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Category - The
Furniture:
1. Western style kitchens and bathrooms:
Bangkok houses and
apartments all have proper western style kitchens and bathrooms, in the
up-market apartments and houses all modern
facilities are there; proper western-style kitchens with full
appliances and also proper western-style bathrooms. Some will be even
more opulent than at home.
It is also possible to find Thai-style kitchens in houses and
apartments. In some houses there there is a Thai-style kitchen at the
rear; sometimes outside for the cooking of the more smelly Thai
cooking, which produces lots of smoke.
Maids and drivers will prefer to use the low-level Asian-style type of
bathrooms, which are usually installed in the maid's room. A maid will
also require a hand-wash basin in her bathroom, but hot water for
bathing is not usually necessary, unless you spoil them.
2. Refrigerators and washing machines:
All properties have large western style appliances for foreign tenants, you
can always bring your own of course, but make sure to check the power voltage from your
country - you may need an adaptor as it may be different from
the one in Thailand. If it is a large refrigerator and washing machine,
it may not easy to get it up the stairs or into the lift of an
apartment building.
All the usual brands of kitchen appliances are available in Bangkok.
They do, however, cost a lot more as some are imported and are subject
to high import duties.
3. Bringing your own furniture:
If
you have the facility to do so within your company's moving options,
then this is entirely your choice. Many expats who rent the 4/5
bedroom houses, do bring their own furniture if they are in Bangkok
for more than a year.
You should use your company's agent to get the container through
customs, which is time-consuming and also costs money for dues here
and there.
Some houses are fully equipped with furniture of a high standard and
you may wish to negotiate to keep some furniture and to bring some of
your own. Beds, for example, are inexpensive to buy in Bangkok,
therefore it may be best to leave your beds at home.
Furniture takes up a small part of the intended monthly rental fee of
a house; if no furniture is required, a small discount from the house
rental fee, not more than 10%, may be possible.
If
you have seen a house for rent that is nearly ready for completion,
you can have a lot of say in the final decoration, curtains, carpets,
type of furniture, beds etc. - that is, if it has not already been
purchased or ordered.
Many Thai landlords will present a house/apartment for rent in a not-too-tidy
state, but generally they will bring the apartment to a standard
according to the agreed contract, ready for your occupation. Sometimes
this can take a month or two.
4. Using dishwashers in Bangkok:
No, they are rarely used as many, if not all, expatriate families have
maids. Maids are cheaper. Also, the proper dishwashing liquids are
very expensive in Bangkok.
Check, though, when you rent a house, that there is a small instant
hot-water heater under the sink in the kitchen, as Thais will rarely
include this in the kitchen appliances. If you notice it in time, it
can be included in the agreed inventory. Unless previously agreed on,
it will be your responsibility to acquire one after you have occupied
the property.
5. Furniture passing through Thai Customs:
Usually takes about
two weeks. You should let your company's Thai agent deal with this.
Perhaps a good idea to check on demurrage or storage charges.
You will need to show your original passport and also might have to
pay a 'special' charge, if you wish to get your property out
of customs before you have got your work permit situation settled.
6. Made in Thailand - furniture:
Thai furniture is good quality, depending on the price paid. A lot of veneer is used in the medium-type
furniture but it is possible to find excellent quality furniture in Bangkok
and also in rental homes as well. Thai furniture is well priced
against the furniture you might buy at home.
A Thai investor may spend a lot of money on built-in furniture before
renting out a house, especially at the top end of the market - but
this takes time to do, if you like a house that is not quite ready.
Some Thai house owners will provide 'free standing' wardrobes, closets
in the bedrooms. If so, the rent should be cheaper in these houses, as
the owner has saved a lot of expense by not providing built-in
furniture.
Any questions
re content to: enquiriy@bangkok-homes.com
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