Cape Panwa - Neglected - No Way Is This 5 Star!

[simon43]

I'm not talking about the hotel of that name - I'm talking about the area.

Whilst on a visit to Phuket, I took a drive in Ao Makham peninsula to look for a house to rent. It's 6 years since I last visited that area, and how it has changed - and not for the better!

Towards the tip of the peninsula, there are many five star hotels and condo projects. Well, if I had booked an expensive holiday in this area, I would be demanding my money back. As I drove in that 'exclusive' area, the view was dotted with abandoned and unfinished building projects - ugly concrete shells and rusting infrastructure.

What a total eyesore! It reminded me of the condo building projects in BKK that were abandoned during the 97 financial crisis - except there were many such abandoned projects all within a small geographical area.

Certainly not pretty, and hardly a good advertisement for the island

Simon (in grumpy old man mode)

[grumpyoldman]

"grumpy old man mode" hey, I resemble that remark !

You are absolutely right Simon, I think the only reason those five stars are building out there is the land must've been the cheapest on the island? The area is not nice and far from anything.

The Sheraton is going up on that Ao Makham with beautiful views of the LPG tankers and ocean water that is not nice, can't understand who advised them to build there or why they decided to go up there............

[Valentine]

I'm not talking about the hotel of that name - I'm talking about the area.

Whilst on a visit to Phuket, I took a drive in Ao Makham peninsula to look for a house to rent. It's 6 years since I last visited that area, and how it has changed - and not for the better!

Towards the tip of the peninsula, there are many five star hotels and condo projects. Well, if I had booked an expensive holiday in this area, I would be demanding my money back. As I drove in that 'exclusive' area, the view was dotted with abandoned and unfinished building projects - ugly concrete shells and rusting infrastructure.

What a total eyesore! It reminded me of the condo building projects in BKK that were abandoned during the 97 financial crisis - except there were many such abandoned projects all within a small geographical area.

Certainly not pretty, and hardly a good advertisement for the island

Simon (in grumpy old man mode)

You should bring this gripe to the GOMs meeting on Monday.

[LivinLOS]

I have a soft spot for Panwa / Ao Yon and the side that faces back to Rawai (can never remember how to spell it Kao khad ??) your not so far away from amenities like Nai Yang or Ao Po is but your away from the crazy busyness that most of the south of the island has, and well away from west coast tourist attitudes. Thats with an eye to the future.

I went and rode around it about a week ago, and was shocked at how much building is started, or advertised, that I simply cannot image who will occupy ?? its just unit after unit after unit. Yet theres so few people out there.

To me its just a symptom of the oversupply that comes at the end of a credit boom.

[JetsetBkk]

Some nice condos being built into the hillside there, facing the sea and the sunset. Only about 27 million baht each.

[simon43]

Yes, I drove along the Kao Khad road as well. Scenic views across to Chalong. My peace was interrupted by a car which had failed to negotiate a bend in the road and had gone down the incline towards the sea. They were just carrying her body back up as I passed

Simon

[happyaussie]

"grumpy old man mode" hey, I resemble that remark !

You are absolutely right Simon, I think the only reason those five stars are building out there is the land must've been the cheapest on the island? The area is not nice and far from anything.

The Sheraton is going up on that Ao Makham with beautiful views of the LPG tankers and ocean water that is not nice, can't understand who advised them to build there or why they decided to go up there............

Sheraton (Starwood) like most of the big hotel companies are a managment company and own very few properties. They will pretty well manage anything if the numbers are right.

I also agree that this area is a shocker. Miles from anywhere decent. No doubt the marketing machine will put a positive twist on things. But once people arrive for their Phuket experience they will be disappointed. Glad I'm not the manager.

I can imagine in years gone by the area could have been up there with the best of them.

[barka]

I have a soft spot for Panwa / Ao Yon and the side that faces back to Rawai (can never remember how to spell it Kao khad ??) your not so far away from amenities like Nai Yang or Ao Po is but your away from the crazy busyness that most of the south of the island has, and well away from west coast tourist attitudes. Thats with an eye to the future.

I went and rode around it about a week ago, and was shocked at how much building is started, or advertised, that I simply cannot image who will occupy ?? its just unit after unit after unit. Yet theres so few people out there.

To me its just a symptom of the oversupply that comes at the end of a credit boom.

You are spot on,this is happening all over the island...reminds me of spain years ago..look whats happened to that..

[pmgthailand]

Why do people still continue to buy these overpriced, poorly built homes on this dirty, expensive and overpopulated island, where everyone is a scam artist? And you can't even own the land! A fool and his money are easily parted I guess!

Some nice condos being built into the hillside there, facing the sea and the sunset. Only about 27 million baht each.

[DLock]

I have been tempted down that way a few times over the years to look at property, but each time it reminds me why I didn't buy the time before.

A good photographer can make it look charming and quiet and a great place for a holiday.

In reality it's anything but. It's miles from anywhere, poor beaches and water quality, smelly and overpriced.

If you like the sights and smell of an oil refinery, tankers and not much else, you will love Panwa. Enjoy.

[LivinLOS]

I think it appeals if your the kind of person who feels much of the rest of the island is no longer quiet enough..

It's miles from anywhere

And Yamu / Ao Po / Anything north of the sisters roundabout isnt ??

poor beaches

Yon has to be one of the best (non wave) beaches on the island ??

and water quality,

Again, never seen that at yon.

smelly and overpriced.

Or this much.. Sure theres some villas with 'aspirational' pricing.. But isnt that everywhere ??

Anyway, its all about personal preferences, but I can see the argument for as well as against. The very tip of Panwa facing N/E perhaps has the view you describe.

[DLock]

I think it appeals if your the kind of person who feels much of the rest of the island is no longer quiet enough..

It's miles from anywhere

And Yamu / Ao Po / Anything north of the sisters roundabout isnt ??

poor beaches

Yon has to be one of the best (non wave) beaches on the island ??

and water quality,

Again, never seen that at yon.

smelly and overpriced.

Or this much.. Sure theres some villas with 'aspirational' pricing.. But isnt that everywhere ??

Anyway, its all about personal preferences, but I can see the argument for as well as against. The very tip of Panwa facing N/E perhaps has the view you describe.

Ao Po and Yamu are equally far from anything, with murky waters but better views. They are also overpriced and have not reached the lofty expectations of Investors. But we weren't talking about Ao Po or Yamu...

I have looked at many high end Villas around Panwa and the smell of oil and views of tankers can be distracting.

No doubt there are some gems with great views, but I just find the overall environment lacking and too far from anything.

I'm sure it suits some people and thats a good thing.