Market View - Phuket Residential (Villa and Condominiums)

Q4 2009 saw a continued recovery in the Phuket property market. Sales of resort property improved but were still at low levels and mainly concentrated in a limited number of projects. The level of built but unsold inventory of completed condominium and villa units is low.

Prices for built property have remained relatively stable with few examples of forced sale situations. Purchasers are cautious and are focusing on projects promoted by known developers where there has been visible construction progress. We believe that demand is recovering.

Overall Phuket has come through the combination of the global financial crisis and Thailand's political problems relatively unscathed. The opportunity and challenge is for developers to identify target markets and create properties that match those requirements. Potential buyers will be more cautious and will want to be confident about ability of developers to deliver product both in terms of their financial resources and development expertise.

A Beautiful, Amazing Must See Place in Thailand, Chiangmai

Among the many places in Thailand Chiangmai comes well recommended, and for very good reasons. Travelers point to the many amazing sights and things to do in this laidback city situated in the Himalayan foothills. For visitors exploring Thailand, Chiangmai never ceases to amaze. Small wonder luxury hotels (like Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai) near this destination are frequented by travelers who want to be near where the popular sights and activities are.

With Buddhist temples and other historic sites to the majestic mountains, the handicrafts, the shopping finds, people, the food and bustling night life, Chiangmai offers no dull moment for the curious and adventuresome traveler.

While in Thailand, Chiangmai is the kind of place that will strike you as serene because most of the people are not rushing about as they do in other key cities around the world. It may as well be referred to as a pastoral paradise, the kind you are likely to read about in books. Imagine getting all cozy in a nice, well-appointed villa that looks out to hushed paddy-fields and lush hills and mountains beyond them. It's a perfect place to commune with nature and feel close to God.

Actually, for people who visit Northern Thailand, Chiangmai offers respite as a spiritual haven. Pilgrims visit one of the most revered temples of the Thais - the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is actually an awe-inspiring 14th century Buddhist architectural showcase. The temple was erected in 1386 by King Keuna the Great. Legend has it that the temple's site was chosen when an elephant carrying half of a holy relic ascended the mountains after several days and circled the temple spot before kneeling down and dying. A visit to Thailand Chiangmai particularly, will not be complete without seeing the sacred temple.

There are other lovely temples in Chiangmai. You can explore the oldest to the noblest ones, including the Wat Suan Dok, which holds the ashes of Chiang Mai's former Royal Family members. In another chapel lies one of Thailand's largest icons in metal - a 500-year old bronze Buddha. You may also want to visit the temple compound where the divine Lai Kham chapel, with its remarkable murals and woodcarvings, is situated,

For a dose of history, there is another must-see while exploring Thailand Chiang Mai National Museum will fascinate you no end with its collection of Lanna Thai artworks, ancient, war weaponry, and antique Buddha images.

Shopaholics are also bound to have a heyday at Thailand's night bazaars. For those who would rather watch artisans at work in the villages, a number of cottage industries and handicrafts ranging from parasols, silk weaving, jewelry, woodcarving, silverware, and lacquerware, to name a few, may suit you fine.

Are you raring for an anthropological adventure? Try a river cruise that travels down The Chang pier. This is where elephants used to haul logs from the river in the old days. The pier derived its name from the king's elephants, which used to bathe on that site. You will see some of Thailand's firsts - first bridge, first post office, and other interesting sites and get a whiff of the including lifestyles of the locals who dwelled on opposite sides of the river, plus some historic spots along the riverbanks. All these you can enjoy at a leisurely pace. Check out online travel resources for Thailand and you are bound to have a fantastic experience you will be able to delightfully recount to your family and friends.

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Phuket Nightlife Still Changing

Phuket nightlife takes on many different forms. Phuket is one of Thailand's top destinations and as such there is a diverse range of nightspots on the island. Although Phuket nightlife is not quite on the same level as in Bangkok, that doesn't mean that you won't be able to find somewhere to have fun.

Phuket nightlife is at its most lively in Patong. You'll either love Patong or you'll hate it. The bars are loud, the clubs are obnoxious and the streets are crowded. That being said, Patong is cheap and the bars and clubs stay open later than in other parts of Phuket.

Patong is famous for its nightlife. The center of the action is found on Soi Bangla, which is a hive of go-go bars, discos and stage shows. This is Phuket nightlife at its most seedy, but it can be a lot of fun if you go in the right frame of mind.

Generally speaking, the bars and clubs in Patong churn out hip hop and dance music hits. It can all be a bit predictable so don't go expecting something special.

Patong is also known for its girls. Yes, it's true, there are countless bar girls and sex shows in Patong, but the people of Patong make no effort to conceal these facts. Patong is what it is and it's best not to take the whole place too seriously.

Perhaps the most fun that can be had in Thailand is at some of the local clubs. Phuket nightlife is at its most authentic in the small Thai clubs, where you can check out some of the local bands. Phuket Town is probably the best place to sample some Thai-style clubbing.

Also in Phuket Town there are lots of pubs and beer bars and much less of the seedy side of Phuket nightlife.

There are plenty of other areas where you can go and party, but usually they aren't as busy and entertaining as in Patong or Phuket Town. There are a few exceptions scattered around the island in places such as Surin, Kata-Karon and Nai Harn.

The only area that Phuket really lacks anything in in terms of nightlife is serious clubbing. There are a few Phuket clubs where you can hear cutting-edge music, but these are few and far between. However, it is possible to catch electro, techno, breaks, house and more in some Phuket clubs and bars.

Phuket could be a major clubbing destination in Southeast Asia, but the island has a long way to go before it can start competing with the likes of Singapore and KL.

For now, Phuket nightlife has enough depth to keep people entertained, but you feel as if there is more to come. The shining beacon of Phuket nightlife is that there is a great live-music scene around the island. There are lots of bands who can rattle out everything from rock and indie to jazz and blues. If you can get into it, there is a top indie scene in Phuket. Pick up some CDs in a local store to get a feel for the music.

The author of this article covers Phuket nightlife and more at Phuket Vogue