Buyer guide
Buying Thai property through a foreign company
Using an overseas holding company to buy a condominium in Thailand: how the foreign quota applies, how funds must be remitted, and when the structure actually makes sense.
How a foreign company is treated
A company incorporated outside Thailand is treated as a foreign buyer under the Condominium Act, so a unit purchased in its name counts toward the building's 49% foreign freehold quota. Land ownership through a foreign entity is generally not possible except under narrow BOI or treaty exceptions.
Remitting funds as a company
Purchase funds must be remitted in foreign currency in the company's name, with bank documentation matching the buyer on the sale agreement. The Foreign Exchange Transaction paperwork is issued to the remitting entity, so the name must be identical across bank, contract and title deed.
Taxes and ongoing reporting
A foreign company renting out a Thai unit has Thai-source income and may face withholding tax, VAT registration and annual filings depending on activity. Cross-border repatriation of rental income also triggers withholding — model the net yield with a Thai tax adviser before buying.
When it makes sense
Buying through an overseas holding company can suit portfolio investors who already operate a regulated entity abroad. For a single condo purchase, personal foreign freehold is almost always simpler and cheaper — your advisor can compare both routes for your situation.