dalpumpkin

Hi,

I'm looking for a non-pick-up, non sleazy chat room where you don't get inane BS of most representations. Thai related would be a bonus - i.e any alternatives, with perhaps more activity, for the old Thaivisa room?

Cheers

Dalp

Apols, but to make it very clear, the hotel bill is included in my solution requirements.

Cheers

Howdy,

need living bodies transported between destinations. 1-3 passengers. I need a hotel paid as well ( about 3k baht) but I'm out of country so need to pay by Visa. Pick-up is tomorrow. Any advice on options/solutions appreciated, any advice on why is not.

Cheers

DALP

Why?

Hi,

I see a few residents of Thung Song are posting so I thought I'd enquire.

My friend is coming over to Thung Song from NZ in two weeks, after visiting the city? a couple of months ago.

He is thoroughly in luuvv with a nice women from there and it his intention to look at moving there permanently in the next six months. He is about 55 or so, is into typical NZ things like Rugby etc but, I think, is a pretty fun person and is young at heart.

The next visit is short, only a week or 10 days I think, but I thought I would enquire, on his behalf, if there are any falangs in this area that would be willing to offer up their contact details, if he should want to get together for some companionship and some details of life in this town.

I can’t post the details, but if the goal of his journey and the offer he will make is accepted, then I, as will others will be required to visit Thung Song for the ceremony.

Appreciate any assistance offered. PM me.

DALP

Hi,

Searched but could not find a suitable thread.

In NZ, over the last 5 years, property values have risen at significantly more than other forms of investment (+15% p.a. or more) and the lack of Capital Gains tax for those that are not "professional property developers" has meant wide use of this investment option.

Central Bank addressing this but that's another story..

So I'm thinking.

Leaving aside any debate around property versus other forms of investment, I was wondering if members could advise:

Really basic question - how does one value a property in Thailand (Valuer/Real Estate Vendor I assume?)

How does get information on property price trends.

Average increase in house worth in Thailand/Region/City, statistics better ( a site that tells you the average over the last x years) or individual examples welcomed.

Build and sell option versus buy and improve

Taxation issues to explore

Or,

Bad idea, and here are the reasons why .......

Further information from me:

Thai partner who I would be comfortable with purchase in her name and acknowledge that I therefore legally have no rights to the property.

Uninterested in a lease arrangement, re above.

I can't do DIY let alone build, local labour.

Possible funding required from Bank but I could commit upto 2mill baht

Any Thai labour would be supervised.

Term of investment, from purchase to selling, 1 year, I could hold for 5 with a rental income ( I think would be minimal) I'll retire in 20 years.

Thank you.

DALP

A long shot, however...

Over 10 years Trade Finance/Senior Management experience in Australasian Bank

Managed significant Bank merger in terms of integrating teams, IT systems and processes

Process improvement and project management experience

Managed Trade processing Ops, Country Head of 55 FTE.

Seeking role in Asia, either permanent or contract role on ex-pat or similar terms

Limited Thai language skills.

I realise that typically this would be typically be arranged via home country.

Enquiries or suggestion regarding leads welcomed.

Flexible regarding salary.

Many thanks.

DALP

From Kiwiland

No real problems with the relocation for the girlfriend from Isaan who speaks reasonable English and lives here permanently.

We do get the odd occasion where we get looked down upon via the Thai girlfriend stereotype thing “and where did you meet your girlfriend?” loaded question but all my good friends are fine, my family thinks she great and we mainly socialise with a group that tends to be Falang/Thai couples, all of who are cool.

Day to day is : I work, she goes to English class and/or cleans the house, tends the garden which is fill of Thai herbs, I come home, food normally Thai, have a few drinks (her red wine, me beer), fight over who gets the TV remote – pretty normal stuff.

Likes shopping, although here not as good as Thailand due to lack of big complexes and the name brands, which she likes.

Struggles with pronouncing some of the place names but can easily get around if I write it on a piece of paper, goes into the city by herself, no problem.

Go fishing where we have to explain that there are rules about taken the small fish despite the fact that I agree they taste nicer than the big ones.

We hang out in pubs, go out to dinner (Thai or Asian mostly) and go to the Wat/ the various Thai events that are put on.

She doesn’t like the rain as it messes her hair and has the common aversion to getting a tan so wraps up well at the beach. Likes the fact that it doesn’t get too hot.

Didn’t miss the family too much but does call home about twice a week.

On occasions, for me, the only issue is that it becomes too much like living in Thailand ; Thai friends speaking Thai, Thai music, Thai food, someone wanders off wearing my jandals, but only rarely.

Suggested things that might assist with a three month stay are:

• Ability to buy Thai food ingredients from an Asian food shop

• You can buy Thai magazines here from Asian stores (and I assume in Melb.) so she can catch up on all the gossip on TV/Movie stars if she is into that.

• International calling cards make phoning home less expensive.

I think pretty much the same as anyone away from home, a bit of home style food is nice, call home a few times to speak to your friends/family and if your having a busy and fun time on holiday with someone you care for, all is good.

Good luck.

DALP

Hi all,

We live far outside Thailand, girlfriend has Bangkok Bank Credit Card (VISA) which has recently expired. Her story is that the bank will not renew the card on written instructions from her and post to our address in farangland or to an address in LOS - the replacement would have to be issued to her personally.

Repayment of a small loan was allegedly credited to this VISA account so obviously getting access to the funds requires a new card.

G/F would not have updated her address so the one that bank holds is likely to be incorrect and I don't think she holds any other accounts with them.

Seems strange to me as I would think normally a bank just would send a new one out automatically (which we need to cancel if this has occurred) or would take written instructions on an alternative arrangement.

Can anyone confirm that my understanding is correct as she is unlikely to be in LOS any time soon?

Thanks

DALP

Bear

Bbigman21

My 2 cents worth.

There are lots of people in your financial situation with the big 4 o coming up. Life doesn't always work out ideally, it would be pretty boring if it did. I'm happy to admit I am in a similar boat in terms of assets, with pretty much nothing at 39.

You sound like you have got some good advantages, military background, electrical trade skills and the ability/desire to be flexible in the type of work you would do and the location.

I'd try to take a longer term view in your goals, 2 years might be cutting it a bit fine to be living in LOS but 5 years to me should be achievable which would still mean you've got a lot of life to live. Increase your income by going and getting a higher paid job, which your obviously trying to do but also try and broaden your skills so you create more options for yourself - any area of electrical work that might pay higher/be more in demand that you can identify including those required on a rig and perhaps some self investment in training which might pay off down the track (higher end techology skills, management perhaps, learn Thai if you can't speak already). Coming off a small asset base I think you need to concentrate on working smarter, not harder.

The most important thing is you have a clear goal which is great, keep on chasing those dreams and good luck to you.

DLP

Hi

I'm pretty dark skinned which comes from my fathers side but my mum is Thai. My girlfriend is from Sweden which is pretty close to Switzerland so I suppose that should count. My mate Jack went and got my ball one day.

Can't say I've spotted very many Chinese lately but I've got this bloody Kiwi who keeps following me around.

Nice avatar seugha.

All the best

Woodsy.

Thanks all for taking the time to respond.

I agree that it is difficult to predict the future, especially in a country like Thailand which, although now more stable, has been politically volatile and with cultural issues, such as "face" playing a significant part in the fabric of society. I read some optimistic information, where the Government is looking to increase the levels at the upper end ( increased levels of Ph.D qualifications and some talk around some increased funding for upper level students?) which one would hope, would filter down and raise the standards in general.

Economic reality will mean that Thailand will improve it's education system. Surely, a robust education sector that recognises that skilled workers are essential in a competitive Asian environment will come. I reckon if you take the progress over the last 20 years and the good talk going on at the present, it's just a matter of time.

Hopefully some better quality assurance gets implemented.

Couldn't see any lesser demand for cheaper end options, and so think that the range (from a "fake" degree fresh out of Koh Sahn Rd to the upper end skilled professional) is going to be significantly brighter in the years to come.

David

Howdy,

Excellent information here about the present state but I'm interested in the longer term future.

Does anyone have opinions on topic title by way of extrapolating any current trends that you are seeing in falangs involvement in Thai education sector? My personal interest English specific but broader comment welcome.

Questions in my head are around the appetite for Falang's English teaching skills as Thailand becomes more global (assuming that She does and my personal opinion is that it will increase significantly) and the flow-on impact on qualification requirements?

DISCLAIMER

If you wanted to know why I was asking, it's both because I was thinking of retiring in LOS in 5-10 years with perhaps a bit of English teaching involved, and, more importantly, I just thought it would be an interesting topic. I acknowlege this post is speculative in nature rather than practical. Apols, I must admit that I have not completed a topic search, so if a repost over old ground please burn me.

I have no current involvement in Thailands or the Earths education systems.

David (DLP)

Guys.

Thanks for responses, information and welcomes.

David

Hi all.

Kiwi decided that I am needing to get wet mid April.

I'll be staying in teelaks house near Lotus Shopping Centre, Udon Thani but travelling to Wang Sam Mo on a regular basis to visit GF's relatives over a 2 week period.

Keen to meet any falang around that route/WSM area as looking at a retirement option in these parts in 5 years plus and may need a beer and English conversation to numb newbieness culture shock and a break from the pretence that I would make a suitable son in law.

DLP