Chonburi, February 8th, 2025 – Chonburi Real Estate Association President Wattanapol Phonchiwin revealed that Trump’s 2.0 policies and the ongoing trade war have triggered a surge in foreign investment, particularly from China.
Investors are snapping up land for factories in industrial zones across Chonburi and Rayong, driving land prices up by 20-30% since mid-2024.
Beyond industrial zones, foreign buyers are also acquiring large land plots. This influx has boosted Pattaya’s condo market, with foreign purchases rising 20% year-on-year. Chinese buyers, drawn by new factories, are leading the demand for mid-range condos priced at 2-4 million baht in North, Central, and South Pattaya.
For housing estates, foreigners typically buy through companies, with many utilizing Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) incentives. The trend of foreign professionals purchasing homes priced at 5-7 million baht has noticeably increased.
Despite strong foreign demand, the local real estate market remains sluggish. Thai buyers face strict bank lending conditions, and government stimulus measures—such as transfer and mortgage fee cuts—have yet to be extended. Experts urge the government to introduce new incentives to revive the struggling sector.
Thai Real Estate Association President Pornnarit Chuanchaisit added that geopolitical tensions have also spurred Taiwanese and Chinese investors to acquire industrial land in Bangna-Trad, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong.
Thailand’s strong infrastructure makes it a prime relocation destination, second only to Vietnam in the region. However, the market still heavily relies on foreign buyers as domestic purchasing power remains weak.
TPN media notes, however, that the Thai government has also recently been cracking down on illegal nominee land and property purchasing in which a foreign national nominates a company or Thai national to be the “on paper” owner but in which they are actually the true source of money and owner.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
