Top Thailand Property News Of The Week 18 December 2023

The top residential and commercial real estate news of the week - 18 December 2023

Housing market woos Japanese firms
Bangkok Post
The Thai housing market remains appealing to both new Japanese developers entering with a budget of 100-300 million baht per project as well as existing developers considering a change of partner.

'Daigou' goes corporate as retailers seek new ways to reach Chinese shoppers
Reuters
The pandemic-era drop in overseas travel by Chinese tourists and students has been a boon for Gen-Z focused online shopping platform Dewu. The platform where users once mainly bought and sold trendy sneakers to each other has morphed into a marketplace for retailers of all sorts of branded and luxury goods.

HK to offer residency for investments of US$3.8m
Taipei Times
Hong Kong is starting a program next year to give residency to people who invest HK$30 million (US$3.8 million) in the territory as it steps up efforts to revive its status as a financial center and bolster revenue.

US 'buy now, pay later' splurges raise holiday debt hangover risk
Reuters
Roxanne Ross of Florida is one of a growing number of Americans dodging higher interest rates on credit cards by instead turning to "buy now, pay later" services as they shop for holiday merchandise.

Phuket adds 4 top-end villas
Bangkok Post
SET-listed Charn Issara Development launched four super-luxury villas priced between 250 and 300 million baht in the Sri Panwa project in Phuket, targeting affluent Thai, Chinese and Russian buyers.

PM plugs Land Bridge in Japan
Bangkok Post
The government is considering granting a 50-year concession to the bid winner of the one-trillion baht Land Bridge megaproject, which is expected to begin turning a profit within 24 years.

Foreigners drive condo market
Bangkok Post
Condos are still in demand among foreign buyers targeting investment or second homes, as the market has ample room with foreign ownership remaining below the legal limit of 49%.

Hong Kong luxury retailers adjusting to drop in high-spending Chinese tourists
Reuters
Hong Kong's luxury retailers are adapting to fewer wealthy Chinese shoppers visiting the city and a shift towards tourists flocking to Instagram-coveted spots in trendy districts rather than splashing out on pricey branded gear.

Retail Sector Poised for Solid Rebound in 2024: 5 Winners
Nasdaq
The retail sector has struggled over the past year but has still tried to hold its ground amid inflationary pressures. This has seen retail sales growing at a slower pace. However, the picture looks rosy now, with inflation declining steadily and sales making a rebound.

China’s economy is forecast to slow sharply in 2024, the World Bank says, calling recovery ‘fragile’
AP
China’s economy grew at a 5.2% pace in the first three quarters of the year and showed signs of improvement in November, with factory output and retail sales rising, the government said Friday.