The Thaksin Effect

These are fast times for Wacharee Nispaprapassorn. The 28-year-old information technology consultant sits in a gleaming Starbucks on Bangkok's ritziest road, Langsuan, sipping an iced latte and chatting excitedly about her new life. Last month, she says, she bought a new car. Now she wants a new apartment in a luxury building just a few doors from here. The building has been on sale for just two weeks but three-quarters of the flats have already been sold. "If I don't buy now I'll never be able to afford it," she says. "The prices are getting crazy."

Eighteen months...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!