Apartments in Thailand

Apartments in Thailand vary from dingy concrete boxes with no light and less personality to breathtaking domiciles you want to leave only long enough to go out and brag about them. And in many cases, you almost don't need to leave. Perhaps only for visa runs.

Even if you're planning to get a house or condominium, renting an apartment makes some sense. Hotels tend to be reluctant to give reasonable monthly rates. Even a modest 2-3 star hotel will charge upwards of Bt 25,000 per month. A perfectly livable room in a clean and convenient apartment can be had for much less.

Renting an apartment also allows you an easier transition from tourist to long-term status. You get to feel what it's like being in a neighborhood rather than on a tourist boulevard.

An arrangement that seems to make a lot of sense to the expatriate is a serviced apartment. Serviced apartment is an apt description. It's common to find anything from a small food shop to a restaurant in the lobby. The restaurants will often deliver food to rooms.

Mini-marts are common, often located next to the street and the entrance. Laundry service is normally available at somewhere between between hotel prices and neighborhood prices. Ironing / pressing is standard for laundry in Thailand. Housekeeping service will likely be available from the same staff that takes care of the lobby, hallways, etc. Costs tend to be nominal. By western standards, they are a pittance.

Bottled water is common in Thailand and its delivery methods vary from purchase in mini-parts to reverse osmosis machines on site, to large water cooler sized bottles of water delivered by outside vendors.

Apartments generally require 3 months up front; first month, last month and security deposit. Utilities are normally paid to the apartment's accounting department. Electricity will usually be the most costly. Water is nominal.

Warnings:
• It is often difficult to get back one's security deposit.
• Electricity is sometimes billed at a rate higher than the EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand)

So what should a new arrival in Thailand look for and ask about when renting an apartment? We have some opinions regarding .. observations and questions when renting an apartment.