Expat News Thailand
Recent News - July 2025
All new driver’s license applicants must take written exam
Last updated on September 29th, 2025 at 06:55 am
As of July 2025 Thai driver’s license process has changed. New applicants MUST take a written exam. In the past, the written exam had been waved under some conditions. This new rule does not affect those renewing their license if it has not expired.
Pattaya and Bangkok remain top foreign buyer locations for condo purchases
The latest data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) under the Government Housing Bank (GHB) shows a slight decline in foreign condominium ownership transfers nationwide during the first quarter of 2025. However, Bangkok and Chonburi provinces—home to Pattaya—continue to dominate as the main areas favored by foreign buyers, together accounting for over 80% of the total market value.
In Q1 2025, foreigners transferred ownership of 3,919 condo units valued at 16.39 billion baht, Compared to the same period last year, the number of units sold fell slightly by 0.5%, value dropped 9%, and total area decreased by 5%. Despite this mild slowdown, the share of foreign ownership in the overall condo market actually increased to 18% of units and 29.3% of value, up from 16.7% and 28.6% respectively last year.
Chinese buyers remain the largest group, making up 37.8% of unit transfers and 37.3% of transaction value. However, transfers by Chinese nationals have decreased, partly due to concerns over Thailand’s safety image affecting Chinese tourism and investment. Other significant nationalities include Myanmar (11.2% of units, 9.7% value) and Russia (7.3% of units, 6% value).
Bangkok holds the largest share of foreign condo purchases by number of units at 43.3%, followed by Chonburi province at 33.4%, together representing 76.7% of foreign purchases.
Overall, foreign ownership continues to play a crucial role in Thailand’s condominium market, particularly in Bangkok and the popular coastal area of Pattaya, despite recent challenges affecting certain buyer groups.
Thailand’s ex-PM floats idea for new golden visa for 600,000 wealthy foreigners, paying 1 million USD apiece
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has proposed a new golden visa program targeting 600,000 wealthy foreigners, each contributing $1 million in exchange for long-term residency and property rights. The plan, he said, could inject substantial capital into the economy and support public services like education.
Bloomberg quoted Thaksin as saying that the scheme could potentially raise $600 billion—more than the country’s current GDP—and offer Thailand a fresh financial pipeline.
The latest Golden Visa concept has attracted more criticism than support amongst financial gurus. They say that the best Golden Visas worldwide include the guarantee of citizenship with a second passport, as found in parts of the Caribbean. It is not clear how much freehold land the golden visa holders would be allowed to hold in their own name, or whether purchase would be limited to off-plan developments in specific areas.
Reaction to Temporary Freezing of Expat Bank accounts in Thailand
Since August 2025, A significant number of Expats have reported problem accessing their Thai bank accounts, only to be informed by the Thai banks that their accounts (and funds) have been suspended due to suspicion of “illegal activity”.
Some Expats have been able to get funds released following weeks of difficulty, after which many Expats have closed their accounts due to losing trust in the banks and prefer to get accounts with other banks.
This is a very concerning issue for Expats, who have legal requirements to have Thai bank account with funds for Visa reasons,
Here are two videos below providing more details on this issue.
“In cases where innocent account holders are caught in the money flow of mule activity, they can contact the 1411 hotline to verify their identity. Banks typically process account verifications three times a day. ” – Intergrity Legal Thailand
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K-bank no longer offering (PA) Personal Accident Insurance to long term-visa Expats.
Expats in Thailand are experiencing increased difficulty in obtaining (PA) Insurance due to K-bank’s policy change, which now restricts this coverage to “Thai citizens only”, affecting all Expats holding long-term visas, including retirement visas.
It is important to note that Expats holding Pink cards are regarded as “Thai citizens” for this purpose, allowing them to continue to be receive (PA) insurance coverage.
(PA) Insurance is an elective insurance policy that cover general injuries, motorbike accidents, assault and can also cover a kind of life insurance if some case of murder. The rates are very reasonable and coverage needs to be renewed annually. Note, this type of insurance is not healthcare insurance, it does not cover sickness.
Reference these links before for current information on (PA) coverage
Bangkok Bank PA coverage up to age 65
Bangkok Bank PA coverage age 65 to 100