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Water, Electricity & Internet at Home

MEA/PEA, MWA/PWA, AIS Fibre/3BB/True — opening utilities in a foreigner's name

AI Quick Answer

Rental homes typically use the owner's existing meter (you pay the owner monthly). Condos charge the foreigner rate: 6–8 THB/electricity unit, 25–40 THB/water unit. Owned or long-leased properties can transfer the meter to your name at MEA (Bangkok) or PEA (provinces) using passport + lease + TM30. Fiber internet 500–1000 Mbps starts at THB 590/month (AIS Fibre, 3BB, True) with free installation in 3–7 days.

Cost

Electric 6–8 THB/unit · Water 25–40 THB/unit · Internet 590–1,490 THB/month

Timeline

Internet 3–7 days · Meter transfer 1–3 days

Documents

4 items

+66 92 242 9293 LINE @nyc-notary

Steps (5)

1
Transfer the electricity meter
Visit MEA (Bangkok-Samut Prakan-Nonthaburi) or PEA (other 74 provinces) with passport + lease + TM30 + deposit
2
Transfer the water meter
MWA (Bangkok-Nonthaburi-Samut Prakan) or PWA (other 74 provinces) — same documents + THB 2,000–4,000 deposit
3
Order fiber internet
AIS Fibre / 3BB / True app — pick speed, package, install slot. Passport works for registration
4
Installation + speed test
Technician arrives in 3–7 days. Test speeds (request ≥ 80% of package) and sign the completion form
5
Set up auto-pay
Link credit card or bank account (PromptPay) in the app — prevents disconnection

Documents

Passport + visa
Lease or title deed
TM30
Meter deposit THB 2,000–6,000

Frequently asked questions

Why are condo electricity rates higher than houses?

The juristic person buys power from MEA at a bulk rate, then resells to units with a common-area markup, so residents pay THB 6–8 per unit instead of the MEA residential tariff. A direct MEA meter is rarely available in condominiums, though some newer projects do offer it — check before signing.

What's the fastest internet?

AIS Fibre Gigatron reaches 2,000 Mbps at about THB 1,790 per month, and True Gigatex Pro offers 1,000 Mbps at about THB 1,499. For most expats a 500 Mbps package around THB 700–900 is ample for 4K streaming, video calls and remote work with several devices online.

Can I use mobile internet instead of fiber?

Pocket WiFi or an Air Card works as a backup, but genuinely unlimited plans are rare and mobile latency runs 30–50 ms against 10–15 ms on fibre. For video conferencing or trading, keep fibre as your primary line and use 5G only as failover during outages.

Why is condo water often bundled into common fees?

Water billing depends on the building. Luxury projects usually fold water into the common-area fee of THB 40–80 per square metre, while mid-range condominiums meter each unit and bill THB 25–40 per unit. Read the fee schedule before you sign so the true monthly cost is clear.

How long before cutoff for late electricity?

MEA or PEA issues a notice once the bill is 15–30 days overdue and can disconnect roughly seven days after that. Reconnection costs THB 100–300 plus a same-day service fee, and in condominiums the juristic person may add its own administrative charge on top.