What legal advice and resources are available for expats planning to move to Thailand regarding visas, importing personal items, and business startups?

@Scott ********

there is no property tax on the property you personally live in, but there is commercial property taxes, and property taxes on properties you don't live in. Most condo developments also have yearly home owner fees.

@Kool ******

Two different issues. A right of succession to an heir is permissible upon agreement and with consideration. But a land sale is not.

Thank you 🙏🏼 for validating my intuitive knowing. Wish you all the best in your journey.

I graduated from Portland St. I grew up in Eugene as you probably have read my profile.

@Scott ********

It's been a minute,

@Scott ********

Sounds serious, what's the issue?

@Scott ********

I found a body of 1940s F1 truck in two minds about it, promised myself wouldnt buy anything till i finish my barn/workshop. But they are some good ones out there

@Scott ********

and the Thai embassy is not going to supply you that. That is what one hires a law firm to do.

@Scott ********

"hundreds of hours" and your still asking about owning land 🙄

@Scott ********

on YouTube, there is a lawyer, think his name is Benjamin Hart, integrity legal, he his a US attorney practicing in Bangkok, he could be worth a try

@Scott ********

Since you are not a diplomat , the option is not available. See others comments regarding this.

I totally understand the sentimental value but that’s the law and regulations, can’t bypassed it.

PM you, check it out.

@Per***

it's very true. Even going to BOI route you cannot own land without owning a business with a legitimate need for that land and if you own a business that has legitimate need for land you are still heavily restricted on what you can and can't do with said land and the land is not registered to you, it is registered under your business, you can also lose the rights to that land for breaking any one of the conditions or restrictions.

@Scott ********

under the old investment visa you could own 1 Rai of land, but only in designated areas, but that ended. They were working on reviving that, but haven't approved it yet. There are only a few exceptions to the ban on car imports, and car part imports, one being diplomat cars, the other being actual antiques, that will never be issued a title to drive, and then if you are a licensed professional race car corporation competing professionally, and fully licensed to do so. This was added because of the pro track in buriram. One of the ways people were a oiding the high import tax on cars was to disassemble them, import them as parts, then reassemble them, and license them that way, avoiding import taxes. That was put a stop to. No car/truck imports at all, except for what I mentioned. You can not own land. You can long term lease it, but not own it. Although your intentions are good, unless you are currently a licensed professional racing corporation forget bringing your cars, or parts, into Thailand. It is not possible. Another thing that was being done, and why all imports were banned, was that people would buy for import luxury cars then refuse to pay the customs duty. The cars would then be confiscated and go up for auction. The licensed buyers would then buy the cars at auction, and get a titled car they then sold to the original buyer, without the high customs duty. This scam was stopped, with a ban on all car/truck private imports. Another point, the government has no interest at all in working with you in any business. All they care about is that you are completely legal, and paying your taxes, nothing else. They work with the major brands, Toyota, Ford, BMW, MB, Massarati, Rolls, Bentley, etc. they have no interest in private individuals, except that you are fully licensed and legal. That is reality here.

@Scott ********

this is a forum with good advice, it's always everyone's responsibility to research and take legal advice for your own status.

@Scott ********

you can establish corporation then own th land under companys name, never can own the property by foreign persons, in Thailand🇹🇭

@Scott ********

you can throw $20m at someone for land, you still won't legally own it. Right now as the law stand you cannot own land as a foreigner.

You can start a company and purchase through the company but the company needs to be legitimate and have actual need and proper use for the land, you are also very restricted on what you can do with that land through your company. The moment the government suspects foul play or someone reports foul play, it's gone. You don't get to sell it, you don't get payment for it, they seize it and you get a fuck ton of fines to pay on top of losing the assets.

Anyone who tells you, you can own land as a foreigner in thailand is talking uttershite. Even a lawyer (not looking to rip you off) completely shit faced up on Ya Ba will tell you it's not possible.

@Scott ********

40 millions THB invested in qualified investment with long term and others conditions. I am a Thai-American living in the States now with planning on moving back in 3-4 years. Feel free to any questions you may have.

@Scott ********

You can’t own land as a foreigner. There are quasi ways of making you the “owner” via a company or such but probably not reliable for the long term.

@Scott ********

for 1m I will also tell you anything you want to hear.

@Scott ********

I have a friend who lives in Thailand and races cars, he definitely imported a a mustang race car last year

@Scott ********

Not possible

@Scott ********

museum pieces only. Your cars are basically old bangers. Chop them up and import as scrap parts. You get a title on it.

@Scott ********

I have no idea what one of those may be.

Used car imports are banned unless you are a diplomat.

There may be ways to do so “under the radar” or via bribes but for your average guy it’s not possible.

@Trevor ************

must have been a while back, I looked in 2020 and it’s banned, obviously govt or diplomatic connections will find help find a way round it or a very large bag of greenbacks…….:-)

@Trevor ************

Good advice He's given

@Trevor ************

importing car, 🚗 tax is so high in Thailand, you pay 3 time more to original prices .its not worth it

@Trevor ************

Not any more. Recent change

@Trevor ************

You have possibly known them for a few years. Since 2019 it’s not possible to import a used car into Thailand unless you are some form of diplomat.

@Trevor ************

no longer possible to import used cars unless they are diplomatic vehicles. Apparently.