Common Sense About Having a House in Thailand

This is not an article about the legalities of home ownership in Thailand. It is an article based on common sense, experience, anecdotes and experiences of friends.

First, you need to know that you CAN own a home in Thailand. What you CANNOT own is the land the house is on.

Common sense issue number one is this: It is unwise of you to put the land in your wife's name (which you must do) without having legal protection for yourself.

Would you marry a woman in your own country and put everything in her name? Doubtful. And certainly not smart. People change, times change, situations change.

There are a number of things you can investigate with a person who knows the laws of Thailand (and that does not include me).

First, is the possibility of a long term lease in your name.

Second, is a contract that says the house and everything in it belongs to you.

Third, is the formation of a company.

If your wife or partner or future spouse objects to any of this, you might want to reconsider your relationship.

There are many sad stories of people getting taken to the cleaners in the USA or UK or elsewhere. It is probably more common in Thailand than your country, not because Thais are any more dishonest than other people, but because a lot of foreigners see this issue through rose colored glasses and are convinced "it can never happen to me."

I know it can happen to you. It happened to me.

Use your head. Protect yourself.