Buying and moving used furniture in Thailand without getting stuck
The problem with used furniture is rarely the piece itself — it's discovering on moving day that it doesn't fit the lift or the door, or that termites have been quietly hollowing out the frame. Here's what to check before you buy and before moving day.
Last updated: 2026-08-31 · Near Dee
1. Measure every dimension before agreeing to buy
Measure the width, height and depth of the piece and compare it against your room entrance, the lift doors, and any tight turns in the corridor. A sofa or wardrobe that looks fine in photos often gets stuck at a stairwell corner or a narrower-than-expected bathroom doorway. Measure the diagonal of the door as well as the width, since tilting a piece through a doorway depends on that diagonal.
For a condo, check the passenger lift or service lift dimensions with the juristic office in advance — many buildings have a separate, larger service lift that isn't obvious from the lobby.
2. Condo lift rules and advance booking
Most Bangkok condos require booking the service lift or cargo lift through the juristic office 1-3 days ahead, and usually restrict moving to a window such as 09:00-17:00 or 10:00-16:00 on weekdays. Some buildings charge a damage deposit of ฿1,000-5,000, refunded after confirming no scratches on the walls or corridor floor.
Check in advance whether the building allows using the fire stairs for oversized pieces if the lift won't fit, and ask whether you need to lay protective matting or cardboard on the corridor floor, since some juristic offices enforce this strictly.
3. Check for termites and damp before buying wood furniture
Tap the wood lightly and listen for a hollow sound, and look for tiny pinhole-sized holes with fine wood dust underneath, both signs of termites or wood-boring beetles. Smell inside cabinets and drawers for a musty odour, which points to long-term storage in a damp room, and open every drawer to check for mould spots or old water stains.
Furniture that has previously been flooded often shows swollen, uneven edges. Avoid it, especially plywood or MDF pieces, since flood damage is permanent and mould is often hidden inside the structure.
4. Pickup trucks versus moving services: match the job
For small to medium items like a table, chairs, or a shelving unit, a standard pickup truck for hire works fine — typical Bangkok rates start around ฿300-600 for a short distance, rising with distance and the number of items. For a large sofa set, a full wardrobe, or several pieces at once, use a moving service with a two-to-three-person crew, roughly ฿800-2,500 per trip depending on volume and which floor you're on.
Ask upfront whether the quote includes carrying items up and down inside the building, since some operators charge extra for high floors, and agree a time slot with a buffer for rush-hour traffic.
5. Realistic prices for popular used furniture
- 2-3 seat sofa in good condition: ฿1,500-5,000
- Dining table with 4 chairs: ฿2,000-6,000
- Medium solid-wood wardrobe: ฿1,500-4,000
- Bed frame with mattress (excluding a new mattress): ฿1,000-3,500
- Desk / computer table: ฿500-1,800
6. Final checks before moving day
Confirm with the seller whether they'll disassemble removable parts like table legs or shelving, which makes clearing doorways and lifts much easier. Photograph the furniture's condition before it's moved, so any new damage during transport can be distinguished from pre-existing wear.