It is a great idea to invest in paradise to combine profit, coming from rental, with pleasure of enjoying your own property by the sea.
The decision to purchase property in Thailand as an investment rarely comes with a simple “yes” or “no.” The honest answer is: it depends, as the optimal strategy hinges entirely upon your individual goals and requirements.
If your primary objective is to relocate to Thailand or retire comfortably in Phuket, we consistently advise our clients to adopt a cautious approach first. Before committing to a purchase, we strongly recommend that you:
Experience the Lifestyle: Come to the island and rent an apartment, condominium, villa, or traditional Thai house.
Acclimatize: Spend time soaking up the local atmosphere and rhythm of life.
Determine Your Ideal Location: This crucial “trial period” allows you to decide exactly which Phuket neighborhood truly suits your lifestyle and daily needs.
Conversely, if your goal is solely to acquire property in Phuket, Thailand as a financial investment, your personal preference for a specific area becomes less important. In this scenario, the focus must shift entirely to objective factors:
Rental Yield Potential: Analyzing expected returns and occupancy rates.
Capital Appreciation: Assessing the long-term growth prospects of the chosen area.
Market Dynamics: Understanding tourist demand, development plans, and regulatory environment.
Acquiring property in Phuket requires detailed knowledge of Thai land law, as your ownership rights are defined by the specific type of asset—be it a condominium, villa, or land plot.
Condominiums & Apartments: Foreigners can own these properties in their personal name (Freehold), provided the building adheres to the foreign ownership quota (49%).
Land Ownership: Foreign nationals cannot own land outright. Land must typically be secured via a long-term Leasehold Agreement (e.g., 30 years).
⚠️ The Nominee Risk: We strongly warn against setting up a Thai company for the sole purpose of holding residential property. This practice, often involving nominees, is illegal under Thai law and poses severe legal risks.
More basic information, even in English language, can be found here…
As in most countries, Thailand has an official government body maintaining comprehensive records of all registered real estate. The first and most critical step in any acquisition is examining the official Title Deed.
You must be aware that there are fundamentally four main types of land title deeds in use:
Chanote (The strongest title)
Nor Sor 3 Gor
Nor Sor 3
Possessory Right
Each of these documents, and their various subgroups, can carry different rights and restrictions, which are absolutely vital if you plan on development, such as building a house. A proper legal due diligence is indispensable for a smooth and secure purchasing process in Phuket.
It was difficult to understand for me at first. iura Phuket is not an real estate agency, they are more like lawyers and consulting, doing the opposite as real estate agents do – they represent you, not the owner of the property. You pay for their services, you are the client. And that is a HUGE difference while doing business or buying something, especially in Thailand.
Spain
There is a lot of attorneys and real estate agencies in Phuket. But I had no idea whom I can trust, because my friends had some bad experiences before. I speak English quite good for vacation purposes, but to do business, I needed to speak in Russian. With iura Phuket, it was a seamless experience.
Definitely recommend them.
207/2 Patak road, 83100 Karon, Phuket, Thailand
+66 9871 55 201
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