Is Phuket still a great place to invest in vacation homes?  Big Chili caught up with Mr. Micah Tamthai, COO of Lifestyle and Real Estate at Minor International to learn more.  The group just launched their latest project in Phuket, Kiara Reserve.  Read more about it below.
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1.Does Phuket still remain a desirable destination for purchasing vacation homes?

• Minor International is still bullish about Phuket.
• We continue to see a lot of interest from buyers looking to purchase second/holiday homes, especially in the luxury segment.
• The trends that began during the pandemic – including remote working, preference towards landed properties, and interest in resort branded residential projects – do not seem to have abated.
• With demand as high as it is now, property prices also continue to increase. Augmented by a strong history of land and villa capital appreciation in Phuket, this ensures good short- and long-term returns to those investing in this segment.
• Phuket remains one of the region’s most competitive real estate markets. In addition to international-standard healthcare and education, a mature hospitality market catering to all travel segments and a myriad of leisure activities, the province is committing significant investment on road, rail and air infrastructure in anticipation of future growth, which makes Phuket even more attractive as a place to live and work.​

The partnership between Royal Cliff Hotels Group and AssetWise was forged through their aligned values in making Thailand a leading sports destination especially for Tennis. The first event that the two companies worked together on was organizing the successful ITF Masters Tennis Championship held in November. The tournament attracted around 200 players from across the globe with the oldest player being over 80 years old. From this event and with Royal Cliff’s expertise in organizing multiple sports activities came the idea of creating 2 international Tennis events. The first event will be the first time that the 2 organizations have done which is the Junior Tennis Tournament. The second event will be the repeat of the ITF Masters which Royal Cliff has been granted the highest grade in Asia by International Tennis Federation. The two events will be taking place at the resort’s Fitz Club, luxury fitness centre, on 3 – 4 June and 18 – 24 November 2023 respectively.  

InterContinental Bangkok, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, a beacon of luxury hospitality in the heart of Thailand's capital, is set to rise again with a stunning comeback in June. Boasting a bold new vision and a commitment to unparalleled service and innovation, the iconic property will usher in a new era after a multimillion-dollar renovation and spectacular makeover.
Under the leadership of Stephen Gould, a seasoned luxury hotelier with a reputation for pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional guest experiences, the InterContinental Bangkok will draw heavily on the property’s 20 years of handcrafted hospitality inspired by Thailand’s rich culture a gateway to the glamour of The InterContinental Life. Stephen’s 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality as an accomplished hotelier, including vast experience in the Asia Pacific region, is key to helping the hotel deliver this level of hospitality.
Stephen said about the InterContinental Life: 
“At InterContinental Bangkok, we believe travel should always be alluring and we are dedicated to those who appreciate and enjoy The InterContinental Life. With our 20-year heritage, our prime location in the heart of Bangkok and our elite network of internationally acclaimed concierges with rich local knowledge, we offer guests an opportunity to elevate and enrichen their experience in one of the most desired destinations for travellers worldwide.”
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the world's first international luxury travel hotel brand and has been pioneering international destinations for decades.  The InterContinental Bangkok has been a pillar of Bangkok history for the past two decades and following a multimillion-dollar renovation and spectacular makeover positions the hotel like never before to welcome Thailand’s revived travel and leisure sector that is expected to receive between 25 million and 30 million foreign guests into the country this year.
The newly renovated InterContinental Bangkok will deliver a heightened level of sophistication, style, luxury and lavish design that embodies Thailand’s rich culture. Guests can enjoy curated culinary experiences from global cuisine offerings, including the debut of Bangkok's first California-inspired restaurant, SoCal, or they can indulge their senses at SPA InterContinental, with a wide range of treatments that use HARNN and Elemis products. These characteristics, when combined, also deliver the InterContinental Life and create unforgettable experiences for guests and travellers from all over the world.
“I am confident that our talented team will introduce a new standard of luxury in Bangkok, creating truly exceptional experiences and delivering moments that matter for our guests. Thailand is a country with a rich history and shines as a beacon in global hospitality and reopening the InterContinental Bangkok after this makeover is one of the highlights of my career,” added Stephen.
InterContinental Bangkok is the ultimate destination for avid explorers and guests seeking traditional Thai luxury and curated experiences. Serving as an ultimate landmark, the hotel offers guests a sanctuary from Bangkok’s busy, urban lifestyles with an opportunity to ‘Discover More’. For more details, please visit  InterContinental Bangkok, email intercontinental.bkkhb@ihg.com or call +66 2 6560444.

In honor of Global Day of Discovery's 9th anniversary, Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa invited guests to embark on a 2-day`s immersive journey to 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, highlighting Renaissance Hotels’ passion to uncover the unique DNA of the neighborhood.
 
Discover This Way Night & Day
 
Beautiful Pattaya is one of the highlights of the Gulf of Thailand. As the beachfront resort in Thailand`s premier yachting paradise, Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa’s locale ensures a sense of discovery and experiences not to be missed for their spontaneous guests.
 
On day one, discovery journey started with the extraordinary yacht sailing to the untouched treasure of Khram Yai island, where guests beheld the picturesque Eastern Gulf of Thailand and vibrant onshore scene. Guests were also inspired by intriguing marine life stories shared by the speaker of the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center.

The Ascott Limited (Thailand), a wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment, and i-Store Self Storage, a trusted provider of storage solutions in Thailand, are excited to announce a new partnership that will provide added value to customers of both companies.           
 
Starting today, residents of The Ascott Limited's serviced residences in Thailand can enjoy a discount of 25% on storage services at i-Store Self Storage facilities located in Bangkok. This is a convenient solution for those in need of extra space during their stay in Thailand, whether for personal or business use.
 
Similarly, customers of i-Store Self Storage can benefit from a 15% discount on best flexible rates when they book a stay at any of The Ascott Limited's serviced residences and hotels in Thailand, which offer a range of accommodations from deluxe rooms, full equipped studio apartments to three-bedroom apartments.
 
"We understand that storage can be a challenge for our residents, especially those who are staying for an extended period of time. That's why we are delighted to team up with i-Store Self Storage to offer our residents and guests a storage solution at their state-of-the-art facilities," said Brian Tan, Country General Manager for Thailand & Laos at The Ascott Limited. "With this partnership, we are providing added value and convenience to our residents, ensuring that their stay in Thailand is as comfortable and stress-free as possible."
 
"As a company that is dedicated to providing our customers with secure and convenient storage solutions, we are thrilled to partner with The Ascott Limited (Thailand) to offer our customers an all-in-one solution for their storage and accommodation needs," said Pakdee Anivat, CEO and Founder Storage Asia PCL. "Our partnership with The Ascott Limited (Thailand) is a testament to our commitment to customer satisfaction, and we look forward to delivering exceptional service to our customers."
 
The partnership is effective immediately and will be valid until 31 December 2023, giving customers plenty of time to take advantage of the deal. For reservations or more information about Ascott properties in Thailand, please call us at +66 2 204 4400 / 1800 888 272 (Thailand toll-free), email enquiry.thailand@the-ascott.com or visit www.discoverasr.com.

To support the equality of life and health of children and adults with autism in Thailand, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok join hands on presenting ‘BE Health’, which is a corporate social responsibility initiative of Kempinski Hotels to develop and support the lives and health of the community through its Glocal campaign (Thinking Globally While Acting Locally), with a donation of THB 250,000 net and 100 medical boxes to the ‘Autistic Thai Foundation’.
 
Both Kempinski hotels in Thailand have raised these funds by collecting ‘One Euro Donation per night’ from in-house guests and organizing various charity activities to provide essential medical care, equipment and other support to the children and adults with autism and special needs and the underprivileged in Thailand.
 
Together with the ‘Autistic Thai Foundation’, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok are honoured to be part of this most meaningful programme to positively impact the lives of both children and adults in Thailand.
 
Presiding over the event at the Autistic Thai Foundation were Mr. Richard Schestak, Managing Director of Siam Kempinski (4th from right), Khun Chusak Chantayanon, President of the Autistic Thai Foundation (Middle), Mr. Thaddaeus Weiss, Hotel Manager of Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok (6th from right), Management team of both Kempinski hotels in Thailand and members of Autistic Thai Foundation.

Get ready for an unparalleled shopping and entertainment experience, as Panitan Samee, the visionary founder of DMK Avenue, and Sadamichi Teraguchi proudly unveil their latest venture, Sri Racha Space. With an impressive initial investment of 500 million Thai Baht, this awe-inspiring project will sprawl across 17,000 square meters, poised to become the crown jewel of Sriracha's retail and leisure scene.


Mark your calendars, as the official signing agreement to kick off this extraordinary project will take place on April 28th, 2023. The Forest Industry Organization and Ruamsinsub Sriracha Company Limited will join forces in a historic collaboration, setting the stage for 30 years of growth and prosperity in the region. Imagine a vibrant, bustling hub where visitors can indulge in an endless array of shopping options, from chic boutiques to cutting-edge electronics, dazzling jewelry to artisanal crafts. Sri Racha Space will be a shopper's utopia, blending the very best in retail with unique dining experiences and captivating leisure activities. Whatever your passion, Sri Racha Space will cater to your every whim.


But the excitement doesn't stop there! Sri Racha Space will also be a thriving hotspot for business and networking, featuring modern co-working spaces alongside pharmacies and a bustling fruit market. This innovative project will seamlessly intertwine shopping, entertainment, and essential services, redefining what it means to be a one-stop destination for the entire community. The dynamic duo of Panitan Samee and Sadamichi Teraguchi are committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in Thailand's retail and entertainment sectors. As Sri Racha Space continues to take shape, eager onlookers can anticipate further details and surprises from this game-changing development.


Keep a close eye on Sri Racha Space's progress by visiting the official website (coming soon) and stay in the loop with the latest news and announcements.

Tirapongse Pangsrivongse (5th left), Executive Director of Kasemkij Co., Ltd. and Vice President of the Board of Directors of SOS Children's Villages Thailand together with Pongvarut Pangsrivongse (4th left), Lead - Business Development & Special Projects of Cape & Kantary Hotels, made an annual donation of 300,000 Baht to SOS Children's Villages Thailand in 2023 to support children and the organisation's operations. Pol.Lt.Gen.Dr. Norawat Charoen-Rajapark (3rd left), President of the Board of Directors of SOS Children's Villages Thailand, gratefully received the donation on behalf of the foundation. The ceremony was attended by Vidhya Nativivat (2nd left), Kulvech Janvatanavit (1st left), Duangchai Tangsanga (7th left), Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nuansiri Paurohit (6th left) and Pawin Charoen-Rajapark (8th left) at the InterContinental Hotel, Bangkok.

Shama Lakeview Asoke celebrated its fifth anniversary with an event titled "An Evening of the Blue Ripples" on 27th April 2023 at the Grand Lobby of Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok, to thank its guests and partners for their continuous support and contribution to its success.
 
Mr. Masahiko Moriguchi, President and Chief Representative of JR Kyushu Business Development Thailand Co., Ltd., reflected on the last five years of confidence and trust in the Shama brand. Since its establishment on 1st April 2018, Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok has focused on delivering quality homes, style, and unparalleled customer service. The serviced apartment provider has become known for offering a calming retreat in one of Bangkok's most prestigious areas, inviting guests to experience the comfort of home, explore the neighbourhood, and become part of the Shama Social Club's activities that connect guests to the local community.