Who’s who: The 17th PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards independent panel of judges
As experts in their respective fields, the judges evaluate entrants based on a stringent set of criteria
Since the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards programme was established 17 years ago with the launch of a few markets, including the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, the series has evolved to rewarding the most innovative developers, developments, and designs in 14 markets across 12 countries.
Since then, the prestigious gala has served as the benchmark of excellence in real estate, serving as a trusted guide for international investors and property seekers around the globe.
Yet behind the growing success of the annual celebration is a dedicated panel of experts who generously dedicate their time and expertise to our awards programme. Let us now hear some insights about the state of the market in the past year, as well as their experience as a judge from the esteemed members themselves:
Masters of the industry
“Many developers are implementing a number of immediate or short-term strategies to navigate these difficult times. Pricing strategy is one of them. Other developers look beyond the pandemic and take the opportunity to refurbish their real estate assets to ensure that they stay relevant and meet demand today and in the future.”
Suphin Mechuchep
Chairperson of global real estate services firm JLL Thailand
Chairperson of the central panel of judges since 2017
“The best thing about being a judge is we get to understand how each developer comes about the project, so whether it’s a project in a challenging destination area or it’s in the city, we can try to understand how they come up with the design, function, facilities; how they are addressing problems or issues with the consumers or with the local area.”
Chaiyuth Pete Thirangoon
Director of business development advisory services firm Akatan Company Limited
Thailand central panel judge since 2017
“Having been a Property Guru Thailand Property Awards judge since the very beginning, it has been my greatest pleasure simply watching Thailand’s property industry grow from strength to strength, emerging as one of Asia’s most distinguished residential and commercial property centers. Bravo Thailand!”
Clayton Wade
Managing Director of Eastern Seaboard property sales and rentals portal Premier Homes Real Estate
Eastern Seaboard regional head of the judging panel
George Willoughby
Managing Director of real estate agency Form Realty Thailand
Samui Regional panel head since 2017
“The trend seems to be moving for sustainability in design and construction, as well as smart buildings, which is a good trend because it encourages environmentally-friendly developments in the future.”
Leong Choong Peng
Director of Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Consultant Chartered Surveyor
Thailand central panel judge
“For me, the Gold Standard in real estate means that you build a portfolio of assets that are durable, sustainable, and become notable landmarks in the cities where they are positioned.”
Marciano Birjmohun
Director of The Singapore-Thai Chambers of Commerce
Thailand central panel judge
Martin Porter
Managing Director of real estate agency Overseas Property Portfolio
Samui regional panel head since 2020
“In this difficult pandemic situation, it’s refreshing to see that some developers stay strong and successfully launched new projects under last year’s lockdown and under unstable circumstances. It is interesting to learn how they can adapt and keep the business running.”
Precha Suphapetiporn
President of Thai Real Estate Sales and Marketing Association
Thailand central panel judge since 2021
“Over the past 15 years that I’ve been involved with the Thailand Property Awards, I’ve seen a constant upward trajectory of the level of quality competition within Thailand, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.”
Russ Downing
Managing Director of real estate and media firm Vibrant Asia Co. Ltd.
Regional Head of the Hua Hin judging panel
Professor Sonthya Vanichvatana, Ph.D MRICS
Chairperson of the Department of Real Estate at Assumption University
Thailand central panel judge since 2018
Engineering whizz
“In my opinion, great initiative of developers and environmentally-friendly design are trends for outstanding developments and can be a selling point of these projects.”
Chaivut Saengaram, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer of consultant and engineering firm Chuchawal-Royal Haskoning Ltd.
Thailand central panel judge since 2019
“PropertyGuru always tries to promote the betterness of the industry by letting leading developers compete and show what they have achieved year by year, and the sector can get better every year.”
Dr. Phongthon Tharachai
Chief Executive Officer of engineering professional services firm Project Planning Service Public Company Limited
Thailand central panel judge since 2019
Savant of design
“Over the years, the level of excellence and attention to details evident in participants’ contributions have elevated the overall quality of the design at any level of the industry. Thailand Property Award has proven to be an inspirational and exciting stage which provides positive energy for developers and designers to uplift impeccable industry standard to be delivered. I am proud to have been here since the beginning.”
Sasivimol Sinthawanarong
Design Principal at architecture and interior design firm JARKEN Co.,Ltd.
Thailand central panel judge
Legal experts
Daniel Cherno
Managing Director at Siamdr Law Firm
Hua Hin regional panel head since 2020
Robert Krupica
Partner at international legal services provider Hughes Krupica
Phuket regional panel head
To ensure that entrants are judged fairly and without bias, these judges adhere to a strict code of ethics and won’t be allowed to cast their votes if they have close ties with certain projects or developers.
As an added layer of transparency, the awards programme has also appointed HLB, the award-winning global network of auditing and accountancy firms, to supervise the entire judging process.
Find out more about the judging process at asiapropertyawards.com/judging-process/
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