Utilities & Home Setup

Everything you need to know about electricity, water, internet, and home services in Pattaya. Set up your home efficiently and avoid common pitfalls.

Electricity

Provider

PEA

Rate

3 - 5 THB per unit (progressive rate)

Deposit

2,000 - 5,000 THB (refundable)

Avg Bill

1,000 - 4,000 THB/month (depends on AC usage)

- Voltage is 220V, 50Hz. Most international electronics work fine. Plug type is flat two-prong (Type A/B) and round two-prong (Type C). Bring a universal adapter.
- Electricity is billed monthly. Pay at 7-Eleven, Big C, or online banking. Late payment incurs 1.25% penalty per month.
- New connection: Visit PEA office with passport, lease agreement, and landlord authorization. Takes 1-3 working days.
- Prepaid meters are common in condos. Top up at 7-Eleven using the meter number. Your power cuts off when credits run out.
- AC is the biggest cost. Each unit running 8 hours/day adds 1,000-2,000 THB/month. Use inverter AC units to save 30-40%.
- Power outages are rare but happen during storms. Unplug electronics during lightning. Consider a UPS for computers.

Water

Provider

PWA

Rate

10 - 20 THB per unit (1 unit = 1 cubic meter)

Deposit

1,000 - 2,000 THB (refundable)

Avg Bill

100 - 500 THB/month

- Tap water in Pattaya is NOT safe to drink. Use filtered or bottled water for drinking and cooking.
- Water is extremely cheap. A typical household uses 10-20 cubic meters per month.
- Most condos include water in the common area fee or charge a flat rate of 30-50 THB per unit.
- New connection: Visit PWA office with passport, lease, and landlord letter. Takes 3-5 working days.
- Water delivery: 20-liter bottles delivered to your door for 15-20 THB each. Order by phone from local suppliers.
- Hot water: Electric water heaters (2,000-5,000 THB installed) or solar heaters for houses. Most condos have built-in electric heaters.

Internet

TRUE Online (Fiber)

590/mo (100 Mbps), 790/mo (300 Mbps), 990/mo (1 Gbps)

Installation: 1-3 days, free installation for 12-month contract

Coverage: Best coverage in Pattaya area, most condos pre-wired

Largest fiber network. Bundle with TRUE mobile for discounts. Free router included. Customer service in English available.

AIS Fibre

590/mo (100 Mbps), 799/mo (300 Mbps), 999/mo (1 Gbps)

Installation: 1-3 days, free installation with contract

Coverage: Good coverage, expanding rapidly

Strong in newer developments. Bundle with AIS mobile. Good customer support app. Slightly faster international bandwidth.

3BB

490/mo (100 Mbps), 690/mo (300 Mbps), 890/mo (500 Mbps)

Installation: 2-5 days

Coverage: Moderate coverage, strongest in residential areas

Budget option with decent speeds. Less consistent during peak hours. Good for basic streaming and browsing.

TV & Streaming

Free Thai TV

Free

30+ free digital Thai channels. Buy a digital TV antenna (200-500 THB) from Big C or HomePro. Mostly Thai language with limited English content.

TrueVisions

600 - 1,800 THB/month

Thailand's main cable/satellite TV provider. English channels include BBC, CNN, HBO, Fox. Gold package includes Premier League football. Installation 1,000-2,000 THB.

Netflix Thailand

419 THB/month (Premium)

Good selection of international and Thai content. Some titles differ from your home country library. 4K streaming available on premium plan.

YouTube Premium

159 THB/month

Ad-free YouTube plus YouTube Music. Thai pricing is much cheaper than most countries. Family plan 239 THB for up to 6 accounts.

VPN

100 - 400 THB/month

Use a VPN to access your home country Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, etc. ExpressVPN and NordVPN work well in Thailand. Essential for some foreign content.

Gas (LPG)

- Natural gas pipelines do not exist for residential use in Pattaya. Everyone uses LPG cylinders.
- PTT LPG cylinders: Small (4 kg) 100-150 THB, Medium (15 kg) 300-400 THB. Available at gas stations and local shops.
- Delivery: Call local LPG dealers for free delivery. They swap empty cylinders for full ones. Most deliver within 1-2 hours.
- Modern condos have electric stoves (induction or ceramic). No gas needed. Electric cooking costs slightly more but is safer.
- For houses: A 15 kg cylinder lasts a typical household 1-2 months with daily cooking.
- Safety: Store cylinders outdoors or in ventilated areas. Check hose connections for leaks with soapy water.

Waste Collection & Recycling

- Garbage collection is handled by the municipality. Collection 2-3 times per week in urban areas.
- Leave bags on the street by 6-7 AM on collection days. No bins provided -- use your own bags.
- Condos and gated communities have designated garbage rooms. Maintenance staff handles collection.
- Recycling: Separate recyclables (plastic, glass, cans, paper) and sell to local recycling collectors who drive through neighborhoods.
- Bulk waste (furniture, mattresses): Contact your municipality office or hire a private removal service (500-1,000 THB).
- Hazardous waste (batteries, electronics): Drop off at Big C or HomePro collection points.

Home Maintenance Services

AC Cleaning & Service

300 - 500 THB per unit

Frequency: Every 3-6 months

Essential in Pattaya's climate. Dirty AC units waste electricity and breed mold. Most technicians come within 24 hours.

Plumber

300 - 1,000 THB per visit

Frequency: As needed

Common issues: clogged drains, leaking pipes, water heater problems. Ask your condo juristic office for recommended plumbers.

Electrician

300 - 800 THB per visit

Frequency: As needed

For wiring issues, breaker problems, or new outlet installation. Always use a licensed electrician. Ask for receipts.

Pest Control

500 - 1,500 THB per treatment

Frequency: Every 3-6 months

Ants, cockroaches, and mosquitoes are common in tropical climates. Professional spraying recommended for houses. Condos usually include pest control.

Pool Maintenance (Houses)

2,000 - 4,000 THB/month

Frequency: Weekly

Chemical balancing, cleaning, pump maintenance. Essential for private pools. Many expats hire a pool service company.

Move-in Checklist

Inspect the unit

Document all existing damage with photos and video before signing. Note scratches, stains, broken items. Both you and landlord should sign the condition report.

Read the lease carefully

Check early termination clause, deposit refund conditions, maintenance responsibilities, and notice period (usually 30-60 days).

Set up electricity

Transfer the meter to your name or check prepaid meter balance. Get the meter number for payments.

Set up water

Confirm water supply is included in rent or register separately at PWA.

Internet installation

Order TRUE, AIS, or 3BB fiber. Takes 1-3 days. Ask your condo which providers have pre-installed lines.

Get spare keys

Get at least 2 sets of keys. Key cutting shops are everywhere (50-100 THB per key). Change locks if concerned about previous tenants.

Stock essentials

Nearest Big C or Tesco Lotus for household items. Cleaning supplies, towels, bedding if not provided. Mattress toppers recommended for furnished units.

Register your address

Your landlord must file a TM30 (foreigner residence notification) within 24 hours of your move-in. Confirm they have done this.

Emergency numbers

Save these: Tourist Police 1155, Ambulance 1669, Fire 199, Police 191. Nearest hospital and pharmacy locations.

Meet the maintenance staff

Introduce yourself to the condo juristic office or building maintenance. They are your first point of contact for issues.