SDM0712

With all the domestic airlines, although I have my passport I normally just give them my Thai driving license. I also use it for checking in to hotels.

I don't know that specific law but just to be on the safe side when I'm working I have my passport and work permit with me. But when I'm out socially I just carry my Thai driving licence. It's not strictly relevant but even in the UK if the Police have reason to have an interest in a person, and that person has no ID, the police can arrest/detain them until their identity is proven, even though there is no legal requirement to carry ID in Blighty.

The property world can be crazy, believe me I could tell you far more crazy stories, but we are so far off topic that this thread is stating to remind me of "History Today"...

SDM

For anyone who doesn't know " History Today" I really hope this link works ..

Why Melbourne ?

I'm afraid the answer is quite boring. A couple of people who worked for me in London have moved overseas, one to Grenada, and one to Melbourne. I've had the UK firm for a long time and for some reason when I set up here in Phuket we attracted a lot of interest. It seems that as essentially an English firm is was assumed (rightly!) that we would operate to a higher standard then the norm over here. In fact all my paperwork, AST etc are virtually the same as I use in the UK. I think my guys might experience a similar effect in Grenada, but I'm not so sure about Melbourne.

SDM

I have one Branch in NW London and one in Phuket, so just those areas right now. Opening associated offices in Melbourne and Grenada later this year.

I can do 1.5% in my Harrow on the Hill Branch!!!! LOL!

Well out of my area, I asked because I was just wondering if we could help out, and by help out I mean find you a buyer and charge you 5%, 555555555!!

No you mentioned that your house is in the higher price range and I meant that we are currently handling houses up to 95.

S

Cool, is it any good? Been looking at QSI so anyone have a detailed review? Location and facilities good? Reputation ok? Thanks.

It is Karen Bravo.

I looked at QSI. It's a lovely school with lovely teachers. I just thought it was a bit too laid back.

SDM

how come we don't see so many 100% thai kids in these schools? where does the thai hi-so put their kids in Phuket ...

BIS and many in KJ International.

Well, I suggest you speak to a lawyer. But I would structure it more as a long term rental and at the end the ownership would pass to the tenant. Since they would be technically your tenants you would have right of possession under your tenancy agreement with them if they defaulted on repayments which would actually be rent payments.

The Land office would asses the value themselves regardless for what you had sold it for on paper.

I would avoid terms like financing because technically as a non- Thai being a money lender or financier is a prohibited business activity and you will be deported if the authorities decide that is what you are doing as a commercial enterprise.

Take legal advice, which even though I have a real estate agency here I shy away from giving legal advice because I am not a lawyer.

SDM

PS Where is the house ? We are currently offering up to 95 million, although admittedly not much interest unfortunately.

I have come across this a few times. You need a good lawyer to draft an agreement and you retain the title document and don't change it to the buyers name until they have made the last payment. Don't forget to pre-agree the percentage split on transfer fees which you won't know until accurately until you are about to transfer the property.

Do a lease for the buyer whilst he is in the property for the period of the finance.

The cheapest happy hours I know here are 99 baht.

SDM

Actually I'm off there today, into the shadow of darkness!

Sounds like the best way to go is to get some consular assistance from the British a Embassy.

S

Have you had any experience of "consular assistance"" ?

I have actually on a few occasions and got to know the people reasonably well, the British staff anyway. What I can say that is all of my matters were sorted out but I would say that they are blighted by people who do not understand the bounds of the consular role, believe they have more power than they have and almost expect the British Army to invade if they can't get what they want.

I find it very boring when people criticise them and quite wrong, almost as much as the people at home that criticise the NHS.

SDM

PS On the point of legalities I will have to mentioned that to the officials that anyone who lives here has to deal with on a regular basis.

Having the deceased fathers SIM card wouldn't help if he passed away 2.5 years ago. Doesn't the SIM become inactive after a year?

If it's on pay as you earn (I like that description better) the maximum validity period is 12 months and, not that you asked, maximum credit balance 5000 baht. This is for AIS "12Call" and DTAC "Happy". Not sure so sure about True " good rates but appalling customer services", there's never anyone to ask.

SDM

Don't be surprised if the money in a dormant Thai Bank account disappears, the Bank offers no explanation, and gives you the run around. Secondly, at the time of his death this should have been part of his estate, and subject to inheritance tax if you say that it was a substantial amount.

Sorry to read about your loss.

As mentioned even if you have the internet login details you need access to the phone number that your Dad gave the bank when he set up the bank account as the bank will send a validation code to the phone before allowing any transfers.

Sounds like the best way to go is to get some consular assistance from the British a Embassy.

S

Don't bother with a UK helmet, they are not designed for this climate and your head will bake. I know many people that have done exactly that. Only the cheap helmets here are rubbish, you do get what you pay for. I would would suggest a recognized make here and bank on spending around 7/15,000 baht, which is about what you would pay for a decent lid in the UK anyway. Happy to recommend a good shop in BKK if you want.

On the bikes BTW if you're going off road at all the only choice really is the Honda Zoomer which ticks all the boxes. The click and the Yamaha are really city scooters, they will do what you what but no where near as well. Otherwise the PCX is a lovely scooter, comfortable and the power from the new 150 CC engine is great. My main bike is a Ninja 650 and using the PCX 150 is a very comfortable ride and doesn't feel under powered at all.

SDM

Can someone please explain to me the difference? Is a Nor Sor just as safe a title, just the boundaries are more official?

The difference between a NS3G and Chanote is purely that the NS3G is plotted using Mapping co ordinates and a Chanote is based upon GPS co ordinates. In terms of what you can do with the land there is no difference. People do upgrade NS3Gs to full Chanotes, it can be done. Personally I see no point in upgrading a NS3G to Chanote, unless you are concerned about or are expecting a boundary dispute.

I am also in Phuket, as an agent, and I never go near the Land Department !! Better to send Thai staff !!

SDM

I have been told that you are not supposed to take a car with red plates out of the province, but I have done this many times, and driven at night, and never been stopped.

I have also been told that you should re-register out of province white plates if you are in a different province and I think that maybe a myth too and both my car and bike have out of province plates and never a problem with plod or arranging insurance.

I know the driving at night rule on red plate rule is genuine, but never come across it being enforced.

SDM

The basic CBR250 doesn't have ABS, from memory it's 15,000 extra

S

Nasty, glad you are ok.

I couldn't really see from the vid but were you steering into the direction of the turn, or counter steering away from the turn?

I had a CBR250 as a "training " bike and then went to a Ninja 650. The ABS has saved me so many times!

SDM

"

Show me one instance of anyone losing their property or spending time in jail over your understanding of what is illegal"

As an estate agent here this is a very common conversation I have. Since I am not a lawyer I prefer to refer buyers to get professional and qualified advice (Will ignore any comment from KJ that says I should offer unqualified legal advice).

However as someone involved in the property world I have never heard of anyone losing their property over either the company scheme or multiple lease scheme. As a buyer do your research and make an informed decision which will be based on your attitude to risk. But I suggest that any lawyer you contact for advice is linked or known neither to someone/company/agent that you are trying to buy from.

SDM

You don't need leathers, a set up similar to mine should be fine and some armed jeans if you want leg protection.

I have a very similar story to the OP. I arrived in Thailand never haven riden a bike, but keen to try. I bought a PCX (125) to start, after four months upgraded to a CBR 250 (a most disappointing bike,) and after a further six months got a Ninja 650, which I love. In terms of the other gear I have a quality helmet (7,500), light weight armoured jacked (6500), decent gloves (3500), mid calf waterproof boots (7500), insurance costs me 12,000 a year. Most of the time I'm around Phuket (not the best safety record for bikes), but occasionally take a ride out to Krabi with some like minded fellows.

My advice to the OP is to consider the package rather than just the cost of the bike.In my opinion any accident that you just survive is a good result. The safety gear I have is all mid-range rather the the most expensive stuff, but still I'm in to it for 25,000 and that's not thinking about the insurance and not mentioning my medical insurance. On top of that I should still get some armoured jeans and a spine protector really for the "off Island " runs.

Good luck ride safe.

SDM

In fact, as a non-Thai, if you are willing to invest 40 MB in Thai government bonds you may own (in the western accepted definition of the word) up to one rai of land. I know few will do this, but it is the only exception that I am aware of.[/b]

What is not mentioned, it has to be signed off by a gov't minister.

In all the years I have been here and reading TV no one has ever known anyone or knows of anyone who has been able to take advantage of this.

May be a good time to ask the question again, does anyone know of anyone who has been able to buy land this way?

Apologies I did fail to mention that a government minister would have to sign this off, and as an Estate Agent this is quite remiss of me.

But to answer your question I have never heard of such a case and never expect to.

SDM

Thai law is simple and strict in at least one item: foreigners cannot .............You can even own the house built on the land and register such ownership at the land office, but you cannot own the land. Some condominiums may have a foreign allocation which is a possible gray area, but the foreigners cannot exceed 50% of the condo owners.

In fact, as a non-Thai, if you are willing to invest 40 MB in Thai government bonds you may own (in the western accepted definition of the word) up to one rai of land. I know few will do this, but it is the only exception that I am aware of.

Also, if a condominium is registered under the Condominium Act then 49% may be sold as what under what are commonly termed a " Foreign Freehold" and this is Law, it is not a grey area. It is registered in the Non-Thai name and can be dealt with as we deal with freeholds abroad. The remainder are normally sold for less money on a leasehold schedule that normally totals 90 years, now that is a grey area.

SDM