Koh Yao Noi Stuff that dreams are made of..

Koh Yao Noi has a population of about 3,500 and has 18kms of road. The main industries are rubber farming, coconut plantations and fishing. While there is a central infrastructure, life here remains very much as it was 50 years ago. A 'family' atmosphere is present and most people know most people. Crime is almost nonexistent and doors are left open. There is a hospital which can cope with minor accidents and illnesses and can also transfer to Phuket by helicopter or boat should the patient require further assistance. There are three primary schools and one secondary and the local government offices frequently arrange classes in batik making, sewing and cooking.

This a place to walk, bicycle, swim and study nature. There are now rowdy bars, supermarkets or discotheques. The beaches are not the best but they are rugged and lots of marine life can be seen here. Koh Yao is home to many species of bird including: hornbills, sea eagles and kingfishers.

While the island is slowly developing, it is doing so with style. Quality customers are what is happening here, high class properties being built, high class resorts and eco-friendly growth.

The first resident and customer of Koh Yao Property Developers has moved on to the island and he is more than just a little bit happy with his purchase.

Retired businessman Max Maegerle dreamt all his life that he would one day have a house by the sea. In reality however, he never really thought it would happen.. let alone thought that his fantasy house would built on an island like Koh Yao Noi. But a chance meeting with Jean-Michel Germing from KPD led to this beautiful property being built and Max's dream coming true.

For most of his adult life Mr. Maegerle, now nearly 70, had a small factory making spirit levels in his home country of Switzerland. His life was a happy one and he and his wife were content with their lot. The only thing that could have made Mr. Maegerle happier would have been a house by the sea - his wife was in love with their little home town of Buchs (on the border with Liechnstein) and refused to move. When his wife passed away unexpectedly five years ago, Mr. Maegerle decided that instead of sitting at home moping alone he would set off to look for his dream location.

He traveled far and wide. Costa Rica, around the Caribbean, Martinique... you name it, he tried it. But each place had something just not quite right about it. So back at home and feeling rather disheartened, he told his son-in-law of his plight and the son-in-law introduced Max to Jean-Michel Germing (JMG). Mr. Maegerle had been to Thailand twice before; once in 1961 for a business trip and again in the mid 1980s for a short holiday to Pattaya. The son-in-law tried to put Max off, saying Koh Yao was too quiet and that there was nothing there to do but Max resolved to take a look.

He arrived on Yao Noi island mid 2004 and met JMG to discuss possibilities. He immediately liked the attitude of JMG and the way he was allowed total say in any planning. Things dragged on slightly due to difficulties in purchasing the bit of land Max chose so, once again at home in Switzerland and getting impatient now that he had found what he wanted he booked a flight and demanded everything be settled. By this time JMG had employed the services of Khun Somchart - a young lawyer from Bangkok - so things went smoothly and soon enough, Max was sitting discussing layout, materials and trimmings with architect George Cortez, JMG and Somchart.

Max moved to the island permanentl in November 2004 and stayed in temporary accommodation until his house was completed in June this year (the tsunami held things up a little).

To top things off, JMG, at Max's request, even found Max a maid. Wan Wan is Max's "little treasure" and he says he couldn't live without her. A trained masseuse, Wan Wan is also a very good cook. She surproses Max every day with lunches and dinners he enjoys after his gin and tonic on the balcony. Max chose an open plan style for his house - or rather houses - with four buildings all together. One for his sleeping area, one for guests, one for dining, working on his computer and receiving visitors and one for Wan Wan. KPD made most of his furniture using natural, local produce and the utensils etc. Max bought in nearby Phuket (an hour's boat ride).

Max's house is on the Krabi facing side of Koh Yao Noi therefore he gets the sunrise and constant sound of the sea. In a year's time he will also be able to stroll down the road to the new Evason Hideaway Resort and Spa for a cocktail before dinner. The exclusive resort, owned by KPD and a local businessman jointly, will be managed by the award winning Six Senses group and is due to open in 2006.