WhiteSnake

Closed political trials like in Burma! If Thailand wouldn't have a so open economy this would become quickly in another Burma like state, it has all the ingredients.

I was hoping that some kind of evolution would be possible in Thailand. But with this kind of trials and jail sentences it seems that only a revolution can change this, and will be a bloody one.

I never liked Thaksin, but I'm start sympathizing with him. His methods start becoming justified. They are start doing the unthinkable is transforming Thaksin in some sort of freedom activist wiping out everything else.

It seems that the alternative to Thaksin is this terrible governance and a slow sliding into the abyss.

Someone tell me why should they go after the police that robbed the money ?

In a country where the big guys occupy airports and cause unbelievable damage to everyone and they are not called by the justice. Why the small ones should be called. Lead by example, they say.

It's the whole system that is screwed! There is no law in Thailand.

I intend to start building a house in Samui during this year, I bought the land sometime ago.

Is there anybody that can recommend a good builder in the Island in terms of quality/price?

My idea is to build a 2 or 3-Bedroom house with a few addons (swimming pool, garden,...).

Willing to find a company can take care of all the hassle, project, paperwork, building and give some garanty in the end.

I'm sure someone went through this process already.

Need advice in what to do and what to avoid !!

I'm not in Samui, still in Europe but need to start pushing things.

Thanks in advance

WS

Hi Roshan,

Samui is still unspoiled in some parts, south and southwest of the island still not very populated.

Maybe I can drop you a few tips, because I bought quite recently a plot of land in Samui.

You have to decide yourself where you want to buy if beach side or hill side, this because beach side is sometimes 10 times more expensive than hill side. The type of land ownership is different as well. Beach side lands usually are leased and hill side you effectively own it if you have for instance a thai wife, if not is only doable through a limited company where you have to include thai partners, but they have a formula to keep you in control of everything. Regarding the house you can own it without any issues.

I try several estate agents before doing business. I choose "Ko samui properties" they have a web site www.kosamuiproperties.com they are quite professionals.

I had a few problems not with the estate agent, but guess .... with a lawer. I didn't have time to finish the deal so we had to leave a lawer to take care of the paperwork. First we have been ripped off with a fee we paid 30,000 bahts for him to take care of all the paperwork, secondly was very dificult to convince him to follow our directions(with many emails not being replied), in the end was difficult to get the remaining balance, it seems he forgot our bank details. In all these issues Ko Samui Properties gave us a big help to sort this out.

Anyway is completed, we have our papers and I would loose much more money if I had to remain in Thailand for more time.

My advice is, if you have time stay in the island until the deal is completed. Take enough time to view all the properties. There is a lot of property especulation. Pay special attention to infrastructure, water is a big problem in the island. ADSL only available at north. You have other option is UBC a satelite service but I'm not sure if download bandwith is good enough.

I face now a new phase in this process that is building a house. I learned with past experience and I know I can't trust in builders. I was planning to build a house next year but I'm thinking to postpone it because I need to be there at least for 6 months and I can't leave Europe for such a long period. I don't mind to pay if the outcome has the desired quality but the issue in Samui is you pay expensive and results don't seem to meet the expectations.

I contacted already a builder when I've been in Samui, it's really amazing, the same guy start asking me a price of 4 million bahts and we met in Bangkok later on and he put the price in 3 million for exactly the same kind of house. I just drop him. He could not show me any house built by him. Behind this thai sales man I realized there was a Swiss guy that never showed his face. Be aware of some foreigners as well.

Don't loose hope. I still think the island is a great place to live. We just have to be carefull and make things happen more slowly.

Hope this helps

WS