Why do Bangkok Condo Prices Seem to Defy Gravity? [S8.E41]

Why do Bangkok Condo Prices Seem to Defy Gravity? [S8.E41]

From The Bangkok Podcast by Greg Jorgensen & Ed Knuth

April 21, 2026 · 40 min · Season 8 · Episode 35

About this episode

The episode explores the perplexing nature of the Bangkok condo market, where prices continue to rise despite a significant oversupply.

Greg begins by introducing the perplexing nature of the Bangkok condo market, noting how prices continually seem to defy gravity despite a massive oversupply. He points out that the market acts as a strange black hole of information where no one can predict trends with any certainty. Ed then jumps in, explaining that after researching the topic extensively, he has concluded the real estate environment operates almost like voodoo. He outlines the basic contradiction: there is a huge surplus of both unsold and unoccupied condo units, yet property prices continue to slowly appreciate instead of crashing. Next, Ed brings up the legal complexities of foreign ownership quotas, which mandate that Thai nationals must own at least fifty-one percent of a building. This restriction significantly shrinks the pool of potential buyers for foreigners who are trying to sell their units. The conversation then shifts to unique cultural and economic factors. Ed explains that Thai cultural concepts regarding face-saving mean that owners would often rather let a condo sit empty than suffer the embarrassment of selling it at a financial loss. He adds that because property taxes and general maintenance…

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Hosts: Greg Jorgensen, Ed Knuth

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Places: Bangkok, Thailand

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