Real estate in Thailand is generally divided into three categories: condominiums, buildings, and land plots. Each has its own ownership specifics, especially for foreign nationals.
Condominium
A condominium is a residential complex consisting of private property (an apartment unit) and common property (green areas, swimming pools, and other shared facilities). Each unit has its own title deed (chanote).
Foreigners can purchase condominium units within the so-called foreign quota, which составляет up to 49% of the total residential area in the building.
Building
Buildings refer to completed and commissioned structures such as houses, villas, apartments, office spaces, etc. The ownership documents for a building include the construction permit (issued to the first owner) and subsequent sale and purchase agreements.
Foreigners are allowed to acquire buildings without owning the land on which they are located (for example, townhouses or private houses).
Land plot
A land plot is a defined area with boundaries established by a title document such as a chanote, Nor Sor 3 Gor, or another document of similar legal status.
Foreign nationals are generally prohibited from owning land in Thailand, except in specific cases предусмотренных законодательством or international agreements.
Property lease
Leases of up to three years do not require registration. If the lease term exceeds three years, the agreement must be registered with the Land Department; otherwise, it will only be legally valid for three years.
The maximum lease term is 30 years.
Foreign nationals may lease any type of property for personal residence or for purposes specified in the agreement.
In practice, long-term leasehold (30 years) is often used as an alternative to ownership—for example, for holding a condominium unit under the Thai quota or a land plot under a villa owned by a foreigner.
Author: Aleksandra Agapitova.
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