PomRakBKK

Lived there in Northpoint for many years and loved it. Nice 3br unit, beachfront and was give or take 100,000 baht/month.

Buying a unit there would have been 25m and up I think. I highly doubt they went down in price over the years.

Overall I am glad I didn't buy as the building suddenly felt like the 'russian embassy' and we were somewhat happy to move out.

I would only recommend to buy if its pocket money to you. I wish I could call a condo or house in Thailand my own and stop renting, but the turnover in certain areas or buildings is just so high,

that you really never know how your next neighbor will be.

Some will play the piano at 3 in the morning to get on your nerves, others blast their music all day long.

If you go over and complain, chances are you're just about to open a can of worms and nothing else..

I totally get it what you mean by owning something - I want the same - but the risk / reward is just not there for me yet.

On top of it you got constantly changing visa rules. Even having a thai wife and kids makes it harder and harder every year to stay here.

Simply don't buy anything you can't walk away from.

This happens all too often sadly.. I feel sorry for your mate.

Had a friend in Pattaya and his wife would inflict wounds on herself and then call the cops.. you can guess the outcome.

Wouldn't doubt if some of the 'helpers' where in on the take.. they appeared way too fast too many times.

Or.. maybe the hotel belongs to one of his competitors... Ratchada 'night club' owner. I highly doubt it's a club on RCA and more likely one right opposite or next to the hotel he 'jumped' from. RIP

The elite visa seems like a cheaper option over any real marriage

Did you get your SC account while being in Thailand and employed in Thailand or just walked in and opened an account without work permit? Might be interesting for those of us on PE or non O visas that live here, since Kasikorn and other banks require a WP now to open an account.

Any online shops?

I saw it in MBK but I assume it's fake like the rest of the supplements they are selling there.

Don't fancy putting that stuff in my body unless I know what it is...

Tried phukethealthshop and other supplement shops but nothing. Any ideas where to get it in bangkok or order it from within thailand?

Bangkok is what you make of it. I have lived like the OP ( even with trips to villa market) and I live like I currently live with 120,000 baht/month rent which I wouldn't recommend for anyone.

Regardless of your income. I'd be happy to have never rented the unit but that's just one of those things I hopefully laugh about when I get old..

Are there also NA meetings in bangkok or are NA people welcome to attend the AA meeting as well?

People here complain about how many films she did and what a poor sucker he is. How many here are married to a bargirl with or without knowledge? The only difference is, that it's not on tape.

I think she had way less sexual partners than a lot of other wives of TV members.

well said mate , I bet you got a few T V MEMBERS THINKING NOW

Well it's true, just look at some of the latest threads..

Do I give my TGF enough money?

I met her at insanity is she a good girl?

etc etc..

etc..

People here complain about how many films she did and what a poor sucker he is. How many here are married to a bargirl with or without knowledge? The only difference is, that it's not on tape.

I think she had way less sexual partners than a lot of other wives of TV members.

Isn't the family also the official importer of Ferrari's in Thailand? I am quite sure they are and a tons of other high end luxury 'items'.

Maybe I am wrong, just guessing..

Their only interest is to see how much they can make from any particular person. The law is of no interest to them. They could care less about it. There a few decent ones but the majority will suck your blood dry. I avoid them like the plague.

This! ... is the price we foreigners pay to live here. It's sad but we have to accept it

Try to argue with them, drag things out and your day won't go as planned - or pay 500 baht or a few more and you're on your way in under a minute.

I hate it as much as the next guy as I only put money into Thailand and not take any job away and basically only contribute and stimulate to the economy.

Overpriced cars, real estate and so on.. we can only accept it or go back home.

I have lived here in Thailand for many years. I enjoy a full and active life.

Why have I NEVER had to "pay 500 baht or a few more" to be on my way ?

Seems some hang out in strange places with very odd people.

Being stopped on the express way isn't that odd in my opinion. Same goes for traffic checkpoints and so on.

Their only interest is to see how much they can make from any particular person. The law is of no interest to them. They could care less about it. There a few decent ones but the majority will suck your blood dry. I avoid them like the plague.

This! ... is the price we foreigners pay to live here. It's sad but we have to accept it

Try to argue with them, drag things out and your day won't go as planned - or pay 500 baht or a few more and you're on your way in under a minute.

I hate it as much as the next guy as I only put money into Thailand and not take any job away and basically only contribute and stimulate to the economy.

Overpriced cars, real estate and so on.. we can only accept it or go back home.

Lets not derail the thread and just stay on topic. We all pay a certain price to live here... should they treat tourists different than expats or retirees? How can they know who is next in line..

Just go with the flow...

Doesn't seem overstay related to me.

I was pulled over in a taxi and asked for my passport back in the year you mentioned, OP, 2011. Was that about the new overstay rules too?

I just told the story to my Condominium manager and he confirmed to me that he a had serious visit from the cops last week urging him to report all suspicious looking foreigners and that a major crackdown is under way, as in the past some over-stayers were using the name of their gfs or friends to rent apartments,he told me that he had to suspend 3 rent contracts and asked some Chinese owners to stop subletting their condominiums on the internet(Airbnb etc..).

Just to get an idea but whats the name of the condo? Some newer / older building? What price range?

And what does a young psycho hiso with an AMG CLS 63 Merc care about speed limits?

(5.5 liter V8 biturbo, 430 kW / 585 PS/HP, double digit million Baht price)

What does that has to do with anything? If he can afford it so be it.

Mental illness and being in traffic on a bicycle or in a Lamborghini doesn't mix either way. Should have a driver instead.

Used to drive highway 7 from bangkok to pattaya twice a month and it was usually the lower end cars that swerved in and out of traffic and no one cared about any speed limit..

Plenty more idiots in Toyota's, Honda's and so on, on the road.

I would, in principle agree with the rules, but what about someone who is in hospital seriously ill or in a coma?

Immigration needs to have rules at every IO in Thailand, allowing overstay to be overlooked if a doctor states

in writing, a letter telling IOs about a patients condition, instead of allowing IO bosses to decide themselves.

Most hospitals that accept farang patients have an officer that liases with the local Immi office for medical extensions IME.

Got a 3 months extension fairly easy after an operation. It was years ago but the I/O barely looked through the door and didn't even come in.

I guess it varies from hospital to hospital and I/O to I/O unfortunately.

If you're looking for an iPhone you can get it delivered to your doorstep and get a hefty discount on a refurbished model: http://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=refurbished+apple+iphone+6+plus

Refurbished models are basically 100% functional and repaired phones by Apple that have to be declared as 'refurbished' but technically it's a new phone.

Maybe this helps you: http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/best-android-phone-which-should-you-buy-717819/1

Out of personal preferences I would go for an iPhone. Had to use android for a while and hated it.

Hey,

A friend of mine is looking for property in Chiang Rai but being in Bangkok, he can't just get in his car and drive around town to look at some deals.

Can someone recommend a website or two please?

Thanks

I have always said that if you see a Thai in an expensive car, somewhere in that family, there is a thief, whether in the past or currently thieving

Unless the education and business levels are so highly tuned, that most of these Thai people are in actual fact very sharp business people....

The weird thing is in my personal observation, since the talk and presence of a crackdown, I have seen less expensive cars on the street...

That' total bullshit. I live in a building where the car park has more exotics than the bankok motorshow. (Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Lotus, Maserati....)

I doubt most of them are corrupt or have any gang affiliation. Of course the 25y old in his Ferrari 458 is funded by family money, but all of the ones - I have met (due to bangkok supercar club) are well educated thai people.

Are their parents crooks? I doubt it, did they cut a few corners? Probably, but who doesn't in life.

It has been 4 days for me. My anxiety is acting up, just part of the process I guess. The reason I quit is due to my health anxiety and fear of smoking related diseases. I have smoked almost continuously for 25 years , pack a day, alot more when I would use drugs in my 20s and alcohol binges in my 30s. Terrifies me.

You can get yourself some valium from the hospital which will help with your anxiety.

Congrats on 4 days, the worst usually happens during the 1-3 day. Keep in mind it's all in your head... Stay strong and you will make it out alive! You owe to the people that care about you.

The company who set up your company and came up with the shareholders should sort this out.

I know someone in a similar position who's employees only exist on paper (they are real people), but when (I think) the labour department comes to check the office and sees no employees a 'transaction' is made and it's all fine and dandy. That's been common practice for years - at least in BKK.

Like others have mentioned I am not sure what you're pleading guilty to. You probably set up the company to get yourself a work-permit and work 'legally' without having 4 thai employees, correct?

As long as you paid tax and social security for your 'employees' then I don't see the trouble you are really in. After all this is Thailand not a westernised country, so even you are circumventing the law by having 4 fake employees doesn't automatically put you in jail or anything close to that.

Theres 1000's of companies out there with fake employees. As long as SS is paid and an envelope exchanges hands if you get a visit to your office, then it's business as usual.

In your case, I am quite sure someone is trying to rat you out or try to stick something on you. It usually doesn't happen out of nowhere.

Don't go with one of those small hua hin law firms, they will just fleece you in my opinion. Chose someone who has been around for a longtime.

Right next to the Lumpini Stadium you'll find a few shops as well.

I appreciate your guys input - I really do. I am just trying to make any economical sense of it, but the jew inside of me makes it hard to justify 500,000 baht. That's about 3 months rent.

From the previous posts I gathered that the TE staff will great me at the airport and put the visa in my passport before passport control. If I leave the country on a holiday without the re-entry permit, my current extension will automatically be cancelled and the TE staff will meet me upon arrival in Bangkok and I am on the TE program?

Not exactly a no-brainer decision from a financial standpoint but considering the paperwork for the marriage extension and so on, it kinda saves a decent amount of time. The 2m baht option actually makes a lot more sense since I still have plenty of years to go before I would qualify for a retirement extension. I guess I will get with the program.

Once you have the TE visa, you do not need reentry stamps. The only reason to contact the TE people for subsequent entries is for the fast track through immigration and the limo ride.

The fast track and limo usually comes from the airline anyway. Not a benefit to me besides the re-entry stamp.

Comparing a Thailand Elite PE visa (and all the services attacked to it) with any other type of visa is like comparing a guest house with a luxury hotel, a Toyota with a Bentley, a basic credit card with a platinum card, a noodle shop with a fine cuisine restaurant...

There are cheap options for everything.

The choice is there.

Please explain me to me how and I don't mean to be one of the pattaya 10 baht atm saving fee brigade here, but please tell me what the benefit is for me.

Also please read my previous reply so you get a better picture of my situation. I am seriously considering the TE program I just don't know how it really benefits me.

I think your question is answered by BritTim above.

If you are not in the "10 baht atm saving fee brigade" and have a driver... forget the marriage extension. Go for the Thailand Elite membership, with no hesitation.

I appreciate your guys input - I really do. I am just trying to make any economical sense of it, but the jew inside of me makes it hard to justify 500,000 baht. That's about 3 months rent.

From the previous posts I gathered that the TE staff will great me at the airport and put the visa in my passport before passport control. If I leave the country on a holiday without the re-entry permit, my current extension will automatically be cancelled and the TE staff will meet me upon arrival in Bangkok and I am on the TE program?

Not exactly a no-brainer decision from a financial standpoint but considering the paperwork for the marriage extension and so on, it kinda saves a decent amount of time. The 2m baht option actually makes a lot more sense since I still have plenty of years to go before I would qualify for a retirement extension. I guess I will get with the program.