House With No Land

[hellohello]

I live in a small village on a beautiful island in the Andaman Sea. All the houses (500 to possibly 1000) on the sea side of the street sit on poles. I've been told there are no nor sor sam (Land Titles) on any of these houses because no one can own the Sea. I've been renting a house here for 2 years.

I would like to buy one in my Thai's fiancees name and (if possible) sign a lease agreement for 30 years. Since there is no land title and we are only purchasing a structure the price is very appealing. We plan on tearing most of the house down and rebuilding it, slowly in accordance to local law. Most of our neighbors houses presently are shacks, but recently the whole towns infrastructure is getting a face lift.

The house is registered in the Ampur with a legal address.

Has anybody heard of this before. Is it legal, or some day will we be told sorry you don't have a land title and must leave? What are the risks in having a Tor bor ha - if in fact that's what it is? Are there any other factors in leasing a house I should be aware of? The house was recently surveyed and a new blue passbook was issued so I know where the house begins and ends. Ive done some research and I found the title can be bought and sold on this particular property, which is conflicting advice to what I read on numerous websites about Tor bor ha's.

Anyone know anything about this?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Well....the legal status is approximately nil. Talk to a lawyer ( or take the risk ) But you knew that before you asked.

[hellohello]

Nil? that's not good.

So all of my Thai neighbors, some who have lived here for 30-40+ years could be tossed on their butt at any time?

[jayrockwell]

Tor Bor Tor 5 & 6

Essentially forms of squatters or settlers claim that has been filed with the district office and upon which a small fee has been paid. Not possible to register a sale or lease over these land rights, nor will bank accept as collateral. Can NOT obtain approval to build on such land.

Source: Phuket Realestate

hellohello, where do you live?

J

Edited May 24, 2004 by jayrockwell

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Nil? that's not good.

So all of my Thai neighbors, some who have lived here for 30-40+ years could be tossed on their butt at any time?

ABSOLUTELY ... and they all knew that before they took the plunge. As you well know also.

[hellohello]

As usual im more confused then before.

If its "not possible to register a sale or lease over these land rights"

Then how did my Thai neighbor just sell his house to another Thai? And go to the Ampur and get a new book of house ownership on the house with a NEW name on the said paper. Wouldn't the house be illegal?

Ps. Dr PP I didnt know until now!

[Basher]

I thought the song was Horse with no name??

"Ah bin through the desert in a house with no land, it feels good to be out of the rain"

isn't that weird?

Bash

[hellohello]

With a Thai accent singing in english!!

[maerim]

Ah bin through the desert in a house with no land, it feels good to be out of the rain"

I'll have whatever he's been drinking, make it a double.

[Dutchy]

Has anybody heard of this before. Is it legal, or some day will we be told sorry you don't have a land title and must leave? What are the risks in having a Tor bor ha - if in fact that's what it is?

I stand to be corrected but if I'm not mistaken your title deed is called "Tor baa ti sud nai lork". You're buying basically nothing with it.

The main risk is that when you build up somethng beautiful, an influential Thai may want to have it. If you have connections, you can do anything. Without them I wouldn't want to burn my fingers on this venture...

Dutchy