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Monthly Utility bills for condos, apartments and houses in Bangkok

Naturally, one of the things at the forefront of most people’s minds when moving into a new property is how much will they be spending each month on bills and how will they go about paying them. Here is a simple guide on the bills you will get and the different methods you have at your disposal to pay them. 
 
Rent
 
This is quite clearly the most important bill to pay on time. Landlords always appreciate a tenant who doesn’t pay late and this may work in your favour when it comes to renewing your lease at the end of the year. A landlord will most certainly want you to stay on if you have been a reliable tenant, and he may give you a slightly reduced rental rate for the second year.
 
When the time comes to pay the rent you will find the landlords bank account details on the first page of the Lease Agreement. There are a number of ways to transfer the money:
 
  • ATM transfer (you will need a Thai bank account to do this)
  • Walk into the bank the landlord’s account is held with and simply pay at the counter
  • Set up an internet banking transfer with a domestic or international account
Whichever method is best suited to you, once the money has been transferred, keep hold of the ATM or bank receipt and keep it in a safe place. 
Keep in mind that landlords also appreciate an sms or email notifying them that the rent has been paid. 
 
* Note: Apartments have a slightly different procedure. The rent each month will be paid directly to the apartment and this is usually paid in cash at the apartment office.
 
Electricity
 
The electricity in Thailand is a government run public service, and every month an electricity bill is posted to all houses and condos. You will find that monthly bill in your mailbox. The bill is the size of a standard envelope with an orange circular crest in the top left corner above your address which will likely be in Thai. The bill will detail the total number of units used and the amount needed to pay. This bill usually comes in the middle of the month and about 5 working days is given for this to be paid on time.
 
The bill can be paid in the following places:
  • 7/Eleven shops - this is easiest method as there is a 7/Eleven on practically every main street in Bangkok. Hand your bill to the 7/Eleven staff and pay at the counter. They will give you back the bill with a receipt stapled to it as proof of payment).
  • Banks – It is possible to set up an automatic payment with your Thai bank account.
  • Department stores
  • Post office
  • EGAT Office (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) 
There is a small handling fee of a few baht when paying outside the EGAT office but the convenience of being able to pay your bill at your nearest 7/Eleven is priceless as the local EGAT office may not necessarily be close and they normally close at 3.30pm Mon – Fri.
 
Should you miss your last payment date, the bill will have to be paid in person at your local EGAT office. There is one at Chidlom BTS station and also one at On Nut BTS station. If you don’t want to make the trip yourself and you feel you have a good rapport with your local motorcycle taxi drivers, another option is to give one of them the bill and the money, and they will charge you the price of the taxi ride to wherever the local office is. Be advised of course that unless you totally trust the drivers in question, we advise against using this method as this is a service based on trust and trust alone. Should you miss your last payment date, the bill will have to be paid in person at your local EGAT office. There is one at Chidlom BTS station and also one at On Nut BTS station. If you don’t want to make the trip yourself and you feel you have a good rapport with your local motorcycle taxi drivers, another option is to give one of them the bill and the money, and they will charge you the price of the taxi ride to wherever the local office is. Be advised of course that unless you totally trust the drivers in question, we advise against using this method as this is a service based on trust and trust alone.
 
* Note: Apartments have a slightly different procedure. The electricity bill each month will be paid directly to the apartment, and this is usually paid in cash at the apartment office.
 
Water
 
The cost of water is very cheap in Thailand. A monthly bill for a condo, for instance, would rarely, if ever, exceed 150 Baht, regardless of the size of the place. Each month a water bill will arrive in your mailbox, and this is to be paid in the condominium Juristic office or the Apartment office. Once the bill is paid, the Juristic or apartment staff will issue you a receipt, and we advise all tenants to keep this in case of a dispute of unpaid bills upon moving out.
 
Internet / Phone Bills
 
There are now a number of internet providers in Bangkok, but they all offer reasonably similar packages. True, 3BB and TOT are currently the most popular providers. TOT is also the telephone company, and for those who require a landline telephone number, this will be set up by TOT. The monthly line rental is about 100 Baht and is payable in 7/Eleven shops.
 
On the basis of speed and availability, True Internet is the most popular followed by 3BB and TOT. Another advantage with True Internet is for an additional 100Baht per month on top of the standard internet package, you can be issued with a username and password with which can access True Hotspots around the city, very useful for people who like to work outdoors or in coffee shops.
 
An Internet Bill is again a monthly bill that arrives in your mailbox and can be paid in the following places:
  • 7/Eleven
  • Banks
  • Local Providers Office (True has their main branch in Fortune Town Mall, Rama 9 MRT station)
Cable TV
 
TrueVisions, owned by True Corporation the same company that offers the internet package, is Thailand’s leading cable satellite provider. Should you wish to register for a True Vision package this can be set up and activated within a couple of days. The Gold or Platinum packages offer the most comprehensive selection of channels including sports, movies, documentaries, and international news. There is a fixed monthly charge (starting from around 1,600 Baht) and can be paid in the following places:
  • 7/Eleven
  • Banks
  • Local Providers Office (True has their main branch in Fortune Town Mall, Rama 9 MRT station)