"City of Dharma" launched

Managing director Nopphakao Chaiyaburin said yesterday the project would have only 99 residential lots for sale on 350 rai.

The remaining 100 rai will have a hill with a stupa on top containing relics of the Lord Buddha, a dharma practice centre and library, boutique hotel, vegetarian restaurant and holistic health centre.

Financing will be out of internal cash flow.

The project is geared towards buyers who need a peaceful location. More than 10 lots have already been sold at a starting price of Bt800,000 per rai.

Buyers have to build their home within one year using a design provided by the developer, which has five models priced from Bt2 million-Bt10 million per unit.

All of the residential types will have a spacious meditation room.

The land now is zoned for agriculture, so buyers will get a farming licence only.

"We believe that after that they will get a title the next time when the government has a policy to upgrade farm certificates into titles," he said.

The project will also include a boutique hotel on 50 rai with 40 villas and guestrooms. Construction will commence at the end of next year.

Tanawat Wongtanutam, an executive board member, said that after White Village is completed in 2012, the next three projects, with the same concept, would be launched in Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

"Our policy is to build the city of dharma in four directions - northeast, north, south and west," he said.

Dharma Land was established this year with Bt10 million in registered capital by people from various businesses but with a strong interest in dharma.

The major shareholders are Roongnapa Wongsrisuchon, Nopphakao Chaiyaburin, who owns Dharma Cafe, Tanawat Wongtanutam and Suppapha Kulawattanayothin.