泰國吸引國際投資人的五大魅力 隨著疫情後旅遊與經濟逐漸復甦，泰國新總理賽塔 · 塔維辛上任，宣示將啟動經濟復甦政策，泰國一躍成為全球市場焦點。特別是在 2023 年上半年，亞洲、歐美買家紛紛選擇泰國，購置第二家園。一起來看看這個微笑國度，究竟有何魅力？ 歐美、亞洲買家情繫泰國房市 根據泰國房地產資訊中心（ REIC ）數據顯示，2023 年上半年外國人士購買泰國房地產數量，以華人買家高居第一，達到 3,448 戶，占外國人投資比例高達 47%。其後分別是俄羅斯，購入 702 戶房屋，占比為 9.6%；美國達到 293 戶，占比為 4%；法國，購買量為 269 戶，占比為 3.7%；英國，購入 260 戶，占比為 3.5%。 外國買家通常擁有比泰國買家更高的預算，購置每個單位介於 1,500 萬至 3,000 萬泰銖之間的住宅。曼谷主要商業區、湄南河沿岸與度假勝地，都是受到國際買家青睞之地。 泰國磁吸國際資金的五大誘因，讓國際富豪爭相投資泰國，作為第二家園： 一、移民考量 受到地緣政治動盪的影響，國際買家尋求穩健的投資標的，也希望居住在更安穩的區域。例如，近期烏俄戰爭的爆發導致許多俄羅斯買家紛紛選擇泰國購置住宅，尋求遠離地緣政治風險的生活。東南亞房地產顧問表示，許多東南亞富豪正在尋找更安全和穩定的國家購買第二套住房，考量其兼具投資升值、醫療服務，與子女教育的優勢，鄰近的泰國即是首要之選。而許多香港人也心繫泰國生活，透過申領「非移民簽證」，憑證長期居留泰國，從而取得永居身份，最後再入籍。 此外，泰國房地產資訊中心（REIC）也透露，大中華地區的買家已連續 6 年蟬聯外國買家榜首，最受青睞的區域是曼谷及春武里等地，除了富豪買家，許多小型投資人也鍾愛泰國。購買房屋的主要動機是投資，偏好較小的投資單位，平均面積約 14 坪、平均價格約新台幣 600 萬元，是中等收入買家負擔得起的金額。華人買家們另一個考量點是，目前亞洲存款利息仍低，泰國房地產價格不高、且有穩定的租金回報，因此及早投資，有利於退休時的財務應用。 二、子女教育選擇 全球富豪也對泰國逾百所國際學校興致極高，泰國國際學校多位於首都曼谷，並擁有充裕的國際師資與多元學制，包括美、英、德、加拿大和國際文憑（ International Baccalaureate，簡稱 IB ）組織認可的學制等，促進許多家長選擇將子女送至泰國接受教育，並在當地購置房地產，兼具自用與投資用途。 三、具潛力的租金收益 根據 2022 年泰國投資促進委員會（ BOI ）統計，全球有將近 1,000 多家企業陸續移至泰國申請註冊公司，投資總額超過 4,300 億泰銖，密集的勞動人口市場成長，將提升泰國購屋及租屋居住的需求。 曼谷相較於許多國際大都市房價的高漲，房價仍然相對平實。擁有眾多國際商辦大樓與豪華住宅，價格卻僅為一線城市上海、香港的四分之一。具潛力的租金投報率，吸引國際買家投入。 四、 環境怡人、住宅選擇多元 泰國作為東南亞第二大經濟體，地理位置優越，西北與緬甸為鄰，東北接寮國、東連柬埔寨，國土由北部的山區、高原，到中部平原沃土、南部沙灘、島嶼等，天然資源豐沛，且各有其特色。國際買家得以選擇城市、鄉鎮、度假區或小島等，購買不同類型的房地產。 根據泰國房地產資訊中心（ REIC ）統計，2022 年泰國房產交易率最高的地區，第一名為首都曼谷，交易金額高達 11.7 億美元；其次為芭達雅所在地春武里，價值約 2.99 億美元；接續則是度假勝地普吉島、清邁、華欣等地，每個地點都有其吸引人的特點。 五、多元的美食與文化 多個世紀以來，泰國位於中國和印度間的中南半島心臟地帶，一直是東南亞地區宗教、文化和多元民族的大熔爐。作為全球主要經濟體，泰國吸引著來自歐美、日本、中國等地人口，發展出更豐富的異國美食和多元文化，物價水平卻相當平實。 泰國政府 2022 年 10 月曾一度提案將開放外籍富人持有土地，引起各國投資者關注，不過，此議案受到泰國社會反彈，目前已撤回提案待議。無論如何，在政策友善投資與多重優勢吸引之下，外國買家仍對於投資「微笑泰國」充滿興趣與信心。           Five Reasons Why Thailand's Real Estate Attracts International Investors With the gradual recovery of travel and the economy after the pandemic, as well as the inauguration of Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Thailand has now become a focal point of the global market. In the first half of 2023 in particular, Asian, European, and American buyers have chosen Thailand as the destination to purchase their second homes. Let us explore what makes the " Land of Smiles " so attractive to these international buyers. Interest of European, American, and Asian Buyers in Thailand’s Real Estate Market According to data from the Real Estate Information Centre ( REIC ) in Thailand, in the first half of 2023, the demographic of foreigners purchasing real estate in Thailand was dominated by Chinese buyers, who purchased 3,448 units, accounting for a substantial 47% of such foreign investment. Following this, Russian buyers acquired 702 units, constituting 9.6% of the total; American buyers reached 293 units, making up 4%; French buyers accounted for 269 units, or 3.7%; and British buyers purchased 260 units, or 3.5%. Foreign buyers often have access to larger budgets than local Thailand nationals acquiring residences with prices ranging from 15 to 30 million Thai Baht ( THB ) per unit. Bangkok's primary business districts, the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and various resort destinations are particularly favored by international buyers. Five Factors Drawing International Investment to Thailand Five factors that are driving wealthy international investors to consider making Thailand their second home: 1. Immigration Considerations Due to geopolitical instability, international investors are actively seeking stable investment opportunities and stable residential locations. The recent outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War has led to an increase in Russian buyers opting for Thailand as their preferred destination for purchasing homes, driven by their desire to mitigate geopolitical risks. Property consultants in Southeast Asia report that numerous affluent investors from the region are seeking a secure and stable country to acquire a second home. Thailand has emerged as their preferred destination due to its favorable prospects for investment growth, quality healthcare services, and excellent educational opportunities for children. There is also a significant interest among individuals from Hong Kong to live in Thailand who wish to obtain a non-immigrant visa, which allows them to reside in Thailand for an extended period, eventually obtaining permanent residency. Furthermore, according to the REIC, buyers from the Greater China region have consistently ranked as the highest number of foreign buyers for six consecutive years. The most sought-after regions for these buyers are Bangkok and Chonburi. In addition to affluent buyers, Thailand is also favored by numerous small-scale investors. The primary motivation for acquiring residential properties is for investment purposes, specifically smaller investment units. These units typically have an average size of 46 square meters and are priced at approximately NT$ 6 million, making them affordable for middle-income buyers. Another consideration for Chinese buyers is that interest rates in Asia are still low, the prices of real estate in Thailand are reasonable, and there is a stable rental return. As such, early investments are advantageous for financial use in retirement. 2. Educational Concerns for Children Wealthy investors from around the world are displaying significant interest in more than a hundred international schools situated in Thailand. These schools are predominantly located in the capital city of Bangkok and provide a wealth of international faculty and diverse curricula, including those recognized by the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, and the International Baccalaureate ( IB ) program. The diverse range of educational opportunities in Thailand are attracting numerous parents who are opting to send their children for educational purposes while simultaneously investing in local real estate for personal use and as a means of investment. 3. Promising Rental Yields According to 2022 statistics from the Thailand Board of Investment ( BOI ), approximately 1,000 companies from various countries have relocated to Thailand and registered for business operations. These investments total more than THB 430 billion. As a result, the expansion of a labor-intensive workforce market in Thailand is anticipated to drive the demand for both home purchases and rentals. In comparison to the high real estate prices in numerous global cities, real estate prices in Thailand are comparatively reasonable and affordable. In the capital city of Bangkok, there are numerous international office buildings and luxury residences. Surprisingly, the prices of these properties in Bangkok are only a quarter of those in top-tier cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong. The promising rental returns are attracting international buyers to invest in Thailand. 4. Cozy Environment and Diverse Housing Choices Thailand, the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, benefits from its strategically advantageous geographic location. It shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Moreover, Thailand's diverse landscapes, including mountainous regions in the north, plateaus and fertile plains in the central region, and beautiful southern beaches and islands, contribute to its abundance of natural resources, each with its own distinct appeal. International buyers can choose from a variety of real estate types in different locations, including cities, towns, resorts and islands. Based on data from the REIC, Bangkok emerged as the top region for property transactions in 2022, with a total transaction value of US$ 1.17 billion. Chonburi, the province where Pattaya is located, is closely followed with a value of approximately US$ 299 million. Additionally, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hua Hin proved to be appealing investment destinations, each offering unique attractions and characteristics. 5. Diverse Cuisine and Culture Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia between China and India, Thailand has been a religious, cultural, and ethnic melting pot for centuries. As a major global economy, Thailand has attracted people from Europe, United States, Japan, China, and many more, fostering a rich tapestry of international cuisines and cultures. Despite this, the cost of living in Thailand remains relatively affordable. In October of last year, the Thai government put forth a proposal to allow wealthy foreign individuals to own land, attracting interest from global investors. However, this proposal encountered opposition within Thailand and has been temporarily suspended for additional deliberation. Nevertheless, driven by investment-friendly policies and the many advantages the country offers, foreign buyers continue to show strong interest and confidence in investing in the " Land of Smiles. "