Wellness Trend in Thailand: Which Real Estate Will Deliver Maximum Return on Investment in the Next 5 Years

The creative economy and "soft power" are among the three key advantages of Thailand presented by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025. The country "...positions itself as a destination for stress relief, where people from around the world come to rejuvenate and create vibrant memories," she said. The head of government emphasized the importance of wellness tourism and stated that the Kingdom aims to become a center for medicine and healthcare.

This government course is already reflected in the development of the country's real estate market. Today, we are witnessing the transformation of living spaces, where the wellness concept is becoming not just a marketing advantage but an integral part of modern projects across all market segments.

What Do Buyers Want Today?

"Health is the new wealth" — this phrase accurately describes what's happening in the market. Buyers across all price categories are seeking comprehensive living environments with an emphasis on wellness and health.

Real estate market research shows that green spaces are among the top three factors when Thais of all ages choose housing. The top 10 priorities include eco-friendly construction, clean air, home spas, and wellness amenities.

Interestingly, amenities previously available only in elite projects — gyms, swimming pools, spa zones — are now appearing in mid-range segments as well. This reflects how buyers' perceptions of what is truly valuable in modern housing are changing.

In response to this growing demand, the market offers increasingly diverse formats of wellness-oriented housing. For example, suburban homes within walking distance of complexes with outdoor exercise areas, or urban skyscrapers with noise-cancellation technologies and sustainable development principles in construction.

Wellness as the New Standard for Premium Housing

The concept of prestigious housing in Thailand is changing before our eyes. While previously the status of a property was determined primarily by location, developer brand, and exclusive amenities, today parameters related to residents' health and well-being are coming to the forefront.

Air Quality and Ventilation

Ventilation systems with filtration and recirculation mechanisms, air quality monitoring—these are now the new standard for premium projects. Developers are implementing technologies to reduce levels of carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants.

The pandemic and growing environmental problems, including fine particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) and smoke from forest fires, have radically changed buyer requirements. Modern ventilation systems don't just protect against pollutants — they improve cognitive functions, elevate mood, and increase productivity. This works because air quality directly affects brain function and overall well-being.

Nature Integration and Biophilic Design

Modern projects strive to satisfy the basic human need for contact with nature. They maximize natural lighting, incorporate living plants in interiors, rooftop gardens, landscaped areas, and green alleys.

Scientific research confirms the effectiveness of this approach. Natural surroundings significantly reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance cognitive functions.

Light and Circadian Rhythms

The quality and quantity of light directly affect well-being, productivity, and sleep. Modern projects try to maximize natural lighting, while artificial light is selected with consideration for human biological rhythms. Smart lighting systems change brightness and color temperature throughout the day, helping residents stay energetic during the day and sleep better at night.

Temperature and Humidity Management

A comfortable microclimate is a crucial component of healthy living. Modern air conditioning systems don't just maintain a set temperature but also control air humidity, preventing mold and creating ideal conditions for living and relaxation in any season.

Physical Activity and Sports

Amenities for maintaining physical fitness have long been a standard in premium residential complexes. But today, these are not just typical gyms but well-designed fitness spaces: running and cycling tracks, swimming pools, yoga and group exercise areas, often with access to fresh air. Some projects design walking routes with varying intensity and offer personal trainer services.

Community Formation Spaces

Wellness extends beyond just physical health. Modern complexes purposefully create thoughtful communal areas: coworking spaces, lounges, shared kitchens, gardens, and event spaces.

These elements stimulate spontaneous interaction between neighbors and form a community of like-minded individuals. This is why residents of such complexes note an improvement in quality of life and emotional well-being.

Mental and Emotional Wellness

In an era of stress and information overload, spaces for restoring mental balance are especially valuable. Modern projects use principles of neuroaesthetics, creating environments that comprehensively affect different senses. Quiet areas for meditation, effective sound insulation, calming color schemes, and pleasant-to-touch materials—all this creates spaces oriented toward psychological comfort.

Wellness as a Winning Investment Strategy

The emphasis on sustainable development principles and integration of wellness elements aligns with global trends in environmental responsibility, enhancing the investment attractiveness of such projects. They appreciate in value faster and find tenants more easily.

Bangkok's premium real estate market stands out in this direction: developers here actively utilize proximity to parks, water bodies, and urban recreation zones. Such projects have already earned a reputation as promising and reliable investments. One of them — The Forestias — is perhaps the largest residential complex with an ecological concept in Southeast Asia.

The Forestias: Harmony of Nature and Future Technologies

This is the largest private project in Thailand's history, covering an area of approximately 636,800 sq.m., and valued at about $3.6 billion USD.

The Forestias demonstrates a fundamentally new approach to development, where innovations serve to protect ecosystems. At the center of the project is a tropical forest covering about 48,000 sq.m. The developer, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), brought in ecologists who carefully designed the forest concept and selected plants and animals. Their phased implementation aims to create a sustainable ecosystem.

The project's infrastructure includes a system of pedestrian bridges at treetop level, allowing movement throughout the entire territory while enjoying nature without crossing vehicle traffic. The resident-accessible part will also feature walking paths and cozy clearings with children's playgrounds and event spaces. In the depths of the forest ("Deep Forest"), a special area closed to visitors will be created—here butterflies, squirrels, mini-deer, monitor lizards, and other local fauna will inhabit a natural environment.

To maintain this unique balance, The Forestias uses a modern resource management system. It combines a Central Utility Plant (CUP), Energy Management Unit (EMU), and Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system. All components work together to ensure maximum energy efficiency for the complex.

The results of implementing these solutions are impressive: annual carbon dioxide emissions reduction amounts to 40,000 tons. The centralized air conditioning system significantly reduces energy consumption, while solar panels provide the complex with clean energy. Special attention is paid to water resources: an advanced rainwater collection and purification system allows its use for maintaining greenery.

Eco-friendly building

The architectural solutions of The Forestias organically complement technological innovations. Buildings are designed with natural ventilation and maximum use of daylight in mind. This not only reduces energy consumption but also creates a comfortable environment for residents. Eco-friendly building materials and modern insulation technologies further reduce the project's environmental footprint.

These achievements reflect the global mission of the developer company: MQDC strives for leadership in sustainable development and quality of life. The RISC research center develops MQDC standards to achieve human and environmental well-being. The company implements the concept of sustainable innovations to realize the principle of universal well-being ("For All Well-Being") and integrates artificial intelligence in project management through partnerships with global research institutes.

In accordance with this philosophy, MQDC goes beyond using green technologies and sets an ambitious goal to achieve carbon negativity by 2050 (a state where an organization absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it produces).

Our collection features 2 residential projects in this mega-complex — contact us to learn more about them:

Mulberry Grove — low-rise condominiums in the center of The Forestias with direct access to the forest area.
Signature Series — a 44-story skyscraper with the best location in the entire project: along the longest border of the forest area. A mesmerizing view of the forest opens from each apartment.

Tri Vananda: An Ambitious Wellness Project by a Swiss Clinic

Wellness real estate is successfully developing beyond just Bangkok. Phuket, known for its excellent beaches and resorts, also demonstrates vivid examples of wellness concept integration into premium-class residential projects. For example, the iconic complex Tri Vananda, scheduled to open in 2025.

It will occupy 960,000 sq.m. of untouched green land in the picturesque Layan area. Only 15% of the territory will be built upon, with the rest being natural areas, parks, and lakes.

The resort and Longevity Center will be managed by Clinique La Prairie — one of the world leaders in wellness and restorative medicine.

👉 SUNWAY says:
The original clinic in Montreux (Switzerland) is considered the world's first luxury medical spa and consistently ranks among the best in the world. Today, Clinique La Prairie successfully manages Longevity Centers worldwide: in Dubai, Doha, Madrid, Bangkok, Taipei, and Anji (China).

Tri Vananda's infrastructure will also include the Jampa restaurant with a "Zero Waste" concept (awarded a Michelin green star), a healthy eating restaurant on the lake shore, a physical activity center with an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a holistic wellness center, and a mental practices center.

This massive 6.6 billion baht investment is predicted by experts to significantly increase land values in the area in the coming years, making the project attractive not only from a lifestyle perspective but also as a long-term capital investment.

Our exclusive collection features villas in Tri Vananda. Most of them are located along one of the natural lakes or ponds on the complex grounds, providing stunning views and complete harmony with nature. All villas are sold fully furnished. For our clients, this is a unique opportunity to become part of a large-scale wellness project that may change the face of Phuket, while it's still in its formative stage.

Summary

Wellness real estate is no longer a niche product and is becoming a key direction for Thailand's market development. Care for physical and mental health, eco-friendliness, energy efficiency — these are now the new standard for quality housing.

We believe that the demand for wellness-oriented projects will continue to grow. The pandemic has forced all of us to take a fresh look at what is truly important for comfortable living, and this trend continues worldwide. Thailand, with its rich traditions of wellness and strategic course toward developing a wellness economy, has every chance to become a leader in this segment.

Contact us to receive a selection of promising wellness projects in Phuket, Samui, and Bangkok.

Wellness Trend in Thailand: Which Real Estate Will Deliver Maximum Return on Investment in the Next 5 Years March 24, 2025