Built Land mounts 2,000 cameras at condo complex

“Our latest project Lesto, with 786 units on a 7-rai plot , means hundreds of households have to share facilities, costs and jointly work to make it a sustainable community,” said the executive with 30 years of experience in real estate know-how.
Lesto has mounted more than 2,000 camera form its monitored close circuit television (CCTV) system. They maintain order over the Bt1.6- billion site, 400 metres from BTS Samrong Station.
 “In past, condo projects saw clashes between neighbours, arguments over parking, problems when strangers use condo facilities and so on,” he said. “These problems are often worse at low-price projects.”
“So before bad things happen, we have to draw up a system that pre-empt a host of difficulties that compromises safety and ethical behaviour among residents.”
“Lesto targets the lower-mid segment but we want to upgrade conditions for our buyers.
“We screen people to weed out drunks and unsavoury characters. We favour decent folk who contribute and foster a good communal atmosphere.”
Built Land is a registered public company and is seeking to be listed on the stock exchange this year, Chaiyarat added. Nomura Securities is its advisor.
“Property development is unlike other businesses,” he warned. “Builders need to be a step ahead of the challenges. It is more complex and exhausting than people realise as the residents come from different backgrounds, social standing and educational levels.”
“I enable my staff to tackle problems before they arise,” said the 61-year old veteran who began his career in law before joining the housing industry.
“As a student I realised that most children would excel at subjects they liked and did do poorly in those they disliked,” he explained. “To solve this dilemma, I worked hardest on subjects I am weakest at. It is better to tackle problems head on instead of leaving them to fester and grow.”
 “We impose a Bt300 monthly fee for parking. It exempts people without cars from having to subsidise a service they do not use.
“At the same time, outsiders cannot abuse our parking spaces by leaving their vehicles there.
“People with cars are happy that the lots are reserved for them and the money goes into a revolving fund for Lesto’s upkeep.”
Security is tight. “When our monitors detect people in the outer parameters who are not residents, they will be denied entry.
“If unregistered people are found loitering in the common areas, we will also take action.”
“This greatly reduces the possibility of crime, vagrancy and other ills .
“When our residents know they are being watched, they feel safer and expect everyone else to conduct themselves properly.”
 “My years of working at AP (Asian Property and Prebuilt), has given me invaluable insight into condo development.”
With about 100 staff, Chaiyarat said a vital aspect of management is to train them on customer services. Customer satisfaction should be their goal.
“If they see a resident struggling with suitcases, they should immediately offer to help. Our employees cannot remain indifferent to the customers, a problem we often encounter these days at various industries.
“One way of motivating employees to excel is make them feel they have a stake in the company.
“One of the best ways to accomplish this is to make them shareholders in the company . By giving them a share of the firm, they will realise that every baht saved and earned will be passed onto them.
Chaiyarat who is also a accountant said he trained motorbike messengers to deliver cheques and cash promptly to the bank as every deposit contributes to the generation of interest and cash flow.
Once they feel they are responsible for their own dividends, they become more dedicated and efficient, he explained. 
“Today I see much less wastage. Employees will switch off lights when they leave a room, turn off taps left running and use two sides of a sheet of paper before discarding it.
“Wastage is really one of the |saddest aspects of many companies because staff do not share a sense of responsibility to conserve or cut |costs.
“To be successful in property, you need an eye to locate good locations and acquire land cheaply before prices rise, he said.
“The Lesto plot was bought many years ago when prices were about Bt40,000 to Bt50,000 a square wah. The price has doubled or tripled since then. 
Chaiyarat admits the front of the soi , about 400 metres away is a bit of an eyesore packed with motorbikes, samlors (tricycles) and pickups. “Once you pass all that, it becomes less hectic.
 “Buying at lower rates allow us to sell below the levels set by our competitors. Presently Lesto is selling studios, sized 26.5 square metres, for Bt1.45 million and Bt1.65 million.
“The trend is towards smaller spaces as the average Thai family now consists of just three people. There is also a growing demand for young Thais to live on their own and such accommodations will suit them.
Lesto has extensive gardens inside its four blocks, each 8-storey high. “I enjoy a green environment, he said. adding that Lesto provides as much greenery as possible to add value to the property.