外國人購房指南
1️⃣ Overview
In Thailand, foreigners cannot directly own land. However, there are legal pathways to acquire property, such as purchasing a freehold condominium within the foreign ownership quota, establishing a company to hold land, or entering into long-term lease agreements.
2️⃣ Condominium Ownership
The most common way for foreigners to acquire property in Thailand is by purchasing a condominium, but the following conditions must be met:
The proportion of units owned by foreigners must not exceed 49% of the total units in the condominium.
The funds used for the purchase must be remitted from abroad and documented with a “Thor Tor 3” issued by a Thai bank, clearly stating that the remittance is for property purchase.
After the transfer of ownership, the buyer will receive a Title Deed (Chanote), which also specifies the percentage of ownership in the condominium’s common areas.
3️⃣Land & House Ownership
According to Thai law, foreigners are prohibited from owning freehold land. However, any person may register a building in their own name. Therefore, foreigners can own a house and register its ownership with the local Land Office. The certainty of holding both land and house largely depends on the registration of the house.
Foreigners may enter into a 30-year land lease agreement, with the option to prepay and renew it twice, each for an additional 30 years. In this arrangement, the house remains separate from the land and is not considered a component of the land under Thai Civil Law.
If a foreigner is married to a Thai national, the Thai spouse may purchase and hold freehold land in their name. However, the spouse must prove that the funds used to purchase the land are solely their own, legally obtained, and without any foreign claim.
4️⃣ Advice & Risks
Foreigners should be aware of key issues when purchasing property: foreign ownership quotas, proof of funds documentation, lease duration limits, and the need to avoid informal contracts or unrealistic promises of returns. It is strongly recommended to hire a lawyer to conduct due diligence, ensuring the property is free of debts or disputes.
5️⃣ ALT Butler Services
ALT Butler, in collaboration with experienced lawyers and professional consultants, provides comprehensive support: property matching, viewing arrangements, contract review, property inspection, legal and tax consultation, as well as post-purchase property management.
