EEC Proposes Unlocking Foreign Real Estate Ownership

MGR Online•Economy•19d ago

Reader Briefing

The Eastern Economic Corridor Office is preparing to propose new regulations to allow high-talent foreigners to own condominiums up to 100% and residential land up to 1 rai.

•The EEC Office plans to propose 8 investment projects totaling approximately 100 billion baht to the EEC Board in August 2026.
•Proposed laws would allow 'Talent' foreigners to own condominiums in Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao beyond the current 49% limit, potentially up to 100%.
•The proposal includes allowing foreign talents to own up to 1 rai of residential land without needing permission from the Department of Lands.
•Leasehold rights for real estate in the EEC area may be extended to a maximum of 50 years.

Overview

•The EEC Board is scheduled to meet in August 2026 to consider the approval of investment projects under EEC benefits for the first time.
•Dr. Chula Sukmanop stated that 8 investment projects with a total value of approximately 100 billion baht will be proposed for approval.
•The EEC Office is drafting a Royal Decree and an EEC Policy Committee announcement to define the characteristics and rights of persons with special knowledge and expertise, referred to as the Talent group.
•The proposed law would exempt foreign talents from the 49% foreign ownership ceiling of the Condominium Act 1979, allowing up to 100% ownership in some authorized projects in Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao.
•The new regulations would allow foreign talents to own up to 1 rai of residential land without following the usual Department of Lands permission process.
•The proposal suggests extending long-term lease rights in the EEC area to 50 years, compared to the 30 years limited by the Civil and Commercial Code.
•Registration fees for rights and legal acts at the Department of Lands would be waived for these acquisitions.
•The details of these benefits are currently in the process of public hearing before being summarized for the Committee and the Cabinet.

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Key Entities

Organization

Eastern Economic Corridor Office(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการนโยบายเขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก)

The office responsible for proposing the unlocking of real estate ownership laws in the EEC area.

EECℹ️

An abbreviation for the Eastern Economic Corridor Office or the policy area.

Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายเขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก)

The board chaired by the Prime Minister that considers the approval of EEC investment projects.

Department of Lands(กรมที่ดิน)

The government agency whose land permission processes would be bypassed for foreign talents owning up to 1 rai of land.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The body to which the finalized EEC benefits will be proposed for approval.

Person

Dr. Chula Sukmanop(ดร.จุฬา สุขมานพ)

The Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office.

Place

Chonburi(ชลบุรี)ℹ️

One of the provinces in the EEC zone where foreign condominium ownership limits may be lifted.

Rayong(ระยอง)ℹ️

One of the provinces in the EEC zone where foreign condominium ownership limits may be lifted.

Chachoengsao(ฉะเชิงเทรา)ℹ️

One of the provinces in the EEC zone where foreign condominium ownership limits may be lifted.

Law

Condominium Act 1979(พระราชบัญญัติอาคารชุด พ.ศ.2522)

The law that currently limits foreign ownership of condominium units to 49%.

Royal Decree on the Characteristics of Persons with Special Knowledge and Expertise and the Rights to be Received under the Law on the Eastern Economic Corridor B.E. ...(พระราชกฤษฎีกากำหนดลักษณะของบุคคลผู้มีความรู้ความสามารถพิเศษและสิทธิที่จะได้รับตามกฎหมายว่าด้วยเขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก พ.ศ. ...)

A draft law aimed at attracting global talents by granting specific real estate rights.

EEC Policy Committee Announcement on Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Receiving Rights of Persons with Special Knowledge and Expertise B.E. ...(ประกาศคณะกรรมการนโยบายเขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก เรื่อง หลักเกณฑ์ วิธีการ และเงื่อนไขการได้รับสิทธิของบุคคลผู้มีความรู้ความสามารถพิเศษ พ.ศ. ...)

A draft announcement specifying the criteria for foreign talents to receive rights in the EEC.

Civil and Commercial Code(ประมวลกฎหมายแพ่งและพาณิชย์)

The law that currently limits leasehold rights to 30 years.

Land and Building Tax Act 2019(พ.ร.บ. ภาษีที่ดินและสิ่งปลูกสร้าง พ.ศ.2562)

The law that controls long-term taxes on land and buildings based on usage.