News

Asian cities lorded over the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living report, out last week. Names from the continent dominated both lists of the costliest and most affordable places to live in the world, per the report’s Cost of Living Index. Five of the world’s top six expensive cities are all in Asia, while cities in the Indian subcontinent make up half of the 10 least costly cities...

PHUKET: The Chief of the Phuket Immigration Office, Col Kathathorn Kumthieng, has confirmed that all foreigners registered as living in Phuket must re-report their address to immigration after being registered as staying in a hotel within Thailand, even for just one night. The confirmation follows complaints from long-term expats that they were fined B2,000 for not re-registering their home addresses...

Our 2017 annual letter is addressed to our dear friend Warren Buffett, who in 2006 donated the bulk of his fortune to our foundation to fight disease and reduce inequity. A few months ago, Warren asked us to reflect on what impact his gift has had on the world. What follows is our answer to him. It’s a story about the stunning gains the poorest people in the world have made over the last 25 years. This...

A land trust is a pass-through entity that becomes the owner of a specific property. For this exercise we will only discuss the ownership of real property, specifically real estate. These documents are much hated by Realtors, lawyers, lenders and municipal governments to mention a few, but loved by real estate investors who understand them. A land trust is a simple document which becomes the controlling...

A raft of unprecedented benefits in store for lessees Thailand is bracing for the passage of the leasehold draft bill that is expected to entice more foreign lessees to the property market, according to the Bangkok Post. The Council of State is due to vet the leasehold bill after public hearings ended on 16 June. The bill has already received cabinet approval. Under prevailing laws, foreigners can own...

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) A Thai political party has nominated the King’s sister as its candidate for prime minister in March elections — an unprecedented move that could upend the political landscape and give the revered monarchy an overt role in politics. Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) Thailand's king has strongly criticized his sister's announcement she will stand in elections next month -- an...

As the advance of transit systems gives rise to suburban bed towns in Southeast Asia, real state developers are quickly seizing the opportunity to supply homes to the emerging ranks of residents who commute to city centers. Near the Chatuchak subway stop about 10km north of central Bangkok, real-estate developer Sansiri is building a large condominium comprising about 800 units. The area has few...

It’s clear that first time buyers have very much re-established themselves as a core part of the property market since the recovery started post the credit crunch. The Halifax data clearly shows that FTBs (rightly) decided to rent/stay at home rather than buy during the recession, saving them from potential negative equity issues. This was a sensible move, but statistically has artificially driven up the...

BOI-efficient tax structuring The Thailand Board of Investment is the governmental agency to promote foreign direct investments in Thailand. Key benefits of a BOI promotion are (i) the Foreign Business License to do business in Thailand with up to 100% foreign shareholders, (ii) the right to acquire legal ownership in real estate and (iii) tax holidays. Tax holidays give a BOI promoted project a tax...

Developers from across the island hope to achieve both local and national recognition as the finest in their categories Key members of the Phuket press gathered last night at the Angsara Laguna Phuket for an exclusive media briefing in advance of the 13th annual PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2018. Addressing the room was Terry Blackburn, founder of the Asia Property Awards, regional awards judge...