Who pays agency fees for rentals?

In Thailand you do not automatically owe a commission as a tenant. Standard practice is that the landlord (or the property owner) pays the letting agent’s fee — typically one month’s rent for a 1‑year lease or a percentage for sales — because the agent’s contract is with the owner. Exceptions occur when a tenant specifically hires an agent to find a property, or when the rental listing or tenant agreement explicitly states the tenant will pay a fee. Always check the written agency agreement and the tenancy contract: a clause or invoice will show who is responsible. If an agent asks you to pay on the spot, request the agency agreement or a receipt showing the owner agreed to that arrangement. For local context and typical fee levels see property guides from Thai real‑estate sites (e.g., PierreListed, PearlProperty) and local articles on brokerage practice.