Koh Chang-based developer Siam Royal View Group plans to develop a mixed-use project worth 4.5 billion baht on a 270-rai plot on Koh Mak and will spend 600 million baht to build a hotel and new condominium on Koh Chang to capitalise on the government's much-touted Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Chief executive Roland Steiner said major tourist islands in Trat will benefit from the EEC, the government's flagship initiative, as there will be investment in new infrastructure projects to support the eastern provinces' business and industrial activities.
One of them will be the development of Sattahip pier, with a ferry terminal to Koh Chang's ferry pier.
Tourists will be able to travel from the U-tapao airport to Koh Chang within 2.5-3 hours, down from a total 4-4.5 hours, including 3.5 hours by car to the pier in Trat and 30-45 minutes by ferry to Koh Chang.
U-tapao airport is being upgraded and scheduled for launch by the end of the year. Its capacity in the next decade will equal Suvarnabhumi airport's today, Mr Steiner estimated.
"The new expansion of the airport will draw many flights," he said. "It will attract younger Thais, who prefer travelling by aeroplane, and have behaviour similar to European millennials. They also travel with small families."
To tap into tourist arrivals and resort-home buyers, the group plans to develop a 200-room beach resort with 100 villas and 150 condo units for sale and for rent on a 270-rai site on Koh Mak, an island off the southeast of Koh Chang.
Located on the northeastern tip of Koh Mak, the project will also comprise restaurants, bars, a spa, a driving range, other resort facilities and a 750-metre airstrip suitable for light aircraft or a 12-seater plane, along with hangars.
"The new project will be similar to our mixed-use development on Koh Chang," Mr Steiner said. "We will either open for a joint venture or offer the land for sale at 550 million baht."
On Koh Chang, the company will spend 320 million baht to develop 66 hotel rooms at the Siam Royal View Koh Chang development, a mixed-use project on a 300-rai site at Klong Son Bay in the north of the island.
Construction will start in March 2018 and 50% will be completed and opened in October 2018, with the rest of the project launching a year later.
The project has nine hotel rooms, under Peninsula Beach Resort, that have been open since last November with room rates of 3,500-9,000 baht a night, depending on the season. Signature Collection is the hotel management.
The group in May this year launched Marina Condominium I with 20 units worth 183 million baht, 14 of which have been sold. Units range from 68 to 180 square metres and are priced at 5.9-18.8 million baht.
Construction started six months ago and will be completed by the end of the year. It also plans to develop Marina Condominium II, which will have the same number of units and project value as the first.
Founded in 2004, Siam Royal View Group is a privately owned specialist company working at luxury Thailand property development. The group has project landholding companies, construction companies (construction operations, architecture) and service companies (maintenance, hospitality).