Is it safe to buy a condo in Bangkok when the city will soon be flooded?

[RandolphGB]

I’ve been thinking about buying a condo in Bangkok but I’ve read so many articles about the flooding increases

expected in the future due to the sinking city that I’m not sure about buying one now.

 

If the city is sinking each year and there seems to be very little done to stop this - more big blocks being built, more concerning over areas and businesses pumping ground water - then the condo could be virtually worthless in five to ten years. 

 

Does anybody else have any thoughts on this with regards to putting their cash into the city for property or businesses? 

 

Righy now I want to be in Bangkok but because of this flooding and city sinking  problem I’m considering Chonburi instead.

[watcharacters]

 

The government will  tend properly to any flooding concerns.

 

[RandolphGB]

4 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

 

The government will  tend properly to any flooding concerns.

 

Is that the same government that is currently getting its cut when approving big developments which are contributing to sinking problem?

 

I don't see the government tending to current concerns.

 

 

 

[ratcatcher]

Think Venice, after all, Bangkok was indeed the Venice of the East before they covered or  filled in many klongs.  Be sure to buy on the 2nd floor thus allowing for easy boarding of boats from your balcony.  You're gondola love it.

[shadowofacloud]

Perfectly safe, just make sure the developer throws in a free boat.

 

Depending on the size of the condo, this may be a dinghy or a Sunseeker Predator. Plenty of options in-between as well. 

Edited September 7, 2018 by shadowofacloud

[Chou Anou]

1 hour ago, watcharacters said:

 

The government will  tend properly to any flooding concerns.

 

??????????

[Chou Anou]

1 hour ago, ratcatcher said:

Think Venice, after all, Bangkok was indeed the Venice of the East before they covered or  filled in many klongs.  Be sure to buy on the 2nd floor thus allowing for easy boarding of boats from your balcony.  You're gondola love it.

"Venice of the East" referred to Ayutthya. Common misconception, look it up. ?

[lamyai3]

Official advice from the previous Bangkok governor was to move to higher ground when it floods. He also had pointed out that there weren't actually any floods, but just water waiting to drain away. This information may no longer be reliable though since they sacked him!

 

More to the point, not all areas of Bangkok are equally flood prone, and even adjacent sois can respond differently when floods occur. Sukhumvit soi 11 and 13 are an example, 11 had it's drains upgraded and enlarged years ago, whereas 13 didn't, with predictable results (though 13s drains have also now been upgraded, in the past year). Some areas a little to the north like Ladprao, and also out towards Samut Prakan seem to flood more consistently. A wise move would be to enquire (perhaps on this forum) into any flooding issues people are aware of relating to the specific neighbourhoods or sois you may be interested in.

[leggo]

6 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

Official advice from the previous Bangkok governor was to move to higher ground when it floods. He also had pointed out that there weren't actually any floods, but just water waiting to drain away. This information may no longer be reliable though since they sacked him!

 

More to the point, not all areas of Bangkok are equally flood prone, and even adjacent sois can respond differently when floods occur. Sukhumvit soi 11 and 13 are an example, 11 had it's drains upgraded and enlarged years ago, whereas 13 didn't, with predictable results (though 13s drains have also now been upgraded, in the past year). Some areas a little to the north like Ladprao, and also out towards Samut Prakan seem to flood more consistently. A wise move would be to enquire (perhaps on this forum) into any flooding issues people are aware of relating to the specific neighbourhoods or sois you may be interested in.

I agree with most of what is said here except there is absolutely no certainty that wherever you live will not get flooded except if you live on high ground. Several major cities including Miami and Jakarta are going to have similar problems but the speed at which governments are addressing the problems is not going to help things!

 

[dotpoom]

Seems a strange question....you appear to have knowledge that the city is "sinking".....and then you go on to ask should you buy a condo there?

[Kurtf]

If you know the city is sinking (which it is) why in heavens name would you want to invest your money in any housing there? Rent. Then leave whenever you want. Like when the flooding becomes a problem for you.

[SpeakeasyThai]

Top floor purchase will be ok. Just make sure you have a safe and secure balcony when inviting any ladyboys to your loveshack!

[milwaukeeboy]

Wait for the flooding and then negotiate a much better price.

[mfd101]

Buy in Korat. When the government moves there in 30 years, you'll make a fortune.

[BoganInParasite]

The city is sinking and sea level rising. I'm not aware of any plans to fix either of these challenges. My wife's family own property between Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom and close to the Tha Chin River, a distributary of the Chao Phraya. I've been encouraging them for sometime to eventually sell up and move north as both the rising sea level and potential use of the Tha Chin to increase water input from the Chao Phraya (to benefit Bangkok flood mitigation) will impact their land, perhaps not while her parents are alive, but certainly for her and her siblings.

[PerkinsCuthbert]

Flooding will not happen on Deputy Prime Minister Prawit's watch.

[RichardColeman]

Why do think they are buying more submarines ? 

[watcharacters]

19 hours ago, Chou Anou said:

??????????

 

 

Funny..

 

Do you seriously believe the Thailand government will simply say "we will do nothing to address the serious issue of Bangkok  sinking"?

 

And do you think the mega  billion bhat,  Euros, Yen,  and Pound  corporations still invest in Bangkok believing the investment will soon be under  water?

 

I think there's a corrective plan in place  as yet undisclosed.

 

Thai bashers/haters  are welcome to dispute what I post.

 

Edited September 8, 2018 by watcharacters

[benji57]

Buy at high floor levels....

[puipuitom]

I would worry a lot more about the food situation: a few degrees more in average temperature will reduce th4 2-3 rice crops per year to only one. So, a 500 million mouths too many to fill in S.E. Asia.

 

This little increase of sea level: too much capital at stake in Bangkok, so when.. for sure hugh dikes will be built. When the Dutch kan keep a city area N.E. of Rotterdam, called Alexanderpolder, 6 meters below sea level, dry, why not Bangklok, with maybe then a 1-2 mtr below sealevel ?

See https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/location/view/47224932/laagste-punt-van-nederland-6-74m : this is NOW already below sealevel with lowest: - 6,74 mtr.

[Wake Up]

Read the history of how Bangkok became the capital and you will see it was swamp land and that made it easier to defend against the Burmese army. 

 

Read also who owns Bangkok and the royal family has billions of dollars of land in Bangkok. 

 

IMO Thailand will do what is necessary to protect the wealthy landowners of Bangkok. IMO the Dutch engineers could resolve the flooding issues but Thailand will not hire them. Personally I think the risk of flooding is low compared to the risk that prices are way to expensive to buy based on supply and demand. Rents are too cheap IMO to buy any Bangkok condo at this point in time. I have been wrong before so good for you to ask other opinions and then make the best decision for you. Good luck. 

[BTB1977]

Don't get one on the first floor. 2 or more floors up you should be good. 

[watcharacters]

19 minutes ago, puipuitom said:

I would worry a lot more about the food situation: a few degrees more in average temperature will reduce th4 2-3 rice crops per year to only one. So, a 500 million mouths too many to fill in S.E. Asia.

 

This little increase of sea level: too much capital at stake in Bangkok, so when.. for sure hugh dikes will be built. When the Dutch kan keep a city area N.E. of Rotterdam, called Alexanderpolder, 6 meters below sea level, dry, why not Bangklok, with maybe then a 1-2 mtr below sealevel ?

See https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/location/view/47224932/laagste-punt-van-nederland-6-74m : this is NOW already below sealevel with lowest: - 6,74 mtr.

 

7 minutes ago, Wake Up said:

Read the history of how Bangkok became the capital and you will see it was swamp land and that made it easier to defend against the Burmese army. 

 

Read also who owns Bangkok and the royal family has billions of dollars of land in Bangkok. 

 

IMO Thailand will do what is necessary to protect the wealthy landowners of Bangkok. IMO the Dutch engineers could resolve the flooding issues but Thailand will not hire them. Personally I think the risk of flooding is low compared to the risk that prices are way to expensive to buy based on supply and demand. Rents are too cheap IMO to buy any Bangkok condo at this point in time. I have been wrong before so good for you to ask other opinions and then make the best decision for you. Good luck. 

 

Thank you both for your validation.

 

 

[Ulic]

Just don't buy on the first floor. 

[yrag]

Its ok to buy, however to sweeten the deal should include a BOAT

[chicowoodduck]

Just make sure a rowboat is part of the purchase plan....lol...?

[Miami007]

Probably just as safe or unsafe as buying a condo in, let's say, Miami Beach...

Many investors are still buying in both cities.  Solutions are available (e.g. Holland) and the Royal Family will protect their holdings in Bangkok eventually.  Seek high ground in the city to be dry while they figure out what to do.  

Edited September 8, 2018 by Miami007
typo

[elgenon]

OP. When will it flood permanently?

 

Thais are Buddhist. When my Thai friend's house flooded, the family lived on the second floor and bought food from passing boats. No biggie! Just go with the flow.

[lamyai3]

14 hours ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

Flooding will not happen on Deputy Prime Minister Prawit's watch.

They're all top end models, fully waterproof. He's taking no chances nonetheless, and has them on private display on an upstairs floor. 

[brewsterbudgen]

Los Angeles is likely to be flattened by "the big one" but I think people are still buying property there. Ever heard of risk assessment?

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