Industry leaders see golden opportunities for investors despite earthquake impact on high-rise developments
Thailand's property sector is undergoing dramatic transformation as recent seismic activity reshapes buyer preferences while technological advances and changing investment patterns create new market dynamics, industry leaders said at a major investment forum.
Speaking at the 'Make Money in Real Estate' session during the Thailand Investment Forum 2025—hosted by Krungthep Turakij, Thansettakij, and Post Today on Saturday—three prominent executives outlined how the industry is adapting to unprecedented challenges while identifying emerging opportunities for investors.
Earthquake Shifts High-Rise Demand
Woradech Rukkhaphan, chief executive of VBeyond Development, said a recent earthquake has fundamentally altered housing preferences across the kingdom.
Despite Thailand's historically low seismic risk profile, the tremor has triggered a marked decline in sales for new high-rise residential developments exceeding eight storeys, as safety-conscious buyers increasingly prioritise structural integrity.
He characterised the current environment—marked by price adjustments and developer promotions—as presenting a "golden opportunity" for purchasers.
The VBeyond chief executive reinforced real estate's position as a fundamental pillar of Thailand's economy, consistently supported by government stimulus measures.
He expressed confidence that property values would maintain their historical upward trajectory despite current market volatility.
Technology Revolution Reshapes Market
Looking ahead, Woradech highlighted technology's critical role in revolutionising real estate transactions.
Drawing parallels with disruption witnessed in hotel booking and taxi industries, he predicted the emergence of sophisticated platform-based solutions that will streamline connections between buyers and sellers.
The integration of artificial intelligence will enhance market analysis capabilities, provide deeper consumer behaviour insights, and enable more targeted marketing strategies, he explained.
This technological evolution coincides with a notable shift towards rental-focused property acquisition, particularly among younger demographics and foreign investors from China, the Philippines, and Japan.
"Properties in well-connected areas, such as those near universities and industrial zones, are becoming prime targets for rental investment," Woradech said.
Asset Managers Navigate Distressed Market
Dr Rak Vorrakitpokatorn, chief executive of Bangkok Commercial Asset Management (BAM), addressed the expanding role of asset management companies amid rising non-performing loans.
With commercial banks holding approximately 500 billion baht in NPLs and state-owned institutions managing another 326 billion baht, AMCs have become vital players in managing distressed assets.
Dr Rak said BAM has substantial capacity to handle roughly 100 billion baht of this distressed portfolio, significantly exceeding smaller competitors' capabilities.
Source: Nation Thailand
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<p>Time: 2024 By: Ministry of Industry and Trade</p>
