Will Condo Prices In Bangkok Go Up Or Down?

[trogers]

The question of Bangkok's subsidence has been well known for years, which is why good foundations are so very important. Pilings depths of up to 18m are not unusual here.

This addresses the problem of sinking buildings but not does not address flooding, which I accept is altogether a different matter.

Flood control measures very much depend on the BMA's systems which to their credit this has improved significantly over the last 10 years. There is still the odd sub-soi where water can reach knee depths but at least main roads like Sukhumvit rarely flood today, and when they do water drains away within a relatively short period of time (compared with say 10 years ago).

It is an issue of course, and needs to be addressed, the question is when and how urgent it is, which nobody, not even the boffins who wrote that report can actually tell you, so what to do? How can a buyer accurately factor that into the overall equation?

The answer is simple. They either choose to accept or reject the current pricing, which usually will not take that matter into account.

There are 2 different issues: soil consolidation due to surcharge placed on existing ground, and sinking of river deltas.

It is known that soil in Bangkok consist of soft marine clay in the first 12-15m depth and any surcharge load place on it, be it just a metre high landfill or a building structure will cause soil to consolidate. This is why even blockwall fences need to be sitting on piles.

But the sinking of river deltas mentioned in the article refers to sinking that starts over a hundred metres deep, and not surface soil. Thus, even the tallest building with 60-70m deep piles is sinking with the rest of Bangkok.

" Bangkok - Bangkok and its surrounding provinces will be underwater within the next 15 to 20 years "

That doesnt give much time to enjoy your investment.........better to rent in BKK and park the

money in real estate in another location ?

I defer. Buy a condo at least 3rd floor up, and near to BTS (not MRT). The city will be a romantic Venice of the East in a few decades time.