Define: Thailand Land Title Deeds

The Thailand land title deeds are defined as the official legal documents issued by the Thai authorized government departments proving a person's right to a plot of land, and shows among others its location, size and the survey status and registered third parties rights on the land. There are different types of land title documents in Thailand. 

The following title deeds are issued by the Land Department are divided into 6 main categories:

1. Sor Kor 1 (S.K. 1), is a notification form of possession of land. This document entitles the holder to occupy and utilize the S.K. 1 land, S.K. 1 land may be sold or transferred to the other if the holder abandons the intention to possess and deliver SK. 1 land to the transferee, it also may be passed on by inheritance. Depending on the land’s location, this document may be upgraded to Nor. Sor. 3, Nor. Sor. 3 Gor or Nor. Sor. 4 (Chanote). The Sor. Kor. 1 documents have not bee issued since 1972.
2. Nor. Sor. 2 (N.S. 2) is a consent letter issued by the Land Department. This document entitles the holder of such document to occupy and utilize the land for a temporary period, the holder has to commence occupantion and utilization on the NS. 2 land within 6 months and have to complete the utilization on the N.S. 2 land within 3 years from the receipt of Nor. Sor. 2. This type of N.S. 2 land may not be sold or transferred except for inheritance.  Depending on the land’s location, this document may be upgraded to Sor. Nor. Sor. 3 Gor or Nor. Sor. 4 (Chanote), however, after upgrade the prohibition for sale or transfer is still effective.
3. Nor. Sor. 3 (N.S. 3), is an instrument which signifies the land occupier’s right to possess the land, but without conferring actual possession. The borders of the land must be confirmed by neighbors and by a ground survey before the document is issued. There are no “parcel points” i.e. numbered concrete posts which are hammered to mark the boundaries of the land. This may cause problems in verifying the land area. There are no restriction regarding the use of the land (provided that the use does not contravene any height restrictions, environment protection laws, etc.) the land may be sold subject to a 30- days notice period. This document issued by district officer.
4. Nor. Sor. 3 Gor (N.S. 3 G), is an instrument with the same legal basis as Nor. Sor. 3, the difference being that Nor. Sor. 3 Gor has the land area parcel points set by using the aerial survey. There is no need to publicize any legal acts, and it is possible to partition (divide) the land into smaller plots. This document issued by district officer.
5. Nor. Sor. 3 Khor (N.S. 3 K), is an instrument with the same legal basis as Nor. Sor. 3 Gor, the difference being that Nor. Sor. 3 Khor issued in the area which has no parcel points set by using the aerial survey. There is no need to publicize any legal acts, and it is possible to partition (divide) the land into smaller plots. This document issued by land officer.
6. Nor. Sor. 5 (N.S. 5) is a document showing the verification in the right of the holder in the NS. 5 land, if the holder has NS. 5 land along with
   utilization certificate, it indicate that the district officer has confirmed the utilization on such NS. 5 land, so this NS. 5 land with the utilization
   certificate can be sold or transfer to other person by registration at the land office, however, if the holder have NS. 5 with SK. 1 or have only NS. 5 without any other supporting evidence, it indicate that the district officer has not yet confirmed the utilization on such NS. 5 land and this NS. 5 may not be sold or transferred except for inheritance.
7. Nor. Sor. 4 Jor (N.S. 4 J) is the only document which can be described as a land freehold title deed, because it is the only one confirming the
   ownership of the land. The land is accurately surveyed and its area and boundaries are determined by using GPS. There is no need to publicize any legal acts, and it is possible to partition (divide) the land into smaller plots. This document issued by land officer.

Land Title Deeds issued by other governments other than the Land Department are divided into 5 main categories:

1. Sor. Por. Gor. 4-01 (S.P.G. 4-01), is an allotment of land from the land reformative committee, and under no circumstance may this land be
   bought or sold. It confers the right to occupy only and be transferred only by inheritance. It seems that the land may be used for agriculture only.
2. Sor. Tor. Gor (S.T.G), is an instrument issued only in the zone of national reserved forest, the holder of this title document have the right to reside and live on the STG. land. STG. land is prohibited for sale, however, the right of the holder to reside and live on the STG. land can be passed on heir by inheritance. This document issued by the forest department.
3. Por. Bor. Tor. 5 (P.B.T. 5), is an evidence showing that the occupier of a plot of land has been issued a tax number and has paid tax for using the benefit of the land. This confers no right at all but was formerly used to establish that the holder was occupying a plot of land and could apply for a Sor Kor 1.
4. Nor. Kor. 3 (N.K. 3), is a utilization certificate issued under the act of land allocation for living B.E. 2511. This document issued only for member of self-help settlement.
5. Gor. Sor. Nor. 5 (G.S.N. 5), is a utilization certificate issued under the act of land allocation for living B.E. 2511. This document issued only for member of cooperative settlement.