Condominium — what it means
A condominium is a residential building legally registered under Thailand’s Condominium Act, where each unit carries its own ownership title and common areas belong to all owners in shares. Condominiums are the only property type foreigners can own outright (freehold), within the 49% foreign quota of the building’s area.
How a condominium differs from an apartment building
In a condominium, every unit carries its own title and the owners jointly hold the common areas. The word “apartment” may describe a living format, but on its own it proves no ownership rights: before buying, check the building’s legal registration and the title of the specific unit.
How a foreigner owns a condo
A foreigner can register a unit as full freehold ownership as long as the foreign share does not exceed 49% of the building’s saleable area. If the quota is full, the seller may offer leasehold instead; verify the available ownership form before reserving.
What to check before buying
Check the unit’s title, the remaining foreign quota, any common area fee arrears, the building’s management rules and the terms of use for common areas. For an investment unit, also review the restrictions on short-term letting and the rental pool terms.
Frequently asked questions
Are “condominium” and “condo” the same thing?
In listings — usually yes: “condo” is short for condominium. What matters for a deal is not the marketing label but the building’s registration and the individual title of the chosen unit.
Can a foreigner buy a condominium in Thailand?
Yes — a unit can be registered freehold in a foreigner’s name within the 49% foreign quota of the building’s area. Check the remaining quota before paying a deposit.
What counts as common property in a condominium?
Typically the land under the complex, lobbies, the pool, gym, parking and building systems. Their upkeep is funded by the owners through the common area fee.
How foreigners buy property in Phuket →
See it on a real property
Terms matter when there is an actual deal behind them. We will show how this one works on a project from the catalogue — documents and numbers included.
Browse the catalogue