lannarebirth

If you are coming with your daughter, and she is of school age, and she does not speak Thai, and you are not willing for her to miss a year or two of school while learning Thai to get an inferior education, then $580 or $700 will not be nearly enough funds monthly. You will have to pay out for her education in a "bi-lingual" or Inter" school, which would deplete most of your monthly income IMO.

Hang Dong district is Chiang Mai’s prime location for housing estates. “Average land price in Hang Dong stands at 5500-12500 baht a square-wa and most of the housing estates in the district are large-scales or luxurious housing projects”, Nont continued. Many housing estates are also mushrooming in San Sai and Doi Saket districts as a result of improvement to the city’s ring roads and the construction of underground tunnels to ease congestion.

I was looking at houses in Lanna Pinery last week and for land prices there they are charging 13,900Bt/square wah. I also checked out Home in Park and if memory serves me correctly it was exactly the same price. Anyone know if this is a recent increase or has it been this price for a while, price seems a bit over the top to me. Has anyone bought to rent in this area , is the return rate realistic. Any opinions or thoughts or knowledge on this??

These prices seem to suggest an increase from some of the earlier posts. Or is just a certain sector of the market that's performing well (this would be my opinion).

I don't know about the specifics of those moo baans, but I think I'm developing some insight into how things work. My girlfriend owns a house in Moo Baan Nai Fun(which seemingly has about 30% of it's homes for sale or rent). The day after she bought it, a couple of years ago, she put up a "For Sale" sign, (asking about 50% more than what she'd paid). She had no intention of selling her home, but she was leaving herself open for the possibility of a windfall profit, with which she could buy a bigger house. . Now, she's getting lots of people coming by to look around the house and she's afraid someone might buy it, so she's thinking of raising the price, because what once seemed like a windfall is now very close to the market price, and if there's no windfall to be had, why sell? . So, this is what I'm thinking. If she is in any way representative of other "sellers", perhaps there is less housing inventory for sale than a drive around might suggest, and that could be pressuring prices higher.

Back on the main subject... Hong Tauw on Nimmenheamin is turning out great Thai food...

I agree. One of my favorites.

I will say again-90% of resturants i have eaten in around Maerim i would never go back to again.

As of a year ago:

For Thai fast food there are a few good places in Mae Rim in town. Just a bit past the three-way intersection leading to Mae Jo on your left (west) entering town is, I think the name is, Saam Rot, favored by local bureaucrats. Then across from the school is a decent khao man kai place favored by the school staff. And then a bit further north past Wat Mae Rim and the convenience store, again on your left, in a hole in the wall food spot on the corner of a soi that leads up to the canal is a very good khao soi place, favored by local military pilots.

For dinner with traditional Khon Muang fare try the open air restaurant on the east side of the road just past the Mae Jo 3-way intersection. There are two places adjacent to each other. The good place is north of the one you can drive down into, closer to the highway. Sorry I do not remember the name at the moment. Tables are basic wood picnic tables, nothing fancy here. But go with a Thai who knows how to order. The only down side is that they have had the same guitar player/singer for eons and they do not serve laap dip.

Choices along the Mae Sa valley highway itself are limited and not normally frequented by the locals. The one exception was a roadside noodle place that is now closed due to the death of the owner. One could be sitting at this non-descript noodle stall and be chatting with local officials, teachers, and of course the guys who handle the snakes down the road.

Local night time cantinas include several decent spots with live music along the Mae Rim-Mae Jo road as well as a funky spot just north of Mae Rim past the turn off to the Mae Sa highway. Do not attempt fate with the small spot on the north side of the Mae Sa road close to that same intersection if still open. And avoid the cantinas across from the military base unless you are in the company of several Thai pals, preferably rural types.

There are also usually several decent eating spots between the military base and Mae Rim town catering to the local populace which in Mae Rim town is dominated by both civilian and military bureaucrats. These places seem to change each year and I am not familiar with any at the moment. But if you see locals stopped to eat or pick up food chances are there is good food available.

If you find yourself near the Prem Tinsulanonda Int. School just NW of Mae Rim, the resatuarant just across from it (Tub Usa) has pretty tasty Thai dishes.

Looking desperately for really excellent non-touristy Thai food in CM.

OK, here's the best place, that I've never told anyone about. Turn east on the road between the "21" Karaeoke club and the Thai Mint (you'll see a red and white sign for the restaurant on that corner, but I don't know what it says). Go about 1km till you cross over a small canal bridge and take an immediate right (ther'll be another sign ther). Proceed down this road to the end, where it turns left, and the restaurant is about 75 meters up on the right hand side. The tastiest Thai food ever.

The propitor is called "ajarn saiyud" by everyone (in fact that might be the name of the restaurant) and she is a fantastic Thai chef and food artist too.

Martin,

You probably shouldn't have given the exact location, as, if you want it you may be competing with others reading here. Do what makes you happy.

"The higher a country's interest rates, the greater the demand for that currency."

*****

that of course is typical Wikipedia nonsense where any clown can write whatever he/she wants.

example: one U.S. Dollar fetches presently (at official rate) 250 Zimbabwe Dollars. on the parallel (black market) one gets ZWD 1.100 and interest rates are around 50% PER MONTH!

I'm not sure I'd go along with that. It could just as easily be said "the higher a countrys interest rates, the less the demand for that currency". If a countrys currency is in great demand, usually the bonds of that country are bid higher, lowering yields, which act as a moderating mechanism on what central bankers may do.

Lannarebirth, this started a few pages back now when nobody was answering PeaceBlondie's question vis a vis the USD/THB so, not having any analysts reports in front of me, I gave a simple answer to a not so simple question. I have since found out that some prefer to sit back and wait for someone else to help and then find fault with whatever is being said. Don't take this personally, as I don't mean you. I have seen your postings on other threads and also anyone who likes dogs is a friend of mine.

Markets regulate themselves, but in general, if expectations of USD rates are that they will fall (negative yield curve), then central bankers of its trading partners will discuss what to do with their interest rates as changes in interest rate differentials impact currencies. In your example above, higher yields cause the demand for that currency to increase (appreciating the currency) and then when yields fall, money moves out and the currency depreciates. Your understanding of the impact of rates on a currency is correct, but it doesn't skip from higher yields to lower demand for the currency in one step, currencies appreciate and depreciate according to supply and demand, unless their are shocks to the system or other things at play such as exists where US securities are involved.

For US securities, this doesn't hold as the big purchasers (China and Japan) buy US securities regardless of the trend in USD interest rates because they have built up huge USD investment portfolios from the large surpluses they run with the US. They know, even in times of lower expectations of the USD interest rates. that if they were to dump USD investments for another currency due to higher rates elsewhere, this would cause a weakening of the USD, hurting their portfolio's of USD investments. They hold huge amounts of USD securities.

That's a very good explanation. Thanks.

4) I am a big fan of the idea of the Kra canal (sorry, Singapore). Feasability studies have to be done in earnest, and financing can be found by letting foreign companies in.

Oh dear, Colpycat. All credibility you had built up in your arguments so far just went out the window at this sentence!

The Kra Canal has been one of Thailand's biggest white elephant schemes for years, and the last attempt to revive it by one General C from Nakhon P went tits up after some huge corruption scandal broke over it. As I recall, it was just a cynical attempt to play on Thai nationalistic urges and extract rent from the feasibility studies you so earnestly desire.

As I understand it, there is too much land to cut through, the costs would be too high and the chances for mega-corruption for such a mega-project would be just too tempting to go begging. Added to which, the costs for a supertanker or freight carrier are not that great doing the extra few kms round the Malay Peninsular and stopping off in the highly efficient and modern port facilities of Singapore along the way, for a spot of Duty Free shopping. The only thing that might change this scenario would be much higher rates of piracy in the Straits of Malacca, but Singaporean, Japanese and US interests and navies would ensure that this situation never came to be reality.

In other words, the Kra Canal is a non-starter and always will be.

The Kra Isthmus Canal is really about the interests of China and Singapore, Those "influential" Thais that support it are pro Chinese and those that resist it take their honoraria from Singapore. It's billed as The Great Thai Project, but if it ever comes into being it will be built and controlled by the Chinese. The Chinese are ultra paranoid that Mallacca shipping lanes could be controlled by westerm navies one day. BTW the Chinese now control tthe Panama Canal

"The higher a country's interest rates, the greater the demand for that currency."

*****

that of course is typical Wikipedia nonsense where any clown can write whatever he/she wants.

example: one U.S. Dollar fetches presently (at official rate) 250 Zimbabwe Dollars. on the parallel (black market) one gets ZWD 1.100 and interest rates are around 50% PER MONTH!

I'm not sure I'd go along with that. It could just as easily be said "the higher a countrys interest rates, the less the demand for that currency". If a countrys currency is in great demand, usually the bonds of that country are bid higher, lowering yields, which act as a moderating mechanism on what central bankers may do.

-That's interesting, because a piece of property I own, which wasn't even for sale has received a lot of interest lately. One guy (Thai)made me an offer, which was about double what I paid for the land, and I turned it down. Another guy (Thai)is preparing an offer, which if it isn't full price, I'll also turn down. An adjoining piece, which had been for sale for a year just sold last month for the full asking price.

I don't pretend to know the entirety of the Chiang Mai RE market, but that's my anecdotal contribution.

Maybe they are buying up a block of property for some reason. Probably a lot depends on the area that property is located as to the saleability, but it's interesting that both your property and the adjoining piece are both wanted and that Thais now seem to be lining up to buy your piece. Possibly you should take a walk around and see if others around your property have also been approached.

No, that wasn't the case. The adjoining piece was bought by a retired general of the Army and the guy who wanted to buy my place owns an apparell factory which he wants to relocate to Chiang Mai. It's really a very desirable piece of land, and I expected if I wanted to sell it, it would garner a lot of interest. I did not expect unsolicited offers. As I say, maybe it is atypical of the region. I do not know.

David Wade

Tropical Homes Real Estate

The really great difference I noticed was more of a personal nature. When the tsunami hit my phone rang for two days solid from concerned relatives, friends and clients.

Following the coup I did not receive one phone call of concern even from my closest family and friends overseas. The fact is that clients and investors believe the coup may very well have a positive effect on the property market, especially in the long term.

From a purely selfish point of view I had hoped the baht might devalue just a little, but even that failed to happen. Those with the foresight to invest now will almost certainly reap the greatest rewards.

Fortune favours the brave!

David Wade. Tropical Homes Real Estate.

Tel: 076-326 125 www.tropical-homes.net

-- Phuket Post 2006-10-17

Well, I don't know he has drawn the correct conclusion, but I will say I had a similar experience. After the tsunami I had many calls from friends, who wanted to know if it might be a good time to buy real estate in Phuket. I could offer no input as it seemed like such a ghoulish interest. After the coup, I received no calls from friends or family, even though I expected I would. I'm not sure what that means, but it strikes me as indifference.

While the property market in Bangkok and Pukett may well be remaining strong, I don't really know anything about that. The property market in in the North,Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phayao, is seriously depressed. I've talked to a few realty company owners over the last month and one even described the market as, "totally F*****g dead" another said "both sales and rentals were dead". That's not the way realtors normally talk. This can be linked to a few things like the new laws and the weather but one thing is for sure, prices are going down quickly at the moment in that area.

-That's interesting, because a piece of property I own, which wasn't even for sale has received a lot of interest lately. One guy (Thai)made me an offer, which was about double what I paid for the land, and I turned it down. Another guy (Thai)is preparing an offer, which if it isn't full price, I'll also turn down. An adjoining piece, which had been for sale for a year just sold last month for the full asking price.

I don't pretend to know the entirety of the Chiang Mai RE market, but that's my anecdotal contribution.

This thread seems to be coming true.

From its start in July, we are now half way to Christmas, and what are we seeing?

Dollar slipped 10% relative to the pound and baht (which are my income and expenditure currencies), US housing market stalled, corn futures up 30% and wheat futures up 40%.

Presumably, next comes a lot of Americans realising they are in negative equity on their houses, and higher food prices pushing up the true inflation rate.

What will the reactions be?

I am staying to watch the second half of this performance, and meanwhile buying all the gold that I can afford whilst it is so cheap.

Looks like we are in for bumper rice and sugarcane harvests here.

Bangkok floods, but our crops thrive, and we have been getting fish for free just by picking them up from where the overflow from the storm drain comes along the side of the soi.

Corn and wheat going up should help to raise the demand for rice and its price. But I have no faith in the sugar price holding up if times turn hard, as 60% of it goes into fizzy drinks and people can cut those out of their purchasing very easily.

How do you figure that this thread has been coming true? The dollar has not slipped 10% versus the pound nor other major currencies since the start of this thread, in fact it has been flat against the pound and has strenghened slighthly against the Yen, Euro, and gold. The thread was started on July 9 when one dollar would buy you 114 Yen, 0.78 Euros, or 0.54 Pounds and an ounce of gold costs $629. Today one dollar will buy you 119 Yen, 0.80 Euros, or 0.54 Pounds and an ounce of gold costs $576.

With perhaps, better days ahead. TWT:

http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=$USD...2&listNum=1

Posted that one wrong too:

http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=$USD...&a=63893762

This thread seems to be coming true.

From its start in July, we are now half way to Christmas, and what are we seeing?

Dollar slipped 10% relative to the pound and baht (which are my income and expenditure currencies), US housing market stalled, corn futures up 30% and wheat futures up 40%.

Presumably, next comes a lot of Americans realising they are in negative equity on their houses, and higher food prices pushing up the true inflation rate.

What will the reactions be?

I am staying to watch the second half of this performance, and meanwhile buying all the gold that I can afford whilst it is so cheap.

Looks like we are in for bumper rice and sugarcane harvests here.

Bangkok floods, but our crops thrive, and we have been getting fish for free just by picking them up from where the overflow from the storm drain comes along the side of the soi.

Corn and wheat going up should help to raise the demand for rice and its price. But I have no faith in the sugar price holding up if times turn hard, as 60% of it goes into fizzy drinks and people can cut those out of their purchasing very easily.

The thing about the Pound is, it's got those 2 weekly gaps (circled) in it's chart. It's never not filled a gap in it's chart, at least for the 30 years of data I have. If it does, or how, is the question. Good luck.

http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=$xbp...&listNum=10

Hmmmm, think I posted that chart wrongly. This oughta work:

http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=$XBP...&a=48806132

Banks in Hong Kong and Singapore and many other locations offer more than 7% per year interest on New Zealand dollar fixed term account. I plan to open a fixed 6 month auto roll-over New Zealand dollar account in my HK bank with over 7% annual. Anyone have any insight why this currency offer such a high interest, and any risk involved?

As the saying goes; "more money has been lost chasing yields, than at the point of a gun". A couple of questions I'd ask myself are:

1) Would I be comfortable holding $NZD indefinitely, buying at today's exchange?

2) Is that a 3 wave correction on the chart (in which case you're in clover), or is it just finishing the fourth wave of a 5 wave correction.

http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=$NZD...&a=57558232

My girlfriend's gay brother, Nong, owns a really cool, gay friendly hotel in Bangkok you might enjoy. I think you can do better than the prices listed on the website if you email them:

http://www.reflections-thai.com/rooms.html

Conversely if the US decided to stop buying from China - it would ruin China. This is dependent relationship on one another. Let's not be naive.

Quite right. If China does anything to inhibit it's growth before it addresses it's huge disparity of wealth between classes issue, there would likely be great civil strife in China.

that is not acceptable and is why the US will do anything to shore up the dollar.

The US Treasury department has for a few years now been actively working to weaken the dollar as part of it "beggar thy neighbor policy". A weaker dollar is good for US business interests and is why they have been lobbying the government so hard to take a strong stance with China to let the Yuan rise agaunst the dollar.

"Both theories on price are incorrect"

The theory that traders set prices is incorrect. If traders set prices, why don't they just set it at $100/barrel? Supply and demand sets the prices, and that's true, whether you accept it or not. Traders bet whether prices will rise or fall. If they guess right, they make money. If they guess wrong, they lose money. It's that simple.

It is not true and I do not accept it, Traders are not placing bets on whether prices or fall. Traders are owners of oil and buyers and sellers of oil. While it's true that some traders are speculators and own oil futures simply as a trade, they in fact take on the obligation to buy or sell 500 bbls of crude for every contract they trade. I do it myself and have never held a position to settlement date when I would have to deliver.

"OPEC sets production levels not price."

That's because, according to an irony-free earlier post, Goldman Sachs sets oil prices!

Actually, the price is set by the old supply and demand curve. Boring, but true.

Both theories on price are incorrect, but I was joking. You, on the other hand appear to be serious.

OPEC sets production levels not price. They seldom keep to the level of production they set, and there are other oi producing nations that are not members of OPEC.

Is it true that Russia joined OPEC a couple of years ago ? What other countries that are major suppliers are left ?

No, I don't think Russia has joined OPEC, nor Mexico nor Azerbaijan, nor Kazakstan, nor Oman, nor USA, nor Great Britain nor Scandinavian producers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opec#Membership

My apologies , Next time I'll do the research before thinking out loud .

No need. hel_l, I didn't know myself till you mentioned it and caused me to look it up.

Well , I don't know too much about economics etc. But I have worked in the oil industry for around 18 years . I always thought that OPEC set the oil prices by means of supply and demand . The prices were set higher as there are concerns of a world shortage , so more money was needed for exploration . The future will hold steady for at least another three years as I see it at this point . There is more work around than I have ever seen before , there are many rigs being built at present and there are not enough quallified personnell to man them .

That is all I know ,

But like I said I am not an economist .

Cheers ,

OPEC sets production levels not price. They seldom keep to the level of production they set, and there are other oi producing nations that are not members of OPEC.

Is it true that Russia joined OPEC a couple of years ago ? What other countries that are major suppliers are left ?

No, I don't think Russia has joined OPEC, nor Mexico nor Azerbaijan, nor Kazakstan, nor Oman, nor USA, nor Great Britain nor Scandinavian producers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opec#Membership

Well , I don't know too much about economics etc. But I have worked in the oil industry for around 18 years . I always thought that OPEC set the oil prices by means of supply and demand . The prices were set higher as there are concerns of a world shortage , so more money was needed for exploration . The future will hold steady for at least another three years as I see it at this point . There is more work around than I have ever seen before , there are many rigs being built at present and there are not enough quallified personnell to man them .

That is all I know ,

But like I said I am not an economist .

Cheers ,

OPEC sets production levels not price. They seldom keep to the level of production they set, and there are other oi producing nations that are not members of OPEC.

"As far as I know Goldman Sachs sets oil prices. "

I have no idea where you get this stuff, but Goldman Sachs does not set oil prices.

Yes, I know that. I guess the irony in my post went over your head. Traders set oil prices. Goldman Sachs are traders. When oil was at it's highs they suggested it would go much higher, while at the same time selling out their long position and going short in a really big way. Let me put it another way. Gamblers and liars set the price of oil.

Hi there. Can anyone recommend a top notch computer genius in CM ?? Prefferably one that speaks English as my technical Thai is somewhat <deleted>..

Call Khun Suchart. He'll come to your house and take care of everything. Very reasonable too. What I like about him is, if a problem at first seems insoluble, he'll keep plugging away till a solution is reached; wheras most here just give up. His number is: 089- 5563931