Understanding Concrete in Thailand

Introduction to Concrete in Thailand

If you’re thinking about building anything in Thailand—be it a home, a shop, or even a garden wall—one material you’ll encounter everywhere is concrete. It’s the backbone of construction here, tough enough to handle Thailand’s wild weather and versatile enough for all kinds of projects. In this blog, we’ll explain why concrete is a must in Thailand, the different types you’ll find for various situations, how it’s made, and what it might cost you. No builder’s jargon here—just the basics to help you get started!

Why Concrete Is Essential in Thailand

Concrete is a mix of cement, water, sand, and stones that hardens into a rock-solid material. In Thailand, it’s essential because of the climate and landscape. The country deals with heavy monsoons, scorching heat, and high humidity, plus tricky soils like soft clay in Bangkok or sandy patches near the coast. Without concrete, buildings could sink into mushy ground, rot from dampness, or crack under the sun’s glare. It’s used for foundations, walls, floors, and even roofs, keeping structures stable and safe. Whether you’re in flood-prone Ayutthaya or salty-aired Phuket, concrete is your go-to for durability.

Types of Concrete for Different Scenarios in Thailand

Not all concrete is the same—it’s tweaked for different jobs. Here’s a rundown of the main types you’ll see in Thailand and where they fit:

Ready-Mix Concrete

Use: General building, like house floors or walls.
Why: Mixed at a plant and delivered ready to pour, it’s consistent and easy to use. Thai builders love it for quick jobs on stable ground.
Example Scenario: Pouring a flat floor for a home in Chiang Mai.

Precast Concrete

Use: Walls, beams, or highway sections.
Why: Made off-site in molds, then trucked in and assembled. It’s fast and strong—perfect for Thailand’s busy cities or storm-prone areas.
Example Scenario: Building an elevated walkway in Bangkok.

High-Strength Concrete

Use: Tall buildings or deep foundations.
Why: Extra tough for heavy loads, it’s a must in places with soft soil that needs deep piles to stay steady.
Example Scenario: A condo tower in Pattaya’s sandy coast.

Lightweight Concrete

Use: Upper floors or decorative walls.
Why: Uses lighter materials like foam or special stones, cutting weight without losing strength. Good for reducing load in multi-story builds.
Example Scenario: Adding a second floor to a shop in Isaan.

Your choice depends on your project, soil, and weather risks. Local brands like Siam Cement (SCG) offer mixes suited to Thailand’s needs—ask a supplier what’s best for your spot.

How Concrete Is Made in Thailand

Concrete isn’t just thrown together—it’s a careful process, often done locally. Here’s how it happens in Thailand:

1. Mixing Ingredients: Cement (usually from Thai brands like SCG), sand, and stones are combined with water. The mix changes based on the job—more stones for strength, less for lightweight stuff.
2. Batching: For ready-mix, it’s blended at a plant with big machines. Precast gets poured into molds off-site. Smaller jobs might mix by hand with a shovel and wheelbarrow.
3. Transporting: Ready-mix rolls in on trucks with spinning drums to keep it fresh. Precast pieces are hauled by flatbeds to the site.
4. Pouring and Shaping: It’s poured into molds (formwork) made of wood or steel, often with steel bars (rebar) inside for extra toughness—crucial in Thailand’s shaky soils.
5. Curing: It hardens over days or weeks, kept damp to avoid cracks. Thailand’s humidity helps, but rain can slow it down.

Thai builders often use local sand and stones, keeping costs low, while plants in places like Chonburi churn out precast parts for big projects.

Cost Comparison of Concrete in Thailand

Concrete costs in Thailand vary by type, location, and how much you need. Here’s a simple guide (in Thai Baht, as of March 2025):

Concrete Type	Cost (THB per cubic meter)	Typical Use	Notes
Ready-Mix	1,800–2,500	Floors, small homes	Cheaper in bulk; delivery adds 200–500 THB.
Precast	2,500–4,000	Walls, beams	Higher upfront, but saves time.
High-Strength	3,000–5,000	Tall builds, piles	Pricey due to special mix and rebar.
Lightweight	2,200–3,500	Upper floors	Costs more than regular but cuts weight.

Example Calculation: A 50 sqm floor, 10 cm thick, needs 5 cubic meters. Ready-mix at 2,000 THB/cubic meter costs 10,000 THB. A precast wall section might run 3,000 THB/cubic meter, totaling 15,000 THB for the same volume. Labor adds 300–800 THB/day, more in cities like Phuket. Prices are up 15–25% from 2020 due to global supply hikes.

Final Thoughts

Concrete in Thailand is a practical powerhouse, built to tackle the country’s heat, floods, and shaky ground. Whether you’re pouring a simple slab in Udon Thani or stacking precast walls in Krabi, there’s a type for every job. Get a soil check, chat with a local supplier, and match your budget to your build. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the foundation of everything here. Need advice? Drop a comment below—we’re happy to help!