......Pattaya, let’s face it, is is not for everyone. For some it is just too hectic, too loud and – thanks in no small part to the traffic here – it can be stressful, writes John Davids.
Perhaps I should quickly add that the above does not sum up my view of Pattaya. I find it hard to imagine living anywhere else.
That said, I can sympathise with those who seek somewhere more restful – maybe a fishing village where the adjective “sleepy” is not misused.
Recently I visited just such a spot. It’s called Mae Phim and can be found some 30 kilometres the other side of Rayong.
It’s a charming place with a lovely tree-lined beach, the expected seafood restaurants and a bars bereft of “hostesses”.
Those who enjoy the quiet life will love it. Those who are unhappy if there is no cinema multiplex nearby, no Lotus-style supermarket and no beer bar scene might not.
At present Mae Phim is especially popular with Scandinavians thanks in no small part to developers Logans, whose principals hail from that part of the world.
Some four years ago the company which, until then, had been concentrating their efforts in the Bang Saen area, “discovered” Mae Phim.
In one fell swoop Logans picked up several large plots of land there. “This was to secure the best possible plots for the future as we saw the huge potential of the area,” explained Pasi Marjamaki, the company’s Finnish-born sales manager.
Since then Logans have embarked on numerous projects ranging in price from Bt2-80m and, at the time of my visit, there were seven different schemes under development.
Main reason for my visit was to attend an open day held by Logans at their 79-unit Seaview Condominium project which lies just on the bend as drivers turn into the resort.
The pictures at the top of this spread were taken from the big balcony and inside one of the spacious top floor apartments at Seaview. The one showing the pool will give a clue to just how close the development is to the uncluttered beach.
Of the 79 units, 13 remain on the market. Prices range from just under Bt4m for an 80 sqm ground floor apartment to Bt10.877m for the 119 sqm seventh (top) floor apartment I visited. The prices include VAT, kitchen, white goods, air conditioning and sanitaryware.
Pasi was kind enough to show me around the resort.
After visiting the beach we went to the most exclusive of Logans’ developments at Mae Phim. The yet-to-be-finished house (seen far left) is on the three floors and is the largest in the project at well over 1,000 sqm. Note the sea view to the right of the picture.
This house has a buyer as do the two slightly smaller houses alongside. “On the right side we will construct five more exclusive houses with large plots and we have options available for new customers,” said Pasi.
From there we saw the small fishing wharf before heading inland to Bali Residence where the prices are more sedate at a little over Bt2 up to Bt5m. The designs are unusual in that many dwellings seem to be split into two (see picture, below left). It has its own shuffle service to the beach. Only a few units remain.
Back at the beach I saw where Logans plan a small parade of shops at the Mae Phim Plaza which leads to their Seabreeze (pictured, below right) and Blue Mango developments. Seabreeze – starting price Bt4.8m – still has units available, but Blue Mango is sold out.
Logans still hold an extensive land bank in the area but plans are yet to be revealed. Ω
Contact Pasi Marjamaki on
+66 (0)81996 8803 or email sales@logansthailand.com.
www. logansthailand.com.
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