American buyers are particularly interested in apartments located in Pattaya and Phuket, with prices ranging from 3.6 million to 15 million Thai Baht. They are also exploring the rental market in the Bangkok area. Entrepreneurs from Myanmar and Cambodia are showing interest in properties priced between 3-4 million Thai Baht in areas like Samut Prakan province Sukhumvit, Samoeng, and Bang Pu in Greater Bangkok.
For local Thai buyers, their primary focus is on properties priced between 2-4 million Thai Baht, representing the largest segment in the property market.
However, these buyers face an issue as they often encounter a higher rejection rate when applying for home loans due to other debts, such as household debt. This is mainly attributed to the relatively strict policies of the Thai central bank regarding real estate loans.
In comparison to other Asian countries like South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Australia, Thailand has a relatively lower ratio of household debt to GDP.
However, in Thailand, the approval rate for home loans is relatively low due to a lack of clear standards. Some Thai banks consider applicants' credit scores when approving home loans, while others assess the applicant's ability to pay rent in the past.
The policy interest rate of the Bank of Thailand has increased from 1.5%-1.75% in 2019 to the current 2.5%. This has resulted in a significant outflow of funds, with investors diverting their capital to other countries. The SET index of the Thai stock market has reached its lowest point in the past three years, directly affecting consumer confidence and showing a noticeable decline in the past six months.
For the future, it is suggested that Thai banks consider lowering the standards for new loans while adopting a "balloon" repayment method, where the monthly repayment amount remains the same, but a lump sum of the principal is repaid at the end of the loan term. This approach helps reduce the amount of each installment, increasing the purchasing power of buyers.
Additionally, it is recommended that the government lowers interest rates to stimulate housing demand. For example, a 1% reduction in loan rates can significantly boost activity in the real estate market. This policy has been consistently used in the United States and continues to this day. If the government adjusted rates in 2567 (the Thai calendar year), it can consider similar measures to encourage more Thais to buy homes by injecting funds into commercial banks to lower interest rates.