2 hours ago, Hummin said:

 

Go and ask the land department what is going on there. Could be nice to know if you going to rent long term, and next you know there is a construction site next to you. 

 

Can also ask an real estate agent, they are usually updated on whats going on in their district. Or should be, 

Usually, land departments don't want to deal with random people wandering in off the street asking questions like that unless you have some specific business with them.  I wouldn't trust a real estate agent to give me that kind of info if they think I might be a customer.

16 hours ago, shdmn said:

According to Google AI, it was done to remove squatters, unauthorized structures, and rubbish, as part of a broader cleanup effort around the city.  That doesn't explain the planting of trees though, unless that's all part of it to prevent erosion.

 

I am sure it wasn't for that. They just occupied the very tip of the land near Thappraya Road. They could have been moved without clearing the whole space. I am also sure the trees are just there for tax purposes. I doubt if the owners care about land erosion or appearances.

16 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

It wouldn’t be too bad, as there are several streets of single story villas between VT5 and the vacant block. I was aware of the risk when I bought my place of course, and I’m amazed the block’s stayed empty for so long.

      And, once whatever is built it will likely increase your condo's value or at least help it remain stable and not decrease in value.   Think Markland and Terminal 21.

When I started this topic, I was hoping (not expecting) that there are some people out there that actually have inside information about the plans (or lack thereof) for that large cleared space. No luck there but there's always rumors, guessing, speculation, and joking.

A hypothetical question that I have is that IF the plan is for a luxury shopping mall (and also new condos, hotels, etc.) IF the monorail plan does not get approved,  would that nix the project? It seems to me that without the monorail station there such a project makes less sense.

4 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

 

I am sure it wasn't for that. They just occupied the very tip of the land near Thappraya Road. They could have been moved without clearing the whole space. I am also sure the trees are just there for tax purposes. I doubt if the owners care about land erosion or appearances.

Thanks for mentioning that. I was thinking that too. The provisional structures were only a tiny portion of the cleared land (facing Tappraya road).

The area was also convenient for baht bus drivers to stop and have a piss.

4 minutes ago, newnative said:

And, once whatever is built it will likely increase your condo's value or at least help it remain stable and not decrease in value.   Think Markland and Terminal 21.

I was thinking Thailand’s first (legal) casino…

1 minute ago, CygnusX1 said:

I was thinking Thailand’s first (legal) casino…

The last government killed that. Sure any new government in the future could approve it but very doubtful land would be cleared just wishing for that to happen.

9 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The last government killed that. Sure any new government in the future could approve it but very doubtful land would be cleared just wishing for that to happen.

My remark was in strictly in jest. Actually, my gut feeling is that a shopping mall is almost as unlikely. People have wondered for a long time why Jomtien lacks one, given the number of condos, but I think the place is just too seasonal, even more so than Pattaya.

Didn't the same thing happen before with the same bit of empty land? I  have this vague recollection from perhaps 5 or 6 years back that something was planted there after clearing the land, even then folks were concerned what might be happening there, but a consensus felt planting was being done to reduce the tax bill for the land.. Presumably someone is still sitting on it until they get a mega offer!

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Didn't the same thing happen before with the same bit of empty land? I  have this vague recollection from perhaps 5 or 6 years back that something was planted there after clearing the land, even then folks were concerned what might be happening there, but a consensus felt planting was being done to reduce the tax bill for the land.. Presumably someone is still sitting on it until they get a mega offer!

No. 

1 hour ago, CygnusX1 said:

My remark was in strictly in jest. Actually, my gut feeling is that a shopping mall is almost as unlikely. People have wondered for a long time why Jomtien lacks one, given the number of condos, but I think the place is just too seasonal, even more so than Pattaya.

 

But about 10,000 new condos will soon come on stream around there from just Grand Solaire1&2, Cocacabana 2 and many others

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Didn't the same thing happen before with the same bit of empty land? I  have this vague recollection from perhaps 5 or 6 years back that something was planted there after clearing the land, even then folks were concerned what might be happening there, but a consensus felt planting was being done to reduce the tax bill for the land.. Presumably someone is still sitting on it until they get a mega offer!

Are you thinking of the other block? Sorry, it would be clearer if I could post a photo, but there are 2 adjoining vacant blocks between the beach and Thappraya Road. The one in question here is the larger block next to the road, but there’s another, smaller block between it and the beach. This block was planted with a crop of some kind a few years ago, and the rows of plants are still there, though looking a bit untidy. 

On 12/21/2025 at 1:00 AM, Hummin said:

Minimal Development: Even basic agricultural use (like planting trees) can lower your tax bracket from "vacant" (0.3%) to "agricultural" (as low as 0.01%). 

Banana trees

17 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

Are you thinking of the other block? Sorry, it would be clearer if I could post a photo, but there are 2 adjoining vacant blocks between the beach and Thappraya Road. The one in question here is the larger block next to the road, but there’s another, smaller block between it and the beach. This block was planted with a crop of some kind a few years ago, and the rows of plants are still there, though looking a bit untidy. 

Probably. I have a pal with a VT5 condo that faced that way and he brought it to my attention. It also got mentioned here. 

On 12/21/2025 at 7:46 AM, Briggsy said:

You underestimate the forward planning and considerable obstacles of putting a large development into place that includes a land sale for an eye-watering sum. I have seen very expensive land in downtown Bangkok just sit and wait for years for all the ducks to be aligned.

 

Remember there may well be those opposing the development they do not want and will not allow.

 

It can take decades.

 

It has already been decades. I presume someone has plans. It's a sign, i think, that many mega high end condos are being completed around that area. These are not VTs but in the 10-30 million + range. The hi-so buyers will need a shopping mall nearby for their Gucci bags.

I snapped a couple pics.  It is indeed quite a large lot.  From Thappraya Rd, First pic is in the middle of the lot facing NW, second is at the north end facing SW.  Those two buildings on the left in the 2nd picture are ViewTalay 5D & 5C

 

 

On 12/21/2025 at 2:57 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Banana trees, i saw them planting them yesterday

They do that to get it classified as farmland for tax reasons. I doubt any bananas will come from it.  

21 minutes ago, thjames007 said:

They do that to get it classified as farmland for tax reasons. I doubt any bananas will come from it.  

How much water do they need?  That field appears to be dry as a bone right now. Perhaps someone comes to water them every few days?

It's to be a dog pound, for the strays of Pattaya.

On 12/20/2025 at 5:48 PM, Jingthing said:

This happened rather quickly.

The previous existing lovely massive chunk of trees/green space off Tappraya Road (near Tepprasit) Jomtien across from the airport bus station has been completely leveled!

While obviously an environmental tragedy there is no turning back now.

So something or lots of things will be built on that now cleared land, yeah?

But what exactly?!?

I've searched online and am getting a lot of rumors and theories, with very few clues as to the reality.

Also a lot of jokes.

If you wish, you may want to post your own theories and jokes, but what would really be useful is to hear from are from people that have some kind of inside info track about this.

 

 

 

 

 

Flipper lodge 2

🤣🤣🤣

12 minutes ago, Grusa said:

It's to be a dog pound, for the strays of Pattaya.

 

Shirley it's too small for that purpose  😋

Am guessing but about 3 - 4 years ago it was cleared of squatters and the land offered for sale in a few parcels of land but may have had same vendor. Since then signs ere removed and some squatters returned.

If it has been amalgamated into one parcel of land it is massive and very expensive real estate. Yes it has been planted out so also adds to the mystery and would assume there are no short term plans for the site.

Coming back from Soi 5 the other day the Bolt driver said the land was government owned, coconuts trees were being planted, and later something big would be built with the government owning half of it. Me, I don’t know.

Treatment centre for <removed>... and many potential patients from this forum already.

The land was cram full of squatters.  The shacks you saw up by the road were just the tip of the iceberg.  The first phase of the operation was to clear the squatters.  They were given a week notice.  Then workmen came in and demolished the shacks and put all the remaining belongings along the sidewalk for the owners to claim.  The next day the bulldozers came and scoured the squatter zone first.  The evening of that day I walked over and I found over a hundred bewildered dogs sitting all over the cleared areas wondering where their owners went.  And also probably wondering what happened to dinner.  The dogs were gone the next day.

 

Here's the closest to insider info I have.  On the day of the demolition some of the supervisors came over to the pharmacy across the street to make a purchase.  I happen to know the pharmacist lady there and what she learned was this:

 

1. The land is owned by either a TV news personality or maybe the TV station owner.  I couldn't figure out her English, sorry.
2. The owner was allowing the squatters to live there.  Was that out of the kindness of his heart or neglect?  I don't know.
3. Yes, the owner had to clear the land because of the tax implications of unmaintained land.

 

The bulldozers kept at it and, in less than a week, they cleared the entire plot.  Yesterday they were planting saplings.  A Thai identified them to me as coconut trees.

 

The information provided earlier in this thread about taxation of agricultural vs commercial land lines up with what I was told a week ago.  I believe that to be the primary motivator. And a secondary motivation might have been the owner being advised of the risk of squatters being able to gain rights to the land if not dealt with.

 

Also, I agree the coconut trees are the owner's strategy to keep taxes low while waiting for a deal to come together (or, at least, for construction to begin).

 

I do worry about what might be built there.  Thappraya road is not able to handle even a little more traffic.  Also, I don't want to see monstrous condo buildings blocking the view to the sea.  I would like to see small shops and services that make the area more livable.  However I'm sure the bean counters wouldn't consider that the best way to maximize income from the property.

 

However, I do have an idea for this large property that I think no one has thought of yet.  Ok, think if it: Ganja shops as far as the eye can see!

 

Hey, you wanted jokes...

38 minutes ago, Sup3rfarang said:

The land was cram full of squatters.  The shacks you saw up by the road were just the tip of the iceberg.  The first phase of the operation was to clear the squatters.  They were given a week notice.  Then workmen came in and demolished the shacks and put all the remaining belongings along the sidewalk for the owners to claim.  The next day the bulldozers came and scoured the squatter zone first.  The evening of that day I walked over and I found over a hundred bewildered dogs sitting all over the cleared areas wondering where their owners went.  And also probably wondering what happened to dinner.  The dogs were gone the next day.

 

Here's the closest to insider info I have.  On the day of the demolition some of the supervisors came over to the pharmacy across the street to make a purchase.  I happen to know the pharmacist lady there and what she learned was this:

 

1. The land is owned by either a TV news personality or maybe the TV station owner.  I couldn't figure out her English, sorry.
2. The owner was allowing the squatters to live there.  Was that out of the kindness of his heart or neglect?  I don't know.
3. Yes, the owner had to clear the land because of the tax implications of unmaintained land.

 

The bulldozers kept at it and, in less than a week, they cleared the entire plot.  Yesterday they were planting saplings.  A Thai identified them to me as coconut trees.

 

The information provided earlier in this thread about taxation of agricultural vs commercial land lines up with what I was told a week ago.  I believe that to be the primary motivator. And a secondary motivation might have been the owner being advised of the risk of squatters being able to gain rights to the land if not dealt with.

 

Also, I agree the coconut trees are the owner's strategy to keep taxes low while waiting for a deal to come together (or, at least, for construction to begin).

 

I do worry about what might be built there.  Thappraya road is not able to handle even a little more traffic.  Also, I don't want to see monstrous condo buildings blocking the view to the sea.  I would like to see small shops and services that make the area more livable.  However I'm sure the bean counters wouldn't consider that the best way to maximize income from the property.

 

However, I do have an idea for this large property that I think no one has thought of yet.  Ok, think if it: Ganja shops as far as the eye can see!

 

Hey, you wanted jokes...

Years ago spouse and I heard the land was owned by a tv station so that aligns, I think, with your 'tv station owner'. 

Maybe Nordic is operating back...........

I live in vt3 and the owner of the vt condo company that built them all is sitting on a lot of land .I don't think this is uncommon im just grateful not possible to build anything to block my views .unless the heritage is knocked down but even that is a good distance from our condo 

Land is owned by the Singha Beer heirs.

 

 The eventual plan is for a casino complex potentially financed with Chinese money.

 

This ties into broader talk about Thailand’s proposed revised gambling laws that’s been in the news over the past year — where the Thai government at least in principle approved a draft Entertainment Complex Bill to allow legal casinos as part of wider mega-tourism developments. 

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

Land is owned by the Singha Beer heirs.

 

 The eventual plan is for a casino complex potentially financed with Chinese money.

 

This ties into broader talk about Thailand’s proposed revised gambling laws that’s been in the news over the past year — where the Thai government at least in principle approved a draft Entertainment Complex Bill to allow legal casinos as part of wider mega-tourism developments. 

 

 

 

Singha beer land is in Naklua, not in Jomtien. And there never has been a plan for a Casino in that area of  Jomtien.  The area that was thought about years ago for a possible complex was near Ambassador, but the new thought is in the Utapao enclave.