How to buy property in Phuket remotely: a step-by-step process
You can buy a condo or villa in Phuket without ever flying to Thailand — it’s common practice. We walk through the whole path step by step: from reservation to title registration, and what’s critical to check at each stage.
Updated 11 July 2026 · 7 min read · BURO Phuket
- The process: selection → reservation → legal check → contract → staged payments → handover → title registration and keys.
- The deal can be done remotely: online selection, video tour, remote signing, payment by international transfer.
- For a freehold condo the funds must arrive from abroad in foreign currency with the correct purpose — the bank issues a certificate needed to register ownership.
Steps 1–2: selection and reservation
First, select the property and the specific unit: floor, view, layout, ownership form. Then reserve: a deposit locks the price, unit and terms for an agreed period. For condos the reservation is usually a fixed sum (a benchmark is ฿50,000–200,000); for villas it’s higher.
Read the booking form in advance: the deposit is usually non-refundable if the buyer simply changes their mind, but a refund may be possible if the property fails the legal check or the developer doesn’t meet conditions.
Step 3: legal due diligence
Before signing, a lawyer checks the land documents, construction permit, EIA (environmental assessment), project licence, payment plan and deposit-refund terms. For a villa and leasehold the check matters especially — there are more nuances in the ownership structure.
For a serious purchase a lawyer is advisable: they spot risks in the contract and documents a buyer might miss alone. It’s the key protection, especially off-plan.
Steps 4–5: contract and staged payments
The sale-and-purchase agreement is signed after the reservation and check — this can be done remotely. In the contract, look at the ownership form, area, price, payment schedule, completion dates, delay penalties, termination and refund terms, the furniture package and registration costs.
Payment follows a schedule: for off-plan, payments are split into stages, often with a 20–30% first instalment. Many developers offer instalments during construction, sometimes with post-handover payment — more in the instalments article.
Step 6: transferring funds for freehold
A critical point for freehold condos. The funds must arrive in Thailand from abroad, in foreign currency and with the correct purpose — as payment for a property purchase. The bank then issues a certificate (FET / Foreign Exchange) needed to register foreign ownership. An error in the payment purpose can complicate registration.
A Thai account often isn’t needed for the purchase itself — you can pay from your foreign account. But a Thai bank account is useful later: utilities, upkeep, rental management.
Step 7: handover and registration
For a completed property there’s a handover — an inspection for defects before signing the acceptance act; off-plan this is a separate important stage (covered in its own article). After full payment and handover, the title is registered at the Land Department and you get the keys. Off-plan, final registration happens after construction completes.
Timing: reservation — 1 day, contract — a few days to a few weeks. A ready property registers faster; off-plan, final processing follows completion.
Frequently asked
Can I buy property in Phuket without visiting Thailand?
Yes, it’s common practice. The buyer selects online, gets a video tour, floor plans and contracts, runs a legal check and pays by international transfer. A visit at the first stage isn’t required.
How do I correctly transfer funds for a freehold condo?
The funds must arrive from abroad in foreign currency with the correct purpose — as payment for a property purchase. The bank issues a certificate (FET) needed to register foreign ownership. It’s a key point — agree the payment purpose in advance.
Do I need to open a Thai bank account?
For the developer purchase itself, often not — you can pay from your foreign account. But a Thai account is convenient later: for utilities, upkeep and rental management.
How long does the deal take?
Reservation is usually 1 day, contract signing a few days to a few weeks. A ready property registers faster; off-plan, final processing and registration follow completion and full payment.
More answers in the full 90-question FAQ.
Projects often bought remotely
For any of them we’ll send a video tour, floor plans and the contract for review — and guide the deal from reservation to keys.
We’ll run the deal remotely — end to end
A video tour, a lawyer’s check of the contract, help with the correct fund transfer and handover. You control every step from home. Free for the buyer, on WhatsApp.