When purchasing land or properties in Thailand it is important to understand the difference between a Title Deed (Nor Sor Saam Gor) and Chanote (Nor Sor 4 Jor). Both deeds act as confirmation of land ownership, however, Chanote includes exact information regarding the land size and thus ensures that there are no future boundary conflicts. A Chanote title provides superior flexibility when considering a development project and properties with Chanote generally command higher prices. You can think of Chanote as being the only document that confirms undisputed ownership of a plot of land in Thailand.

Title Deeds provide detailed information about the land's boundaries, the current owner of the land and any ongoing legal disputes or mortgages. Boundaries are usually defined by a survey plan rather than using GPS technology. Nor Sor Saam Gor is commonly accepted for ownership transfer at local land offices throughout Thailand, however, many would argue that they do not provide the same level of security as Chanote. This difference is usually reflected in the price of the land or property and may or may not be a concern to you. The important takeaway is that Nor Sor Saam Gor is a fully legal document that confirms ownership.

The land department and certain departments of the Thai government issue some other forms of land documents. It is important to understand that it is not legal to sell these titles, claims or rights and they can only be transferred by inheritance. It is not possible to register a sale or lease for this type of land. All of that said, you will no doubt hear stories of land being 'transferred' on the basis of a handshake. Some would argue that the price is so cheap that it is worth the risk, which is fine, but it is important to understand these risks and what you may be letting yourself in for.