Israeli Real Estate Agency Opens Branch in Thailand

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Anglo Saxon, one of Israel’s largest real estate agencies, has expanded its operations internationally by opening its first branch in Phuket, Thailand. This strategic move comes as the Thai property market experiences significant growth, particularly in tourist areas like Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok, and Pattaya.

Market Growth and Israeli Interest

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The Thai real estate market has seen remarkable development, with thousands of residential units under construction in projects targeting Western buyers. Tourism has nearly fully recovered post-pandemic, with approximately 40 million tourists visiting Thailand annually. This has created a growing community of Israeli expatriates and investors in the country.

Eitan Katzaf, Anglo Saxon’s franchisee in Thailand, notes that the market is particularly attractive due to its combination of stability, growth potential, and business-friendly environment. “We’re seeing significant interest from Israeli investors and families looking to relocate,” he says.

Challenges and Considerations

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While the Thai market offers opportunities, it also presents unique challenges:

• Complex local regulations regarding foreign land ownership
• Language barriers in property management and negotiations
• Need for thorough legal due diligence
• Active management requirements, especially for short-term rentals

Strategic Expansion

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Ron Novotny, CEO of Anglo Saxon, explains the rationale behind the expansion: “In recent years, many Israelis have been purchasing properties abroad, either for relocation or investment purposes. This trend is particularly noticeable in Thailand, and we saw an opportunity to provide Israeli clients with a familiar, trusted partner in navigating the local market.”

The company chose Thailand as its first international location due to the growing Israeli community and the potential for future expansion. The branch aims to bridge cultural and regulatory gaps for Israeli investors while providing comprehensive real estate services.

What This Means for the Israeli Community in Thailand

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For Israelis already living in or relocating to Thailand, a Hebrew-speaking agency on the ground addresses a real friction point. Property transactions in Thailand routinely go wrong for foreign buyers who misunderstand the ownership rules — and the cost of that misunderstanding can be the entire purchase. A branch staffed with people who understand both the Thai system and Israeli expectations lowers the barrier for families weighing a move, retirees, and remote workers who have made Phuket and Koh Samui semi-permanent bases.

It also signals something about the size of that community. Anglo Saxon would not open an international branch for a handful of clients; the move reflects a Phuket-area Israeli presence substantial enough to sustain a dedicated business. That same community is increasingly reachable by air — the new and expanding direct routes from Tel Aviv, including Arkia’s Spring–Summer 2026 Tel Aviv–Phuket service, make back-and-forth travel far more practical for owners and investors. See our coverage of https://asiansinisrael.com/2025/08/arkia-flights-bangkok-hanoi/ and https://asiansinisrael.com/2025/08/israel-southeast-asia-airfares-fall/.

Practical Takeaways for Buyers

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The single rule that catches most foreign buyers is land ownership. Under the Thai Land Code, foreigners cannot own land directly. In practice this means:

• Condominiums can be owned freehold in a foreigner’s own name — but only within each building’s 49% foreign-ownership quota. Confirm the quota has room before committing.
• Houses and villas are different: a foreigner can own the structure, but the land underneath must be leased (registrable for up to 30 years) or held through a Thai company — a structure that carries its own legal scrutiny.
• Independent legal due diligence, by a lawyer not connected to the seller or developer, is not optional. Title verification and lease registration at the Land Office are where deals are protected or lost.

These constraints have not loosened — they remain the framework as of 2026 — so a “familiar, trusted partner” matters only insofar as that partner walks buyers through them honestly rather than around them.

Read the full article on Ynet.