Construction & Real Estate

Delays and reconstruction work from 2011’s flooding have left Thailand’s contractors with a backlog of public and private projects in 2012. The construction sector is highly competitive, with major contractors focusing on efficiency and looking for public contracts rather than rely on riskier private sector work. Competition has also led Thai builders overseas, securing projects in Laos, Vietnam, and lately the opening economy of Myanmar. In real estate, condominium demand is growing as economic opportunities in Bangkok increase. Fears that the flooding would lead to an exodus of manufacturers from Thailand and a drop in demand for industrial real estate have proved largely unfounded as well, as the supply-chain benefits to clustering in Thailand generally outweigh the risks. This chapter has interviews with Plew Trivisvavet, President and CEO, CH Karnchang (CK); and Apichart Chutrakul, CEO, Sansiri.