Developers flock to Bangkok’s east as district takes on a new role
PROPERTY developers plan to invest 227 billion baht ($7.4 billion) from 2017 to 2026 in the eastern Bangkok district of Bangna in view of the area becoming a new business hub and a link between Thailand’s capital city and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Several real estate developers have expanded their portfolio to the location since 2017 with the development of commercial buildings (retail, office and hospitality) and residential projects.
The Mall Group plans to invest more than 10 billion baht next year in the development of Bangkok Mall at Bangna intersection.
SF Development Co Ltd is building a mixed-use project, Megacity Bangna, on a 32ha plot next to Mega Bangna Shopping Centre. The 67 billion baht complex comprises office and residential buildings, a hotel and a hospital.
Meanwhile, Central Group has inaugurated Central Village – a five billion baht project, as Magnolia Quality Development Corp announced a 90 billion baht mixed-use project, Forestias, at Bangna Kilometre 7.
Other developers – including LPN Development Plc, Ananda Development Plc, Property Perfect Plc, Land and Houses Plc, Sena Development Plc – have also branched into the area.
BTS Group Holdings Plc plans to invest five billion baht in an international school at the site of its existing residential property, Thana City.
“We see demands for an international school in Bangna, following the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s plan to develop a monorail system from Bangna to Suvarnabhumi that will connect with the BTS-Bangna station,” BTS Group Holdings Plc chairman Keeree Kanjanapas said recently.
Number One Housing Development Co Ltd decided to launch a single-detached house project, Blue Lagoon, in the district because of the government’s policy to develop a mass transit route linking the area to the EEC, said managing director Sutham Suwannapasri.
“Land prices in Bangna have increased by seven to eight per cent in line with the rising demand for residential projects,” Sutham said.
Teak Development Co Ltd CEO Warut Panupattanapong said the company is planning a twinhouse or townhouse project in Bangna on a 1.6ha plot, pending the result of ongoing negotiations with the land owner.
“Property firms will have to launch both residential and commercial properties in the location as it develops into a new business district in the eastern part of Bangkok,” said a real estate analyst.
Meanwhile, property agency CBRE said demand for warehouses has shown strong growth in line with progress of the e-commerce business, adding that Bangna-Trade road (from Kilometre 18 to 24) is recommendable for warehousing and logistics business, given its close proximity to the EEC.
DDproperty Property Market Outlook 2019 said the prices of townhouses in Bangna had risen nine per cent last year from 2017 amid growing demand, second only to the 10 per cent increase in Sathorn.