Civil Law in Thailand

Beachfront Property Codes

Summary

These are the beachfront property codes in Phuket. Many foreigners prefer Koh Samui to Phuket. Samui has much of what Phuket offers however the property market is not a good as the Phuket property market. If you are looking at […]

Usufruct in Phuket

These are the beachfront property codes in Phuket. Many foreigners prefer Koh Samui to Phuket. Samui has much of what Phuket offers however the property market is not a good as the Phuket property market. If you are looking at a large investment then Phuket has more to offer in terms of rental options for your property as well as a growing market price as land becomes less available for development. Samui is less expensive than Phuket however you need to understand their building codes before you buy any property.

Beachfront Property

The Building Control Act will tell you what you can build and where. So before you buy property check with an attorney about the legalities not only of the title deed but also the building codes. The building codes are divided into 4 areas or sections.

1. You cannot build closer than 10 meters from the beach. This is usually set by the local Or Bor Tor. His discretion is what it would be based on. If you do a proper due diligence report on the property then this will also be checked to ensure that the property conforms to the building codes;

2. There are also height restrictions when buying property close to the beach. The reason for this is so that property behind you can still get a beach view. The house is not allowed to be higher than 6 meters with a build area of up to 75 square meters. This would be allowed up to 50 meters from the beach. This is a big issue in Thailand where the area is already crowded and if you are buying ’off-plan’ then you need to ensure that the developer has followed the proper building codes. The last major dispute to this rule occurred in Pattaya where the developer was forced to lower a building so as not to obstruct the view of others;

3. A building with a height of 12 meters with and a total area of 2,000 square meters;

4.  Any building with a height of up to 12 meters must be built at least 200 meters away from the beach front. These are the 4 main points when looking at property close to the beach front in Thailand. Always ensure that the property you are buying follows the building code. This or get stuck in 4 years of litigation as the Pattaya beach front property went.

Beachfront Property Property Codes

These are important issues which your property report should include. Always take proper legal advice in Thailand before you give a deposit or sign any agreement. One of the main problems in Thailand. Tends to be people who have already given a large deposit and the property not being completed. There are loads of these types of developments. Always buy from a reputable property developer and always ensure that you have independent legal advice. See the article on property scams in Thailand that have occurred before and which had been highlighted in the Thai media over the last few years. Buyer beware.