Four property associations plan to organise two property fairs, "The 14th Housing and Condo 2006 Expo" and "Home Builder Fair 2006", in the coming months.

The property sector has registered slight growth of only five per cent in the first quarter of the year and home-builders are now looking for ways to drum up more business.

The first-quarter growth is lower than industry forecasts of 15 per cent, said Atip Bijanonda, president of the Thai Condominium Association.

The 14th Housing and Condo 2006 Expo - to be held between May 4 and 7 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre - will be organised by three property associations: the Condominium Association, the Real Estate Association, and the Housing Association.

Anawat Nawintham, managing director of Sarin Property Co Ltd, organiser of the expo, said the associations would spend Bt10 million on the event and expect to haul in a combined Bt1 billion in sales.

More than 30 property firms will show off 500 property projects at the event and offer special prices  available only at the expo.

Commercial banks will also offer mortgage loans with special rates for home-buyers at the exposition.

"We believe that this event will drive housing sales in the second quarter of this year after the property market showed only five per cent growth in the first quarter," he said.

The Home Builder Association will hold the "Home Builder Fair 2006" between August 16-20 in Bangkok.

As withthe May event, it will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

The association expects sales of Bt500 million from the event, said association secretary Sitthiporn Suwansut.

He said that customers had delayed ordering new houses in the first quarter because they were concerned about how the political problems would affect the economy.

The association has adjusted its growth estimate for the home market.

It earlier expected sales of Bt8.5 billion, or 15 per cent over the 2005 level.

However,the Home Builder Associationt now expects sales to be flat at Bt7 billion, the same level as last year.

That said, Sitthiporn predicted that the Home Builder Fair 2006 would help drive sales in the second half.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation