Thailand is an attractive country to live in, and not only those who have to, choose to stay beyond the usual tourist visits. Thailand also used to be an extremely cheap country to live in, even in a Western manner, until the second half of the 80’s when, during an unprecedented economic boom, real estate prices (see above) as well as rents rose sharply. In principle, the rent options are:
A furnished one-room apartment in a pretty run down guest house, occupied mainly by foreigners who make their living by teaching English - 2,500 to 5,000 Baht. Normally, the apartment has a bathroom with hot and cold water and aircon; it might or might not have a cooking facility; usually there is no refrigerator.
A furnished one-room apartment in a newer and larger apartment building or a residential compound, also primarily occupied by foreigners - 8,000 to 16,000 Baht. The apartment is normally with refrigerator and telephone but only occasionally with TV. In many cases there is a swimming pool.
A furnished apartment with a separate bedroom and a living room with an equipped kitchen corner in a newer and larger apartment or condominium building or a residential compound, also primarily occupied by foreigners - 15,000 to 25,000 Baht. Such apartments are occasionally available with a direct telephone line and often with TV. In many cases there is a swimming pool.
A furnished two-bedroom apartment with a separate living room and an equipped kitchen corner or a separate kitchen in a newer and larger apartment or condominium building or a residential compound, also primarily occupied by foreigners - 25,000 to 50,000 Baht. Such apartments are often available with a direct telephone line and TV. In many cases there is a swimming pool.
A furnished three-bedroom apartment with a separate living room and a separate kitchen in a newer and larger apartment or condominium building or a residential compound, also primarily occupied by foreigners - 35,000 to 70,000 Baht. Such apartments are often available with one or two direct telephone lines and TV. In many cases there is a swimming pool.
An unfurnished, not renovated two to three-bedroom townhouse in a Thai neighborhood away from areas usually preferred by foreigners, rented through an advertisement in a Thai language newspaper - 3,000 to 6,000 Baht. The neighborhood may be noisy. Only sometimes with telephone. Certainly no swimming pool.
An unfurnished but new two to three-bedroom townhouse in a modern Thai neighborhood or a residential village away from areas usually preferred by foreigners, rented through an advertisement in a Thai language newspaper - 6,000 to 12,000 Baht. In Bangkok, most modern residential villages are in the north. Often with telephone. Certainly no swimming pool.
An unfurnished two to three-bedroom single house in a better residential village away from areas usually preferred by foreigners, rented through an advertisement in a Thai language newspaper - 12,000 to 25,000 Baht. In Bangkok, most modern residential villages are in the north. Often with one or two telephones. Possibly access to a community swimming pool.
A shophouse in an urban Thai neighborhood. Shophouses usually are three or four storeys high and are located on commercial streets or roads. The ground floor often is just an empty space suitable for any kind of business, from car repair to catering; the upper floors are intended to serve either as office or as living quarters - 10,000 to 30,000. Usually, Westerners cannot bear the noise and pollution levels.
