Statute-backed legal guides for property ownership, business formation, visas, marriage, and taxes. Understand what's legal, what's criminal, and what the 2024-2025 nominee crackdowns mean for you.
Nine comprehensive pillars covering the most important legal issues foreigners face in Thailand
Can foreigners own land? Houses? Condos?
FBA restrictions and why nominees fail
DTV, LTR, Elite, retirement, marriage visas
What marriage does NOT give you
Residency rules, remittance changes
Restricted jobs, work permits
2024-2025 regulatory whiplash
Defamation, vaping, disputes
Bank accounts, transfers, daily life
Thai authorities have dramatically increased enforcement against foreign nominee structures. DSI, CIB, and local police are conducting coordinated raids across tourist provinces. Convictions are happening with real prison sentences and company dissolutions.
View Full Enforcement Tracker →The specific laws with section numbers that every expat should know
Aliens generally prohibited from owning land in Thailand, subject to narrow treaty exceptions.
ProhibitionException allowing up to 1 rai for residence with 40M THB qualifying investment + ministerial approval.
Rare ExceptionCriminal penalties for violations: acquiring land as agent for alien, misuse of permitted land.
Up to 2 Years PrisonCriminalizes Thai persons acting as nominees to help foreigners circumvent business restrictions.
Up to 3 Years PrisonPenalties for foreigners operating restricted business without proper license/certificate.
Criminal + CivilLease registration requirements; maximum 30-year term (longer terms reduce to 30).
Lease LimitsSuperficies: real right to own buildings/structures on another's land.
Legal PathwayCriminal defamation provisions frequently used in business and personal disputes.
Criminal OffenseCalculators and analyzers to help you understand your options
Answer questions about your profile to find the best visa options
InteractiveCompare lease vs. superficies vs. usufruct for your property goals
InteractiveCalculate fees, withholding, and stamps for property transactions
InteractiveEvaluate your current structure against DSI enforcement patterns
InteractiveThis hub provides educational information based on Thai statutes. For specific legal advice, consult a licensed Thai attorney.