More Russians Arrive in Phuket

The Russians are coming. Although many of them are already here, or have been and gone, the announcement that Aeroflot, the Russian national carrier, will start a three times a week high season service to Phuket is good for tourism and property. In the first quarter of 2010 Russian visitors were first, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and China in the top five. Russians are interested in freehold condominium units, according to the Phuket Real Estate Association.

Russians like to purchase large, expensive villas and there are a number of local real estate agents who specialize in this Russian market. Laguna Phuket is a favourite although most of the units are not used or even in rental pools; they are mainly there for investment only. Russians tend to not like other people using their units. There are Russians working on Phuket for tour companies and there is even a Russian language magazine, a Russian version of the established Phuket Magazine.

In addition to Aeroflot, Transaero, a Russian charter airline, flies direct to Phuket and in July this year Pegas Touristik, a Russian tour operator, announced it would increase flights to Bangkok and Phuket from eight Russians cities. In January-June 2010 Russian visitors to Thailand totaled 305,415, a 10.28 percent increase on the previous year, with a large proportion of visitors traveling on to Phuket.

Russian tourists are not everyone’s cup of tea. Some hotel properties in Phuket are reluctant to have them as guests. but there is no denying the Russians’ determination to come here for a holiday, and, maybe, investment. The shortest airline flight from Moscow to Phuket via Vienna, Austria, is 29 hours.

Thailands luxury Property Market

With the recent sale of Beyond Villa the world is starting to sit up and take notice of the luxury property market in Thailand. Beyond Villa was sold to an anonymous Russian business man for a rumoured figure of US$24,000,000. The villa sits on Natai Beach just north of Phuket Island with 6,000sqm of constructed area spread over a huge 16,000sqm ocean front plot.

With rental returns on luxury villas in Thailand generating between US$500-5,500 per night (depending on season) they can also turn out to be a great money earner as well as a special place to come and spend your holidays. Here is just a small selection of completed luxury properties available from Thai-Real.com

Villa Chan Grajan

Location: Surin Beach, Phuket
Rental Returns: US$1,400 - $5,500 per night
Guide Price: US$8,000,000

Villas Yin & Yang

Location: Kamala Beach, Phuket
Rental Returns: US$1,000 - $4,250 per night (Yin) US$950 - $3,495 per night (Yang)
Guide Price: US$7,250,000 (Yin) US$4,250,000 (Yang)

Liberty (as featured in the Asia Property Magazine, Oct. page 92)

Location: Kamala Headland, Phuket
Guide Price: US$7,000,000

Satis House

Location: Natai Beach, Phang Nga
Rental Returns: US$500 - $2,500 per night
Guide Price: US$4,500,000

The Estates Samui (Managed by The Four Seasons Resort Group)

Location: Bang Ma Kham, Koh Samui
Rental Returns: US$3,000 - $4,500 per night
Guide Price: From US$3,000,000

Samui Ridgeway

Location: Tong Krut, Koh Samui
Rental Returns: US$950 - $3,000 per night
Guide Price: POA

If you would like any further details on any of these properties or any other services offered by Thai-Real.com then please feel free to contact us at any time.