For many on the island, this important question will at some stage, need to be addressed. If we get sick, where should we go for treatment?

The answer depends on several factors, plus a basic knowledge of what is available on the island. Friends and other longer term expats can always give opinions and recommendations, and their advice is usually accurate. If in doubt, shop and ask around.

For those who live and holiday here, having access to some of the best quality medical care in the country is often taken for granted. Whilst none of us want to get sick, it is a pleasant surprise when Phuket’s healthcare services are used, as they are usually efficient, effective and often of a very high standard.

Essentially there are three public hospitals, three private hospitals, plus 110 clinics and over 200 private practices – a vast choice. If you do the math, you will find that the ‘doctor to population’ ratio is well above the Thailand average. Add this to the number of hospital beds, availability of nurses and other support services, and you will see that the island’s facilities are excellent.

Vachira Phuket Hospital, Patong Hospital and Thalang Hospital are all operated by the Thai Ministry of Public Health. As public facilities, they are usually busy and waiting times for non-emergency cases can be long and the wards overcrowded. Some patients may end up sleeping in the corridors. Clients are usually Thai, however foreign patients do use their services, particularly those who do not have any insurance, or cannot afford private care. Vachira Hospital, the largest hospital on the island with over 500 beds is located in Phuket Town. Many specialists work from Vachira Hospital and also consult at other public and private hospitals around the island. That’s why you may see the same specialist treating patients in both the public hospitals and private hospitals, or from their own clinics. Vachira Hospital also participates as a Social Security Fund hospital. This scheme is funded by deductions from employees’ wages. Foreigners are eligible.

Patong Hospital is located opposite the police station in Patong, with a busy emergency department. There is a high incidence of accident cases in the Patong area. The hospital does have limited services after hours, but at some times there may be no doctors available. Thalang Hospital, a 60-bed facility, is much smaller and generally treats less serious cases from the northern part of the island. More severe cases would be referred to Vachira Hospital. All of the public hospitals will charge foreigners for healthcare services, and whilst they are cheaper than the private hospital, they are not free.

There are three private hospitals, which generally cater to the vast majority of foreigners:
Mission Hospital is a not-for-profit hospital and is part of the worldwide Seventh-Day-Adventist church group. Some say it is the cheapest of the private hospitals. It is located on Thepkrasattri Road, near the Rajabhat Institute. It is the only other hospital on the island besides Vachira, which will accept Social Security Fund patients.

Phuket International Hospital, sometimes referred to as PIH or Siriroj Hospital, is on the bypass road between Central Festival and Tesco. It has recently completed major renovations, opening its new out-patient and room development, in September 2007. This is a medium-sized acute care hospital which has all of the required diagnostic and support facilities, and is a very popular choice for foreigners.
Bangkok Hospital Phuket is also a popular choice, and is part of the Bangkok Hospital Group which operates hospitals throughout Thailand. Located in Phuket Town, just down the road from Vachira Hospital, it has recently upgraded its facilities and opened a new out-patients’ building. It is considered the most expensive of the three private hospitals.

For simple ailments, you can choose to use one of the many clinics around Phuket, but you should be aware that these clinics may not have the full array of diagnostic equipment and laboratory services that are available to the larger hospitals. They also often have limited opening hours as the doctors may also work in the larger hospitals, during the day. Emergency cases, are not well handled at the clinics, and should be referred to one of the major private hospitals, or Vachira.

All healthcare facilities in Thailand are required by law to make a copy of your medical record available to you upon request, although some will charge you for doing so, especially if it is detailed and contains lots of information. By law, the healthcare facility must keep the original record for at least five years, so if you do change facilities, you can take your medical history with you.

Peter Davison, Manager International Services, Phuket International Hospital

Posted under Uncategorized

The types of offshore bonds (sometimes referred to as professional portfolio bonds) are varied and offer different advantages to investors to match their individual requirements.

TAX FREE GROWTH OF FUNDS
The underlying investment funds linked to a bond are owned by the life insurance company. All income and capital gains which the funds generate are reinvested into units. Many such instruments are based in the Isle of Man or Guernsey (the world-leading jurisdictions for offshore insurance) and therefore don’t pay tax on income or capital gains.

TAX DEFERRAL
Because income and gains grow free of tax, the policyholder can defer any tax liability on their capital until the benefits are taken. In most countries, bonds are considered non-income producing.

TIME APPORTIONMENT RELIEF
This means that tax can be reduced proportionately for time spent as a non-resident and additional investments are always deemed to be made at the initial investment date, even if made when resident again. Regular investments are treated the same.

How it works:
The A/B Rule. A = Number of days spent in UK. B = Number of days policy has been established.

For example: Mr. Jones has a policy worth £200,000 and his gain is £100,000. He started this plan when he was offshore 10,000 days ago, and he returned to the UK 1,000 days ago.

Calculation: 1000/10,000 x 100 = 10%. Therefore, 90% of the policy can be encashed in the UK with no tax liability.

TAX EFFICIENT ACCESS TO CAPITAL VIA WITHDRAWALS
In the UK, an amount equal to five per cent of the premium paid can be taken each year, for a maximum of 20 years, without incurring an immediate income tax liability. With portfolio bonds, this avoids the necessity of selling units to obtain an income.

INVESTMENT CHOICE
A bond offers the ability to restructure and change investment policy within the bond, without changing the investment vehicle.

BETTER TERMS
As an institutional investor, life offices can generally obtain better discounts/terms from investment houses than an individual and these savings are passed on to the policyholders. For example, if an individual were to buy units in a fidelity fund, then he’d pay a 5% bid/offer spread, but this could be reduced to as little as 0.25%, if purchased via a bond.

INVESTOR PROTECTION/PEACE OF MIND
In the unlikely event that a company should go into liquidation, the Isle of Man Life Assurance (Compensation of Policyholders) Regulations Act 1991 covers up to 90% of an insurer’s liability to the policyholder. The same applies for moneys held in Guernsey, as all investments there have to be held by a secure third party custodian. There’s no upper limit to the amount of compensation that can be paid. This makes the Isle of Man and Guernsey two of the best regulated international finance centres in the world.

CGT FREE SWITCHES
By actively managing a portfolio of funds the investor can switch between funds without incurring any tax liability. Normally, if investments are held directly, any disposals incur a capital gains tax liability.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE
Regular valuations keep the investor informed about the progress of the bond via a comprehensive statement detailing all transactions and the value of funds held. Centralising assets based in different countries under a bond wrapper may be attractive, as on death this would only involve obtaining Manx or Guernsey Probate. A professional administration service performs all transactions, relieving the client of the burden of time-consuming paperwork.

TRUSTEE INVESTMENTS
Offshore bonds are ideal trustee investments as they’re non-income producing and offer true tax deferral and little administration burden to trustees. We’ve several trust solutions for our potential clients.

POLICY ASSIGNMENT
It’s also possible to change the policy ownership, by assignment. In general, the new policy owner can then surrender the policy, and any tax liability will fall on him. If the new owner is a non-tax paying spouse, she can offset her unused personal allowances against any gains and pay less tax. This is also very useful for university fees funding.

NON RESIDENCE RELIEF – UK EXPATS
Any periods of non-residence will be relieved of income tax on final encashment. Top-slicing relief may be used for any periods of UK residence if the tax payer is within the basic rate tax band. This may save 18% tax on any chargeable amounts.

CGT V INCOME TAX
Until recently, it has been a feature of UK tax law that individuals who made capital gains were not liable for CGT, if the gain was realised while they were ‘non-UK resident’ or ‘ordinarily non-resident’. Clause 127 of the Finance Act 1998 changed that position. Under the new rules, individuals who have been UK resident for at least four out of the previous seven tax years prior to the tax year of departure will continue to be liable for UK CGT, on disposals they make whilst non-resident, if they return to the UK within five years. The new rules apply to individuals who leave the UK after 17th March 1998 and apply to assets they held prior to their departure. If the individual is UK domiciled, the charge would be on worldwide assets.

An alternative, and potentially much safer approach, would be to contribute to investments which are not subject to CGT i.e. offshore regular and single premium life assurance policies. They’re fully portable, as the investor moves from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In most countries, no tax charge arises until the benefits are taken.

George Lindsay, Wealth Manager at Expat Solutions

Posted under Lifestyle, Property News

Phuket, and its surrounding areas, has become one of Thailand’s best-established markets for hotel, villa, condominium and resort-related businesses. Although demand has slowed over the last 18 months, new developments continue to proliferate across the island. In geographical terms, development zones in Phuket can be broadly divided into five areas – north, west, south, east and inland.

With high concentrations of villa development and a resulting shortage of developable sites in the west, the most recent construction has been concentrated in the north, east and southern areas. The east of the Island provides opportunities for marine-related developments and tourism. Some villa developments there, such as The Cape and The Bay have been effectively marketed internationally. It’s anticipated that this area will begin to see more varied development in the next few years in response to the demand from both clients and investors.

Generally, In terms of unit types in all resort locations, two-bedroom configurations comprise the largest proportion, already constructed or currently being built. This design is well-suited to meet the demand for holiday accommodation. Increasingly, such properties are also being purchased on a ‘buy-to-rent’ basis.

The beauty of the beaches in Thailand and the price of land, which internationally is still perceived as reasonably good value for money, continue to be strong attractions for buyers wishing to invest in a holiday residence or second home.

Tourism related opportunities will, of course, continue to be the mainstay of Phuket’s real estate market, for many years to come. The island is now established as a major international holiday destination.

With a growing number of repeat and new tourist arrivals year-on-year, opportunities will continue to exist for all segments of the hotel industry. In the low-end sector, there will always be student and backpacker tourism, as Phuket is recognised as a base for Andaman Sea island hopping. The midrange market segment will see renewed growth once homeland job security is restored. The top end of the market will continue to experience strong demand attributable to the diversification and greater financial stability of the clientele. There continues to be a need for good branding and service delivery in all sectors. The marina tourism segment in particular will see renewed growth when the global economy stabilises.

According to Thai law, foreigners can purchase up to 49% of the saleable area in any freehold condominium project. Eligible foreigners include:

• those with residence permits
• those granted permission to enter the Kingdom under the Investment Promotion Act as investors in a limited company more than 49% owned by aliens.
• foreign juristic persons with Investment Promotion Certificates
• foreign individuals or juristic persons remitting foreign currency into the Kingdom for the purchase of a condominium unit.

The remaining 51% of the condominium area must be sold either to Thai nationals or Thai corporations. In some cases, foreigners who are shareholders in legally defined Thai companies are able to acquire the Thai ownership quota in condominium projects. To avoid complications with this issue, many projects in Phuket offer condominiums on a long-term lease basis for a period of 30 years, which can thereafter be extended for two additional 30-year lease periods. This amounts to a 90-year lease.

These laws are all well known now and generally accepted in the marketplace. It’s always a good thing for developers to ensure that their sales and purchase agreements are very clear, and are understood by the buyers. The developer’s sales staff should therefore be well-versed in the application of this legislation.

A new breed of developers?

We’ve recently seen an increase in both foreign and domestic developers who have adopted a new strategy of selling to the domestic as well as the foreign market. This is already a feature in other resort destinations like Hua Hin and Pattaya. Projects with prices per square metre ranging from THB 70,000 to THB 85,000 are becoming more popular. They offer the same common facilities as developments that were previously built at a higher cost. If the project has good rental programs and is to be managed by a respected service provider, Thai investors will see it as a good choice. Phuket’s status as a mature tourist market seems assured.

Jones Lang LaSalle

Posted under Lifestyle, Property News

Often when people think about insulation they think of keeping in the heat, of cold countries and thick walls. However even in tropical climates insulation is an important part of construction and now there are new developments which mean that insulation can not only be more environmentally friendly but safer for people as well.

There are many benefits to having good insulation. It reduces heat gain in tropical climates such as Thailand. It also controls condensation which is important in a country where it rains heavily for part of the year and is humid all year round. Water stains or mould on interior lines are the most obvious sign of condensation and this means that the humid air has infiltrated the building structure.

Insulation also reduces noise levels and the strategic use of acoustic insulation is an essential part of any modern construction. For example, even the noise of rain through metal roofing can be significantly reduced by installing good insulation in the roof system.

Insulation should also help you save on energy costs. Because it reduces heat gain houses should be able to save between 30 to 50% on electricity bills.

Factors to take into account when choosing insulation include air temperature, levels of solar radiation, air movement and humidity. Tropical environments such as Thailand generate the most extreme and powerful examples of each of these factors.

Usually conventional polystyrene and polyurethane foam blends are used in insulation because of their excellent capacity to insulate, but they require petroleum for production, contain toxic chemicals and are non-biodegradable. However, more and more ‘green’ insulating products are coming onto the market.

Recycled paper insulation is currently popular in the UK and uses recycled newsprint. Over one million homes in Britain now have this type of insulation.

Hempflax insulation mostly uses hemp fibre with some added polyester fibre for reinforcing. Hemp is naturally resistant to moths and beetles so extra chemical applications are avoided.

Cotton fibres are also a popular option as they also contain no harmful chemicals. Glass fibre insulation uses up to 80% of recycled glass and has proven to be very effective.

The very latest idea is organic insulation which consists of water, flour, minerals and mushroom spores. Scientists are still testing this product but it is possible that this will be the way forward. It is cheap, easy to manufacture and completely safe for the environment and people.

Sustainable practices are the measures that satisfy the needs of people today while enhancing the quality of life for future generations. So make sure you choose insulation which is not only practical and effective, but environmentally friendly and uses up to 80% of recyclable materials in its production. After all, in Thailand everything is recycled, so it can’t be that hard.

This article is provided courtesy of Phuket Villas & Homes as part of the company’s corporate responsibility programme.

Posted under Health, Lifestyle, Property News

The home can be a toxic waste dump and cleaning products are especially responsible for creating air that is often up to ten times less clean than the air outside your front door. Floor and furniture polish contain phenol, diethylene, glycoland and other toxic compounds. Glass cleaners have ammonia, metal cleaners have phosphoric and sulfuric acid and oven cleaners contain lye. Air fresheners also contain phenol, cresol and formaldehyde. The list goes on.

The health risks of using chemically-based products include allergies, cancer, migraines and nausea. Only 7% of the three thousand chemicals produced in amounts of one million pounds a year have been fully tested. Manufacturers of cleaning compounds do not have to disclose what is in them. This means you may want to turn to more environmentally safe cleaning alternatives.

There are natural ingredients that you probably have in your fridge and cupboards which clean just as well as store-bought chemically based cleaners, and are much friendlier to the environment, not to mention your children and pets.

Vinegar, lemon and baking soda are three ingredients which separately or combined will have your house cleaned in a jiffy, smelling wonderful, and are all non-toxic.

Vinegar

This is an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of one part vinegar to one part water to create a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. It is cheap and safe to use on most surfaces, however never use it on marble or on tiling as it eats away at the grout.

In the bathroom you can use it to clean the bathtub, toilet, sink and counter tops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. It will remove scum and hard water stains on fixtures as it is naturally acidic.

In the kitchen it can be used on stovetops, appliances, countertops and the floor and in the laundry it is a natural fabric softener. If you add half a cup to the rinse cycle, it has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively.

Lemon Juice

This will dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. It will also give a wonderful sheen to brass and copper. If you mix it with baking soda and vinegar it creates a general cleaning paste.

Mix one cup of olive oil with half a cup of lemon juice and you have a great furniture polish for hardwood furniture. A whole lemon peel in the garbage deposit freshens drains and kitchens.

Baking Soda

This is used to scrub surfaces in the same way as abrasive cleaners and is a natural deodorizer. A box placed in the fridge or freezer will absorb all odors.

In Thailand, there is a tendency to overuse chemically-based products in the home. These can not only affect the environment as a whole, with runoff into drainage systems and air pollution, but create health risks for you and your family. Natural alternatives clean just as well, are cheap, and create a much better living environment. Why not raid your cupboards and give them a try?

This article is provided courtesy of Phuket Villas & Homes as part of the company’s corporate responsibility programme.

Posted under Health, Lifestyle, Property News

Posted under Lifestyle, Property News

While the world financial crisis rumbles stubbornly on, it looks as though the worst surprises are now behind us - and 2009 is a time for investors and smart buyers to think about the bargains to be had in markets that have reached depths never seen before. So, where do you invest your money now? A bank? Stocks? I don’t think so!

Many investors are looking for a safe haven to put their money and to receive a good return on capital. Likewise, smart property buyers are looking for a ‘good buy’ and guaranteed rental return.

Voted Nº 1 World Luxury Destination of the Year by the New York Times, Phuket - by no means immune from what’s happening around the world - still remains a relatively stable bet, largely unaffected by the mortgage crisis that has depressed property markets elsewhere.

So, this is the time to consider buying a property in Phuket. It is now (but not for long!), because of the general uncertainty around the world, a buyer’s market, presenting a real opportunity to make handsome returns on any property investment - whether for holiday, second home or for pure investment.

As an old Chinese proverb says: “The best time to invest is when there’s blood in the streets.”

(Based on a recent newsletter from Layan Gardens & Luna Phuket)

Posted under Property News