S ansiri PLC currently has over 240 projects spread throughout Thailand, as well as a project in Kensington, London. The company has become known not only for its well-designed residential units, but also its exceptional after-sales service and its commitment to various social causes and community projects. We are more than just a property company. Our goal is to construct a life, not just a building, says Sansiris Chief Executive Offcer, Khun Apichart Chutrakul. That is why it is important for us to also develop lifestyle services and products that ensure the needs of all of our customers are properly fulflled. Our service does not stop once a customer moves in to a new home. Our after-sales service promises the highest standards of customer care. Sansiri is also the only integrated property developer in Thailand, and the company prides itself on serving its customers for the long term a highly appealing feature to foreign investors. From construction and pre-sales, and throughout maintenance and rental brokerage, Sansiri is widely recognised for its efforts to make foreign homeownership and investment as easy and worry-free as possible for international buyers. Partner for living Since its inception in 1984, Sansiri PLC has grown to become Thailands leading property developer. The company specialises in a wide range of residential property options, including private homes, townhouses and condominiums. FEATURE WALL AT THE XXXIX INCORPORATINGPLEATED PREMIUMLEATHER ALONGTHE HEADBOARD AND DISTINCT LIGHTING. KHUNAPICHART CHUTRAKUL INDEPTH Sansiri 86 | OCTOBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 | 87 You could say Sansiri is a one-stop shop for all things real estate, adds Khun Apichart. When we build a property and sell it to a homebuyer, we essentially become their partner for life. Although long established as Thailands premier luxury developer, Sansiri now taps into every market segment to respond to the demands of customers looking for properties across different price ranges and locations. However, Sansiri prides itself on providing the best property products, regardless of market segment, from THB1million condominium units to THB100 million luxury estates. INDEPTH Sansiri THE ICONIC DESIGNOF SETTHASIRI WATCHARAPHOLS CLUBHOUSE IS INSPIRED BY THE SHAPE OF A SEED OF RICE. Our 240 projects nationwide cover every housing preference in the market, says Khun Apichart. We pay close attention to detail in developing our projects, and collaborate with leading architects and design brands from around the world to ensure the end result is always a beautiful living space of the highest quality with optimum functionality. It is one of our distinguishing featuresa unique selling point. When we design a project, we pay close attention to every single element and the smallest details, and use the context of the local community as inspiration for the design. Setthasiri Watcharapol is a good example of this approach. Its a modern Thai-style single-detached housing project with a signature Thai residence design and all the elements of the project were designed according to the concept of Holistic Living. The project also refects the location, which 50-100 years ago was a rice feld that produced sustenance for Bangkok residents. The Rice Kernel shape was used for the clubhouse design and has become a key landmark of the project. The design of a Sansiri project is always greatly inspired by the natural surroundings of that projects location, explains Khun Apichart. All of our projects, 88 | OCTOBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 | 89 THE MATERIALS AND CLOUD SCHEME AT BAANMAI KHAO REFLECT THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS. therefore, have very unique and distinct designs that are heavily infuenced by the environment of their respective areas, which we believe also makes Sansiri somewhat different from other developers. Foreigners are permitted to own up to 49 percent of any condominium development in Thailand, and there is already an excellent selection of Sansiri properties available for expatriate buyers to invest in. According to Khun Apichart, foreigners constitute approximately 3 percent of Sansiri property buyers and the goal is to increase this percentage to 10 percent over the next three to fve years in order to continue to sustain the companys rapid growth. We are seeing a growing trend of foreigners investing in property in Thailand and expect that it will continue, Khun Apichart explains. Once the AEC is implemented, we believe that the ASEAN real estate market will prove to be a sound investment for foreign buyers. The new competitive environment of the upcoming AEC will also add to the importance of expanding our customer base. One notable new Sansiri project that appeals to foreign investors is Baan Mai Khao , a freehold beachfront condominium on Phukets Mai Khao Beach. The project is being developed based on an overall concept of Unforgettable with Barefoot Luxury designs, and offers a high-class getaway surrounded by nature. Every last detail of the project, from its architecture to its fnishes, has been designed to evoke wind, sunshine and sand, says Khun Apichart. It has a semi-outdoor lobby with a gorgeous sea view, and the landscaped gardens are full of local vegetation, including Cajuputs and Eugenia tree which are unique to Mai Khao beach. Both the exterior and sun-flled interiors are inspired by Phukets signature Sino-Portuguese heritage. Sansiris holistic approach to property development has earned the company numerous accolades in a range of categories. Between 2006 and 2013, the company was recognised by a number of prestigious institutions and industry professionals, receiving awards that included Best Residential Project of the Year Award (2006) from Asia Pacifc Commercial Real Estate, Best Developer in Thailand Award (2008) from Euromoney, Design Excellence Award (2012) from the Department of International Trade Promotion, Good Design Award (2012) from The Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organisation, Best Public Service Architecture Thailand Award (2013) from the International Property Awards. In 2012, our residential sales were number one in Thailand, says Khun Apichart. However, being number one in sales is not our main objective it is far more important for us to be considered number one by our customers and prospective customers. Our aim is to be the most preferred property brand. We strive to enhance the quality of life for all of our stakeholders, including customers, business partners, employees, and relevant communities. To that end, Sansiri has been praised for its dedicated Social Change corporate responsibility programme, also receiving the Best CSR Practice Across Southeast Asia Award (2011) from Enterprise Asia and the Basil Hetzel Award (2013) from The International Council for Control of Iodine Defciency Disorders Global Network, the latter given for the companys continued contribution toward the elimination of iodine defciency disorders. Sansiris ongoing work with UNICEF is predominantly focused on improving quality of life and ensuring the rights of children across the Thai nation. With Thailands property market experiencing healthy growth and residential demand steadily increasing each year, the future looks bright. Sansiri is optimistic about DININGSET AND ELEGANT CHANDELIER AT THE XXXXIXWITH IMPORTED BUILT-INCABINET FROMRENOWNED ITALIANBRAND BINOVA. OCTOBER 2013 | 89 INDEPTH Sansiri A HANDMADE WICKER PALM PIECE BY CORNER 43 DCOR IS INCORPORATED INTOTHE WALL OF THE CLUBHOUSE AT SETTHASIRI WATCHARAPHOL. 90 | OCTOBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 | 91 AT PYNE BY SANSIRI, WHENYOU ARE THE CENTRE, THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND YOU. GARDENSQUARE OFFERS A SOPHISTICATED LIVING EXPERIENCE WITHA TOUCHOF QUINTESSENTIAL LONDON. the opportunities and changes that will be brought about by ASEAN integration, but recognises the necessity for growth in what will become an exceedingly competitive market environment. By further diversifying its property options, continuing to improve on its excellent customer service, and focusing greater attention on the countrys growing foreign investor market, the company is confdent that it will be able secure its market position in Thailand. The company certainly has the required experience, resources, and drive to do so. With our heavy investments in new properties upcountry and in border towns, we are confdent that the Thai property market can offer good prospects for capital gain for foreign investors, concedes Khun Apichart. Unlike mature markets, such as those of the UK, USA and Australia, investing in an emerging market like Thailand can maximise capital appreciation in the long-term by spending less funds. WE BELIEVE THAT THE ASEAN REAL ESTATE MARKET WILL PROVE TO BE A SOUND INVESTMENT FOR FOREIGN BUYERS. INDEPTH Sansiri