Michael, I agree with JT outlet area. That's why I suggested vinovino take a look at On Nut area. Glad you agree that there are lots of new options there. And it's so easy to hop on the bts to get anywhere in the city.

Maybe I'll run into you at Maeng's during the last couple of weeks of this month? I'll be back in BKK around the 19th/20th. Still waiting for that last minute 1st class FF ticket to become available!

I also noticed new condos going up in the On Nut area. But living that close to the JT outlet - sounds dangerous to one's bank account!

I think Chidlom is a great place to be in. I can get to Central Childlom & Chidlom BTS within 5 minutes from my place. Going to the airport is also a breeze via Ploenchit and onto the expressway.

I stayed at Summerset Suan Parkview apartment hotel once. I think you would say it is in the Chidlom area, and yes, it was quite handy.

I'm a Sukhumvit person as I've stayed at Emporium Suites since 2005, which is a street over from Suk Soi 24-Prom Phong BTS.

For me skytrain and grocery store convenience is very important. And the huge grocery store and food mart is right on the top floor of Emporium Mall. Plus, there's also an internet cafe, pharmacy, and other great services in that mall. I don't even have to leave the Emporium complex to get to the mall/grocery store as the buildings are linked by inside passage ways. That's great on either a super hot day when I don't want to schlep heavy bags of groceries through the heat and have my frozen foods melt or on a day when I'm not feeling well, due to stomach sickness, and need to have a convenient pharmacy nearby. Plus, there are plenty of good restaurants in that mall and area for when I want to eat out.

However, if I had to move elsewhere, then it would be somewhere between Asoke BTS and then east in the direction of On Nut. I did have a walkthrough of the new condo building right at Ekkami BTS, which was quite nice as it's right at the skytrain.

For more ideas go to www.moveandstay.com which is what I used many years ago to get ideas and then I contacted and/or just visited the buildings on my own and talked my deals. Happy Travels!

I forgot to add that the first serviced apartment building I lived in was Chateau de Bangkok on Ruam Rudee. It's about 300 meters from Ploenchit BTS. It's a very nice building and was very reasonable when I stayed there. Happy Travels!

"Thanks curt1591
Do you live in BKK or plan to live there in the future?"

We've lived in Taopun since 2007. Not a lot of expats around these parts.

the further i got out from the central areas, the less i would find it appealing, skytrain or not...

is no one looking in the river area anymore?

Bob, as per my comments above, I'm still looking.

On a long term, living in Bangkok basis, I'd be fine living from Asoke to On Nut area. Happy Travels!

Bob, the trouble with the river is that there are very few places to build, because a lot of the land near the central area is owned by the navy. The River is a new building just across the Taksin bridge (between the bridge and the Pen), and it's about the only new place going up on the river. [BTW, there's an Ibis of all things being built/re-jigged on the other side of the bridge.] The river area is the most expensive of all, and it still does sometimes flood in the wet season. It's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there.

Michael: A few years ago, I went into the office of the developers for The River and talked with the salesperson and picked up two of the huge, blue, brochure booklets. That property is extremely expensive.

The office is located inside of the hotel right there at Saphan Taksin sky train station. I can't remember the name of the hotel right now. The River is a Raimonland project which got my attention. I've been to quite a few Raimonland projects and some buildings. I was at the Saladang one some years ago and a Thai friend and I were stepping over construction stuff as they were still working on it. We saw a model.

I've heard, by an ex-pat friend, who's lived in Bangkok for decades, that Raimondland builds quality condos as one has to be careful, so I've been told, of companies and quality issues. Happy Travels!

Raimonland is a mess. The previous CEO has left. People who bought directly from the developer are looking to sell their contracts at a loss.

Guen, the office for The River is at the property now. We toured a model two years ago - gorgeous! - but the price was about US$1 million for the apartment we were interested in. I get email updates from them regularly.

bkk, sorry to hear that Raimonland is a mess. It's interesting to hear that people are trying to sell their contracts at a loss. I wouldn't want to buy until the building was finished, but then if they were willing to sell at a great enough loss, I'd be interested.

Kathie, most 'good' projects sell out well before completion. Of course, there's a fair amount of 'flipping' - people who buy units, fix them up and re-sell them at a profit. This is especially true of the 'foreign allotment' of units.

Next time you're in Bangkok you'll want to visit the sales office for the Ritz Carlton Residences. It might be even more expensive than the River, but there's a Dean & Delucca in the sales office!

I do know that most projects sell out before completion. But I also know that there are units at the River available no doubt due to the economy. Had the price at the River been good, we might have put money down on one two years ago, but not for a million bucks!

Michael, where will the Ritz Carlton Residences be?

by the 4 seasons i think

Here's the location Kathie, click "location" - http://www.rcr-bangkok.com/

bkkbest: It's really unfortunate that Raimonland is a mess as that was the developer that I had been told built quality condos. It's really a catch22 situation in Bangkok; if one doesn't buy before the condo buildings are constructed, then one can easily lose out, on the other hand who wants to buy a product before seeing it and especially one that cost a pretty penny? Then there are the flippers who buy and then sell at inflated prices.

Which developers now, for freehold condos, are decent and solid as it seems to be an ever revolving door? Happy Travels!

Kathie: I didn't realize The River office was now at the building. When I was in BK in November, I didn't even notice the building as I got off at Saphan Taksin and got on the boat to go check out Chatruim which as you, I was also not impressed.

If I could just have a unit like my Emporium Suites one, I'd be happy for life; very tall ceilings, wide open space, wide glassed balcony, and a large kitchen as a separate room with a door, and wide corridors between the apartments.

Of all of the condos, serviced apartments, etc..that I've seen over many years, I haven't seen anything even close. And you know how claustrophobic those corridors were at Chatrium. I was able to put one hand on one wall and the other on the opposite wall. Plus, I found the units, that I was shown, to be claustrophobic. Happy Travels!