You're looking at a furnished condo in Bangkok and the asking price seems reasonable, but you're wondering what you're actually paying for. Is the sofa included? What about the kitchen setup? And most importantly, how much cheaper is a bare unit anyway? After renting through five different buildings across Sukhumvit, Silom, and Sathorn, I can tell you the price difference between furnished and unfurnished units is messier than you'd think, and it depends heavily on which neighborhood and building you're considering.

The furnished versus unfurnished question hits your wallet in ways that aren't always obvious. A unit with basic furniture might run 5,000 to 15,000 baht more per month than an identical bare space, but move to premium buildings in Thonglor or Ploenchit and that gap widens to 20,000 or even 30,000 baht. The real trick is understanding what "furnished" actually means at each property, because some landlords throw in a bed and call it a day while others offer fully equipped kitchens and dining sets.

What Furnished Actually Means in Bangkok Condos

Walk into a furnished unit at a mid-range building near BTS Phrom Phong and you'll typically find a bed frame, wardrobe, and maybe a small desk. That's entry-level furnished. The appliances are usually basic: a microwave, small fridge, and sometimes a hotplate. Air conditioning is standard, but that's not counted as furniture anyway.

Step into a higher-tier furnished unit in Emporium area or near BTS Thong Lo and suddenly you're getting proper living room sets, full kitchen equipment including a full-sized refrigerator and cooking stove, and maybe even a washing machine. I once toured a unit at a luxury building off Sukhumvit Soi 39 that had a leather sofa set, a dining table for six, and a fully stocked kitchenette. The landlord charged 8,000 baht monthly premium for all that.

The frustrating part is there's no standardization. One building's "furnished" is another's "partially furnished." Always ask specifically what's included before comparing prices, or you'll be comparing apples to oranges.

Price Differences by Bangkok Neighborhood

In Pratunam and Phetchaburi areas, you're looking at furnished one-bedroom units around 18,000 to 25,000 baht monthly, while comparable bare units sit at 14,000 to 19,000 baht. That's roughly a 4,000 to 6,000 baht difference, which honestly feels reasonable for the convenience if you're a short-term renter who doesn't want to hunt for furniture.

Move to Sathorn and Silom, and furnished units jump to 28,000 to 45,000 baht depending on the building, while unfurnished go for 22,000 to 35,000 baht. The gap is wider here because these neighborhoods attract corporate renters who expect move-in-ready spaces. I've seen buildings like those near BTS Chong Nonsi where the furnished premium sits at 10,000 to 12,000 baht monthly.

Sukhumvit is where the pricing gets interesting. A furnished one-bedroom near BTS Asoke might cost 35,000 to 50,000 baht, while an unfurnished version in the same soi goes for 28,000 to 40,000 baht. But zoom in on Soi 33 and Soi 39, and those price gaps shrink because older buildings there don't command the same premium.

Thonglor and Ekamai are premium territory. Furnished condos run 50,000 to 80,000 baht monthly while unfurnished versions cost 40,000 to 65,000 baht. Here the furnished premium isn't always about the furniture quality, it's about which building you're in and its overall prestige.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

Furnished doesn't mean worry-free. If the sofa gets damaged and you're on a two-year lease, that's your problem. I know someone at a building in Ari who was charged 3,000 baht for a tear in the couch when they moved out. Check your lease carefully for damage clauses.

Furniture wears out faster than walls. After two years, that bed might sag, the microwave might stop heating properly, and the wardrobe hinges could be loose. Some landlords refresh furniture regularly, others don't. Ask how often they replace items before you commit.

Unfurnished units mean you'll spend 40,000 to 60,000 baht upfront on basic furniture if you're starting from scratch in Bangkok. Add delivery fees and that number climbs. But here's the trade-off: you own your furniture, you can choose exactly what you want, and you don't worry about damage clauses on someone else's belongings.

The Math for Different Rental Lengths

Renting for three to six months? Furnished makes sense. You avoid furniture shopping and delivery headaches. The 6,000 to 10,000 baht monthly premium feels worth it when you're not here long enough to build a home.

Renting for one to two years? This is where the decision gets real. A furnished premium of 8,000 baht monthly equals 96,000 to 192,000 baht over the lease. You could buy decent furniture for that price and sell it when you leave, or just donate it. The math shifts.

Staying longer than two years? Unfurnished becomes the logical choice. You'll own furniture that matches your taste, won't worry about damage charges, and that monthly premium becomes serious money over three or four years.

Finding the Real Price, Not the Marketing Price

Building websites list furnished units prominently because they sound more appealing. But when you actually call and ask about both options, the unfurnished price is usually 20 to 30 percent lower. I learned this the hard way after touring three buildings near Ploenchit and realizing the furnished versions were all overpriced.

Compare at least three furnished and three unfurnished units in your target area before deciding. Use Superagent.co to filter options across Bangkok's neighborhoods and see actual pricing without the marketing fluff. You'll spot patterns fast once you're looking at real listings instead of assumptions.

Ask landlords why their furnished premium is what it is. Some buildings justify it with regular maintenance and furniture replacement. Others are just padding the rent. The honest ones will tell you exactly what's included and for how long items get replaced.

Whether a furnished condo makes sense for your Bangkok rental depends on how long you're staying, your budget flexibility, and how much you value convenience over cost control. For expats on short-term assignments or professionals moving between jobs, furnished units skip weeks of shopping and setup. For longer-term renters or people building a life here, unfurnished spaces give you control and usually save money over time. Whatever you choose, do the math for your specific situation instead of assuming furnished is automatically worth the premium.

Ready to compare furnished and unfurnished options across Bangkok? Head to Superagent.co and filter by furnishing status, neighborhood, and price range. You'll see exactly how the market breaks down in your preferred area and find units that actually match your needs and budget.