Doors to paradise

The recent news of the closure of Thailand’s Koh Tachai due to tourist damage isn’t just telling of humanity’s disrespect for nature. The flip side is that for all that the country has gone through in recent years, its reputation as a great escape from the rigours of everyday life remains infallible.

“Approximately 2.2 million South-East Asian tourists and 3.2 million East Asian tourists visited Thailand in 2015,” says Uthai Uthaisungsuk, senior executive vice president, business development and project development (high rise) for Sansiri. “Purchasing a home in Thailand is simple and transparent, as foreigners may own up to 49 per cent of any condominium project. And an abundance of rugged, natural beauty combined with shopping and entertainment has also bolstered Pattaya and Phuket’s image among foreign holiday home buyers.”

So for those who are looking for a permanent spot in which to lay vacationing roots, or simply for a new investment opportunity, turn your attention to these four new Sansiri properties.

Baan Mai Khao
Baan Mai Khao is the kind of seaside haven that looks even better than its professionally shot photos. The 50m lap pool slices through the symmetrical, low-rise condominium and is punctuated with pavilions, private pools and lawns. The 2.19-hectare property has five-star hotels as its neighbours and 70m of beach frontage. And the panoramic view of Phuket’s west coast also ensures spectacular sunsets every evening.

Baan Mai Khao is also the only residential property in the area, so it’s easy to feel smug about the fact that you can stay on in paradise while everyone else checks out of theirs. Baan Mai Khao offers a guaranteed rental yield of six per cent for one year on freehold units and three years for leasehold units.

Baan Plai Haad
Baan Plai Haad looks almost anachronistic in sleepy Pattaya. The 31-storey condominium towers above its neighbours with its modern facade and lives up to its swanky address in Wong Amat. It is located just 15 minutes from the city centre, yet is secluded enough to offer a reprieve from its bustle. The building’s L-shaped construction means that most units as well as the gym have breathtaking views of the private beach, which residents can access via a gentle slope leading from back of the condominium. And unlike many of Pattaya’s beaches, you won’t find hordes of water sports enthusiasts in the waters — just sea breezes and waves as soothing as the Sanctuary of Truth temple the beach overlooks. Units have the option of coming fully furnished.

The Base Height
The Base Height’s ‘modern chino’ aesthetic lends the 14-storey condominium in Phuket something of a retro feel. Awash in earthy shades of mustard yellow, charcoal and brown-tinted glass with accents in gold, the building fits the profile of a designer boutique hotel thanks to a seamless fusion of Chinese and Portuguese architecture styles. The 357 units consist of one- and two-bedroom units ranging from 29 to 57.5sqm, likely to accommodate young urbanites working at the nearby hospitals and universities. Though Phuket is known for coastal properties, The Base Height is located a little more inland. The infinity pool on the rooftop offers splendid mountain views on one side and the Sam Kong area on the other.

The Deck
Phuket is perhaps best known for lively Patong Beach and its surrounding entertainment, so those looking to be near the action would benefit from The Deck’s proximity to it. Just a five-minute walk away, The Deck is Sansiri’s first condominium in Patong and consists of 270 stylish units with a choice of studios and one or two bedrooms. Every unit comes with a balcony, and those on the ground floor need only step off it to enjoy the cool waters of the pool. Additionally, a 50m pool on the roof boasts a peerless view of the city’s skyline. This freehold condominium offers a guaranteed rental yield of seven per cent per annum for two years on freehold units and five years on leasehold units.