- Ownership
- Freehold in your name, within the 49% foreign quota
- Funds
- Remitted from overseas in foreign currency, with bank paperwork for the Land Office
- Extra costs
- Transfer fee (usually split), sinking fund for new units, common-area fees
- Best for
- Professionals, investors, retirees who want hospitals and rail nearby
On this page
Where to buy a condo in Bangkok
Sukhumvit, from Asoke to On Nut
The BTS Sukhumvit Line runs through the most international part of the city. Closer to Asoke and Phrom Phong you pay for walkability and amenities; further out toward On Nut and Bearing you usually get more floor area for the money and a more local feel.
Sathorn and Silom
Established offices, the MRT and BTS interchange at Silom and a mix of older and newer buildings. Older buildings can offer generous layouts, so check the condition of common areas and the juristic person’s accounts.
Rama 9 and Ratchada
Newer towers on the MRT Blue Line, near the Rama 9 business centre. A practical choice for working buyers who want modern facilities and a straightforward commute.
Ari and Phahon Yothin
A quieter, café-filled district on the BTS. Buildings are often smaller, which can mean fewer shared facilities but a closer-knit community.
Riverside and Thonburi
Chao Phraya views and river-boat connections. Look closely at how you reach the nearest station, because some riverside buildings rely on shuttle boats or taxis.
What to check before you buy a Bangkok condo
- Foreign quota. Ask for written confirmation that foreign quota remains in the building. Without it, a freehold registration in your name may not be possible.
- Title and area. A condo has its own title deed (Or Chor 2). Compare the registered floor area with the marketed area.
- Juristic person accounts. Check the sinking fund balance, common-area fee arrears and any planned major works.
- Building rules. Ask about pets, parking, renovation limits and short-term letting. Many Thai condo buildings restrict stays shorter than 30 days.
- Surroundings. Visit at rush hour and at night, check what could be built next door, and ask about flooding history on the street.
New-build or resale condo in Bangkok
An off-plan or new-build condo lets you choose a unit early and often follows a staged payment plan. Check the developer’s track record, the payment schedule and whether your contract guarantees quota availability at transfer. A resale condo lets you see exactly what you are buying, move in sooner and judge the building’s real maintenance record.
Costs when you buy a condo in Bangkok
The Land Office charges a transfer fee of 2% of the appraised value, which buyers and sellers customarily split. Sellers pay their own taxes. New units usually add a sinking fund, and every owner pays common-area fees. Use our cost estimator for a first figure, and read the step-by-step buying process for the order of events.
Not legal advice. Quota and funds rules are set by Thai law and Land Office practice. Have an independent Thai lawyer review any reservation agreement and sale contract before you pay a deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners own a condo in Bangkok?
Yes. Under the Condominium Act a foreigner can hold a condo unit freehold, as long as the total foreign-owned area in that building stays within 49% and the money for the purchase is transferred from abroad in foreign currency.
What is the 49% foreign quota?
It is the cap on how much of a condominium’s total sellable floor area can be registered in foreign names. It is measured per building by area, not by the number of units, and it has been the rule for many years. Proposals to change it have been discussed but the 49% limit remained in force at the time of our last review.
Is it safe to buy an off-plan condo in Bangkok?
It can be, with preparation. Check the developer’s completed projects, read the sale contract with an independent lawyer, understand the payment schedule and confirm what happens if quota is unavailable at transfer.
How long does a Bangkok condo purchase take?
A resale purchase with funds already in place can often complete within a few weeks of reserving the unit. Off-plan purchases run until the building is finished and transferred. Timing depends on bank transfers, the seller’s paperwork and Land Office appointments.