Nonthaburi Province Expansion of Housing Estates, 1982–1994

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study the expansion of housing estates located in Nonthaburi province during 1982–1994. The study reveals that before 1982, the majority of the Nonthaburi area was agricultural. In 1982, the government proposed a new policy to develop Nonthaburi to support the expansion of housing in Bangkok. Moreover, in 1983, Nonthaburi had a deluge of estate developments. As a result, most of the farmers sold their land to capitalists in the housing estate business between 1984 and 1986. Consequently, there was significant housing estate expansion in Mueang Nonthaburi District, Pak Kret District, and Bang Kruai District of Nonthaburi Province. Between 1987 and 1994, the population in Nonthaburi Province increased continuously. This was partly caused by Nonthaburi’s favourable location next to Bangkok, the capital and economic center of Thailand. The infrastructure allowed convenient travel between Bangkok and Nonthaburi. Moreover, housing prices in Nonthaburi were cheaper than those in Bangkok. For these reasons, people were encouraged to migrate and buy property in Nonthaburi. As a result, housing estates expanded continuously in different districts of Nonthaburi. Nonthaburi continued to experience significant urban society expansion in the period of 1987–1994. The increased urbanization due to the large population influx has also contributed to the emergence of department stores and new markets, supporting the population who continue to relocate to its housing estates.