: : According to a recent report in the Bangkok Post some 200 people have already committed to purchase residential units in the 'corn cob' apartment project. A 40sq m apartment unit would cost an average 1.21 million baht (US$26,000) each. Those wishing to purchase the unit could look at a monthly instalment of 3,750 baht over a 25 years period.

The apartment building is dubbed 'corncob' because of its octagonal floorplan and vertically stripped glass / concrete facade. The project which was conceived by Bangkok's Governor Samak Sundaravej, aims to provide accommodation for low income residents in Bangkok middle suburbs.

The first apartment project is earmarked for a plot of land on Ramkamhaeng Soi 40 Road. This project include six low-rise apartments (seven storey each, providing total 320 units), the project expected to take 15 months to complete following an environmental impact assessment. Future sites mooted for the project include Taling Chan, Pahol Yothin and Chatuchak. (BH 18/11/01)

SOURCE: BANGKOK POST

: : Thailand plans to throw down the gauntlet to Malaysia by building the world's tallest air traffic control tower at Bangkok's new
international airport, snatching the record from Kuala Lumpur.

Bhumisathit Jampathom, senior vice president of the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd, said a 132-metre tower was planned, topping the one at Kuala Lumpur international airport by 1.5m, at a cost of 1.9 billion baht.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had suggested the new 36-billion-baht ($US800m) Nong Ngu Hao airport needed a unique feature. He said if we want the new airport to be listed as a top airport of the world, we should increase the height of its air traffic control tower to be higher than Malaysia's,'' Mr Bhumisathit said. (BH 18/11/01)

This proposal may be just another hot air ballon since several world's tallest proposal for Bangkok has not materialised including the 160m antennae atop the Baiyoke 2 tower and the mysterious telecommunication tower project.

SOURCE: BANGKOK POST -14 NOV 01
Article sent in by Ron from 2Bangkok

Foreign investors have also been invited by Wang Tejapaibul, original developer to form a joint venture in both equity and management of the World Trade Centre shopping complex and tower. The partial acquisition deal by Central could see a further Bt4 Billion of investment injected into the project.

Economic crisis has forced the World Trade Tower project to stopped construction in late 1998. Unfinished at 63-floor the tower has become a well known eyesore in downtown BKK. Only 41 floors of of the tower been completed, with current asset is worth around Bt4 billion ($US90million), based on the project's economic potential. WTC Co's lawyer have declined to give out further details relating to the acquisition deal. (BH 21/8/01)

SOURCE: THE NATION -7 AUG 01
Article sent in by Ron from 2Bangkok