Banyan Group Announces Visionary New USD 2 Billion International Lifestyle Community in Phuket as Demand for Real Estate Soars to New Heights

Tourism Pioneer K P Ho Moves From Creating Asia’s Largest and Most Iconic Integrated Resort to Developing Phuket’s Largest International Residential Community

Laguna Lakelands

(February, 2024) – Tourism Pioneer Ho Kwon Ping (KP Ho), the creator of Asia’s biggest and most iconic resort destination Laguna Phuket, has unveiled visionary plans for an ambitious and expansive new eco-friendly international lifestyle community, Laguna Lakelands, which will be located adjacent to the iconic resort. 

The development comes as the Phuket real estate market is booming, fuelled by an increasing desire for families from all over the world to not just enjoy a second home in Phuket, but relocate there.  

Spanning no less than one million square metres (700 rai or 276 acres) of botanical gardens, parks, rainforest, tranquil lagoons and rolling hills, Laguna Lakelands will be Phuket’s largest private residential community, and a self-contained green sanctuary designed for a new community of global citizens seeking high quality lifestyle balanced by nature. 

Interconnected by 15km of walkways, foot bridges and cycling trails, and with its own dedicated residents’ Beach Club and Country Club, it is an enchanting natural retreat of respite and relaxation where nature is the star, in Phuket's prestigious Bang Tao district on the Central West coast of the island. The nature trails and botanical gardens at Laguna Lakelands will also be open to the wider community of Phuket.

KP Ho’s flagship Banyan Group, now in its 30th year, started in Phuket in the 1990s as a tourism-focused endeavour and has been a significant part of the development of tourism in Phuket. Its flagship integrated resort, Laguna Phuket, draws about one million visitors a year or around 10% of all visitors to Phuket. But due to the shift in demand from visiting to living in Phuket, the company has now evolved into a hospitality-led real estate entity.

The reason behind the shift is that worldwide migration is at a record high, driven partly by recent geo-political events but also propelled by global post-Covid lifestyle trends such as urban flight, remote working and a return to multigenerational living. All of this has led to a signifcant increase in demand for luxury homes in Phuket.

"As well as being the most visited resort destination in Asia, Phuket has now also become the most desirable place in Asia for families to settle and achieve a balanced lifestyle,” said KP Ho, founder and Executive Chairman of the Banyan Group.  “It has an attractive year-round climate, 13 international schools, 4 marinas, great hospitals and is within 5 or 6 hours direct flight to over 40% of the world’s population. It has become like the Mallorca of Asia, a sought-after lifestyle destination for people from all over the world.” 

Where Laguna Phuket remains by far the biggest and defining destination resort of Phuket, catering to the huge increase in visitors over the years, Laguna Lakelands is poised to become the definitive destination residence, as global citizens flock to Phuket. Over the next 5-10 years, up to 5,000 residences are expected to be built there. 

“The launch of our new project clearly shows the paradigm shift we’re seeing from Phuket as a great place to visit, to Phuket as a great place to live, with a huge demand not only for second homes but increasingly for primary residence,” said Stuart Reading, Managing Director of Group Property Development at Banyan Group. 

“High-quality property is still significantly cheaper in Phuket than in most of the buyer source markets like Russia, China or Europe, which is also an important factor,” he said.

Laguna Lakelands has 5 distinct themed residential areas, Hillside, Orchard, Forest, Lakeside and Lagoon – each with its own distinct character and charm, while all being interconnected with extensive walkways and cycling trails.

Waterfront Villa Pool

Waterfront Villa Living

Homes on offer in Phase I include one to three bedroom Lakeview Residences, condominiums in four and seven-storey complexes with rooftop infinity pools, as well as sophisticated four-bedroom Waterfront Villas with private pools and gardens, with an average built area of 560 sqm. Condos start from just THB 6.8m (USD190k), while Waterfront Villas begin at THB 60m (USD1.7m) 

Lakeview Residences Rooftop Pool

Condo Balcony

A wide range of recreational options for all ages is incorporated for a new generation prioritising health and wellness – including a community Country Club with swimming pool, sports fields and tennis courts and lots of activities for all the family.

There will be hillside adventure and woodland play zones as well as wilderness hiking and cycling trails with a dedicated mountain bike park; and even a rainforest walkway to a treetop lookout for admiring the dramatic sunsets. 

Laguna Lakelands Floating Footpath

Laguna Lakelands Hilltop

The entire community is anchored by a ‘town centre’ of shops and services, lakeside dining, and there’s even a chic residents’ beach club, as well as an elevated events zone with a large terrace commanding spectacular views over the Andaman Sea.

Majestic waterscapes with a wide range of both open and intimate spaces are designed to create a lakeside lifestyle that promises a refuge of unparalleled magnificence and serenity. 

The landscaping cultivates a sustainability-focused lifestyle, incorporating woodland walks through enchanting rainforests with elevated 'lookout' pods, organic orchards and rooftop gardens growing farm-to-table produce, a fish pond, play areas for young ones to explore, and native wildflowers in picturesque meadows -- with seating areas for restful moments. 

Laguna Lakelands, while a separate self-contained entity, is directly connected to Laguna Phuket, bringing the best of both worlds; an idyllic natural sanctuary with easy access to the first-class amenities and indulgences of the world class neighbouring resort.

"From exclusive beach access to world-class dining, spas, golf course, education programmes and a plethora of social events, this integrated community promises an all-encompassing lifestyle full of rich experiences, abundant wellness, and unbridled pleasure," added KP Ho.

Uniquely for Thailand, the developer also offers financing options which allow owners to purchase residences with staged payments over several years.

Laguna Lakelands is also just a 30-minute drive from vibrant Phuket Town, lively Patong Beach and 25 minutes from Phuket International Airport.