Monthly Archives: September 2009

Bungalows in Koh Samui

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samuiA bungalow is slightly bigger than an apartment and encompasses many more elements than few walls. Gardens, lobbies, and huge balconies are some of the elements of a bungalow. Similarly, at Koh Samui, you will find a plenty of bungalows to suit your budget as well as other requirements.

Before planning to stay in one of the bungalows, make a prior reservation. And especially if you are visiting in a peak season, be prepared to encounter huge crowd at these bungalows. Because at times bungalow owners rent them at two or more tenants. So, you might have to share your bungalow with another family. However, if you want to avoid all this chaos, make a prior reservation which will ensure peace of mind.

You can choose from a variety of bungalows at Koh Samui. Ranch bungalows, raised bungalows and chalet bungalows are some of the types you will find at Koh Samui. Each bungalow has its own specialties and its own set of pros and cons. Hence, do a check wisely so that you do not repent the choice of your bungalow later.

For instance, a raised bungalow has a combined garage, so you can park your rented conveyance there safely. In fact when you are out vacationing, you must take care of all the rented belongings, else you might have to face fierce repercussions. While, a ranch bungalow doesn’t have a garage. This might raise some concerns with regard to finding parking space for the rented vehicle. Therefore, decide wisely what you want and what you do not want while you are holiday at Koh Samui. Especially, when everything seems so delightful and tempting, it is important to make an intelligent choice!

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Samui tourism not affected by plane crash

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Samui International Airport is back to normal two weeks after a Bangkok Airways aircraft slammed into an old tower when it skidded off the runway in a freak accident that killed a pilot and injured many others, some of them seriously. Airport officials say that the number of daily flights is back to pre-accident level. Local and foreign tourists arriving and departing daily are in droves, an indication it’s business at usual on Samui and Koh Phangan.

Bangkok Airways has resumed normal operation with more than 30 flights daily to and from the airport, one official said. Thai Airways has also resumed its operation, with two round-trip daily flights between Samui and  Bangkok.

Mr. Seni Phuwasethaworn, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said the airplane crash did not affect the island’s tourism at all.

Panu Woramit, director of Suratthani’s tourism office, said the crash “had not cast a bad spell” over the island’s tourism, judging from the fact there were no reports of room cancellations.

He said about 70 percent of 16,500 rooms on Koh Samui had been booked. Most of the tourists were from Europe followed by Thailand and other parts of Asia .

On neighboring Koh Phangan, an estimated 20,000 tourists reveled at this month’s full-moon party on Hat Rin beach.

Samui police chief Saran Macharoen said over 60 witnesses were to be interviewed by crash investigators. Weathermen of the Samui meteorological office had also been asked to provide information about the weather conditions on the island at the time of the accident, Col. Saran said.

The result of the full investigation into Bangkok Airways plane crash could be known within a month, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport Chaisak Angkasuwan said.

Chaisak said it may take about a month for investigators to determine the cause of the accident. The black box and the pilots’ voice record had been retrieved from the site of the accident.

The cause of the accident could be bad weather, human error or a defective engine part, he said.

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Thailand Property Investment – The Future is Bright

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samui-condoThe Thailand economy got off to a scintillating start, with 1st quarter growth up six percent on the same period last year, and up 5.7% on the last quarter of 2007. After two years of political turmoil culminating in a coup last year, it seems the new government is finally settling in, and has made economic growth its top priority. The main course of its efforts are centered on generating internal and regional investment, with global investment currently slowing.

In March the finance ministry said government efforts would push private investment up to 9.7% from 0.5% last year, and that private consumption should grow to 4% this year from 1.4% last year. The finance ministry predicted six percent growth in the 1st quarter of 2008 and its predictions were right on the money, but for those who need a little more convincing the Institute of International Finance (IIF) said growth would accelerate in Thailand this year, as growing exports to non-U.S. countries off-set falling demand from the States.

The IIF predicted Thai GDP growth would expand to 6% from 4.8% last year. The IIF also said that rising inflation caused by the rising cost of basic materials was the biggest challenge facing Asian economies, but in a refreshing statement it said that the problem would subside shortly and that worry over the problem had been greatly exaggerated.

The two reports are good news for investors who are looking to Asia, as it is seen as having the best chance of weathering the global storm, a sentiment again backed up by the IIF; “The leading emerging markets in Asia are well-positioned to weather uncertain and less favorable global conditions,” were its exact words. Liam Bailey head of international research had this to say:

“Continued growth in Asia is excellent news for property investment in Thailand, especially in the emerging markets of Thailand’s islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, where growth is primarily fueled by spiraling regional tourism. Property prices in Koh Samui, an island with more five and six star resorts than any other in the world, grew by 50% per year, in 2006 and 2007. Continuing growth in Asia will see tourism growth continue and capital appreciation stay at similar figures. Koh Phangan is the new kid on the block, and luxury resort property there is just as hot for investment, growth figures are unclear as it is a really new market, but with Phuket and Samui as comparisons growth will not be any less than 25% per year, and could hit 50% in 2010.”

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