Title Deeds

Title Deeds in Thailand may be mainly divided into 4 categories as follows:

Freehold Title Deed (Chanote or Nor Sor 4)

This type of title grants the holder of this document full rights over the land, to deal with or to use it to the exclusion of others.

Thus, if you are planning to buy land in Thailand, this type of title deed is the best and most credible title deed to hold.

Nor Sor 3 Gor

• A land 'awaiting' a full title deed is granted the document Nor Sor 3 Kor.
• The land is measured by the Land Department; therefore, it has its exact boundaries.
• This type of land may be sold, transferred, leased, usufruct, or mortgaged in the same manner as land with a freehold title deed (Chanote).
• In order to change the title to a Chanote, the owner of the land may file a petition to the Land Department to file a request to change it to a full title deed (Chanote), and the Land Department may do so if there is no opposition made against the petition.

Nor Sor 3

• The difference between this type of land title deed and the Nor Sor 3 Gor is that a land with Nor Sor 3 title has never yet been measured by the Land Department; hence the land has no exact boundaries.
• The Nor Sor 3 title may later be switched to a Nor Sor 3 Gor and then subsequently transformed to that title and to a freehold title deed (Chanote) through application at the local land office.

Possessory Right

This type of title deed is the least recommended. A land with a possessory right has never been substantiated by the Land Office Department but is only recognized by tax payments at the Local Administrative Office.

Conclusion

It is essential to bear in mind that title deeds other than one of a Chanote, is not allowed to register any leases against the land such as usufructs, mortgages, or superficies in order to gain encumbrance.

Although Thai Law stipulates that a foreigner may not own land in Thailand, there are alternative options to owning a land in Thailand. We would be more than happy to discuss the options available to you with a meeting, an over-the-phone conversation, or by email.