Construction, property shift tacticsRising energy prices increased costs in the housing construction materials industry, especially for energy‑intensive products. Wisuttipong RodpaiThe construction and property sectors are being forced to adjust strategies and build greater resilience to cope with volatile energy prices, as the Middle East conflict drives up both energy and construction material costs, according to Siam Commercial Bank Economic Intelligence Center (EIC). Rising energy prices have pushed up production costs for construction materials, particularly for energy-intensive products such as steel, cement and tiles, where energy accounts for 35-50% of total costs. In the short term, construction material prices are expected to rise modestly over 1-2 months, mainly due to higher logistics costs because many operators still hold inventory accumulated before the conflict, while large-scale construction projects have locked in material prices through advance orders. Property developers may also delay new residential launches, which are already at low levels, facing additional pressure from rising material costs, noted EIC.

Source: Bangkok Post April 06, 2026 22:59 UTC