British Embassy in Bangkok Sold in Record Deal
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on February 1, 2018
The British Embassy in Bangkok has been sold for almost $600 million to a joint-venture that includes the Central Group. Here I explain a little bit of the history of that place and how much more expensive things have gotten around here.
Special thanks to the British Embassy Bangkok for the permission to film in front of their gates.
TRANSCRIPT
Back in 1922, when the British Embassy moved in here for the first time, there was nothing around it but farmlands and water buffaloes.
But a lot has changed in almost a century in what is now considered to be one of the most expensive areas in Bangkok.
How expensive? $12,700 per square meter! There are a lot of luxury condos, hotels and many embassies.
Now, the Foreign Ministry in London has announced that they’re selling the British Embassy here for a whopping $600 million. They’re now moving into a rather nondescript office building, 29 stories high, in the commercial district.
The buyers in what is considered to be a record deal is a joint-venture between Hongkong Land and the Central Group, one of the biggest retail giants in the country. And actually right around here we have one of their luxury malls in the neighborhood right next to the British Embassy.
Now Hongkong Land and the Central Group have not responded to inquiries by Channel NewsAsia. But it is expected that they’re going to make an announcement soon and we’re going to see what’s going to happen with this little piece of Bangkok history.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok