[ATMwalking]

MWM, kinda surprised you are stepping up to the plate again.

How much value does a condo have after 30 years anyway? In Thailand, does condo ownership translate into fractional ownership of the entire property?

I know developers are shifting to condos because 1) the can fan the flames of fear just as DrDave outlined and get a premium 2) they can knock these babies out on the cheap.

Personally I'd view any bump in condo interest as a short-term thing. Thaksin is back and I think that could mean a reversal the foreign ownership trend. Not to mention Malaysia and Vietnam are becoming very competitive. So what if the Thai government moves to a (truly) renewable 50 or 90 year lease? or even a truly renewable government held lease for 30+30+30? Won't that push people back into houses?

Aside from that, how many of the condo corps are really legit? If the government goes the other way and really looks hard at companies with a foreign interest, how many would pass the test? How many of these freehold condos are doggy and got by with local bribes? How many of these freehold deeds would be reversed without compensation? And yes the government did reverse land titles without comp a few years ago during the Phuket land office scandal.

I'd suggest that this is why projects on hotel grounds can command a real premium. Most of those projects/companies were run through the Board of Investment and have a federal level seal of approval.

Aside from that, tend to agree with LiL that it is just another dual pricing thing that you just have to accept or leave. Being a free market kinda guy I think it is actually good they are making git clear they are charging this premium and they should charge all they can get for this premium. But you won't see me paying it.