At seemingly erratic intervals in 2013, the US Federal Reserve Board hinted at “tapering” — the reduction of central bank bond buying, called quantitative easing, or QE — provoking Hong Kong real estate shudders, mayhem in Indonesian capital markets and emergent Asia to hunker down against outflows of capital.

Hot, lively, interesting: Three words that describe the bustling city of Bangkok in September, as well as the topics and animated discussions held there this past September for the sixth annual Editorial Advisory Board meeting for The Institutional Real Estate Letter – Asia Pacific. 

Property investment in Asia faces exciting opportunities and new challenges. This past November, Institutional Real Estate, Inc’s VIP – Asia Investor Roundtable was held at the JW Marriott in Hong Kong. 

In 2013, the Thai government announced plans to launch infrastructure projects worth 2 trillion baht (US$62 billion) in the next six to seven years, involving mainly the development of Thailand’s rail and road transport network. 

Since the Abe administration took power in Japan in December 2012, there have been talks about the government wanting pension funds in Japan to be more active and creative with the capital they have under management.