Foreign Quota (FQ)

Definition

Rule under the Thai Condominium Act (B.E. 2522, Section 19) that caps foreign ownership of the total floor area of a condominium building at 49%. Beyond this ceiling, the Land Office refuses to register the transfer, which blocks the sale. Before any condo purchase, the lawyer must verify the Foreign Quota percentage at the Juristic Office and Land Office, list pending transfers that could saturate the quota, and obtain an official certificate of availability (FQ Certificate). If the quota is saturated, the foreign buyer must switch to a 30+30+30 year leasehold arrangement or abandon the project.