The development of housing for women factory workers in Bangkok: a case study of Klong Luang district

Klong Luang is a rapidly urbanizing district to the north of Bangkok with a high concentration of factories. The factories employ predominantly young, unmarried immigrant women workers, who have a specific housing demand: low-cost rental apartments which are shared by three workers. This article discusses demand and supply of housing for factory workers based on a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews with workers, interviews with company managers and a survey of rental apartments. Unlike the general belief, the private sector has been successful in meeting low-cost housing needs of workers in Klong Luang due to high demand, relatively cheap land and lack of government regulations.