The Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River, situated in western Bangkok, has been relatively quiet when compared to the eastern side of the city. It is far away from the Central Business District (CBD) which made it unappealing to home buyers. However, with new mass transit projects helping connect the area to the city centre, it is becoming more attractive.
At the moment, most residential projects on the western side of the river are older housing developments, but there are a few condos as well. The total number of completed and registered condo units only makes up a small percentage of those available in Bangkok.
“Most of the condo projects on the Thon Buri side are located in older communities not far from universities, workplaces, or established shopping malls. Many developments have been built in the area around the Pin Klao-Boromratchachonnanee intersection, known as the 35 Bowl Intersection, over many years. But after the BTS skytrain crossed the river and the first 2 stations opened at Krung Thon Buri and Wong Wian Yai in 2009, the area around these 2 stations became a hot location,” says Surachet Kongcheep, Associate Director for Research at Colliers International Thailand, to the Bangkok Post.
More BTS stations opened in the Thon Buri area in 2013 with the Purple Line and Blue Line set to add even further public transportation options to the region in the next few years when they open. The number of condo units launched from 2009 to the middle of 2017 on the western side of the river was only 58,150, significantly less than the 320,000 launched on the east side of the river. Despite this, the west side could become more popular as the government completes future public transit links.
“The Thon Buri side is becoming more interesting for developers as construction begins on the Blue Line routes along Charan Sanitwong and Phetkasem roads, with completion expected in 2019 to 2020. In addition, the Western Orange Line and Southern Purple Line have received cabinet approval and construction is expected to start soon. In addition, a new large-scale shopping mall on the Chao Phraya River bank is included the Golden Line plan which will add to the appeal of the area,” says Surachet.
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