Q 1. Are foreigners able to own land in Thailand?

The general answer is no. Foreigners can’t own land in Thailand, unless an exception applies. Instead, foreigners are allowed to hold condominium title units. Some rules apply here: foreigners are not able to hold more than 49% of the total units in the building, and the foreign purchaser must bring in the purchase sum from an overseas bank account.

If you are fortunate enough to hold a Permanent Residence Certificate, the requirement for the purchase sum to be transferred from an overseas account doesn’t apply.

An alternative attractive option for foreigners is to opt for a long term lease for up to 30 years. Note that a lease does not mean that you own the land.

If a foreign purchaser wishes to purchase land for manufacturing (ie. within an industrial estate) there is the possibility to do so. The foreign purchaser must apply to the IEAT and undergo all the required steps. The application is dependent on receiving approval from the IEAT.

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