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Property Report Thailand - July 09 - News

<H2 class=headernews style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Mixed messages from Land Department director Anuwat</H2>

Foreign nationals seeking to circumvent Thai ownership restrictions, by purchasing land or property in the name of a Thai spouse, could see their title deeds revoked, according to comments made by Land Department director Anuwat Meteewiboonwut, on a recent inspection tour to Phuket.

"If the Thai spouse has enough money to buy the house that is fine, but if the Thai has no money and uses money given to him or her by a foreigner to acquire property, that is against the law," Anuwat was quoted as saying in the Phuket Gazette newspaper.

"If we check and find out later that a Thai person has been using money from a foreigner to buy land anywhere in Thailand, we will revoke the title deeds."

But following criticism of his comments in various media, Anuwat denied the department would scrutinise every transaction suspected to have a Thai nominee owning land for foreigners, saying an investigation will be initiated only if there is a complaint.

"For purchases or transfers, we have some regulations and processes to investigate illegality, but not that many. We must respect individual rights and assume individuals will not give fake statements to officials."

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