A 'condominium' is a building licensed under the Condominium Act, so foreigners can own units freehold; an 'apartment' is not, so its units can't be foreign-freehold — the label is a legal distinction, not a style of building.
In Thailand this isn't about how the building looks — it's a legal distinction that decides whether a foreigner can own the unit. The words genuinely matter here.
A condominium is a building that has been formally registered and licensed under the Thailand Condominium Act. That licence is what allows individual units to be sold on a genuine freehold title, and it's what creates the 49% foreign-ownership quota — the mechanism by which a foreigner can legally own a unit outright, in their own name.
An apartment building, by contrast, is not registered under the Condominium Act. Its units cannot be sold on individual freehold titles to foreigners; instead you'd typically only be able to rent or, at best, take a leasehold. Two buildings can look identical, but only the licensed condominium lets you own the unit. Always check the legal status — not the marketing name — before you buy.
Not on a freehold basis. Because an apartment building isn't licensed under the Condominium Act, its units can't be issued individual freehold titles within a foreign quota. A foreigner can usually rent an apartment, or in some cases take a leasehold, but to own a unit outright you need a licensed condominium. This is exactly why the legal status of a building matters far more than what it's called in the brochure — see also how a condotel differs from a condominium.
The building must hold a Condominium Act licence, and each unit should have its own unit title deed showing the freehold and foreign-quota position. Your independent Thai lawyer verifies this at the Land Office as part of due diligence — confirming the licence, the quota space available, and that the unit can be transferred to a foreigner. We only introduce properly registered condominium developments, and we walk you through the paperwork on a call.
Thinking about buying in Phuket?
See if you qualify →If your goal is to own the unit, yes — only a licensed condominium can give a foreigner freehold title within the quota. An apartment can only be rented or, sometimes, leased. For pure ownership and easier resale, the registered condominium is the route that works.
Almost always, but confirm two things: that the building genuinely holds a Condominium Act licence, and that there is space left in the 49% foreign quota for your unit. Both are checked by your lawyer at the Land Office before completion. We go through the quota position for a specific development privately.