How much money do you need to buy a condo in Bangkok?

Investor-grade studios and one-bedrooms typically cost ฿3,000,000 to ฿8,000,000, plus about 2% transfer fee and building fees. Most foreign buyers pay cash, as mortgages are hard for non-residents.

Can a foreigner buy a condo in Bangkok?

Yes, freehold and in their own name, as long as the building stays within the 49% foreign-ownership quota and the funds are transferred from abroad in foreign currency.

Is buying a condo in Bangkok a good investment?

It can be if the rent justifies the price. A compact unit near transit in a proven building can return 5% to 8% gross; the risk is overpaying for a unit that rents poorly, so check the building's real rents first.

Should I buy new or resale?

A well-priced resale in a proven building usually rents faster and returns more than a developer-priced new launch. Off-plan only wins if you buy early at a real discount and accept completion risk.

Updated July 19, 2026 · 6 min read

Buying a Condo in Bangkok: The Complete 2026 Guide

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To buy a condo in Bangkok you pick a unit in a building with foreign quota available, transfer the funds from abroad, and register the title at the Land Office. A studio or one-bedroom near a BTS or MRT station typically costs ฿3,000,000 to ฿8,000,000 and rents at a gross return of about 5% to 8%. The whole process, from offer to transfer, usually takes two to six weeks for a resale unit. This guide walks through each decision in order.

How much does a condo in Bangkok cost?

Most investor-grade units run ฿3,000,000 to ฿8,000,000. Price per square metre is roughly ฿100,000 to ฿150,000 near the outer BTS/MRT stations and ฿200,000 to ฿300,000+ in prime areas like Phrom Phong or Sathorn. A compact unit near transit is the classic buy-to-rent purchase because it is affordable to buy and easy to rent.

Can foreigners buy a condo in Bangkok?

Yes. A foreigner can own a Bangkok condo outright, freehold, in their own name, as long as foreign owners hold no more than 49% of the floor area in that building (the foreign quota). Foreigners cannot own land, so a condo is the main route. You must bring the purchase funds in from abroad in foreign currency to register freehold ownership.

Where should you buy?

For rental income, the strongest areas are the Sukhumvit BTS line (Asok, Ekkamai, On Nut, Phra Khanong), the Ratchada to Rama 9 corridor, and Sathorn to Silom. What matters most is walking distance to a station, unit size, and the building's real rents.

Sukhumvit (Asok–On Nut): deepest tenant pool; 5–7% gross.
Ratchada–Rama 9: lower entry price, 6–8% gross.
Sathorn–Silom: steady corporate demand, 4–6% gross, lower risk.

New (off-plan) or resale?

Developer-priced new launches often carry a premium that lowers your yield, while a well-priced resale in a proven building can rent immediately and return more. Off-plan can work if you buy early at a genuine discount, but you carry completion risk and pay while you wait.

What rental return can you expect?

Gross yields cluster at 4% to 8%, and net yield after common-area fees, vacancy and management is usually 1.5 to 2.5 points lower. The only reliable way to estimate is to compare the asking price to what similar units in the same building actually rent for right now, not a vague area average.

Costs to budget beyond the price

Transfer fee: 2% of the appraised value, often split 50/50 with the seller.
Sinking fund: a one-off payment to the building, charged per square metre.
Common-area fee: a monthly charge, also per square metre.
On resale within five years: Specific Business Tax of 3.3% plus withholding tax.

How to buy, step by step

Set your budget and target a compact unit near transit.
Shortlist units by real rental return, not sticker price.
Confirm the unit is in the building's foreign quota.
Reserve the unit and sign the sale agreement.
Transfer funds from abroad in foreign currency and get the FET form.
Register the title transfer at the Land Office and pay the fees.

CondoReturn ranks every Bangkok condo by the real rent that similar units in the same building earn, so you shortlist on return before you deal with quota and paperwork.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do you need to buy a condo in Bangkok?: Investor-grade studios and one-bedrooms typically cost ฿3,000,000 to ฿8,000,000, plus about 2% transfer fee and building fees. Most foreign buyers pay cash, as mortgages are hard for non-residents.
Can a foreigner buy a condo in Bangkok?: Yes, freehold and in their own name, as long as the building stays within the 49% foreign-ownership quota and the funds are transferred from abroad in foreign currency.
Is buying a condo in Bangkok a good investment?: It can be if the rent justifies the price. A compact unit near transit in a proven building can return 5% to 8% gross; the risk is overpaying for a unit that rents poorly, so check the building's real rents first.
Should I buy new or resale?: A well-priced resale in a proven building usually rents faster and returns more than a developer-priced new launch. Off-plan only wins if you buy early at a real discount and accept completion risk.