[Yb4bulVR]

Once 2 years ago I and my Thai wife Nooch were making plans of buying a house in Thailand together, but she thought-though was not sure-that a foreigner can not own property in Thailand...Any one knows sure facts about this?...I thought to ask Thai Consul in Chicago about this, but if someone on this web knows for sure, ..why bother the Excellencies?

[Mjyzpzph]

I believe you can own a condominium so long as it is not on the ground floor and that no more than 49% of the floor space of the building is owned by non-Thai's. Otherwise you are limited to a 30 year lease if my understanding is correct. Though there would be no problem if the property was in your wife's name.

David

[Yb4bulVR]

Thanks David for that informative answer...though not as cheerful as I hoped for. I guess I was hoping that Thai laws would be similar to those of U.S. where rich Arabs and some Japanese own huge high rise buildings in N.Y..Nooch hinted me similar information as you gave me, just want to make sure.

[Andoror]

There is a good book that helps you with this problem:

How to Buy Land and Build a House in Thailand

The house can actually belong to you but you cannot fully own the land. Though you can lease it for a number of times. Some people set up a dummy company to get around this. But the authorities are closing the loophole. My house is actually in my company name. When we set up the company they didn't come and check. But I had to send pictures of the company sign at the front of the house and of workers in the office. When I applied for a work permit, immigration actually came and did a surprise visit and took their own pictures. As a foreigner, I need to have four Thai people working in the office. They came to check their id cards. So, be careful if you try to buy a house using a loophole or a way which isn't 100% legal.

[Yb4bulVR]

Thanks Mr. Barrow for your information,....actualy I never meant to own the house by myself, but jointly with my wife, and it would greatly help to prove of our marriage, to U.S. Immigration, which requires some jointly owned property as proof of genuine marriage.