Owning a piece of Thailand
Foreign property ownership rights have been a contentious issue for decades, with authorities seeking to attract investment but also avoid exploitation
One of the most frequently asked questions about property from expatriates in Thailand is why the Land of Smiles welcomes visitors from around the globe with open arms but does not allow them to own property. Is this really xenophobia?
Land ownership conditions have changed throughout history. The first land act that limited foreigners - which in that period meant only Westerners or Caucasians - from owning land in the Kingdom of Thailand originated during the era of King Rama IV.
The announcement related to land sales and rentals to outsiders specified only Westerners or farangs, not, for example, Laotians, Khmer, Mon, Burmese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indians.
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About the author
- Writer: Kanana Katharangsiporn
- Position: Business Reporter
