Furnishing a Place in Thailand: Where and How Much
From empty condo to livable home: the shopping map expats wish they'd known on day one.
The three-tier shopping map
| Tier | Where | Price feel |
|---|---|---|
| New retail | Index Living Mall, HomePro, Power Buy (electronics), SB Furniture | Fixed prices, warranties, delivery — 20–40% above Western big-box for comparable quality |
| Mid/local | Thai furniture streets/markets, Boonthavon (appliances), local shops | Negotiable 10–30%, quality varies wildly |
| Second-hand | Facebook groups ("[City] Expat Buy/Sell", "Barely Used Bangkok"), moving-out sales | 50–80% off retail; the expat insider channel |
Electronics specifics
- Power: 220V, Thai outlets accept most plug types physically but buy local adapters/power strips properly
- Laptops/cameras: Power Buy and official stores price near global levels; grey imports lack valid warranties
- Warranty reality: international warranties often aren't honored here — check before assuming
- Sales calendar: mid-year sales (June–July) and year-end (Dec–Jan) see genuine discounts on appliances
- Smart TVs sold here have no Netflix-region guarantees — apps work fine but content libraries follow account region anyway
The Facebook group economy (seriously)
Moving-out sales from departing expats create a constant liquidation cycle: full apartment setups at 40–70% discounts. Search "[your city] + expat + buy/sell" or "barely used." Cash, pickup, no warranty — but for establishing a home cheaply, nothing beats it.
Budget reality: furnishing an empty 1BR
| Approach | Total cost |
|---|---|
| All new retail (Index/HomePro) | 80–150k THB |
| Mixed new + second-hand | 35–60k THB |
| Mostly second-hand/patient hunting | 15–25k THB |
Many condos rent semi-furnished — verify what's included BEFORE buying anything. See our rental red-flags checklist.
Setting up your first place? Start with the rental checklist → · Internet setup →
Prices as of August 2026.