Krabi's rental and sales market runs on a small set of Ao Nang-based agencies rather than a crowded broker scene. This guide covers established local agencies for renting, buying and selling, where their offices sit, typical commission ranges in Thailand, and how to vet a firm before you view a property, sign a lease or hand over a deposit.
Krabi's property market centers on Ao Nang, Klong Muang Beach and a scattering of villa and land developments rather than the dense condo towers found in Phuket or Pattaya, so the area is served by a handful of long-running, Ao Nang-based agencies plus regional platforms that aggregate listings from many local agents. Thailand has no single licensing body for real estate agents, so vetting is on you -- office presence in Ao Nang, years of operation and independent reviews matter more here than a formal license would. Below are Krabi's established agencies, typical commission ranges, and how to protect yourself, especially given the mix of freehold condos, leasehold villas and Thai company structures found across the area.
A small, owner-operated agency run by "Pare," who moved to Ao Nang from Bangkok in 2004 and has since helped foreigners rent, build and buy property in the area. The business paused during the pandemic and has restarted on a smaller scale, now offering a personal service: finding a rental home, land plot or small business, plus informal help with utilities setup, banking introductions and local orientation. Reach the agency through the contact form at propertyinkrabi.com -- a good fit for renters and buyers who want a single point of contact rather than a large brokerage.
Trading as May Seaside Vacation & House Rentals, this agency focuses specifically on short-term and long-term house, pool-villa and condo rentals across Ao Nang, Klong Muang Beach and Koh Lanta, with a smaller sideline in resales. Contact via WhatsApp (+66 93 62 55 611) or its Facebook page (facebook.com/mayseasiderental); the site lists current available rentals with photos and pricing rather than requiring an enquiry first, which is useful for comparing typical rents before you commit to a viewing.
Based at 506 Moo 2 Soi Aonang, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi 81180 (tel. +66 84 287 9951 / +66 82 424 4646), this firm is primarily a developer selling its own pool-villa, townhome and land projects in the Na Thai and Klong Haeng areas of Ao Nang, but it also runs a "For Rent" listings section and offers property-management services with in-house international legal support for foreign buyers. Because it sells its own developments as well as acting as agent, treat its property-management return projections as marketing claims to verify independently, and use your own lawyer for any purchase due diligence rather than relying solely on its in-house legal team.
These are general Thailand market conventions, not fixed or agency-specific rates. Always confirm the exact commission and fee structure with the agency in writing before viewing a property.
| Service | Typical range | Notes |
| Sales commission | ~3% (commonly 3-5%) | Usually paid by the seller; negotiable, get it in writing |
| Rental agency fee | ~1 month's rent | Sometimes split between landlord and tenant |
| Property management | Priced separately | Verify any quoted annual-return projections independently |
| Property viewings | Usually free | No charge to buyers or tenants at most agencies |
As everywhere in Thailand, real estate agents in Krabi aren't required to hold a government-issued broker's license. Vetting is on you: confirm the agency is a registered Thai business (ask for its Department of Business Development company registration), check how long it has actually operated in the Ao Nang / Krabi area, read independent reviews on Google and Facebook, and visit the office in person before signing anything or transferring a deposit.
Krabi's Ao Nang, Klong Muang and Nong Thale areas mix condos, leasehold villas and Thai-company-held villas, so use your own lawyer for the title search and lease or company-structure review, even when an agency (like a developer-agency) offers in-house legal support. Their job is to close the deal; your lawyer's job is to protect you. See our Krabi lawyers guide for typical fees and how to choose one independently.
Ask an agency exactly which title class applies to a specific plot (most developed Ao Nang land is Chanote, but confirm rather than assume) and, for any condo, ask for written confirmation it still sits within the building's 49% foreign-ownership quota. Verify both independently at the Krabi Provincial Land Office rather than relying solely on an agent's word, particularly on resale villas and older condo buildings.
Thailand-wide, sales commission is typically negotiated around 3% of the sale price (commonly quoted in a 3-5% range) and is usually paid by the seller; rental agency fees commonly run about one month's rent, sometimes split between landlord and tenant. Property-management fees and any annual-return projections quoted by a developer-agency are marketing estimates, not guarantees -- get the fee structure and any exclusivity terms in writing before you commit.
Krabi villa listings routinely involve a Thai limited company holding the land. A company that genuinely trades with active Thai shareholders can lawfully hold land; a company set up purely as a nominee to hold land for a foreigner's benefit is illegal under Thai law. Get an independent legal opinion on any structure an agency proposes, especially on a resale villa where the structure already exists and its history is harder to trace.
There's no single government licensing body for real estate agents anywhere in Thailand, Krabi included. Vet an agency yourself: check how long it has operated in the Ao Nang area, confirm it's a registered Thai business, read independent reviews, and visit its office in person before committing to a rental, purchase or deposit.
Thailand-wide norms apply: sales commission (typically around 3%, sometimes quoted 3-5%) is usually paid by the seller, and rental agency fees (commonly around one month's rent) are sometimes split between landlord and tenant. Always confirm the exact fee structure with the specific agency in writing before viewing properties.
Foreigners can own a condo unit freehold as long as the building's foreign-ownership quota (capped at 49% of total saleable area) isn't full -- ask the agency to confirm this in writing. Villas sit on land, which foreigners cannot own directly, so they're typically held on a registered long-term lease or through a Thai limited company with genuine Thai shareholders; a pure nominee structure is illegal.
Yes. Agencies market, negotiate and sometimes develop; your lawyer independently checks title, confirms the foreign-ownership quota or land classification, and reviews any lease or Thai company structure. See our Krabi lawyers guide for typical legal fees.
Yes -- regional platforms such as Siam Real Estate, FazWaz and Thailand-Property aggregate rental and sale listings from many Krabi agents in one place, which is useful for comparing typical rents and prices, but you'll still deal with the individual listing agent for viewings, contracts and deposits, so vet that specific agent the same way.
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
Krabi hub · Krabi lawyers · Krabi condos & towers · Krabi rental market · Browse residences
Compare verified agencies, then line up independent legal review before you commit to a lease, purchase or property-management contract.
Hero photo by Kampus Production on Pexels. General information only, not legal or investment advice; fees, listings and agency details change -- confirm directly with the agency and with a licensed Thai lawyer before committing.