Authorities in Thailand are considering changes to the rules governing long-term property leases for foreign investors. The proposed reform could increase the maximum land lease term for foreigners to 99 years. The measure is being discussed as part of a broader initiative aimed at attracting international investment and stimulating the real estate market.

📜 At present, foreigners in Thailand face a legal restriction: they cannot directly own land. As a result, most property transactions involving land are structured through long-term lease agreements.

The current system generally works as follows:

— the initial land lease term is 30 years;
— two extensions are possible, typically 30 years each;
— in practice, the total period may reach up to 90 years, although extensions are not always legally guaranteed.

Because of this uncertainty, policymakers are discussing a new model that would allow a single long-term lease agreement of up to 99 years to be signed from the outset.

📊 The main goal of the reform is to make Thailand’s real estate market clearer and more secure for foreign investors. At the moment, many buyers view long-term leases as a less stable form of property control, especially when investing in villas and land plots.

Thailand is actively competing with other Southeast Asian countries for international capital. In recent years, foreign demand for property has been growing steadily, particularly among buyers from Europe, China, and the Middle East.

🌏 The most popular locations for foreign property buyers include:

— Phuket
— Bangkok
— Pattaya

In these markets, foreigners most commonly purchase:

— condominiums;
— villas;
— investment properties for rental income.

📈 If the lease term is officially extended to 99 years, it could significantly increase the attractiveness of property investments in Thailand. A longer tenure typically improves property liquidity, simplifies resale, and increases interest from international buyers.

Potential regulatory changes could lead to several effects:

— increased demand from foreign investors;
— greater interest in villas and land plots;
— rising property prices in popular resort regions.

In countries where foreigners are allowed long-term rights to land, similar reforms often become a strong driver for real estate market growth.

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