Panel discussion on 'Rethinking Equity in Asian Real Estate'
The event, supported by Sybarite Architects, brought together more than 400 industry leaders and experts from across the Asia Pacific.
Held on 11 December at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, ARES 2025 served as PropertyGuru Group's flagship thought leadership platform and a prelude to the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final and International Luncheon on 12 December.
The Awards events brought together leading real estate developers and design practices from 13 property markets across the region.
Centred on the theme "Trusted Marketplaces and Thriving Communities," the Summit explored the intersection of property, technology, and design through a full-day programme of keynote presentations, expert panels, and networking sessions.
ARES 2025 opened with macroeconomic insights from Syetarn Hansakul, senior analyst for Southeast Asia at The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, who examined a year of global challenges and the regional outlook heading into 2026.
The Economist Keynote by Syetarn Hansakul, senior analyst, Southeast Asia at The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network
Simon Mitchell, co-founder of award-winning design practice Sybarite Architects, followed with a Design Spotlight on "The Power of Place," showcasing landmark projects including SKP Wuhan.
A panel titled "The Brand Premium," moderated by Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, examined how branded residences are reshaping value in hospitality-led developments. Panelists included Jael Fischer, head of development for Asia Pacific at Six Senses; Lee Lin, regional director for APAC at Nobu Hospitality; Penny Trinh, vice president of mixed-use development at Marriott International; and Saowarin Chanprakaisi, vice president of business development at The Ascott Limited.
One of the Summit's most anticipated sessions featured broadcast personality Duncan James Simpson, founder and director of CyberAI, who addressed data security challenges in an increasingly AI-driven property market.
The afternoon programme included a panel on rethinking equity in Asian real estate, moderated by Dr Nai Jia Lee, head of real estate intelligence at PropertyGuru Group. The discussion featured Dr Jing Yu, deputy chief of the Bangkok Programme Office of UN-Habitat; Marine Novita, co-founder and president director of MilikiRumah; Dr Tan Tee Khoon, executive council member of the Singapore Institute of Estate Agents; and Anton Wormann, founder and CEO of Anton in Japan Media.
Design Spotlight by Simon Mitchell, co-founder of Sybarite
Another panel examined the "wellness edge" in community development, moderated by Viona Zhang, deputy managing director of C9 Hotelworks. Contributors included Christine Li, head of APAC research at Knight Frank; Dino Sukosol, co-owner and director of Sukosol Hotels; Kevin Tai, licensed physical therapist and Mister Global Taiwan 2023; and Pim Asavahame, host of the Pimchology podcast.
Ambassador Chantale Wong, former US executive director to the Asian Development Bank, joined a subsequent discussion on resilient cities in the era of digital economies. Moderated by Sumitha Soorian, chief marketing and commercial officer of Headland, Phuket, the panel also featured Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of Tajara Leisure and Hospitality Group; Diep Do, green and resilient building program lead for Vietnam and Thailand at the International Finance Corporation; and Sanjay Popli, co-founder and group CEO of Cryptomind.
The Summit concluded with an international keynote from two-time Olympic gold medallist Panipak "Tennis" Wongpattanakit, who spoke on building resilience through sport and community.
Panel discussion on 'The Brand Premium: How Urban Branded Residences Are Rewriting the Rules of Value'
Following the Summit, VIP guests attended an exclusive cocktail reception at Kandhavas Place at The Athenee Hotel. The event also honoured the ARES Power Women of 2025: Ambassador Chantale Wong; Marine Novita; Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, executive vice president of The Sukosol Hotels & The Siam and honorary president of the Thai Hotels Association; and Ar. (Dr.) Serina Hijjas, principal director of HIJJAS Architects + Planners and president of the Malaysia Green Building Council.
PropertyGuru Week 2025 concluded on 13 December at Cinema Oasis in Bangkok, with Kevin Tai returning to the stage for a Creator Spotlight session exploring health and wellness spaces and the role of digital platforms in influence-building.
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said the Summit reflects PropertyGuru's broader mission.
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards & Events
"We connect technology with design to bring finance together with sustainability, data with human experience, and policy with innovation. All these things come together at ARES," he said.
"There are more complexities facing Asia and more challenges coming into the markets every year. Our job at PropertyGuru goes beyond listing properties that people can buy. We want to reduce the uncertainty and create trust amongst the people who want to find property across Asia. When we make trusted decisions, those decisions improve and communities improve."
The PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit is held annually in Thailand as part of PropertyGuru Week, alongside the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final.
Over the years, ARES has championed innovation, green building, climate action, gender equity and sustainability, showcasing emerging technologies and next-generation leaders while advancing industry dialogue on proptech and beyond.
ARES 2025 was supported by Sybarite Architects, with partners including Bridges, BusinessWorld, Detik, D+A Magazine, Hot Magazine, Inquirer Property, Kompas.com, Kopi and Property, Luxury Society of Asia, Manila Bulletin, Niaga Times, Penang Property Talk, Prop2morrow, REm Thailand, SquareRooms, Tatler Asia Homes, TerraBKK, The Grid, The Malaysia Voice, The Philippine Star, and Top10 of Asia.
For more information and online registration, visit asiarealestatesummit.com.
Images supplied by PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit
