Bangkok's flawed plan to allow foreign land ownership

[reader]

From Channel News Asia

Bangkok’s recent proposal to allow foreigners to buy land in Thailand is poorly thought out and will not be the panacea for the Thai economy that the government envisages, say two experts.

BANGKOK: Thailand has long been a popular destination for foreign investment and expatriate retirement but has severely restricted foreigners from owning Thai land.

With Bangkok now keen to attract wealthy investors - especially the Chinese - to aid Thailand’s post-pandemic recovery, the government is contemplating a major change in the laws governing foreign ownership of real estate.

On Jul 15, the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha unveiled a proposed policy to allow foreigners to own land for residential use. The stated goal of the policy is to boost the Thai economy by luring wealthy foreigners to spend and invest in the country.

Foreign nationals who invest 40 million baht (US$1.1 million) in property, securities or funds in Thailand over a period of three years would, starting in September, be permitted to own up to 1 rai (about 1,600 sq m) of land.

On one level, this proposal addresses a clear problem for Thailand: The current supply of residences far exceeds demand. Data from 2020 indicates that there were more than 90,000 unsold condominium units in just the Bangkok metropolitan region.

According to The Bangkok Post, of the roughly 1.5 million condominium units in Thailand, foreigners now own only about 90,000 units. Targeting wealthy investors with high purchasing power might help address this looming real estate crisis.

The proposed change in rules on land ownership aims to augment investment in Thailand by 800 billion baht. The change will likely appeal mainly to prospective Chinese buyers. Already, half of the foreign-owned condominium units in locales such as the resort town of Pattaya are in Chinese hands.

There is a close link between tourism and investment; many major Chinese cities are short flights away from Bangkok and key Thai cities, which makes the Thai properties potential second homes for wealthy Chinese families.

However, potential Chinese buyers and investors are likely to be more interested in landed property than in condominiums, especially in the main tourist destinations. Ironically, the new policy is likely to see the pool of prospective condominium buyers shrink, as wealthy foreigners - especially in the target Chinese market - will have a more desirable investment option: Land.

The proposed plan may well increase land tax revenue and benefit the Thais fiscally but its political and social ramifications merit careful consideration. Foreigners may begin to invest freely in property, but whether they will reside in the country is another matter. In addition, increased foreign purchases of luxury dwellings will intensify perceptions of inequality and rising land prices will worsen the actual inequality.

These concerns have led the opposition Phuea Thai Party to oppose the scheme. The party reasons that nearly 80 per cent of Thais do not own any land and that allowing foreigners to buy land will benefit the more affluent segments of Thai society with land to sell. It will exacerbate the inequality in land ownership.

Continues at

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/thailand-bangkok-foreigners-property-residential-land-ownership-2857981

[kjun12]

Thailand does not appear comprehend that the China, as well as the rest of the world is in financial distress and this makes it less likely that foreign investment will dig Thailand out of it's financial hole.  This is true for tourism as well.  I don't see either as a panacea for Thai financial doldrums.

As long as Thailand is governed by military people who have little real understanding of economics we're in serious trouble.  Many Thai people are economically distressed and even hungry but the government is more concerned with purchasing fighter jets submarines and other military hardware.  Much like children with their toys they don't see the real problems or deal with them.

Enough of my rambling.

[Boy69]

9 hours ago, kjun12 said:

Thailand does not appear comprehend that the China, as well as the rest of the world is in financial distress and this makes it less likely that foreign investment will dig Thailand out of it's financial hole.  This is true for tourism as well.  I don't see either as a panacea for Thai financial doldrums.

As long as Thailand is governed by military people who have little real understanding of economics we're in serious trouble.  Many Thai people are economically distressed and even hungry but the government is more concerned with purchasing fighter jets submarines and other military hardware.  Much like children with their toys they don't see the real problems or deal with them.

Enough of my rambling.

Unfortunately you are right.

Other serious problems that the government is responsible for :

many restrictions on visa for potential foreigners who wants to work in Thailand, retired or potential tourists who wish to stay longer period in the country also most countries aren't aloud for visa on arrival and must apply for visa at their local Thai Embassy with lots of redicilios requirements.

limiting the opening hours of entertainment venues and many restrictions on bars .

Dual pricing policy for locals and tourists.

restrictions on married couples foreigners who are married to Thai have to obtain visa for their stay even if they have children with their local Thai wife.

long stay visa for more then one year are limited only to foreigners who invest substantial amount on real estate or willing to pay very high fees for Elite visa.

 

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, Boy69 said:

 

Other serious problems that the government is responsible for :

many restrictions on visa for potential foreigners who wants to work in Thailand, retired or potential tourists who wish to stay longer period in the country also most countries aren't aloud for visa on arrival and must apply for visa at their local Thai Embassy with lots of redicilios requirements.

limiting the opening hours of entertainment venues and many restrictions on bars .

Dual pricing policy for locals and tourists.

restrictions on married couples foreigners who are married to Thai have to obtain visa for their stay even if they have children with their local Thai wife.

long stay visa for more then one year are limited only to foreigners who invest substantial amount on real estate or willing to pay very high fees for Elite visa.

 

those are not problems but clear signs of Thai government aim - to welcome tourists and their wallets for vacation but prevent them from staying permanently polluting  society with foreign blood and genes.

Exception is made for rich foreigners because exception for rich is made always and everywhere