Condominium Act Basics

Thailand’s Condominium Act is the main reason condos are the simplest route for foreigners to own real estate outright in Thailand. Unlike land, a condominium unit can be held by a foreign national on a full freehold basis, in your own name, with your name on the title deed (chanote) just like a Thai buyer.

The 49% Rule

The Act caps foreign ownership within any single condominium building at 49% of the total saleable floor area. Once that quota is used up, remaining units can only be sold to Thai nationals or held via leasehold by foreigners. Before reserving a unit, it is worth asking the developer or juristic person to confirm how much of the foreign quota remains, as popular buildings can fill up.

Bringing Funds Into Thailand

To register a condo unit in a foreign buyer’s name, the purchase funds generally need to have been remitted into Thailand from abroad in foreign currency, then converted to Thai baht. For larger transfers, banks issue supporting paperwork (often referred to as a Foreign Exchange Transaction form, or an equivalent bank certificate) that the Land Office will ask to see at the transfer of ownership. Keeping clean records of every transfer is essential, so we always advise buyers to plan the wiring of funds well ahead of the transfer date.

What This Means Day to Day

• Freehold condo ownership gives foreigners the same registered rights as a Thai owner, within the unit itself.
• Common areas, the building structure, and the land itself remain owned collectively through the condominium juristic person, not by individual unit owners.
• Resale to another foreign buyer is subject to the same 49% quota check at the time of the future sale.

This page is a general introduction and is not a substitute for legal advice. Because quotas, procedures, and documentation requirements can vary by project and can change over time, please confirm current details with our team and with independent Thai legal counsel before making any commitment.