AMONG the latest to fall in love with Phuket is Swede Mats Hanson, 49.
He is a managing director for a manufacturing company that belongs to a German group.
He has travelled all over the world, Europe, North America, South America, Asia. "Half of my work time I am on the road," he told the GUIDE.
He came to Phuket two and a half years ago and fell in love with the climate and the golf at first. "That was my main reason for coming," he said. He plays off a handicap of nine.
"I decided in December-January to buy in Kata because it's close to Patong but quieter, not so noisy, " Khun Mats said. "I can walk around everywhere, no problem.
"We looked in many places.
I met the guys from Kata Beach Property Developers.
"They showed me different houses and the Kata Residence, and that's where I decided to buy.
"I'm very happy. It's a good investment. Kata-Karon is very good area for investment,"
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| Mats Hanson |
"I've also bought a house in Rawai that is under construction, as a pure investment.
That was through Kata Beach Property Developers, too."
He finds there is plenty to do in Phuket, especially with so many good restaurants and beaches.
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"And it's easy to get here," he added. "No need to spend four hours in a bus from the airport."
Khun Mats has a feeling that Rawai will be as big as Kata and Karon in just a few years from now.
"I would recommend this experience to others," he said. "KBPD tell you what you need to know, keep you informed, and have very good contacts with independent lawyers and others.
"When you invest in propety in another country you don't know the culture, you don't know the law system, you're very much dependant on who you are dealing with.
"You have to think twice. You don't want to lose a lot of money. I feel safe with KBPD."
Khun Mats may yet buy more property when the time comes for him to retire. But he definitely plans to live in Thailand then. |
MIKE MILNE had just about seen the entire world, or at least a good slice of it. But for some reason, Thailand had escaped the much travelled businessman’s attention until August 2006 when he eventually made it to Phuket - and that visit changed his life.
He was captivated by the brilliant weather, the generous and friendly people, the tasty food and the very low cost of living – all of the advantages visitors to Phuket quickly come to appreciate so well.
As a 43 year old with a successful business in colder climes – Newcastle upon Tyne in chilly Britain’s north east – Mike was already beginning to follow the sun and make strategic investments around the world.
When he saw Phuket and learned from the team at Kata Beach Property Developers what was on offer, his whole plan for the future changed dramatically.
“I already knew that I liked Asia but Phuket was better than anything that I had experienced anywhere else,” he said.”It’s the complete package. Fantastic weather, the people are so friendly and the food is great.”
Before long, he was talking with the team at KBPD and now, he is very pleased that he did.
His Beverly Hills villa is now completed, with Mike choosing tiles, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furniture & fittings as well as the many ornaments and decorations; Mike is now over the moon with his new home in Phuket.
He has since sold many of his investments in other countries and has invested in other projects with KBPD including an apartment in the recently completed Kata Residence, a property that is selling fast and offering high returns to investors and owners alike.
He is now planning to sell the remainder of his business interest in the UK as well as his beautiful home in the UK so that he can come and live in Phuket fulltime.
Mike admits that initially he was somewhat nervous about sending his hard earned cash to Phuket, to people that he had met only once. When asked about this he said “It was harrowing the first time I transmitted money to KBPD, but the team at KBPD have always kept in touch by email and telephone and have constantly kept me up to date with progress by sending photographs to me”
Owning pubs and restaurants in the UK has given Mike a successful career for more than 25 years. Now he is looking forward to KBPD managing his investment portfolio so that he can spend time where he wants to be in the world, when he wants to be there.
His game plan; to move towards a self-funded life in the sun on Phuket, and he expects to achieve that goal towards the end of 2008.
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