Housing for teachers in Thailand
Most teachers rent. Foreigners can own condo units in Thailand under quota rules, but few new arrivals buy. These guides cover renting, which is what most people do in their first years.
Start from the school
The commute matters more than the apartment. Traffic in Bangkok is heavy at school drop-off times, and many international schools start before 8am. Ask colleagues where they live, and check travel times at rush hour before you sign anything. Living near a BTS or MRT station on a line that reaches your school gives you an option when roads are blocked.
Types of housing
| Type | What it is | Typical lease |
|---|---|---|
| Condo unit | An apartment owned by an individual, rented directly or through an agent | 12 months |
| House or townhouse | Common in suburbs near schools outside the centre | 12 months |
| Apartment building | Whole building owned by one landlord, simpler facilities | 6 to 12 months |
| Serviced apartment | Furnished, cleaned and managed, with flexible terms | Monthly or longer |
Guides
Renting in Bangkok as a teacher
How renting works in Bangkok for foreign teachers: agents and listings, viewing tips, leases, deposits, utilities, the TM30 and getting your deposit back.
Serviced apartments for your first months
When a serviced apartment makes sense for a teacher arriving in Thailand, what is usually included, how terms work and what to compare.
Written by the Charlie House editorial team. Last checked October 2026. Thai rules change often. Check with the school, the immigration office or the agency concerned before you act on anything here.