What foreigners can and cannot own

Under the Condominium Act, foreigners can own a condo unit outright, as long as no more than 49% of a building's floor area is foreign-owned; agents call this the foreign quota (สัดส่วนต่างชาติ). The purchase money must be brought in from abroad, and the bank issues a document confirming that, which the Land Office asks for at transfer. Land is different: foreigners generally cannot own it in their own name. Common legal options are a registered long lease (usually up to 30 years) or owning the house but leasing the land. Arrangements using Thai nominees to hold land for a foreigner are illegal. Rules change, so take advice from your own lawyer, not the seller's.