Biker Boy

Well, I have not finalized selection yet. I will negotiate fees and details on Saturday. If they outcome is reasonable will give it a go. If not I will contact the  firms recommended above. You guys have been very helpful. Again, thanks.

Well my story is a  little different. I read Thai civil code to understand the propositions that applied in my case. Mostly, I asked lots of questions and tried to determine what the answers meant. I would tactfully call bullshit on my lawyer when he was not being clear or doing his job. This did not seem to phase the legal team. It was business as usual. Since we are in Thailand I was respectful in my demeanor. When I finally figured it out the minute details my lawyer fired me. Today, I picked up all the monies I paid  toward the detailed steps of the case that were not executed and the results of the work I paid for. Fair enough. 

I take nothing a face value. The old lawyer used  a property valuations firm to a report on the property in question. They came in with a number significantly under a 2012 offer I had from two architects. I  found a valuation firm that is arguably one of the finest in BKK and they were right on the target with the number I had  projected. Well the story goes on and on. I think the owner of the firm was too sensitive to me calling his selection incompetent. 

At this point all the issues are finely tuned  regarding how to proceed with this case. A new legal team I am considering is smelling the money and been aggressive in their service, well organized, and willing to discuss details of case cost, and work out an agreeable solution.

Lesson learned for me is one needs to know local legal codes that apply, what they mean, and be finely tuned on what evidence is needed to win the case.  The court room is like a boxing ring. Don't enter if you are not trained to fight. Typically, lawyers will tell you that the case is easy to win. Give me money........ In the end, one can find out  that case law was clear that you were going to lose and you were the only one that did not know that. It happened to me in the USA. It is the operating mode in the legal profession. Most lawyers have families to feed and your are the feeding pot. 

Thanks to all for your comments. Will check out some of the advice given. Also, will check back to gather any new perspectives.

For me it matters. I don't want to travel to the far corners of the galaxy, when I can conveniently access most Bangkok locations. Thailand is not known as the home of the best and the brightest and my personal experience confirms that  point of view. I love the people and the country, but work quality here is always, always suspect. I am betting on the point that most of the brightest concentrate where the money is, just like the rest of the world. That does not mean that a shinning star does not exist elsewhere in the country. For me convenience, concentration of talent, and probability  of success will make BKK my point of focus. Just one mans opinion, and I have the battle scars earned through experience in this country. Oh, I am under no illusion that success is a guarantee with BKK lawyers or any other worker class in BKK.

I have an issue on a property in Bangkok and need a honest, reliable attorney that charges reasonable fees and is successful in his cases.

Not too  much to ask is it????  Yeah, I know this is Thailand, but sometimes one has to  roll the dice. Any help appreciated. 

Thanks for all the comments. Helpful in confirming the confusion can abound. Got my 30 day extension on my 90 day tourist visa for my wife and myself.

It was crazy expensive. Exactly 4180 Baht. Massive time was at office from 11AM to 4PM+ plus traffic jam issues. The 90 day tourist visa cost $47 per person. How  can a 30 day extension cost so much.  Crazy, crazy place. A one year visa in Cambodia between $280 and $300 and no lawyer skills required use the thing. In and out of the country no problem. No 90 day report. Cambodians are logical. They  have property owner report client location and no massive gov't offices and staff required. GOOD MORNING THAILAND???????

I lived in Thailand for 7 years. When I read these postings, I bow down to the sanity that prevails in Cambodia. Logic and order will never rule in Thailand. I have no idea how you guys tolerate the type of dysfunction by the Thai government.

Any advice about resources related to the sale of a property in Bangkok. What is the process? Real Estate agencies? How do I set price, valuation? Don't know enough at this point to even ask the right questions. Any help appreciated.

Off your point, but might be interesting to some of the readers of this stream. I am in the midst of a marriage split and the property question arises for a townhome. By law a foreigner can not own land. However, if the property was purchased prior to marriage registration the supreme court has found that if co-ownership criteria can be met, the foreigner can qualify for half the asset value of the home. 

I talked to a lot of  high end lawyers targeting foreigners  in Thailand and all told me  I  was screwed because I was married. One main stream Thai lawyer recommended filing a property suite. It took me quite a while to figure out what that meant, because I was wrapped around the idea of marriage and divorce. Finally, after many questions and much study, I clarified the point of co-ownership possibly existing between a couple who bought the home before marriage.

I am considering selling a home in Bangkok and would like to work with an appraiser that is competent and co-operative to work with.  Any referrals appreciated.

Again, thank you for you completeness and helpfulness.

ubonjoe, thanks for the great answer. Very helpful. I am considering two points. Maybe it is cost effective to find an agent to handle this, when considering taxi fares, traffic jams etc. Lad Phrao road can be a major traffic headache. What do you think. Also, I have down loaded the form to fill out. Will they accept completed copies of that form???

I am staying near the Big C supercenter off Lad Phrao road and would like to know where I can go nearest this area for a 30 day extension of my 60 day tourist visa. Also, is there any maximum or minimum time limit on when I can request the extension? From what I have read it seems like the fee will be 1900 Baht. Is that correct?  Also, it seem like this task is same day completion. Is that correct? Any question I have missed asking that is relevant to successfully achieving this task?

I landed in Thailand and Don Mueng and had to stand in the immigration line for 2 hours. My age is 70+. I say <deleted> Thailand and will not return unless I have compelling business. Thai sucks in a lot of ways and arrogance is the word. Personally, I was recently introduced to Malaysia and found the be people and place much more friendly and helpful than Thai's. Just my experience and opinion. By the way, I lived in Thailand for many years and used to love the country and people.

I just don't get what the thai are so afraid of. do they actually think the whole world wants to buy property in Thailand. at any time only 8% of Americans have a passport. they really could not give a rats ass about Thailand. While Thailand is a nice country, the world is full of nice countries, that are much better managed, have a plethora of culture, are leader in intellectual property etc, etc.  They thai really need to get real. it is a nice country. the thia used to be known for their smiles and welcome attitude. That is greatly diminished.

a few weeks ago I landed a Don Mueng airport. I had to wait 2 hours in line to be processed through immigration with legions of other travelers.  That is thai incompetence on display for the world to witness. do they actually think visitors will rush back with that kind of rude treatment. by comparison, I landed in Singapore and immigration was impeccably organized and quick. In Kuala Lumpur immigration was even  faster and not stupid paper card were needed to be filled in. Surprisingly, Phnom Penh was also, organized and efficient and the new airport was excellent related to fit and finish.

Now, Singapore has property  leases and if one considers that Singapore is a small island and the government owns 80% of the land and enables an ongoing growing population do to immigration requirements to keep the economy going. Their policy makes total logical sense. Singapore also has brilliant leadership dedicated to doing the best for the entire country. Malaysia allows foreigners to buy one home outright, no land bullshit, and own one business outright. Malaysia is far more developed that Thailand and I  found the population to exceed the friendliness and helpfulness of even the old Thailand. Also, the KL transport system in way ahead of Bangkok. In face they  had 5 free bus lines and the lines did not include a lot of old ratty buss like you can find in BKK.  only realistic reason for the thia land  policy is lack of logic and knowhow.  If a rich thai, read policy makers, go to other countries they buy anything they want and give it no thought, but come to Thailand and the attitude is it is our land and hands off. The policy mimics that of children having never learned how to play together. It is a sad indicator on a country that can and used to be so much more.

2 hours ago, ajarngreg said:

 

     Did you marry in Thailand? No idea if that's a must. But you'd theoretically get a Non-O Multiple Entry visa based on marriage to a Thai wife.

 

         You need the original marriage certificate and a copy of her ID card. I guess she's got her Thai address in her ID card, right?

 

      You do not have to show financial proof  at the Thai consulate in Sawannakhet, near Mukdahan/Thailand. 

 

         I hope that helps. And you're allowed to work on such a visa. 

 

    P.S. She doesn't have to be with you when you apply for your visa.

Thanks for the info. We were originally married in Thailand. Not sure when she registered the marriage.

we also married in the USA and I do have an original of that one. I have a copy of her ID card, but she seems to have gotten her USA citizenship and is now using that as her ID. I will research further into this path and thanks again.

14 hours ago, ajarngreg said:

  

     Are you married to a Thai?        

 

     I hope for you that you don't have too many tourist visas for Thailand in your passport. All regulations are pretty strict now.

 

    Being married would allow you to receive a Non -O in Sawannakhet based on your marriage without financial proof. Just saying. Good luck !

You caught my eye with the comment on marriage visa. I expect to return to Thailand from Cambodia in the next several months. I am married to a Thai, but she is in the USA. I am curious regarding the requirements for the visa you recommend.

Jane, thanks for you thoughts. I will give this idea some thought and determine how it will affect the overall goal of the divorce.

Much appreciated.

Pick you path. Thai divorce codes below.

Section 1516. Grounds of action for divorce are as follows:

1.    one spouse has given a maintenance to or honored such other person as wife or husband, committed adultery or had regular sexual intercourse with such other person, such other spouse may enter an action for divorce;

2.    one spouse is guilty of misconduct, notwithstanding whether such misconduct is a criminal offence or not, if it causes the other:

o    to be seriously ashamed;

o    to be insulted of hated or account of continuance of being husband or wife of the spouse having committed the misconduct;

o    or to sustain excessive injury or trouble where the condition, position and cohabitation as husband and wife are taken into consideration;

....the latter may enter a claim for divorce;

3.    one spouse has caused serious harm or torture to the body or mind of the other, or has seriously insulted the other or his or her ascendants, the latter may enter a claim for divorce;

4.    one spouse has deserted the other for more than one year, the latter may enter a claim for divorce;

o    4/1 one spouse had been sentenced by a final judgment of the Court and has been imprisoned for more than one year in the offence committed without any participation, consent or in the knowledge of the other, and the cohabitation as husband and wife will cause the other party sustain excessive injury or trouble, the latter may enter a claim for divorce;

o    4/2 The husband and wife voluntarily live separately because of being unable to cohabit peacefully for more than three years, or live separately for more than three years by the order of the Court, either spouse may enter a claim for divorce;

5.    one spouse has been adjudged to have disappeared, or as left his or her domicile or residence for more than three years and being uncertain whether he or she is living or dead;

6.    one spouse has failed to give proper maintenance and support to the other, or committed acts seriously adverse to the relationship of husband and wife to such an extent that the other has been in excessive trouble where the condition, position and cohabitation as husband and wife are taking into consideration, the latter may enter a claim for divorce; 

7.    one spouse has been an insane person for more than three years continuously and such insanity is hardly curable so that the continuance of marriage cannot be expected, the other may enter a claim for divorce; 

8.    one spouse has broken a bond of good behavior executed by him or her, the other spouse may enter a claim for divorce;

9.    one spouse is suffering from a communicable and dangerous disease which is incurable and may cause injury to the other, the latter may file a claim for divorce;

10.  one spouse has a physical disadvantage so as to be permanently unable to cohabit as husband and wife, the other may enter a claim for divorce.

Hope this helps

I was looking up info on divorces in Washington state and if all else is agreed to the cheapest advertised was $139. I am certain that other states also offer cheap divorces. Las Vegas has a waiting period in which you must be a resident of the state. Low cost divorces are available. Also, look up the term comity. It has to do with countries recognition of divorces in other countries and how that can be achieved. A thai divorce can be easily recognized in many states in the USA is you follow the requirements.

Love this post. My next deep education effort will be bitcoin.

I married in Thailand first and secondly in the USA. At the time I did not know I could use Thai documents in the USA. Actually, it probably easier to do it in you home country. In the USA,  just need a license and someone to marry you. Don't need to dick around in Thailand. Some one asked how can marriage in two countries be legal. All law is jurisdictional based. For jurisdiction to apply the marriage must be registered in the country you want legal jurisdiction. As noted above two ways are available to register.

Another reason to register in you home country, can be the benefits available to you children and possibly you wife. in the USA, if you are retired, you can get moneies for each child and the mother can get monies if she meets requirements. You can check the SSA site if any of this applies.

The next questions arise when you get divorced. Thailand is cheap and the USA is off the charts for divorces. Good news, by using  "comity", look it up, one can simply follow your home countries rules on how to register you thai divorce for dissolution in  you home country. Several groups of states follow the  same laws on this matter of comity dissolution is usually  granted if you follow the criteria which is straightforward. Research indicates  all states allow for comity, but you must determine the details. Contact the state attorney generals office in the state where the marriage was recorded.

I am a foreign national. When I got married, actually some time latter, my wife went and registered the marriage and no papers were needed from me. I am ready for a divorce and related that to a lawyer and was  hoping the marriage would qualify for a voidable dissolution. The lawyer just hand waved and said that happens all the time.  Noting that my wife registered the marriage using my  last name, and that was good enough and the court would not care. Take that for what it is worth. I am finding by studying Thai law and asking questions that some codes are not really valued by  courts and others are. It probably depends on the judge, so like everything in Thailand, it is a crapshoot  in all directions.

Blackcab, thanks for your comments. I agree completely. Therefore, I delayed filing and have been studying Thai legal code. I am not an expert, but have some clue regarding items that may influence my case. Thai law is very similar to USA law. There are some aspect which can protect a foreigner, I thine, if you know those codes exist. I plan to discuss those with which ever lawyer I decide to go with.

thanks again.

You make some pretty compelling points. Thanks for the  thoughts.

Jim, thanks for the advice. I had not thought of that resource.