Bayhaven guide · Céline Wongamat
Buying a condominium in Thailand: a practical starting point
A considered purchase begins with the residence, the documents and the people who can check them.
From selection to review
Start by comparing the layout, location and intended use. Request the current price, availability, plans, specifications and proposed contract for the particular residence. An illustration is a guide to the design; it is not a substitute for the contractual specification.
Before paying a reservation or deposit, ask an independent Thai property lawyer to review the seller, title, approvals, contract, payment schedule, cancellation terms and transfer arrangements. Confirm who pays each cost.
Prepare for transfer
The Thai government lists identification, property and, where applicable, foreign-funds and condominium documents among the evidence needed for registration. Requirements depend on your circumstances; confirm the current list with your lawyer and the relevant land office.
If funds come from abroad, speak with your bank and lawyer before transferring. Keep records and ask what evidence will be needed for your purchase. Bayhaven can help you request project information and arrange a viewing.
A document checklist
Ask for the identity of the seller and the documents establishing their authority to sell; the title and relevant registration details; current plans and specifications; and the proposed sale agreement. For a development, ask what approvals, construction and handover documents are available and what remains to be completed. Your lawyer should identify missing items and verify them independently.
Read the payment schedule with the contract. Ask when each payment is due, where it goes, what happens if either party delays or cancels, and which promises are actually included in the signed documents. Obtain translations you can understand and have the controlling language explained.
Before sending money
Confirm the recipient and account details through a trusted independent channel. Ask your bank about the transfer purpose, exchange conversion, charges, processing time and the proof it can issue. The government guidance linked below discusses foreign transfers, but the right evidence depends on the legal basis for your purchase.
Keep contracts, payment confirmations and bank certificates together. Do not assume a receipt alone will satisfy every registration requirement; ask your lawyer and bank to check the proposed documentation before the transfer.
At handover and registration
Agree how the unit will be inspected, how outstanding work will be recorded and what documents and keys will be delivered. Confirm the date and place of registration, the documents each party will bring, and how adjustments and fees will be settled.
Ask the condominium management for its rules and current charges. Bayhaven can assist with available project information; independent legal and financial advisers should assess the purchase for you.
