Buying a villa in Thailand

Foreigners purchasing landed property in Thailand face many obstacles and restrictions.

Because of this many circumnavigate the law most of the time unknowingly.

Due diligence is important as is understanding #Thaipropertylaws and restrictions for foreign buyers.

Many Developers only offer a freehold option.

Foreigner buyers cannot legally own the freehold of land in Thailand

So how do foreigners buy their dream home in the land of smiles Legally?

Here are the most common questions

Can I set up a company and buy the villa in a company name?

Answer It is illegal for a number of reasons and you can face losing the property and being deported.

If you have set up a company for the sole purpose of owning property in Thailand meaning this is not a real company trading and doing business then this is a clear breach of the law.

Who are the directors of that company?

Are they nominees?

Using Nominee shareholders or directors is illegal and can lead to imprisonment.

For years the above has gone on but the DCI are now investigating companies that own property with foreign control.

Buying from a reputable licensed developer with a developers license on a leasehold basis is the safest and is the legal way.

You still need independent legal advice from a property lawyer not associated with the developer or real-estate person selling the property.

If you have already bought and want to know if your purchase is safe and legal reach out to us at Lawyers for Expats Thailand.

We offer a Free Consultation and Due Diligence to ensure you are safe and following the law.

To arrange a free consultation on buying property in Thailand call Brian Ramsden our General Manager of Foreign Affairs on 0956583038 Whats App & Line

Email info@lawyersforexptsthailand.com

About the Author:

Kanokpich Ukritdutsadee, widely known as Lawyer Pook, is a highly experienced Thai lawyer and barrister serving as the head and managing director of Lawyers for Expats Thailand (www.lawyersforexpatsthailand.com).

With over 21 years of qualification and practice (celebrating her 21st anniversary in the profession as noted in recent updates), she has dedicated her career to addressing the unique legal needs of foreigners living, working, and investing in Thailand. Her expertise spans key areas such as property law, immigration and visas, business setup, matrimonial law (including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements), company formation, wills, and civil/criminal matters, always emphasizing legal compliance and safe solutions for expats and their families.

Lawyer Pook leads a dedicated team focused exclusively on expat clients, combining deep legal knowledge with a compassionate and kind approach. She and her firm are committed to working from the heart, providing empathetic, practical guidance to help foreigners navigate Thailand's legal landscape securely and effectively. Her practice reflects both professional excellence and a genuine care for her clients' well-being.

Ready for more? Our full blog collection delivers practical legal strategies for expats thriving in Thailand, covering nominees, wills, and beyond. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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