Whilst living in rental properties in Thailand, I have encountered a number of instances of faulty fittings having to be replaced, ranging from door handles and locks to light switches and sockets. I realise that 'every baht counts', but the cost of these essential fittings is such a small part of the overall cost of the house yet they contribute so much to its look and feel. It seems foolish to try and save money in this area. Also, as these types of fittings are heavily used, it is a false economy to install the cheapest option as you have to consider the cost of all of the replacements over the life of the house.
I have opted for light switches which I think will stand the test of time, whilst also complementing the modern style of the house. They were several times more expensive than the usual fittings one finds in most houses in this region, but by my reckoning this has added less than 0.2% to the total cost of the build... a worthwhile investment, I think.
Light switches