CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE: Property Investing
in Thailand
Situated at the heart of Indo-China,
Thailand has elements of all the
characteristics commonly associated
with Asia. Covering an area of over
half a million square kilometres
and with a north-south distance
of 1,860km, the country is also
one of the most diverse in the region
in terms of geography and climate.
From high mountains in the north
to hundreds of islands in the Malay
Archipelago to the south, with river
deltas, plateaux and valley systems
as well as innumerable stunning
beaches and cities teeming with
culture and colour, Thailand offers
an enormous range of attractions
which draw visitors back year after
year. The local people are renowned
for their friendly nature – Thailand
is regularly listed as one of the
safest countries in the world –
and the Thai cuisine and local specialities
make any visit full of flavour and
charm. Today, Thailand is by far
the most popular holiday destination
for westerners in South East Asia,
and is sometimes known as the ‘Spain
of the East’.
Known as Siam until 1939 and as
a growing economy in the latter
years of the 20th Century, Thailand
has attracted significant foreign
investment and has become one of
the Asian Economic Tigers. Thailand
is a dynamic free market state which
encourages foreign investment, and,
to an extent, foreign residents,
and has established itself as one
of the fastest-growing economies
in the region. The country’s cheap
workforce and comparatively high
level of education have made it
an attractive destination for overseas
investors who are…
