Hi, I am in the process of buying a condo at Belle on Narathiwat 24.

I am a UK employee of a multinational company here in Thailand, I was hoping to pay for the purchase from my non-resident baht account with the 5m cash that is sitting here in a local bank account - that amount is earned as a result of my direct employment with my employer here. I have a full work permit and have been working here for 1.5 years.

Now, the sales office at Belle tell me that I only have one option to make payment and that is to transfer money from overseas......which is contradictory to what I hear from other sources. I was told there are in fact two options which can be pursued in my particular circumstances:

1. transfer of FX from outside Thailand to my bank account in Thailand and onward payment.

2. direct cash payment from my non-resident baht account with my Thai bank, providing my company provides a letter confirming that the 5m has been earned from my employment here. This evidence will then be used at the time of registration.

Can anyone confirm that option 2 is a real option?

I am hoping that the Belle sales girls are in fact wrong as I clearly want to use my locally earned Thai baht rather than having to liquidate other funds offshore and bring onshore here (FX risk, transfer fees etc)......

Any advice greatly appreciated!!!

I doubt the bank will write a document confirming the full amount for your condo came from an overseea account if you choose alternative 2. This document is a must if the Land Office is going to register you as the owner of the property.

But this isThailand - Thai banks and Thai Land Offices! If you manage it be quiet about how it was done and don´t tell anyone.

There are other ways. Just ask some of your friends that buy condos or go see a real estate agent that has been around a while and they will walk you through it.