Buying a house in Thailand

sebaseba · #1 (**permalink**) 10th August 2008, 08:39 PM

I'm interested in buying a house in Thailand to live there permanently. From what I've gathered, only the house can be under my name but not the land, which would be leased for 30 years. My questions are:

1. After those 30 years are up, what are my chances of renewing the lease and would I be paying the market value (30 years from now) for the land?

2. If for example after 3, 4 years of living there and paying my taxes, I would apply for a permanent resident card and with some luck receive it, could I transfer that land deed under my name?

Thank you all for your help and advice.

sebaseba · #2 (**permalink**) 12th August 2008, 01:53 AM

No one can help me with this questions? Anyone? Please.

Artie · #3 (**permalink**) 12th August 2008, 04:46 AM

Hello Sebaseda,

For a long time I have not been an this site, but in general it is not possible to buy a house in Thailand in your name, only a so-called condo. But there are possibilities to avoid all the legal regulations. This company is specialized in these matters is Sunbelt Asia Group in Bangkok.

With kind regards,

Aart van Wijngaarden
Khon Buri / Thailand
Mob. +66 83 966 7768

Artie · #4 (**permalink**) 12th August 2008, 04:56 AM

Hello Sebaseda,

Sorry enough I am not allowed to mention my e-mail address, because I have not posted 4 times something on the forum. But maybe this will work, I have an e-mail account with yahoo. You can reach me there under my name aartvanwijngaarden. I hope this will help.

With kind regards,

Aart van Wijngaarden
Khon Buri / Thailand

synthia · #5 (**permalink**) 12th August 2008, 09:51 AM

Welcome to the forum! From everything I have read, there will never be a circumstance where you can own land in Thailand. My understanding was that there is no way to own a house, either.

sebaseba · #6 (**permalink**) 12th August 2008, 02:16 PM

That's a shame, I was really looking forward to investing in a property and moving there. Are there no incentives for people to move and buy a house in Thailand?

What other good, safe and cheap places are there for me to consider?

Artie · #7 (**permalink**) 13th August 2008, 04:58 AM

Hello Synthia,

Thanks for your welcome words and indeed you are right, it is impossible to have a house in your name. I have checked it this morning with a friend from Australia, who is living close to me, but you can only have 49%, the other 51% must be in Thai hands. If someone want to have information of all the legal possibilities, the best is they contact Sunbelt Asia in Bangkok, a trusted company who has all the knowhow about it.

With kind regards,

Aart van Wijngaarden (Dutch)
Khon Buri / Thailand

Artie · #8 (**permalink**) 13th August 2008, 05:06 AM

Hello Sebaseda,
It is a pity, but a foreigner can only have 49% of a house, 51% must be in Thai hands. As I said before the best is to contact Sunbelt Asia in Bangkok, who can advise you about all possibilities to invest. But this is also a point of consideration, the areas Bangkok, Pattaya, Puket and Chiangmai are getting more and more expensive every day. I have a friend from England, who bought a condo in Pattaya for 4,8 million Baht and is now trying to sell it for much less, maybe he will accept 4 million. It is completely furnished, but building a house in the area of Nakhon Ratchasima is much cheaper. In my opinion you can have a house there for 2 million Baht, depending on your demands. It means in US $ about 60.000. I hope this information will suit you.

With kind regards,

Aart van Wijngaarden
Khon Buri / Thailand

rjnpenang · #9 (**permalink**) 13th August 2008, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebaseba

That's a shame, I was really looking forward to investing in a property and moving there. Are there no incentives for people to move and buy a house in Thailand?

What other good, safe and cheap places are there for me to consider?

Hi, Good, safe & cheap, try Malaysia, you are allowed to buy a house or condo, prices on Penang; 90,000 US dollars for a condo & 160,000 for a house. And only 90 mins up to Bangkok. Plus!, if you invest money they will give you a ten year visa. Regards Rob

sebaseba · #10 (**permalink**) 13th August 2008, 05:57 PM

Thank you all for your advice. Now even 49% wouldn't be so bad as long as there are laws in pace to protect my investment, and not have someone come an sell the other share of the house and throw me out. Are there any safeguards in place for this not to happen? Or is the other 51% owned by the government?

Also, if I guy a house, is the visa situation as complicated as opposed to just being there as a tourist?

I've looked into Malaysia but it's more expensive when it come to, well, everything.

Thanks,
Seba