According to published media reports Thailand's Minister of the Interior has been quoted as saying a petition to allow foreigners property leases of 50 or 90 years could be in the works.
While the foreign ownership issue remains highly charged by Thais who consider this to be a an issue of national sovereignty, the extension of the existing leasehold threshold of 30 years appears to be the path of least resistance.
Though one clear set back could be this year's election and any changes in the political landscape of the country.
The recent bidding process conducted by an international consulting firm in Bangkok over a prime oceanfront parcel in Kata Noi continues to baffle industry insiders.
Located past the southern part of Kata Noi on a headland overlooking Kata Thani beach resort the property was part of financial firm Lehman's Phuket legacy.
While an open bidding process was reportedly conducted, few property player know of the land's availability in the market .
The site is considered by many to be one of the best luxury estate or hospitality led residential plots on the highly sought after west coast.
It's understood that a transaction is currently in the works and the buyer's identity will be known in the near future.
China's Beijing Real Estate Expo has seen good interest in foreign projects.
Reading various reports and speaking to two companies that attended it's interesting to note that Thailand was present. There were over 80 overseas developers from counties participating hitting double digits.
Both the US and Australia remain popular locations given wealth Chinese who look at sending children aboard for advanced education.
An article in the South China Morning Post said purchasers fall within for groups being high net within individuals, businesspeople, families with students and lastly those intending to immigrate abroad.
One key driver of demand has been astute domestic investors have been put off local purchasers given the governments move to cool off the property sector.
As China's CBD real estate remains highly competitive, the potential to find value with lower entry points abroad is inducing demand.
Laguna Phuket with Banyan Tree recently held a showcase in Hong Kong which by all reports was a success. One of the highest projects products in demand though was for their China based Lijiang Banyan Tree branded property.
Leading Thai property player Sansiri is targeting ambitious grown in the island's real estate sector.
Through their sales and management affiliate Plus Property the firm is focusing on the growing domestic transaction market and property management opportunities.
Inland housing and the low or entry point condominium market is currently the most active sector in Phuket.
Thailand's Ministry of Commerce has announced a new series of investigations over infringements of the Foreign Business Act.
Inspection teams have targeted companies controlled by foreigners for violations over restricted business sectors.
In Phuket the key industry effect is property trading, or real estate which is restricted to domestic players only.
A common practice has been for companies to work as marketing versus sales agencies and carefully craft client agreements and commission payments.
Asia's popular tourism destination Bali is experiencing unparalleled growth in its real estate market.
Spending the last week on the island doing research we found that sales pace for 2010 and for the first quarter of 2011 remains high. One key segment is the condo hotel or commonly referred to condotel segment with over 4,000 units in the market.
Indonesian buyers mostly from Jakarta are flocking to these both for investment and lifestyle/usage.
Branded projects in the sector include names such as Anantara, Outrigger, Ramada, All Seasons, Pullman, Citadines and Aston.
Up on the luxury level million dollar offerings with chain management by Banyan Tree, Bvlgari, Starwood's W and a soon to launch Westin project are seeing activity from both domestic and overseas purchasers.
Unlike Phuket which has limited traction from Thai buyers for resort grade real estate, Indonesian's remain keen on financial returns, capital appreciation and complimentary holidays.
From a cyclical standpoint demand is outpacing supply with resale's on a marketwide basis still the vast minority of transactions.
Clearly soaring tourism numbers and hospitality led residential products are filling a niche with average room rates that far exceed those in Phuket at the moment.
Sentiment remains positive and expectations are for double-digit growth are expected for the remainder of the year.
Arguably the two busiest property markets on the island are inland focused domestic developments and next up at lower price Patong condominiums.
In the latter an emerging trend are larger number of Thai buyers flocking in to attractive pricing points.
An example is the new art@Patong near to Jungceylon.
With unit sizes from 27 square meter studios up to 107 square meter three bedroom, pricing starts at only 2.26 million
A launch special also includes a free iPad for each purchase.
As to how small and how low things can go, from the look at shrinking spaces in Bangkok condos, Phuket still has a way to go by the look of things.
Leading Thailand hospitality firm the Boutique Group is set to diversify into community shopping malls.
Lead by founder Prab Thakral the expanding company operates four extremely popular Citadines Serviced Apartments and two Oakwood branded properties in Bangkok.
The latest development is into a retail center called Rain Hill which will open before the end of this year on Sukhumvit Soi 47, near to the chic Emporium Shopping Mall.
Two leading internationally affiliated real estate brokerage firms in Thailand have started promoting the UK and Europe based properties.
Perhaps as a sign of the times with foreign demand taking a sustained breather over the past two years, Savills strategy looks to wealthy Thai and even expat residents looking at opportunities in the UK.
A UK Properties Showcase is prominently promoted on their website offering a variety of entry points.
While CB Richard Ellis Thailand recently inked a deal with European based Horizon Investment Management targeting scalable institutional and high net work investor opportunities on the continent.
Perhaps the best adage can be fish where the fish are, and currently a strong Thailand economy and rattled nerves over last year's 'red shirt' debacle has seen significant levels of capital flight out of the Kingdom.
