Massive New Development In Bang Sarae

[Mobi]

I have read two articles in the past few weeks about an enormous development due to start at Bang Sarae that will cover over 200 Rai of land, 1.8 kms long and will contain a "Disney Land" a massive Water Park with man made beaches and lagoons, condominiums, 6 Starhotels and even a replica of the real Bang Sarae village and goodness knows what else, all to be completed in the next 3.5 years.

Here's some excerpts from the most recent article:

Thailand's money-spinning tourism industry could get a major boost when the first phase of The Beaches, a major destination resort and spa development at Bang Saray Bay, is completed in three and half years. This project is positioned to have something for everyone _ a water-themed park, man-made private beaches, a kilometre-long boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants, and even villas over the water, taking their inspiration from the Maldives. All this grandeur will be very 21st century, with the whole site being served with super high-speed Internet and a cashless payment system.

Liakat Sultan Dhanji, the chairman and CEO of Pacific Shore Company, has pulled out all the stops to make the project a success. His track record suggests he can pull it off. A former CEO of Golden Land Development Plc, he has also undertaken a string of projects in Canada before he came to Thailand.

''I went to South America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, the Mediterranean and Fiji and I looked around at what was happening and it became very apparent to me that the whole tourism market is shifting dramatically and shifting towards destination resorts.''

The concept is not really new _ think back half a century to Walt Disney and his vision for Disneyland, followed by Disney World. Another pioneer was Sol Kerzner who built Sun City in South Africa. Investors in Las Vegas started to take notice, and set out to transform the US city from one known mainly for gambling and vice into a thriving family attraction.....

The Beaches is being positioned as an all-inclusive family destination combining the appeal of Disneyland and Las Vegas, with no need for casinos to spice up the attraction.

Today Hong Kong and Tokyo have Disneylands of their own, and Singapore is also building two mega resorts where casinos will be part of the draw. There will also be water-based theme parks, shows, entertainment, food outlets and retail _ ''basically turning Singapore into another Las Vegas,'' says Mr Dhanji.

In Dubai, meanwhile, there is Dubailand, which is being divided into six theme worlds with the first of four phases expected to be completed early next year. One of the most eagerly awaited attractions is Sahara World.....

Spurring him on was an interesting statistic out of Las Vegas showing that 97% of the people who go there in fact don't gamble but are there for the entertainment, food and ambience. ''Because you can go to one place and it satisfies the needs of mom, dad, the kids of various ages because they have something for everyone from theme parks to golf courses to spas, so many types of restaurants, from casual to expensive, that somebody can take a week off and never have to leave Las Vegas.''

To him, this means that any such destination resort in Thailand would work and be able draw visitors even without the casino element.

Another interesting statistic led Mr Dhanji to choose a location close to Bangkok. It seems that 67% of all the visitors to Las Vegas are from one city only, and that is Los Angeles.

This led to the purchase of The Beaches site in Bang Saray, a small fishing village close to Pattaya. ''One day I happened to go to Bang Saray because somebody had invited me there and I said, 'Oh my God, it reminds me of Waikiki (in Hawaii) 32 years ago when my father took me there', and I said, 'Wow, this is right on my doorstep.'''

Having acquired the 200-rai land plot that is 1.8 kilometres long and bigger than the Las Vegas strip, he's now looking to put all the elements together.

The water park will be built by White Water West Industries, the largest specialist in the field, with customers including Disney and Sea World.

''Now, to make a destination resort work you need several features _ hotels, restaurants, retail shops, entertainment. So what I did was I put together a boardwalk, a kilometre long, that is going to have a mixture of all kinds of restaurants.''

The private villas as well as private lagoons and man-made beach, are a nod to the location. ''Because the history of Bang Saray is fishing, and it's got to be one of the oldest and most beautifully preserved fishing villages. I am going to recreate a fishing village here and actually work with the fishermen _ the village will be able to give us fresh seafood.''

Aside from a six-star hotel there will be a convention centre, given that the meetings and incentives market is the fastest growing tourism segment.

Pacific Shore has already sold some villas and condominium units. The residences offer 90-year leaseholds (three 30-year terms) because the venture has received Board of Investment promotion. Bangkok Bank will be providing some of the financing for the project.

While some might regret the modernisation of Bang Saray, Mr Dhanji says the company has taken pains to ensure low density, with as much as 70% of all the space on the site being open.

If this development is really happening, and it certainly seems that it is, it will have an enormous impact on Bang Sarae and the surrounding area, and even on Pattaya.

Does anyone know the precise location?

[CGW]

Sounds great!

3.5 years, the highway way to Bangkok should be nearing completion by then.

The traffic flow down Sukhumvit should also be much improved now they have laid turf and planted more flowers in the center reservation.

Should also keep a few hundred trucks in business, perfect

[Basil B]

Sounds great!

3.5 years, the highway way to Bangkok should be nearing completion by then.

The traffic flow down Sukhumvit should also be much improved now they have laid turf and planted more flowers in the center reservation.

Should also keep a few hundred trucks in business, perfect

Yes,

Heard about this a few years ago, the prospects for Pattaya & especially Jomtien seem to be on the up, particularly if city hall can improve and enforce its planning policy.

BB

[billaaa777]

Great

[Jingthing]

I am a bit skeptical. Vegas without the gambling and hos? It wouldn't be nearly as big even though most tourists aren't big gamblers or ho mongers. It sounds like a good draw for families with young children though. Also, reading between the lines, I think they are hoping they will eventually be able to add casinos. But if it works, yes, it will be huge for the region, it already has a huge base of tourists nearby.

Edited December 9, 2007 by Jingthing

[paul1970]

"with the whole site being served with super high-speed Internet"

In Thailand, yeah right. That will be 512Kbs/128Kbs then !!!!

And what is with all the high class developments in Pattaya and Jomtien, don't these developers realize that once all the beer bars and ho's are driven out of town that it will almost certainly be the end of Pattaya as a tourist destination.

Let's get real on why tourists come here, is it for the beautiful beaches in Pattaya and Jomtien......I don't think so, there are much better beaches elsewhere in Thailand.

Could it be for the wonderful cheap gourmet food and cheap beer, again that is available at places much closer to Europe and the USA...so then I wonder why most of these tourists drag themselves halfway round the world, could it have anything to do with the friendly lasses of Thailand I wonder.

So I wonder where these developments will make their money when all the tourists realize that all is left is a miserable dirty beach, expensive hotels and shopping centers and pretty much nothing else.

At the end of the day even though I love living in Pattaya it's not what I would class as a Paradise destination.

Now if you really wanted to make money I would suggest finding another fishing village like Pattaya once was then develop it to the point where pattaya was at maybe 10 years ago and STOP, get all the girls from Pattaya there and watch the cash roll in, oh if only I had the capital.

[Jingthing]

Paul,

Pattaya has the market of people from closer in countries like China, Korea, Russia, mostly not sophisticated or even first time foreign travelers, and coming from cold places any beach without snow looks good.

[begsaresponse]

On one hand great for Thailand in terms of foreign investment, jobs, tourists ect.

But tragic to loose the serenity of Bang Saray beach.

We have been there several times and enjoyed the peace and tranquility it offers.

So is this called development? And if so what is the real cost?

[Jingthing]

Begs, very good point, but inevitable being so near the belly of the beast, the Big P.

[begsaresponse]

Begs, very good point, but inevitable being so near the belly of the beast, the Big P.

Excuse my ignorance (only lived in Pattaya 2 years) but is City Hall, Pattaya the admin centre for Bang Saray Or is there some other admin control?

Edited December 9, 2007 by begsaresponse

[Jingthing]

Begs, dunno, I was more thinking about the greed factor here.

[begsaresponse]

Begs, dunno, I was more thinking about the greed factor here.

Whatever it is they need to get control over this 'new beast' and lick it into the design that will enhance Bang Saray not destroy it.

You know in another thread there has been old pics of Pattaya before 'progress set in' . And it is almost impossible to recognise the place. I hope the same doen't happen here!

[eljeque]

I do not see Bang Saray being able to fill that many rooms, that many condos, or that many tourist attractions in only 3 1/2 years.

The Pattaya of yore IS NOT the Pattaya of today. And without the Pataya of yore, there would be no Pattaya of today.

What is the draw of Bang Saray? If this plan does work out, how long will it take until the beach water is filthy from all of the tourists. And, in order to accommodate one tourist, how many poor Thais workers does it take?

How many Thai people work in Pattaya to accommodate one tourist?

All of these people will need somewhere to live, and will also create waste materials. Where will all of it go?

Will annoying touts and scammers fill the sidewalks?

[CGW]

Begs, dunno, I was more thinking about the greed factor here.

Whatever it is they need to get control over this 'new beast' and lick it into the design that will enhance Bang Saray not destroy it.

You know in another thread there has been old pics of Pattaya before 'progress set in' . And it is almost impossible to recognise the place. I hope the same doen't happen here!

Look around Pattaya, thats your answer, money first for developers! I see no where in this area where there has been any concern for the environment. Lets not forget that in the early eighties Pattaya was a family resort with pristine beaches etc (It was the # 1 beach resort in Asia?) greed ruined it, then it went into decline for ten years or so, (then it was a good place to live) why should Bang Saray be any different?

[Jingthing]

I still think they believe they will be able to get casinos eventually, but they can't say that now.

[begsaresponse]

I still think they believe they will be able to get casinos eventually, but they can't say that now.

I would agree with you take on it!

[Mobi]

Some of you may have missed some of the detail on this project.

The land clearly has no beach frontage - hence the reference to 'man made beach', water parks etc.

It looks like it will all be carved out of 'virgin land' and will not encroach on Bang Sarae village itself (note the reference to a replica of the village being constructed in the development.)

This is going to be a "Disneyland" type of development, self contained.

Hence my question as to whether anyone was aware of the precise location. I can only assume that Bang Sarae is the closest place to it. For all we know, it might even be East of Sukhumvit.

This is a huge project by any standards, and obviously the developers will have to pay for the required infrastructure - power, water, roads, internet etc.

And being such a huge project, it will no doubt be marketed world wide to the target (family) groups, by travel agents and holiday companies.

If it is successful it will bring tens of thousands of new tourists to Thailand, and would have a knock on effect on Bang Sarae (proper) as well as Pattaya, a few kilometres down the road, but don't think this project will be in Pattaya, because it won't, and I doubt whether Pattaya City's remit extends that far.

[Beardog]

This one seems like it might go belly up!

I moved to Bang Sare in July & purchased some land. Me and my girl have spent almost 4 months investigating all the soi's nooks & crannies. This is a real small town & the draw is being able to get away from the hustle bustle of Pattaya.While I enjoy Pattaya , I moved here for the nature & peacefulness of the area. I worked in the U.S. off & on as a travel agent (outside agent) & the most common asked question for any travel is what is the destination known for, What can I expect! As if the travel agent isn't lying to their clientèle they would most likely say that it is known for a quiet fishing village & it is developing with people moving from Pattaya to the area.

The Bang Sare planning dept would undoubtedly make them pay for exorbitant costs on road repair-they have already implemented this to all the truck companies using the roads since the middle of this year. This was great news to the Bang Sare residents as our roads are renewed every year(unlike Pattaya's roads) but at a hefty cost to business owners & tour companies that use the highways & roadways.It sounds like they will be able to shoulder the cost of the project, but we all know to well the failure rate of projects in Pattaya(& this is far from the grandeurs of Pattaya) Disneyland in Bang Sare,Thailand sounds like it would be about as good as opening a Disneyland in Iraq. Most people come to Thailand to visit cause of the relative value for your money you spend or the fun bar scene & the beaches for 30-40 baht a chair.

I think if the investors really did their homework they would realize the bigger money would be to open up a real awesome U.S.-European- or Australian style Hardware chain as every farang & Thai cannot ever find anything they need & would gladly pay more to get supplies they need.

I think they would do better on the net profit,as I am sure they are in for a real eye opener on the new ways the government are finding to make to make money on farangs that make money.

It does sound like fun though, but I would bet more people would rather go to a familiar theme type park in the U.S. or Europe. I know I sure would. Disneyland- sin city is already here in Pattaya & is the real draw here.

I just can't imagine Mom & Pops taking their 15 year old son (or daughter) or younger or the wife letting hubby out of her sight for a short time in Pattaya. with Thailand having the reputation of being the infamous country of lust. Or at least it is thought of that in the U.S. I think there are 3 types of travelers that come to Thailand. The relax & go for a massage beach-face lift breast augmentation etc. The type that come here for the woo-hoo crazy Pattaya or Nana plaza scene or Kophangnan- Koh chang & lastly the cultural travel scene.

I wish them well & it doesn't matter to me personally- but if it were me I would re-asses the hit miss ratio in this area before putting out a load of funds (Theirs or investors)as Pattaya area is well known by most that live here as a here today gone tomorrow in the land of business . Pattaya park is not doing to well & the waterski park outside of Pattaya I haven't seen open for the last 2 years. I think they would do as well in Sioukenville Cambodia! On the other hand it could be a great way for the developer to rope in unsuspecting investors & do the proverbial dine & dash on the funds & make out great.

Now a good hardware store would draw Rayong - Bangkok if it was western style& well stocked!!!!!

Cheers

Beardog

Edited December 9, 2007 by Beardog

[Beardog]

Begs, very good point, but inevitable being so near the belly of the beast, the Big P.

Excuse my ignorance (only lived in Pattaya 2 years) but is City Hall, Pattaya the admin centre for Bang Saray Or is there some other admin control?

Begs I was thinking of starting to build a Baan here in Bang Sare & was told it had the plans had to be approved here in Bang Sare. I thought it would be Sattahib as the Chinotes & Electric & Govn. water-garbage all go through Sattahib. Pattaya is not the planning commission here from what I gather. Jai Dee one of the moderators out of Ban Ampur ( right down the road from Bang Sare would most likely be able to clue you in! He has dealt with the commission when he built his house.

Edited December 9, 2007 by Beardog

[andyadam]

I heard about a project about 2 years ago involving a theme park around the Pattaya area, this could well be the same project, if it is I know TAT are involved somehow.

[monty]

Begs I was thinking of starting to build a Baan here in Bang Sare & was told it had the plans had to be approved here in Bang Sare. I thought it would be Sattahib as the Chinotes & Electric & Govn. water-garbage all go through Sattahib. Pattaya is not the planning commission here from what I gather. Jai Dee one of the moderators out of Ban Ampur ( right down the road from Bang Sare would most likely be able to clue you in! He has dealt with the commission when he built his house.

Building plans normally get approved at Or Bor Tor level (municipality).

For those East of Pattaya (Mabprachan area), the local Tambon Pong Or Bor Tor is responsible and not Pattaya! Would be the same in Bang saray...

[sattahip]

Building administration in Amphur Sattahip is locally done as it is thoughout the country except where there is an approved "Municipal" body such as Pattaya is.

Pattaya's southern boundary on the Sukhumvit highway is at the crossroad 100 or so metres south of the "Jurassaic Park" site.

[Mobi]

I heard about a project about 2 years ago involving a theme park around the Pattaya area, this could well be the same project, if it is I know TAT are involved somehow.

The project would not have received BOI approval without the sponsorship/assistance of TAT. For sure they are involved.

[Beardog]

It will be interesting to see how this storyline will go! Things change pretty rapid in business here. Even monkey business.

good post Moby!

Edited December 10, 2007 by Beardog

[jonniebkk]

"with the whole site being served with super high-speed Internet"

And what is with all the high class developments in Pattaya and Jomtien, don't these developers realize that once all the beer bars and ho's are driven out of town that it will almost certainly be the end of Pattaya as a tourist destination.

Let's get real on why tourists come here, is it for the beautiful beaches in Pattaya and Jomtien......I don't think so, there are much better beaches elsewhere in Thailand.

Could it be for the wonderful cheap gourmet food and cheap beer, again that is available at places much closer to Europe and the USA...so then I wonder why most of these tourists drag themselves halfway round the world, could it have anything to do with the friendly lasses of Thailand I wonder.

So I wonder where these developments will make their money when all the tourists realize that all is left is a miserable dirty beach, expensive hotels and shopping centers and pretty much nothing else.

At the end of the day even though I love living in Pattaya it's not what I would class as a Paradise destination.

So how do you explain all the developments...new hotels and resorts on every soi, new shopping centers, restaurants, bars and niteclubs galore. The new Hollywood disco...all these investors (some of the the most savvy in Thailand) sinking billions of baht in investment into the Pattaya/Jomtiien area. There must be plenty of money being made now by current operators to draw in all these new ones. They must see a bright future ahead.

I am of two minds about it all..I enjoy all the new shopping and eating choices but dislike the crowds...bkut you cant have one without the other.

[Prakanong]

I am a bit skeptical. Vegas without the gambling and hos? It wouldn't be nearly as big even though most tourists aren't big gamblers or ho mongers. It sounds like a good draw for families with young children though. Also, reading between the lines, I think they are hoping they will eventually be able to add casinos. But if it works, yes, it will be huge for the region, it already has a huge base of tourists nearby.

Maybe gambling will come in the future - board rules man it can not be mentioned why

Now is probably a good time to start and have a head start on others.

[Rimmer]

Last time I heard about this it was at Horseshoe point, maybe it's been moved!

I am told that the power dept in Bang Saray (this is the main sub distribution station for this area) does not have enough power for existing developments, so one assumes they will be generating their own power.

Not sure how Pacific Shore are selling Villa's on a 3 x 30 year lease, unless the law has just been changed One term of thirty years lease is all that is allowed.

Please correct me if I am wrong but last time I was in the LV strip it was a lot longer than 1.8 km and also a few times larger than 200 rai.

[Rimmer]

Begs, very good point, but inevitable being so near the belly of the beast, the Big P.

Excuse my ignorance (only lived in Pattaya 2 years) but is City Hall, Pattaya the admin centre for Bang Saray Or is there some other admin control?

Begs I was thinking of starting to build a Baan here in Bang Sare & was told it had the plans had to be approved here in Bang Sare. I thought it would be Sattahib as the Chinotes & Electric & Govn. water-garbage all go through Sattahib. Pattaya is not the planning commission here from what I gather. Jai Dee one of the moderators out of Ban Ampur ( right down the road from Bang Sare would most likely be able to clue you in! He has dealt with the commission when he built his house.

Ban Ampur comes under the Hue Yai planning office. As does Phoenix, maybe they extend down as far as Bang Saray.

Edited December 10, 2007 by Rimmer

[toptuan]

Given Thailand's dismal record of quality control on things mechanical (subway accidents, 1-2 Go Jets, Water Park fatal accidents, etc.), I choose to avoid theme parks here as if my life depended on it....

[wilko]

Wonderfull a great ibg development smuthering whatever is left of the once beautiful coast line of Chonburi.....built to the highest standards - i.e. one drain to every three million tourists and no other infrastructure at all.

Another fine example of Thailand shitting in it's own nest

Edited December 10, 2007 by wilko