11/08/2026
Understanding Land Measurements in Thailand
Rai, Ngan & Talang Wah: Your Quick Guide to Thai Land Sizes
Thinking about buying land in Thailand? There’s one thing you’ll want to get familiar with before you start comparing plots: how land is measured.
If you’re used to thinking in acres, hectares, miles or square metres, Thai land measurements can initially seem a little confusing. Thailand has its own traditional system, and instead of simply talking about acres or hectares, you’ll often hear terms such as rai, ngan and talang wah.
Don’t worry — once you know the basics, it’s actually quite simple!
What is a Rai?
The most common measurement you’ll come across when looking at land in Thailand is the rai.
1 rai = 1,600 square metres.
For an international comparison, one rai is approximately:
• 0.40 acres
• 0.16 hectares
• 17,216 square feet
So, when you see a property advertised as having a 1-rai plot, you now know that it covers 1,600 square metres.
What are Ngan and Talang Wah?
Thai land measurements don’t stop at rai. You may also come across ngan and talang wah, particularly when looking at property documents or discussing the exact size of a plot.
The relationship between these measurements is straightforward:
• 1 ngan = 100 talang wah
• 1 ngan = 400 square metres
• 1 talang wah = 4 square metres
Put simply, four ngan make up one rai.
A Simple Way to Remember It
If you’re looking at land in Thailand and the numbers start to look unfamiliar, just remember:
1 rai = 4 ngan = 400 talang wah = 1,600 m².
Once you have that conversion in mind, comparing different plots becomes much easier — whether you’re searching for a small residential plot, a larger villa development site or simply trying to understand the size of a property you’re considering.
So the next time someone tells you a plot is 2 rai, you’ll know exactly what they mean: 3,200 square metres of land.
