Foreign Ownership Of Land.

[begsaresponse]

I do know what the law here in Thailand states regarding foreigners owning land. However I struggle to grasp the thinking behind this law. Is there anyone out there who can shed light of this? Comments please?

[jdinasia]

been done to death .......

but basically the disparity of incomes in the West and Thailand.

[begsaresponse]

been done to death .......

but basically the disparity of incomes in the West and Thailand.

The law then is all about preventing instead of protecting? Rather short sighted!!

[jumnien]

Re: prohibition against foreigners owning land. You must remember that during the Prohibition against alcohol in the US last century there was an awful lot of alcohol being produced and drunk. Regardless of this "prohibition against foreigners owning land in Thailand" there are load and loads and loads and loads (did I say loads enough already) and loads of foreigners owning land in Thailand already. Enough is enough or apparently not enough because at this moment there are still loads of foreigners buying land here.

The price of land has skyrocketed in many places and the attempts to restrict foreign ownership are much appreciated by many of us foreigners living here. Even with these restrictions the numbers of foreigners coming to live here is increasing rapidly. If some can be persuaded to rent instead of buy it is better for all of us. If folks don't want to live here in Thailand they can go buy up land in one of the other couple hundred countries in the world.

[dumspero]

The land alienation restrictions are farsighted, not shortsighted.

Shorsighted is changing the law to get the foreign money in now despite the impact on Thailand. Farsighted is understanding that there's mroe to life than making money.

I suspect that if you don't understand that view, you might be happier in other places besides Thailand.

[icecubes]

The land alienation restrictions are farsighted, not shortsighted.

Shorsighted is changing the law to get the foreign money in now despite the impact on Thailand. Farsighted is understanding that there's mroe to life than making money.

I suspect that if you don't understand that view, you might be happier in other places besides Thailand.

Funny i thought, Money number one mate in thailand.

But as you said, its just xenophobic behaviour. thats what you are saying is'nt it.

[dumspero]

icecubes- we have different opinions about Thailand. Guess that's what makes this forum interesting.

My take is Thais love money as does most any culture that uses it. But Thais seem to prioritize money a little lower than some Western countries. Yes, it's very poor compared to the West, generally, and so the touts and the like in particular can be money grabbers, but hardly a question of money being the most important thing to Thais.

I see xenophobia as implying an irrational fear, or one based on ignorance. To me, land alienation restrictions in Thailand are a rational and legitimate protection against too much foreign control and influence (albeit at the cost of getting in less foreign cash, no doubt).

Cheers.

[icecubes]

All very well said.

But laws can be made to let foreigners own land equal to there wives or partners.

In this country.

We raise children, we provide money to House, cloth, Educate, Deal with all family disasters.( usually monetary) what do the Thai government think of that.

We take care of the Thais better than Thailand ever takes care of there own.

What do we get. Nothing.

This is not hard, the law can be made to exclude corporate organizations for owning

large chunks of land, pushing the prices up, which is the common reason stated for

saying foreigners can’t have land. All sorts of restraints can be implemented, its easy.

But No

Xenophobia is the real reason.

Amazing Thailand

and many other countries as well

I find it so hard to have respect, when they treat me so low.

Just hope one day it changes so I can stand equal with my wife in Thailand.

Have a nice day.

[begsaresponse]

icecubes- we have different opinions about Thailand. Guess that's what makes this forum interesting.

My take is Thais love money as does most any culture that uses it. But Thais seem to prioritize money a little lower than some Western countries. Yes, it's very poor compared to the West, generally, and so the touts and the like in particular can be money grabbers, but hardly a question of money being the most important thing to Thais.

I see xenophobia as implying an irrational fear, or one based on ignorance. To me, land alienation restrictions in Thailand are a rational and legitimate protection against too much foreign control and influence (albeit at the cost of getting in less foreign cash, no doubt).

Cheers.

All very well said.

But laws can be made to let foreigners own land equal to there wives or partners.

In this country.

We raise children, we provide money to House, cloth, Educate, Deal with all family disasters.( usually monetary) what do the Thai government think of that.

We take care of the Thais better than Thailand ever takes care of there own.

What do we get. Nothing.

This is not hard, the law can be made to exclude corporate organizations for owning

large chunks of land, pushing the prices up, which is the common reason stated for

saying foreigners can't have land. All sorts of restraints can be implemented, its easy.

But No

Xenophobia is the real reason.

Amazing Thailand

and many other countries as well

I find it so hard to have respect, when they treat me so low.

Just hope one day it changes so I can stand equal with my wife in Thailand.

Have a nice day.

Thanks for your insight. I wonder what the Thai take on it is? And would they agree with your views?

[wolfmanjack]

Remember the Golden Rule. Those that have the gold make the rules. They want to buy all of the land here and they do not want to compete with those that have the gold in other countries.

[Barney_the_Dinosaur]

I do know what the law here in Thailand states regarding foreigners owning land. However I struggle to grasp the thinking behind this law. Is there anyone out there who can shed light of this? Comments please?

"Greedy, hairy big-nosed farang must never own the soil of glorious Thai people wot we got by our blood and sweat."

(source, ....some mediaeval Siamese philosopher)

Edited February 6, 2007 by Barney_the_Dinosaur

[wilko]

Well frankly I can't wait to dig up all the land I own and take it home.......what d'you mean................. I can't take it with me??????????????

[begsaresponse]

If a foreigner owned say less than 1 Rai of land, the land does not convert to being owned by england, or america or any other country. It is still Thailand!!

[icecubes]

If a foreigner owned say less than 1 Rai of land, the land does not convert to being owned by england, or america or any other country. It is still Thailand!!

I do know what the law here in Thailand states regarding foreigners owning land.

Why less than I rai of land?

Would you like to share something with us?

Do you know something we don’t ?

Or are you just fishing.

This begs a response.

[midas]

what I find amazing with all these people that are so enthusiastic

to own real estate here is that they do so in a country in which

they will only ever qualify for a visa of one type or another.

over the past few months we have seen a good example

of how nonsensical laws can be introduced overnight and then

changed back again ! a lot of farangs here give the advice

-if you buy real estate do so with the attitude you could afford

to lose it if you had to ! its all too daft for words when you can

invest in so many other better markets where at least you have

equal rights an even better if you can get more than just

a visa !

[Humphrey Bear]

Thailand is not alone in restriting land ownership.

I work in Saudi, where all the land basically belongs to the King first, with the big tribal groups traditionally holding vast tracts within the group, then the land being split down into individual lots. These are bought on an almost indefinite leasehold, courtesy of the King, but I don't know of any foreign-owned land. Even working for Aramco, we have problems with getting our hands on land unless it's to bring in a well.

Look around the world and you'll find many underdeveloped countries have a 'thing' about land ownership.

[Humphrey Bear]

If a foreigner owned say less than 1 Rai of land, the land does not convert to being owned by england, or america or any other country. It is still Thailand!!

I do know what the law here in Thailand states regarding foreigners owning land.

Why less than I rai of land?

Would you like to share something with us?

Do you know something we don’t ?

Or are you just fishing.

This begs a response.

Probably read the Thai Elite brochure, where the misleading text seemed to promise the right to buy, own and develop one rai of land - whereas in actual fact the Thai Government would hold the land in trust for the 'purchaser' and dispose of it later. So basically you paid the purchase value of land for a long-term rental.

[icecubes]

We will see what the Op posts back,

He appears to have no views about the topic he started.

Starting to look like a bit of a wind up.

[Clipped]

if foreigners were allowed to buy land in thailand it would all get bought up by foreign investors, where would that leave the thai people with an average income of 15,000 per month?

not in a good position...

[Pink Mist]

if foreigners were allowed to buy land in thailand it would all get bought up by foreign investors, where would that leave the thai people with an average income of 15,000 per month?

not in a good position...

15,000 per month which Thailand do you live in?

[jbsears]

I would think 15,000 is not too far off (maybe a little high). Especially considering foreigners would only buy land in Bangkok and coastal/resort areas where income can be quite high. The poor farmers won't be bothered since no foreign investors are going to want the farm land.

[begsaresponse]

If a foreigner owned say less than 1 Rai of land, the land does not convert to being owned by england, or america or any other country. It is still Thailand!!

I do know what the law here in Thailand states regarding foreigners owning land.

Why less than I rai of land?

Would you like to share something with us?

Do you know something we don't ?

Or are you just fishing.

This begs a response.

Probably read the Thai Elite brochure, where the misleading text seemed to promise the right to buy, own and develop one rai of land - whereas in actual fact the Thai Government would hold the land in trust for the 'purchaser' and dispose of it later. So basically you paid the purchase value of land for a long-term rental.

We will see what the Op posts back,

He appears to have no views about the topic he started.

Starting to look like a bit of a wind up.

The post relating to foreigners owning land was not intended by me to be a 'wind up' or 'just fishing'. Personally my view is that it is a non issue. I don't believe foreigners owning land would have a negative impact on Thailand.

[icecubes]

And ????????????????????

[Clipped]

my estimate of 15,000 was an optimistic one, if it were less it would be even worse for the thai/bangkok people.

if the doors opened for foreign ownership, properties would literally be sold overnight. The foreigners buying a house to live or retire in arent the problem...its the real estate investors you have to worry about...

whoever owns the gold makes the rules...

[Kerryd]

I would think 15,000 is not too far off (maybe a little high). Especially considering foreigners would only buy land in Bangkok and coastal/resort areas where income can be quite high. The poor farmers won't be bothered since no foreign investors are going to want the farm land.

Actually, 15,000 is probably quite far off. I know many ordinary, everyday kind of Thais that earn around 5,000 per month.

If land ownership was opened up to foreigners, many, many Thais would become homeless, or unable to buy a home. Rice farmers and other crop growers would get bought out by big corporations that would amalgamate their farms into huge commercial ventures. The small family farms would die out as they couldn't afford to compete (price-wise) with the multi-national corporations

Home/property owners (especially in the "attractive" areas) would get bought out and the properties would be redeveloped/resold (at much higher prices of course) to other foreigners.

Your average Thai (right up to the middle-classes) wouldn't be able to afford to buy a home in their own country.

You can see the effects of that in Pattaya. 800,000+ baht for a cheap, small little condo ! Want a house ? Better have a couple million baht for the low end places. These are prices most Thais can't afford. But to Europeans and other Westerners (not to forget our Asian neighbours from places like Japan and Hong Kong), these are still cheap prices compared to where they come from. To them, that makes it an attractive buy because there is a good potential for profit from future re-sales (driving the prices up even higher).

Thai friend of mine and I were in Carrefoure awhile back. They had a used jet-ski on sale for 300,000 baht. My friend shook his head in amazement and said he could by a new house in Khon Kaen for the same amount.

Well, if the land ownership laws were to change, he wouldn't be able to buy a new house there, or anywhere, for that price for very long.

[pap]

You have it backwards. Things like a better health care system, better roads, better education, higher standards of living which increases life span, more jobs, more food, and on and on all come from money in today’s world.

There are ways to have both without buying into the western mind set that money is the most important thing in life. Not recognizing the need for money is a just as dangerous and saying it is all that matters. Balance is the key. That extends beyond this conversation.

The line of reasoning you are following leads to Westerners having a dominant economic position over South East Asians. Not the opposite.

It is important to understand all aspects of your opinion. Although it is altruistic it is not accurate. Thailand does need forms of protection. I just see many better ways of doing it.

Cheers

[pap]

Thailand is not alone in restriting land ownership.

I work in Saudi, where all the land basically belongs to the King first, with the big tribal groups traditionally holding vast tracts within the group, then the land being split down into individual lots. These are bought on an almost indefinite leasehold, courtesy of the King, but I don't know of any foreign-owned land. Even working for Aramco, we have problems with getting our hands on land unless it's to bring in a well.

Look around the world and you'll find many underdeveloped countries have a 'thing' about land ownership.

You are correct and without exception when the laws prohibiting foreign ownership are amended to allow ownereship....even in moderation....the economies experience huge inflows of money which can be used for many things. It also provides impetus to expand their economy on the whole.