Do most of the luxury condos have a cockroach issue?

You can inspect the building's pest control contract before signing, the juristic office has to show it if you ask. Look for the frequency of treatments and whether the unit itself is included, most contracts only cover common areas and that's why your kitchen is ground zero.

Another thing people skip is checking the ceiling panels in the bathroom and kitchen. Roaches love nesting in the gap between the concrete slab and the dropped ceiling, especially if there's any pipe insulation up there. Pull a tile down and shine a flashlight around, you'll see droppings if they're established. That's harder to fix yourself because the nest is above you, and gel bait on countertops won't reach it.

If you're buying, ask the developer or the previous owner for the building's pest service history, you can request it through the juristic office. A building that's been through a few management companies often has gaps in coverage, and that's when infestations take hold. For a rental, a one year lease is fine if you add that clause, but also budget for a one time deep treatment before you move your stuff in. A professional fogging of just your unit costs around 1,500 baht and it kills the existing population before you unpack, then your own gel bait maintains it.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

The building's age matters more than its price tag. I've stayed in newer towers in Rama 9 that were spotless, and older "luxury" buildings off Sukhumvit Soi 22 that had roaches marching down the corridor every evening. The difference was almost always the kitchen drainage and whether the developer bothered with proper traps in the floor drains.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet: check the floor drain in the bathroom and kitchen. Most Thai condos have those round metal drains, and if the trap underneath is dry or missing, roaches just walk right up from the sewer. Pour water down every drain once a week to keep the seal, and buy those rubber stopper inserts for like 50 baht at HomePro. That alone cut my sightings down to basically zero.

Also worth asking the juristic office directly how often they fog the garbage chute room. Some buildings only do it quarterly, which is nowhere near enough in this climate. If they hesitate or give a vague answer, that's your red flag. For the Airbnb you're in now, just leave, not worth negotiating over a short stay, but for a year lease, get the pest clause in writing and also check the unit's drain situation yourself before you sign.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly it's more about the building's age and maintenance than the floor level. i've been in a 40th floor unit in thonglor that had roaches because the building's trash chute system was old and not sealed properly. check if the building does monthly fogging in common areas and if the trash room is kept clean.

the serviced apartment thing is real, kitchens and food scraps attract them. if you sign a lease, just add a clause that the landlord handles professional pest control monthly. most will agree to it if you ask before signing.

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply