As you would expect the main topic of conversation amongst those involved with the property industry in Phuket is of the Bangkok protests and the impact it is having or will have on Phuket. There’s no question we have seen tourists numbers drop dramatically even more so than we normally see at this time of year as we enter the low season.

As far as property and land transactions are concerned – sale or rental – we have seen a slowdown. Of that there is no doubt. Yet, we at Phuket Property Dot Com are seeing high numbers of visitors to the site and, importantly, they are staying on the site for a good length of time. So interest is out there.

Economic downturns always provide opportunities for those with spare liquidity so there will be people looking for deals and opportunities to get more “bang for their buck”.

Developers are holding off and playing the waiting game. But we are not hearing of anyone cancelling on planned projects. We are hearing of a few individuals walking away from their deposits.

So, if people are spending time on our site looking at property, who are they and where are they from?  Hong Kong and Singapore will always be interested in Phuket. It’s almost become a tradition! The new markets appear to be Russia, China, Australia and India. As far as Europe is concerned no one is holding their breath given the Euro has dropped off a cliff.

There is concern and worry within the industry here, no question. But we see and believe there is an undercurrent of optimism for the future and it may not be that far away.

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