Boutique condominiums don't come much flashier than The Signature Residences off Phaholyothin Soi 7, with floor prices starting from Bt90,000 per square metre.

Designed by Singapore-based DP Architects and local professionals at Inter Akitek, this seven-storey building offers two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.

Its interiors are by Leo International Design Group. Marketing for the project is being handled by DTZ Debenham Tie Leung (Thailand).

All these big names are employed to ensure the 1-rai 60-square-wah site properly makes its mark in Bangkok's lively real-estate market.

Four units have been sold thus far. Prices of the remaining units start from Bt22.6 million, making them some of the most expensive luxury residential units in this part of town.

The project's location on Soi Aree 2, off Phaholyothin Soi 7, is considered a prime area although the number of new large-scale projects in this northern section of town has always been relatively light.

Since the mid-1980s, the lower Phaholyothin section has under-performed the main market because of its history and demographics.

The area still houses some of the country's most powerful politicians and military bigwigs. They include personalities only selected members of the public would want for neighbours.

To exacerbate the delicate situation, the area also houses many prominent intellectuals.

Yet because of the very nature of its patricians, Phaholyothin is more protected than most parts of Bangkok.

Nothing ridiculous would be tolerated - no RCAs, no seafood restaurants and no wandering elephants would be allowed in here.

Whereas Sukhumvit has become a circus, filled with unruly vendors, sidewalk restaurants and budget tourists, Phaholyothin remains relatively unpolluted.

Its worst traffic site - at Victory Monument - is nothing when compared to the all-day, all-night jams from Nana to Sukhumvit 103.

While many developers are luring buyers to the Bang Na-Trat Highway near the new Suvarnabhumi airport, the Phaholyothin strip is still, by far, a more decent choice.

The grumbling of politicians and generals are usually less noisy than speeding, container trucks racing along the highway, often with no cargo and with little purpose.

Itthi C Tan

The Nation