For the longest time, Japan has been the main contributor to foreign direct investment in Bangkok. Downtown Bangkok is home to the Japanese community as evidenced by the heavy Japanese influence in areas around Phrom Phong, Thong Lor and Ekkamai. There are many Japanese dining and retail outlets along this stretch. Japanese developers like Sankyo Home have produced many Japanese inspired developments in central Bangkok. Major developers like Sansiri still collaborate with Japanese developers like Tokyu Corporation to develop projects like XT Ekkamai and The Base Sukhumvit 50. Japan has done a lot in terms of developing Bangkok to what it is today. However, increasingly in recent times, the Chinese have been taking over. The main reason is their desire to have an inward rail network from China through South-East Asia. This is their One Belt One Road Initiative.
Just like the Japanese, the Chinese do wield their influence on a certain number of areas. The Japanese congregate around Phrom Phong, Thong Lor and Ekkamai whereas the Chinese prefer areas like Rama 9, Thailand Cultural Centre and mainly Huai Khwang. There is a new Chinatown developing around Huai Khwang and it is littered with Chinese food stalls and frequented heavily by the Chinese who reside in Bangkok as well as the Chinese tourists. This is one of the reasons why we favour projects next to Huai Khwang MRT and Thailand Cultural Centre MRT heavily. XT Huai Khang and Noble Revolve Ratchada 2 are next to Huai Khwang MRT and Thailand Cultural Centre MRT Stations respectively.
The Chinese also favour developments in the developing area of Bangsue. This is where the Bangsue Grand Station is located. If you are still clueless as to what Bangsue Grand Station is and the significance of this project, please read this article from the Nikkei Asian Review:
Why China is determined to connect Southeast Asia by rail
Understanding the grander scheme of things will help us make better investment decisions. There is no one who can guarantee that an investment will definitely profit. Even the smartest minds handling most of the world’s wealth were responsible and affected by the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. All we can do is make investments whereby our investment decision is well thought of and we try to make decisions which give us the best chance to gain profits.
The article listed above is a good explanation of what is happening in Bangkok. I would urge all investors and potential investors to read the article.
Yours sincerely,
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