The Strength of Japan’s Presence
Bangkok is often dubbed as another Tokyo district due to the roughly 50,000 Japanese that reside in the Thai capital, with a further 15,000 living elsewhere in the Kingdom. Numbers that ensure that Thailand has the fourth biggest Japanese population outside of its own country behind the United States of America, China and Australia. Within Bangkok, the Japanese choose Sukhumvit to be their home with a strong sense of community found dotted along the Green Line of the BTS around Phrom Phong, Thong Lor and Ekkamai stations.
Their presence in a result of the longstanding strong ties between Japan and Thailand that originated some decades ago. Japanese firms became established in Thailand to profit from the cheaper labor force particularly in comparison to costs back on home soil. This has enabled approximately 4,500 Japanese companies to operate in Thailand today that include names such as Toyota, Honda, Canon, Nissan and Panasonic. Aside from these manufacturing entities, other Japanese firms are involved within the medical, textile and renewable energy industries.
To cater for this vast Japanese population, there are some 2,300 Japanese restaurants in Thailand some of which even have fish flown in from the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Take a walk around the popular Japanese neighborhoods and there back-to-back restaurants, supermarkets and other amenities entirely geared entirely towards this community.
The Japanese community plays a significant part in the Thai economy. Requiring a local labor force to ensure high levels of manufacturing productivity, but private investors benefit too since these vast numbers all need housing. Due to the high land prices in Tokyo living spaces are small and houses are a rarity. Living in a building equivalent to a Thai condominium is the norm, and subsequently the Japanese community seek similar accommodation in Bangkok. Condominiums fit the bill perfectly particularly as tenants do not have to be concerned about maintaining the building as might be the case for a house.
Due to the nature of Japanese business, the remaining expatriates outside of the capital are based in either Chiang Mai or Chonburi which is the melting pot for manufacturing. This is another reason that Sukhumvit is a favored location to live as travel out to this vicinity is more accessible from this part of the capital. As the Japanese like to have an active local community, many families will choose to live amongst the amenities of Sukhumvit whilst the breadwinner travels out of the city to work.
IDEO Q Sukhumvit 36 has been designed with this demographic in mind. Just 450 meters from Thong Lor BTS Station in the middle of the Japanese community, this condominium has a Japanese garden, a black onsen and a golf simulator, perfect since people from Japan are renowned for their love of golf. These extra facilities create the edge and will be a natural draw for this community.
If this has whet your appetite and you want to learn more about this slick condominium, please contact one of our sales representatives here.