Reviewed by ThaiLawOnline, a licensed Thai law firm practising in Thailand since 2006. Thai lawyer of record: Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556.
Last updated on August 8, 2026
Real right under Sections 1417–1428 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code giving the usufructuary (ผู้ทรงสิทธิเก็บกิน) the right to use and enjoy the property of another — including collecting rents and natural fruits — for a term of years or for life, not exceeding thirty years if granted to a juristic person. The usufruct is registered on the land title at the Land Department and is a common structure for foreigners married to Thai nationals.
Full guide: usufruct in Thailand.
Related Terms
- Usufructuary (ผู้ทรงสิทธิเก็บกิน): the person holding the usufruct. Entitled to use the property and take its fruits, but must preserve its substance and return it at the end of the term.
- Usus: the Roman-law right to use a thing without taking its fruits. In Thai law it is absorbed into usufruct and into the right of habitation (CCC Sections 1402 to 1409).
- Fructus: the right to collect the natural and civil fruits: crops, rents, interest, offspring of livestock, without diminishing the property. Usus plus fructus is what a usufruct grants.
- Abusus: the right to consume, alter, destroy or transfer the thing. This is the one right a usufruct never transfers, which is why the owner remains the owner.
- Naked owner: the owner whose title is burdened by the usufruct. Retains abusus but no current right of use. When the usufruct ends, full ownership consolidates automatically.
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- Usufruct agreement, drafted and registered฿3,900A registered right to use and live off a property for life. Bilingual Thai and English, drafted for registration at the Land Office. Draft within 3 business days of receiving your documents.See what is included
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