Metamorphoses of Chinatown.

Bangkok's Chinatown is the largest in the world. Also, the Chinatown area is one of the oldest areas of the city.

 Those who follow the city news will probably already know about the completion of the project for a new walking area along Khlong Ao Nang.

 The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has won a UN-Habitat award for its Klong Ong Ang canal renovation project.

 UN-Habitat's regional office and its partners recently hosted the 2020 Asian Townscape Awards (ATA), and Thailand is one of six countries that won awards.

 This project turned out really great. And it has every chance to become one of the favorite places for walking and recreation of citizens and guests of the capital.

Old Chinatown was without a doubt the "soul" of the city. Narrow lanes take the traveler away from the noisy and bright streets into the labyrinths of the past.

 It was in these alleys that the breath of old Chinatown was felt. You can also find old shophouses, inns decorated with ancient gates and wooden shutters in these alleys. Probably, just as before, elderly men play cards and mahjong in small quiet courtyards. Grandmothers sell something cheerfully talking to each other. Children are having fun making noise in the school yard next to the old Chinese pagoda.

 *At the same time, developers are betting on a post-pandemic future in which the area — with its high urban density, access to rail transit and proximity to business districts and the historic Old Town area — will provide a good return on investment. On Chinatown’s main drag, a historic community of shophouses is being turned into a mixed-use development with hotels, residences, a pagoda adorned with Buddhist artifacts and a five-and-a-half-floor underground shopping mall. Thailand’s richest man, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi (№ 134th line in the Forbes list), controls the company behind the project, Asset World Corp. And at 17 billion baht ($523 million), it is the biggest ever investment in the neighborhood. (Bloomberg)*.

 Those who have been living in Chinatown for several generations are reluctant to accept the arrival of globalization and construction equipment. New shophouses are devoid of individual style.

 Probably, i think most of the locals  understand that changes are necessary. But none of the locals dared to disturb the "soul" of the city.

We will follow the Chinatown update together.

According to the information received from Director of the Real Estate Information Centre (REIC), Wichai Wirattaphan, has stated that Chinese nationals accounted for nearly 60 percent of condominium purchases in Thailand in the first nine months of 2021.

 In Bangkok, foreigners purchased 3,246 units or 53 percent of those on the market, coming in at a total of 21.76 billion baht. Chonburi came second with 1,738 units or 28.4 percent and 4.14 billion baht, respectively.

The following are the top five provinces with the most foreign buyers: Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nonthaburi. (The Thaiger)

The top five most active investors also include residents of the United States, Great Britain, Vanuatu, and France. Investors from Singapore are actively exploring the real estate market of the kingdom.

Bangkok officials to shut down more than 20 illegal landfills in the capital

 The Thai government is launching a project to get rid of illegal landfills in Bangkok. The “SHUT DOWN!” project is led by Bangkok’s Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, also known as Greencrop. So far, two of the more than 20 illegal landfills were raided in the operation.

 Mana Kleepsattabut, the Commander of the NED, shared that there are over 23 illegal landfills in Bangkok spreading in each district, including three in Min Buri, one in Suan Luang, two in Latkrabang, one in Taling Chan, two in Prawet, three in Klong Sam Wa, five in Saphan Sounng, one in Sai Mai, and one in Phasi Charoen. (The Thaiger)

The problem of safe waste disposal and recycling of waste for secondary use is a common phenomenon in the world.I hope that this topic will get a "response in the hearts of citizens." The problem is much broader. It is necessary not only to destroy illegal landfills, but also to strictly punish for it, to build industrial complexes for recycling of garbage, sanitary treatment of cars and personnel! I myself often see how employees of the garbage collection service in the city wash garbage cans and the body of a garbage truck on the river bank.

 This topic also concerns the real estate market of the city. Since the owners of illegal landfills fill the landfill with sand and then sell this land.

 In any case, the first step has been taken. It will be great if this initiative works in the capital.

A walk through the lower Sathorn.

 Walking along Yen Aka road periodically I had the feeling that I was walking through some city in France. The architects of the old townhouses were probably inspired by the architecture of France. And indeed, Yen Akat was chosen by expats from France. There are several trendy restaurants and bars on this street. Beautiful exhibition gallery Yen Akart Villa Art Gallery where exhibitions of Thai and international artists, designers and so on are held monthly.

 Yen Akat really leaves a pleasant impression. A quiet street with an abundance of greenery. The only remark is the absence of sidewalks. The need to monitor traffic distracts from the inspection of the street.

Local merchants are rarely seen on the street. There are fewer and fewer traditional Bangkok houses with a brick first floor and a wooden second floor on this street. Several new projects of residences, settlements with individual houses and low-budget condos are being built.(We will write about some of the new projects in another topic).

How do I see the future of this beautiful street? In my opinion, convenient location (close distance to the business activity area of Sathorn Rd.). Lumpini Park, transport accessibility, trendy restaurants, several international schools, etc. All this will attract wealthy expats with families to this area, as well as progressive-minded Thais. Low-budget condos may be occupied by residence maintenance staff, assistants and office workers.

By the way, several plots of land in the Yen Akat area are being sold now. It would be nice to open a grocery store there for expats, like Foodland, for example.

A walk through the lower Sathorn.

 Walking along Yen Aka road periodically I had the feeling that I was walking through some city in France. The architects of the old townhouses were probably inspired by the architecture of France. And indeed, Yen Akat was chosen by expats from France. There are several trendy restaurants and bars on this street. Beautiful exhibition gallery Yen Akart Villa Art Gallery where exhibitions of Thai and international artists, designers and so on are held monthly.

 Yen Akat really leaves a pleasant impression. A quiet street with an abundance of greenery. The only remark is the absence of sidewalks. The need to monitor traffic distracts from the inspection of the street.

Local merchants are rarely seen on the street. There are fewer and fewer traditional Bangkok houses with a brick first floor and a wooden second floor on this street. Several new projects of residences, settlements with individual houses and low-budget condos are being built.(We will write about some of the new projects in another topic).

How do I see the future of this beautiful street? In my opinion, convenient location (close distance to the business activity area of Sathorn Rd.). Lumpini Park, transport accessibility, trendy restaurants, several international schools, etc. All this will attract wealthy expats with families to this area, as well as progressive-minded Thais. Low-budget condos may be occupied by residence maintenance staff, assistants and office workers.

By the way, several plots of land in the Yen Akat area are being sold now. It would be nice to open a grocery store there for expats, like Foodland, for example.