Land is measured in Rai, Ngan and Wah.

• 1 Rai = 4 Ngan (1,600 m2)
• 1 Ngan = 100 Wha2 (400 m2)
• 1 Wah2 = 4 m2
• 1 Acre = 2.5 Rai (approx.)
• 1 Hectare = 6.25 Rai (approx.)

There are several factors to consider when looking for a prospective property. Infrastructure and certain considerations in addition to our basic requirements should be taken into account:

• Location-Proximity to business, shops, hospitals, conveniences, etc.
• Access-public utility and road access, conrete roads.
• Water-Mains water,well water,and supplementary storage facilities.
• Electricity-mains connection, and backup generators.
• Telephones-Access to direct lines.
• Security-24 hour security guard service, security panel systems.
• TV connection-cable or satellite.
• Hot water facilities-nearly all in Thailand are instant and not storage.
• Air Conditioning-a necessity in Thailand.
• Furniture and Appliances-provision of basic furnishings and white goods.

The simple answer is no. The Land Tax livied on residential properties is such a small amount that in practice the body charged to collect it, rarely bothers to do so, and if they do, they usually wait many years until the amount accumulates.

On all purchase/sale of property in Thailand there is a Stamp Duty of 0.5%, a Transfer Fee of 2%, a Specific Business Tax of 3.3% levied against an owner who has been in registered possession of the peoperty less than 5 years, and Income Tas. There is no Capital Gains Tax in Thailand, unlike many countries, and Income Tax (usually between 1.0-3.0%) on property is the comparable replacement. There are no set rules on who pays the income tax, and it is just another part of the bargaining process, as with all the other costs of the transfer of ownership.

Prior to 1998, and Thai woman who married a foreigner would lose her right to purchase land in Thailand. She could, however, still retain land that she owned prior to marrying the foreigner. However, the recent (1999) Ministerial regulation now allows Thai national's married to foreigners the right to purchase land, but the Thai spouse must prove that the money used in the purchase of freehold land is legally solely theirs with no foreign claim to it. This is usually achieved by the foreign spouse signing a declaration station that the funds used for the purchase of property belonged to the Thai spouse prior to the marriage and are beyond his claim.

Four Steps to Own a Condo

1. Title Search-To verify the status of a land and any mortgages.
2. Sale and Purchase Agreement-This document specifies the selling proce, terms and conditions of the sale.
3. Payment                                                                                             a) Deposit: Normally, 1% of the total price of a unit is required as a deposit payment to reserve a right to purchasse a condo.                   b)  Down Payment: Asum of 10% to 30%, depending on an agreement between a buyer and a seller.
4. Registration of Ownership -After a delivery of condominium unit and the final payment, the seller will then transfer the ownership of a condominium unit into your name. A registration fee, a stamp duty, and a withholding tax must be paid at the time a transfer of ownership takes place.