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Real Estate and Land in Thailand

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The most common way to stay a long time in Thailand, is probably to rent an apartment or a house.

Normally there are no problems involved, if the rent is paid in time and you are cautious with the furnishings and the building.

A foreigner or a foreign company are not allowed to own any interest in land in Thailand, but there are a few exceptions. One example is a company approved by BOI, The Board of Investment, can own land for the company’s purposes. A foreigner that invests at least 40 million Baht, can also own up to 1 rai (1600 square meters) used for personal living.

It is also possible to own a condominium unit, a Condominium Ownership. But foreigners also have other options if they want to stay a long time in Thailand or even more or less permanent.

One of the most common procedures is that a Thai partner, if the foreigner has one, is registered as the owner of the land. But the foreigner will then have no legal interest in this property.

Companies and foreigners are also allowed to lease land for a period of 30 years, which can be extended for another 30 years. The local land office, or korm ti din in Thai, has to be informed, and approve the agreement within three years to make it valid.

In principle, a company that is owned by at least 51% by Thais, can own land in Thailand, but in practice the land office will probably reject the transfer of land if foreigners owns more of 39% of the shares in the company.

The prices for land varies a lot in Thailand. Land in attractive destinations can be very expensive nowadays. Beach land and properties in popular tourist destinations, or land in major cities as Bangkok and Chiang Mai are such examples. But in smaller towns and in the countryside of Thailand, you will often find the prices of land and property really low, compared internationally.

Land Certificates

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A true land title certificate issued by the provincial land office are called Chanote or Nor Sor 4 Jor. This is the most “safe” land deed, and it is measured with GPS and has been marked by numbered concrete signs in nature.

Nor Sor 3 and Nor Sor 3 Gor are also land certificates as show who is the owner of a specific plot or land area. Nor Sor 3 Gor is the more detailed and “safe” certificate.

Other land certificates and definitions exists and it is of course important to know about all conditions when you are going to buy land in Thailand. If you are in any doubt, consult a lawyer with good knowledge of land titles and legal issues, or the provincial land office.

Thai Land Measurements

1 Talang Wah = 4 square meters
1 Ngarn = 400 square meters
1 Rai = 1600 square meters

1 Acre = 2,5 Rai
1 Hectare = 6,25 Rai

Department of Lands View

Some Information from the Department of Lands website/ English Language

 

1. สรุปการได้มาซึ่งที่ดินของคนต่างด้าว ( Acquisition of Land by Alien )
2. สรุปการได้มาซึ่งกรรมสิทธิ์ในห้องชุดของคนต่างด้าว (Acquisition of Condominium Unit by Alien)
3. การได้มาซึ่งที่ดินหรือห้องชุดของคนต่างด้าว และบุคคลที่เกี่ยวข้องกับคนต่างด้าว (Application For Acquisition of Land or Condominium Units by Aliens And Persons Connected With Aliens)
4. สรุปการเช่าที่ดินของคนต่างด้าวเพื่อพาณิชยกรรม และอุตสาหกรรม ( Hire of Immovable Property for Commerce and Industry by Alien )
5. การได้มาซึ่งที่ดินเพื่อใช้เป็นที่อยู่อาศัยของคนต่างด้าว (The Acquisition of Land for Residential Purpose by Aliens)

6. กฎกระทรวง ฉบับที่ 8 (.. 2543) ออกตามความในพระราชบัญญัติอาคารชุด ..2522
7. กฎกระทรวง ฉบับที่ 9 (.. 2543) ออกตามความในพระราชบัญญัติอาคารชุด ..2522
8. พระราชบัญญัติอาคารชุด (ฉบับที่ 3) .. 2542 CONDOMINIUM ACT (No. 3) B.E. 2542 (1999)
9. พระราชบัญญัติการเช่าอสังหาริมทรัพย์เพื่อพาณิชยกรรมและอุตสาหกรรม ..2542 ( Act Hire of Immovable Property for Commerce and Industry B.E. 2542 (1999) )
10. พระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายที่ดิน (ฉบับที่ 8) .. 2542 ( THE LAND CODE AMENDMENT ACT (NO.8) B.E. 2542 (1999) )