The four options at a glance
| Option | Legal? | What you actually own |
|---|---|---|
| Condo in your own name | Yes | Freehold title to the unit, within the building's 49% foreign quota |
| House on leased land | Yes | The house itself, plus a registered lease of the land for up to 30 years |
| Property through a Thai spouse | Yes | Nothing: it is your spouse's. You sign that the money is theirs |
| Land through a Thai company with nominee shareholders | No | A criminal risk, and property that can be seized |
Condos
Up to 49% of a building's sellable floor area can be owned by foreigners. Your money must come into Thailand from abroad in foreign currency; the bank's record of that transfer is what the Land Office checks. See buying a condo.
Houses and land
You can own a building separately from the land under it. The usual route is to own the house and take a 30-year lease of the land, registered at the Land Office. Promises of 'automatic renewal' for a further 30 years are not reliably enforceable; price the deal on the first term.
In 2025 the government discussed 99-year leases and a higher condo quota in some zones. As of our last check, neither is law. Don't pay a premium for a promise that depends on them.
Companies and nominees
There are lawful company routes for real businesses, such as BOI promotion. See foreign business ownership.