A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Research Studies Project Report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1986

Co-operative housing in Thailand has existed for nearly 30 year s . However, it has often been questioned whether it can make a long term valuable contribution t o housing development, including low-income housing. This study, therefore, aims to gain an insight into t he practices and performances o f all housing co-operatives operating in t he Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) and to find out their potential for solving the housing problems of the people. This research is based on a qualitative analysis of the general situation and evaluation of experiences with 14 existing housing co-operative societies. Primary research was undertaken by means of interviews through four set s of questionnaires and structured talks with the key persons among almost all the parties involved (74 in total) in implementing and promoting co-operative housing. It was found that despite its fairly long existence, co- operative housing as a whole is still very young in its development, with little impact on the housing market, particularly in housing for low- income families . This is because housing co-operatives have faced problems and obstacles in their operation especially lack of funding, inadequate support from the Government and inefficient co- operative management . The variety of problems in the present situation mean that the future of co-operative housing is not particularly bright. However, findings from the study reveal that housing co-operatives still have good potential not only in the provision of new houses at lower cost but also in the management and improvement of housing estates especially for the achievement of better living standards in all income groups. To enhance and facilitate t he opportunities for the co-operative housing movement to play a stronger role in house construction and improvement, various means and measures have been suggested to al l parties concerned.