Thailand Weekly Vol. 56
Thailand News and Stories Delivered Free to Your Inbox Every Sunday š¹š
Good evening from Bangkok everyone! I actually just wrapped up a members meet up a few hours ago where some Leoās were consumed, so I apologize in advance if thereās any selping mistakesā¦ Haha, just kidding š
That was a fun meetup though, so thanks to those that came out! Hope you all have a great week ahead. Volume 56 incoming.
Conan OāBrien Experiences The Big Mango
Conan OāBrien is currently in Bangkok as part of an upcoming show heās shooting and by the looks of it, is taking to Thailand nicely. Heās been keeping his fans updated through social media and in one of his recent tweets, posted a photo of himself staring with absolute dread at a scorpion-on-a-stick snack. He wrote, āThe scorpion here is so much better than the scorpion I get at the Glendale Galleriaā. OāBrienās travel show, āConan Without Bordersā, was a huge success from 2015 to 2019, taking him to places such as Cuba, Armenia, Qatar, Haiti, and Greenland. He has expressed his interest in continuing the show in some capacity after the pandemic, so my best guess is that Thailand is about to become the shining star of the shows relaunch.
Our Take
Of all the big American talk show hosts, Conan is definitely one of my favourites and itās awesome that heās here in BKK. More than anything, Iāll be curious to see what he ends up releasing as far as content goes. In an ideal world, heās having a ball and is well on his way to becoming a true Thailand Lover himself. Itād be awesome if he became an ambassador for the country and couldnāt stop talking about how awesome it is on his various platforms. I know you guys know that feeling, and so does Russell Crowe. Hell, he quizzed candidates as part of Bangkokās election last year. Thailand took him in like one of their own!
Thailandās Heatwave Nearing Itās End
The end of the scorching heatwave in Thailand may be in sight, with the arrival of rainy season predicted by the Thai Meteorological Department next month. The peak of the heatwave was recorded on April 15, with the northern province of Tak experiencing a record high of 44.6Ā°C. The TMD has warned of dangerously high temperatures in some parts of the country, with Bangkok's Bang Na district, Phuket, and Chon Buri's Sattahip district all experiencing temperatures that felt like 54Ā°C over the weekend. These areas, located near the sea, experience higher humidity levels, which when combined with high air temperatures, leads to a higher heat index. With rainy season set to officially begin in mid-May, many Bangkokonians are looking forward to the cool down! Temperatures this year broke records and itās been one of the hottest summers on record here in Thailand and across the rest of Southeast Asia.
Our Take
I gotta say, this years hot-season has been borderline unbearable. My electricity bill is WAY up (like almost double), Iām going through at least two shirts a day, and itās tough to spend 2-minutes outside without sweating buckets. Rainy season canāt come soon enough and I know many others that feel the same way.
Thailand Travel Tip - Undiscovered Beauty
Everyone knows the big Islands in Thailandā¦ Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Phi Phi, etc., but in this weekās Thailand Travel Tip section, I wanted to highlight some Islands that are bit more off the beaten path in case youāre looking for an adventureā¦ š“
Koh Yao Noi - Located in Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi is a small island that offers a peaceful and authentic Thai experience. It has beautiful beaches, lush forests, and a relaxed atmosphere. There are no big resorts or crowds of tourists on this island, and it's a great place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Thailand.
Koh Jum - Also known as Koh Pu, this small island in Krabi province has a laid-back vibe and pristine beaches. It's an ideal place to escape the crowds and relax in a peaceful setting. There are no cars on the island, and the locals are friendly and welcoming.
Koh Phra Thong - This remote island in Phang Nga province is known for its beautiful deserted beaches, mangrove forests, and wildlife. It's an ideal place to get away from it all and immerse yourself in nature. There are a few small resorts on the island, but it's still relatively undeveloped and offers a unique and authentic experience.
Koh Bulon Lae - Located in the Andaman Sea near the Malaysian border, Koh Bulon Lae is a small island that's perfect for those looking for a quiet, low-key getaway. It has beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, and a relaxed atmosphere. There are a few small guesthouses on the island, but no big resorts or crowds of tourists.
Koh Mak - Located in Trat province, Koh Mak is a small island that's known for its clear water, white-sand beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It's a great place to relax, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the natural beauty of Thailand. There are a few small resorts and restaurants on the island, but it's still relatively undeveloped and peaceful.
Koh Adang - Located in the Tarutao National Marine Park in Satun province, Koh Adang is a beautiful island that offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. It has epic beaches, crystal-clear water, and a relaxed atmosphere. There are a few small bungalows on the island, but it's still relatively undeveloped and unspoiled.
Bangkokās High End Condo Market Surging Back To Life
Bangkok's luxury condo rental market is booming, with rent at many high-end condominiums now hitting well over 100,000 baht per month, according to BangkokBizNews. Sanchai Khu-Ekachai, Director and Head of Research and Consulting at Knight Frank Thailand, said "the condo market began to recover because of demand from foreigners affected by the Russia ā Ukraine war, especially condos in Bangkok. Russian tourists stimulated the market's recovery, with help from the opening of China's borders."
Khu-Ekachai also noted that high-end condos in the heart of the city that foreigners are interested in renting long-term are causing rental prices to increase.
"The rental price of a one-bedroom luxury condo in Silom and Sathorn, dropped to 35,000 baht per month during the Covid pandemic. Now, the price has been readjusted to 50,000 baht - the pre-pandemic price.ā
Khu-Ekachai believes that the condo market will need to find new markets instead of depending solely on office workers.
"I believe that the condo market in Bangkok will improve from the return of Chinese people who travel in groups. When China eases the process of gaining passports and visas, it will be easier for people to enter, and we will see Chinese people filling up condos once more - both buying and renting. It is expected that the luxury condo market will take one to two years more to recover fully in Bangkok and major cities," he stated.
Our Take
Itās funnyā¦ whenever we make property tour videos over on our YouTube Channel thereās always comments telling us that weāre crazy to show units renting for 50K Baht per month (USD $1500). Apparently, you can get a ballinā condo in the heart of Asoke for 15K Baht monthly. Wellā¦ not really. I think thereās often a misconception that all BKK condos are (and should be) under USD $500 per month. Yes, this city has an abundant supply of those units, but many of them (certainly not the newer oneās that many people are after), are not located in what I would call the ācoreā of the city. I guess what Iām trying to say is that yes, prices definitely feel like theyāre back up to pre-pandemic levels and expectations from those coming overseas looking to rent should be adjusted accordingly. I still feel strongly that this city offers AMAZING value. For a thousand bucks a month, you can get an awesome pad. For a few thousand bucks a month, things start to get crazy. All in all, I found this to be a really interesting read, and if you happen to be looking for a pad here in BKK (or Samui and Chiang Mai), send me an email and Iāll get you hooked up with one of our agent partners.
Only In Thailand š¹š
Well, itās officially durian season in Thailandā¦ this past week, a driver went viral when he strapped bags of the notoriously pungent fruit to the exterior of his car, creating a hilarious spectacle that had people turning their heads. A fellow driver caught the whole thing on camera and shared the full video on social media. Netizens were amazed by the driver's unconventional yet effective solution to the age-old problem of wanting to enjoy durian without enduring its overpowering smell. Only in Thailand baby!
Press Worthy š„
