Bangkok: Buying a condominium is a major life investment for many. Social media is often flooded with tips and advice on choosing an apartment, such as "Buy an end unit," "Avoid the top floor," or "Choose a location near a train station." How true are these recommendations?

According to Thai News Agency, the "Verify Before Sharing" center of MCOT Thai News Agency spoke with Associate Professor Rungroj Wongmahasiri, a lecturer in the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Design, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, to verify these facts. Here is an in-depth analysis of six tips for buying a condominium shared on social media.

1. Buy the End-Unit Room to Reduce Noise from People Walking Past?

Conclusion: Partially true (and with caveats).

Explanation: Buying an end-unit apartment might actually reduce noise from people walking past, but what you might encounter instead is "wind noise." Because end-unit apartments usually face winds from two sides, the wind noise will be louder than usual during storms or strong winds. If you are truly concerned about noise, a more effective solution is to improve soundproofing, such as replacing doors with soundproof ones or adding sound-absorbing material to the interior walls.

2. Should I Choose a Condo with an Earthquake-Resistant Structure?

Summary: New condos are already available.

Explanation: According to ministerial regulations, all buildings and condominiums constructed after 2007 are required to have structures designed to withstand earthquakes based on Thailand's earthquake risk statistics. However, it's important to understand the reality that in the event of a very severe earthquake (e.g., magnitude 8 on the Richter scale), no man-made structure can withstand it without suffering damage.

3. Avoid Choosing the Top Floor Room Because You May Encounter Problems with Water Leaks and Excessive Heat.

Conclusion: Partially true (depending on the project design).

Description: Regarding water leaks, the top floor often faces higher wind and pressure than the lower floors, increasing the likelihood of rainwater seeping through joints. If the design incorporates exceptionally strong waterproofing details on the top floor, this problem will be avoided. However, if the same standards are used as for the lower floors, the chance of leakage remains high. Regarding heat, if the ceiling of a room is directly in contact with the roof, the room will receive the full force of the heat. However, if the project has proper insulation installed and there is a roof or eaves to block sunlight from directly hitting the windows, the heat problem can be greatly reduced.

4. We Need to Check if the Project Has Enough Parking Spaces.

Conclusion: Very important and should be seriously considered.

Explanation: According to Thai law, condominiums are required to have a minimum of approximately 40% parking space based on the total number of units. In reality, this is often "insufficient" for actual use. The reason projects don't build more parking spaces is because parking space is not a profitable asset; increasing parking space would raise project costs and consequently the unit prices. Therefore, buyers must consider their lifestyle and whether a dedicated parking space is necessary.

5. Check if the Walls Are Soundproof.

Conclusion: It's worth checking, but it depends on your expectations.

Explanation: If you expect 100% complete silence in a condominium, it's unlikely. However, for a normal level of quietness (similar to a house), the precast concrete wall structures commonly used today already provide that level of sound insulation. To further enhance sound insulation (STC value), buyers can add sound-absorbing materials to the walls facing the hallway themselves.

6. Choose a Location Near Amenities Such as Shopping Malls or Train Stations.

Conclusion: Partially true (depending on the purpose of the purchase).

Description: If buying for investment (resale/rental), this advice is "true and essential": locations near train stations and shopping malls will have high liquidity, making it easy to find tenants and buyers. If buying for personal use, this may not always be necessary. Some people desire peace and quiet and privacy, so they choose condos located in the suburbs or away from main roads. Living in the heart of amenities often comes with hustle and bustle, noise, and crowds (such as for writers or those who need concentration for their work).

In summary, most of the advice shared online about buying a condominium is "partially true," and while those sharing it often have good intentions, they may not fully explain the context or surrounding conditions. Deciding to buy a condo shouldn't be based on any rigid rules. Instead, consider these recommendations in conjunction with your own lifestyle, needs, and budget. Visiting the actual project, asking questions from sales staff, the building management, or even current residents will help you find the condo that perfectly suits your lifestyle.