Glossary · The buying process
Off-plan
In short
Buying a home before it is built or finished, from plans and a show unit, and paying for it in stages. Ownership transfers when the building is complete.
What it means
An off-plan buyer signs a contract with the developer for a unit that does not exist yet, pays part of the price while it is built and the rest at completion. Until the transfer at the Land Office, the buyer holds a contract, not a title deed.
How it works in Thailand
- Condominium units must be sold on the standard contract the law prescribes, which protects the buyer if the developer is late and sets the periods of liability for defects.
- Instalments are normally paid directly to the developer. Escrow exists in Thai law but is voluntary and rarely used.
- Larger buildings need an approved Environmental Impact Assessment before construction can start.
What to weigh
Off-plan gives choice of unit and spreads the price over time. In return you carry the risk that the project is late or changes, and money paid before completion depends on the developer. The developer's record and a payment plan weighted toward transfer are the two things that reduce that risk most.