit more destinations during their holiday, this offer provides the perfect opportunity to do so in luxury and without the extra cost of flights.
Langham in Lamai
Langham Hotels International is set to open a new boutique resort, Langham Place Samui, in November 2009.
This latest addition to Langham’s portfolio of 5-star hotels is for fun-loving, young-at-heart travellers who enjoy the finer things in life.
Langham Place Samui is situated on Lamai Beach and comprises a chic modern village of 77 stunning villas and suites; many featuring personal plunge pools and views over the Gulf of Thailand.
Brett Butcher, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hotels International, said, “We’re delighted to be partners with the visionary Gurich Company as we further establish our footprint in Thailand. Langham Place Samui at Lamai Beach introduces an internationally recognised hotel brand in a boutique setting that meets the needs of today’s upmarket adventurers looking for a vibrant getaway.”
Khun SurapolTreetanuchai, the President of Gurich Company, said, “We are confident that Langham Place Samui at Lamai Beach will rapidly become one of the most inspiring and sought-after destinations on the island under the management of Langham Hotels International.”
Langham dates back to 1865 in London and has three brands, including: The Langham, with a classic European style; the contemporary Langham Place; and Eaton Hotel, a premium 4-star brand. The company introduced its Langham brand outside the UK in 2004 and, today, operates 14 properties worldwide.
El Samui
The Absolute Group, a Spanish-based company specialising in mixed-use resort and hotel development and vacation ownership, has allocated Bt1 billion to develop six hotels and resorts in Thailand.
The company will first develop hotels on Samui and in Phuket before going ahead with two or three more a year afterwards.
In addition, the group is cooperating with the U Hotels & Resorts Group to develop two U Hotels.
Chairman, Bryan Lunt, said, “Many hotel and resort owners want to sell their businesses, or are offering joint ventures to help revenue amid the economic and tourism crisis. We are choosing the best solution.”
However, the Absolute Group may opt to purchase units in individual hotels, not whole businesses, as the company has launched a Thai Vacation Ownership programme in a bid to tap premium Thai tourists, as well.
He added, “With the growth in branded hotels and developments throughout Thailand in the past few years, vacation ownership is a solution for boosting occupancy and tourism revenue.”
It already has sales offices on Samui, and in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.
Absolute Group (Thailand) Managing Director, Andrew Parker, said that he thought the Kingdom had the potential to become the number-one market for vacation ownership in Asia. Interest amongst Thais is growing, as is the number of Thai buyers.
The Absolute Vacation Club has already amassed 250 members since its recent launch and it has targeted 2,500 family members and revenue of Bt500 million this year. |
