Advice Required: Tracing Property Ownership In Kos Samui

[Bobtomlinson]

I am a solicitor in the UK and my firm has accepted instructions to act for the executors of a recently deceased Englishman.

He was estranged from his Thai wife and his will suggests that he may have owned property in Kos Samui. Members of his family support that belief although none are able to provide an address, evidence of ownership, copy title deeds, or a purchase agreement.

I would appreciate any advice as to whether there is a searchable record of property ownership in Kos Samui in order that I may investigate the position further.

As a matter of fact I recently disposed of two condos I owned in Pattaya and had some involvement in the transfer of a "freehold" property owned by a deceased farang in the City. I am aware that so far as the Condos are concerned there were "Chanods" recording title ownership (I have probably mis-spelt the word). The "freehold" property was held by a company formed for the pupose of property holding and certain of the shareholders were Thais all of whom had executed undated stock transfer forms.

I am wondering if the same system applies in Kos Samui and where records are held.

I do appreciate any assistance you are able to provide.

[1927]

I am a solicitor in the UK and my firm has accepted instructions to act for the executors of a recently deceased Englishman.

He was estranged from his Thai wife and his will suggests that he may have owned property in Kos Samui. Members of his family support that belief although none are able to provide an address, evidence of ownership, copy title deeds, or a purchase agreement.

I would appreciate any advice as to whether there is a searchable record of property ownership in Kos Samui in order that I may investigate the position further.

As a matter of fact I recently disposed of two condos I owned in Pattaya and had some involvement in the transfer of a "freehold" property owned by a deceased farang in the City. I am aware that so far as the Condos are concerned there were "Chanods" recording title ownership (I have probably mis-spelt the word). The "freehold" property was held by a company formed for the pupose of property holding and certain of the shareholders were Thais all of whom had executed undated stock transfer forms.

I am wondering if the same system applies in Kos Samui and where records are held.

I do appreciate any assistance you are able to provide.

Cant offer any real contribution..... but suggest to stop calling it KOS Samui would be a good starting point

[BusyBee123]

find a solicitor in thailand and stop charging these people money immediately, to take on this case and post here is an embarrassment to your profession

[UmpaLumpa]

unless 'the deceased' had a company, his name cannot be on the chanote, as he was foreigner.

[churchill]

Records are kept at the Land Office - but you will at least need an address of the property to start to search - If the property was in his wifes name - I suppose you could forget it - If he set up a company you will need to find those details and as somebody else suggested contact one of the local law firms to look into the matter further .

[nod]

If you were able to post the deceased persons name, you might find that you alert someone who knew him that might be able to assist you with information. If he used the "lease method" of holding the land, then his name would in fact be on the back of the chanote title as the 30 year lease holder. If he was a relatively recent purchaser (last ten years), a long shot might be to email every law firm you can identify in Samui with this enquiry, with the hope that you hit on one that may have done a company set up for him.

My fear however is that in performing this task, you are about to enter a "different world" as far as the law is concerned!

[Samuian]

Records are kept at the Land Office - but you will at least need an address of the property to start to search - If the property was in his wifes name - I suppose you could forget it - If he set up a company you will need to find those details and as somebody else suggested contact one of the local law firms to look into the matter further .

Tessaban!

[LolaSamui]

What about trying to get in contact with the estranged wife and asking her? Maybe she would be willing to help.

[japandan]

Records are kept at the Land Office - but you will at least need an address of the property to start to search - If the property was in his wifes name - I suppose you could forget it - If he set up a company you will need to find those details and as somebody else suggested contact one of the local law firms to look into the matter further .

Tessaban!

incorrect...land office.

Find a good law firm on Samui ...in any case, you have 0% chance of doing or even understanding anything in this regard with your UK law qualification.

Good luck!

[highdiver]

in general Forigners are not allowed to own land in thailand.

assuming that the land was bought under a company name.. there is no way that his name will show up at the land office. and its a waste of time getting a lawyer to look it up there.

i suggest you look at the department of business and try and find out if he was registered as a share holder in any thai company. this is public record and should not be a problem to inquire. there is a website for that but it is in thai.

if you have found him to be share holder then you can check through the department who is the law firm / accounting firm that registered The company and through them make a calim on behalf of the legal inheritors.

[PatinBKk]

find a solicitor in thailand and stop charging these people money immediately, to take on this case and post here is an embarrassment to your profession

So how would a Thai Law Firm deal with the deceased assets in the U.K??? The poster has used a viable avenue for assistance in confirming any assests the deceased may have in Thailand even if acting as an intermediatery and will no doubt deal with assests held in the U.K.

[Samuian]

Records are kept at the Land Office - but you will at least need an address of the property to start to search - If the property was in his wifes name - I suppose you could forget it - If he set up a company you will need to find those details and as somebody else suggested contact one of the local law firms to look into the matter further .

Tessaban!

incorrect...land office.

Find a good law firm on Samui ...in any case, you have 0% chance of doing or even understanding anything in this regard with your UK law qualification.

Good luck!

though the "land Office" is under the jurisdiction or a branch of the "Municipal office", if not enlighten me!

however...

[japandan]

Records are kept at the Land Office - but you will at least need an address of the property to start to search - If the property was in his wifes name - I suppose you could forget it - If he set up a company you will need to find those details and as somebody else suggested contact one of the local law firms to look into the matter further .

Tessaban!

incorrect...land office.

Find a good law firm on Samui ...in any case, you have 0% chance of doing or even understanding anything in this regard with your UK law qualification.

Good luck!

though the "land Office" is under the jurisdiction or a branch of the "Municipal office", if not enlighten me!

however...

okay, no they are not, they are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior.