Before you ask

Your Questions,
Answered.

The seven things buyers ask us most. Each answer starts with the short version — read on only if you want the detail.

OwnershipCan foreigners buy property in Thailand?

Yes, with limitsCondo in your own name, yes. Land in your own name, no.

Foreigners can own a condominium unit outright, as long as foreign ownership in that building stays under 49% of the total floor area.

For houses and villas, the common route is a registered lease on the land with ownership of the building itself. We’ll tell you which structure applies to a property before you spend time on a viewing.

OwnershipWhat’s the difference between freehold and leasehold here?

Read this oneLease renewals are contractual, not automatic. That single line is the whole difference.

Freehold means outright ownership of the land. A foreigner cannot hold it directly in their own name — it goes through a Thai national, or through a Thai company in which you can be a shareholder, provided that company rests on genuine activity rather than nominee shareholders.

Leasehold means a lease registered at the Land Department, capped at 30 years per term, usually with renewal terms written into the contract. That renewal distinction is the single point we’d most encourage you to have a lawyer read carefully.

CostsWhat taxes and fees come with a transaction?

2 to 6%Of the value, in total — and who pays what is negotiable.

At the Land Department you’ll typically see a transfer fee of 2% of the appraised value, plus either stamp duty of 0.5% or a specific business tax of 3.3% depending on how long the seller has held the property, and a withholding tax on the seller’s side.

Lease registration is charged separately. We give you the full breakdown in writing before you commit to anything.

ProcessDo I need a lawyer?

YesAnd an independent one.

A Thai property lawyer will run the title search, check the land classification and access rights, and review the contract before anything is signed.

It costs a fraction of the purchase and it’s the step we’d never advise skipping. We can point you to firms we’ve worked with, but the choice should be yours.

The islandWhich parts of Koh Phangan should I be looking at?

It dependsOn whether you’re buying to live, to rent, or both.

Srithanu and the north-west draw the wellness and long-stay crowd, with steady occupancy outside peak season. Thong Sala offers proximity to the pier and services. The east coast is quieter and more seasonal.

Rather than a generic answer, tell us your budget and what you want the property to do. We’ll narrow it down honestly — including telling you when an area isn’t right for you.

After the saleCan you manage my property if I live abroad?

YesIt’s most of what we do. Most owners we work with are not in Thailand.

We currently manage 51 homes on the island with a team of 16 who live here year-round.

That covers guest communication, cleaning, pool and garden, maintenance, and a monthly statement showing exactly what came in and what went out.

After the saleWhat rental income can I realistically expect?

No blind numberWe’ll show you real ones instead.

Koh Phangan is strongly seasonal — December to March carries the year, and the low season is genuinely low. Any figure quoted without knowing the specific property, its location and its condition is guesswork.

What we can do is show you the actual occupancy and revenue history of comparable homes in our portfolio, so you’re working from real numbers rather than a projection.

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and every property is different — please have an independent Thai lawyer review your specific situation. Something else on your mind? Get in touch.

Koh Phangan

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