Whenever we talk about buying a condo in the “Thonglor-Ekkamai” area, it’s often said to be a good investment with plenty of Japanese clients. But wow, Thonglor and Ekkamai are quite expansive, and there are so many condos to choose from. Which area should you buy in to get a good rental price? First, it’s important to note that while we often refer to Thonglor and Ekkamai as if they are the same location, the atmosphere in the alleys can be quite different. Thonglor has a high-end vibe, being a popular nightlife hangout with numerous dining and entertainment options. The Thonglor alley is almost always bustling. In contrast, Ekkamai is filled with restaurants, especially Japanese cuisine, and various offices, making it relatively quieter than Thonglor. It really depends on your preferred style, but don’t worry, as these two locations are conveniently connected by smaller alleys like Thonglor Soi 10 and Jamjan, allowing easy travel between Thonglor and Ekkamai.

               

In the past 1-2 years, we have seen major developers increasingly opening projects in the Thonglor-Ekkamai area, including Sansiri, Land & Houses, Pruksa, and Major Development. It’s like the top players in the real estate industry are all coming together. Each project launched in this area has received a positive response, with some projects selling out in no time.

                TerraBKK Research has collected rental data on condominiums to create the Heat Map below, illustrating the rates of “rent per square meter per month” to show which areas can command higher rental prices. You’ll notice three major hotspots in the rental condo market, characterized by high rental rates and a wide selection of condos. Let’s take a look at these key locations.

1. Ekkamai Soi Entrance and Sukhumvit 61

                It’s no surprise that the entrance of Ekkamai is so hot, given its abundance of amenities. It’s close to Major Sukhumvit, Gateway Ekkamai, and the BTS station, making it extremely convenient. This area is ideal for renters, allowing rental prices to reach as high as 700-950 THB per square meter per month, or approximately 30,000-60,000 THB per month. For the selling prices of second-hand condominiums in this area, they range from 120,000 THB to 200,000 THB per square meter, depending on the project and room location.

2. Ekkamai Soi 12

                Although this soi isn’t on the main roads like Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor) or Sukhumvit 63 (Ekkamai), the uniqueness of Ekkamai Soi 12 lies in its connection between the three zones: Thonglor, Ekkamai, and Phra Khanong. Ekkamai Soi 12 extends all the way to Thonglor Soi 10, providing great convenience for all three areas. Here, you can rent at 400-800 THB per square meter per month, or approximately 30,000-80,000 THB per month. The selling prices for second-hand condominiums in this area are around 100,000-170,000 THB per square meter.

3. End of Thonglor

                Have you noticed that while Ekkamai is lively at the beginning of the soi, Thonglor starts to buzz from the middle to the end? This is because lifestyle venues in Thonglor tend to cluster from Soi 10 onwards, while the beginning of the soi is relatively quiet with fewer condominiums. However, it is expected that in the next 2-3 years, the rental market at the beginning of Thonglor will become more vibrant as new projects are completed. For those looking to buy and rent out immediately, it may be best to choose the latter part of Thonglor, around Soi 19-25, or the even-numbered side, which also has many projects to choose from. In this area, you can rent for 500-800 THB per square meter per month, or approximately 40,000-60,000 THB per month, with selling prices for second-hand units around 100,000-180,000 THB per square meter. - TERRABKK

Article by: TerraBKK Investment Tips

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