🏡 “Can I Own Property in Thailand?” — A No-BS Guide for Foreigners

Selim Shlomi Benbasat
Jul 11
3 min read

Updated: Jul 15

Your Starter Guide to Buying Homes, Condos, and Land in the Land of Smiles

Let’s be real — you’ve probably heard it all:

“Foreigners can’t own land.”

“You can buy a condo but only 49% of the building.”

“Just marry a Thai and put the house in their name.”

…and you’re left more confused than when you started.

So here’s a clear breakdown of what you can do, what you shouldn’t, and what actually makes sense for people thinking of making a life in Thailand.

Happy Couple | Closed a Villa Deal in Thailand

🏢 Condo Ownership — Yes, You Can

If you’re a foreigner, buying a condo in your own name is 100% legal — as long as:

Foreign ownership in the building doesn’t exceed 49%
You pay with foreign currency sent into Thailand (you’ll need a FET form from the bank)

💡 Pros: Full ownership, easy to sell or rent, lower legal complexity

⚠️ Watch out for: Buildings with high Thai ownership (lower resale value), high maintenance fees, and weak management

🏠 Land & Houses — Not That Simple

Foreigners cannot legally own land in Thailand.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t live in a home with a garden or by the beach. Here are the common practices that make it possible:

📜 Leasehold (30+30+30 Years)

This is the most widely used and legally recognized method.

Life in a Thai Island always keep you smiling

You own the house (the structure)
You lease the land it sits on, usually for 30 years, with options to renew
You can register the lease at the land office for added protection

💡 Common for expats buying villas

⚠️ Renewals are not automatic and need to be negotiated upfront

🏢 Thai Company Ownership

Some foreigners set up a Thai Limited Company to hold land in the company’s name.

But it must be a real, functioning business — not a shell company created just to buy property.

⚠️ Thai authorities are actively cracking down on abuse of this method.

💡 Only suitable if you’re running an actual business with Thai shareholders and commercial activity.

💍 Married to a Thai? Yes, But Read This First

If you’re married to a Thai citizen, you can’t co-own land. But:

Your Thai spouse can buy land
You’ll be asked to sign a legal declaration confirming it’s not marital property

⚠️ In a divorce, the land is usually theirs — even if you paid for it.

💡 Many couples add lease or usufruct rights (see below) to protect the foreign spouse.

✳️ Other Legal Tools to Consider

These are legal, widely used protections foreigners often register along with or instead of full ownership:

Usufruct: Right to use the land and house for life (but not own)
Superficies: Own the structure, not the land
Right of habitation: Similar to usufruct but more limited

✅ These are registered at the land office and offer real legal weight

🔎 What You’ll Need to Buy Property in Thailand:

✅ Valid passport
✅ Thai bank account (for some transactions)
✅ Foreign currency remittance (for condos)
✅ Legal support (get a real lawyer — not a “friend of a friend”)
✅ Due diligence on the title deed and land history

✨ So What’s the Smart Way to Own Property?

✔️ Condo (under foreign quota) — cleanest option

✔️ Leasehold with registered terms — secure and long-standing

✔️ Usufruct or superficies rights — adds another layer of protection

✔️ Married? Lease it back, register your rights — know your options

✔️ Starting a business? Then land via company ownership may make sense — but only if it’s real

💬 Final Word: It’s Not Impossible. It’s Just… Thailand.

Owning property here isn’t about finding loopholes — it’s about understanding what’s allowed, what’s sustainable, and what’s smart. If you go in with the right setup, you can absolutely build a beautiful, secure life here.

At SHIFFTT, we help people explore their options, connect with vetted legal experts, and navigate the whole process — from the first viewing to the final signature.