The BTS system is becoming increasingly clear and accessible, providing us with more housing options due to its convenience and speed. Additionally, new condominiums continue to emerge along the BTS lines, further expanding our choices. However, we sometimes hesitate about which condominium projects to buy for personal use and rental purposes for working professionals. According to TerraBKK Research, one key factor in selecting a good location for working professionals is convenient, fast, and cost-effective transportation along the BTS lines, referencing areas with the highest concentration of job opportunities in Bangkok.

The area with the highest supply of office space is in the heart of Bangkok, from Rama 9 down to Silom. As of 2017, approximately 860,000 square meters of supply has been created. We can categorize the job market areas in Bangkok into four locations: Rama 9, Asoke-Sukhumvit, Siam-Chidlom, and Silom-Sathorn, which can be considered the true business centers of Thailand.

If you work in the Rama 9 area?

The Rama 9 area, or the New CBD of Bangkok, has a concentration of offices around the Rama 9 and Cultural Center stations. Living along the Blue Line BTS is the most convenient, with fares ranging from approximately 16-35 baht per trip or about 640-2,100 baht per month. A 30-day unlimited travel pass for the Blue Line costs 1,400 baht. Locations that can reach Rama 9 quickly via BTS within 20 minutes include areas along the Blue Line, the light green line around Victory Monument-Phaya Thai-Ratchathewi, and the Airport Rail Link from Ramkhamhaeng to Hua Mak, with fares of about 31-39 baht per trip.

If you work in the Siam-Chidlom area?

This area is bustling with shopping centers and job opportunities. The most convenient transportation options are the light green and dark green BTS lines, as the Blue Line and Airport Rail Link require transfers and incur additional costs, taking longer to travel. Locations that can reach Siam-Chidlom within 20 minutes are nearly along the entire line.

If you work in the Asoke-Sukhumvit area?

The Asoke and Sukhumvit areas have long been hubs of development and job opportunities. Transportation is convenient via the green, blue, and Airport Rail Link lines. Living along the Blue and light green BTS lines is the most convenient, with average fares ranging from 16-61 baht per trip or about 640-2,440 baht per month. A 30-day unlimited travel pass for the Blue Line costs 1,400 baht, while the BTS offers limited trip passes at lower prices. Locations that can reach Asoke-Sukhumvit quickly via BTS within 20 minutes include areas along the Blue Line (to Hua Lamphong and Phaholyothin), the light green line (to Saphan Khwai-Bang Chak), and the Airport Rail Link from Ramkhamhaeng to Hua Mak.

If you work in the Silom-Sathorn area?

The Silom-Sathorn area is the largest office worker hub in Bangkok. The most convenient BTS lines to reach this area are the dark green and blue lines, with fares ranging from 16-49 baht per trip. The light green line is also not difficult to navigate, though it requires a transfer at Siam station. Locations that can reach this area via BTS within 20 minutes include the light green line from Ari-Bang Chak, the blue line from Rama 9-Hua Lamphong, and the dark green line from Wongwian Yai-National Stadium.

Based on the hypothesis considering the CBD areas of these four job locations in Bangkok as destinations, we find that the BTS lines that can access these important job areas include the dark green line from Taksin Bridge to National Stadium, the light green line from Ari to Bang Chak, and the blue line from Sam Yan to Huai Khwang. It is no surprise that these locations have seen a continuous emergence of condominium projects.

-- เทอร์ร่า บีเคเค