Value Check

2013: B159,000/sqm

2018: B220,000/sqm

Saphan Taksin and Riverside

Touristy because of the five-star hotels, but also experiencing a creative renaissance (thank those cheap shop-houses and TCDC). Limited space means new condo projects don’t appear often—and the neighborhood is better off because of it. Raimond Land’s The River and the latest Four Seasons Residences provide the slick, ultra-luxe end of the market. 

 Shop-house Chinese food and street food. Connection to both BTS and the Chaophraya Express. 

 Crowded, not-so-tidy footpaths. A long way from Thonglor.

Buy Here 

Four Seasons Private Residences (completion in late 2018) starts at B34.5 million for a 116 sqm one-bedroom unit (around B297,000/sqm). www.residences.fourseasons.com 

Rental Market

Value Check

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Thonglor/Ekkamai

The Commons

 

This pair of streets has everything from nightclubs to Michelin-starred restaurants, hip cafes and even a private hospital. Condo prices in the area are really strong. Many Thai investors buy rooms here in order to rent to high-income Japanese expats.

 

 The rental market. The convenience.

 Hi-so crowd in their “activewear.” Friday night’s traffic nightmare.

 

Buy Here

 

The Reserve Thonglor 2 600 meters from BTS Thonglor, starts at B5.9 million for a 47 sqm one- bedroom unit (around B258,000/sqm). www.thereservecondo.com

 

 

Siamese Exclusive Sukhumvit 42 500 meters from BTS Ekkamai, starts at B5.3 million for a 30 sqm one-bedroom unit (B175,000/sqm). www.s42exclusive.com

 

Rental Market

B40,000/month

 

Value Check

2013: B129,000/sqm

2018: B177,000/sqm

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Ratchadamri/Chit Lom/Phloen Chit

Bangkok’s most prestigious area has its highest selling price per sq meter. Living here means you’ll be the neighbor of royals and diplomats. Bear in mind that only a few properties in the area are free-hold. Most are leasehold and built on royal land. Most rooms come with views of Lumphini Park and the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.

 

 Leafy streets, tidy footpaths, proximity to Lumphini Park.

 Forget about street food and cheap eats.

 

Buy Here

 

Muniq Langsuan 900 meters from BTS Chit lom, starts at B12.9 million for a 50 sqm one-bedroom  unit (around B258,000/sqm) www.mjd.th/muniq

 

 

Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard 200 meters from BTS Ratchadamri, starts at B14.9 million for 49 sqm one-bedroom unit (around B300,000/sqm) www.magnolias-ratchadamri.com

 

Rental Market

B45,000/month for a 50 sqm unit

 

Value Check

2013: B107,500/sqm

2018: B134,000/sqm

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BK ASKS

Pow Foongfaungchaveng

Head of Corporate Marketing AP Thailand

 

What's the biggest trend among luxury condo developers in Bangkok now?

 

Ultra-luxury today equates to “private.” We live in a world where people are obsessed with sharing virtually everything on social media, and the trend is slowly moving towards the opposite: solitude and ultimate privacy. Luxe condominiums with a smaller number of units are likely to hold higher value.

 

What about the other end of the market?

 

The young, entry-level price condo will move towards co-sharing and community.

 

What makes Bangkok condos desirable compared to the rest of the region?

 

Apart from the price point advantage, Bangkok exudes the best of both worlds. It’s a business city but also a leisure city, making it perfect for a second home from meetings to holidays. Bangkok has charm, heritage, culture and also the cosmopolitan lifestyle.

 

What’s the recipe for the perfect condo development? 

 

Location. When you buy a condo, you don't just buy the room, you buy the locality as well. Also, smart spacial design. Some 35-sqm rooms can function as if they are 50-sqm. 

 

 

Sumate Aramkul

Salesperson at Fullhouse property agent

 

Which area in Bangkok makes the best investment buy?

 

Thonglor. Compared to Phloen Chit, it’s still cheaper to buy but the rental market is higher—almost B1,000/sqm a month now. This demand comes from Japanese expats, who mostly have high-paid management jobs.

 

Any up-and-coming tips?

 

Around the Asoke-Rama 9 intersection. The Chinese are buying lots of property in the area because they see it as cheaper but with full MRT and Airport Rail Link connection. Due to the availability of land, many office towers have moved there.

 

What are the highest-priced condos in the city?

 

The most expensive area has always been around Lumphini Park, which expands from BTS Ratchadamri to BTS Phloen Chit. A lack of free-hold land means developers are very lucky to build and the price will go mad. Also the area around the park will forever be green space. No one can buy a public park and block your condo view.

 

Do riverside condos make good investments?

 

Personally I think they’re better for real living and not for investment because the price hasn’t increased. Don’t get fooled by the words “river front” or “riverside.” Most of these condos are built in narrow-front land and not all rooms have river views. Some projects offer only 20 percent of rooms with views.