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Legal Property ownership in Thailand:
Foreigners wishing to buy land
or purchase property in Thailand, can choose from five options. These include
condominium purchase, investment, leasing, owning a Thai company or marrying a
Thai national.
1. Condominium Purchase (Freehold)
Foreigners
can purchase condominium suites directly.
2. Investment (BOI)
A foreigner
who invests 40 million baht for no less than five years in other than land ownership
or real estate is entitled to buy up to one rai (1,600 sqm) of land for residential
purposes only. Permission from the Ministry of Interior must be obtained.
3. Using a Thai Company's Name
Foreigners may own land in a Thai company's
name. (foreigner shareholder 49%, Thai national 51%)
4. Marrying a
Thai Thai property laws have been amended in favour of a Thai with a foreign
spouse. Such couples may now legally own land in Thailand. However, the land must
be registered under the name of a Thai person. Also, a foreign spouse must sign
a declaration stating that the funds used to buy the land belong to the Thai spouse,
so that he/she waives his/her right to the land ownership.
5. Leasing
Land
Foreigners can acquire land by leasing it. The maximum leases are 30
years with renewal options of 30 years and must be registered at the Land Department.
This is the least complicated option for a foreigner. Any land lease over three
years must be registered at the Land Department. | 
