Banyan Group: Phuket Developer and Projects

About Banyan Group

Banyan Group, founded in Singapore in 1994 and listed on the SGX, develops property and runs hospitality businesses internationally. It created Laguna Phuket on Bang Tao Bay, the first integrated resort in Asia: more than 1,000 acres of linked grounds with lagoons, a golf course, a private beachfront and hotels under the Angsana, Dhawa, Cassia and Banyan Tree brands.

Key figures: Laguna Phuket founded: 1987; resort acreage at Bang Tao: 1 000+; flagship group brand: Banyan Tree; publicly listed company: SGX.

Banyan Group projects in our catalogue

Our catalogue lists 20 projects by Banyan Group: 5 villa projects and 15 condominiums; 5 completed, 15 under construction or in pre-sale. Starting prices range from THB 5.4M to THB 265M depending on the project.

Projects: Skypark Celeste, Skypark Aurora, Waterside Residences Laguna Lakelands, Skypark Elara Lakelands, Bellaguna Golf Residences, Aster Laguna Lake Residences, Bellaguna Lake Residences, Garrya Residences and 12 more, located in Bang Tao.

Banyan Group reviews: what to check before buying

Check which legal entity signs the contract and who holds the land title and the building permit: projects are often run by a separate project company rather than the parent brand. For a listed company, its stock-exchange filings are also worth a look. For off-plan units, check the building permit (and the EIA for larger complexes), the stage-based payment schedule, the completion date and delay penalties, and exactly what the price includes — furniture, appliances, parking.

For completed units, check the title, that there are no maintenance arrears or encumbrances, and the annual service charge and sinking fund. Legally, a condo can be owned freehold within the building's 49% foreign quota, with funds sent from abroad (FET certificate); a villa is usually held on a 30-year leasehold, so read the renewal terms in the contract. Online reviews help, but it is more reliable to visit the developer's completed projects: see how the finishes have aged, how the management company performs and what the real rental occupancy is. We request these documents before you reserve and go through them with you.