Politics · Thailand Bureau
Thailand PM orders sweeping audit of illegal foreign land ownership
Thailand's Prime Minister has instructed authorities to conduct a nationwide review of illegal foreign land holdings, with findings due by the end of December. The directive aims to address longstanding concerns over property violations and strengthen enforcement of national land laws.
LSN Thailand ·
The Prime Minister has ordered a comprehensive assessment of illegal foreign ownership of land across Thailand, directing relevant government agencies to complete their investigation within the current calendar year. The move reflects renewed government focus on preventing violations of Thai property regulations that restrict foreign nationals from owning residential land.
The review is expected to involve multiple agencies responsible for land administration and enforcement. Officials will examine existing cases of foreign ownership that may contravene Thai law, with the aim of establishing an accurate national picture of the problem's scope and scale.
Foreign ownership of land in Thailand has long been a sensitive issue, with strict legal restrictions in place to protect Thai nationals' rights to property. The government's directive suggests concerns that current enforcement mechanisms may not be adequately monitoring or preventing violations of these protections.
The December deadline provides a timeframe for authorities to compile their findings, which could inform policy decisions on strengthening land registration oversight and potential remedial action. Officials have not yet detailed what enforcement measures may follow the review's completion.
Photo: The Thai Khu Fah Building at Government House, the Thai Prime Minister's office in Bangkok, May 2021. Apichart Khunnawatbandit via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).