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Published on December 12, 2007

Now that only 12 provinces are left to be appraised, it looks like we have a winner in terms of the biggest increase in land prices.

Hold your breath! Nope, sorry, Bangkokians, your area is pretty close, but no cigar.

The award goes to ... the island province of Phuket! The survey showed land prices had skyrocketed more than 100 per cent in some areas, especially tourist spots.

According to Thai News Agency, new tourist destinations like Mae Hong Son, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan also saw land prices rise 20-30 per cent. The border cities of the Northeast are enjoying an economic boom, thanks largely to the rising tourism industry in Laos, especially after the opening of two new bridges.

However, land prices in the three deep-South provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala and even the gateway province to the South of Songkhla have stagnated, because of a lack

of new economic activities after a series of conflicts in the region.

Some areas in Bangkok saw price increases since last year, thanks to the Skytrain. Sathorn, Bang Rak, Phya Thai and Yan Nawa districts saw prices soar about 40 per cent since last year.

Land prices in Bang Sue district, which the mass-transit Purple Line is set to serve in the next couple of years, rose 33 per cent.

The Treasury Department is set to conclude the nationwide land appraisal shortly. It will forward its conclusions to the government's land-appraisal committee, chaired by the Interior Ministry, by the end of the month.

New land prices will be applied from the start of next year.

busdsk@nationgroup.com

The Nation