Thai property glossary.
The Thai property words foreign buyers actually need: title types, ownership structures, visas, and the authorities that touch every deal.
Title & Ownership
Chanote
Thailand's strongest land title, GPS-surveyed freehold with full legal certainty, officially called Nor Sor 4 Jor.
Read definition →Title Deed
The overarching term for Thai land ownership documents, with Chanote as Thailand's strongest and standard freehold title for prime Phuket property.
Read definition →Foreign Investment Structures
Foreign Quota
The legal cap allowing foreigners to own up to 49% of a condominium building's total combined floor area under the Condominium Act.
Read definition →Thai Leasehold
A registered 30-year land lease, the standard structure for foreign nationals who want long-term use of a villa or house in Thailand.
Read definition →Condominium Act
Thailand's 1979 law (and its amendments) establishing freehold condominium ownership, foreign quota limits, and juristic person governance rules.
Read definition →Visas
LTR Visa
Thailand's 10-year Long-Term Resident visa introduced in 2022 for high-net-worth individuals, retirees, remote workers, and skilled professionals.
Read definition →Retirement Visa
Thailand's Non-Immigrant O-A visa allowing foreign nationals aged 50 and over to stay long-term, renewable annually with financial requirements.
Read definition →Thailand Privilege Visa
Thailand's paid-tier long-term visa (formerly Thailand Elite) offering 5 to 20-year stays with concierge services, restructured in 2023.
Read definition →Authorities & Process
Land Office
The Thai government authority that registers all land titles, property transfers, leases, mortgages, and encumbrances, the single source of truth for Thai property ownership.
Read definition →DBD
Thailand's Department of Business Development, the government company registry authority responsible for registering and recording Thai limited companies and partnerships.
Read definition →Tabien Baan
Thailand's house registration system, a yellow book version exists for foreign nationals to register a residential address without Thai nationality.
Read definition →Due Diligence
The mandatory pre-purchase verification workflow for Thai property, title search, encumbrance check, zoning confirmation, developer standing, and contract review.
Read definition →Property Market Terms
Branded Residence
A condominium or villa development tied to an international hotel or hospitality brand, combining owner occupation rights with optional managed rental programs.
Read definition →Common Area Fee
The recurring charge owners pay toward upkeep of a development's shared spaces, gardens, pools, lobbies, security, and lifts, billed per square metre.
Read definition →Sinking Fund
A mandatory capital reserve fund for Thai condominiums, paid once at unit transfer and used for major building repairs and capital expenditure.
Read definition →