Nuff Said

View Talay 1 is a condo, not a hotel. The reporting here is simply brilliant.

100% true. It's not even a condotel. The media never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Roger Stephenson really ought to know better. To my knowledge he has been in the travel industry in Thailand since at least March 1992 when I first met him in his role as our hotel based tour company representative.

He has got what he deserved. Some folk never learn. If it takes something like this to be a wake up call then so be it.

Curious to know the extent of the Ping river dredging project...how far south of the city so far? How much land lost? Any word that it will be discontinued?

Currently the site of the work is about 50 metres south of Riverside Condominium, and is proceeding in a northerly direction (towards the city) at a rate of about 10 metres a day. The width of the strip of land 'lost' averages about 5 metres.

Does anybody else have problem with True? I constantly get 'searching for satellite'. The technicians were here yesterday and everything was OK for the evening but just switched on today at 5pm and same old story 'searching for satellite'. So I phone them and am told technicians are fully occupied tomorrow and they might get to me on Monday! So what to do? Is there anybody better? I told the True lady that I am not going to pay their bill. She said "OK. Goodbye".

I pay True 1,568.12 a month. I could have 4 nice meals out for that money and watch the TV provided by the condo which is limited but better than 'searching for satellite".

I have had the same problem. Fault E48, followed by E52. Try this solution, which was given over the phone by a UBC advisor and worked last time the fault occurred.

Switch off and unplug the power supply to your UBC box.

Disconnect the signal cable from the back of the UBC box.

Reconnect the signal cable.

Reconect the power supply.

Go to 'Menu' on your UBC remote.

GO to 'Installation'.

Key in password 2321

Good luck.

Thanks for taking the trouble to air your comments. Much appreciated. I have also sent you a PM.

I have now more or less decided to buy in Riverside when I have sold my condo in Jomtien. From what I can gather there are only three condo buildings in Chiang Mai which seem to appeal in significant numbers to foreigners and this is one of them.

I am considering a move to Chiang Mai involving possibly purchasing a studio condo in Riverside Condominium for my full time residence.

I have viewed furnihsed and empty rooms for sale very recently and spoken to both the manager and one of the reception staff.

If any members who either live there or have previously done so would care to air their opinions on the place, how well it's run etc, then I would be most grateful.

Thank you.

The manager there apparently has quite a reputation selling apartments in the building, I was told of titles even ending up in her name after transfer, and certainly apartments at a premium price. There seems to be a mad perception out there that buying property from Thai condo managers is cheaper or safe? They either get paid a commission or jack up the price. If a tuk tuk took you there then the price just went up again. Do your due diligence, plus check the interesting prices some of the renovating mob are charging if going down that route. Again re Riverside, there has beem an ongoing war there between the manager and residents. Pay attention to the cost of internet (share ratio) and electricity from the friendly management as well.

Thanks for your constructive reply. I've sent a more detailed response by private message.

I am considering a move to Chiang Mai involving possibly purchasing a studio condo in Riverside Condominium for my full time residence.

I have viewed furnihsed and empty rooms for sale very recently and spoken to both the manager and one of the reception staff.

If any members who either live there or have previously done so would care to air their opinions on the place, how well it's run etc, then I would be most grateful.

Thank you.

I visted Chiang Mai for the first time this week and was impressed by the live cricket coverage that I assume was provided by WETV in the hotel where I stayed.

Does WETV offer live Englsh Premiership football as well as regular live cricket?

I ask because I am considering moving to Chiang Mai and positive feedback on this matter will help me make my mind up. I am a UBC subscriber but am increasingly becoming fed up of streams of endless repeats on the likes of National Geographic, Discovery and the History Channel as well as a total lack of live cricket, unless you want to stump up B3500 (yes, three thousand five hundred) to watch Englands upcoming three test series in Sri Lanka on UBC's 'Pay Per View' service. No thanks.

Any information would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

unless youre moving into central CM, you wont get WETV in the burbs.

to be sure, it may pay to find out where the service runs out as far as.

If I move to Chiang Mai it will be to a centrally located condominium with WETV service. Any information on premiership soccer coverage please?

Thanks.

I visted Chiang Mai for the first time this week and was impressed by the live cricket coverage that I assume was provided by WETV in the hotel where I stayed.

Does WETV offer live Englsh Premiership football as well as regular live cricket?

I ask because I am considering moving to Chiang Mai and positive feedback on this matter will help me make my mind up. I am a UBC subscriber but am increasingly becoming fed up of streams of endless repeats on the likes of National Geographic, Discovery and the History Channel as well as a total lack of live cricket, unless you want to stump up B3500 (yes, three thousand five hundred) to watch Englands upcoming three test series in Sri Lanka on UBC's 'Pay Per View' service. No thanks.

Any information would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

I transfered money earlier on this week to my Pattaya Siam bank account from a HSBC offshore account, not a huge amount, enough to cover day to day expenses etc.

Bank contacted me via email to contact them by phone.

Appears that the Bank of Thailand has recently instructed banks that any money being transfed has to have a

reason

, what it will be used for? I was told that in future I must give a reason?

Thet were quite happy to put living expenses down as a reason.

Be aware if you are going to transfer money, as this delayed my transfer as never contacted bank immediatley.

Cheers

Yes, this happened to me a few weeks ago. Bank tried to contact me but I was away at the time and they didn't try cell phone. But once I got it sorted it came pdq - quickest ever!

Yes, they need a reason.

When I transfer money to my Thai account my UK bank always asks the reason for the transfer, and they include this on the transfer document. Requirements such as this are normal and have been for several years now; they come under the general guise of anti money laundering procedures. But I've never been asked for a reason by my Thai bank, presumably because the reason has already been stated and the amount isn't huge, just for day to day expenses and retirement visa requirements.

Does anyone know if UBC plans to show the Ashes cricket live like last year, albeit pay extra for view ?

Yes. I asked the question just a couple of days ago and this was the reply.

Thank you so much for choosing UBC's Pre Paid View Service, and please accepts our kind apology for the late publicity of the up coming PPV's program. At the moment, we wish to confirm that we are surely do England tour of Australia all 4 tests from November to end of this year.

I presume they will be also covering the 5th Test that starts on January 2nd. Then there's the triangular ODI series that also involves New Zealand. It starts on 9 January and runs until either 11 or 13 February. Hopefully UBC will also ofer this series on PPV.

On the subject of cricket coverage, I've asked UBC to consider making the ESPN/STAR India feed available to subscribers as an alternative to ESPN/STAR SE Asia. I doubt if anything will come of it, but there's no harm in asking.

Bodies of 2 foreigners found mysteriously dead in Pattaya

Another incident took place on 10 September at 17.30 hrs. when police received another report that a foreigner had died from unknown cause in View Talay 2 Condo, Banglamung in room 399/721-723, on the 14 Floor.

Here we go again. The media never let the truth get in the way of a good story, not even a tragic one. Rooms in the View Talay 2 Buildings start with either 433 or 434 and 721-3 are not on the 14th floor of either building. Try View Talay 1.

I have never understood why people who stay in Thailand a long time use 30 day entry without visa, when other options are available. I am under 50, do not work and do not have a Thai wife. I have lived here for four years. In a year that I go back to be UK a get a one year multi entry non-immigrant visa from Hull. If I do not go to the UK I get a triple entry tourist visa in Penang. There is nothing to suggest that either of these options will disappear. In my view cheaper and much less hassel than monthly "visa" runs

Tip Top advice.

Now it's about the only option for those who wish to live here but don't qualify for a retirement visa.

I have had five Multiple Entry Non Immigrant 'O' visas from Hull. They served me well until I qualified for my retirement visa.

Anyone who is currently doing visa runs every 30 days but has the means to go to the UK for a few days could do a lot worse that at least check out this option. The paperwork and formalities are minimal and the Hull Consulate's service second to none in my experience.

[if anyone wishes to arrive before any of the above there's EVA's BR076, the 1235 (Wednesday 27th) departure from Amsterdam, due at Bangkok at 0430 on the 28th.

Just tried to book this flight in AMS. EVA says it's cancelled. Should I phone BKK?

This flight has not been cancelled, IT WAS NEVER SCHEDULED, BR076 only flys this route

on Tues/Fri/Sun Never has it been scheduled to fly on Wednesdays, let alone Wed 27th Sept.

EVA AIR

Departure Flights : Amsterdam - Bangkok

Frequency

From: Amsterdam( +1)

To: Bangkok( +7)

Travel date: 09/27/2006

Flight

No. Frequency Dep.

Time Arr.

Time Arr.

Date Stops Class Aircraft

Type Flight

Hours

BR0076 Frequency = ..2..5..7 12:35 04:30

Frequency: 1-Monday, 2-Tuesday, 7-Sunday.

CF

.

Yes, you are 100% correct, and the September edition of the Thailand Airline Timetable is not worth the paper it's printed on. It clearly shows BR076 as arriving Bangkok on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

'Sorry for any inconvenience caused' as they say.

[if anyone wishes to arrive before any of the above there's EVA's BR076, the 1235 (Wednesday 27th) departure from Amsterdam, due at Bangkok at 0430 on the 28th.

I got a letter from the condo association telling the land office what belonged to who. The land office will NOT put your name on the chanote unless everything is proper and legal. I do have a friend who bought a condo in View Talay. He paid his down payment and when they were ready to go to the land office they informed him that the farang condo ownership had reached 49 percent farangs. They didn't want to refund his money and instead gave him a free Thai company so he could "OWN" his unit. I told him that I would have insisted on having my money back. They convinced him that the company was perfectly legal and that he had no worries.

DON'T pay anything until you know for sure you can own the unit freehold. Once they get a substancial amount of money from you it may be VERY difficult to get it back.

I presume that you are referring to View Talay Project 2A. This was to have been part of a government incentive (it finished over 2 years ago) which was applicable at the time of starting constrcution, allowing unlimited foreign ownership provided the developer registered its intention to be part of the scheme at least 12 months before the buildings anticipated registration.

View Talay 2A sold like hot cakes, quicker than 2B as it did not qualify for the scheme, and it seemed too good to be true. And it was for some. The Land Office were merrily accepting registrations in foreign names until the 49% cut off point was reached. They then said 'no more'. The problem was of View Talay's making, they had not registered the building to be part of the government incentive 12 months before it's anticipated registration. To appease the disappointed purchasers, one of whom I was representing because he was in the UK, View Talay offered either a free company set up with the annual balance sheet costs paid for 3 years, or a full refund. The option of a company or a full refund was made very clear to me. I broke the news to my friend in the UK, told him that was on the table and he accepted the company option.

VT #7 will be built on the beach obscuring views from Jomtien Complex (the twin towers). There were rumors of law suits and issues with Planning Commission. Apparently all is well, sale signs are up and there is pile driving equipment on site. The start construction date schedule was late 2006 with completion late 2008.

Well I passed this site today... 9th of August... and the grass is grownig there very nicely indeed

No sign of pile driving or any other equipment work has not started.

On the board outside the View Talay Sales Office the reference to Project 7 has been rather crudely deleted. Whether this has been done by someone who is opposed to it's construction or by View Talay themselves isn't clear. The model of the project is still on display inside the office.

Yes it is possible. Just depends on how cooperative your Thai bank is. Go to the bank and explain the situation. They can arrange some kind of international wire of your funds out of the country and back in minutes so you can get your letter. You must have a letter from a Thai bank to purchase a condo in your own name when you go to transfer the condo at the land office. However, the fees for this can be in excess of 12,000 BHT. But what are your alternatives. Go home and open an account. Come back to Thailand and wire the funds out and then wire them back. If you do that you will be hit by the banks with four wire fees anyway. Which will be in excess of 5,000 BHT at the minimum. Not to mention the potential for foreign currency loss.

About 5 years ago the regulation requiring foreigners to produce a Tor Tor Sam in order to purchase a condominium in their own name was relaxed. Prior to this I was unable to purchase in my own name because my UK solicitors bank converted my money into Baht before transferring it, resulting in me not qualifying for a Tor Tor Sam. As an alternative, buyers can ask their bank for a letter stating that the funds for the transaction have been withdrawn from the their account. I've done this twice, I had to produce the sales contract and a copy of my passport. The letter cost just B300 and was ready in an hour. On both ocasions the letters were acepted without question (or bribe) at the Land Office. I also assisted a friend to purchase a condominium in his own name with just a letter from his bank, which just happens to be the same branch as mine. I would still advise anyone wishing to purchase a condo in their own name to obtain a Tor Tor Sam if possible as only these entitle the holder to transfer the money back out of Thailand with the minimum of hassle.

[

And the million dollar answer was.IT is no problem to use thai company name with condo purchase..Its land and houses they are regulating.........

Is this true guys...............

I've heard the same. Pattaya Porperties is involved with the proposed 92 floor 'Ocean Tower' ('Slum View' would be a more appropriate name) condominium in Jomtien, not far from View Talay 5 and 7 projects. A few weeks ago, while in Pattaya Properties office on another matter, I asked one of the foreign sales consultants who they were expecting to sell the remaining rooms to after the 49%foreign ownership quota had been taken up. He said no problem, the clampdown on registering property in the names of nominee companies only applies to land. Does the Land Office have a directive only to block land transfers if the company formation is suspect? Or is this just sales talk to get the punters money first and cross any hurdles later. If the clampdown on such companies is strictly applied across the board then developers such as View Talay will have serious problems selling the 'Thai only' 51%. If it isn't then the time has come to abolish the 49% foreign ownership restriction. Little point in having such a regulation if there's an easy way round it. But This is Thailand, and they know best.

also asked them about view talay 7..thats the newest project on the beach in jomtien...They stated that they are not sure it will get built..they are being challenged by other area condos that dont want that land built on.

There's no smoke without fire. The refernce to projects 6 and 7 on the board outside the View Talay Sales Office have been rather crudely deleted, I presume that project 6 has its own on site sales office. The objections have come from the owners of sea view condo's in both Jomtien Complex Condominium towers. All stand to lose either all of their sea views, or a significant part of them, not to mention a devastating drop in the value of their apartments. View Talay 7 was to be 27 stories, plus another 2 wherever the water tank was located, the Jomtien Complex buildings are only about 34 and even the views from the top floor condo's would be affected in some way.

The unlimited foreign ownership scheme referred to under section 19 was a 'special offer' by the Thai government to help boost condo sales in certain areas. It ended in April 2004 or thereabouts.

I hadn't appreciated that the law had reverted to 49% total foreign ownership. Thank you for the up-date.

All of the Thai Law Company websites that I have looked at are still referring to Bangkok (Metropolitan and Municipal) and Pattaya as special areas! If they won't update their websites, or are ignorant about the change back to 49%, that says a lot about them!

Thanks again.

View Talay should have registered their intention to participate in the 'unlimited foreign ownership' scheme by about November 2002, but did not do so. View Talay 2A building was completed on 15 November 2003, that was about the date when the title deeds were available from and transfers to purchasers names could commence. From what I recall it was the 49% foreign ownership quota was reached in mid February 2004. Notices were immediately posted in both View Talay 2A and 2B buildings advising those who had purchased rooms in View Talay 2A but were yet to register to go to the sales office. One offspin from this was View Talay's decision to offer the numerous unsold rooms in View Talay 2B (which was completed in October 2001) with 'free companies for 3 years' to boost the sales rate. They were snapped up very quickly, amost all by foreigners. Most agents now seem keen to promote the phrase 'available for foreign ownership' as a good selling point.

A few days ago I found myself in the office of Pattaya Properties. I'd just popped in to enquire if they offered document translations services, but while waiting a cardboard cutout of the proposed 92 floor Majestic Tower caught my eye. I asked one of the foreign sales staff who they were expecting to sell the 51% Thai only ownership quota to. He said words to the effect of 'no problem, we can still sell condo's to foreigners using the company route'. He claimed that the current clampdown only applies to foreigners purchasing land using nominee companies. Well, he would say that, wouldn't he. It remains to be seen.

Just a thought. Section 19, Paragraph 2 of the Condominium Act of Thailand reads, and I quote:

Each condominium may have aliens and / or juristic persons as stated under Section 19 take ownership of its units in total of not more than forty-nine per cent of the whole area of all units in that condominium as shown at the time the condominium was registered. In any condominium where aliens or juristic persons as stipulated in Section 19 take ownership of units in excess of the rate as prescribed by the preceding paragraph, that condominium shall be located in Bangkok, municipal or other local government areas as prescribed by Ministerial Regulations, and the area of the land on which the condominium is situated including the land available for use or for common interests of its co-owners shall not exceed five rai.

Pattaya, along with Phuket and other towns with a high foreign population, comes under the category of "a municipal or other local government area as prescribed by Ministerial Regulations". So, as I understand it, the 49% rule doesn't apply in these areas as long the building and common areas conform to the 5 rai maximum clause.

Several years ago, this maximum foreign ownership was set at 40% and then it was lifted to 49% and, a little later, this 100% ownership in prescribed areas was introduced. Also, the restriction on foreign ownership of ground floor condominium units was lifted.

The unlimited foreign ownership scheme referred to under section 19 was a 'special offer' by the Thai government to help boost condo sales in certain areas. It ended in April 2004 or thereabouts. The developers of View Talay 2A in Jomtien sold rooms based on this promotion, but overlooked the need to register for this scheme with the Land Office at least a year before the building was expected to be complete and ready for registration. So they continued to sell rooms to foreigners in the expectation of unlimited foreign ownership. All went well until the 49% was reached in View Talay 2A, then the Land Office said 'no more'. Caught somewhat off the hop, a somewhat embarrassed View Talay offered those who had purchased in the expectation of foreign ownership but were yet to register ownership either a full refund or company ownership with the company formation and balance sheets etc costs covered for 3 years. View Talay wasn't the only one caught out by the requirement to register for the scheme 12 months before completeion, I understand that the neaby Thai Bali development also found itself in the same boat.

Last night Sophon Channel 8 carried the Sweden v Trinidad and Tobago game live with English commentary. I don't know from where they obtained the feed, what's more I don't care. More please.

DD National from India, Sophon Channel 39, is only showing 3 more live games. They are the two Semi Finals and the Final itself.

For those who live in Pattaya and have Sophon Cable TV, DD National, the Indian National Braodcaster, (Sophon Channel 39), will be telecasting the semi final and final games live, with, presumably, English commentary. Last night they covered the opening game live in English, hopefully it will be the same for the semi's and final. The bad news is they aren't covering any other games in between. Not a great deal of consolation, but better than nothing.

Most, if not all, of the postings on this matter have concerned the possible effects on housing developments if the new regulations stick and are rigidly applied. But they must also be a serious concern to condominium developers. Although foreigners can legally own up to 49% of the saleable floor space in such buildings, the developers of projects that are still on the drawing board are usually heavily dependent on selling a substantial proportion of the remaining 51% to foreigners who are prepared to use the company method of ownership. If this avenue is blocked it could force them to re-think their plans, as the chances of selling the 51% Thai quota only to bona fide Thai's, and not foreigners hiding behind Thai nominee companies, may not be a realistic possibility.

It's also possible that the new enforcement of the existing regulations may have nothing to do with stopping foreigners either buying up land for development, or individuals buying houses through the company route. The Baht has strengthened recently, about a month ago it reached B37.50 to the $ although it has dropped a little since then. A countries currency is strong when there is a considerable demand for it, but Thailands exporters don't like a strong Baht it as it makes their prodcuts more expensive in the international market. Central Banks don't like intervening in the foreign exchange markets as it costs them money. Just a thought, but perhaps the tightening of the company ownership regulations may have been the idea of the Governor of the Bank of Thailand to help stem the flow of foreign money into Thailand and thus cool off demand for the Baht, and reduce it's value against other currencies,without having to intervene in the currency markets.