Integrity Legal

The Thai Immigration system remains in something of a state of flux, although the overall trend is positive. Many of the travel restrictions which had previously been imposed in Thailand have now been lifted. For example, Thailand Pass has been totally mothballed. However, there are presently a number of changes to Thai retirement visas which appear imminent. Notably, the Thai O-A retirement visa‘s insurance requirements appear likely to increase substantially in coming weeks. to quote directly from a entry of Legal.co.th regarding Thai retirement visa insurance:

[I]t was announced that O-A Retirement visas are going to see the insurance coverage requirement go up to 100,000 US Dollars or self-insurance thereof, so roughly the equivalent of 3 million Baht basically shown in a Thai bank account in order to maintain O-A Retirement Visa status.

Meanwhile, insurance seems to be a rather nettlesome issue as a proposed “Tourism Fee” has proven difficult to implement while many question the need for such a measure especially as the tourism sector in Thailand is tenuously recovering. Although it now appears this initiative has been suspended. Another issue recently in the news, seemingly unconnected to immigration policy, pertains to Thai real estate law. It seems proposed “Long Term Residence Visas” (albeit something of a misnomer as these travel documents do not confer permanent residence in Thailand) may allow foreigners to own Thai real estate under limited restrictions. However, even this proposal seems to be under serious scrutiny. To quote directly from a recent article in the Bangkok Post:

A property executive who requested anonymity said many Thais might disagree with the government’s attempt to attract affluent foreigners by granting them full land ownership of one rai for residential use. “It’s good that the government wants to boost the economy by attracting foreign investment,” said the executive. “Thailand is very attractive among foreigners. They want to stay here as our medical services are good, the cost of living is low, the food is superb, and we have a lot of international schools for their children.” However, some locals think it is unfair to them, as many still cannot afford to buy property.

Clearly, the notion of foreign nationals being able to acquire residential real estate in Thailand is not a settled issue. Furthermore, based upon prior announcements from the Thai Land Office it seems that land ownership in Thailand associated with LTR visa status may never be a reality in Thailand.

Tags: Bangkok, Chanote, chiang mai, condo, condominium, condominiums, condos, deed, fee simple, freehold, immigration, land, land ownership, lease, leases, long-term residence, LTR, own land, pattaya, permanent, permanent residence, permanent residency, phuket, PR, property, property thailand, real estate, real estate thailand, reside, residence, residency, resident, residents, Thai, Thai Condo, Thai Embassy, Thai Immigration, Thai Lease, Thai Leases, Thai Property, Thai Real Estate, Thai usufruct, Thai Visa, Thai Visas, ThaiEmbassy, Thailand, Thailand Condo, Thailand Immigration, Thailand Property, Thailand Real Estate, Thailand usufruct, Thailand usufructs, Thailand Visa, Thailand Visas, thaivisa, TM.9, TM9, usufruct, usufructs, visa, visas
Posted in Thailand Property, Thailand Real Estate, Thailand Visa | No Comments »