Townhouses priced between 1.2 to 2.99 million baht in Greater Bangkok's suburban areas were in high demand, with Krathum Baen in Samut Sakhon and Sam Phran in Nakhon Pathom recording the highest sales rate, says property consultant Plus Property Co.
Managing director Anukul Ratpitaksanti said townhouses in those two districts had the most attractive sales rates this year, tallying 75% or 9.5 units sold per month per project.
"The starting price of townhouses in these two districts was lower than 1.2 million baht per unit, the lowest in Greater Bangkok, as land prices remained low," he said. "The prices were compatible with the purchasing power of target buyers."
The two areas are not far from Bangkok and people there can access Bangkok via Rama II and Phetkasem roads, making them attractive, said Mr Anukul.
The second-highest sales rate for townhouses was in the On Nut-Bang Na area at 70%, followed by Thon Buri-Rat Burana at 66%, Thung Khru-Phra Pradaeng (63%), Lat Lum Kaeo (55%), Suvarnabhumi-Bang Sao Thong (53%) and Don Mueang-Sai Mai (52%).
These seven suburban areas in Greater Bangkok had the highest sales rates for townhouses ranging from 1.2-2.99 million baht a unit, as sales the past three years outperformed the average rate of six units per month per project and a 47% take-up rate.
"We expect growth in these locations will continue to be healthy next year on momentum from growth in both demand and supply in 2017," he said. "These suburban locations continue to post a good sales rate because of transport links to Bangkok."
According to Plus Property's research, the On Nut-Bang Na area is near business centres with easy access to downtown through the Sukhumvit BTS from Mo Chit to Samrong.
The Chaloem Maha Nakhon expressway also facilitates travel to various destinations, helping townhouses introduced at this location to continue to be popular.
The Thon Buri-Rat Burana area is a suburb on the Thon Buri side situated near business centres and surrounded by three mass transit lines comprising the BTS's Silom Line, an extension of the Purple Line from Tao Poon to Rat Burana, which will start construction next year, and an extension of the Blue Line from Hua Lamphong to Bang Khae, which is 85% complete.
The Thung Khru-Phra Pradaeng area is near the Chaloem Maha Nakhon expressway and Kanchanaphisek Road. It is also not far from the southern section of the Purple Line between Tao Poon and Rat Burana.
An extension of the Purple Line will draw people from the Thon Buri side of Bangkok to the central transport hub of Bang Sue, allowing for convenient linkage to various locations downtown.
Lat Lum Kaeo is a suburb in Pathum Thani that has access to Bangkok via Udon Ratthaya expressway and is linked to other regions of Thailand by Kanchanaphisek Road. The area is not far from the Red Line connecting Bang Sue to Rangsit, which is 60% complete.
Operation of this mass transit line is scheduled to start in three years, while the government plans to extend the line from the Rangsit station to Thammasat University's Rangsit campus.
The Don Mueang-Sai Mai line runs to the north of Bangkok, connecting to the Red Line and the extension of the BTS Sukhumvit Line from Mo Chit to Saphan Mai and Khu Khot.
Operation of both lines is scheduled to start within three years.
Access to downtown is also facilitated by the Uttara Phimuk expressway or the Don Mueang tollway as well as the Ram Intra-At Narong expressway.
These linkages make the suburb popular among working people, airport staff and business owners living in the area.
The Suvarnabhumi-Bang Sao Thong route is in Samut Prakan and is home to Suvarnabhumi airport, with access to downtown Bangkok and links to other regions through various routes.
They comprise the Burapha Withi expressway, the motorway, Kanchanaphisek Road, the Airport Rail Link, the BTS line from Bearing to Samut Prakan and the planned Yellow Line from Lat Phrao to Samrong.
These linkages have spurred demand for townhouses among working people at the airport and business owners at the location.
"Our survey results point to a return of purchasing power for townhouses. Demand and supply continued to grow in 2017 although there were no specific policies to stimulate the real estate sector," said Mr Anukul.
