If you’re a foreigner who has just moved to Bangkok or works in Thailand on a 1-2 year contract, buying everything at home should be a bigger financial trap than you think. Small Condo Difficult to store When they return to their country, they have to sell much lower than the purchase price.
Here are 6 things that Expat in Bangkok often buys by themselves when they move in, even though they are actually much more cost-effective to rent.
1. Vacuum cleaner
Use once a week. If you are lucky, most of them use it 1-2 times a month.
- Buy Dyson V8/V10: ฿18,000-25,000
- Rent: ฿200-300/Day
If you’re not a serious professional clean, you’re in for a treat. It is only used when moving in/out or once a month, renting is much more cost-effective.
2. Baby gear
Children grow up faster than you buy them.
- Stroller: ฿15,000-30,000 Less than 3 years of use
- Highchair: ฿3,000-8,000 Use for one year
- Baby cot: ฿8,000-15,000 Use 1-2 years
Monthly rental through Weshare is available for ฿1,500-3,000/month, much better value if you are only in Bangkok for 1-2 years.
3. BBQ Grill + Outdoor
Rooftop or farmhouse parties are done 2-3 times a year.
- Buy Weber BBQ Grill: ฿8,000-15,000
- Rent: ฿300-500/Day
Plus, you don’t have to store charcoal, clean it after use.
4. Projector
Watch Netflix, Watch Football, Present
- Buy a mid-range projector: ฿15,000-25,000
- Rent: ฿400-600/Day
Most expat watches TV in the living room. The projector is a “once in a while”, not a routine item.
5. Portable AC
If your condo has a room with bad air or has to work in a small room without AC installed.
- Buy: ฿15,000-25,000
- Rent: ฿200-400/Day or ฿3,000-5,000/Month
It is suitable for the very hot period (April-June) when the weather is too heavy to bear.
6. Large suitcase
If you return to your home country once a year, you will be able to return to your home country. There is no need to buy an expensive 28-inch bag.
- Buy Samsonite for ฿200-12,000
- Rent: ฿150-300/Day
Use for 2 weeks at a time, once a year = ฿300-600/year compared to the purchase price and store it in the cabinet for 11 months.
Simple Rules for Expat in Bangkok
Shop at:
- Daily use (mattress, laptop, basic kitchenware)
- Personal (clothes, shoes)
- Cheap enough, not worth renting (less than ฿2,000)
Rent of Where:
- Use it infrequently (1-5 times a year).
- Expensive (over ฿5,000 purchase price)
- It must be collected (wasting space in a small condo).
Why is this important for Expat specifically?
- The cost of renting a condo in Bangkok is not cheap . Every square meter is used to store things instead of use. = Landed Costs
- Most expats don’t stay permanently . Repatriation is expensive. Resell it and lose 50%+ of the value.
- You don’t know how long it will last . The 1-year contract may be extended to 3 years, may not be renewed at all.
- Bangkok is a fast city . Order today Use it tomorrow — Weshare is even faster than many online stores.
Get Started
If you have just moved to Bangkok or have been living in Bangkok for a while, you may not be able to find a suitable place to live. Think about it before you buy your next item — check on Weshare first, there may be someone near you available to lend it for 90% less.
English and Thai are supported. Change the language in the top right corner of the page.
Featured image: Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels