If you haven’t head On Nut the last stop on the Bangkok BTS Sukhumvit Line, has recently experienced a major revival. With 6 new BTS stations nearing completion on the Sukhumvit Line spreading as far as Bang Na, On Nut is set to become a new centre of East Bangkok.

With a Tesco-Lotus in On Nut area, a Carrefour on On Nut road, Sukhumvit soi 77, and shops, highway links and of course the BTS On Nut station, condos have been developed in vigor to satisfy the growing demand of those who want to live on Sukhumvit or close to the BTS in Bangkok.

So what’s on offer, and why has this district of Bangkok become so popular?

Well let’s start with price, Bangkok rental prices as people who live in Bangkok know can be at their highest along Sukhumvit. For example mid-Sukhumvit can easily demand THB 500/sqm/month and some Grade A rated Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments can be even more. However in On Nut many of the Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments on offer have retained sensible prices and approx THB 250-300sqm/month is a regular price in this area.

Looking at Studio condos and Studio apartments in On Nut, we can see two great examples of why living in On Nut offers residents both convenience and value for money, as well as quality.

Green Bells is within a 5 minute walk of the On Nut BTS station and offers residents a swimming pool, and quality finishes in this apartment. A brand new Bangkok apartment, residents can be in central Sukhumvit in just 10 mins.

With prices starting at just THB 9 000/month for a Studio apartment, this really is good value for quality on Sukhumvit road.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/green-bells-1106

My Condo, is a Bangkok condo that was completed at the end of 2009. There are two My Condo condominium buildings in On Nut. One is located in Sukhumvit soi 52, and the other close by in Sukuhumvit soi 81.

These two buildings are identical in every way, in terms of lay-out, units and pricing. And the value is just as good as Green Bells. With Studios starting at THB 9 500/month, My Condo 52 and My Condo 81 offer residents a lobby, car parking, 24 Hour security and a gymnasium fitness room.

If you are looking for something larger than a Studio, but still want to pay under or around THB 20 000/month, then one again On Nut can offer some great Bangkok condo and Bangkok apartment deals. Here are two below:

The Roof Garden is a refurbished condo in Bangkok that can offer a potential resident great value for money considering the space and quality on offer for such a low price. In central Sukhumvit it is difficult to get a condo unit of over 40sqm for THB 20 000/month or under, but at The Roof Garden, one bedroom condos start at just THB 16 000/month and can offer the resident up to 60sqm in stylish chic modern condo unit. With a full kitchen area with an oven and stove, a full living room and balcony. Also a major plus for Japanese clients is the inclusion of a bath-tub in the en-suite bathrooms, a real rarity in modern Bangkok condos.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/roof-garden-1007

Perhaps at even better value is the apartment units at Methavanont Manor, an On Nut apartment block located within a 10 minute walk of the On Nut BTS station. A one bedroom in this traditionally designed, but very new apartment block will start at just THB 15 000/month and yet will still be 50sqm in size, ample room for a couple or even small family.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/mathevanont-manor-81

Finally are you looking for a two bedroom condo in On Nut?, then these two examples will hopefully catch your eye.

The newly built S-Condo is typical of the modern style and look of new condos in Bangkok that have opened in the last 5 years. Practical, well designed with a swimming pool and gymnasium on the roof. For just THB 25 000/month these 2 bedroom units can offer two equal sized bedrooms, two bathrooms and a soacious living room. All incorporate into a 75sqm condo unit.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/s-condo-854

And lastly, but not leastly The Room On Nut is another quality low-rise Bangkok condominium within a 5 minute walk of On Nut BTS station. These 58sqm units are small, but well designed with stylish fixture and fittings.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-room-sukhumvit-79-535

Priced between THB 25 000~30 000/month to rent, these are slightly more expensive than other Condos and apartments in On Nut, but the cost is justified by the location, and the proximity to the On Nut Sky Train station.

Sukhumvit Plus, now entering its 4th year of operation became landmark and set a benchmark on higher Sukhumvit when opened in 2006. it was the first and most prominent condominium in the Phrakanong area to offer the modern convenient living that was soon to become the trend and direction for all new modern mid-ranged condos in the Sukhumvit area.

Why was Sukhumvit Plus so special?

Well it was built purposefully close to the Phrakanong BTS stations, it was the first Sukhumvit condo to offer chic, stylish and modern affordable living for people in Bangkok. Before Sukhumvit Plus was opened the choice for Sukhmvit residents amounted to the following:

1. Live in a stylish modern Sukhumvit Condo close to a BTS station, like The Fullerton close to Ekkamai BTS station, but pay a high price
2. Live cheaper and still within walking distance of a BTS station, but sacrifice quality, age and facilities.
3. Keep quality, style and facilities at a reasonable cost, but then live further away from a BTS station and face the problem of Bangkok traffic.

But Sukhumvit Plus offered it all! Great facilities with a large pool, saunas and a fitness room/ gymnasium. And all within a 5 minute walk of Phrakanong BTS station. Higher Sukhumvit and Phrakanong in particular had never seen anything like it. Now residents could get a Bangkok Studio apartment in a modern attractive building for just THB 15 000/ month.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/sukhumvit-plus-289

Those looking for something a little bigger could get a stylish and intelligently designed one bedroom Bangkok condo in the heart of Sukhumvit for only THB 18 000/month.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/sukhumvit-plus-290

And small families looking for great facilities for the kids, plus access to a BTS station and whilst retaining a reasonable rental rate, could get a two bedroom condo in Sukhumvit Plus for under THB 30 000/month.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/sukhumvit-plus-291

The success of this brand new Bangkok condominium was evident for everyone to see. There was a time when the success rate of clients seeing the property to taking a condo within Sukhumvit Plus was roughly 1:3, a very high ratio! This prompted other Bangkok property developers and of course Plus Properties themselves to try and repeat and expand on the success of this Bangkok condominium project.

Close by there was a short underdeveloped soi, Sukhumvit Soi 67 was within walking distance of both Ekkamai BTS station and Phrakanong BTS station. With only a few Bangkok apartments on this soi, it was an ideal location to launch a new project.

With Bangkok real estate building laws it was of course not possible to launch another high-rise development like Sukhumvit Plus, so instead Plus 67 an 8 storey low-rise Bangkok condominium was launched.

Again this was a great Sukhumvit condo, with a more intimate atmosphere than Sukhumvit Plus, the views offered by Sukhumvit Plus had been sacrificed, but a far more peaceful and cosy atmosphere was the replacement. With a very inexpensive starting price of just THB 12 000/ month for a Studio condo which is a very competitive price for a Sukhumvit condo within walking distance of a BTS station.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/plus-67-265

If a Studio condo is not big enough the one bedroom condos offered in Plus 67 are a good size at 50sqm, giving ample room for any bachelor or bachelorette, as well as a couple or a small family. And again at THB 18 000/month are very competitively priced for a condo in Sukhumvit.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/plus-67-266

Finally in keeping with the great value for these Sukhumvit condos, the two bedroom units are also well priced at under THB 30 000/month and all within a chic, modern condominium block in the heart of Sukhumvit, with swimming pool, sauna and gymnasium.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/plus-67-267

Plus 67 condominium was another great success and was so good that the same developers built an almost identical property right next door to Plus 67. Condo One 67, was the next successful condominium built in the Phrakanong area.

As we know, this was also within walking distance of Ekkamai BTS and Phrakanong BTS stations.

Again with Studio units starting at just THB 12 000/month, one Bedroom units at THB 16 000/month and two bedroom condo units at just THB 23 000/month, these really are great value Sukhumvit condos.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/condo-one-67-1070 – Bangkok Studio Condo

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/condo-one-sukhumvit-67-1191 – Condo One 67 Two Bedroom Condo

I am sure it has not escaped your notice that all along the BTS and MRT in Bangkok City Centre; new modern condos have been springing up. Many of these are branded The Life condominiums, with many of them within 2-3 minutes walking distance of the BTS or MRTA station.

These Bangkok condominiums are modern, stylish and desirable, and have been purposefully designed and built to suit the modern lifestyles of people in Bangkok. The Sky-Train generation has recently begun to embrace these types of Bangkok condominiums as a great way to live a convenient lifestyle.

Lets take a quick look at some of these new exciting Bangkok condos, which have been deliberately branded ‘Life’ to emphasize the new sky-train lifestyle that has developed.

Strategically placed all over the Bangkok city centre, and along the BTS line and th MRT line, these new condos can offer something to most expats and middle-class Thai people wanting live in various areas of the city centre.

Starting with the ones which will almost certainly be the most popular Life condominiums amongst expats are the Life@Sukhumvit and Life@67 (Sukhumvit 67). Life@Suhumvit is actually situated on Sukhumvit soi 65 and within a short walk of Ekkamai BTS station. With Studio, 1 Bedroom and 2 Bedroom units available, the development can cover the need of most people.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/life@sukhumvit-65-ekamai-1189 – Two Bedroom Condo at Life@Sukhumvit

Life@Sukhumvit is a large building with approx 250 units, and some great facilities including a large pool, fitness room, gymnasium, sauna and car parking. With Studio condo units starting at THB 15 000 per month, 1 Bedroom condo units at THB 18 000 and Two bedroom condo units starting at THB 25 000. Of course prices alter due to the views presented by the condos and the furnishings.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/life@sukhumvit-65-ekamai-1190 – One Bedroom Condo at Life@Sukhumvit

Life@67, located on Sukhumvit 67 is also within walking distance of either the Ekkamai BTS station or the Phrakanong BTS station. A low-rise, this Bangkok condominium only contains 79 units and so is a lot more personal and intimate than the Life@Sukhumvit building. And the building still contains a swimming pool, fitness room, gymnasium, sauna and car parking.

A stylish Bangkok condo, gain the Life@67, like the Life@Sukhumvit contains 1 bedroom and 2 Bedroom condo units, but does not contain Studio condo units.
With 1 bedroom units priced from THB 22 000/month and 2 bedroom units from THB 30 000/month the prices reflect the personalization and quality of the building.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/life-@-sukhumvit-67-1139

Looking away from the Sukhumvit area to a more northerly area of Bangkok but still firmly on the MRT line. Life@Ratchada-HuayKwang is located near to the Huay Kwang station. With all the same facilitoies as the Life@Sukhumvit and Life@67, this is again a reasonably priced Bangkok condominium, with 1 bedroom units starting at THB 15 000/ month, and 2 bedroom condo units starting at THB 20 000/month.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/life-ratchada-huaikwang-1045

Of course as mentioned these Life branded Bangkok condos have only just begun to open their doors and Life@Sutthisan, Life@Thapra and Life@Phahonyothin will all be covered in further articles on this Bangkok Property Blog.

However we hope we have given you an insight in the new modern Bangkok condo developments opening up near the BTS in Bangkok and the MRT lines, and watch this Blog more more information on these and other new Bangkok condos in the future.

When I first arrived to live in Bangkok back in 2000, the landscape of the city was an awful lot different to how it is now. True the BTS Sky Train had just opened in December 1999 with it’s 24 Stations joined up by just two lines, the Silom Line and the longer Sukhumvit Line, both coloured in Green (please see the BTS/MRT Map for details).

The BTS lines, still the longest and most popular of the Mass Transit Systems in Bangkok barely covers the City Center area of Bangkok, in a city which boasts approximately 10 Million people (more than Greater London) is still totally inadequate to link the whole city together. When you compare the transit systems to those in large established cities like London, with an estimated 8-9 million people living in the UK Capital, and the city is serviced by over 240 Underground Train Stations! Bangkok’s BTS has just 10% of that amount!

In August 2005, the MRTA, often referred to as just the MRT, system opened in Bangkok and links up with the BTS in 3 separate areas, at the Mo Chit/ Chatuchak area of town in the North of Bangkok. In the Silom/ Saladaeng area near the CBD area of Bangkok, and in Sukuhumvit/ Asoke, right in the heart of the most international area of Bangkok where many Expats who work in Thailand live or have a base of sorts.

Again with its 18 stations (including the 3 that link with the BTS) the MRT has proved to be of great help to the traffic congestion in Bangkok, but is not yet adequate to service the 10 million inhabitants of Bangkok fully.

Of course and indeed fortunately the BMTA (Bangkok Metropolitan Traffic Authority) continue to try and expand the transit systems, but with a lack of Publi Money and the constant hindrance of corruption this has proved to be a slow and difficult task.

Despite this there has been two significant further expansions and a third well and truly in the pipeline.

On May 2009, the BTS finally opened its two stations at Krungthonburi and Wang Wien Yai, the first two stations to be situated over the Chap Phraya River in Thonburi, an urban suburb of Bangkok.

These stations had been ‘ready’ for almost 2 years, but due to political problems and corruption, they had remained idle whilst everyday 80 000 motorists in 50 000 cars foght each other to get to work in Sathorn and Silom via the Saphan Taksin bridge. The opening of these 2 new stations has greatly increased the number of passengers using the BTS and the MRT and has once again eased traffic congestion in vital areas of Bangkok.

The second significant extension is to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport opened in 2006, and will allow travellers to reach the City centre from the airport within 40 minutes in comfort and safety. The Bangkok Airport Link will link up with the BTS at Phaythai/ Rachapaprop and once again with the MRT at Petchaburi/ Makkasan.

Finally in the pipeline are 5 new stations stretching from On Nut to Bearing in the Bang Na area of Bangkok, to the East of the Siam Square City Center area. These are scheduled to open for business in late 2011.

What has this meant for Bangkok Real Estate Development?

Well the most obvious and best result from all this transit development has been increase in speed commuters can get to and from work and to the areas they want to get to, such as shopping malls, cinemas, parks and markets. And this in turn has meant a rapid increase in trade and development for the Bangkok City Centre areas.

Shops, Restaurants, Cafes, Cinemas, Bowlng Alleys, Bars, Dicos, Arcades, Markets and a whole host of other enternatinment areas and ideas have sprung up in and around the areas where the BTS and MRT operate.

And in addition to this, thye have sprung up in response to the number of residents whom have decided to move closer to the Bangkok City Centrs into the new Condos and Apartments that have also taken advantage of the new transit systems.

Thais, Europeans, Americans, Japanese, Australians, Chinese and a whole host of other nationalities that live and enjoy the Bangkok atmosphere, have decided to sacrifice space and relative tranqulity for the speed and a convenience of living in the bustling and vibrant areas of Silom and Sukhumvit.

Also in due to the imagination and commitment of developers to produce the best condos at the lowest an most reasonable prices, in recent years, since 2007, there has been an increase in the launch of Condominium Projects in the Ratchadaphisek and Phahonyothin areas of town.

A few examples of this are The Ivy Condo in Ratchadaphisek situatued within 50m of the Sutthisan MRT station. This has also very recently been joined by The Life at Sutthisan, whichi is actually situated even closer the MRT station at only 20m!

These buildings are new, chic, and modern in design. They all feature great facilties such as Gymnasiums, Fitness Rooms, Swimming Pools, Car Parking and 24 Hour Security.

A further example of a high-end condominium in these new area is The Wind Ratchayothin, at the junction of Phahonyothin and Ratchadaphisek. This high-end Bangkok condominium is also a high-rise at over 30 storeys tall it features 3.0m ceilings! With infinti style swimming pools, gymnasiums and top-class finishings, this condo will be come the bench-mark residence in the Phahonyothin area of town.

MRT & BTS Transit Expansion – the way forward

So it can be seen, that like the patterns and experiences of older ans ore established cities like Tokyo, London and New York, large efficient and well planned out Mass Transit Systems can be of hugh benefit to Bangkok and ulitmately the Thai economy as whole.

By connecting people together with money, the transport system encourages more trade, more spending and a greate flow of money around the economy of Bangkok.

In additon the land and property closer to the transit systems become in demand more and therefore more valuable, pushing prices up and therefore an increase in Capital Growth for the owners of the properties.

In addition the new residents attracted by the convenience of the mass transit routes, in-turn attract many new business’, such as shops and cafes, which add to te convenience and quality of life for the City Centre inhabitants.

So Bangkok has started on the journey towards efficient Town Planning and Real Estate Investment Growth. With Bangkok Real Estate still massively undervalued compared with local neighbours such as Hong Kong and Singapore, now is still a great time to invest an live in Bangkok.

The Smart Choice for Renting in Bangkok

On the 15th of May 2009, the BTS Sky Train in Bangkok made a momentous advancement. For the first time in almost a decade and in fact for the first time since the first trains started to role in December 1999, the BTS opened two new stations, Krung Thonburi and Wong Wian Yai.

These two stations have helped benefit Bangkok is several ways in one massive stroke.
These include but are certainly not exclusive to:

1). Easing the congestion at the Saphan Taksin Bridge connecting Thonburi to the Sathorn district. A junction that handles over 80 000 vehicles a day, many of which are occupied by only one person.

2). Linking the tranquil and up and coming area of Thonburi to the main transport system of Bangkok City Centre.

3). Allowing an estimated 50 000 Bangkokians to get to work smoothly and on time, many who work in the CBD area of Sathorn and Silom.

4). At last linking a Metro system over the Chaophraya River, allowing those who live either side of the River of Kings to travel safely, cheaply and comfortably to work or home.

So why is Metro Park Sathorn particularly interesting and why is it the smart choice for those
looking for the best budget accommodation Bangkok has to offer?

Well unlike many of the other new developments that have sprung up around the two new BTS stations, Metro Park Sathorn has kept its prices low and highly competitive, whilst at the same time presenting the residents with a great quality, highly maintained and very attractive condominium development.

With a private shuttle bus operating from 6am to 12am (the same times at the Sky Train) and running regular services every 30 mins, to and from the nearest station Wong Wian Yai, Metro Park is at least as convenient if not more so than many of the condos and apartments in Sukhumvit and Silom which alos have shuttle services to and from the respective nearest BTS stations, but have to also deal with heavy traffic in many sub sois.

When the shuttle bus leaves the car park at Metro Park it has to travel under 4km to Wang Wian Yai BTS station. But unlike in the City Centre, the 4km distance does not take 30 minutes to travel, but actually the journey is only approximately 1km per minute and so the shuttle bus can complete the journey under 5 mins easily, and the residents can arrive in at the BTS in Air Conditioned comfort. Then it’s a quick trip on the train straight through to Siam Square in under 20 minutes.

In fact a Metro Park Resident can quite easily travel from their front door to Siam Square in under 25 minutes, something many residents on Sukhumvit can not claim even though they are paying 200-300% more for their accommodation than those at Metro Park.

And finally the best is left for last, by clicking on the following links it is possible to find what great value Metro Park Sathorn truly is, with the following properties priced from:

1). Studio Condo – 30sqm – THB 9 000/month

2). 1Br Condos – 42sqm – THB 11 000/month

3). 2Br Condo – 58sqm – THB 15 000/month