FAQs2019-08-28T18:48:03+07:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Own a Condominium in Thailand? 2019-08-27T19:35:05+07:00
Yes, you can. Under Thai Law, 49% of the internal area of a condo building, excluding the common areas, can be assigned to be owned by foreigners. Buying a condominium, is the simplest option available to foreigners. The only restrictions on purchasing a condominium, are that the funds used for purchase were remitted from abroad and correctly recorded as such by the receiving Thai Bank on a Tor Tor Sam. Purchases of condominiums by foreign individuals come under the jurisdiction of the Condominium Act B.E. 2535 (1992). The owner of each condominium is issued with a certificate of unit ownership. The certificate also has a statement saying exactly what percentage of rights over the common areas of the building each owner has.  
Can I Own a House and Land in Thailand? 2019-08-27T19:37:24+07:00
Ownership of land is governed by the Land Code BE 2497 (1954), the Civil and Commercial Code, Land Reform for Agriculture Act BE 2518 (1975) and the regulations set forth by the Ministry of the Interior. Although Thai law prohibits foreigners from owning land in Thailand, there are various ways in which you can structure establish a controlling interest in a Thai company that owns the land, or own a lease for the land in your own name, all complying with existing Thai laws: Nominee with Lease and Option to Buy You can use a Thai Nominee to purchase the house/land and have a 30 year lease with a 30 by 30 year option from the nominee. In order to be enforceable, any lease for a period of longer than three years must be registered, which involves a modest payment of a registration fee and stamp duty based on a percentage of the rental fee for the whole lease term. The original registered lease remains in force and effect even if the property is sold. The drawbacks to a lease include the fact that the parties can contractually agree to renewals, but this right cannot be registered and is not effective against a purchaser of the property, and that the lessee cannot (without the lessor’s consent) sublease, sell or transfer his or her interest. Nominee with Mortgage You can use a Nominee to purchase the house/land and have a mortgage (registered with the appropriate land department office) on the property in your favour. However, in some circumstances the Thai courts have ruled that this was not a bona fide mortgage, but rather it was a mortgage contrived to circumvent the existing laws of Thailand prohibiting foreign ownership of land. It is important to note that only the owner of the land is entitled to mortgage the land; the lessee of land does not have the same privilege. Usufruct Interest (Sidhi-kep-kin) Gives you temporary ownership rights to things on or arising from the land. In practice, a usufruct is limited to a 30 year maximum period; like leases, the agreement can be successively renewed. In contrast to a lease, a usufructury interest can be sold or transferred, although it expires upon the death of the holder of the usufruct and therefore cannot be inherited. Limited Liability Company This form of purchasing property is the most popular with foreign investors as the Articles of Association can be varied to allow greater protection for foreign minority shareholders where majority Thai ownership is required under the Alien Business Law. Thai law requires that 51% of the shares be held by Thai juristic persons, however, any company with more than 40% foreign interest that purchases land will be investigated by the Central Land Office in Bangkok (under Section 74 of the Land Code) to ensure that the company has not been organized in an attempt to circumvent the prohibition against foreign ownership of land. This results in the foreign ownership of the company being limited at 39%, but with the recommended changes to the Articles of Association, the foreigner can be the only director of the company, and the only officer of the company who can commit or bind the company in any contractual dealings – effectively giving the minority shareholder control over the company.  
What is a Tor Tor Sam (3)? 2019-08-27T19:38:07+07:00
A Tor Tor Sam (3) is an official bank document issued by the receiving bank upon the receipt of foreign currency into your bank account in Thailand. You must request a Tor Tor Sam from your bank when you are remitting funds to Thailand for the purpose of purchasing a condominium, and the Tor Tor Sam must specify that the remittance is solely for the purpose of purchasing a property – Code 5.22. Can my Thai Wife Own Land? Yes. Prior to 1998, any Thai woman who married a foreigner would lose her right to purchase land in Thailand. She could, however, still retain land that she owned prior to marrying the foreigner. However, 1999 a new Ministerial regulation changed that to allow Thai national’s married to foreigners the right to purchase land, but the Thai spouse must prove that the money used in the purchase of freehold land is legally solely theirs with no foreign claim to it. This is usually achieved by the foreign spouse signing a declaration stating that the funds used for the purchase of property belonged to the Thai spouse prior to the marriage and are beyond his claim.  
Do They Have Land Title Deeds in Thailand?2019-08-27T19:39:01+07:00
Yes, the Title Deed (Chanote) is the purest form of land ownership. It ensures easy transfer, one original set is kept in the District Land Office where the registration of land transfer takes place, and the other original set is given to the owner of the land. Look for the red coloured crest at the head of the certificate. Confirmed Certificate of Use (Ngor Sor Saam Gor)  This document certifies the right to use land and is often issued pending title deed. Transfer of the certificate is mainly completed at the District Land Office or Branch District level, as the case may be. Look for a green coloured crest at the head of the certificate. The 2 documents above are the easiest titles to transfer ownership of. Avoid any other form of ownership documents.  
How is Property Appraised and Valued in Thailand?2019-08-27T19:39:52+07:00
There are generally three different appraisal values; the government value, the appraisal company’s value and the market value of the property. The government value is calculated every 5 years, the last update was in 2004. Over the last few years all of these rates have begun to come closer together.  
How is Land Measured in Thailand?2019-08-27T19:40:38+07:00
Thai land measurements are a combination of imperial and metric measurement systems. Title deeds in Thailand include all land measurements using the Thai system and are also written in Thai, therefore it is beneficial for you to have a translation if you are thinking of buying a property. Below you’ll find a comparison between the Thai and Western sytems which hopefully will help you gain a better understanding. 1 Wah = 2 Metres 1 Sq Wah is called a Talangwah = 4 Sqm 100 Talangwah = 1 Ngan = 400 Sqm 4 Ngan = 1 Rai = 1600 Sqm = 400 Talangwah 1 Acre = 4047 Sqm = approx 2.53 Rai 1 Hectare = 10000 Sqm = 6.25 Rai
Are there any Taxes and Costs Payable When Purchasing a Property? 2019-08-27T19:41:13+07:00
Yes, on all purchase/sale of property in Thailand there is a stamp Duty of 0.5%, a transfer fee of 2%, a business tax of 3.3% levied against an owner who has been in registered possession of the property less than 5 years, and withholding tax of 1% of the Government price or the declared value whichever is the higher. There is no Capital Gains Tax in Thailand, There are no set rules on who pays these fees and taxes, and it is just another part of the bargaining process, as with all the other costs of the transfer of ownership.
Retirement in Thailand?2019-08-27T19:59:36+07:00
VISA ISSUANCE FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE (as issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand) [NON-IMMIGRANT “O-A” (LONG STAY)] This type of visa will be issued to applicants aged 50 years or above wishing to take retreat in the Kingdom at least for the period of one year. QUALIFICATION OF THE APPLICANT
  • A foreign national whose age is 50 years or above (on the date of submitting the application). Not being prohibited from entering the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (A.D.1979). Having no criminal record against the security of Thailand and the country of his/her nationality, or the country of his/her residence. Having the nationality of or the residence in the country where his/her application is submitted. Not having prohibitive diseases (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Drug Addiction, Elephantiasis and Third step of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535) Not being allowed to work in Thailand.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION
  • A passport with validity not less than 18 months
  • Three copies of visa application form completely filled out.
  • Three passport-sized photos of the applicant taken within the past six months.
  • A personal Data Form
  • A copy of bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal to not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht.
  • In the case of the bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is to be shown as well.
  • Verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record issued from the country of his/her nationality or residence (the verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarized by notary organs or the applicants diplomatic/consular mission
CHANNELS TO SUBMIT VISA APPLICATION
  • Applicants can submit their applications either at the Thai embassy / consular missions where they have their permanent residence or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand. (Address: Section 1, Sub-Division 1, Immigration 1, Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120. Telephone 287-4948 (direct line) or 287-3101-10 ext. 2236)
  • Please be advised that the following applicants are eligible to apply for this type of visa in the country:
  • Applicants undergoing Health Rehabilitation Program in hospitals or Health Centers. These organizations will apply on behalf of the individual applicant.
  • Applicants who are spouses / parents / children of applicants above.
  • Applicants to whom the agencies or organizations approved by the Office of the Immigration Bureau have applied for visa on their behalf. The above mentioned applicants must have qualifications stated in 1 and 2.
  • The Consular missions will be notified to issue visa to the individual applicant when the Office of Immigration Bureau has given approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ALIENS WHILE STAYING IN THE KINGDOM
  • When completing the stay of 90 days in the Kingdom, the alien shall report to the competent authority and repeat it every 90 days with the immigration officer in the alien’s residence area, or report to the police station in the alien’s residence area if there is no immigration control there. (In order to report to the competent authority by mail, the alien shall do as follows
  • The Report Form (Tor Mor 47) together with a copy of the passport pages showing the alien’s photo, personal details, and the latest arrival visa stamp as well as a self addressed envelop with postage affixed, shall be forwarded, by 7 days before the due date, by acknowledgement of receipt mail to the Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 1012
  • In the case of conducting any following reports, the Reply Form for the previous report shall be enclosed as well.
  • At the end of the one-year stay, the alien who wishes to extend his/her stay shall submit a request for the extended period at the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer, or a deposit account in the Kingdom, or an income certificate, at the amount of not less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate plus a deposit account at the total amount of not less than 800,000 Baht a year. Extension for one year at a time will be granted to this group of people as long as they meet the requirements as earlier stated and is at the discretion of the Immigration officer.
  • If the alien’s spouse wishes to extend his/her stay as well, the marriage certificate shall be produced.
  • For further information visit www.mfa.go.th
 
Can I have a bank account in Thailand? 2019-08-27T20:00:24+07:00
Yes you can, we can advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of the various local banks together with the foreign banks that operate in Thailand. We can arrange appointments for you to meet with bank staff and assist you in opening bank accounts with your chosen bank. Internet banking is available from most of the local banks and we can help with setting up these accounts also.
Can my children get a good education? 2019-08-27T20:01:05+07:00
Due to the extensive “Foreign” work force employed in Thailand with multinational companies such as GM, Chevron, Siemens, Kellogs, San Miguel, Alstom and Dow Chemicals, all having major manufacturing plants here in the Eastern Seaboard region. There is no shortage of fine, English and American curriculum International Schools. We can advise you on the current curriculums, accreditation, reputation, transportation and school fee structure.
What if I get ill in Thailand? 2019-08-27T20:01:42+07:00
The Eastern Seaboard is very fortunate in having several extremely well equipped, world class hospitals, including Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Pattaya International Hospital and in Bangkok the famous Bumrungrad Hospital. We can provide you with an assessment of the benefits of each of these hospitals, introduce you to the staff, and register you with the hospitals. We can also advise you on international standard medical insurance cover with companies such as A.I.A., BUPA, AXA, Blue Cross and Royal & Sun Alliance.
Can I own and drive a car in Thailand? 2019-08-27T20:02:22+07:00
It is reasonably easy for foreigners to own a car or motorcycle in Thailand, all you need is the correct visa, and an address in Thailand certified by the local immigration police. A foreigner can drive a car or motorcycle in Thailand using an international driving permit. However for long term residents it is necessary to acquire a Thai driving license. This is automatically issued to those carrying an international driving permit , you will also require proof of address(obtained from the local immigration police), a medical certificate and your passport along with recent passport photographs. If you do not have an international driving permit then you will require all of the above and have to sit a written and practical test. We can arrange appointments for you to meet with the local transportation office and assist you in obtaining the necessary documentation.
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