Leasehold vs Freehold in Thailand: A Practical Comparison

Written By Verdant Maenam

Understanding the difference between leasehold and freehold is essential when entering the Thai property market.

Freehold:

  • Full ownership of property and land

  • Generally restricted to Thai nationals (for land)

  • Available to foreigners mainly for condominiums (up to 49% of total unit area per building)

Leasehold:

  • Right to use the property for a fixed term (up to 30 years)

  • Available to foreigners for land and villas

  • Can be registered and legally enforced

Foreign buyers looking for villas will almost always use leasehold or structured alternatives (such as Thai companies or BOI-approved structures in rare cases).

Leasehold remains the most practical, scalable, and widely used solution for international investors entering the Thai villa market.

Verdant Maenam
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