Phuket Villa Tour + Railay Road Trip in Thailand

The video begins with Chris embarking on a road trip in Phuket, aiming for a "hat trick" by meeting three people. The first person, Dino, is a guaranteed meeting, while the other two are uncertain as Chris hasn't seen them in years and they aren't aware of his visit. Chris first revisits his previous encounter with Dino, showcasing Dino's unique house built from steel beams with tall glass doors and windows from a German company. This house, located in Bangkok, featured a living room that could be fully opened, and a staircase without columns due to the steel construction, offering an indoor-outdoor living experience. Dino explained that after living in Bangkok for 14 years, he and his wife decided to build a holiday home on a land plot they bought in Phuket Kamala two years prior, necessitating the sale of their Bangkok house. Upon meeting Dino again in Phuket, Dino confirms he sold the Bangkok house and moved to Phuket for better air, nicer beaches, and for his son's well-being. Dino then gives a tour of his new house under construction in Phuket. The house features a 1.40 by 3-meter entrance door. This particular house is already sold, and the price is confidential at the buyer's request. Dino mentions plans for two more villas on the remaining land, one of which is also sold and one still for sale. Dino describes his approach to building, emphasizing unique designs tailored to the owner's collaboration rather than standard project developments. He aims to offer houses in a good price range, distinct from other developers. He collaborates with clients to understand their needs, such as the number of bedrooms, a swimming pool, or a sauna, and then designs a unique house based on those instructions. The tour continues, highlighting the kitchen area with an island and dining table, offering a partial sea view of Kamala Beach. Dino considers the mountain views, which completely enclose the area, to be the "money shot." He describes Kamala Beach as a family-friendly, smaller village compared to Bankao and Shankali, with a beautiful beach on the west coast and a unique walkway with restaurants. The house has two terraces: an enclosed one with a roof for rainy days and an open-air one. A spiral staircase will lead to a rooftop terrace, which is not yet complete. Chris hopes to return for another video once the house is furnished. The car park leads to the master bedroom. The house has four bedrooms, with a fitness room that can be converted into a fifth. The master bedroom offers views upon waking, and the master bathroom includes a double vanity, bathtub, toilet, and a favorite feature: a double shower with a view of the treetops. The house spans three levels. A gorgeous spiral concrete staircase connects the levels. The lower level will feature a TV wall, sofa, dining table, and a wine cabinet. Outside, an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue is planned, along with either a sofa lounge or sunbeds. The pool is 50 meters long. A prominent design feature is the cantilevered kitchen, extending 3 meters without columns. A tree in the courtyard is being considered for its style. The house has 687 square meters built up, including terraces, with approximately 450 square meters inside. A guest room and a "secondary master" bedroom with pool access and a larger bathroom are also shown. The office, with a massive sculpture, is one of Dino's favorite rooms. There's also a kids' room, the smallest bathroom, and a small terrace. The top floor will have terraces with gardens and a retaining wall in front of the house. In total, the house has seven bathrooms. Dino explains his future projects on the cleared land. He plans to keep one house for himself at the bottom for a flat area and a garden for his son. He will then promote the remaining land and villas, seeking clients who desire a unique, custom-designed home. For a 450-square-meter villa, the ballpark price is around 50 million Thai Baht, which can vary based on customization like marble floors, a solar roof, Tesla power wall, and smart home systems. Dino expresses confidence that this new house will surpass his last one. Chris then sets off to meet the second person for his "hat trick," a friend he hasn't seen in two years. He humorously notes that Dino didn't know what a hat trick was, explaining it's Canadian for three goals in a hockey game. Chris navigates Phuket's busy roads, contrasting them with the quieter roads of Simui. He observes the high fuel prices and numerous traffic lights in Phuket, which feels more like an island city compared to Simui. He stops at the Phuket Bridge, a beautiful area for fishing, before officially leaving Phuket and entering Pangop Province. After driving through Pangop, he reaches Krabi, noting the limestone cliffs and rows of palm oil and rubber trees. Chris reflects on "warmth" as a defining characteristic of Thailand, encompassing its people, weather, and overall vibe. He arrives at a lunch spot recommended by a friend named Felicia. He orders dim sum dishes: shrimp in mala sauce, pork shumai with truffle sauce, and bean skin curd wrap with bamboo shoots, his favorite. He finds the dim sum good but not quite as excellent as a place in Bangkok. The meal costs 265 Thai Baht. Next, Chris heads to Ao Nang Beach but realizes he can't park his truck there, so he drives to Namo Pier, about 15 minutes away, to catch a longtail boat to Railay Beach. He pays 200 Thai Baht for a two-day return ticket and an additional 200 Thai Baht to ensure the boat departs immediately, as they require ten people and only had eight. He arrives at Railay Beach East, noting it's much busier than during the COVID period. He checks into the Sand Sea Resort, a place he's stayed at many times, and gets a room on Railay West Beach, which he considers superior for its sunsets, better beach bars, and swimming opportunities compared to the mangroves on the east side. Chris finally meets his friend, Nun, completing his second goal for the hat trick. He expresses his affection for his Thai friends' calm demeanor, noting that even after a long absence, they greet him casually without the same level of excitement he feels. The video concludes with Chris showing a glimpse of the sunset (or lack thereof due to clouds) and announcing that a future video will fully showcase Railay Beach.