Hi All

My wife and I have just returned from Thailand yesterday and wanted someone to clear up an issue for us at present. While on holiday an american we met mentioned that Thai's loose their right to own land when resident overseas and take up dual nationality. Is that correct because if so we may have an issue with my wife's land as she purchased it 5-6 years ago and has since gained citizenship in UK and holds both Thai and British passports. The local Thai Land office only told that I need sign a form to say all funds used for land purchase were my wife's and not mine and they were aware my wife lived in UK and did not mention any such restrictions if away from Thailand for any given period. This is the first time I have heard of this and feel it to be incorrect but wanted to check with people here on the group to see if true or not...

Thanks for any help and input

It used to be the case, but the law was changed some time ago.

There is now no reason why a Thai who is resident abroad cannot own land in Thailand, even if they have taken dual nationality. None of their other rights as a Thai citizen will be affected either.

As Nick says, the law changed some time ago - 1999 actually. The information the land office gave you is correct.

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:
... There is now no reason why a Thai who is resident abroad cannot own land in Thailand, even if they have taken dual nationality. None of their other rights as a Thai citizen will be affected either.

Indeed.

The only way they could lose their rights is if the individual renounces their Thai citizenship - which is most unlikely.

Thanks all for the help and comments. As I thought there is no such restrictions on Thais living overseas which puts my mind at rest. If this were the case then there would be many worried husbands here on the group probably having the same concerns. The only issue is if they change the land laws somewhere in the future....

Tobias's point about renouncing citizenship is very important. I had a conversation with a Thai girl a few months ago and she was adamant that she had to renounce her Thai nationality to take on UK citizenship - which of course is wrong.

quote:

she had to renounce her Thai nationality to take on UK citizenship - which of course is wrong.

I think this a tale told by Thai's (old village women) to put off young Thai ladies from marrying a farang but can't understand why as obviously it improves their lifestyle and in our case their wealth and status in the village but probably all down to jealousy (Dao agrees by the way )
colin 244

Hmmmm, I think there's a little more to it than that Colin. It similar to the cases I've heard of where Thai immigration officials have threatened to confiscate the Thai passport of an Thai national that also holds a UK passport.

Flip,

Maybe, but any sensible Thai with dual nationality will surely only show the Thai passport at immigration in LOS and maybe wai the official
colin 244

The point is why should they Colin? Why don't these damned officials know the law?

Flip,
IMHO Thai immigration don't understand the LOS rules in the same way EU officials don't understand EU rules.

All in all its the general public (us) who suffer delays/fees/problems because the idiots who make them up don't train their idiot staff to implement them correctly

I think most members of this forum will agree with this statement
Regards
colin 244

quote:

Originally posted by colin244:
... I think most members of this forum will agree with this statement ...

... but not this one. With the EU it is often down to a particular government's policy rather than a lack of training.

With Thailand, well TIT

At immigration my wife and childrens thai passports were stamped on entry and leaving LOS. This was one of my concerns as they have a record of my wife's time outside Thailand and if restrictions on land ownership were effective then the local authorities/immigration have proof of spouse time overseas. However, if members views are that present law states that Thais can own land whether living abroad or not then this puts my mind at ease. I guess also that if that law were to change in future for what ever reason then it could only apply to new land purchases and not retrospctive on land previously or currently owned by thais abroad.

Ha Ha Jay, Don't bank on it. The law in Thailand is not implemented in the same way as it is here - changes could well be retrospective.

However, I wouldn't worry about it - changes in the land laws have mainly been positive rather than negative. One would hope they wouldn't start a backward slide.