jaapfries

Know exactly what you mean; just PM me and I'll put you in touch with the Thai Contractor who built some houses for us. He was, by far the least expensive chap and did an excellent job and "on-time".

He also took care of plans, permits etc., so everything was done right, correctly and we had no worries.

Raro - Not yet, still very early days. Can you expand anymore on how it can be safe for thai's to own more than 50% of YOUR company? How does it work?

JohnC - Understood and true. However I feel the type of gigs we want to put on don't have much competition but yes they could do further down the line. Am I right in saying foreigners can do this type of work? It is not listed on the foreigners can't do list - is it?

Scorecard - We have looked at similar previous events and ones in neighbouring countries also. Although it wouldn't be the same as in the UK, I have experience of this work in the UK and looking at how a couple of other similar previous events went in BKK, feel this could take off. We would be catering to a mixed market - thais, holidaymakers and expats. As i'm sure you are aware UK and American bands/artists are a high commodity.

Thanks for the help so far. If anyone can assist further - especially on costs of forming the company/how much money you need to show in your acct/whether it is worhtwhile working with a company like Sunbelt/Siam Legal.

Stay away from Sunbelt/Siam Legal.

"Paid-Up Capital" - this does not mean that you have to actually 'show'these funds.

With regards to "employees" who are legally required: don't worry about this either; all you need is to PM me and I will explain the best way to put this together at minimal cost.

Cheers,

JGK/Pattaya

(18 years in Thailand)

Musicman; the response from Richard just about sums it up.

From your post, I assume that your house is in the vicinity of Pattaya ? If so; just PM me because I think I can help you out of this potentially very tricky situation.

Cheers,

JGK/Pattaya

I am curious about why the target was a University. It may be near Gov't house, but it isn't Gov't house.

Seems odd.

Yo are overlooking the fact that this concerns a projectile which is fired from distance. Logic dictates that the shooters aim might not have been all that accurate ? ? Thai artillery-experts are far & few between, believe you me !

Google: Tip Top Cleaners Pattaya; this will get you the Yellow-Pages Pattaya) then pick-up the phone and Bob's your proverbial Uncle, okay ?

Cheers,

JGK/Pattaya

I can't help you with the architectural thing, but if you're talking "Condominium" you may want to consider this "folding bed" solution, which will enable you to have double use of a room or rooms ? Extremely attractive and clever; my wife and I had one of these in our 1 room Condo in Europe for about a year there (work-contract) and absolutely loved it.

In the case of a 1 room Condo; ou don't get this ugly bed-thing, which takes up all that space and in the event of a 1 or more bedroom Condo; such a room could then easilily 'double' a study - yet transforms into a bedroom within a second. Very clever and extremely attractive.

Maybe worth thinking about...

Have been looking to install Solar System to run all the pumps.. the roof over the fish pond/tanks is 8m x 3.5m, the total outlay would pay for itself within 4 years.

PLEASE TELL ME MORE: A PV (PHOVOLTAIC) SYSTEM WITH AN ROI OF ABOUT 4 YEARS ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

LOVE TO HEAR THIS ?

PLEASE PM ME, THANKS

JGK/PATTAYA

Talk to the Land Department, or directly to the Valuers at any commercial bank.

That's like comparing Champagne < > Muddy Water ! !

BeeGees = Champagne

Abba = Ah Bah ! !

But then again; there's no accounting for taste . . . . . . . .

Please PM me; 'gent-from-ohio'

Cheers,

JGK

Some excellent advice from other posters, but one thing which is very important, when you're ready to transfer the funds to build the actual dwelling, communicate with the receiving Thai Bank and organize a T-33 Form. This ensures that if you ever want to take money out of Thailand (in he future) as a result of having sold the property,you can, without any problem.

Good luck with your project.

Cheers,

JGK/Pattaya

Please inform us WHERE you are located, okay ? !

To the best of my knowledge, there are no Kitchen Mfgs on Samui.

However, just PM me and I may be able to help.

Cheers,

JGK/Pattaya

I brought my dog from the states, he is now quite old and a dear member of my family. When he dies Id like to cremete or bury him. Is this odd in thailand? I'd really like to givemy best friend the rememberence he desrves

"ODD" to want to say 'Farewell' to your loyal companion ? ? ?

Sir; not only is this not "odd"; it says a lot about your four-footed friend and it says a LOT about you !

In my book, you would be a "Real Man", because you obviously need to find some sort of 'closure' (hate that word).

You and your canine mate have a lot of history together and that is something to be proud of and something to cherish.

When our Foxy died (after 8 1/2 years with us), we held a ceremony, with a monk present. Foxy was wrapped in a white sheet. Afterwards, we buried her in the back of the farmhouse, together with her food bowls; favorite toys and a supply of snacks - on the edge of the lake where she went for a swim often and placed a rather large rock on the top of the grave. When it was all over, we cried for 3 days (incredible !).

Today; some 7 years on; whenever we visit our farm (near Kabin Buri); the first thing we do is walk around to the back, place a hand on that bog rock and we say "Hi" to our Foxy and the tears are never far away: after 7 years ! ! !

Odd ? ? -No Sir-ree ! ! It just marks you as a compassionate person.

Love Hurts !

Best Regards,

JGK/Pattaya

In answer to your questions; single level dwellings are less expensive than multi-level buildings.

Please also remember that unlike in a European setting, most of the "living" (once you've moved-in to you home in Thailand) is done outside, rather than inside. This means that you don't need to build a "big" home with large living-areas, but rather a "functional" home with all the right amenities, bu always with a substantial and "cool" outdoor living area, since that is where you wil be spending most of your waking hours.

Like a previous poster already indicated; the way to go, in your situation, is SIPs. This stands for "Structural Insulated Panels". This means that your new home will be built virtually like a "Fridge-In-Reverse" the heat stays outside and the cool stays inside.

These panels are used as exterior walls,as well as roofing panels.

Add to this the possibility (it appears you have enough land to be ale to do this with) of installing a very simple but super effective "Underground Cooling System" (viz. at about 4 m depth, the temp. is 10~12 C cooler than the ambient temp.), which will give you approx. 8C cooler than outside temp. airflow inside your now well insulated dwelling; for free. This also saves a lot of $$ on a/c bills.

Top the whole thing off with a simple Solar Hot Water system and you'll have yourself a winner.

Incidentally; the company who builds these SIP dwellings also build smaller and transportable homes. This is rather clever for people who are asked to build a home for their Thai GF's. The GF's family might own the land; but you, the Farang, can legally own the dwelling. If and when things go 'sour', the dwelling is simply moved to a location of your choice (or temp. storage; no problem).

If you're interested in this system, just PM me and I'll put you in the right direction.

Cheers.

JGK/Pattaya

I know a number of religious jokes!

How's this for funny (chosen as the best joke of 2009 !)

A 18 year old girl tells her mother that she has missed her period for two months.

Very worried, the mother goes to the drugstore and buys a pregnancy kit.

The test result shows that the girl is pregnant.

Shouting, cursing, crying, the mother says 'who was the pig that did this to you? I want to know!'

The girl picks up the phone and makes a call.

Half an hour later an AMG Mercedes stops in front of their house, a mature and distinguished man with grey hair and impeccably dressed in an Armani suit steps out of the Mercedes and enters the house.

He sits in the living room with the father, mother and the girl, and tells them:

Good morning, your daughter has informed me of the situation. I can't marry her because of my personal family situation but I'll take responsibility for my actions. I will pay all costs and provide for your daughter for the rest of her life.

Additionally, if a girl is born I will bequeath her 2 retail stores, a townhouse, a beachfront villa and a $2,000,000 bank account.

If a boy is born, my legacy will be a couple of factories and a $4,000,000 bank account.

If twins, they will each receive a factory and $2,000,000 .'

Finally, for causing such social embarrassment and distress to you both I would like to offer $1,000,000 in compensation, my private yacht, and Gold Coast penthouse to be at

your disposal at any time.

However, if there is a miscarriage, what do you suggest I do?'

At this point, the father, who had remained silent the entire time, places a hand firmly on the man's shoulder and tells him..

'You go fukc her again.'

Yes; there is one company in Chonburi who is active in the field of SIPs.

I have seen their (EU-Approved) panel-system (50mm/75mm/100mm) which has a smooth colorsteel inner-skin and a wide choice of exterior finishes, such as "Wheaterboards white", Wheaterboards timber, straight Planking and even a beautiful Log-Home look.

They have a little display set-up in Pattaya, which really impressed me.

This system is very suitable for any type of new-home construction and they also have a range of "Transporables". These are small, pre-fab cabin-like housing units, which are 100% self-contained. In other words, one could place one of these on the GF's property in the country-side, but YOU, the Farang retain he legal ownership of the actual dwelling. If the relationship should "souer", you simply pickup the phone to this company and they will relocate this dwelling to anywhere you desire. For some reason, they are very successfull with this system.

Not only do they offer the "total package", but they go a lot further with proven technologies such as Geothermal-Cooling (heat-exchanger at about 4 meters deep; rendering an airflow into the house of some 10~12 C cooler that the ambient temp.), Solar Hot Water systems (without the unsightly tank on your roof !), PV-Systems - and a number of other innovative energy-saving and extremely cost-effective construction & design disciplines.

I believe the name is EcoBuilt, but just PM me for their contact-information, if you wish.

Cheers.

JK/Chonburi

Gas Hot Water heaters don't exist in Thailand (for domestic use). Your choice is limited to either electric or solar. Since this is Thailand, by far the most intelligent way to go, would be a solar hot water system, especially when you're building a new house.

Just PM me if you want more information & costs.

BTW; did you know that a solar hot water system will have the potential to save some 2 metric tons of Co2 per year from going into the atmosphere ?

Cheers,

JGK/Pattaya

This is where you stop 'guessing' and engage the services of a "Structural Engineer". The cost of such "calculations" is very low and you'ld only be kidding yourself if you don't.

Builder Pattaya

All the people who are affiliated with either of the "farang" police organizations in town are pompous twits and wannabee cops. Most of them probably have criminal records and/or are involved with various shady activities around town (as their frequent arrests attest to) and hope to gain some veneer of credibility or protection from detection/prosecution by getting close to the police powers that be in town.

This is a very infantile and totally un-deserved silly statement, especially coming from someone calling himself "FarangBuddha" - this says little about the Volunteer Police Chaps, but a lot about a Falang who calls himslef a Buddhist, but makes it blatently obvious that his is totally clueless on both subjects !

All you have to do is walk into the main Pattaya Police Station. In the past this was very hard,because nobody there could speak any English. Nowadays -and thanks to this organization; there's a clean-cut gentleman (in a black semi-uniform: so you can recognize him !) sitting there.He's eager to help translate, direct or oherwise assist an any way that's required.

It is very easy to be critical of these 'boys-in-Black, but it is my experience here (18 years in Pattaya) that the vast majority have taken on this role (and donate their precious time ! ! !) in order to help their fellow-farang and to make life a bit easier for their gun-toting collegues.

Nobody should ever judge an entire organization on the actions of a few, who don't fit the mold !

I salute the Pattaya Police Volunteers for doing an outstanding job/service and I respect their efforts within our community !

Jaap K.

Pattaya

Having lived in (near) Pattaya for nigh-on 18 years, I fully concur that Down-Town Pattaya is a genuine "circus". Having visited all the "other" places to live in Thailand, my Thai wife 17 yrs. married), we have concluded that we don't want to live in this circus, but we also recognized the superior infrastructure Pattaya-City has to offer: fabulous shopping; fabulous restaurants; fabulous entertainment; most excellent sailing (from the RVYC) and the place even sports 4 very good used book shops.

So; the answer is not to "avoid" Pattaya; but rather to find a nice place to live within say a 15 minute drive.

We found a new development, for example, aptly named The Winery Villas Estate, which is just around the corner from the stunning Silverlake Vineyard (just past the Big Golden Buddha Rock: Kao-Chee-Chan; adjacent to Nong-Nooch Gardens). Situated on a slightly undulating hillside, with the majestic National Park at the rear, this location offers sweeping views over an enormously beautiful valley.

This ultra-secure location is very suitable for families with kids and we already look forward to regular long walks (or bicycle rides) though our neighbour: the National Park.

If anyone would like more info. just PM me and I'll be happy to pass-on the information.

Just PM me and I'll put you in touch with my (excellent) insurance agent, a Scotsman in Pattaya. He's just done the same for my 24 year old son and it cost around Bt. 3,000.- for 3 months, okay ? Cheers

I guess I don't fall into this category of "Dirty-Old-Men", because I find this 'initiative' (fun intended or not) in very bad taste.

Don't you think that the 'ladies in Pattaya' have to put up with more than enough demeaning & derogatory crap from the likes of you ? ?

I suggest you (and those inferior "men" like you) go back to your sleezy & humid little PC's and keep on watching those infantile "Up-Skirt-Flicks" or whatever you call these degenerate things and leave the rest of us to think of X-mas in a more wholesome and healthy manner !

Oh; and if your response would be "Just Kidding"; let me tell you Mr. Moby; this says a helluva lot more about YOU than about the ladies of Pattaya whose characters you so easily judge. What's more, Mr. Moby - this makes you the Dick ! !

Go to Be-Quik located in Pattaya in front of Big-C, South Pattaya:

Proper job

Proper Equipment

Guaranteed work

I have stopped and assisted in an accident . i would like to think that if i had the misfortune to have an accident someone would help me. Dont Belive all that you are told or read. Yes urban mith.

All of you who believe in this so-called "Urban Myth" you are extremely naive.

I have lived/worked in this wondrous Kingdom for almost 18 years and my position on this matter is as simple as it is sensible:

NEVER ever stop at ANY accident scene ! !

It could literally cost you millions of Baht; not to mention "time spent in a jail cell".

I never said this is an easy thing to do; but believe you me: you're begging for trouble !

BTW; I am most certainly NOT some bitter, long-staying expat; I am a very happy, totally in-love-with-Thailand positive person, butI do recognize the stark cultural differences between this land and 'the old country'.

Cheers,

JGK/Pattaya