Land titles

Title deeds to private land in Thailand can be confusing to the first time buyer. Included below is a list of some of the types of title you are likely to encounter, and a brief explanation of each.

Chanot
considered the best kind of title or the Land Title Deed, is a certificate for ownership of land. A person having their name shown on the deed has the right to the land and can use it as evidence to confirm the right to Government authorities. This land has been accurately measured using GPS to set the area and boundaries of the land. The boundaries of the land are indicated by numbered posts. Any legal acts may be done immediately, as per the right of ownership. Land partition of more than 9 plots must be carried out according to the Land Allotment Law, Section 286. Typically the developed areas of the provinces have these titles. However, elsewhere only about 10% of land is available with this deed.

Nor. Sor. 3 Gor (Nor Sor Saam Gor)
Considered the second highest grade of title, these are accurately surveyed plots of land and is a legal land title with the same legal basis as Nor. Sor. 3. The difference being that Nor. Sor. 3 Gor has parcel points on the map, and is set by using an aerial survey to set the points and the land area. It is possible to verify a nearby land area. It always uses the same scale of 1:5000. There is no need to publicize any legal acts, and it is possible to partition (divide) the land into smaller plots.

Nor. Sor. 3 (Nor Sor Saam)
These are, on the whole, inaccurate titles. Is an instrument certifying the use of land issued by the government to the proprietor of land not a possession title, i.e. it is confirmed by law that a person holding Nor. Sor. 3 has the legal right to possess the land. This land title can be used as a legal document or to use the benefit of the land as an owner. Nor. Sor. 3 is a floating map with no parcel points. It is issued for a specific plot of land and it is not connected to other land plots. This causes problems in verifying the land area. Any legal acts must be publicized for 30 days. It is a good idea when purchasing land with this title to ask the owner to mark out the land and, after this has been done, to get the neighbouring landowners agreement on his measurement of where the physical boundaries of the plot are.

The next titles must be considered only as the right of possession, i.e. people who possess and use the benefit of land will have the right to possess such land under the Civil and Commercial Code.
Of the titles listed above it is preferable to have either a Chanot or Nor Sor Saam Gor when buying or leasing land.

Sor Por Gor
Similar to a Chanot, {in so much as it has been accurately surveyed and staked,} land under this title can be mortgaged and planning permission can be applied for and granted. However, at the time of writing, Sor Por Gor land cannot be bought or sold. It can only be transferred under last will and testament. There are expectations that this will change in the future.

Por. Bor. Tor 6 (Por Bor Tor Hoc)
Is evidence by the issuance of a tax number for the purpose of paying tax for using the benefit of the land. Such land has not yet been assessed as to the person's right to possess such land. In the event that there is not title for the land, then it may be land in a conserved forest, public land or land which existed under Sor. Kor 1, Nor. Sor 3, Nor. Sor. 3 Gor or a title deed. Any of these titles must have a Por. Bor. Tor 6 as tax must be paid, the same as any land without a title. Purchase of such land is possible by handing over the possession of the land to the buyer along with the tax number. The right to the land under Por. Bor. Tor 6 can not be used as evidence in any dispute with authorities.

Sor. Kor 1 (Sor Kor Nung)
Is a notification form of possessed land. There is a certificate to show the right to the land. This maintains existing rights. Notification of Sor. Kor 1; on December 1954, the government advised all land proprietors to notify such possession to the government as per form Sor. Kor 1. After it was proven that such a proprietor had possessed the land legally and used the benefit of the land, then the government would issue Nor. Sor. 3 or Nor. Sor. 3 Gor as evidence. Nor. Sor. 3 and Nor. Sor. 3 Gor are legal certificates provided that any name shown on the title is a person who has the right to the land (according to the principle law). This right will be recognized by the law and can be used as evidence in any dispute with an ordinary person or the government.