Artful Luxury

From Thai, the word ratchamaka translates as “the way to heaven” or “peaceful area”. That is a fitting title for the new Baan Ratchamaka pool villa development set among the hills above Chalong bay, only 15 minutes south of Phuket Town and 15 minutes from the beautiful beach of Kata. If shopping and nightlife are important to you, then the bustle of Patong is only 25 minutes away.

This central location that other beach-side or mountain villa properties could not provide is one of the major distinctive selling points of this luxury villa project. One can smell the sea air from the nearby Chalong Pier and also make use of everything that Phuket’s larger towns have to offer.

When you first enter the development through a remote-controlled gate that is guarded 24/7, you very much feel like you have been accepted into an inner sanctum of peace and serenity. You also feel incredibly safe. There is CCTV technology throughout the community, which can be accessed from the Internet. A safe box in each of the villas means that your extra special belongings can stay safe even when you’re not around to keep an eye on them.

Baan Rachamaka is a small residential community with just eight plots. The biggest is 704sqm, and the smallest is 528sqm. They are all similar in layout, containing three air-conditioned bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a storage room. Each has a private 4x10m pool and jacuzzi that can be accessed from the living area, master bedroom and the second bedroom. The beautiful pools equipped with underwater lights are set in the villa’s fine-looking gardens and right next to a raised pavilion equipped with a fan. At the front of each individual property is enough room to park up to two cars.

Opening the large, 240cm-high hardwood-finished front doors leads into the spacious open-plan kitchen and living room area. Here you are greeted by a huge handcrafted centerpiece coffee table surrounded by a chaise lounge, chairs and a large couch — enough room for all of the other residents of the complex if you ever decided to have a party. The open plan means it’s not far to go for refreshments or snacks. Each of the villa’s kitchens is exquisitely designed by Asia Cucina. The floors are terrazzo finished, which means they’re not only easy to keep clean but they also keep the place cool during the hot months.

As you stroll into the master bedroom, you become aware that design has been an idea and concept that has been very close to the heart of architect, developer and owner Surisak Thawansakvudhi. “Each villa is a masterpiece,” he says.

As you enter the en-suite bathroom and notice the beautiful handmade bathtub, you realize that this is indeed a prevalent theme in the concept of these villas — the developers have “built the house with art,” as Khun Surisak confidently says. This concept can also seen in the original paintings that adorn the walls of the living rooms and bedrooms. Design is central and paramount to the ethos of this project.

“What the owners would get with this high level of design is a high quality of life,” Surisak continues, Every single detail seems to have been well thought out and designed for ease and luxury of living. Even all of the electricity cables and gas banks are underground.

Everything has been designed to enhance the life of the home buyer. The large windows let in plenty of light. Of course, there’s a relatively high outside fence so the privacy and safety of residents are never imposed upon. There are large patio doors in the living room, master bedroom and one of the two standard bedrooms, and they lead out into the garden, pavilion and pool area. All villas are completely decorated and ready to move in, fully furnished (apart from refrigerator and TV). “All you need is one bag and you can move in,” Surisack notes.

Pricing on Baan Ratchamaka Villas starts at 17.9 million baht to 19.4 million baht, an offering fixed through December.