Unfurnished would be ok too. I read a lot of thai visa posters living in houses like that but I am having a hard time finding those.

What areas to look for?

Are they safe and secure?

Problems with houses are noise. Lived in 3 houses, had to move 3 times. Main problem is neighbours barking dogs My last house costed 39K a month and still had many noise issues.

can you read Thai ? then check the numerous Thai-language-only property websites. there should be Hundreds if not Thousands of houses available, even a lot cheaper. I stayed at a townhouse Ten years ago at Phanonyothin / Vibhavadhi area. it cost 12K, 3 storeys.

But as DDuval mentioned, noise and nasty dogs have been a serious concern for me too. plus you had to virtually clean the outside area every day as everything was covered with dust every single morning. And sometimes the neighbors poodles shitting on my premises. oh, and not so safe to live in a house either.

I came to the conclusion that a Condo unit suits me better and live in a Condo peacefully ever since.

I would not rent a house without watching/monitoring the area for 3 nights or so. bring a deckchair and just sit somewhere and watch what's going on in the neighborhood for a couple of hours until late at night.

I lived in a house for 2 years, 12 years ago and it was great fun. 4 bed/3 bath for 18,000 baht, so should be well possible to find what you are looking for. I lived in a dead end soi, so noise was no issue.

Let agents do the ground work for you.

Any tips on which agents or where to look. Theres 1000's of condos on their sites but maybe 5 houses..