BobBKK

6 minutes ago, InMyShadow said:

What's 30 days got to do with it? That's mainly air bnb. 

Are you serious?  I'd suggest a tad more research?

8 minutes ago, InMyShadow said:

You do realise farang don't pay tax right? And are not required to  in fact this makes thailand very attract

 

 

 

Excuse me but they ARE required to (but usually don't). Also the Hotel Act requires 30+ days minimum rentals. In fact I fully expect them to come after non-tax payers at some point as well as the 'standard valuations' that costs the country billions a year when property is sold.

Ending corruption would mean a leader who is not corrupt. Has there ever been one here? the young FFP looks promising and if they stayed 'clean' there is hope.  As for Thais it's in their genes and will take a couple generations of clean government to pass onto the populace.

The initial problem TODAY is the government  banning freedom of speech and assembly and THAT is a form of corruption.  Freedom, transparency and honesty are held in little regard here. Thailand needs an incorruptible leader to show the way.

14 hours ago, NancyL said:

The new TV is a Samsung Smart TV and it directly taps into YouTube, Netflix, etc through our wifi router.  Better quality picture than with a computer monitor and easier to use from a lounge chair.

I know it's off topic but I have a smart TV (LG in my case) too. Have you thought of wall mounting?  I'd recommend getting Pulse TV for news and Netflix for tons of great series etc. I ditched the totally awful and expensive TrueVisions ages ago and never looked back. Im now paying around 1200 for the two providers and saving 800 but, most importantly, NO repeats and losing great channels because True wants to save money.

You both don't believe in reincarnation then?

1 hour ago, RT555 said:

I can't see why anyone would like to be smashed into the concrete pavement. 

I think hanging would be easier. 

10 meters of rope

20 valium

1 bottle whiskey 

That would be my choice of suicide. 

Strange choice but it takes all sorts.  Pentobarbital would be mine.

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

It is rare that I have anything good to say about the Junta or the NLA, but this is the exception.

 

Decriminalization of weed for medical purposes is an all around good thing. However, it is merely a first step in a better process of complete legalization.

 

What are the benefits of legalization? Increased tax money. Increased tourism. Fewer people in jail. Lower assault rates. Lower domestic violence and thus better protection for women. Less drunk-driving. Etc Etc Etc.

 

Thailand; this is a good first step, but it would be better if you simply went ahead and implemented full legalization. Someone in SE Asia will do it and the first country to do so will reap most of the benefits.

 

You always say you want to be a "Hub"; now is your chance.

 

Dare to do the right thing...

 

Totally agree but there must be a 'reason' ($$$) and I certainly don't believe P&P would do it for altruistic reasons. But would be over the moon to see it happen. 70%?  that's madness

5 minutes ago, JAZZDOG said:

You don't have a work permit do you? Are you making a profit, signing leases, documents. Are you involved with more than one rental? What type visa? 

What you gonna do when they come for you.

I don't sign leases and I don't sign contracts and my visa is none of your business.

Just now, heybruce said:

So you researched the laws on owning condos.  If you rent any of them I assume you have a Thai partner and do all the other BS required. 

 

Guesthouses have been allowed to operate without licenses for so long everyone assumed it was legal  Most of the people caught in this mess are Thai, not foreigners.  If the Thai businesses owners had no idea they were operating illegally, you know the fault lies not with the business owners but with arbitrary actions by the government.

Yes I rent them out on 12 month contracts and researched thoroughly the Condo Act, Juristic responsibilities and served on several condo committees. However, most of that does not apply here in this debate and I fully agree that this is depressing and distressing for those involved. 

Just now, heybruce said:

Do you live in Thailand?  There are laws against everything, most which are not enforced.  If you attempted to make absolutely certain you were doing everything legally, you'd spend to rest of your life researching laws few Thais know about and none follow.

Are you being facetious?  I already mentioned I own and have owned many condos here and I know the law and comply with it. No under 30 day rentals without a hotel license is NOT a new law which is why clever condos get a license and call themselves 'condotels'.

This guest house thing is something new in the sense they were never classed as a hotel. I thought below a certain number of rooms was the benchmark.

Just now, BestB said:

There was nothing to check previously . Getting room for rent license is all that was required. 

 

What was there to check? If building complied with regulations that would be introduced in 30 years?

I assume your place was under so many rooms (I forget how many it is) and did not qualify for the under 30 days rule?  if so that is very bad luck but I don't think you can win this one Thailand has it's own rules and makes them up whenever it wants just look at the present government and Section 44.

Just now, BestB said:

Not possible to get a license , as I explained even if by miracle and large donations building complied with new regulations , then there is building approval, distance from the road and other buildings 

If you can't get one, and I'm trying to supportive here, then don't even think of having a guest house. I'm sorry, and even more sorry for your terrible jail experience, but now you know. 

11 minutes ago, BestB said:

Not every “hotel” was built by its original owner.

 

many of not most small buildings were converted into a business at a later date with building approvals at the time.

 

just like people do not build restaurants , they convert premises into one

You would buy a restaurant without checking the documentation?  or a car?  that's one approach but not one most of us would recommend. The basic fact is you have opened a small hotel without the required license same as driving a car without a license.  

17 minutes ago, BestB said:

Who told you I do not have WP?

If you do have a WP that is one requirement off the long list of things you need well done!  now go get a license as it's the law.

Just now, JAZZDOG said:

Do you understand how many beds will be eliminated if this fiasco is allowed to continue. Existing ST housing averages 60% occupancy based on 33 million visitors. High season closer to 90%. Maybe 10% of hotels are legit, the rest it is impossible. High season the licensed hotels will be 100% and 28 million guests will be turned away. You can debate the numbers but come high season if this foolishness is allowed to continue there will be tens of millions less tourist coming to LOS. 

Yes I understand some tourists might be hit but nowhere near what you are suggesting but please take a balanced view?  if you build a 'hotel' with no consent and have no license what do you expect will happen?  I'm not defending the authorities I'm just stating a fact.

Does this mean they are now destitute? (sorry couldn't help it)  agree it's disgusting and should lose their job.

18 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I posted on the Bkk forum asking about closures in the Khao San area, which would be the only equivalent, IMO, of the C M situation, and had no replies saying guest houses in Khao San were closed. I can only assume that this is a C M thing and not nation wide. C M night life industry is obviously penalised by excessively restrictive opening hours, so I am not surprised that the local authorities are prepared to act excessively in penalising business.

IMO it's all about the usual situation, and little to do with actual hotel regulations. I find it hard to believe that they will actually close all the small places inside the moat as that would devastate the backpacker demographic, which isn't going to transfer to expensive hotels. Obviously, it's impossible for them to qualify on parking or green space, as inside the moat is all built up. Even expensive hotels don't have enough parking inside the moat.

The real danger though, IMO, is that many places call the bluff and refuse to pay up, which could precipitate a crisis.

If it's true that the police are enforcing something before it's actually legally enforceable, it is very disturbing.

As I understand it it is several things?  when the building is built did it get the required consent for a hotel?  does it have the parking and all the other jazz?  does it have the hotel license?  and if a foreigner is involved do they have the work permit?  I do own several condos and in 10 years I have always insisted on 12 month contracts. Not because of these laws but because it's less hassle.

Condos aside (most owners support long term rentals only), guest house are 'mini'hotels' and I don't know of any country that allows you just to 'start one' without the necessary permits. Unfortunately some people will get hit as they apply the law as, up until now, the law has been there but it's been very lax. My personal opinion is if you are not Thai stay out of business here and if you own a condo stick to 6/12 contracts if you want to rent out.

Very disturbing being put in jail and as it should be a CIVIL matter that is outrageous!

9 hours ago, BestB said:

Well..... here is the thing. There is no outcome.

 

I had to pay 40 000 baht in court, which is bond, not a fine. Which would be refunded after 2 months, i have to sign in every 6 days in court.

 

There is no court order, there is no direction to close down

 

When i asked tourist police what now, they do not know.

 

When asked if i can open, they said, yes but change signs "monthly only"

 

Court officers, said pretty much the same thing, to get the hotel license, which is impossible to get to which they agreed

 

So basically i have no idea as i have no court order and no police orders, nothing.

 

Called other owners who were locked up with me, they open as usual, they said if they come back again, they can arrest them again, they not going to close, but they were Thai. 

 

Do not think foreigner can play the same game.

 

So in the end, i have no idea.nor does anyone else for that matter, including officials

You also don't have a work permit?  I'd strongly advise you to shut down. It is clear that you cannot rent out under 30 days as you need the license. Sorry about that but the risk is just not worth it.

Expat club as others have said and I'd recommend the CityLife Garden Fair (around November time) which is packed with farangs. If I'm in Chiang Mai, I travel extensively, I try to go along.

I use Pulse TV and they are quite good.

On 6/13/2018 at 2:48 PM, HAKAPALITA said:

A Gander.?.

"Stretching one's neck to take a look"  a la a male Goose  ?

3 minutes ago, Zendo said:

I am totaly agree, i don't like the nissan juke and never i did.

 

For the raptor, i've seen it on bigC struggling to find a place the other day, it was 15 days ago and i tell you that was a HUGE truck ! So it is already available, maybe not same version as you wish.

 

I also considered to buy the wildtrack but when test drive I didn't like it: too much vibration everywhere, my back says noway! It is so heavy and not agile enough, pickups are still trucks with a suv interior but the driving will never be as comfortable. Now we know also that no suv or sedan can beat the usable trunck space and off road capabilities.

 

 

My neighbour bought the wildtrack. So when i need it, i just borrow it ?

 

Did you try the nissan xtrail already, hybrid version is a good suv, best sales in EU ?

Might be the 150 import?  I went to Ford and the Ranger Raptor is due September but another thing I just noticed it's actually 150mm wider than the Ranger and the ranger looks huge to me already. Back to the drawing board  lol.

14 minutes ago, transam said:

The same as their trucks...

Their 6 speed auto has everything you need with the torque available that they have at low rpm and through the rev range....

Very good point and I'll get to a dealer and take a gander. You probably realize I'm a bit 'all over the place' with this choice   lol