Key government officials and industry bodies lend support for a brand new real estate conference to bring global insights in Thailand.
In a joint effort, RICS Thailand organized the inaugural RICS Asia Pacific Conference on "Key Trends in Thai & Asian Valuation & Property Industries" together with the Thai Valuers Association (TVA) and supported by the Valuers Association of Thailand (VAT) and the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM) at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Bangkok.
H E Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Thailand, joined the conference to greet global developers and property professionals and addressed them on property and valuation issues in Thailand as well as the wider economy.
The Minister stated: "The fact that it is the first RICS Conference in Thailand, held here in Bangkok, demonstrates the increasing interest in the Thai real estate sector."
The Minister reviewed the government’s overall economic policy and of the real estate sector, noting that the "real estate sector is in a declining state", and outlining the government’s stimulus package for the sector, including tax breaks, loan programmes from the Government Housing Bank, the development of the Real Estate Information Centre and a new real estate brokers act.
The Minister concluded by fully endorsing the RICS Conference, saying that it "marks a first important step in bringing together interested parties from both inside and outside Thailand."
The one-day conference provided a valuable insight to global implications and local trends in the economic, valuation and commercial property fields.
Renowned speakers from academic, private and public sectors joined hands to present at the Conference, including:
- Professor John Ratcliffe, Director and Dean, Faculty of the Built Environment, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland
- Dr Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, President, SCB Asset Management
- Mr Peter Mitchell, CEO, Asian Public Real Estate Association
- Khun Kitti Patpongpibul, Vice President, Valuers Association of Thailand
- Mr Ong See Lian, Chairman, RICS Asia Pacific
- Mr Simon Landy, Chairman, RICS Thailand & Executive Chairman, Colliers Thailand
- Mr Somporn Burintrathikul, First Executive Vice President, MFC Asset Management
- Mr Chris Chung, Senior Vice President, Lehman Brothers
- Mr Nigel Cornick, CEO, Raimon Land
- Mr David Faulkner, Regional Director, Colliers International
- Mr James Pitchon, Executive Director, CB Richard Ellis
The Conference not only gained wide support from regional industry professional bodies such as the VAT and the ISM.
It also attracted sponsorship from industry leaders including Raimon Land, Krung Thai Bank and Colliers International.
The event was very well received with over 200 RICS and TVA members from Thailand and overseas, industry professionals and media attending with great enthusiasm.
"This was the first time for the RICS to hold its Asia Pacific Conference in Bangkok," said Mr Simon Landy, Chairman, RICS Thailand.
"It was very well attended and delegates were impressed with the quality of the presentations. We believe that this event should become a regular feature of the Bangkok calendar."
To download the powerpoint presentations and programme brochure of the Conference please see the PDF files on the top right of the page.
To view photos and sponsors' details, please see the External Website panel.
