The Ultimate Guide to Bricks in Thailand: Building a Home That Doesn't Bake

If you’re building a home or a garden wall in Thailand, you’re not just choosing "blocks"—you’re choosing how much you’ll pay the electric company for the next 20 years. In the tropics, your walls are more than structural; they are your home’s "thermal skin."

Think of your bricks like the insulation in a cooler box. Choose the wrong type, and your house will soak up the afternoon sun and radiate heat into your bedroom all night long. Choose the right one, and you’ll have a sanctuary that stays chilled even in April.

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1. The Technical Breakdown: The "Big Three"

In Thailand, you’ll generally choose between three main types of masonry. Each has a specific job, and mixing them is actually common practice.

Red Bricks (It-Mon): The Old Reliable

These are the small, orange-red clay bricks you see on every construction site.

• The Material: Fired clay, sometimes with rice husks mixed in.

• Why it matters: They are incredibly strong and handle moisture well. However, they are "heat sponges." They soak up the sun and stay warm for hours.

• Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens (for hanging heavy cabinets), and decorative "loft-style" walls.

Concrete Blocks (It-Block): The Budget Workhorse

The large, grey, hollow blocks commonly used for perimeter fences and low-cost housing.

• The Material: A mix of cement and sand.

• Why it matters: They are cheap and fast to stack. Because they are hollow, they offer slightly better airflow than solid red bricks, but they aren't great at stopping heat from entering the home.

• Best for: Boundary walls, warehouses, or areas where cost is the primary concern.

Lightweight Blocks (AAC): The Modern Shield

These are large, white, "bubbly" blocks that look like giant bars of soap.

• The Material: Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC).

• Why it matters: Think of these as the "Styrofoam" of the construction world (but much stronger). They are filled with tiny air bubbles that block heat and sound. They are the gold standard for modern, energy-efficient Thai homes.

• Best for: Bedroom walls and any exterior wall facing the afternoon sun (West/South).

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2. Comparison Table: Which One Fits Your Project?

Brick Type	Speed of Build	Heat Protection	Budget Level	Best Use Case
Red Brick	Slow (Small size)	Low	Low-Mid	Wet areas & heavy shelving.
Concrete Block	Fast (Large size)	Medium	Lowest	Fences & simple sheds.
Lightweight (AAC)	Very Fast	Excellent	Mid-High	Main house walls & bedrooms.

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3. Sourcing & Market Data: Where to Buy in Thailand

You don't need to hunt through a dusty kiln to find these. Thailand’s hardware infrastructure is world-class.

Top Suppliers

• The DIY Giants: Thai Watsadu and Global House. These are your one-stop shops. They usually have massive stacks of all three types ready for immediate delivery.

• The Service Pros: HomePro and Boonthavorn. While they focus more on finishing materials (tiles/taps), they are excellent for sourcing premium AAC blocks like the SCG Q-CON brand.

• The Specialist: SCG (Siam Cement Group). If you want the highest grade of lightweight blocks with a guaranteed R-value (insulation rating), go directly through an SCG Home Experience center.

2026 Pricing Tiers (Estimated)

Prices can vary by province due to transport costs.

Quality Tier	Estimated Price (Per Piece)	The "Hidden Cost"
Red Brick	฿1.50 – ฿4.50	High labor cost (takes forever to lay).
Concrete Block	฿6.00 – ฿12.00	Requires more plaster/render to look "smooth."
Lightweight (AAC)	฿20.00 – ฿35.00	Requires special thin-bed mortar and expert labor.

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