Title Deeds (Thailand)
In Thailand, a title deed is an official document from the Land Department that evidences rights to land or real estate. The most secure and market-preferred form is the Chanote (Nor. Sor. 4 Jor / NS4J), which provides full freehold ownership with GPS-plotted boundaries. Other documents, such as Nor Sor Sam (NS3) and Nor Sor Sam Gor/Khor (NS3G), record possession and use rights and can sometimes be upgraded to a Chanote.
Related entries and articles
- Chanote (Nor. Sor. 4 Jor / NS4J)
- Full private ownership; precisely surveyed and GPS-plotted to the national grid with numbered boundary markers. Preferred title for transactions; allows registration of mortgages, long-term leases, usufruct, superficies, etc.
- Nor Sor Sam (NS3)
- Confirmed possession but not accurately surveyed; boundaries must be confirmed with neighbors. Transfers may require a 30-day public notice; border/area disputes are more common.
- Nor Sor Sam Gor / Khor (NS3G / NS3Khor)
- Accurately surveyed (often via aerial survey); no 30-day notice; can be subdivided. Issued by the district land office; may be upgraded to Chanote.
- Condominium Unit Title Deed
- A Chanote ownership Land Department document granting full freehold ownership of the unit. Administered by the provincial or local land office.
- Sor Kor Nung (SK1): Notification of possession; limited rights; transfer by handing over possession or inheritance; upgrades possible (often via court approval).
- Nor Sor Song (NS2): Consent letter for temporary occupancy; must begin within 6 months and complete utilization within 3 years; no sale/transfer except inheritance; upgrade possible but sale prohibition can persist.
- Sor Por Gor 4-01 (SPG 4-01): Land reform allocation; right to occupy (agricultural use); no sale; inheritance only.
- Sor Tor Gor (STG): In national reserved forest; right to reside/live; not saleable; inheritance of residency right only.
- Por Bor Tor 5 (PBT5): Land-use tax receipt; no ownership right, sometimes used historically to support SK1 applications.
- Nor Kor 3 (NK3) & Gor Sor Nor 5 (GSN5): Utilization certificates tied to settlement programs; limited, specific use rights.
- Prefer Chanote title for the strongest, most marketable ownership in Thailand.
- Physically verify boundary markers and match them to the deed’s map and survey data.
- Check the deed’s reverse side for registered encumbrances (mortgage, lease, usufruct, superficies).
- Ensure all rights are registered at the Land Department, unregistered rights may be unenforceable.
- Obtain a professional title search and legal due diligence before signing.