Southeast Asia's two biggest tourist economies with booming property markets. Thailand allows foreigners to own condos outright with 0% CGT on SET stocks; Indonesia restricts ownership to 'right to use' titles but Bali's rental yields hit 8-12%. Both have growing digital nomad visa programs that attract investor-residents.

Disclaimer: Tax rates, investment rules, and visa programs change frequently. The data below is for informational purposes only — always verify with official sources and consult qualified professionals. Read full disclaimer

Investment Overview

Metric	🇹🇭 Thailand	🇮🇩 Indonesia
Capital Gains Tax	0% on SET	0.1% on listed
Property Access	Restricted	Restricted
Investment Visa	None specific	None specific
Monthly Budget	from $800/mo	from $1,000/mo
Crypto Regulation	Evolving	Evolving

Capital Gains Tax

🇹🇭 Thailand

0% on SET

Capital Gains Tax

🇮🇩 Indonesia

0.1% on listed

Capital Gains Tax

Thailand has the tax advantage with 0% on SET capital gains tax vs 0.1% on listed. Your effective rate may differ based on holding periods, asset type, and treaty benefits.

Property Investment

🇹🇭 Thailand

Restricted

Leasehold or via company

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Restricted

Leasehold or via company

Investment Visa Programs

🇹🇭 Thailand

None specific

🇮🇩 Indonesia

None specific

Key Investment Insights

🇹🇭 Thailand

2024 tax change: Foreign investment income (dividends, capital gains) remitted to Thailand IS now taxable for tax residents (180+ days/year). LTR visa holders exempted.
Direct freehold land ownership restricted for foreigners — alternatives include long-term leases (30–99 years) or company structures
Local stock exchange: SET (Bangkok) — access to domestic equities, bonds, and ETFs
Capital gains tax: 0% on SET on local assets; foreign gains may be exempt under territorial rules

Full investing guide

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Capital gains tax: 0.1% on listed — relatively competitive compared to high-tax Western countries
Direct freehold land ownership restricted for foreigners — alternatives include long-term leases (30–99 years) or company structures
Local stock exchange: IDX (Jakarta) — access to domestic equities, bonds, and ETFs
Capital gains tax: 0.1% on listed

Full investing guide

Related Investing Comparisons

🇹🇭 Thailand vs 🇲🇾 Malaysia

Thailand vs Malaysia for expat investors. Compare capital gains tax, property ownership restrictions, residency programs, and investment opportunities in Southeast Asia.

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Thailand vs Indonesia Investing — FAQ

Which has lower capital gains tax — Thailand or Indonesia?

Thailand has lower capital gains tax at 0% on SET, compared to 0.1% on listed in Indonesia. Consider holding periods and treaty benefits that may further reduce your effective rate.

Can foreigners buy property in Thailand and Indonesia?

In Thailand, property access for foreigners is: Restricted (Leasehold or via company). In Indonesia: Restricted (Leasehold or via company). Always use a local lawyer for property transactions.

Does Thailand or Indonesia have a golden visa program?

Thailand: None specific. Indonesia: None specific. Golden visa programs can change frequently — verify current requirements before committing capital.

Which is cheaper for expats — Thailand or Indonesia?

Thailand is more affordable with an estimated monthly budget of from $800/mo, compared to from $1,000/mo in Indonesia.

Which is better for crypto investors — Thailand or Indonesia?

Crypto regulation in Thailand: Evolving. In Indonesia: Evolving. Capital gains tax (which typically applies to crypto) is 0% on SET in Thailand and 0.1% on listed in Indonesia. Crypto-specific rules are evolving rapidly in both jurisdictions.

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🇹🇭 Thailand Investing Guide 🇮🇩 Indonesia Investing Guide All comparisons