Thailand Investment – Environmental impact assessment (EIA) criteria for real estate developments in Thailand could be relaxed under a recent proposal from the government’s Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy (ONEP).

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Thailand real estate: Proposal to soften EIA requirements

Thailand Property Outlook

Although the Thai real estate industry has continued growing significantly since 2008, we have not seen a real estate bubble environment manifesting. The industry seems to have learned its lessons during the 1997 financial crisis and has successfully implemented the following safeguards: The banking industry has become much more cautious providing project financing and mortgage loans.
Being a developing country, the cost of property in Thailand is much lower than in the more developed European markets. But, on the other hand, prices for Thai property, in general, are rising at a much faster rate.

Compared to 1997 Real estate companies are able to respond much more quickly to changes

Factors that indicate the 2008 Thai real estate market is not experiencing a bubble- like boom include:
1. Property prices have not changed dramatically in most areas.
2. Interest rates are continuously rising In the overall housing market, speculation is not significant even though there is some speculation in condominium markets and tourist area properties.
3.Low consumer confidence because of unstable political and economic environments.
4. Global Financial Crisis discourages overall property speculation

Thailand real estate: Proposal to soften EIA requirements

Falling consumer confidence : The slowing global economy together with unstable local political and economic environments will result in falling consumer sentiment and confidence in Thailand. Consumers will delay home purchases because they will be unsure of current and future incomes – directly affecting real estate demand. The general public will also begin losing confidence in the financial sectors, although not as severely as in foreign countries.

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