There are a number of ways that a foreigner may follow to own / invest in land in Thailand
- become a Thai citizen
- be the principal investor in a new export orientated Board of Investment (BOI) approved company [the current maximum size limit of freehold ownership rights is one Rai of land (1600 Sq.m.)]
- make an approved investment of over 40 Million Baht left for a minimum number of years [the current maximum size limit of freehold ownership rights is one Rai of land (1600 Sq.m.)]
- invest in a Thai private limited company which owns or intends to acquire freehold land
- acquire the leasehold interest in land in the name of the foreigner. This can be done via a registered 30 year lease (residential) in the foreigner's own name with the right to two further leases of 30 years each. The foreigner may also be given an assignable option to purchase the land
Under Thai law, the foreigner can own the structure (for example a house) erected on the land.
Under Thai law, the foreigner may also be able to obtain the followings rights in relation to a building / land:
- right of habitation
- superficies
- usufruct
The additional advantages of investing in a Thai private limited company include:
- it is a form of business presence in Thailand;
- it may be the employer/sponsor in a foreigner's application for a non-immigrant visa and/or work permit; and
- the property of the company may be disposed of via the disposal of the shares / controlling shares of the company.
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