It’s that time of the year again when organizations in various industries and countries decide on their highlights of the year. Their best employee, best achievement or department. At EasyHomes we look at our own market the Bangkok property market and look at the best condos and apartments in Bangkok for the year.

This year there have been some surprising results and some expected results. Among the highlights we will review are The Wind Asoke 23, Life@65 Ekamai, Siri@Sukhumvit in Thonglor, S and S condo and Villa Sathorn. These properties have all been stand-out performers in what is fast becoming a very competitive market with many excellent condos and apartments on the market.

Let’s start with The Wind Asoke 23 located in Asoke only 500m from both the MRT and BTS stations. A truly excellent location for an excellent building.

A fantastic modern building built in a contemporary tropical style with 1 bedroom Bangkok condos to rent in Asoke, 2 bedroom condos and 3 bedroom condos for lease as well. With a infinity swimming pool, 24hr security, car parking, sun deck and fitness room this Bangkok condominium offers all the facilities associated with luxury condos in Bangkok. However the quality in The Wind 23 Asoke is of such high caliber that it stands out as true gem. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-wind-23-asok-1573

The Wind 23 condo has been a slow-burner in the Bangkok condominium market, but once it was discovered by the general market the reaction has been understandably positive. The location is ideal for those wanting to commute around Bangkok with access to both the MRT and BTS only 500m away.

The second condo to look at is a previous favorite condo of ours, the forever popular Life@65 condo in Ekamai. If you are looking for a good quality, great value condo to rent on Sukhumvit then the Life@Sukhumvit 65 is ideal. With excellent views, a large roof-top swimming pool and great value condos for lease on Sukhumvit road. And only a 5 mins walk to both Ekamai BTS station and Phrakanong BTS station, Life@Sukhumvit 65 or Life@65 (as it is referred to by locals) this is an ideal condo to rent in Bangkok if you are a bachelor, bachelorette or a couple. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/life@sukhumvit-65-ekamai-2238

The next condo we will review is a total departure from Life@Sukhumvit 65, and rather than catering fort mid-range tenant looking to rent a condominium in Bangkok our next condo Siri@Sukhumvit located near Thonglor BTS station caters for the high-end market. Siri@Sukhumvit offers one bedroom condos, two bedroom condos and three bedroom condos for rent. And if you are looking to rent a condo near to Thonglor BTS station, this is hard to beat.

Siri@Sukhumvit offers a fantastic lobby and incredible facilities, with a huge gymnasium and fitness studio, and probably the best swimming pool in the Sukhumvit area. With so many great condominiums to rent in Sukhumvit then it is a compliment indeed that Siri@Sukhumvit is picked out as having the best or at least one of the best swimming pools in Bangkok.

In keeping with its high-end market, Siri@Sukhumvit has great finishings and excellent style. A large building it looks and feels impressive the moment you enter Siri@Sukhumvit. So if you are looking to rent a condo or apartment in Thonglor and you have a good budget it is hard to look beyond Siri@Sukumvit. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/siri@sukhumvit-thonglor-1458

This year 2011, was the year that the BTS received its first major extension since its inauguration in 1999. Yes we know that it added two more stops in Krungthonburi BTS station and Wong Wien Yai BTS station 2 years ago, and more about them in a while, but with the extension of the BTS from On Nut BTS station to Bearing BTS station this has been a significant increase opening up the east side of Bangkok’s city center. And with the advent of these stations has come a large amount of condo and apartment development from low-rises to high-rises the landscape on the east side of Bangkok’s city center has altered considerably.

However there has been one condo that has caught our attention more than others and one that has shown that just because it is built in a less established and fashionable part of town, it does not have to be of lower quality. In fact S and S condominium, or S&S condominium, or S & S condominium – depending on how you spell it, is of better quality and style than many condos seen in mid-Sukhumvit, Sathorn or Silom.

S & S condominium is set on a large piece of land and takes advantage of that by offering a large swimming pool and a large garden area including a children’s play ground. For those looking to rent a condo in Udomsuk or Punniwithee near the BTS stations. S & S condo houses Studios, one bedroom and two bedroom condos and the value is very high given the location of the condominium. S&S condo is located near to the shopping area featuring international restaurants and international supermarkets. If you are looking to rent a condo on the new BTS extension then renting a condo in S&S condo would be a good choice. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/s–s-condo-udomsuk-1911

Finally looking at renting a condo in Sathorn area we review Villa Sathorn which is located only 50m from Krungthonburi BTS station. Villa Sathornhouses Studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom units, so caters for most of the market. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/villa-sathorn-krungthonburi-2160

With fantastic views and with river views Villa Sathorn is a great place to rent a condo in Bangkok.

In recent years there has been a definitive movement in creating more stylish, more international and more luxurious condominiums in Bangkok’s city center. The Address condominium brand certainly embodies this trend. Launched initially in 2008 with The Address 42, it was followed soon after by The Address Chidlom, The Address Siam and The Address Pathumwan which all offer not only superb Bangkok condominium buildings, but also fantastic addresses in Bangkok.

In the future there will also be The Address Sathorn, The Address Phayathai and The Address Asoke and The Address 28 located on Sukhumvit 28 in Phrom Phong, but for now let’s look at the fabulous well constructed and timelessly styled Address condominiums in Bangkok’s city center that are available to rent now.

First of all we will begin with the Address 42 located in Ekamai. The Address 42 is only 350m from the Ekamai BTS station and is superbly located in one of Sukhumvit’s fastest up and coming districts. Within a 500m radius (roughly a maximum 10mins walk) you can find all the following amenities: Bangkok’s Mediplex Center, Ekamai BTS station, 2 supermarkets, Major Cineplex, California Wow fitness center, True Café, Starbucks coffee shop & numerous restaurants & shops. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-address-sukhumvit-42-ekkamai-1176

Ekamai certainly looks set to become the new Thonglor, with trendy and stylish up-market shopping areas like The Park Lane and Horizon. The Address 42 is a low-rise condo with a roof-top swimming pool and gymnasium also the building features saunas, and a roof-top garden. Of course as with any luxurious Bangkok condominium there is covered parking and 24hr security.

However for those renting a condo in The Address 42 it is the quality of the little details and finishing’s that sets is apart from other condos in the Ekamai area.
Moving on further down the Sukhumvit road towards Siam, we come to the high-end and exclusive district of Chit Lom. The Address Chit Lom is a quite unique Bangkok condominium beautifully appointed in an Art-Deco style, the two buildings that make up The Address Chidlom are both dramatic and stylish in design. With excellent finishing’s throughout including double-glazed windows, a real rarity in Bangkok, The Address Chit Lom is located within walking distance of both the BTS Chidlom and Central Chidlom.

The Address Chidlom contains a beautiful infinity style swimming pool, large gymnasium and other facilities expected in a luxury Bangkok condo. And if you are a fan of art deco style then leasing a condo in The Address Chidlom may be ideal for you. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-address-chidlom-1564

If we move up the BTS line one more stop we get to Siam Square and close to both The Address Siam and The Address Pathumwan, which are both best accessed via the Ratchatewi BTS station. The Address Siam is a high-rise condo which offers residents superb views of the Bangkok city center from both the condo windows and also from the superb roof-top swimming pool and roof-top sun-deck. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-address-siam-ratchathewi-1647

Fewer locations and therefore fewer addresses can offer the level of amenities, activities and general level of living that those that rent in The Address Siam and The Address Phatumwan can receive. With access to the Siam Paragon, Discovery Center, Siam Center, Siam Square and MBK center all within walking distance.

In addition to the amenities that can be accessed in Siam Square, residents of The Address and The Address Pathumwan can also easily access the BTS at Ratchathewi and the Airport link at Rajaprarop station, meaning you can be at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in just over 30mins and having to face no traffic.

So whether you want to live in Sukhumvit, or around Siam Square or even rent a condo close to the airport link then the Address branded condominiums can offer an luxurious up-market condominium address for you to live in.

2010 saw over 4 000 Bangkok condominium units transferred on Sukhumvit road alone. This is a massive number of condos to rent on Sukhumvit, making Sukhumvit a very attractive area to rent a condo in Bangkok. Of course like with anything, some Sukhumvit condominium buildings stand out as better then others, whether this is due to value for money, quality, style, facilities or location. Here we will review the best condos completed on Sukhumvit for 2010, based on the ones that impressed our clients the most and the reasons why.

Life@Sukhumvit 65 or also known as just Life@65 is one of the best new condos to rent in Bangkok, never mind being one of the best new condos to rent on Sukhumvit. Located in Ekamai near the Ekamai BTS station Life@Sukhumvit 65 is a high-rise condominium building nearly 30 storey’s tall. With facilities such as a large swimming pool, roof top fitness area and saunas, as well as the usual 24hr security and car parking associated with quality Bangkok condos. However what makes Life@Sukhumvit 65 so popular with expats is the combination of all the above coupled with an excellent location. Just 5 mins walk from the nearest BTS station, and just 10 minutes walk from a cinema, supermarket and shopping mall.

Life@Sukhumvit 65 offers superb views of Bangkok and the surrounding Ekamai areas, and is only 15mins travel to Siam Square via the BTS. With small 1 bedroom condo units starting at just 15 000 Baht renting this Ekamai condominium is great value. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/life@sukhumvit-65-ekamai-1445

Also staying in the same location, renting a condo in Ekamai has never been so attractive. With so many Bangkok condos to choose from depending upon your requirements and budget, the choice is varied. One of the best is Life@Sukhumvit 65’s sister building Life@67, located in Sukhumvit soi 67 is another excellent condo to rent in Ekamai.

Some of your clients prefer to rent a Bangkok condo in a low-rise building, whether this is due to a fear of heights or just the more intimate feeling a low-rise condo can offer. For this reason Life@67 can offer a great quality Ekamai condo for rent in a well constructed and styled low-rise building.

Ekamai is an excellent place to rent a condo, due to its combination of amenities, location to the city center and its value for money, with Bangkok condos for rent in Ekamai still lower than those in other areas of Sukhumvit such as Thonglor or Phrom Phong. Life@67 condominium once again offer all the facilities one can expect from a quality Bangkok condominium, such as swimming pool, fitness area, saunas, car parking and security. Again there are excellent quality 1 and 2 bedroom condos available starting at approx THB 20 000/ month. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/life@67-sukhumvit-67-1222

Moving along the BTS line we will look at two condos to rent in Thonglor. Both opened at the turn of the year in 2010, these condos for differing reasons have proved to be both popular and highly rated by our clients in 2010. Siri@Sukhumvit is a high-end Bangkok condominium located just 2-3 minutes walk from the BTS Thong Lo station. With a beautiful large lobby, excellent views and well appointed condo units, this striking building has proved to be popular with clients looking for both the convenience of the BTS and luxury of a Grade A condominium.

As always Siri@Sukhumvit condominium offers first class facilities with a dramatic and attractive swimming pool, fitness area, saunas, steam room and car parking. All of which are completed with high-level finishes. And within such a short walk of Thonglor BTS station the convenience is hard to beat. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/siri@sukhumvit-thonglor-1458

Further inside Thonglor road it is The Clover Thonglor, an excellently located mid-range condominium in the heart of Thong Lo. The Clover is a cluster of low-rise condos grouped around 2 large centrally located swimming pools.

The winning appeal of The Clover Thong Lo, is not just the styling and facilities, but also the fact that if you want to rent a condo in Thonglor, then The Clover Thonglor represents exceptional value for money. With small 1 bedroom units starting at just THB 17 000/month and larger 1 bedroom units at approximately THB 25 000/month it is hard to beat in this up market and trendy district of Bangkok. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-clover-thong-lo-1253

And then looking around in the immediate location there are 2 supermarkets within 5 minutes waking distance, dozens of cafes and dozens of restaurants not to mention convenience stores. This is the heart of the Japanese district of Bangkok and perhaps one of the most up-market and trendy areas to live in.

The next location we will look at it is for those who are looking to rent a Bangkok condo in the Phrom Phong district of Sukhumvit. The Emporio Place Phrom Phong is located within 400m of the Phrom Phong BTS station and The Emporium shopping plaza. This high-end Grade A condominium offers the chance to rent in one of the most convenient and luxurious areas of Bangkok.

With access to Sukhumvit Road, Rama IV road, Rama IV expressway and many Sukhumvit sub sois, Emporio Place is one of the best located condominiums on Sukhumvit. And with 3 buildings all located around a central area, it offers those wishing to rent a condo in Emporio Place a wide range of options. With large studios, 1 bedrooms, 1 bedroom duplex units, 2 bedrooms, 2 bedroom duplexes and 3 bedrooms, there really is a wide-range of choice for those looking to live in the Emporio Place.

As with the previous Sukhumvit condos for rent we have reviewed, Emporio Place offers a good selection of facilities such as a swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, steam room, BBQ area, car parking and security. In addition to this The Emporio Place also houses coffee shops, restaurants and other light high-end retail. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-emporio-place-phrom-phong-1671

Travelling along the BTS one more station we come to Asok BTS station, which interchanges with Sukhmvit MRT station. For those looking to rent a condo in Asoke, then the latest and best condo to be built in the Asoke area is The Wind 23 Asok.

The Wind 23 in Asoke is a stylish, and chic luxury condominium with excellent finishes throughout the building. The Wind 23 offer the renter access to both the MRT and BTS lines within just 5 mins walk of the condo. With facilities that include an infinity swimming pool, basketball court, fitness room, saunas, mutli-layered terracing, and a tuk-tuk service to the BTS/MRT this offers a great way to rent a condo in Asoke. The Wind offers both 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom condos with large windows and excellently appointed fittings. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-wind-23-asok-1501

So these are our choice of the best new condos to rent on Sukhumvit and ones that have proved extremely popular with our clients over the last 12 months. With the quality and locations of these properties so high, we look forward to see if it is possible for condominium developers to step up the new condos not yet complete to an even higher level…it will be a tough task!

Most expats in Bangkok are familiar with Ekamai, Sukhumvit Soi 63, and probably know someone living in a condo or apartment in Ekamai. However how many people have visited the area recently, and seen the development that has occurred in the area?

For years expats have been familiar with the Thonglor district, Sukhumvit soi 55 has become popular and well known for offering a good quality high-end lifestyle to both middle-class Thai’s and expats alike. Luxury condos in Thonglor are commonplace, and good quality service apartments in Thonglor are very popular with short-term contract workers. And of course with many Japanese restaurants and bars, Thonglor has become a favourite with Japanese expats.

However Ekamai, has in contrast been waiting in the wings, and was always destined to be the next district to be developed. With its own Ekamai BTS station, links to Petchburi Road, many sub sois including Thonglor and Phrakanong Road and already boasting quite a few trendy bars, cafes and restaurants Ekamai has always been well placed to be developed.

Located in Mid-Sukhumvit, Ekamai is an easy commute to any of the offices along Sukhumvit and Asoke. In fact if one lives in a condo in Ekamai, they can quite comfortably make it in to Siam square in approximately 20mins.

In the last few years Ekamai has witnessed the arrival of several quality and modern condos that have complimented the rise of trendy outlets such as The Horizon in Ekamai, the California Wow on Sukhumvit Soi 63, the Bangkok Mediplex, and of course even more practically the Big C Ekamai, which houses a supermarket, cafes and an Index furniture shop.

Three of the most high-end luxury Bangkok condos in Ekamai, are Nusasiri, The Address 42 and Avenue 61.

Nusasiri Grand Condo Ekamai has a rare quality in actually being linked to a BTS Sky Train station. So that residents of the Nusasiri Grand Condo in Ekamai, can actually leave their condo and board the BTS sky train without having to be exposed to the elements. This is particularly useful in the wet season when the rain can be heavy.

Nusasiri Grand Condo Ekamai boasts a whole host of facilities that would be impressive in any Bangkok condominium, not just in a condo in Ekamai, but anywhere in Bangkok. With a large cascading swimming pool, large fitness area, jogging track, gardens, the building also houses the Bangkok Mediplex, Cafes and a Supermarket. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/nusasiri-grand-condo-709

Bangkok Studio condos in Nusasiri Grand Condo start at THB 25 000/ month, with large One Bedroom units of 76sqm at THB 40 000/ month and Two Bedroom units fetching THB 60 000/ month onwards.

Just around the corner from Nusasiri Grand Condo is The Address 42, located on the same soi Sukhumvit Soi 42 as Nusasiri Grand Condo. This Bangkok condo within 350m of Ekamai BTS station makes it a simple 5mins walk along a pleasant quiet soi to the train.

The Address 42 is a beautifully designed condo in Ekamai and has a very tasteful retro feel to the building. Well built, designed, with luxurious fittings and fixtures this Bangkok condominium gives off a real sense of quality.

One of the best Ekamai condos, The Address 42 has One bedroom units starting at THB 25 000/ month, with excellent lay-outs maximizing space. And the two bedroom condos in The Address 42 are priced at between THB 40 000 ~ 55 000/ month depending on the size, the view and the furnishings. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-address-42-308

Both The Address 42 and Nusasiri Grand Condo have been opened in the last 2 years, but a condo in Ekamai district that has been opened a while longer, but was a condominium in Bangkok that set many new standards for the construction and design of future Bangkok condos, was Avenue 61, located in Sukhumvit soi 61, this beautiful low-rise condominium, still looks as good today as it did when it first opened over 5 years ago. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/avenue-61-ekkamai-1141

With large One Bedroom units of over 60sqm renting for THB 35 000/ month these are great value and great quality. Renting a condo in Ekamai cannot come much better than a Two Bedroom at Avenue 61, with over 100sqm at your disposal and solid wooden to compliment the high quality build and facilities. With a beautiful swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room and of course security and parking this Bangkok condominium in Ekamai, is ideal as it is also located within 5mins walk of the BTS Ekamai station.

In the next blog we will look at the mid-market condos in Ekamai, another area of the Bangkok Real Estate market that has seen quite a boost in recent years.