Bangkok Real Estate: Buy a Condo or House in Thailand's Capital

Sukhumvit is the main expatriate corridor, with Thonglor, Ekkamai, Asoke and Phrom Phong serving international residents with malls, schools and restaurants. Sathorn and Silom are the business districts, Riverside offers waterfront high-rises, Ratchada and Rama 9 are newer commercial centres, and areas like Bang Na and Ari are popular with families and creatives. The BTS Skytrain, MRT subway and Airport Rail Link make transit access a key price driver.

Traffic can be heavy, and the monsoon causes local flooding. The city is hot and humid year-round. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang are the two main airports.

Other Thai markets to compare are Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Thalang and Surat Thani.

Foreigners cannot own land in Thailand, but they can own condominium units freehold, provided foreign owners hold no more than 49% of the total unit area in the building. Funds must be transferred from abroad in foreign currency, and the bank issues a foreign exchange transaction form that you need at the land office.

• Land and houses. A foreigner can lease land for up to 30 years, or hold a house through arrangements that need specialist advice. Avoid nominee company structures that are illegal.
• Transfer costs. The transfer fee is about 2% of the registered value, plus withholding tax or specific business tax if you sell early, with stamp duty in some cases; costs are often split. Verify current rates.
• Due diligence. Check the condominium's juristic person, sinking fund and foreign quota.

See our Thailand consultation guide, financing guide and the Thailand overview.

The lower price quartile in this dataset is very low for Bangkok, which suggests that some listings are for rentals or have unusual pricing. Always check the listing details and compare with similar units. Use the mortgage calculator and the property valuation tool as sense checks.

Condominium owners pay a monthly common-area fee per square metre, an annual sinking fund contribution and utilities, often with water and electricity charged at tariffs set by the building. Landlords must report rental income, and non-residents face withholding tax. Short stays under 30 days are generally illegal in condos without a hotel licence, so long-term lets are safer. Rental yields on well-located condos are modest but stable, with demand from expatriate professionals.