Phuket’s real estate is an absolute madhouse this 2025, teeming in abundance with huge real estate deals and amazing property buys. It’s totally bonkers if you’re not already considering getting your own piece of prime real estate in Thailand. However, real estate in the UK and Australia are different from how things run here in Southeast Asia. Now that you’re interested in becoming one of Phuket’s property owners, here are the terms you should first understand and master before looking for a property for sale in Phuket and making a purchase.
Commercial Zone –
This term is used to refer to a zoning classification for a property that is used for business activities such as retail stores, private offices, service shops, and other forms of business establishments. If you’re interested in buying commercial properties, you should definitely look first at these Phuket commercial properties for sale.
Exclusive Agency Listing –
This is also something that you have to be familiar with. This term refers to a listing contract where the owner appoints the real estate agent as an exclusive agent to sell the property for a specific length of time only. This contract also stipulates the owner’s stated terms for a commission on the sale of property.
Juristic Person –
This refers to a group of people, a partnership, a company or other legal entity that is recognised by law just like a single person is, in the context of having rights and duties as a real estate property owner.
Lease –
Foreigners are not allowed to own land as a freehold in Thailand, so the best method to acquire land is through a lease. Foreigners can purchase the right to use the land and to register that land at the Land Department for a maximum period of 30 years.
Usufruct –
In Thailand, usufruct is provided by local land offices, and it gives you temporary ownership as a beneficiary of the land without actually owning the land. This legal construct allows you to build upon the land and own that building but not that plot of land.
Villa –
Similar to houses, what’s different about villas is the sense and quality of exclusivity. In Thailand, villas are usually located in a gated complex or on a separate plot of their own. If you’re looking to buy a luxury vacation house, look for properties tagged “villa” to be sure to find exclusive villa properties that you can use as a vacation home, a retirement home, or even as a potential investment for a house rental in Phuket that you can offer to vacationers. The possibilities are endless.
Lastly, you also have to take note of units of measurement in Thailand, which are quite different from our universal units of measurement. Wa is equal to 2m, Rai is equal to .0.4 acres and Tarang wa is equal to 4m₂.
It’s definitely important to read up on a comprehensive guide to real estate vocabulary in Thailand, just so you’ll know how to move forward before making an investment purchase in one of the greatest destinations this side of Asia.
