The COVID-19 pandemic, as we all know, took the world by storm back in 2019. Most countries were heavily affected by the virus and there were very few industries that remained unscathed. Two of the biggest industries to take a significant hit – particularly in Thailand – were the tourism and property markets.

This damaging effect was largely due to the fact that most countries shut down their borders and significantly restricted travel in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect their constituents. Thailand in particular had a very strong response to the pandemic, however, this was at the detriment of two of their biggest industries – and many people have suffered for it.

In any case, as difficult and uncertain as times have been in recent years, things are indeed starting to pick up.

While not all of Thailand has experienced as rapid a recovery as others, there are a few specific spots that have exploded with action and foreign business. One such area is Pattaya – specifically the town of Jomtien.

So, why is it that Jomtien’s property market is now thriving in the post-pandemic world? In this article, we’ll take a closer look…

Where is Jomtien? Jomtien is an idyllic coastal town that rests on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It’s approximately 165km to the south-east of Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, in the Chonburi province. It can also be found some 3km to the south of Pattaya, one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Thailand.

Jomtien is home to a wealth of quality high-rise condominiums with sea facing property, swanky beach-side hotels, luscious beaches with golden-white sands, and a plethora of world-class restaurants boasting local Thai cuisine and a number of attractive international dishes as well.

It’s a naturally stunning spot in a strategic coastal location; what’s not to like? Why is Jomtien so attractive to expats and property investors alike?

Jomtien has gone through a recent construction boom in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with many new condo and housing developments shooting up all over the area. It has long been a popular destination for expats, with foreign retirees looking for a tropical location to live out their twilight years.

Not only that, but Jomtien has become a popular spot among Bangkok residents who are looking for a second home, a place to invest in holiday rentals, and somewhere that they can escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

But, what is it about Jomtien that is so popular with expats and property investors?

Jomtien’s close proximity to Bangkok is a great selling point.

Being close to Pattaya, but far enough removed to enjoy some peace.

It is cleaner than Pattaya’s central beach area.

A large and open area with plenty of useful space for development.

Excellent urban infrastructure.

Great international schools and hospitals for families looking to build a life.

World-class leisure facilities including shopping malls, restaurants, bars, and much more.

Stunning night and weekend markets.

Regular renovation of community recreation areas (the local council invests a lot in keeping Jomtien clean and functional).

Plenty of facilities such as sunbeds, loungers, cafes, beach bars, and more.

A strong seafood culture.

A host of water sports from banana riding, jet skiing, boat trips, parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and just about anything else you can imagine.

Yacht clubs, water parks, aquariums, and a number of other quality coastal attractions.

Affordable cost of living.

Easy transportation such as shuttle taxis and tuk tuks.

Fresh green spaces and vibrant flower beds.

While the beach does have some washed in garbage now and again due to strong winds and currents, the locals make a lot of effort to keep it clean.

Stunning weather all year round.

The housing market is thriving with a wide variety of property offers, from beachside condos to country pool villas, and so much more.

The fact is, as wonderful and exciting as Pattaya is, Jomtien is in a different class. It’s a far more laid back and sophisticated destination where residents and tourists can enjoy some peace and quiet, with the occasional trip into Pattaya’s city centre for a crazy night out.

All in all, Jomtien is a spectacular coastal location in a tropical paradise with a great deal of potential. Many investors and foreign expats recognise this potential and as such, the property market is on the rise. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact Jomtien?

Again, the pandemic had a very profound effect on practically every country in the world – very few people came out the other end entirely unscathed. The areas that suffered the most of course, were those that rely almost entirely on tourism – in particular, Jomtien.

One of the first and most noticeable changes was the drop in property prices. Many property owners and foreign investors panicked during the COVID-19 pandemic and decided that it was a good time to sell up their properties before the value dropped too much.

Suffice it to say, that was a mistake as Thailand’s property market has gone through many peaks and troughs in the past and she always recovers!

As time went on, Thailand’s excellent response to the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside that of Vietnam, gained them global recognition. Many people who were stuck in their own countries in lock-down decided that as soon as they were able, and as soon as Thailand were to open up its borders once more, they’d make the jump and head to paradise.

This sudden change was largely due to the fact that many expats and retirees were looking to escape their countries and ride out the pandemic in a safe haven. After all, what could be better than being holed up in a tropical paradise while the rest of the world goes mad, right?

Naturally, throughout the pandemic, the local business owners in Pattaya and Jomtien were hit the hardest as they were typically used to having a steady stream of business from holiday makers and expats alike, which all but dropped off entirely when Thailand’s borders were closed. In fact, many business owners decided it would be best to sell up entirely and move on – which has created some great opportunities for new and foreign investors with fresh ideas.

All in all, Jomtien, Pattaya, and many of the other tourist destinations in Thailand took a significant hit. However, they’ve very much weathered the storm and are continuing to invest in their local infrastructure in order to bounce back even stronger!

As a matter of fact, there is huge investment in Jomtien and Pattaya’s infrastructure under way as we speak, with efforts to improve road, rail, and air link quality. Additionally, there are new entertainment areas being added, thus bolstering the overall attraction of the city (which was already incredibly high to begin with).

Why is Jomtien now thriving, post-pandemic?
So, why is it that Jomtien is now thriving in a post-pandemic world while some areas are still struggling? There are a number of different reasons contributing to this, with some other speculative factors which have likely been helpful as well, such as:

Thailand’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic with mass-vaccinations has made them an attractive prospect to foreign expats and investors looking for a safe country to ride out the aftermath.
New incentives and Thai government programmes (billions of Baht’ worth) have been put in place to attract new foreign investors back to Thailand (including an attractive 10-year long-term visa making it easier for foreigners to comfortably remain in Thailand).
It was and always will be a popular tourist destination and after having spent so long in lockdown, many tourists (hundreds of millions itching for an escape) needed their tropical vacation.
Pattaya and Jomtien have a reputation for bouncing back and making full recoveries.
As a great number of property and business owner’s panicked and sold their real estate at low prices, many new investors seized the opportunity by buying low and waiting out the pandemic for the eventual recovery (which has very much arrived).
There’s been a huge spike in digital nomads – particularly as more and more people had to turn to remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic – and Thailand has always been the go-to place for travellers.
There has also been a health & fitness boom with expats turning away from the constant partying and nightlife and gearing more towards a peaceful, coastal experience with plenty of hiking, exercise, and a focus on well-being.
Some people are still feeling a bit uncertain about big cities. After being in lockdown, we can imagine that many people don’t feel so comfortable with the thought of being trapped in a big city like Bangkok should another outbreak occur. Being set up near the beach in Jomtien on the other hand, sounds rather attractive.

You won’t believe the quality of property available in Jomtien

If you have money to invest, now is the time to jump at the opportunity. With impressively low prices coupled with the new Thai investor visas, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better time than right now.

Just look at this opulent 4 bedroom villa as an example; a magnificent pool villa, strategically located, and available for a whole lot cheaper than you’d pay for a similar sized property in the West.

It will take some time before the international market completely recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, but make sure you keep an eye out for markets like real estate in Jomtien that are already well on their way!