Bill Barnett
Khanom is the new beachfront property hot spot of Thailand
Top 5 New Asian Beach Destinations
By Bill Barnett, July 2010, exclusively for Khanom Beach Magazine.
Asia’s greatest resort destinations all have one thing in common in that they had meager beginnings most often in backpackers guide or in the days before the Lonely Planet phenomenon created a global wave of confused looking people staying down at their own nearly holy tome dog eared paperbacks.
Instead of a ‘where are they now’ episode perhaps it’s time to raise our face from following our two front feet and look toward the horizon, or just a glimpse into a future we can barely make out.
So we have those Quicksilver board shorts, a few logo t-shirts, and of course our trusty Hawaiiana flip flops along with the oh so cool iPod and we are off to explore the top 5 new Asian beach destinations …
Nai Phlao Beach, Khanom, Thailand
At the southern point of Khanom bay lays a quiet setting that can be enjoyed far from the hustle and bustle of the country’s larger tourist destinations. It’s still not widely on the traveler’s radar yet so come and enjoy it while you can.
Koh Rong, Cambodia
Lazy days in the gulf of Thailand discovering one of the regions newest gems. Just 40 km from the emerging tourism hub of Sihanoukville this is Robinson Crusoe territory. Catch it now before it changes forever.
Ngwe Saung Beach, Myanmar
Facing the Bay of Bengal, this exotic 14 kilometer long beach is the main attraction here. While only a few resorts and a village in Ayeryarwady Division are here, the laid back lifestyle is the what it’s all about.
Bantayan Island Cebu, Philippines
While Cebu continue to be well on the regions travel map take a journey north to the end of the island and nearby to Bantayan. Crystal clear water, no crowds, great seafood and day after day of balmy tropical weather. With beaches to die for, you have to wonder why more people don’t; know about that this place. Maybe now they do.
Flores, Indonesia
Set somewhere between Bail, Timor and Sumba the island has somehow escape mass tourism. Flores remains a tranquil backwater. Visit Penggajawa Beach with its long stenches of open space and colorful blue, green and pink stones. This is the place for picture postcard living.
So there you go, hopefully now a bit of inspiration has propelled you off that barcalounger and onto the internet to start looking at the many how’s … how to fly there, how to drive there, how to train, plane or automobile or if you are inspired feel free to swim. The water is great, come on in … .
Kristian Olsen’s Place in the Sun
By Bill Barnett, March 2010, exclusively for Khanom Beach Magazine.
Living in the tropics it never ceases to amaze me; The many intriguing stories of foreigners who leave the safety and security of their own homelands and make the brave journey to other parts of the world and a new life.
One can only be reminded of the 17th century poet Milton who wrote about the Garden of Eden in the classic tome ‘Paradise Lost.’
One of the magical parts of being an expatriate abroad is the chance to recreate your own vision of self and find what truly makes you happy.
Such is the case for Dane Kristian Olsen who came to Thailand in 1998. After a number of years he arrived in a place which came to be his own special place in the sun: Khanom.
Starting up the first foreign real estate firm in Khanom, Sichon and Nakhon Si Thammarat province came with many challenges but has also been equally rewarding. Work by human nature can be such as vital part of our lives, and when one can act passionately about their jobs it just adds into the quality of life.
When viewing the prospects of property by Thai standards, beachfront land in Khanom remains a bargain with prices averaging THB 6 million a rai while further south in emerging Sichon they reach down as low as THB 1.5 million per rai.
Currently over 50% of Kristian’s clients are Scandinavian, so while Kristian is Danish, he recently employed a Thai national who is fluent in Swedish along with English.
As a big fish in a small pond the challenges of bringing the message which promotes the destination of Khanom continues to be a labor of love for Kristian. While Milton could only struggle with the illusion of a perfect place which was lost, in the south of Thailand just such a paradise exists a growing few.
PROPERTY BUYERS GUIDE: Top 5 Hot New Markets
By Bill Barnett, January 1, 2010.
For those of you looking to move investments into property the rule of thumb remains timing is not everything, it's the only thing. Buy low and sell high is often best done by recognizing what markets are doing to develop on strong demand characteristics. Here are some of our new top emerging locations -
1. Koh Sirey
Some say Koh Sirey, others Koh Siray, but for many fulltime Phuket residents the name often draws a quizzical look and the question "where?" Home to the new Westin Siray Bay Resort opening in Q1 2010, there are also too more large international class hotels currently in planning in the island. With bridge access to Phuket and stunning views up and down Phang Nga bay, expect property developers to hit this market soon.
2. Khao Lak
With over 5,000 hotel rooms, kilometer of white sand beaches and less than two hours driving time from most of Phuket it remains a mystery why there is not a larger property market in Khao Lak. With beachfront land trading in the range of THB 5-15 million per rai depending on the location, substantial pieces remain available especially going north past Le Meridien. We've seen Ko Pilai just over the bridge boom so it's just a matter of time for our northern neighbor.
3. Khanom
Again it's all about beachfront land and that where property buyers see the multipliers of capital appreciation. Located near two airports being south of Surat Thani and North of Nakhon Si Thammarat, with the major Thailand north south highway nearby. Major stretches of long beaches and great natural beauty along with views into the gulf of Thailand resort developers are already leading the land rush in this up and coming location.
4. Koh Rong Archipelago Cambodia
Accessed through the southern gateway of Sihanoukville, with proximity to Thailand and a strategic location near to markets such as Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Vietnam this tropical paradise has nowhere to go but up. The recent launch of Song Saa Resort saw a flurry of interest and with its favorable weather, ability to attract travelers from Siem Reap and current reforms in ownership laws the property market here is gearing up.
5. Ari (Bangkok)
Slated to be the next Thongor with direct access from the BTS Skytrain, property prices remain considerably lower it's more famous counterpart. With a fashionable community mall located next to the BTS, and artsy crowd flocking here, this looks to be a smart buy for the future and is just 5 stops away from the hub of Siam Station.
Beachcombing Khanom
By Bill Barnett, December, 2009 exclusively for Khanom Beach Magazine
For many travelers to Thailand there is a propensity to return year after year be it to Phuket, Koh Samui or other idyllic beach locations. For many there is a rising voice being heard about those interesting in finding the next new destination or a return to a simpler more authentic experience that they remember from the first trip to the country. Be it waxing nostalgic or perhaps a value shift in those seeking nature, unspoiled beaches and coming in closer contact with nature.
One of our hot travel tips for 2010 is Khanom located on the mainland along the Thailand’s Gulf, and near to Koh Samui. Easy access on direct flights to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat or by rail from Bangkok; you can also drive from Phuket and drop into Krabi on the way.
Our top picks for hotels start at the first upscale resort Racha Kiri which opened in 2007 and pioneered upscale accommodation in the emerging market. An all new property which just opened in December is the absolute beachfront Aava Resort. There is a variety or other hotels including Khanom Hill Resort, Supar Royal Hotel and the Golden Beach Hotel with a selection for everyone’s budget.
In a trend similar to Phuket and Koh Samui is the emergence of a property market with overseas buyers looking to invest in holiday homes while obtaining rental yields, long term capital appreciation and usage during their vacations. Khanom Beach Residence has already completed its first phase and is ready to move in with prices starting at Thai Baht 2.5 million.
Khanom offers a great opportunity for visitors to explore kilometers of white sand beaches, rainforest and roll back the clock to a experiencing a part of undiscovered Thailand at its very best.
Khanom is the Next Big Thing in Ocean Front Real Estate
By Bill Barnett, September, 2009
Upturn, downturn, or sideways perhaps the single greatest unique selling point for a resort property is the tantalizing offer of ocean front real estate. Who hasn't harbored those Robinson Crusoe or Castaway daydreams and visualized an idyllic tropical getaway; though as daylight creeps in air conditioning, infinity swimming pools and a bit of luxury are deemed necessities.
Looking at Greater Phuket where prime parcels on the island, over the bridge in Phang Nga, even in Krabi, Koh Lanta or Koh Samui now take you higher into the spending zone then one of Richard Branson's planned galactic spacecrafts. Having written on property and real estate now for a few years one of the most asked questions is always where is the next big area set for growth?
Having viewed the island bursting at the seams story in Phuket where Phang Nga or more notably Natai beach became one of the highest priced land markets in recent times, this was premised on the ability to purchase land directly on the beach. Flip over to the gulf of Thailand and over the past few years’ transactions in southern Surat Thani, mainly in the Don Sak area has seen actability by both foreign and Thai investors.
Logically the trail of the beachcombers has now continued further south just over the province's border into Nakhon Si Thammarat and Khanom which is now buzzing with speculation on prime property. One of the early entrants to test the market with upper tier pricing is Thai Royal Residence selling in the THB 15-25 million baht level. This sets an entirely new pricing paradigm for the area and it will be an interesting base case to see how sales pace is taken up by the market.
Fundamentally highway access to a major north south artery is not far away, Koh Samui is near by boat and two airports are located in the catchment area. Developers of hotel assets and residential grade property are taking a favorable view with these long term strong fundamentals.
Adding into the witch's brew of speculation remains that Phuket and Samui are anomalies amongst Thailand's property markets. They are highly or perhaps you could argue over leveraged with foreign buyers to the tune of 70-80% of resort grade property.
Looking at Surat and destinations further south, tourism is going to be a lead indicator on higher end real estate if it will be a reality. Branded resorts and the attached perks are what will eventually draw in overseas investors. So for those of you looking to buy in this area, history has shown true value in dynamic drivers as in ocean front land but an existing menu of hotels, attractions and tourist services need to first get up and running. While this may be the real deal or just a flash in the pan, one thing is for sure there are no short cuts in the quest for capital appreciation.
Top 5 Emerging Beach Property Markets - With Khanom in the top for Thailand
By Bill Barnett, August, 2009
At the end of the day imagine a picture postcard tropical beach with palm trees swaying in the breeze, exotic destinations and the connection becomes clear that ocean front property remains many a property investors’ most desired acquisition. Given this particular twist, Id like to detail out 5 of the top emerging markets for resort real estate in the region in no particular order –
Here in Thailand with Phuket and Koh Samui both bursting like someone who had too much to eat at lunch and look at the mid way (well kind of point between) and you end at southern Surat Thani province and northern Nakhon Si Thammarat. Don Sak and now Khanom are seeing influxes of speculative land buyers attracted to mainland fundamentals such as highways and airports along with long stretches of white sand beaches.
Next on the tour takes us to a trio of locations in Vietnam. Vinh in the north is a logical destination from the all-important hub of Hanoi with Cua Lo getting the nod from many as a premium area. Next down to Nha Trang with Doc Let and Whale Island garnering most of the interest. Last comes Phu Quoc with its favorable travel time to Ho Chi Minh City and appears to be on the cusp larger scale plans. Just as a teaser check out Mui Ne and Quang Binh, both locations you will need to find for yourself but have all the elements of great beach destinations.
Last comes next-door Cambodia with Sihanoukville with Sokha beach. The real story here are the islands of the area which represent a long-term tourist play and there is considerably potential for a number of these to be developed into larger destinations. Cambodia could become a major resort player over the next 10 years.
So that’s it, there were only 5 but what about Lombok, Palawan in the Philippines and of course Sri Lanka … indeed follow the footprints in the sand.
