US to buy new Chiang Mai residence for consul general after Cabinet approval
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the US government’s purchase of a house and land in Chiang Mai for a new consul general’s residence.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwattana said on Tuesday that the Cabinet had approved the United States government’s purchase of a house and land in Chiang Mai province for use as the new residence of the US Consul General in Chiang Mai, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The house and land are located in Chang Phueak subdistrict, Mueang district, Chiang Mai province. The plot covers 1 rai and 87.6 square wah, or about 1,950.4 square metres, and includes a two-storey residential building with usable space of around 725 square metres.
The property has no mortgage or other encumbrances, and relevant agencies have considered it suitable and safe for use as the residence of the US Consul General.
Lalida said the consideration was in line with existing Cabinet criteria, which state that if a foreign government already holds more than 15 rai of land in Thailand and wishes to purchase additional land, the matter must be submitted to the Cabinet for case-by-case consideration.
In this case, the United States government already holds land ownership in Thailand exceeding that threshold, so Cabinet approval is required before the purchase and ownership transfer can proceed.
Thailand and the United States had previously reached an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the acquisition of land and buildings for diplomatic or consular use. This existing agreement therefore covers the latest purchase of the house and land, meaning no new exchange of letters is required.
The buyer will also be exempt from relevant taxes, duties and fees under the framework of the existing agreement.
Lalida added that the United States is an important partner of Thailand in security, the economy, trade, investment and regional cooperation. Thai-US relations have remained close for more than 190 years.
The acquisition of a new consul general’s residence in Chiang Mai therefore reflects the importance of Thailand, particularly the role of Chiang Mai and the upper North as a strategic area for international cooperation.
“This is not merely a matter of securing consular residential premises. It is another signal of confidence and close relations between Thailand and the United States, which will help support consular missions, the care of citizens and the advancement of cooperation in the northern region more effectively,” Lalida said.
