4 things to know about Thailand property investment in 2023

February 13, 2023

If you’re considering Thailand property investment in 2023, there are a few things you should definitely know. For starters, the economic situation in the Kingdom appears to be improving with the Ministry of Finance predicting GDP growth of 3.8 percent for this year.

That is due in large part to a surging tourism sector with arrivals in 2023 expected to come in somewhere between 20 and 30 million. While still less than the 40 million visitors seen in 2019, it is certainly a far cry from the doom and gloom being forecasted by some who thought a recovery would take years.

As tourism goes, so too does the country’s real estate market. But before you decide to buy or not, here are four things you should know about Thailand property investment in 2023.

4 things to know about Thailand property investment in 2023

1) Developers thinking big

Don’t call it a comeback but Thailand’s top developers have made big plans for this year. Sansiri said it intends to launch 52 new projects worth THB75 billion combined. The latter total would be a record for the country. Meanwhile, Supalai unveiled arrangements for 37 new project launches in 2023 while other homebuilders, including Noble Development, Frasers Property and Land & Houses, are set to bring double-digit projects to the market between now and December.

For investors, this will obviously mean more options. More importantly, the increase in activity is a sign that most developers are truly confident in the country’s economic prospects. Of course, it is vital you know the types of projects they are launching as well as what locations they are focused on.

2) New locations heating up

If you haven’t been to Thailand recently or don’t keep tabs on the real estate scene, then some of the new hot spots may come as a bit of a surprise. However, those who follow Dot Property Group will already be in the loop. Anyway, when it comes to the Bangkok condo market, both the northern suburbs of Bang Sue, Chatuchak and Lat Phrao districts and the northeast suburban area of Suan Luang and Bang Kapi districts have graduated from up-and-coming areas to be among the city’s most popular locations.

In the Dot Property Group Thailand Real Estate Year in Review, we revealed both locations were among the top five for Bangkok condominium demand, ranking higher than traditionally popular places like the Silom CBD and the city’s riverside. Both areas are going to be served by the Thai capital’s ever-growing public transit system which has helped drive demand. To find out more, you can download the full report here.

Over in Phuket, the proliferation of luxury villas in the Bangtao/Laguna neighborhood has seen this become one of the island’s most popular places to buy real estate. Developers such as Anchan, Garden Atlas and Botanica have all launched award-winning projects in recent times that appeal to both domestic and overseas buyers.

3) Foreign land ownership off the table

A plan to allow foreign land ownership in Thailand was approved by the Cabinet last year, only for the proposal to be pulled some two weeks later. Those hoping for this to be revisited shouldn’t hold their breath.

There was talk of foreign land ownership plans being redrafted in the aftermath of the proposal being shelved with suggestions, including the establishment of clearer guidelines and a higher investment minimum. Others sought to encourage overseas investment in real estate through different measures.

Neither idea gained traction and nothing looks likely to happen in 2023. The impending general election means major policies won’t have much of a chance to be enacted. Additionally, candidates probably won’t want to touch the issue given how swift the backlash against the plan to allow foreign land ownership in Thailand was.

4) Opportunities on the Eastern Seaboard

The Eastern Seaboard property market, led by Pattaya, is presenting investors with a number of opportunities. For instance, overseas demand for condo units is actually higher here than in Bangkok. What’s more, the split in demand between domestic and foreign buyers was 55/45 percent.

This aligns closely with Thailand’s 51/49 percent foreign ownership regulations on condominiums and highlights an important trend to emerge over the past few years. Domestic buyers continue to be active in the Pattaya condo market which wasn’t necessarily the case prior to 2020.

The fundamental difference between the Eastern Seaboard condo market today and eight years ago is quality. At the affordable end of the market, developers have really worked hard to create desirable units people want to own. It is a far cry from back in the day when Pattaya was awash with poorly design condominiums whose only main selling point was being cheap. Additionally, a few high-end projects are popping up in Pattaya which has added much needed diversity to the local market.

Assuming the next government continues to focus on the Eastern Economic Corridor as a hub for foreign business, there is strong reason to believe the Eastern Seaboard property market renaissance will continue.