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"From hippie trail hangout to luxury international property market in a decade: Thailand obviously has a lot going for it. It’s become the most popular South Asian country for holidaymakers, and even the 2004 tsunami’s devastating blow has not dented the public’s fondness for this beautiful and incredibly hospitable country."

The Property Market in Thailand

Despite the terrible devastation of 2004’s tsunami, Thailand has not only bounced back, but is the pick of the crop for international market analysts, with headlines and quotes like: “Thailand property market promising”, “Thailand’s real-estate market records significant gains” and “Thai property market likely to grow 10 per cent this year.”

Following the cataclysmic tsunami that devastated much of Thailand’s west coast in December 2004, the country has been keen to encourage tourism and overseas property investment. Fortunately, the world has responded. Tourism figures are very near the level they were pre-tsunami and overseas investors have treated Thailand as they would any other market – that is on its merits and prospects for investment returns. But, boy, the Thai government doesn’t make it easy for foreigners to own a property on its shores.

Except in exceptional circumstances, foreigners (farangs) are prohibited from owning land – but there are various tried-and-tested ways around the ruling. One of the most popular is to form a limited company with a group of Thai nationals – although a foreign investor must always have a minority stake, he or she is made the sole director, with 100 per cent control of the company.

You could also nominate a Thai to obtain a mortgage and lease his purchase to you; a legally binding clause in the contract can extend the lease for up to 90 years. A variation on this is the ‘lease with option to buy’, which gives the lessee the right to buy the property outright should a future change in Thai law permit it.

The rationale behind the ownership rules is to avoid free-market speculation that could drive prices up too high for the domestic market. The no-hassle way to own a property in your own name is to buy into a condominium development where Thai nationals own the majority of the units.

(the above is an extract from a report on A Place in the Sun Live)

Find below a few of the latest Thai & International properties to be added to our World Property Server database.

	AGRITURISMO FATTORIA TRASIMENO Old stone farmhouse completely restored placed on a hill country with great historical heritage overlooking the Lake Trasimeno . AGRITURISMO FATTORIA TRASIMENO is composed of 6 independent apartments recently restored and equipped with all the comforts. APARTMENT 1: Apartment of 70 square metres with 4 sleeps situated on the attic, composed by: kitchen with ample dining room, bathroom with shower and two bedrooms including old furniture, electric oven, central heating. APARTMENT 2: Apartment of 68 square metres with 4 sleeps situated on the first floor with: kitchen and living area, bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Equipped with electric oven and central heating. APARTMENT 3: Apartment of 73 square metres situated in the ground floor enjoying a private outside area. It comprises: living room with lovely fireplace, kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms. Equipped with electric oven and central heating. APARTMENT 4: Apartment of 56 square metres with delightful external patio opening into the main garden, composed by: living room with kitchen, bathroom and double bedroom. Equipped with electric oven and central heating. APARTMENT 5: Apartment of 58 square metres opening into the pool. It comprises: living room with kitchen, bathroom, double bedroom. Equipped with electric oven and central heating . APARTMENT 6: Apartment of 150 square metres perfectly finished composed by: equipped kitchen, dining room with old stone fireplace dating back to 1600, 2 double bedrooms, 1 bedroom with three-quarter beds, 2 bathrooms and ample terrace of 40 square metres with beach-umbrellas and tables. The property owns two annexes, still to be finished, of 280 and 140 square metres, where is possible to create a small restaurant for the guests or two dependences. Fourteen hectares of mixed land with planning permission irrigated using the nearby water reservoir complete the property. Price €1,350,000
	Penthouse Martorana Penthouse apartment situated on the third floor of a building situated in the new area of the town of Cianciana(AG), in Via Toscanini. Inside the penthouse is composed of a kitchen-dining room, a large double bedroom, a bedroom, a bathroom with shower. What makes this penthouse outstanding is a terrazza covering 40 sq meters with a panoramic view. Price €30,000
	Land at Salento Land to be sold (8,000 mq), there is already a building permit for this area, for a villa of about 180 mq. the land has panoramic seaside views. Price €0
	Villa with swimming pool at Scopello The villa which covers an area of approx 100 sqm, is on two floors, and has an outside area of approx 800 sqm. The villa is situated in resort complex, where one can find various sports activities (5 a side football, tennis, boules, etc) a green area which is a ideal for families who wish their children to live in a safe enviroment, tranquil, and serene..and very attractive. The swimming pool and the jacuzzi are the main attractions, which will allow you to pass many happy moments together. Position A family villa situated very close to the important tourist town of Castellammare del Golfo, and nearby the wonderful and charming Natural Reserve of the “Zingaro”(lthe most important natural reserve of Western Sicily, which is sweetly characterized by alternating high cliffs which sweep down into the blue sea, pebble beaches, and wonderful underwater scenary which us a continuous display of colours and forms. The villa is just a few km from Scopello (a location which is the most suggestive and pictureques of the entire Gulf of Castellammare, with wonderful rock formations and protected by old watchtowers ) and it is ideal for people who wish for a quiet and relaxing place to stay. (The villa is situated approx 50 km from Palermo , 30 km from the international airport 'Falcone-Borsellino” of Palermo, and 65 km from the international airport 'Vincenzo Florio' which is specialised in low cost flight from Marsala-Trapani). Price €220,000
	ANTICO MONASTERO Old monastery dating back to the 13th century converted into a country house + land. Antico Monastero is an old monastery dating back to the 13th Century set on top of a hill in the countryside around Perugia, in a very reserved position, but well linked to the E45 motorway. The restoration recently completed has converted the monastery into luxury accommodation. The buildings are disposed on two levels and create a small hamlet with an internal courtyard. Here ten suites have been created for eleven double bedrooms and eleven bathrooms in all. Furthermore, there is the owner’s apartment with reception room, studio, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor and two double bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Then, there is a charming old church with two ample internal spaces. The old stables have been converted into a restaurant with professional kitchen . If you desire to enlarge the living area, then there is the possibility of building two other annexes for 326 square metres in all. The restoration project, which has been completed a few years ago, has kept the original structure with arches and vaulted ceilings, and used original materials, like terracotta and stone to pave the floors and wood for most of the furniture. The land, 25 hectares in all, is mixed: some is chestnut wood and some is pasture land. The land around the house is very suitable to realize a pool and a garden with plants and trees that will give the house a softer and fascinating look. All the services needed are already connected. The access to the property is through a white road in good condition. Price €2,400,000