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Thailand Time
Today, investors seek the stability and simplicity of the property market to gain good returns on investment.
Under-performing stock markets are often proving more volatile than property - this is especially true for the non-professional as there are many external factors that can effect your financial investment. Of course in early 2008 the world is suffering from the so called "credit crunch" and investors are looking for good long term investments.
50% of the members of The Times Rich List made their money through investing in property.
A property worth only €4,000 thirty-years ago would be worth around €225,000 today.
Equities or stocks can be volatile, property however is historically stable. The benefit of buying specifically for investment purposes is the removal of emotion from the purchase while you regard the property purely as an investment vehicle. This could be in the form of re-assignable contract option to sell at a substantial profit prior to completion or a "buy-to-let" situation to generate a reliable rental income and incorporating substantial capital appreciation.
Main Reasons Why Thailand is a Desirable Investment Location:
·An exotic long haul destination, Thailand is also a sophisticated tourist destination with a great universal appeal.
·For thousands of people who have worked in Asia for many years, Thailand is an attractive retirement destination, in which the living environment will feel familiar.
·Retirement visas are available for foreigners over 50 years of age, according to financial means.
·Thailand has good schools, an efficient health care system and it is seen as a friendly country in which to live or visit.
·Thailand boasts beautiful mountains, dense forests and stunning beaches.
·With a tropical climate and cities teeming with culture and colour, Thailand entices visitors back each year.
·Warm weather for winter holidaymakers between November and February.
·The relatively undiscovered nature of Thailand means that property prices here remain far below those in the more established European markets, although they are growing quickly and strongly (around 10-15% a year).
·Thailand is the largest growth market in Asia. Some businesses choose Thailand as a regional base from which to keep their employees working all around Asia.
·Thailand has recently attracted significant foreign investment. It has become one of the Asian economic leaders and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.
·The completion of the Suvarnabhumi-Bangkok International Airport (SBIA) is expected to spur growth in commercial property markets in eastern Bangkok as well as make Thailand even more accessible by air.
·Thailand is one of the cheapest places to fly to in Asia.
·The country has strong business links with China and has an excellent infrastructure as well as world-class facilities in many resort towns.
·Property is much cheaper in Thailand than elsewhere and an increase in overseas interest in property purchase has helped to create an economic recovery in Thailand. Property investors who bought post 1999 have witnessed impressive capital growth, particularly in major cities.
·Rental potential is great, due to increased government spending luring growing numbers of tourists.
·No capital gains tax for private investors, and low ongoing taxes.
·Today, foreigners are regarded by the government as a big investment opportunity in Thailand and they are actively welcomed and encouraged to invest.
A property investor has a wealth of choice and opportunity in Thailand and in recent years the entire real estate sector has returned impressive capital growth figures as well as increased rental yield returns - but issues still remain relating to freehold ownership and these present an investor with a series of challenges to navigate.
Thailand was once such an exotic long haul destination that it acquired an almost mystical appeal with adventurous Western backpacking travellers in search of destinations with a difference. But the sophisticated development of tourism in Thailand now means that it is universally popular and accessible for all types of holiday maker. It is of equal appeal to the young and adventurous in search of vibrancy and excitement with Phuket, Pattaya and Ko Samui offering great nightlife as it is of appeal to those in search of culture and relaxation in regions such as Isaan, Kanchanaburi (Bridge on River Kwai), Chang Mai (Northern Border with Burma) or Nakon Phanom (Laos Border)
As a result Thailand has become the most popular South Asian country for holidaymakers and has spawned a holiday home market off the back of its tourism sector, especially around the resort towns of Phuket, Pattaya and Hui Hin or the capital Bangkok.
The 2004 Tsunami’s devastating blow has not dented Thailand’s appeal and it has not restricted tourist numbers or the numbers of those buying second homes, investment properties or retirement real estate in the country.
The rise in the appeal of Thailand was fuelled by the country’s sudden increased affordability for overseas investors and visitors that followed on from a brief but uncomfortable period of economic uncertainty in Thailand that began in 1997 and resulted in the country’s currency, the baht suffering severe depreciation. The depreciation of the baht made holidays and properties in Thailand effectively cheaper for overseas visitors and investors and increased their purchasing power. An increase in overseas interest led to an increase in foreign investment and in turn this helped Thailand recover its economic fortunes and tourism still remains a key sector for ongoing economic success.
Property investors who bought real estate in Thailand post 1999 have witnessed impressive capital growth figures as Thailand has been enjoying a strong period of economic recovery. The best returning investments are apartments in the major cities which rent out to the domestic market and which have been enjoying increasing rental rates chargeable, as well as resort properties for development and resale to overseas second homers, retirees and expatriates.
The appeal of Thailand is obvious, the attractions of the property and holiday market are intense and the future prospects for the profitability of the property sector are very good indeed - however there are restrictions placed on overseas buyers who wish to own land in Thailand. It is possible for a buyer to own a property but not the land it sits on. The majority of those who buy in Thailand are interested in a single property - a holiday home for example - and for these people the typical solution is to purchase a renewable thirty year lease on the land and to pay for up to three renewals upfront and have a contract giving them first right to buy should the laws in Thailand change.
For an international property investor interested in multiple properties or even land to develop this option is not suitable. But as with any restrictive clause like this there are always ways around the problem and in Thailand there are many consultancy companies wiling to assist the overseas investor establish a limited liability company with a local Thai majority holding and negate the effectiveness of the Thai majority through the issuance of preferred and ordinary shares for example. This is just one such solution to a problem that is predicted to change anyway, and basically an investor who can recognise the opportunity for profit in Thailand’s property sector will soon navigate the necessary restrictions and controls and access the market and profit from it.
So, you’ve done your due diligence, spent countless months looking at the fundamentals of investing in property in Thailand, you’re convinced you’ve found a profitable niche and you’re about to commit with a full understanding that you will have to set up a local company structure to get around the restrictive rules that prevent foreign freehold ownership of land and landed real estate…and then along come more legal obstacles to property investment in Thailand.
What is it about Thailand that is so infuriating? Could it be the fact that the nation needs foreign direct investment, it claims to want foreign direct investment, it is a country with huge real estate potential and a booming tourism market and it is also a country with a government installed after a military coup last year that seemingly hasn’t a clue when it comes to sending a clear and positive message to potential investors?
At the moment you can own landed propety in Thailand and get around all the restrictions that prevent foreign freehold ownership by establishing a local company structure and then having local nominee based shareholders who waive their voting rights - thus creating a secure and legal entity for the ownership of real estate assets in Thailand.
This is a method used by an increasing number of foreign buyers and investors who all want to be in on the strong market in Thailand and/or own a stunning piece of real estate in an incredibly desirable country.
The fact that this large obstacle is in place is preventing mass property speculation in Thailand meaning that the property market is as protected as it needs to be - which is a very good thing in our opinion. After all, we would hate to see Thailand marred in the same way that many other attractive countries have been with the current global incessant and obsessive need for property assets abroad. So it is only those who are seriously committed to investing in Thailand and to its emerging but potentially very lucrative property market that are willing to jump through the hurdles put in front of them in a bid to slow down harmful speculator activity - and that’s fine, it keeps the numbers of market entrants down, it protects the integrity of the real estate economy.
Therefore because there is a symbiosis between the investment real estate sector in Thailand and the tourism sector it’s important for an investor to examine both sides of the coin before making a commitment to Thai property.
Currently property prices in Thailand have been unaffected by the 2004 Tsunami. However tourism numbers are down which means that investors who purchased with the soul aim of letting their properties out to visitors in Thailand have a smaller audience to target and potentially less chance to profit and those who are developing properties or buying off plan for resale to holiday home seekers have a smaller number of people interested in their apartments and houses which may have a negative effect on rental yields and capital appreciation potential over the short term.
Property Investors looking to invest in Thailand previously focused the majority of their attention on Phuket as it was one of the best developed areas of Thailand where the infrastructure was excellent, quality property developments were in abundance, tourism interest was hot and profits were hopefully easy to come by. But because Phuket was quite badly hit by the Tsunami, investor and tourism interest has shifted focus elsewhere. It’s predicted that this reversal in Phuket’s fortunes will be temporary but investors not willing to take that risk have already diversified their investment base.
In Koh Samui in Thailand where the Tsunami’s damage was less and subsequently tourist numbers are remaining quite strong, land prices have increased by 20% in the last year. There are a series of superior property developments currently being constructed that are also receiving substantial interest in both the resorts of Hua Hin and Lanta Island. All of these areas of Thailand are less well developed in terms of infrastructure compared to Phuket but all were less badly damaged by the immediate and after effects of the Tsunami.
Across the Gulf of Thailand you come to the Eastern Sea Resort of Pattaya - a mecca for people who seek a party atmosphere but at the same time can relax on a wonderful beach or play golf on world class courses and less that 1 1/2 hours by coach from Bangkok and 45 minutes from the International Airport.
World class developments are springing up all over Pattaya, but opportunities still exist to buy land and develop the site for a handsome return whilst you pre sell the sites "off plan".
Despite the restrictions on foreign freehold ownership of land in Thailand investors are still keen to get into this market because the overall appeal of Thailand as a destination has not changed. It is a vibrant, exotic, charming, beautiful and exciting country that offers property investors medium to long term potential.
We have contacts with land owners and business owners throughout Thailand and can offer you real investment opportunities either in buying a business, a beach holiday resort, a condo development, a hotel or land. CONTACT US TODAY
We currently have access to the following opportunities:
1. Luxury Beach Resort - Hua Hin - 80 Million Baht ($2.45 Million)
2. 72 Room Hotel - Pattaya - 13 Million Baht + 150,000 Baht a month ($400,000 + $4200)
3. Beach Front Resort - Koa Kalok - 29 Million Baht ($900,000)
4. Various GoGo Bars, Restaurants and Night Clubs available
5. New Build - 39 Single Apartments with Ensuite - Pattaya - 26 Million Baht ($800,000)
6. Land for sale - 20 Rai on a Private Island - 23 Million Baht ($710,000)
7. Land for sale - 14 Rai in Koh Samui - 30 Million Baht ($950,000)
We are keen to speak to investors who wish to join us in the purchase of land tracts in Thailand with a minimum investment level of $150,000. We are able to guarantee a return of over 7.5% on these investments and a return on investment within 5 -7 years. We have identified several land hotspots and are currently negotiating the purchase of these land tracts to enable discussions to commence with multi national hotel chains and holiday companies so to allow full development potential to be maximized.
If you have from $150,000 up to $1 Million that you wish to discuss investing in Thailand we can talk through various options with you. CONTACT US TODAY
