Bangkok_Property_Markets

Bangkok Property Markets BANGKOK PROPERTY MARKET Weakened domestic demand, slower export growth as well as impact from increasing oil prices and political uncertainty ate up the overall economic growth and resulted in a slowdown in the economy in 2H2000. The economy grew at 2.6% in 3Q2000 from a year earlier, lowering from 6.3% in 2Q2000 and 5.1% in 1Q2000. The restructuring of the real sector including real estate in Thailand is still in the early stages. Despite a reduction in real estate NPL s from Bt295.9 billion as at 1H2000 to Bt129.5 billion as at 2H2000, a large reduction was a result of transferring of NPLs to bank owned AMCs rather the actual restructuring. All these macro factors have dampened market sentiment and been reflected in the pace of the property market over 2H2000. Market Summary The overall picture in 2H2000 continued very much as 1H2000. Steady market improvement continued albeit amidst a mild correction in rentals. Polarisation of demand to prime quality properties emphasised the attractiveness of this sub-market whereas price strategy remained an effective impetus to lure demand to some secondary properties. The market for commercial properties inclusive of the Office and Retail sectors did not show marked improvement over the last six months of market, rates, low, over, demand, growth, serviced, property, mortgage, deposit, apartments, 2h2000, rentals, level, interest, economy, economic, sectors, sector, remained, real, rather, rate, properties, pace, investment, improved, factor, continued, condominium, 2001, 1h2000, year, whereas, very, units, tenants, slower, sentiment, sales, retail, result, restructuring, registered, reduction, prices, price, prevailing, political, overall, office