Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing, there seems to be increasing demand for leases in Thailand by foreigners. Probably a good thing, as we have discussed in other videos, there have been a number of incidents of police raiding various law firms, accounting firms, real estate agencies - in various provinces too - looking for companies that they believe may be using nominees in order to hold property for foreigners in an illegal manner here in Thailand. These developments seem to be driving increasing demand in terms of leasing in Thailand. 

So quoting directly from a recent article in the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com. Samui, Phangan are now new property hotspots. Quoting directly: "Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are emerging as global property investment hotspots, according to property consultancy Colliers Thailand." Well first of all, hotspots in what way? As I brought up in another video, there are like two dozen people currently detained on the islands between Samui and Koh Phangan who are detained associated with nominee companies; in some cases associated with real estate ownership. Is that the kind of hotspot we're talking about? That said, quoting further: "Phattarachai Taweewong of the consultancy said foreign buyers are dominating demand on the islands, particularly in the residential leasehold market. Quote: "Over the past two years, land prices on both islands have risen sharply mirroring Phuket's rapid appreciation several years earlier," he said." 

So it is interesting. I think what we are seeing is an evolution within the foreign property speculators market, for lack of a better term, where they are sitting there saying, "Look, okay fine. Maybe we can't buy property, but we can do long-term leasing." 

As I have discussed in other videos, it is possible to do a long-term lease in Thailand up to 30 years. There are some that will say you can do 30 + 30. No. The plus 30 part was rendered illegal by the Supreme Court a couple of years ago. Meanwhile, there may be other options as well. Usufruct or as the French call it "usifrik". There are also superficies which usually goes hand in hand with a Usufruct; there may be other methodologies that may secure someone's rights in a particular piece of property, for example registered mortgages. 

But long story short, I am not really surprised by the fact that there is an increasing demand for leases based on the current legal posture and the current situation involving law enforcement as it pertains to both corporations and property ownership, especially by foreigners, here in the Kingdom of Thailand.