How Much is a Rai to Square Meter in Thailand

Rai & Ngan—As a foreigner, I believe you will find these units unfamiliar. It is a common challenge for many expats and international investors. In Thailand, four primary units measure land designed for different aspects of the real estate sector including Rai, Ngan, Square wa, and Square meter. It seems overwhelming? 

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Well, we're here to simplify this aspect of your property investment journey. The structured system we see today took a significant leap towards clarity on December 17, 1923 marking a pivotal moment in organizing these units of the area. We will explain to you all the details of Thailand unit conversion through this guide for you to explore the real estate opportunities in Thailand.

Table of Contents Understanding Thailand Unit Conversion What is Rai? How Many Square Meters is a Rai Ngan Wah? What is Square Wah? What is Square Meter? How to Calculate Thai Unit Conversion Land Measurement Calculator Unit Measurement Keys in Thai Property Investments Your Key to Easy Ownership with Us!

 

Understanding Thailand Unit Conversion

Land measurements have different uses. Below you will find a list of measurements mostly used in Thailand and we will explain each one insightfully.

• 1 Rai = 1,600 sq.m.
• 1 Ngan = 100 sq.wa
• 1 Square wah = 4 sq.m.
• 1 Square meter = 10,000 cm²

What is Rai?

Rai equals 1,600 sq.m. serving as a traditional unit used for land measurement in Thailand. Unlike global units like acres or hectares, only Thailand commonly uses Rai for land measurement. 

If visualizing the extent of land in Thailand is challenging, converting Rai to square meters (sq.m.) can provide clarity. We advise you to familiarize yourself with this conversion as it makes your investment journey less daunting and more straightforward.

How Many Square Meters is a Rai Ngan Wah?

Ngan is a smaller unit converter than Rai, equal to 400 square meters or 0.25 Rai. You will use this land measurement for subdividing land, especially in rural or suburban areas where land plots might be divided into smaller parcels for sale or development. For instance, you are buying land sized at 6-2-0 Rai in Thailand and not sure about its size. To break it down further, we will explain below:

• 6 Rai = 9,600 sq.m.
• 2 Ngan = 800 sq.m.
• 0 Square Wah = sq.m.

This means your total land plot size is 10,400 sq.m. which will aid in a smooth transaction process allowing for a more informed investment in the Thai property market.

What is Square Wah?

Smaller than Ngan is Square Wah or Tarang Wah equal to 4 square meters. We normally use Sq. wah for measuring small plots of land or rooms within a property in Thailand. For example, if you are looking at a land plot listed as 100 Square Wah, this translates to 400 square meters. 

Similarly, if a room in a property is listed as 20 Square Wah, it means the room is 80 square meters in size. Familiarity with Square Wa or Tarang Wa will provide a clearer understanding when comparing or evaluating the sizes of different properties or rooms.

What is Square Meter?

Square Meter (sq.m.) is a universal unit of measurement commonly used in Thailand to quantify the area of land and property. It's often utilized in urban regions of Thailand, like Bangkok where international real estate transactions are prevalent. 

It is especially handy for measuring smaller plots of land or building interiors, providing a straightforward comparison for international buyers or investors familiar with the metric system.

How to Calculate Thai Unit Conversion

It's crucial to learn the local land measurement system when buying property in Thailand which differs from Imperial or Metric systems. Thailand measurement revolves around three primary units: Rai, Ngan, and Square Wah (often abbreviated as Wah). Here's how these units relate to each other and to more familiar measurements:

• Rai to Square Meter:
  • 1 Rai is equivalent to 1,600 square meters​​.
  • 1 Rai equals 4 Ngan or 400 Square Wah​​.
  • For a more global perspective, 1 Rai is approximately 0.395 acres or 17,222 square feet​​.
• Ngan:
  • 1 Ngan is equivalent to 400 square meters​​.
  • 1 Ngan equals 100 Square Wah​.
  • In other terms, 1 Ngan is about 4,305 square feet​​.
    
    
• Square Wah (Wah):
  • 1 Square Wah is equivalent to 4 square meters​.
  • In other terms, 1 Square Wah is about 43 square feet​.

Down below you will see a table summarizing conversions for a clearer understanding:

Thai Unit	Equivalent in Square Meters (sq.m)	Equivalent in Square Feet (sq.ft)	Relation to Other Thai Units
1 Rai	1,600	17,222	1 Rai = 4 Ngan = 400 Square Wah
1 Ngan	400	4,305	1 Ngan = 100 Square Wah
1 Square Wah	4	43

 

For example, a land plot you are interested in is in Rawai, Phuket, and is up for sale for a price of ฿95,080,000. It has a total area of 7,606 square meters. This land is measured in Thai units, specifically 4 Rai, 3 Ngan, and 1.6 Square Wah (SQW)​.

Adding all amounts together gives you a total area of your land plot in square meters as follows:

6,400 sq.m + 1,200 sq.m+6.4 sq.m = 7,606.4 sq.m.

A calculation corresponds to the total area provided in the listing. Understanding these unit conversions and doing similar calculations will help you consider purchasing property in Thailand.

Land Measurement Calculator

Choose a unit: Rai Ngan Square Wah Enter Value:

Unit Measurement Keys in Thai Property Investments

Property listings in Thailand often provide land dimensions in Rai, Ngan, and Square Wah units. Acquainting yourself with Thai unit measurements is fundamental to making informed investment decisions. For instance, you come across a listing for a land plot measured as 2 Rai, 2 Ngan, and 50 Square Wa and you can easily break down the total area to square meters for easier assessment. A total area for this plot in square meters will be (2 Rai x 1,600 sq.m) + (2 Ngan x 400 sq.m) + (50 Square Wah x 4 sq.m) = 3,200 sq.m + 800 sq.m + 200 sq.m = 4,200 sq.m. 

It's advisable to convert these units to a measurement system you are familiar with or consult us as we are real estate experts to ensure precise understanding and to navigate any legal nuances seamlessly. Taking the time to grasp these unit measurement keys will position you advantageously in the Thai property market ensuring your investments are well-informed and legally sound.

Your Key to Easy Ownership with Us!

Understanding unique land measurement units in Thailand is important for expats and international investors eyeing opportunities in the Thai real estate market. Familiarity with units like Rai, Ngan, and Square Wa simplifies the process of evaluating land or property size and facilitates smooth transactions. For instance, knowing that 1 Rai equals 1,600 square meters, 1 Ngan equals 400 square meters, and 1 Square Wah equals 4 square meters can help visualize the extent of land you plan to invest in or purchase. 

The knowledge empowers you with a clearer perspective thereby making your investment journey less daunting and more straightforward. Lastly, taking time to grasp these measurement units or consulting with real estate experts when necessary positions you advantageously in navigating the Thai property market ensures your investments are well-informed and legally sound.

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