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12.If I buy property and want to live in Thailand, how can I do that? |
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You can apply for a visa, depending on the type of residency laws you would like to stay here under. For example, if you plan to buy a property and run a business, you can apply for a business visa. Or if you plan to retire you can apply for a retirement visa. The answers to this question are far too complex to go into here. We recommend you talk to your lawyer about this before buying any property.
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13.How can I buy an apartment, condominium, land or a house in Thailand? |
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Although the law does not allow foreigners to own land in Thailand, they can own the buildings on the land. However, there are exceptions:
- A foreign company may buy land if it has Board of Investment (BOI) privileges and the land is part of the project (usually manufacturing). Ownership is tied very strictly to the BOI terms and conditions agreed with the company.
- A new law (Land Code Section 96, 2002) allows a foreigner to buy up to one Rai (half an acre) of land to build a house in approved metropolitan areas like Bangkok and Pattaya, providing they also invest at least 40 million baht for five years in government bonds, recognized property mutual funds or BOI projects. Permission for this must be obtained from the Interior Ministry and the ownership is monitored by the Land department.
- Companies and partnerships also fall under the strict laws on land ownership by foreigners. A foreigner can only own up to 49% of a company and this restricts the ownership of land as well. It is often difficult for even a company with 51/49% ownership unless you use an experienced real estate lawyerlike Somphob & Associates Law.
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14.How can I decide where to live? |
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Your agent should be able to suggest the best place to live, based on the information you give him. |
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15.How do I overcome the language barrier? |
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Learn the language at a local language school. There are many schools around the Kingdom. However, most condominium and apartment building managers speak at least some English and should be able to understand you |
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16.How safe is it to live in Thailand? |
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Thailand has an enviable reputation as a very safe place to visit and to live. The people are friendly, and there is relatively little crime against foreigners. However, like anywhere else in the world, there is always the potential for crime. If your agent feels an area you visit is not safe, he should advise you and suggest alternatives. We all want you to enjoy your stay here!
You have probably read the recent news about the Muslim unrest in the three southernmost provinces. The government is working to solve this problem. Despite the rhetoric of a few Muslim hot heads, relations between Muslims, Thais and foreigners throughout Thailand have always been friendly and tension-free. Knowing some of the people involved in security work in the Kingdom, we are confident that Thailand will continue to remain a safe and pleasant country to live in. |
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17.Will I need to bring my own furniture? And can I buy quality furniture in Thailand? |
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There are plenty of fully furnished apartments and condominiums available. If you don't plan to stay in Thailand permanently, it may be better to leave your furniture in storage back home. It will probably be too heavy for the tropics anyway. Even if you plan to rent or buy a house, you can always get one fully furnished. If you prefer to furnish it yourself, your agent can advise you on the best places to shop. |
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