Finding a rental place in Bangkok can be a daunting thing. Aside from finding out what your budget is and where you’d like to be located, you also need to know what types of rental places are out there. Here’s a brief description of each type of rental place.

Finding a rental place in Bangkok can be a daunting thing. Aside from finding out what your budget is and where you’d like to be located, you also need to know what types of rental places are out there. Here’s a brief description of each type of rental place.

Thai Apartments

To keep up with the constant migration of people into the city for work, it was thought that having numerous people living in one building would be the best type of housing to build. Thus, Thai apartments were born. Now, as a foreigner, you might be confused by the way the terms apartments and condos are used in Thailand. For most of us from the Western World, these are interchangeable and often mean the same thing. However, in Thailand, there is a slight difference (which we’ll be able to show you later). Apartments in Thailand are units in one building that is owned by one person or corporation. Thai apartment projects come with several amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, security, and car parking. Some high-end apartments also have Jacuzzis, saunas, tennis courts, and golf driving ranges in addition to the others previously mentioned.

Thai Apartments Disadvantages

Because Thai apartments have one landlord, they can implement their own sets of rules that need to be followed by all the residents. Failure to do so may result in the end of your rental contract and being asked to leave the place. In most cases, there is a premium set on Utility bills (electricity, water, telephone) and the rules can also include the prices of these bills as well.

Thai Apartments Advantages

The prices are fairly reasonable because landlords have to follow a standard dictated by the general market climate. Considering that many of these apartments are also near business districts via the MRT or BTS, they really cost efficient. Lastly, these Thai apartments are considerably more affordable to rent (per square meter) than Thai condos, but depends on location and furnishing.

Thai Condos

Condominium buildings are built by developers who look for buyers to buy each condo unit of their building. The responsibility of renting it out (if one is so inclined) is up to the person who bought the unit. Like apartments, condos have great amenities to offer such as swimming pools, gym, security, steam rooms, car parking, and the like. These condos are also located in ideal places near mass transit systems and places of business. One example is the Nusasiri Grand Condominium which is connected to the Ekkamai Station of the BTS.

Thai Condos Advantages

Utility bills have no premium (condo landlords are not permitted to place one). Most condos are also located near or within the business districts. For long terms lease, this will save you a whole lot of time, energy and fare money.

Thai Condos Disadvantages

It is pricier than apartments, but again, depends on location and furnishing

Service Apartments

Service Apartments combine some features of an apartment with that of a hotel.

Service Apartments Advantages

Two things, flexibility and luxury. These often lavish apartments have maid cleaning services, laundry services, and dining services that are available on a daily or weekly basis. The units are much larger than in a hotel and you can opt for a short-term lease that’s as short as a day or a week. Depending on the building and your funds, you can choose from various unit types: from a studio to a penthouse.

Service Apartments Disadvantages

When you call for luxury, you shoo away cash. These units could be really expensive but who ever said it’s easy to reconstruct home in another country?

Thai Townhouses

Townhouses are freestanding. It can be single detached or attached to another unit.

Thai Townhouses Advantages

Usually bigger than condos and apartments and has either a terrace or a garden.

Thai Townhouses Disadvantages

These are generally located too far from the MRT or BTS Skytrain..