Gray Stuart – THAILAND

From our office in Asia where we have company directors on the ground we are able to help International property buyers and Investors in many ways. Some of services include the following.

Buying the Best Property in Thailand

Very simply we offer our International clients the best of both worlds in that we have proven experienced local knowledge on the ground as well as international expertise from having made many different transactions throughout the world.

If you need to buy a property for your new Thai Filipino family or wish to invest to take advantage of one of the best property markets in the world we will be able to assist you in that requirement

Thailand Retirement Visa

Thailand has one of the toughest immigration policies in relation to visas to stay in the country on a permanent basis. However our team of experts will be able to assist you with both retirement and spouse visas which are based around the amount of investment made in the country.

Setting Up a Business in the Thaiand

Very simply our professional directors can help you with the set up your company structures in the most tax efficient manner possible. We only use the very best Lawyers, Accountants and professional advisors to make sure your company structure is 100% safe and secure and the very best you can have in the Philippines.

Most importantly our Thailand business partners in this part of the business have access to all the right people and can connect you with the any Thailand s business you may need to partner with to establish your business here and make it grow.

Commercial Leasing and Rental requirements

If you’re looking for the right office premises for your business or you need to find your newly recruited Ex-Pat staff the right quality accommodation so they can focus on working 100% for you without any issues then our professional local team can help you with access to the very best residential and commercial properties available in the local market.

Asset Management

If you’re an investor and already own assets in Thailand or just acquiring them then our team of professionals can offer you the complete asset management services including property management and project management.

These are just a sample of the key services that Gray Stuart Thailand provides and should you need any further information do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Gray Stuart Thailand

Email:    thailand@graystuart.com

Tel:         +63 977 829 1489

Why Invest in Thailand Property?

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The prime minister acts as the head of government (the prime minister usually is the leader of a majority political party). The king is the head of state, who exercises sovereign power through the parliament, the cabinet and the courts, under the provisions of the Constitution.

Thailand is divided into 77 provinces, each of which is divided into districts and sub-districts. Bangkok (the capital) and Pattaya are special governed districts.

The Thai economy, traditionally based on agricultural exports, has transformed dramatically over the past few decades, with industry and services assuming a more prominent role. Industrial activity is concentrated in the central region around the capital, Bangkok.

Thailand enjoys Generalized System of Preferences benefits from a number of countries/regions, including Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand and the US, and has comparable access to the Japanese market. Thailand is an attractive destination for foreign investment, with investment policies focusing on the liberalization and promotion of free trade. Foreign investment, especially investment that contributes to the development of skills, technology, innovation and sustainable development is actively promoted.

Thailand is still able to reap the rewards of its strategic placement on the map today, but in different ways. Its capital of Bangkok is just an hour-long flight from four rapidly growing frontier markets. Namely Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. These nations are among the fastest growing in the world and have given Thailand easy access to cheap labor and almost 200 million consumers – not to mention its own decent-sized population of 67 million.

Therefore, the Thai economy isn’t just dependent on its neighbors for growth. Not only is Bangkok the most heavily toured city on the planet (beating out Paris and London in Mastercard’s latest survey), but also one of the world’s largest exporters of automobiles, electronics, and hardware. Besides manufacturing and exports, Thailand has a large services sector considering it’s an emerging market. The Thai startup community is also seeing rapid growth and great success.

Naturally, this extends to the Thai property market as well. A middle class who barely existed a few decades ago is now much more prominent. They’re capable of buying into the countless new condos and housing projects being built.

The Thailand Property Market for International Buyers

There is no doubt that Thailand is the number one choice for international property buyers in South East Asia for some of the following reasons

  • An exotic long haul destination, Thailand is also a sophisticated tourist destination with a great universal appeal
  • For thousands of people who have worked in Asia for many years, Thailand is an attractive retirement destination, in which the living environment will feel familiar
  • Retirement visas are available for foreigners over 50 years of age, according to financial means
  • Thailand has good schools, an efficient health care system and it is seen as a friendly country in which to live or visit
  • The relatively undiscovered nature of Thailand means that property prices here remain far below those in the more established European markets, although they are set to continue growing quickly
  • Thailand is the largest growth market in Asia. Increasing numbers of businesses choose Thailand as a regional base from which to keep their employees working all around Asia.
  • Thailand has recently attracted significant foreign investment. It has become one of the Asian economic leaders and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the region
  • The completion of the Suvarnabhumi-Bangkok International Airport (SBIA) has precipitated growth in commercial property markets in eastern Bangkok as well as made Thailand even more accessible by air
  • Thailand is one of the cheapest places to fly to in Asia
  • The country has strong business links with China and has an excellent infrastructure as well as world-class facilities in many resort towns
  • Property is much cheaper in Thailand than elsewhere and an increase in overseas interest in property purchase has helped to create an economic recovery in Thailand. Property investors who bought post 1999 have witnessed impressive capital growth, particularly in major cities.
  • Rental potential is great, due to increased government spending luring growing numbers of tourists
  • No capital gains tax for private investors, and low ongoing taxes
  • Today, foreigners are regarded by the government as a big investment opportunity in Thailand and they are actively welcomed and encouraged to invest
  • The waving of Stamp Duty and transfer fees are regarded as enticements for foreign buyers

So What Types of Property Investment Opportunities exist in Thailand?

When it comes to Thailand property investment it is without doubt the most diverse in South East Asia and really does have something for everyone.

Rental Guarantee Properties

For those who want a holiday home with investment there are a few major developers who offer rental guarantee schemes where in essence the Investor enters into a commercial transaction with the developer. The developer leases back the unit after the sale takes place and give a rental guarantee fixed for up to 15 years normally at between 7% to 9% of the purchase price paid.

The Developer then markets the property though its tourism networks and makes sufficient money to make a profit and pay the Investor their rental guarantee. Most of these developers will give 14 to 28 days a year free usage of the investment so the owners actually get to use their investment. For those people who pay in full prior to these projects being completed will normally get cash back equivalent to the rental Guarantee

Pre-Selling Off Plan Property Investment

Another type of investment is buying pre-selling off plan Condos, especially in places such as Bangkok where there will be up to a 4 year build period the investor will buy at the earliest stage possible and see the value of their investment rise as the Developer increases the prices of the units as they make more and more sales until the development is sold out. The Investor then has the opportunity to sell his contract prior to completion and as they may have only invested 30% of the purchase price in those payments to that date the ROI (return on Investment) can be huge. Alternatively some investors will complete on the transaction and get a great yield on the property compare to the original price they paid.

Buy to Let Property Investments

Probably the most traditional form of investment there is very simply investors will buy properties and immediately let them out with the best returns being in the cities and therefore for this type of investment it’s really hard to look beyond Bangkok as the place to invest especially for international property investors.

Conclusion

Without doubt whatever type of investor you are Thailand really does have it all and unlike the emerging markets of South East Asia its already an established economy with 3.2% growth last year and already the second largest economy in South East Asia, In short it’s one of the best places for property investment in Asia.

The Buying Process in the Thailand

Last updated January 2018

This Guide is meant to be a quick get up to speed guide to what makes buying in the Philippines different to other countries we would however strongly recommend that you get your free copy of our Buyers Guide by clicking the link below and we will send it to you straight away. Please note that our system does require Mobile Code Authentication before sending the brochure out.

The type of Property you can buy in Thailand

Freehold condominiums are the best purchasing option in Thailand for foreign buyers. With a special status, outlined by the Condominium Act B.E. 2522 (1979), freehold condominiums allow foreigners direct freehold ownership of the condominium unit, as well as common property co-ownership. In other words, freehold ownership grants absolute ownership of the property, and it is the best form of tenure that foreigners can be granted in Thailand.

Gray Stuart offers foreign buyers a range of purchasing options, with freehold condominiums situated in Bangkok and a number of key resort locations throughout Thailand.

  • Completed property requires 100% payment of the property cost.
  • Property still under construction requires only 30% of the cost to be paid initially. The remaining 70% is paid upon completion.

Foreigners can purchase up to 49% of the total floor area of a condominium on a freehold basis. It is therefore important to be aware of a condominium’s foreign ownership quota before buying.

Alternatively, foreigners may register leasehold rights of a property with the District Land Office. This includes the lease of condominiums and freehold land. Through this process, foreigners can effectively use land with a leasehold tenure and are permitted to own buildings or structures erected on that land. Thai law limits the duration of leases to a maximum of 30 years, after which the lease term can be renewed. With a registered company in Thailand, foreigners may also buy land or a house.

Buying Costs and other Considerations

Taxation is another factor that needs to be taken into consideration when making your purchase. Those investing in property in Thailand are sometimes unaware of the buying costs when buying a property.

Transfer Fee – The Transfer Fee applies to all freehold properties and is equivalent to 2% of the official appraised value of the property. Whether the buyer or seller pays the Transfer Fee will depend on the terms agreed by both parties in the Sale and Purchase agreement at the date of ownership transfer. The Transfer Fee is paid to the District Land Office where the property is located.

Lease Registration Fee – If the lease is less than 3 years, then a lease registration is not required for the lease to be fully enforceable by law. Leases between 3 and 30 years should be registered with the Land Office in order to ensure the enforceability in court. Currently the lease registration fee is calculated at 1% of the total rental fee for the entire lease term, this cost is normally Bourne equally by the Lessor and Lessee upon mutual agreement of both parties..

Special Business Tax SBT – SBT is payable by companies and individuals who wish to sell a property that has been held for less than 5 years. The tax rate is calculated at 3.3% (including municipal tax) of either the sales price or the official appraised value of the property whichever is the greater.

Stamp Duty – Is imposed at varying rates on certain legal instruments. Stamp Duty is only applicable in cases where SBT has not been applied.

Withholding Tax WHT – Where the seller is a company the WHT is calculated at 1% of the Land Departments official appraised value or the contracted sale price whichever is the higher. An Individual who earns income from selling a property which includes condominium units is subject to WHT under the revenue code of Thailand. The WHT is calculated at a progressive rate based on the official appraised value of the property.

Using a Lawyer

Whilst local Thai people may conclude their sales without using a Lawyer this is not something we would recommend to international property buyers especially on resale properties as their maybe issues in relation to planning consents and so forth. If you are buying direct from the developer who is a developer of substance then it’s possible to buy without a Lawyer.

However we believe it’s always good to have local representation on the ground in Thailand just so you can protect yourself. Another benefit is the Lawyer can keep a record of the transactions especially the transfer of the funds into Thailand which will make life a lot easier for you when you come to sell.

Bangkok Location Guide

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.

Bangkok is now the most visited city in the world having taken over from London and Paris as the number one destination for visitors. Bangkok is also the gateway to many other fabulous cities and locations throughout Thailand

Bangkok has a current population of 8.2m and was pronounced the capital of Thailand back in 1782 and has many attractions such as Luxury malls that compete with a sea of boutiques and markets, where you can treat yourself without overspending. Extravagant Luxury hotels and surprisingly cheap serviced apartments welcome you with the same famed Thai hospitality. And no visit to Bangkok would be complete without a glimpse of its famous nightlife. Be it nightclubs, cabarets or exotic red-light districts, Bangkok never ceases to amaze and well worth the visit