developer songkran issara shows his residential designs to the press.

Sri Panwa is easily one of the best-kept secrets in Phuket. With its two types of housing designs, large residential villas and more compact pool villas, the resort atop a gentle hill overlooking Cape Panwa is drawing in a select, informed crowd.

Developer Songkran Issara, who heads the development company Charn Issara Residence, is now launching a new phase that includes a new series of pool villas.

Its scaled-down 180-square-metre one-bedroom unit will start from Bt15 million.

Larger pool villas with 3-6 bedrooms will cost in the region of Bt27 million to Bt53 million, offering built-up areas of 800-2,000 metres.

Sri Panwa's first batch of homes is largely booked, and a new hotel undertaking is looking promising indeed, says Songkran.

The cape area is unlike any other in Phuket. It is better protected, and the geography is quite special, he notes. A marine reserve and a naval base are among its neighbours.

Another advantage is that the Panwa area is largely free of the seedy elements that diminish sites like Patong, packed with tourists and migrant workers.

The naval base and marine department also keep out the more undisciplined developers and rowdy elements that can easily ruin natural environment while pursuing quick tourist dollars, a fate that has sunk many another Thai resort town.

"Initially I had wanted to create residential units for sale, but after reviewing the prime piece of land," said Songkran, "I realised it would be better to develop part of it for rent."

By running the hotel, Songkran believes he can increase the value of the property and help maintain the natural beauty of the location.

The creation of a boutique hotel has worked out rather well as Songkran's son Wan has recruited some of his classmates from a Swiss hotel school in Lucerne.

The combination of an international team with local professionals, all quite young, talented and energetic, has proven a windfall for Songkran. Visitors never fail to mention how pleased they are with its five-star comforts and stunning views. The high level of service has also won praise. On a recent visit, members of the Oberoi clan, which runs India's top hotel chain, was so impressed they wrote a touching letter to Songkran expressing their gratitude.

Meanwhile unscrupulous developers are secretly copying Sri Panwa's designs. While Songkran is aware of the stream of spies infiltrating the estate, he is not overly concerned.

Stealing Sri Panwa's setting won't be easy. "It's not just architecture," he said: "you need the contours, the forest and sea to accurately recreate such a place."

"Most developers, including many international investors, just cut down all the trees, level the place and try to replant them afterwards," he says. "When Prime Minister Thaksin [Shinawatra] visited Phuket recently, he saw one site from the main road to town and was shocked by such behaviour; and frankly, so was I."

In the new century, Songkran says, one should have learned from contemporary projects where existing trees are retained to enhance the beauty of the surroundings.

It is this feature of lush greenery set against a pristine seafront that has boosted Sri Panwa's fortunes.

Its two-bedroom pool villas are on a 30-year leasehold contract, with an option for another 30 years, for Bt27 million. The price includes all the furnishings.

A management package is available should buyers wish to rent out their homes.

The villas are designed by local architect Habita, an outfit that excels in resort-type designs, says Songkran. RKV Engineering Consultants have provided the civil structure while the handsome interiors come from ISM Co.

Itthi C Tan

The Nation