Two important factors not to overlook when buying a house or condo.
What are Public Utilities?
"Public Utilities" (known in Thai as *Satharanupaphok*) refers to essential services required for the daily lives of the general population. These are services provided by the state—such as electricity and water supply—that are indispensable to everyday living. The term is derived from the words "public" (*satharana*) and "consumption/usage" (*upaphok*).
What are Public Facilities?
"Public Facilities" (known in Thai as *Satharanupakan*) refers to amenities that, while not necessarily used on a daily basis, serve as fundamental services provided for the public good. Examples include public parks, schools, and playgrounds. The term is derived from the words "public" (*satharana*) and "support/assistance" (*upakara*).
___________________________________________
What essential Public Utilities should be available?
By definition, public utilities should be accessible everywhere; however, their necessity for daily life can vary depending on the individual and the location. Nevertheless, there are fundamental public utilities that every house should have—and which housebuyers or condo purchasers should prioritize—including:
1. Electricity Supply
Nowadays, hardly any community or village lacks electricity, except perhaps in remote areas where basic services have yet to reach. Electricity has become the most critical public utility, a fact evidenced by the existence of large state enterprises managing numerous power plants and the high volume of daily electricity consumption.
Therefore, if you are looking to purchase a property for long-term investment and want to gauge the actual population density of a specific location, you can look at the electricity consumption figures for that area.
2. Water Supply
This is a fundamental service that no one can do without. The water supply system encompasses... Water supply systems serve two purposes: general utility (for bathing, washing, and other activities) and direct consumption (drinking water). In Thailand, the latter is still rare, typically found only at specific public drinking water stations.
In contrast, many leading nations provide clean drinking water systems that cover entire urban communities and public areas.
3. Telephone and Internet Systems
Telephone lines strung along utility poles clearly demonstrate the extensive coverage of telephone networks across urban areas—a legacy of the era when landlines were the primary means of communication.
Although landline usage has declined significantly today, these systems remain essential for government agencies and office buildings that still rely on office-based telephone lines.
___________________________________________
What Essential Public Facilities Should Be Available?
Public facilities are fundamental services that enhance the quality of life for urban residents. While they may be operated by either the public or private sector, they remain under government oversight. These facilities are a crucial factor to consider when choosing a residential location.
An area with a dense and comprehensive network of public facilities reflects the government's commitment to the area and indicates strong potential for future growth. Public facilities fall into several categories, including:
Service-Oriented Public Facilities
Government agencies such as courts, provincial halls, municipal offices, and post offices.
Cultural Public Facilities
Museums, city observation towers, libraries, theaters, arts and culture centers, and planetariums.
Educational Public Facilities Childcare centers, schools, colleges, and universities
Public health facilities
Health centers, wellness centers, and hospitals
Recreational facilities
Public parks, playgrounds, and sports fields
Public safety facilities
Fire stations and police stations
___________________________________________
How do public utilities and facilities influence the decision to buy a house?
For real estate developers, the mantra is invariably "Location, Location, Location." Consumers should adopt the same mindset, prioritizing location above all else; once a property is purchased, its location cannot be changed, and future growth prospects for the area remain uncertain.
Public utilities and facilities play a crucial role in assessing an area's current potential and its future growth trends. High-quality utilities and facilities elevate a location's potential in the following ways:
1. Convenience in Daily Life
Having these amenities is better than not having them, and an abundance is often preferable to a scarcity. This applies to public utilities, facilities, and infrastructure—particularly transportation and mass transit systems. The more developed these networks are within an area, the greater the convenience for residents.
For instance, land located near mass transit lines or major roads—offering convenient travel—invariably commands a higher price than surrounding properties.
2. Enhanced Quality of Life
Public utilities and facilities serve as key global indicators of urban quality of life. Greater access to these amenities correlates with a higher quality of life and, consequently, higher land value.
A simple example is the land surrounding Bangkok’s public parks—such as Lumpini Park, Benjakitti Park, or Chatuchak Park—which typically commands significantly higher prices than land in other locations. This is because urban land is limited; consequently, public amenities like parks can only be established in a few locations, making proximity to such facilities a truly special advantage.
3. Location Growth Potential
A location with well-managed public utilities and amenities reflects the importance placed on it by both the public and private sectors, clearly signaling growth potential. For instance, areas selected for pilot projects—such as burying power lines underground to improve the landscape—often experience significant growth and command higher property prices.
Therefore, before purchasing a house, carefully observe the management of public utilities and amenities in the area to assess its growth prospects.
While these matters might seem distant at first glance, public utilities and amenities are fundamental services that are integral to our daily lives—closer to us than we realize. They directly impact our quality of life, living convenience, and the future appreciation of property values.
So, when buying a house, be sure to factor public utilities and amenities into your decision-making process.
___________________________________________
Thanks to DD Property for the valuable information.
