The residents sent a letter to the Singapore embassy requesting assistance in the dispute. They want Keppel Land to make design changes to the K5 Condominium project in Sukhumvit Soi 28 so that the structure conforms with Thailand’s Construction and Building Act.

“Since the company started a public hearing on the environmental impact assessment (EIA), we have asked it four times to revise the design to match with the landscape of the neighbourhood between Sukhumvit Soi 28 and Soi 30,” said Manit Sriwanichbhum, a representative of the local residents who will be affected by the project if construction proceeds as planned.

“That was after we saw that the project’s design did not follow the rules laid down in the country’s Building and Construction Act. But the company did not redesign the project and is going ahead regardless with the existing design for home sales intended for the overseas market.

“As a result, we have asked the Singapore government, with the contact with the Singapore embassy, to intervene when private companies from that country expand their investments in Thailand without adhering to Thailand’s planning laws.” He said the community’s input had been disregarded when residents spoke of their concerns at the public hearing for the EIA.

As the company did not amend the design of the project, the residents were forced to take the matter to the Singapore embassy, he said, adding that this action may finally sway Keppel Land to address the concerns raised by raised by the community.

The Nation yesterday has asked the management of KPN Land Co Ltd for a response to the demands of people in the Sukhumvit 28 community. But the management of KPN Land Co Ltd, a partner of Keppel Land Ltd on two luxury towers in Sukhumvit Soi 19 and Soi 28, declined to comment. The Sukhumvit projects are worth about Bt2.2 billion.

However, Keppel Land Ltd, which holds a 49 per cent stake in the joint venture firm and KPN Land Co Ltd, with 51 per cent, set up the joint venture to develop the two freehold condominiums projects since November 2017. The joint venture company is in the process of applying to get an environmental impact assessment and construction licence under a plan to start construction on both projects in the third quarter of this year.

The first site covers about 1,600 square metres in a prime residential enclave in Sukhumvit Soi 19.

The second project, covering 3,200 square metres, is in a well-established residential district in Sukhumvit Soi 28. It will yield about 265 units spread on about 30 floors, with a net saleable area of about 16,000 sq m.

Prakai said the investment plan includes developing the Club Med Kraabi Resort and Residences worth Bt3.8 billion on 100 rai in Krabi province. Three mixed-use projects combining hotels and residences are planned for Krabi, and Phuket from this year until 2021.

Seven projects are located on Kaset Nawamin, Bhuthamonthon Sai 1, Rangsit Klong 4, Prachauthid 90, Sukhumvit, along with two projects on Thong Lor, he said.

The company has a current backlog worth Bt1.5 of properties sold and awaiting transfer to its customers in 2018.

“We are becoming a smart living solutions provider to offer our customers more convenience since we developed our San Dee robot. We are also developing an intelligence box service for our customers so that they can have parcels delivered when they are not staying in their rooms,” Sansiri Plc’s chief technology officer , Tawicha Trakulyingyong, said recently.

“Recently, we joined hands with Honda, Uber, ofo, Haupcar, SHARGE and EA Anywhere to launch Smart Move, a ride-sharing service platform for customers who own our residential projects,” said Tawicha.

AP (Thailand) Plc also is also offering smart living solutions to its customers by providing intelligence box, heart pump, and electric chargers to owners of its residential projects.

“We never stop growing and developing, to catch up with and get ahead of future lifestyle trends, as we are committed to elevating the quality of life of Thai people to international standards,” said Vittakarn Chandavimol, the company’s chief for the condominium business group, recently.

“That’s why we offer AP charging POD by putting together advanced innovation like the technology used in EV and PHEV charger, and our expertise in space utilisation as well as our attention to a convenient urban lifestyle.”

Land and Houses Plc is setting up intelligent securities systems at all of its residential projects.

“We learn what our customers want and have developed intelligent securities systems at all our residential projects to serve their demand, including designing all residential units with facilities that serve their current lifestyle,” said Land and Houses Plc chairman of the board of directors, Naporn Sunthornchitcharoen, recently.

SC Asset’s chief executive officer Nuttaphong Kunakornwong said the company is working with various partners in the ecosystem to better respond to people’s evolving lifestyle by working with business partners to develop Living Solutions for our customers and nearby communities.

Its living solutions platform is called “Rue Jai”.

Most leading property firms who want to be market leaders are striving to make themselves a living solutions provider platform by creating a new business model under the digฌital economy concept. In particular, they are collaborating with startups to create application platforms to get more big data so that they can cater to people’s lifestyle by adding value to their residential projects at a time when location and price are the normal yardsticks of market competition.

“We believe that where you stay is not just your residence but it defines your lifestyle,” Sansiri president Srettha Thavisin said earlier.

Two new phases are underway. Marvel Experience, an interactive entertainment park, will open in May, followed in August by the Didyasarin international preparatory school, affiliated with American School of Bangkok.

A new extension focusing on children’s education and with fun activities will be added to the existing Mega kids zone.

Megabangna will also add a new customer touch point, Mega Park, ideal for families and friends, and has expanded its Ring Road to handle an anticipated increase in car traffic.

“We envision the shopping centre as a centrepiece of a modern community in the future, a city where people work and live close to the place they shop, eat, meet with friends and spend time with their family,” said Christian Olofsson of Ikea Southeast Asia.

“The transformation from today’s retail destination will of course happen over a series of phases, but we see Megacity hosting an even larger commercial offer, while also including experience venues, hotels, office buildings, residential properties, park and leisure components on the 400 rai we have at our disposal.

“With a capacity to cater to over 250,000 people per day, it will be a sustainable development equivalent of a city, which is why we call it Megacity.”

Bang Na is one of Bangkok’s fast-growing suburban areas, with high spending power, great quality-education opportunities and close proximity to the airport and eastern seaboard.

“Investment in new mass-transport projects, such as the MRT line and future light monorail, provides additional benefits for developers and investors who want to join hands with us in realising our vision for Megabangna and Megacity,” Olofsson said.

Megabangna president Paphitchaya Suwandee said Mega FoodWalk strengthens the shopping centre’s total food offerings by providing more than 160 restaurants.

“In 2018, we will welcome 100 more tenants and offer a better customer experience through the refurbishment programme,” she said. “Our ambition is to develop Megabangna as a true meeting place that offers more than just shopping. The opening of Marvel Experience and Didyasarin school is another step we are taking to realise our ambition.”

Megabangna’s 2018 marketing budget represents a 20-per-cent increase over last year, with the main focus being to reach a wider group of customers, including overseas. The centre expects to see 10 per cent more visitors this year.

“We will continue to deliver memorable experiences,” said Paphitchaya. “The Mega Countdown 2018 has earned us the title ‘best countdown destination in eastern Bangkok’, with an impressive audience of over 350,000 on New Year’s Eve. We are currently working with the Walt Disney company to bring the ‘Dream Big Princess’ event for our juvenile customers.

“We never stop listening to our customers because we learn so much from them about what they want and how we can improve.”

The company’s chief business group/condominium Vittakarn Chandavimol said AP has decided to build on its collaboration with visionary leading companies who share the same business direction – the focus on elevating life quality in Thailand up to international standards. These companies include BMW Group Thailand, GLT Green Thailand and Central Group. The companies formed a partnership to kick off a revolution of EV charging network through the ChargeNow initiative.

ChargeNow realised the largest comprehensive network in Thailand. By joining ChargeNow, AP shows its willingness to take responsibility for society and the environment in line with good corporate governance while paying attention to living and social quality as evidenced in its efforts to improve living standards of Thai people.

ChargeNow currently covers over 65,000 public charging outlets for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 27 countries around the world. In Thailand, ChargeNow stations will be displayed through mobile application Greenlots which allows customers to see whether the charging station is free or in use , all in one application making recharging the batteries of their vehicles easier, faster and more convenient.

He added that “Smart Move” is Sansiri’s comprehensive residential car-sharing service platform, introduced for the first time in residentials project in Thailand. It is developed as part of Sansiri’s commitment to the concept “Complete Your Living Experience” as well as our move towards the ongoing sharing economy that is transforming the way people live and access resources. The service will be integrated into Sansiri Home Service application, a property management mobile application for Sansiri residents, and will be available in full service in 2018 for residents in Sansiri’s condominium, single house and townhouse projects.

Smart Move is first introduced for residents of THE LINE Jatujak – Mochit, with two units of BMWi3, the first fully electric vehicle from BMW, available for car-sharing service.

In the first phase, pods will be installed at Vittorio, Rhythm Rangnam, Rhythm Ekkamai, Life Pinklao, Life Asoke and Life Sukhumvit 48.

AP homeowners will also benefit from a nationwide ChargeNow network of more than 50 charging stations. The locations are listed on the phone application Greenlots and at http://chargenow-th.greenlots.com.

“This year AP has decided to build on its collaboration with visionary leading companies who share the same business direction – the focus on elevating life quality in Thailand up to international standards,” said Vittakarn Chandavimol of AP.

“BMW Group Thailand, GLT Green Thailand and Central Group formed a partnership that kicked off a revolution with an EV charging network through the ChargeNow initiative, the largest comprehensive network in Thailand.

“By joining ChargeNow, AP shows its willingness to take responsibility for society and the environment, in line with good corporate governance, while paying attention to living and social quality as evidenced in its efforts to improve living standards of Thai people.”

“ChargeNow connects all charging stations of the alliance on the same platform to give service users extra convenience,” Sethipong Anutarasoti of BMW Thailand pointed out.

“This programme is very successful overseas and equally successful in Thailand. We are extremely focused to work with our partners in expanding public charging stations to cover the whole country. Big thanks to AP for realising the importance of the programme and for supporting charging locations all along.”

“We are honoured to be a part of a good initiative like this,” added Narratchai Leeraphante of Polytechnology and GLT Green Thailand.

“We also see further opportunity to make public charging stations more easily accessible, thanks to AP for the convenient stations downtown and in central business districts, and also thanks to the other partners for sharing their expertise in different areas to make this good social cause possible.”

ChargeNow currently has more than 65,000 public charging outlets for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 27 countries around the world.

ChargeNow will be open for pre-registration to any PHEV or EV owner of any make and model with AC Type 1 (SAE J1772) or Type 2 (IEC 62196) charging socket.