Despite heavy rains, congested traffic, badly built roads and the urban chaos caused by mass tourism, Pattaya is today still drawing hordes of visitors.

The town is poised for a boom because of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and speculators are telling investors to shore up realty prices. But many investors, burnt by property fallouts during past few years, have learned to ignore the hype.

Bombastic remarks mean little when it is evident Pattaya's amazing resilience is in itself worthy of a punt. After all, it is a real alternative to Bangkok's stressful living conditions, being less crowded and less polluted - and then there is the sea.

Developer Arun Eamsureya focused on these fundamental strengths when he built Baan Talay, one of the better luxury projects in outer Jomtien.

Arun relaunched his estate last week, after it sparked buying earlier this year with a fifth of the project already booked.

Buyers like the location as it possesses the much-needed privacy and tranquillity that were lost when over-speculation almost destroyed Pataya 15 years ago.

With 68 houses - all with sea views - Baan Talay is built on a slope from the Sukhumvit Highway, which runs down to a 180-metre-wide beach frontage.

The homes here are large, with built-up areas of 373 to 700 square metres. All the units sport plenty of balconies, as well as plenty of well-designed indoor space.

Priced from Bt14 million to Bt120 million, the homes are drawing a largely Thai clientele who appreciate the family-oriented facilities.

A 2,000-square-metre clubhouse and fitness complex with a large swimming pool is located right on the beach.

A few land plots are also available for purchase.

The project is located across from Nong Nuch Village in outer Jomtien, about a 25-minute drive from Pattaya town.

The quaint location is excellent for people who care little for the messy, noisy and rougher parts of Pattaya that overflow with the nightlife industry.

Still, in spite of its provincial standards, Pattaya today beats Bangkok in terms of cleanliness, although its littering problem is gigantic with Beach Road full of the plastic bags that are so deadly to marine life.

Thankfully, Baan Talay is far away from Pattaya's ugliest spots like Beach Road, which faces the constant tearing down of footpaths, seawalls and roads and is now in its 20th year of slow and unending repairs.

Baan Talay last week opened new completed units at the site for viewers. CB Richard Ellis is the project's marketing and sales agent.

Itthi C Tan

The Nation