Top Thailand Property News Of The Week - 8 March 2021

The top residential and commercial real estate news of the week - 8 March 2021

CBRE’s weekly property news snapshot features the latest residential and commercial real estate stories in Thailand and elsewhere that you cannot afford to miss - be it regarding residential, industrial, retail, office, hotel, land, or investment property.

Origin switches to clinics, healthcare
Bangkok Post
SET-listed Origin Property (ORI) plans to diversify into wellness, logistics and asset management trends. "We have to grow beyond property and move forward to offer living solutions for customers of all generations in order to increase our competency," said Peerapong Jaroon-ek, Origin's chief executive.

Retail giants upbeat on spending
Bangkok Post
Consumer spending power is expected to gradually recover in the second half this year, helped by mass distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, the reopening of the country to foreign tourists, and the government's stimulus measures, according to giant retail players.

Laguna banks on 'Phuket First October'
Bangkok Post
Laguna Phuket is hopeful the "Phuket First October" scheme can proceed as planned to restore the tourism market there in the fourth quarter. Ravi Chandran, managing director of Laguna Phuket, said Phuket First October, a provincial plan to welcome international visitors by Oct 1 without quarantine, looks promising thanks to vaccine distribution.

Demand for Wellness Accommodation Continues Into 2021
CBRE Thailand
CBRE, an international real estate and hospitality consultant, sees hotel developers continuing to shift their preference towards developing products and services that cater to the rising wellness tourism demand with increased focus on local guests as international tourist arrivals.

BJC allocates up to B8bn for expansion
Bangkok Post
Berli Jucker Plc (BJC), the SET-listed consumer goods maker and owner of Big C Supercenter, looks set to spend about 7-8 billion baht this year on its business expansion.

MQDC, MTL offer package for seniors
Bangkok Post
Property developer Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC) in alliance with Muang Thai Life (MTL) Assurance is offering an end of life package to senior citizens that includes lifetime care, health insurance and a non-transferable lease on a condo or house for 35 million baht.

BAM eyes asset aid model
Bangkok Post
SET-listed Bangkok Commercial Asset Management (BAM), the country's largest asset management company, is looking into a joint venture model to manage hospitality assets in an effort to help hotel business operators suffering from the protracted crisis.

All Thai factories ordered to go ‘green’ by 2025
The Nation
All Thai factories should have Green Industry certification by 2025, according to a deadline set by Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit on Tuesday. Suriya ordered the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) to push all 71,130 industrial plants across the country to achieve Green Industry standards developed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido).

Britain's M&S expands online business to over 100 markets
Reuters
British retailer Marks & Spencer has launched 46 websites in new markets, expanding its online reach to over 100 countries, it said on Monday. The group said the expansion into countries from Argentina and Brazil to South Korea and Pakistan was part of its strategy to accelerate its online business.

Jardine group’s equities soar after $5.5bn buyout of unit
Bloomberg
Stocks linked to Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd, Singapore’s biggest conglomerate by market value, rallied after saying it will delist the group’s second-largest unit in a $5.5bn buyout to simplify its structure.

GH Bank: Interest rates low for 3 years
Bangkok Post
State-owned GH Bank expects domestic interest rates will remain low over the next three years, providing a golden opportunity for people wanting to own their own homes.

Amazon Spends $131 Million for Stake in Cargo Airline ATSG
Bloomberg
Amazon.com Inc. has scooped up a minority stake in a cargo airline that operates a portion of its fast-growing air-cargo division, the latest sign of the retailer’s long-term ambitions to expand its air-freight operations.

New plan for hotel quarantine
Bangkok Post
A proposal to allow foreign visitors to leave their hotel rooms after the first three days of their mandatory 14-day quarantine period will be submitted to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).