Bangkok city center has been making a move Eastwards since the Bangkok International airport opened in Suvarnabhumi in 2006. In 2010 the long awaited Bangkok Airport Link opened, linking Phayathai BTS station to Suvarnabhumi airport, with further links at the Asoke area and Phetchaburi to the Makkasan airport link station.

With the movement East has come of course the movement of Bangkok apartments and condos to follow and enhance the trend. Also with the opening of 5 new BTS stations from On Nut to Bearing, the East areas of Bangkok have received a major boost, both in residential properties and retail.

Starting toward the middle of Sukhumvit at Ekamai BTS station, there has recently been a development in the opening of the Gateway shopping mall in 2012. The Gateway shopping mall is Japanese in concept and although it houses a supermarket, regular fast-food outlets such as KFC and regular franchised shops, it does certainly have a Japanese theme. With plenty of Japanese restaurants and shops selling Japanese style products.

Also in the Ekamai area there is a cinema, Bangkok medi-plex offering cosmetic and dental surgeries and more cafes and restaurants. And of course the regulars who use these facilities all live nearby in the condos and apartments.

One such popular condo is located on the same street as the Gateway shopping mall and is Tree 42 condominium.

The Tree 42 condominium offers both 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom unit and is housed in a very stylish and modern condominium to suit the modern Bangkok urbanite. Only a few minutes’ walk from both the Gateway mall, Ekamai BTS station and the Bangkok medi-plex, it is ideally situated to offer a range of convenient shops, activities and access to commuting around the rest of the city. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/tree-condo-42-ekamai-1786

The Tree 42 condominium of course also has a swimming pool, fitness room, car parking and 24hr security to further convenience the residents.

Across the main Sukhumvit road from the Tree 42 condo, is The Hive condominium really does offer great value for expats that want to rent in the East of the city or the central area of Sukhumvit road.

With the same access to both Ekamai BTS station, the surrounding shopping malls and the cinema, The Hive Ekamai is an excellent choice for a couple or young family. The Hive condominium, despite being new offers large 1br and 2br units, unusual for a condominium opened up in the last 2-3 years. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/hive-condo-ekamai

The Hive condominium is also fairly luxurious and has some very nice fixtures and fittings as befits one of Sansiri’s luxurious products.

Moving further down the line towards Bang Na and Bearing we find the huge and highly impressive Megamall Bang Na. A huge shopping complex, the Megamall Bang na as the name suggests houses an immense number and volume retail outlets. A real boon to the Bang Na and Eastern suburbs of Bangkok, the Megamall Bang Na houses the world’s largest Ikea furniture shop.

As with many shopping centers in Bangkok, the Megamall Bangna also has a whole host of eateries, restaurants, cafes and bars, so a trip the Megamall Bang Na can involve a lot more than a simple trip to the shops.

For those wishing to live on Bang Na, bust still enjoy the convenience of both the BTS and the city center lifestyle, Cityhome in Udomsuk offers an excellent low-cost value for money living experience. Only a few minutes walk from Udomsuk BTS station, Cityhome condominium has Studio, 1br and 2br units housed in this modern and convenient condominium. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/cityhome-supalai-udomsuk-2895

So if you want to take advantage of the exciting new shopping destinations in the Eastern districts of Bangkok, there are plenty of excellent new Bangkok condominiums and apartments in which to live. It is then just a matter of you selecting which property best suits your budget an your lifestyle.

Bangkok apartments and condos around Siam square were reviewed in the first of these blogs, however in this second part of this series we will review the Bangkok condos and apartments for rent in the North of the city and which are within easy access of which shopping malls.

Renting a condo or apartment in Lat Prao, means renting a condo or apartment in one of the busiest parts of Bangkok. Lat Prao is a very busy residential area of Bangkok and has literally hundreds of apartments blocks, which are very popular with local Thais. However for expats generally looking for a bit of luxury, there are less choices, but some excellent condos and apartments to rent.

Lat Prao is also home to a few shopping areas and malls, but two of the most popular are the Union Mall and the older Central Lat Prao mall, which are both located within walking distance of the Phahonyothin MRT station.

Also within walking distance of the Phahonyothin MRT station is The Light condominium. This high-rise condominium has great views of the surrounding area and is a modern and stylish condo. The Light condominium houses 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units of reasonable size and with the luxuries and facilities expats in Bangkok have come to expect from modern accommodation. Renting a condo at The Light Lat Prao, will offer the resident a roof-top pool and sun-deck. A fitness studio, car-parking and of course 24 security. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-light-lat-phrao-322

However The Light condominium is not the only well located and well appointed property in Lat Prao. Although unlike The Light condo, where it is possible to walk to both Central Lat Prao and Union mall, The Ideo Lad Prao is situated much closer to the Lat Phrao MRT station. The Ideo Lad Phrao is aa low-rise condominium with landscaped grounds centered around a swimming pool and a sun-deck. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/ideo-ladprao-17-1156

And although not within walking distance of a shopping center the Ideo Lat Prao is within walking distance of the Lad Phrao MRT station and therefore within 5-10 mins of leaving the condo residents can be walking into Central Lat Prao and browsing their favourite shops.

Going up further north from the Bangkok city center, in fact north east we come to Ramkamhaeng and Bangkapi. Both these locations house shopping malls, with the Mall Bangkapi and the Mall Ramkhamheang being two of the most popular in town despite the lack of rail links to the shopping plazas.

Inspire Place condo however offers easy access to both these shopping malls and in fact it is possible to walk to The Mall Ramkhamhaeng from Inspire condo Ramkhamhaeng.

Inspire Place is very popular with ABAC students, given its location which is close to the University. The Inspire Place however is luxurious compared to the average student accommodation with a swimming pool, fitness center and security. However the condo is cheap by expat standards with Studios, one bedrooms and even two bedrooms all at a very reasonable rate. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/inspire-place-ramkhamhaeng-2179

Finally to live within walking distance or a short motorbike ride of the Mall Bangkapi, then it is possible to rent a condo in Lumpini Ville Ramkhamhaeng condominium. This high-rise condominium houses studios, one bedroom, and two bedroom units at very reasonable rates.

Lumpini Ville condo in Ramkamheang is ideal for those who want to rent a condo in Ramkamhaeng near to the university or the international and language schools in the area, or need to access the ring-road and high-roads to the airport. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/lumpini-ville-ramkhamhaeng-1265

Renting a condo in the north part of Bangkok can still mean access to international shopping malls and plazas and still often contains all the convenience of living in the city center.

If you are renting a condo or apartment in Bangkok or have lived in the city for any length of time you can’t help, but notice the increasing amount of shopping malls, department stores and now open-air lifestyle malls that have sprung up all around the city center of Bangkok.

Of course Siam Square being the center of Bangkok has always been magnet for shoppers looking for bargains. From the MBK to Siam Paragon to Siam square and of course Siam Center there are plenty of shops and outlets. However you don’t have to live in Siam square to be close to a shopper’s paradise.

There are condos that do take advantage of the proximity to Siam square such as Condo one Siam. Condo One Siam only 5 mins walk from Siam square is a great option if you want to rent a condo in Siam square in the mid-end price bracket. Naturally the condo is only 5 mins from a whole host of shops and retail outlets, but it is also an attractive location in a quiet soi.

Condo One Siam comes with a swimming pool, fitness studio, car parking and security and is an attractively designed Bangkok condominium with a good use of space. Condo One Siam features Studio, one bedroom and two bedroom condos covering most Bangkok real estate market demands. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/condo-one-siam-siam-square-1488

A little further away from the center of Siam square, but certainly still within walking distance of MBK and other shopping venues is the Wish@Siam condominium. The condos for rent in Wish@Siam are compact, but very modern and well designed. There are Studios, one bedroom and two bedroom units. However for those looking to rent at the Wish@Siam the building offers great convenience.

The Wish@Siam features a courtyard style design with most of the units wrapped around a central pool area, which gives the Wish@Siam a personal feel and makes residents feel like they are at home. Just one stop away from Siam square on the Sukhumvit line heading towards Bearing BTS station is Chit Lom BTS station and another area surrounded by shopping plazas, departments stores and other retail outlets. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/wish@siam-condominium-ratchathewi-1638

Arriving at Chit Lom BTS station, passengers can go to both Central World and Central Chit Lom as well as Gaysorn Plaza. As Chit Lom is a high-end district the condos and apartments in this location are generally of a more luxurious nature. Q House Lang Suan is one such condominium. Located in Lang Suan, just a few minutes’ walk from Chit lom BTS station, this brand new, but classically designed condominium just feels and oozes luxury all the way.

With excellent fixtures and fittings Q House Langsuan is quality, and anyone looking for a luxurious, exquisitely designed apartment or condo in Bangkok should certainly check out Q-House Langsuan It is certainly not the cheapest condo in Bangkok, but then quality does not come cheap.

Q-House Langsuan fulfills perhaps all or at least most of the demands of luxury living. With excellent facilities including party rooms, large communal kitchens, BBQ areas, large swimming pool and even a library area Q-House Lang Suan is both a place to relax, party and live extremely comfortably. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/q-house-langsuan-2237

Also in Chit Lom is Urbana Lang Suan, another super luxurious condominium with fabulous facilities. Urbana Langsuan has almost every type of unit possible, from large Studios, one bedrooms, two bedroom, three bedroom and Penthouse units. Urbana LangSuan has something for everyone. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/urbana-lang-suan-chidlom-1792

And of course the facilities are more than memorable, with a roof-top swimming pool and sun-deck with fantastic views. A double level fitness center and even a spa and massage area. As well of course saunas and jacuzzis if you need them.

This is real luxury living and if the Urbana Lang Suan condominium itself is not enough, then only a few minutes’ walk away are both the Chit Lom BTS and of course the shopping plaza of both Central Chitlom and Central World.

So it is not necessary to live just in Siam square if you want to rent a condo in Bangkok near a shopping center. Apartments in Bangkok and condos in Bangkok are often found close to the shopping plaza in or outside of the city center. In the next part of this article, we will explore more apartments to rent in Sukhumvit and how to locate the nearest shopping outlets.

In our final blog on the best Bangkok condos and apartments for rent in 2012~13, we look at two condos that have contrasting features. The first condo we will look at is brand new. located within a 5 minute walk to the BTS Phrakanong station and is a high-rise with some terrific views over the city. The Wyne condominium is a condo built by Sansiri, who have a reputation for building quality condos in Bangkok’s city center.

The Wyne condominium is a dramatic looking high-rise 31 storeys high, but with a very narrow design it cuts into the sky like a dagger. The advantages of course of such a narrow building is that each unit gets a large amount of light and sunshine. The Wyne condominium also contains some luxurious features, such as a swimming pool, fitness studio, 24 hour security and car parking. Therefore renting a condo in The Wyne condo gives the resident a fine alternative to the Life@Sukhumvit 65 and Sukhumvit Plus condominiums, which are also found within walking distance of Phrakanong BTS station. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/wyne-sukhumvit-phrakanong-2900

Therefore with the Wyne condominium, Life@Sukhmvit 65, Life@Sukhumvit 67, Sukhumvit Plus and Plus 67 condominiums, renting a condo in Phrakanong has never been more attractive for expats and locals alike. In fact all of the above condos can be found within 5-10mins walk of Phrakanong BTS station, so it is not only highly attractive, but also highly convenient.

One stop down from Phrakanong BTS station is On Nut BTS station and located near this station is our next condo on the list. The Waterford 50 condominium has been a slow burner on our list of the best condos in Bangkok. The Waterford 50 in On Nut, is a low-rise condominium and in many ways is the exact opposite of The Wyne Condominium spread over multiple rai with plenty of garden space and landscaped grounds. The Waterford 50 has a large swimming pool, sun-deck and fitness studio. Residents of The Waterford 50 can enjoy the tranquility of the grounds and the high secure compound offers a type of oasis in the big city.

The Waterford 50 On Nut, may not be as close to the On Nut BTS stations as The Wyne condominium is to the Phrakanong BTS station, but the facilities, architecture and design are just s modern. Anyone who is looking to rent a condo in On Nut will find The Waterford 50 condominium a fine alternative to the smaller and more compact condominium buildings that surround the BTS On Nut station. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/waterford-on-nut-959

So looking at some of the best condos to rent in Bangkok and some of the best apartments to rent in Bangkok, we have seen a range of high-end to mid-end condos that offer the residents a whole range of advantages. From value for money to super luxury, from high-rises with excellent city views to landscaped gardens and wide opened spaces. Of course there are other worthy contenders and there are new condos and apartments hitting the Bangkok market each year, so who nows what next year’s list will look like. However for now the condos and apartments highlighted in this series of blog articles are all worthy of merit.

Renting a condo in Asoke allows the resident access to one of the most centralized locations in Bangkok. With both the MRT and BTS running through the Asoke area, it is a highly convenient and desirable location in which to live. Asoke is retail, commercial and residential area of Bangkok and there are many desirable condominiums to rent in Asoke. The competition is fierce and this makes the choice of condos and apartments in the area wide-ranging and attractive.

Three of the best condos to rent in Asoke will be highlighted in this article. The first one is a relatively old favorite of ours, The Wind 23 or the Wind Asoke as it is also called. The Wind 23 Asoke is a well appointed modern styled luxury condominium. With large windows, open spaced and tropical feel it is a very comfortable and attractive condominium in which to live.

Condos at the Wind 23 Asoke offer 50-55 sqm and with some excellent fixtures and fittings along with some excellent touches like built-in wardrobes, storage rooms and hidden air-conditioning compressors, it is clear that the condo is not only well located, but also well thought out. The Wind Asoke was one of our favorite condos for 2011 and now the building is just over 2 yrs old, it has established itself as a very popular and very attractive Bangkok condo to rent in Asoke. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-wind-asok-1983

The Wind is not the only attractive luxury condo in Asoke and the recently constructed Address Asoke is fast offering a range of condos to rival the Wind Asoke. Located only 2 mins walk from both the Phetchburi MRT station and the Makkasan airport link station, the Address Asoke is conveniently located to take advantage of Bangkok metro system.

A person renting a condo at the Address Asoke can easily be at the Suvanabhumi airport within 15-20 mins by taking the express train. Or can travel into town and be at Phayathai BTS station in just 10 mins. Alternatively the Address Asoke residents can jump on the MRT underground train and be in Sukhumvit within 2mins or Ratchada in 5 mins. In fact it is hard to find a condo in Bangkok with better links to the city. Indeed there is even a pier located 2mins from the Address Asoke that allows residents to travel along Bangkok’s canal system. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-address-asoke-2687

You can read more about the benefits and joys of travelling along Bangkok’s canal system on the following blog: “>http://www.ajarn.com/blogs/neil-mcdonough/the-venice-of-the-east/

Also found close to the canal near Asoke is the Circle Condominium, consisting of two high-towers and only a few minute’s walk from Phetchburi MRT station. The Circle condominium is also located close to the airport link station at Makkasan and for those people looking to rent a condo at The Circle condominium, then there is a choice of Studio, one bedroom and two bedroom condominiums. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/circle-condo-phetchaburi-2635

Of course the Circle Condo comes with the usual array of facilities you’d expect to find in a mid to high-end condo in Bangkok. With a swimming pool, fitness studios and of course the usual car-parking and security that makes living in such a condominium so safe and secure.

So if you are looking for the convenience of a downtown Bangkok location, close to the BTS, MRT, airport link and even canals system, then Asoke is possibly the place for you. Very few locations in Bangkok offer the resident both the convenience of the metro systems and the kudos of living next to some of the best shopping malls, shops and restaurants in Bangkok. And at such reasonable living costs, and if yo choose to rent a condo in Bangkok in one of the buildings highlighted in this article then renting in Asoke may be the way to go.