Two Roads

I have an opportunity to come to LOS but it coincides exactly with Songkran.

Would love to visit Pattaya but am worried it will be deserted.

Is that the case or can a good time still be found??

If not Pattaya and other suggestions??

Thanks

it seems clear from today that the fed rate cuts are not going to stop the US and maybe the world going into a major recession. hence the rosy dollar predictions based on a turn around in the US economy see unlikely.

i have cash in my retirement accounts (in dollars, bummer!) i can buy gold with it it turns out. i can't take possession of the gold because its in a tax differed account and fidelity charges a .125% storage fee every 3 months.

anyhow, any ideas about gold vs. the dollar over the next 6-12 months?

Buy the ETF GLD and you "own" the gold w/o having to take posession or pay storage costs.

Regarding the future direction of gold/dollar you can be sure they will move in opposite directions.

My wife and I are planning to build a house near Khao Yai National Park (Pak Chong).

However, we still live/work outside of Thailand so I need a good project manager to oversee the construction.

Any names or contact information of a constrction project manager in the area would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all for the replies.

I have two questions regarding required bank funds to obtain a non-immigrant O-A/retirement visa.

First, the requirment assumes one has an established bank account in Thailand. I've been told that without a work permit an individual can not open a Thai bank account. Is this correct and if so then how does one deposit funds into an account they can not establish?? I am currently not living or working in Thailand.

Secondly, aren't there still restrictions in place that dictate any funds transferred into Thailand in excess of USD 20,000 requires 30% to be put in escrow for one year with the Reserve Bank and no interest?? Again, assuming this is correct then how do you transfer the funds without giving the Thai government a 30% loan with no interest??

Thanks for any replies.

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The only problem with your theory is that expats (retirees over 50) have been the least affected by the new visa regulations.

This is the issue I'm trying to understand. If you're over 50, have sufficient monthly income and a Thai wife what exactly has changed recently to cause all the apparent concern.

I read through the messages and understand the general sentiment, particularly for those below 50 and/or without sufficient income, but what is the concern regarding retirement if you meet what I understood to be the required critieria??

What has changed??

Apparently I just imagined he got an overwhelming electoral majority.

"The army is in control. Democracy is out."

When was democracy in?

Looks like the shit hit the fan. WIll be interesting to see what this turns into.

Can anybody tell me what will be the closest bus station to the new airport?

I used to go to Mochit (sp) and tke the bus to Korat.

Thanks

Completely agree....busines visas, retirement visas, marriage visas are all easily available.

What is so difficult with simply complying with the law.

Good points Gonzo and Jean!!! If you want to stay, just get yourself sorted out legally . . . . .

G

Gee, why so much fuss about a tourist visa. A tourist visa can be 60 days. Seems more than enough for a holiday.

And people wanting to stay longer, ask a non immigrant visa.

And if you are here and you are not a tourist, well obvious you did something wrong in planning for a visa.

If you support someone get a 1 year visa. If you work get a business visa and a work permit. No excuses.

Jean, you must understand the loudest protesters are those here who will not admit that they are the ones who want the immigration laws to bend for them. and they offer all kinds of excuses ,,, spending lots of money here, supporting 10 families and 3 buffalo, etc... Those protesters can still stay, but they would have to get the correct visa to stay the way they are entitled to. The law here says they cannot live here forever on a tourist visa. Simple.

There are a multitude of visa types to allow you to stay. If you do not wish to apply for the correct visa, or cannot afford the proper visa , well then in that case don't blame the immigration people for saying you are here illegally.

Thats life all over the world. Complainers don't complain if you do not fit the rules. Use the rules to work for you. In the end it will be better for all.

I am 50 years old and plan to retire with my wife in thailand in 5 years.

After almost 30 years of working in the coporate world and the relentless headaches and pressure I can't wait.

If it was up to my wife we'd leave for Thailand tomorrow but hopefully 5 more years of work will provide us a very comfortable retirement.

hi'

always something to complain about ...

add or change by hand the phone number or you customer will do it!

what are you afraid of, loosing customers?

seems to me to hear westerners in their home country!

never satisfied!

always something to complain about!

give Thailand a break, would you ...

francois

To many people with to much time on their hands and not enough intelligence to use it.

Interesting how so many people that claim to love Thailand so much do nothing but bash it at every opportunity.....is it any wonder the locals are getting more and more fed up with the farangs.

Don't get fooled.....this is not about the Baht. vs. the Dollar or Euro.

This is about ALL fiat currencies.

They're all doomed....buy GOLD. :

I was supposed to fly up to Chinag Mai from Singapore this Wednesday with my two children for a long anticipated holiday.

Is it even worth it??

Reports would seem to indicate everything is under water and from a tourist standpoint nothing much will be operational.

Is this really the case??

Appreiciate some guidance.

Thai baht weakest in 10 months

However, the depreciation of the Thai baht was in line with other currencies in the region, including the Japanese yen, the commercial banks' executives disclosed.

Not true....the baht was the second worse performing currency in Asia vs. the Dollar. Clearly underperforming the market.

Howdy Everyone,

        We are planing on building 2 homes just north of PhiMai off of A2.The first Thai style home we would like to start building around Nov Dec.We will use this as a "hotel" whenever we visit the mooban.This is a home for the "family".Around 2013 we will be moving to Issan and at that time would like to build a home simaler to #2 home in the photos.

I am wondering what the cost to build each would be in this area.We already have the land so it is just the cost of the homes.I know the cost of the 2nd home will be different 8 years from now.This should be the link to the photos.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/geebro2003/a...m/ph//my_photos

Lovekindness to All,

Gee

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blue-eyes, owing to the shortage and high price of suitable timber, most "thai houses in the villages are now brick and concrete and instead of building on piers they build up the block, the equivelant of a "thai house " in brick and concrete ranges from 400k-700k. Western style as in #2 are approx 8000 bt per sq. metre inside and 2000 bt for outside (patio,s verandahs etc) those prices are pretty current as I am in the process of planning and building now , there are so many variables its not funny here, for instance I am looking to do 6" (150mm) walls instead of the 60mm rendered block and its not much more exxy.also concrete roof tiles range from 9.5 bt each to 29 bt each ,so how long is a piece of string?

cheers

ozzydom

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ozzydom, i'm also planning on building in issan but it seems the prices i'm encountering are quite a bit higher than the 8000 bt per sqm. that you quoted. can you give me rough idea what would be included in the price you quoted. i can't figure out why my prices are so much higher.

thanks,

two roads

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Two roads, that is the current price quoted by developpers and architects here in Chiang Mai for a good standard brick and tile home ready to move in and furnish.

But the engineer doing my plans agrees that that cost can be lowered dramatically by getting good plans made,hiring a site foreman on salary and contracting out the various stages such as slab pour,roof trusses ,roof tiling etc that cuts out the profit margin involved in buying from a developer or single contractor.

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two roads ,check out this site for a better idea of values,it shows details and pictures of various designs,example the one I live in is the Crystal Majesty. 3 bedroom brick and tile 80 sq m living area house price 630,000 bt.

http://www.koolpuntville.com/

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Ozzydom,

Very helpful....appreciate it.

Two Roads

Always a good resource for building in the Isaan:

http://coolthaihouse.com/

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Good site...thanks for the tip.

Howdy Everyone,

        We are planing on building 2 homes just north of PhiMai off of A2.The first Thai style home we would like to start building around Nov Dec.We will use this as a "hotel" whenever we visit the mooban.This is a home for the "family".Around 2013 we will be moving to Issan and at that time would like to build a home simaler to #2 home in the photos.

I am wondering what the cost to build each would be in this area.We already have the land so it is just the cost of the homes.I know the cost of the 2nd home will be different 8 years from now.This should be the link to the photos.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/geebro2003/a...m/ph//my_photos

Lovekindness to All,

Gee

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

blue-eyes, owing to the shortage and high price of suitable timber, most "thai houses in the villages are now brick and concrete and instead of building on piers they build up the block, the equivelant of a "thai house " in brick and concrete ranges from 400k-700k. Western style as in #2 are approx 8000 bt per sq. metre inside and 2000 bt for outside (patio,s verandahs etc) those prices are pretty current as I am in the process of planning and building now , there are so many variables its not funny here, for instance I am looking to do 6" (150mm) walls instead of the 60mm rendered block and its not much more exxy.also concrete roof tiles range from 9.5 bt each to 29 bt each ,so how long is a piece of string?

cheers

ozzydom

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ozzydom, i'm also planning on building in issan but it seems the prices i'm encountering are quite a bit higher than the 8000 bt per sqm. that you quoted. can you give me rough idea what would be included in the price you quoted. i can't figure out why my prices are so much higher.

thanks,

two roads

Leith,

I'm new to TV and just came across the message with your new home pic's.

Place looks great and guess my now it's finished and you're all settled.

I'm looking to build a house in the Khao Yai area but just getting started and trying to find a builder.

Can you give me idea how big is your house...interior approx. how mnay sq. meters??

Sounds like you got a great deal based on the all in proce you quoted in one of your messages.

Thanks

Does anybody have a recommendation on an architect and builder in the Korat area??

I've been looking in the Pak Chong/Khao Yai area where we recently bought property but haven't found much.

Perhaps more of a choice in Korat??

Peter,

I'm new to the Forum and just saw your post today. I'm recently married to a Khao Yai/Pak Chong woman and we also plan to live there in the near future. We have also bought property just outside the main entrance to Khao Yai and I'm now looking for an architect and builder but so far haven't found one. Will be visiting Khao Yai in about 2 weeks so if you're around drop me a line and we can compare notes.

What does your nickname mean? All gory details please.

I'll start the ball rolling........................Chonabot=Kon ban nok=Country Bumpkin

But you knew that already!

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Two Roads....from the Robert Frost poem about choices in life and not looking back.

I must admit i'm pretty new to this forum but it's encouraging to see that I'm not the only one who thinks that these schemes of Mr Thaksins seem to become more unbelievable at every turn. The worst part being that I can't work out if he actually believes his own rhetoric or if it's just a show for the public?

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The worst bit is he's up for re-election this year, and who else is there?

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Don't disagree with any of the comments about Toxin but the point made of not having other candidates to run against him in the election is irrelevant.

The fact is the people of Thailand like him and he'll win re-election in a walk regardless of who the opposition is....seems everyone has missed this point.