Buying Untitled Land In Chiang Daol

[Hanumann]

I have a real dilemma about a potential land purchase in Chiang Dao , Northern Thailand; I have a very good lady friend in Bangkok who has a friend (friend's name is Nok) in Chiang Dao; Nok has been given authorization from three individual landowners to represent them in the sale of their properties. The problem is that the 3 plots of land, which collectively amount to 1.5 rais, have no official title deeds.

There is a paper certified that these lands are not part of the preservation forest, it is in a residential areas. The sale procedure will be handled with a sale contract

In the sale contract, it will specify the location of land such as whose land is on the north, south, east and west. It is believed that the government will issue an official title deeds to land in these areas soon, this could happen in 2006 since the government has already sent the officials to inspect and make some measure of the land.

The plan is to give my lady friend the monies to buy the properties in question; the purchase price for all three lots is in the amount $13,200USD (550K baht). After the purchase, the lands would be in her name. Let me say further, I have implict trust in my lady friend and we are by no means romantically involved. We are just platonic friends!

So if I have my friend buy the properties in question with my funds (I understand the lands will be officially in her name) , is there any legal way of protecting my investment with legal provisos or documents before an official title deed can be issued to her? When the title is issued to her, I am assuming the lawyer(s) can draw up papers to set me up with an official 30 year lease for the properties (with an optional mortgage if necessary) to legally protect my investment.

Need to resolve this matter by Sep. 27; there are some Thai nationals who are competing for the properties and they are willing to commit monies on Oct. 01 so time is of the essence on this matter.

Can anybody point me in the right direction or refer me to a reputable and trustworthy lawyer? If the situation is too risque, I guess it would be time to bail out.

You can e-mail or PM if you'd like.

Edited September 23, 2005 by Hanumann

[stoneman]

Certainly would not presume to tell you what to do, but I certainly would not invest $13K in 1.5 rai of land in my friend's name with no title...

I would pass and let someone else have it...Do not want to say it is a scam...but...

Stoneman

[Dragonman]

I have a real dilemma about a potential  land purchase in Chiang Dao , Northern Thailand; I have a very good lady friend in Bangkok who has a friend (friend's name is Nok) in Chiang Dao; Nok has been given authorization from  three individual landowners to  represent them in the sale of their properties. The problem is that the 3 plots of land, which collectively amount to 1.5 rais, have no official title deeds.

There is a paper certified that these lands are not part of the preservation forest,      it is in a residential areas. The sale procedure will be handled with a sale contract

In the sale contract, it will specify the location of land such as whose land is on the north, south, east and west. It is believed that the government will issue an official title deeds to land in these areas soon, this could happen in 2006 since the government  has already sent the officials to inspect and make some measure of the land.

The plan is to give my lady friend the monies to buy the properties in question;  the purchase price for all three lots is in the amount $13,200USD (550K baht).  After the purchase, the lands would be in her name. Let me say further, I have implict trust in my lady friend and we are by no means romantically involved. We are just platonic friends!

So if I have my friend buy  the properties in question with my funds (I understand the lands will be officially in her name) , is there any legal way of protecting my investment  with legal provisos or documents  before an official title deed can be issued to her? When the title is issued to her, I am assuming the lawyer(s) can draw up papers to set me up with an official 30 year lease for the properties  (with an optional mortgage if necessary) to legally protect my investment.

Need to resolve this matter by Sep. 27; there are some Thai nationals who are competing for the properties and they are willing to commit monies on Oct. 01 so time is of the essence on this matter.

Can anybody point me in the right direction  or refer me to a reputable and trustworthy lawyer?  If the situation is too risque, I guess it would be time to bail out.

You can e-mail or PM if you'd like.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What do you intend useing the land for, speculating or building a home for yourself. The land should have some sort of title e.g. Nor Sor 3; Sor Kor 1;Sor Por, Gor 4-01. Which is it, as it will have great significance? Everything involving foreigners and land in Thailand is risky and the only people who will tell you otherwise are making money out of land sales.

[chownah]

First you say you trust your friend totally and then you say you need a document to protect your interests....which is it?

[Thaipwriter]

Why not wait until the land titles are issued to the rightful owner?

When the rightful owner can show you the titles you can go ahead and make your purchase with your friend.

Until then why not keep your money in the bank and a smile on your face?

This talk of having to complete the deal before the "27th" and "Thai nationals" you are "competing with" makes me think you are are being stitched up "good and proper"

[Khun Jean]

Need to resolve this matter by Sep. 27; there are some Thai nationals who are competing for the properties and they are willing to commit monies on Oct. 01 so time is of the essence on this matter.

This is the reason you should forget about it. No time to gather information, Have to make decisions in a hurry. Reading the rest of you message i would guess you are not speculative, so forget it.

If somehow you are very speculative the gains can be great by picking up a "bargain" but also the losses are great. How about other land close to this land. Is it more expensive to justify this very quick buy?

Good luck, and act wise.

BTW. There is no shortage of land in Thailand! You can buy 1 rai for 30.000 baht up almost everywhere outside of the big cities and tourist places. And these are with a land title.

Edited September 24, 2005 by Khun Jean

[Hanumann]

Thanx for all your replies; I am still debating whether to "buy" this untitled land.

i was told that much of the land in in the Chiang Dao area will be assigned land deeds in the near future, however is it true that most of the land in the countryside (outside of the big cities) in Northern is currently without title? Anybody know?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Pass on it. Too risky.

[Dragonman]

Thanx for all your replies; I am still debating whether to "buy" this untitled land.

i was told  that much of the land in in the Chiang Dao area  will be assigned land deeds in the near future, however  is it true that most of the land in the countryside (outside of the big cities)  in Northern is currently without title? Anybody know?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most of these untitled parcels in north and north east were given by the government to local people many of whom were living in shacks with no work prospects. Land to build a home was given together with a sometimes remote parcel to farm. My mother in law living in Isaan was given such land 35 years ago.This is why many small villages consist of mainly relatives.

[cmsally]

From how I see it you would spend money and have nothing to show for it. A lot of untitled lands ownership is dependent on "owner" making use of that land, so you could find you lose claim if you don't make use of that land. Any form of title lower than Chanot has no specified boundaries and you can & probably will lose land when it is remeasured. With no local connections and power you certainly won't be gaining any.

You say accumulated titles are approx 1.5 rai - where are the boundaries , what's there to prove it. These are just a few of the many considerations.

But then again in the end its up to you - if it were me I would only consider IF - I lived or had titled land directly adjoining this land AND it was much cheaper AND I knew local officials, kamnan etc

If you are ready to go in expecting to lose everything but maybe you won't, then go for it. If you are expecting a piece of land that is yours ie an investment - better forget it.

[Dragonman]

Any form of title lower than Chanot has no specified boundaries and you can & probably will lose land when it is remeasured. With no local connections and power you certainly won't be gaining any.

You say accumulated titles are approx 1.5 rai - where are the boundaries

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are coordinates on the Nor Sor 3 (Gor), but the OP doesn't seem to know what title is available.