Buyer guide · Bangkok

Buying a branded residence in Bangkok as a foreigner

How a foreign buyer can own a branded residence in Bangkok depends on the country's rules and on the building. Of the 12 on our list with a recorded tenure, 5 are freehold and 7 leasehold.

Foreigners cannot own land, but may own condominium units provided foreign ownership stays within 49% of the building's saleable floor area; they qualify through permanent residence, residence under investment promotion law or, as almost every buyer does, by remitting the purchase price from abroad in foreign currency in their own name (evidenced by a Foreign Exchange Transaction form for US$50,000 and above, or a bank letter below that).

Condominium units are owned freehold; a house needs a registered right over the land, such as a lease of up to 30 years (a March 2025 Supreme Court ruling made pre-agreed automatic renewal clauses void), a usufruct or a superficies.

At Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Dusit Parkside and Dusit Residences the site itself is held on a lease, which is why the building cannot sell freehold.

A 2% transfer fee on the official appraised value, split between buyer and seller by negotiation, plus, on the seller's side, a 3.3% specific business tax on the higher of price and appraised value for sales within five years of acquisition, or otherwise 0.5% stamp duty.

Thai property investment of at least US$500,000, with US$1 million in assets, can qualify for the Long-Term Resident visa as a Wealthy Global Citizen (five years, renewable for five more).

This is a summary, not legal advice; a lawyer in Thailand should check the title and the terms before any deposit.