Commercial Buildings & Shophouses for Sale and Rent in Thailand

What a commercial building is, and how it differs from a townhouse

A commercial building is designed mainly for commercial use. The open ground floor works as a shopfront, while the floors above serve as an office, stockroom or home. Its value comes from a street-facing location where customers pass by and can see the business, which is the point of any walk-in trade.

Commercial building, shophouse, "tuek thaew" — same thing?

In practice these all describe the same kind of property. "Shophouse" and the Thai "tuek thaew" are the everyday terms, while "commercial building" (อาคารพาณิชย์) is what appears on title deeds and in a sale. A townhouse is different: it is built for living inside a residential estate and is not aimed at street-level trade the way a shophouse is.

Common types of commercial building

The usual way to compare them is by the number of floors and how many units sit side by side. More floors and more adjoining units mean more usable space, but also a higher price and more upkeep. The right choice depends on the type of business and how many people need to use the space.

2, 3, and 4-storey shophouses — which suits you

A two-storey unit suits a small business on a tighter budget, such as a cafe, a convenience store or a compact office. The three-storey layout is the most popular, because it splits neatly into a shopfront below, a workspace or stockroom in the middle, and living space on top. A four-storey building gives more room for a business with a larger team or more stock, or for keeping staff accommodation in the same building.

Second-hand versus newly built

A second-hand shophouse often wins on an established, busy location and a more accessible price, in exchange for a closer inspection of the structure and building systems. A newly built one gives you a modern structure and layout you can fit out from scratch, usually at a higher price per unit, and a newer area may still need time to grow its foot traffic.

Should you buy or rent a commercial building?

The answer depends on how long you plan to run the business, your budget, and how confident you are in the location. Buying is a long-term investment: you own the building as an asset, you can renovate freely, and you avoid rent increases or being asked to leave, but it needs a large sum up front. Renting takes far less starting capital and is flexible if you want to test a location before you commit, which suits a newer business or one that would rather put its cash elsewhere. The trade-off is that the building is not yours, and the rent can rise when the lease renews.

What business suits a commercial building?

A shophouse works for a wide range of street-facing businesses: retail shops, restaurants and cafes, clinics and salons, offices, product showrooms, or a stockroom with a walk-in front. If you are looking to own one, browse the commercial buildings for sale listings; if you would rather start with a lighter outlay, look through commercial buildings for rent to compare terms first.

Prices, costs, and location to weigh up

Prices vary widely by location, size, number of floors and condition, so it is worth budgeting for the costs that come on top of the purchase price or rent.

Sale prices and transfer costs

City-centre plots, main-road frontage and sites near a rail station usually sell and rent for noticeably more than the suburbs, so compare several listings in the same area before deciding. On a purchase, allow for the transfer fee, normally 2% of the appraised value, and a mortgage registration fee of 1% of the loan if you finance. During 2026 (B.E. 2569) a government measure cut the transfer and mortgage fees to 0.01% for commercial buildings priced up to 7 million baht, but it applies when the buyer is a Thai individual and registers the transfer and mortgage together, and runs until 30 June 2027 (B.E. 2570). Because it requires a Thai individual buyer, foreign buyers generally pay the standard rates. On the seller's side there may be Specific Business Tax of 3.3% if the property has been held for under five years, or stamp duty of 0.5% where that tax is waived. Who covers which cost is usually negotiated between buyer and seller. For a rental, the main upfront costs are a deposit and advance rent, plus transferring the water and electricity meters.

Locations worth considering

A strong location for a shophouse is somewhere your target customers actually pass, such as a main road, a spot near a community, a market, a school, or a rail station. Parking and easy access matter for sales too. Before deciding, visit the location at different times of day to gauge foot traffic and how the road behaves.

Checklist before you buy or rent

Run through these points before you sign a sale or lease:

• Structure and condition: look for cracks, settlement, the electrical and plumbing systems, and roof leaks. A well-maintained concrete building lasts for decades, but budget for any repairs it may need.
• Title and rights: check the deed matches the seller or landlord and is free of any mortgage or dispute.
• Zoning and permitted use: some areas restrict certain business types, so confirm the business you plan to run is allowed.
• Alterations: modifying or extending a building needs a permit under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522, and setback rules from the road and neighbouring land apply, so check before planning a shopfront change.
• The contract: set out the term, the rent and any increase, who handles repairs, and the renewal or termination terms clearly before signing.

How to list your commercial building for sale or rent on Talata

Owners can list a building for sale or rent themselves in these steps:

1. Upload photos of the building, at least 3 and up to 20.
2. Write a clear listing title, stating the type, number of floors, location and key features.
3. Choose the commercial building category, for sale or for rent.
4. Write the description: usable area, number of units, facilities and conditions.
5. Set the sale price or monthly rent.
6. Drop a pin for the location on the map.
7. Verify your phone number.
8. Press "Submit listing".

Once you find a place you like, compare a few options and check the details in full before deciding, then start contacting the owner through Talata.

Why buy, sell, or rent a commercial building with Talata

If you are searching, Talata gathers commercial buildings for sale and for rent from many locations in one place. You can filter by price, number of floors, number of units and location, compare several buildings at once, and contact the owner directly without going through several middlemen, which makes the market easier to read and the decision easier to make.

If you own a building, listing it for sale or rent on Talata is something you can do yourself, with full details and photos, reaching people who are genuinely looking for a place to run a business. Start listing on Talata.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a commercial building and a shophouse?

They generally describe the same property. "Shophouse" is the everyday term, while "commercial building" is the wording used on deeds and in a sale. Both mean a multi-storey, street-facing building meant for trade on the ground floor and living space or an office above, unlike a townhouse, which is built for living in a residential estate.

Can foreigners buy a commercial building in Thailand?

Foreign nationals generally cannot own land in Thailand, and a commercial building normally comes with the land beneath it. The routes foreign buyers commonly use are a long-term lease (leasehold) or ownership through a Thai-majority company, while a condominium unit is the main property a foreigner can hold outright, within a building's 49% foreign quota. The rules are strict and depend on your circumstances, so take qualified legal advice before you commit.

What should I check before buying a second-hand shophouse?

Check the structure and condition, including cracks, the electrical and plumbing systems, and any leaks. Confirm the title matches the seller and is free of a mortgage, and check zoning allows your intended business. If you plan to extend or alter it, review the requirements under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 first.

What costs and taxes apply when buying?

The main costs are the transfer fee of 2% of the appraised value and, if you finance, a mortgage registration fee of 1% of the loan. In 2026 (B.E. 2569) a measure reduced both to 0.01% for commercial buildings up to 7 million baht when the buyer is a Thai individual, running until 30 June 2027. On the seller's side, Specific Business Tax of 3.3% may apply if the property has been held under five years, or stamp duty of 0.5% where that tax is waived. Confirm the current measures with the Land Department before transferring.

What should I check before renting?

Read the lease in full, especially the term, the rent and any increase, who is responsible for repairs, and the renewal or termination terms. Photograph the condition of the building on handover day and keep it as a record.

How long does a commercial building last?

A reinforced-concrete building that is well built and regularly maintained typically lasts for decades. Its real service life depends on build quality, maintenance and how it is used, and periodic structural checks help extend its life and keep it safe.