Bagna-Trad is the star of the year, serving as the essential gateway to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) special development zone. With the government pouring investments into transport infrastructure, the EEC line stretches to three coastal airports and runs along the busy Bangna-Trad highway, making it a prime hub of activity and opportunity.
Landmark Location and Future Innovation District
The announcement of the EEC special development zone has spurred a whirlwind of activity, drawing investors and developers to hotspots like Bangna-Trad. Projects have proliferated along the Bangna-Trad highway to Chonburi and from Sukhumvit Road to Samut Prakan, stretching all the way to Bangna-Trad KM10. Enterprising visionaries are back in the game, crafting remarkable landmarks after a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 crisis.
Since the pandemic subsided in 2022, Bangna-Trad has witnessed a renaissance of sorts, outpacing other locations with a diverse array of property developments. Investments—ranging from tens to hundreds of billions of baht—are cropping up on either side of the road. These projects include everything from community malls and specialty shopping centers to cutting-edge office buildings, mixed-use developments, and expansive department stores.
This year, the spotlight is on The Forestias, a residential district valued at a whopping 125 billion baht. The Forestias, developed by MQDC, is a haven where nature and modern living coexist harmoniously. An impressive 56% of the district is dedicated to forests and green spaces, providing a sanctuary for residents. Housing options abound, catering to various tastes—from budget-friendly new-gen condominiums to ultra-luxurious Six Senses villas. The lifestyle areas, infused with nature, are designed to immerse residents in a tranquil yet vibrant environment. With the first two Whizdom condominiums already bustling with life, other projects in the district are accelerating towards completion.
In the periphery, the South Sukhumvit innovation district is gaining traction. Stretching from On Nut to Punnawithi and Udomsuk to Bangna-Trad Road, this area is seamlessly connecting to the main arteries along Bangna-Trad Highway, thanks to strategic planning and development insights from the Urban Design and Development Center (UDDC).
This burgeoning innovation district is a magnetic force, pulling in top companies ready to relocate their headquarters from the city to swanky high-tech offices. Collectively, South Sukhumvit and Bangna-Trad are emerging as premier locations, with five large malls serving as focal points for residential development. Nearly 20 prestigious international schools, such as Concordian, VERSO, and St. Andrews, and eleven private hospitals complete the robust local amenities. Residents can revel in a chic urban lifestyle without the perennial traffic snarls of the city center, making Bangna-Trad the top contender for this year’s hottest city location.
Investment Hotspot
The real estate market is sizzling in Bangna-Trad, with land values in areas from Sukhumvit to Suvarnabhumi, Lat Krabang, and Kanchanaphisek skyrocketing by 51.3% in the last quarter of 2023, as per figures from the Government Housing Bank. This surge has firmly positioned Bangna-Trad at the forefront of Bangkok’s and its neighboring zones’ real estate markets.
Land prices continue to climb, buoyed by the influx of new office buildings, making the area a magnet for real estate investors. The growing population, fueled by an increase of 250,000 people, is creating a mosaic of communities comprising office workers, industrial employees, as well as staff and executives from leading Thai and expatriate organizations. This surge is driving up residential demand, prompting property investors to snap up land and homes in Bangna-Trad, reaping significant returns from condominium rentals or sales.
Transport to All the City
The EEC’s vision of creating an economic powerhouse hinges on seamless transport connections. Thus, the government is funneling substantial investments to fortify the network. The expressway along Bangna-Trad Highway extends from Bangkok to Chonburi and ties into the motorway spanning from Rama IX to Chonburi. The Kanchanaphisek Ring Road expertly interlinks the city to the north, south, and west via the motorway. Moreover, the Yellow Line, which connects to the main rail line at Srinakarin Road, is now operational.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, no stranger to expansion, is undergoing a five-phase development covering the entire passenger terminal, concourse, and runways. With phases 2 and 3 nearing completion, parts of these developments will gradually open to the public in the latter half of this year.
Looking ahead, several new projects are in the pipeline, including the LRT Bangna-Suvarnabhumi light-rail project and the Bangna-Suvarnabhumi Airport Line. The latter will feature 14 stations linking Bangkok to Samut Prakan, complementing the high-speed rail project on the horizon. The Airport Rail Link promises to unify the three key airports—Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao—further adding to the area’s seamless transportation network.
In essence, Bangna-Trad is an emerging “rising star,” shining brightly across multiple sectors such as commerce, industry, technology, lifestyle, and investment. This dynamic locale is clearly one to watch!
This all sounds fantastic, but I’m worried about the environmental impact of all this development.
They mentioned a lot of green spaces in the Forestias project. I think they’re making a good balance with nature.
Green spaces are nice, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the overall environmental degradation these big projects cause.
Exactly, EcoWarrior! And let’s not forget about pollution from all this construction and increased traffic.
Development is inevitable. We need progress and growth. Can’t have one without the other.
The high-tech offices in South Sukhumvit sound amazing! Finally, a place where tech companies can thrive outside the congested city center.
But what about the local communities? Won’t this just drive the cost of living through the roof?
That’s a possibility, but the benefits to the economy and local job market could be significant.
OldTimer is right. Tech companies love to move in and push everyone else out. Seen it too many times.
I think the increase in international schools and hospitals is a major plus. It could improve the standard of living significantly.
Yeah, but only for those who can afford it. What about the average citizen?
True, but higher standards can trickle down. Better facilities attract better talent, which helps everyone in the long run.
Higher standards don’t mean anything if regular folks are priced out. It’s always the rich getting richer.
The transport connections sound like they would make travel around Bangkok so much easier!
I’m skeptical. We always hear about these grand transport plans, but traffic never seems to get better.
I get the skepticism, but with new rail and airport links, it sounds like a step in the right direction.
Just because they build new links doesn’t mean people will use them. Most prefer their own cars.
The level of strategic planning mentioned in the article is commendable. If they can pull it off, this could be a transformative period for the region.
Transformative for whom though? These projects often only benefit a select few.
True, but well-executed plans can drive overall prosperity. It’s about execution and intent.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Too many times these projects are just cash grabs.
The property values skyrocketing is great news for investors, but what about the locals? It could make housing unaffordable for many.
Rising property values indicate a robust investment environment. Good for the economy overall.
Unless you live here and can’t afford to anymore! What’s good about an economy that leaves people homeless?
A little dramatic maybe, but it does make you think about the social costs of such rapid development.
Balanced development can ensure that everyone benefits, both investors and locals.
Does anyone else feel like these projects only focus on high-income groups? There’s nothing tangible for middle-class people here.
Did you read about the budget-friendly condos in The Forestias? They’re trying to cater to different income groups.
Even the so-called ‘budget-friendly’ options are out of reach for many people. Who defines ‘affordable’ anyway?
Bangna-Trad could potentially become the new face of modern urban living in Thailand.
Modern urban living with a side of traffic jams and overpriced housing? Count me out.
I hope they include plenty of high-quality food markets in these new developments. It’s crucial for a vibrant community.
Are there any plans for cultural centers or artistic spaces? Too focused on capitalism can leave a city soulless.
I can’t wait to see what these new malls are like. More shopping options are always welcome!
Do we really need more malls? How much stuff do people need?