The shortlist for this month’s highly anticipated Thailand Property Awards 2014 has been released by event organizer Ensign Media. The final winners and highly commended companies and developments will be announced and presented at a gala dinner, to be held at the Conrad Bangkok Hotel on 11 September.
The independent and experienced panel of judges made its final decision on the shortlist after a thorough nomination, entry and judging process, which saw them narrow down the more than 200 entries to just 58.
“The quality of the entries again led to some serious debate amongst the judges, but we feel that the shortlist represents the best in Thai real estate from the last 12 months,” said Sunchai Nuengsit, chairman of the judges panel and managing director of BuilderSmart.
Magnolia and Absolute World Group are up for the most awards, picking up five and three nominations respectively. Magnolia is up against AP (Thailand) PCL and Major Development PCL in the coveted Best Developer category, whilst Absolute World Group has been shortlisted alongside Red Mountain Hua Hin and SLM Real Estate Co. Ltd (Orchid Palm Homes) in the Best Boutique Developer category. The two companies will also be awarded with the newly added Special Recognition award for their dedication to corporate social responsibility.
Contenders in the coveted Best Luxury Condo Development Bangkok category include Marque Sukhumvit, Menam Residences, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and Magnolias Ratchadamri for Best Luxury Condo, whilst Baan Mai Khao by Sansiri, last year’s Best Developer, has been shortlisted alongside The View Kata Condominium in the Best Condo Development Phuket category.
Elsewhere, Bravothai Lifestyles has two projects in the Best Villa Development (Eastern Seaboard) category and The Tulip Group’s Centara Avenue Residence & Suites and Waterfront Suites & Residences will face tough competition from Amari Residences and The Palm Wongamat Beach for the Best Condo Development (Eastern Seaboard) award.
A strong shortlist of developments has also been drawn up for the Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Khao Yai categories, as well as for Best Commercial Development, which includes AIA Tower and The District Em.
“Although Thailand and its economy have faced uncertain times over the last year, this hasn’t affected the quality of this year’s entries,” said Terry Blackburn, CEO of Ensign Media. “It’s also great to see a strong showing from the recently added Khao Yai and Hua Hin categories, as well as from the established destinations such as Phuket and the Eastern Seaboard. I believe this goes to show that the awards continue to be a benchmark for the industry throughout Thailand.”
In addition to the development awards, the judging panel also chose projects that display some of the best architecture and design in the country for Best Residential Architectural Design, Best Residential Interior Design and Best Commercial Architectural Design.
The Real Estate Personality of the Year award, which is chosen by the editors of Property Report Magazine, will this year be presented to Toss Chirathivat, CEO of Central Group.
All the final winners from each category will be automatically entered for the region’s most prestigious real estate event, the South East Asia Property Awards 2014, which will be held in Singapore at the Shangri-La Hotel on 16 October.
Tickets for the Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony, which will include a cocktail reception and lavish four- course dinner, live entertainment and extensive TV, print and radio media coverage, are still available and can purchased at ensign-media.com
(Source: The Property Report)
