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Foreign Ownership Limits
Buying as a foreigner is straightforward only for condominium units, which can be owned freehold in your own name subject to a building's 49% foreign-ownership quota. Land — and by extension, houses and townhouses — can't be owned directly by a foreigner; owning one typically means a registered leasehold on the land (commonly 30 years, renewable) or a compliant Thai company structure. Renting sidesteps all of this entirely, which is a big part of its appeal for shorter stays.
- Condo units: freehold ownership possible, capped at 49% of a building's area
- Land, houses, townhouses: foreigners can't own the land directly
- House/land ownership route: leasehold (commonly 30 years) or Thai company structure
- Renting has none of these ownership restrictions to navigate