Thai Legal Hub Build Plan

Detailed implementation plan for 50+ pages covering Thai law for foreign expats. Phase 1 focuses on the first 30 high-priority pages.

50-60
Total Pages
30
Phase 1 Pages
9
Content Pillars
15+
Interactive Tools

Build Plan Contents

1. Proposed Structure Changes
2. 9-Pillar Taxonomy
3. Phase 1: First 30 Pages
4. Property Pages (1-8)
5. Business Pages (9-15)
6. Visa Pages (16-22)
7. Cannabis Pages (23-26)
8. Criminal Pages (27-30)
9. Phase 2 Preview
📐

Proposed Structure Changes Improvements to GPT's original taxonomy

✅ Key Changes from GPT's Structure

  • Added Cannabis/Marijuana Pillar: GPT buried cannabis under "Criminal Tripwires" - it deserves its own pillar given the 2024-2025 regulatory whiplash (medical re-gating, CBD rules, tourism confusion)
  • Elevated DTV/Visa Content: DTV is the hottest visa topic for digital nomads - needs more granular pages covering each soft power category
  • Added Enforcement Tracker as Living Page: Rather than static content, one continuously-updated page tracking raids quarterly
  • More Practical "How-To" Pages: GPT focused on law exposition; we need actionable checklists and step-by-step guides
  • Cross-Pillar Linking: Property + Business + Tax are deeply interlinked - structure should reflect that

⚠️ Content Differentiation Strategy

To avoid Google's anti-scaling penalties, each page must:

  • Answer a distinct, high-intent search query
  • Cite different statute sections as primary focus
  • Include unique tools, checklists, or calculators where applicable
  • Not substantially overlap with sibling pages
📚

9-Pillar Taxonomy Revised structure with cannabis pillar

🏠 1. Property & Land

Ownership rules, leasehold, superficies, condos, due diligence

8 pages
💼 2. Business & Nominee

FBA, nominee risks, BOI, Treaty of Amity

7 pages
✈️ 3. Visas & Immigration

DTV, LTR, Elite, retirement, marriage, work permits

10 pages
🌿 4. Cannabis & CBD

2024-2025 rules, medical vs recreational, business licensing

5 pages
💍 5. Marriage & Family

Rights myths, prenups, divorce, inheritance

6 pages
💰 6. Tax for Expats

Residency, remittance rules, property taxes, crypto

6 pages
👔 7. Employment

Restricted jobs, work permits, freelancing

5 pages
⚠️ 8. Criminal Tripwires

Defamation, Computer Crime Act, vaping, disputes

6 pages
🏦 9. Banking & Practical

Bank accounts, transfers, licenses, insurance

5 pages
🚀

Phase 1: First 30 Pages Priority pages for initial launch

Phase 1 covers the highest-traffic, highest-stakes topics: property, business, visas, and cannabis. These are the pages expats search for most urgently and where legal mistakes are most costly.

Phase 1 Distribution

  • Property & Land: 8 pages (flagship pillar)
  • Business & Nominee: 7 pages (criminal risk focus)
  • Visas & Immigration: 7 pages (DTV priority)
  • Cannabis & CBD: 4 pages (new dedicated pillar)
  • Criminal Tripwires: 4 pages (defamation, vaping)
🏠

Property & Land Ownership

Pages 1-8

1 Can Foreigners Own Land in Thailand? Flagship

📊 Est. 2,500 words 🔍 Target: "foreigner buy land thailand" ⚡ Priority: Critical
  • Clear NO answer upfront with statutory basis
  • Land Code §86 full text + plain English
  • Historical context (why the prohibition exists)
  • Comparison with other ASEAN countries
  • What "ownership" means in Thai legal system
  • Quick reference card for agents/lawyers
Land Code §86 Land Code §97 §111-113 Penalties

2 The §96 bis Exception: 40M THB Investment Route Deep Dive

📊 Est. 2,000 words 🔍 Target: "thailand land code 96 bis"
  • Full text of §96 bis with annotations
  • 40M THB requirement breakdown (what qualifies)
  • Ministerial regulation requirements
  • 1 rai maximum explained (400 sqm)
  • Application process step-by-step
  • Why this is rarely used in practice
  • Case studies of successful applications
  • Comparison with Elite visa property access
Land Code §96 bis Land Code §96 ter Ministerial Regulations

3 30-Year Leasehold Explained: CCC §538 & §540 How-To

📊 Est. 2,200 words 🔍 Target: "thailand 30 year lease foreigner"
  • CCC §538 registration requirements
  • CCC §540 maximum term (30 years, not 90)
  • Renewal clauses: what's enforceable vs. not
  • "30+30+30" myth debunked
  • Registration at Land Office process
  • Costs: transfer fees, registration, stamps
  • Lease template key provisions
  • Sublease and assignment rights
CCC §538 CCC §540 Land Office Regulations

4 Superficies: Own the Building, Lease the Land Structure

📊 Est. 2,000 words 🔍 Target: "thailand superficies foreign house"
  • CCC §1410-1416 explained in plain English
  • How superficies separates building from land
  • Registration process at Land Office
  • Duration limits and renewals
  • Combining with leasehold (optimal structure)
  • Selling/transferring superficies rights
  • Mortgage and financing options
  • Comparison with usufruct
CCC §1410 CCC §1411 CCC §1416

5 Usufruct & Habitation Rights for Foreigners

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand usufruct foreigner"
  • CCC §1417-1428 (Usufruct) breakdown
  • CCC §1402-1409 (Habitation) breakdown
  • Lifetime vs. term usufruct
  • What rights usufruct actually grants
  • Inheritance planning with usufruct
  • Registration requirements
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • When to use usufruct vs. superficies
CCC §1417-1428 CCC §1402-1409

6 Condo Ownership: The 49% Foreign Quota

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand condo foreign quota"
  • Condominium Act foreign ownership provisions
  • 49% quota calculation method
  • How to verify quota availability
  • Foreign Exchange Transaction Form (FETF)
  • Freehold vs. leasehold condos
  • Transfer process and costs
  • Common juristic person issues
  • Resale considerations for foreigners
Condominium Act B.E. 2522 BOT Regulations

7 Land Code Penalties: §111-113 Criminal Exposure Criminal

📊 Est. 2,000 words 🔍 Target: "thailand land code penalty foreigner"
  • §111: Violating §86 - fine + 2 years
  • §112: Juristic person violations - 50K fine
  • §113: Agent for alien - 2 years prison
  • Recent enforcement examples (with dates)
  • How investigations are triggered
  • Compulsory disposal mechanisms
  • Defense strategies (what works, what doesn't)
  • Comparison with FBA penalties
Land Code §111 Land Code §112 Land Code §113

8 Property Due Diligence Checklist Tool

📊 Est. 1,500 words + checklist 🔍 Target: "thailand property due diligence"
  • Title deed types: Chanote, Nor Sor 3, etc.
  • Land Office verification process
  • Encumbrance search procedure
  • Zoning and building permit checks
  • Interactive checklist widget
  • Red flags that indicate problems
  • When to hire a lawyer vs. DIY
  • Cost breakdown for due diligence
Land Code (Title Provisions) Building Control Act
💼

Business & Nominee Risks

Pages 9-15

9 Foreign Business Act: What's Restricted? Flagship

📊 Est. 2,500 words 🔍 Target: "thailand foreign business act"
  • FBA B.E. 2542 (1999) overview
  • List 1: Absolutely prohibited (media, land trading)
  • List 2: Requires Cabinet approval
  • List 3: Requires DBD license
  • What counts as "foreign" (>49% ownership)
  • DBD reporting requirements
  • Penalties overview (preview of §36-37)
  • Exemptions and carve-outs
FBA B.E. 2542 FBA List 1, 2, 3 FBA §36-37

10 Nominee Structures: Why They're Criminal Criminal

📊 Est. 2,200 words 🔍 Target: "thailand nominee company illegal"
  • FBA §36: Nominee assistance - 3 years
  • FBA §37: Unlicensed operation - penalties
  • How DSI investigates nominee structures
  • Evidence patterns that trigger cases
  • Both Thai and foreign parties liable
  • Company dissolution consequences
  • Recent enforcement wave 2024-2025
  • Why "everyone does it" is not a defense
FBA §36 FBA §37 Criminal Code §267

11 "2 of 3 Directors" Myth: Why Control Tricks Fail

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand company foreigner control"
  • Common control mechanisms foreigners try
  • Why director control ≠ ownership compliance
  • Voting agreements and their limits
  • Preferential share structures
  • Loan-back arrangements (and problems)
  • How DSI looks through structures
  • What counts as "real" Thai investment
  • Legitimate vs. illegitimate structuring
FBA Definition of Foreign CCC Company Provisions

12 BOI Promotion: Investment Promotion Act §27

📊 Est. 2,000 words 🔍 Target: "thailand BOI foreigner business"
  • Investment Promotion Act overview
  • §27 foreign majority ownership permission
  • Promoted activities list (2024 updates)
  • Application process and timeline
  • Land ownership under BOI (conditions)
  • Revocation and compliance requirements
  • BOI vs. FBA license comparison
  • Common BOI mistakes
Investment Promotion Act §27 BOI Announcements

13 Treaty of Amity: US Citizen Advantage

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand treaty of amity US"
  • 1966 Treaty of Amity provisions
  • Which List 3 activities are accessible
  • Still can't own land (common misconception)
  • Application process through DBD
  • Majority ownership allowed (but limits)
  • Protected vs. unprotected activities
  • Maintaining Amity status compliance
  • Non-US alternatives (what other countries get)
Treaty of Amity 1966 DBD Regulations

14 Enforcement Tracker: Nominee Crackdown Timeline Living Page

📊 Updated quarterly 🔍 Target: "thailand nominee crackdown news"
  • Chronological enforcement timeline
  • Location tags (Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui)
  • Agency involved (DSI, CIB, local police)
  • Outcome tracking (convictions, fines)
  • Pattern analysis (what triggers raids)
  • Source links to Thai media
  • Quarterly update schedule
  • RSS/email notification signup
News Sources Court Records

15 Foreign Business License: When & How

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand foreign business license application"
  • When an FBL is required (List 3 activities)
  • Application to DBD step-by-step
  • Required documentation
  • Minimum capital requirements
  • Processing time and fees
  • Conditions and reporting obligations
  • Renewal and compliance
  • FBL vs. BOI decision tree
FBA §17 DBD Regulations
✈️

Visas & Immigration

Pages 16-22

16 DTV Visa Complete Guide: 5-Year Digital Nomad Flagship

📊 Est. 2,500 words 🔍 Target: "thailand DTV visa digital nomad"
  • DTV overview: 5-year multiple entry
  • 180-day stay per entry
  • Two eligibility tracks explained
  • Digital nomad (remote worker) track
  • Soft power (cultural) track
  • Application process (Thai consulate)
  • Required documents checklist
  • Common mistakes and rejections
Immigration Act DTV Announcement 2024

17 DTV Soft Power Categories: What Qualifies

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand DTV soft power eligible"
  • Muay Thai training programs
  • Thai cooking courses
  • Thai language study
  • Medical/wellness tourism
  • Thai music and arts
  • Film and content creation
  • Fashion and design
  • Documentation requirements per category
DTV Categories List Ministry of Culture Guidelines

18 LTR Visa: 10-Year Long-Term Resident

📊 Est. 2,000 words 🔍 Target: "thailand LTR visa 10 year"
  • Four LTR categories explained
  • Wealthy Global Citizens ($1M assets)
  • Wealthy Pensioners ($80K/year)
  • Work-from-Thailand Professionals
  • Highly-Skilled Professionals
  • Tax benefits (17% rate, no foreign income)
  • Digital work permit included
  • Family members eligibility
LTR Visa Regulations 2022 BOI LTR Unit

19 Thailand Elite Visa: Membership Options

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand elite visa cost"
  • Elite membership tiers comparison
  • 5-year, 10-year, 20-year options
  • Pricing and what's included
  • Airport fast-track and lounge access
  • No work rights (common misconception)
  • Application process
  • Refund and cancellation policies
  • Elite vs. LTR comparison
Thailand Privilege Card Co. Elite Membership Terms

20 Retirement Visa: O-A and O-X Requirements

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand retirement visa requirements"
  • Age requirement (50+)
  • O-A (1 year) vs O-X (10 year) comparison
  • Financial requirements (800K THB or income)
  • Health insurance requirements
  • 90-day reporting obligations
  • Re-entry permit requirements
  • Annual renewal process
  • Common rejection reasons
Immigration Act Retirement Visa Regulations

21 Marriage Visa (O): Spouse of Thai National

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand marriage visa requirements"
  • Eligibility (legal Thai marriage)
  • Financial requirements (400K THB)
  • Income alternative proof
  • Initial visa vs. extension process
  • Required documents checklist
  • Marriage visa ≠ land ownership (myth)
  • Work permit eligibility
  • Divorce implications for visa
Immigration Act Marriage Visa Regulations

22 Visa Comparison Matrix: Which Is Right? Tool

📊 Est. 1,500 words + calculator 🔍 Target: "thailand visa comparison"
  • Interactive comparison calculator
  • DTV vs LTR vs Elite vs Retirement matrix
  • Cost comparison over 5 years
  • Work rights comparison
  • Entry/exit flexibility
  • Tax implications by visa type
  • Family inclusion options
  • Decision tree tool
All Visa Types Interactive Tool
🌿

Cannabis & CBD Laws

Pages 23-26

⚠️ Why Cannabis Needs Its Own Pillar

Thailand's cannabis laws have undergone dramatic changes in 2024-2025:

  • 2022: Cannabis delisted from narcotics - recreational use tolerated
  • 2024: Push to re-regulate, restrict to medical use only
  • 2025: New Cannabis Act pending - recreational ban expected
  • Foreigners are particularly vulnerable during this transition period

23 Cannabis in Thailand 2025: Current Legal Status Flagship

📊 Est. 2,500 words 🔍 Target: "thailand cannabis law 2025"
  • Current legal status (as of publication date)
  • 2022 delisting from Narcotics Act Category 5
  • 2024-2025 regulatory tightening
  • Pending Cannabis and Hemp Act
  • What's legal now (medical prescription)
  • What's illegal (public consumption, export)
  • THC limits (0.2% for CBD products)
  • Foreigner-specific risks
Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 Ministry of Health Notifications Pending Cannabis Act

24 Medical Cannabis: Prescription & Clinic Access

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand medical cannabis foreigner"
  • Medical cannabis legal framework
  • How foreigners can access (legally)
  • Licensed clinic requirements
  • Prescription process
  • Qualifying conditions
  • Carrying medical cannabis (documentation)
  • Cross-border issues (cannot export)
  • Cost expectations
Medical Cannabis Regulations FDA Thailand

25 Cannabis Business Licensing for Foreigners

📊 Est. 2,000 words 🔍 Target: "thailand cannabis business license"
  • Can foreigners operate cannabis businesses?
  • FBA List 3 implications
  • FDA licensing requirements
  • Cultivation permits
  • Processing and manufacturing
  • Retail/dispensary licensing
  • Current regulatory uncertainty
  • Investment risk assessment
FDA Licensing FBA Restrictions Pending Cannabis Act

26 CBD Products: Import, Sale & Consumption Rules

📊 Est. 1,500 words 🔍 Target: "thailand CBD legal"
  • CBD vs. THC legal distinction
  • 0.2% THC limit for CBD products
  • FDA registration requirements
  • Importing CBD (customs issues)
  • Labeling and packaging requirements
  • Selling CBD products legally
  • Consumer protection rules
  • Testing and certification
FDA Cosmetics/Food Rules THC Limits Notification
⚠️

Criminal Tripwires

Pages 27-30

27 Criminal Defamation in Thailand Flagship

📊 Est. 2,200 words 🔍 Target: "thailand criminal defamation"
  • Penal Code §326-333 breakdown
  • Why Thailand has criminal (not just civil) defamation
  • Elements of the offense
  • Truth is NOT always a defense
  • Public interest exception (limited)
  • Penalties: up to 2 years prison
  • How cases are initiated
  • Common foreigner scenarios
Penal Code §326 Penal Code §328 Penal Code §329-330

28 Computer Crime Act: Online Speech Risks

📊 Est. 2,000 words 🔍 Target: "thailand computer crime act foreigner"
  • Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550 provisions
  • §14: False data, national security content
  • Overlap with defamation (double jeopardy)
  • Social media enforcement examples
  • Blog and review site risks
  • IP address tracking and jurisdiction
  • Passport surrender and bail
  • Best practices for online presence
Computer Crime Act §14 Penal Code §112

29 Vaping & E-Cigarettes: Seizures & Penalties

📊 Est. 1,500 words 🔍 Target: "thailand vaping illegal penalty"
  • Vaping is ILLEGAL in Thailand (import/sale/use)
  • Customs seizure at airports
  • Penalties: fines up to 30,000 THB
  • Criminal prosecution possible
  • Police enforcement in tourist areas
  • No medical exception
  • Disposal before arrival recommended
  • Comparison with cigarettes (legal)
Tobacco Products Control Act Customs Act

30 Police Reports & Dispute Resolution

📊 Est. 1,800 words 🔍 Target: "thailand police report foreigner"
  • When to file a police report
  • Tourist police vs. local police
  • Process for foreigners (language, docs)
  • What happens after filing
  • Mediation at police station
  • Civil vs. criminal path
  • Embassy notification rights
  • When to involve a lawyer
Criminal Procedure Code Police Regulations
📋

Phase 2 Preview Pages 31-55+ (after Phase 1 launch)

Phase 2 expands into marriage/family, tax, employment, banking, and deeper criminal/dispute content.

💍 Marriage & Family

Prenups, sin sod, divorce, child custody, inheritance, Thai spouse land myths

6 pages
💰 Tax for Expats

180-day rule, remittance changes, double tax treaties, property taxes, crypto

6 pages
👔 Employment

Work permits, restricted jobs, freelancing, teaching, hiring staff

5 pages
🏦 Banking & Practical

Bank accounts, transfers, driver's license, insurance, embassy services

5 pages
⚠️ More Criminal/Disputes

Arbitration, litigation basics, rental disputes, small claims

4 pages
🛠️ Interactive Tools

Tax calculator, structure analyzer, risk assessment, checklists

6 tools