Facebook groups, markets, and stores for affordable furnishing.
Buying Second-Hand Furniture in Bangkok: Where to Find Quality Deals
Furnishing an apartment or condo in Bangkok does not require buying everything brand new. The city has a thriving second-hand furniture market fueled by the constant turnover of expats, corporate relocations, and Thais upgrading their homes. Whether you need a sofa, desk, bed frame, or dining table, buying used can save you 50 to 80 percent compared to retail prices. This guide covers every major channel for finding pre-owned furniture in Bangkok, from online marketplaces to physical stores and weekend markets.
## Facebook Marketplace Thailand
Facebook Marketplace has become the single most popular platform for buying and selling second-hand furniture in Bangkok. The selection is enormous, with thousands of listings updated daily. You can filter by location, price range, and category to find exactly what you need within your neighborhood. Most sellers are expats departing Thailand or upgrading, and the furniture is often high-quality international brands purchased new within the past one to three years.
Prices on Marketplace are negotiable. A sofa that sells for 25,000 THB new might be listed for 8,000 to 12,000 THB on Marketplace, and sellers often accept 10 to 20 percent below asking price, especially if they are on a departure deadline. Delivery is typically the buyer's responsibility. Many sellers will help arrange a pickup truck or recommend a delivery service, with costs ranging from 300 to 800 THB depending on distance and item size.
- Largest selection of second-hand furniture in Bangkok
- Most listings are from expats, so furniture quality is generally high
- Negotiate 10-20% below asking price
- Arrange your own delivery (pickup truck: 300-800 THB)
- Check listings daily as the best deals go quickly
## Bangkok Expats and Classifieds Facebook Groups
Beyond Marketplace, several Facebook groups are dedicated to buying and selling among Bangkok's expat community. The most active include Bangkok Expats (over 100,000 members), Bangkok Buy Sell Trade, and Bangkok Secondhand. These groups function like community bulletin boards where members post photos, descriptions, and prices. The advantage over Marketplace is the community aspect: you can see the seller's profile, ask questions in comments, and sometimes find items that are not listed on Marketplace.
Many expats post clearance sales when they are leaving Thailand, offering entire apartment contents at steep discounts. These fire sales are the best opportunities, with furniture, kitchen appliances, and electronics bundled together for a fraction of original cost. Monitor these groups regularly and be prepared to act quickly when a good deal appears.
## Physical Second-Hand Furniture Stores
Bangkok has several physical stores specializing in used furniture. On Sukhumvit, Funky Furniture (near Sukhumvit Soi 26, accessible from BTS Phrom Phong) carries a curated selection of used and vintage pieces, including mid-century modern furniture, solid wood tables, and refurbished office chairs. Prices are higher than Facebook but the furniture is cleaned, repaired, and ready to use.
In the Silom area, several shops along Charoen Krung Road and the surrounding lanes sell used office furniture at excellent prices. Office desks, chairs, filing cabinets, and shelving units that cost 5,000 to 15,000 THB new can be found for 1,000 to 5,000 THB used. These shops source from corporate offices that are renovating or closing, so the furniture is commercial grade and durable.
Along Rama IV Road near Klong Toey, a cluster of second-hand shops sell everything from sofas to refrigerators. The quality is mixed, so inspect items carefully, but the prices are the lowest in the city. Bargaining is expected and effective at these shops.
- Funky Furniture (Sukhumvit Soi 26 area): Curated vintage and modern pieces
- Silom/Charoen Krung used office furniture shops: Best for desks, chairs, shelving
- Rama IV / Klong Toey area: Cheapest prices, widest variety, quality varies
- Inspect all items in person before purchasing
## IKEA As-Is Section
Bangkok's IKEA stores at Bang Na (Mega Bangna) and Bang Yai have As-Is sections on the ground floor near the exit. These sections contain returned items, display models, furniture with minor cosmetic damage, and discontinued lines, all sold at 30 to 70 percent discounts. A display KALLAX shelf unit that retails for 2,490 THB might be available for 900 to 1,200 THB with a small scratch. A display sofa that normally sells for 15,000 THB might be reduced to 6,000 to 8,000 THB.
The As-Is section inventory changes constantly, so there is no guarantee you will find what you need on any given visit. The best strategy is to visit on weekday mornings when new items are being placed. Weekend shoppers pick the section clean by early afternoon. IKEA Bang Na is accessible via BTS Bearing and a shuttle bus.
- IKEA Bang Na (Mega Bangna): BTS Bearing + shuttle bus
- IKEA Bang Yai: requires car or taxi
- As-Is discounts: 30-70% off retail
- Best selection: Weekday mornings
- Includes display models, returned items, and discontinued products
## Chatuchak Weekend Market: Vintage and Upcycled Section
Chatuchak Weekend Market's Section 1, 25, and 26 contain shops specializing in vintage, antique, and upcycled furniture. Here you will find reclaimed wood dining tables, vintage metal lockers, industrial-style shelving, mid-century chairs from old cinemas and offices, and decorative pieces sourced from old Thai houses and temples. This is not budget shopping but rather a source for unique statement pieces with character.
Prices at Chatuchak vintage shops are higher than other second-hand channels but lower than boutique furniture stores. A reclaimed teak wood dining table might run 8,000 to 20,000 THB, while vintage metal chairs go for 500 to 2,000 THB each. The quality is generally excellent, as these vendors carefully restore and refinish pieces. Chatuchak is open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, accessible via BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak Park.
## What to Buy New vs Used
Not everything should be purchased second-hand. Here is a practical guide to what works well used and what is better bought new.
Buy used with confidence: solid wood furniture (tables, desks, shelving), office chairs from quality brands, metal furniture (shelving, racks, lockers), dining chairs, bookcases, and TV stands. These items maintain quality well and the savings are substantial.
Buy new or buy carefully used: mattresses (hygiene concerns, check thoroughly for stains or wear), sofas (check for smells, stains, and structural integrity), anything upholstered (fabrics trap odors and allergens), and white goods like washing machines and refrigerators (check age and condition, as repair costs can exceed savings).
Always buy new: pillows, bedding, and linens (hygiene), anything involving water contact like shower fittings, and safety-critical items like smoke detectors or power strips.
- Buy used: Wood furniture, metal items, office chairs, dining tables
- Buy cautiously: Sofas, mattresses, upholstered items, appliances
- Buy new: Bedding, pillows, safety equipment, electrical items
## Delivery Options for Large Items
Once you have found your furniture, getting it home is the next challenge. For items purchased through Facebook, many buyers arrange a Deliveree or Lalamove pickup truck. Deliveree offers same-day pickup truck delivery starting from approximately 400 THB for short distances within Bangkok, with helpers available for an additional 200 to 300 THB per person for loading and unloading heavy items.
Lalamove offers similar services with competitive pricing. Both apps allow you to specify a pickup truck size and add helper services. For large purchases from physical stores, the shop often has delivery contacts or can arrange delivery for 300 to 1,000 THB depending on distance and item size.
## Negotiation Tips
Bangkok's second-hand market is almost universally negotiable. Start by researching the retail price of the item so you know its value. For online purchases, message the seller with a polite but lower offer, typically 15 to 25 percent below asking. Be prepared to meet in the middle. For physical stores, bargaining is expected and sellers price items with negotiation room built in.
The best leverage for negotiation comes from buying multiple items from the same seller, being able to pick up immediately (sellers want items gone quickly), and purchasing during the seller's final days before departure. Conversely, unique or high-demand items like Herman Miller chairs or solid teak furniture hold their value better, and sellers are less flexible on price.
- Research retail prices before negotiating
- Start 15-25% below asking price
- Bundle multiple items for better deals
- Immediate pickup strengthens your negotiating position
- Be polite and respectful, aggressive bargaining is counterproductive