tornado40

Reading this it seems that you don't have a license? If that is the case then you should invest in the time to go and get one. Your insurance will be invalid if you dont have one (some companies are specific in that you have to have a Thai licence) and could cause you big problems if you involved in a serious accident. Its really easy anyway so theres no excuse not too

I got my TGF the Honda Wave 125 i - fuel injected when they first came out a couple of years ago - great performance by I too prefer the Nouvo with the automatic. Interested to hear about the water cooled click as soon will buy a bike for me!

Can anyone recommend an Bike insurance cover that would cover for serious injury as mentioned above? I only thought that third party cover was available

Also, is there any company that will insure for monthly visits to the Island (Samui)?

I have a full motorcycle licence in the UK and believe this covers me in Samui?

The execution of miltary moves was extremely slick, and if it continues to go as smoothly and power is conceeded from the military within two weeks, this is a marvelous advertisment for Thailand and how peaceful her people can be.

I am extremely proud of how my adopted home has handled this, I have a feeling this could go down as one of the happiest and least threatening coups in history. The smiles on the troops faces and the friendly crowds are testement to this.

Well said - just look at what is happening in Hungary

Just heard on Sky News that Thaksin is due to stay in the UK - so what visa will he have? Also, he is to stay at his property that apparently he has purchased in the UK

Howcome it is ok for him to stay in the UK when making if difficult for Farangs in LOS and why is he allowed to own land and property when Farangs in LOS cannot

Maybe he will become an asylum seeker and claim benefit

In one province, they are no longer looking at the income of any Thais, as of July 9th they are allowing any Thai company with a 49% foreign shareholder wanting to register land to do so, as long as that foreigner is only a shareholder of one Thai company that owns land and if that company is looking to buy no more than one rai of land with up to one house.

Which province is that Sunbelt ?

I'll make a guess while we wait for Sunbelt to reply ... Phuket.

From reading another site - I believe it to be Hua Hin

land prices in chiang mai are escalating as hel_l too!. 20% increase in land price since we signed our contract and 6 months later. gonna rent it out!. just wondering what kind of prices are we seeing in ko samui? average per rai undeveloped out of town areas.

Bought the house in 2003 in Bophut for 1.75m in 2003 - now looking at nearly 4m if was to sell. I wonder if this increase will continue?

Major Major thanks for the update. As in my case having bought in 2003 and lease the house from my Ltd Company - hoping for it to be 'secure' for myself and TGF for the future when I can retire to Samui

I am very interested like many others in what is going on. I fill more optimistic now than when the 'story' first broke

I certainly do not wish to worry my TGF - so still think that sitting tight is the right thing to do (of course keeping the audit accounts and tax requirment in order)

where is tops?

Poorfarang If you go along the Chaweng beach road - around half way it is by the night plaza. I think the turning is where the ladyboys hang out dressed up in the evening (not that this is how I found it you understand!)

For information - the TOPS supermarket I believe is a joint venture with Waitrose also available in the UK. Waitrose is more upmarket and expensive, but the quality is very good. I shop Waitrose in UK and TOPS in Samui

Tesco has become a bit of a nightmare imo

Its funny now ,how all this legal advice is just flowing out now! Why didnt lawyers tell anybody about the obvious pifalls of ltd cos. when first instructed. (barr the odd exeception). As I have said before watch developers and agents go to the wall (bust) and leave people high and dry. I forecast at least a 20% drop in home prices during the next 6 months. Who, in their right mind would sign over ownership to their Thai wife ,only to be thrown out shortly after! We all know of or heard of somebody who has been in this situation. All in my opinion

Pepi I agree with you completely. Having got the Ltd co. route and also a lease so pay tax - I have considered signing over to the TGF who lives in the house whilst I'm in UK! I purchased nearly 3 years ago when there were no sign of any problems.

Having given a lot of consideration to the comments on this forum and else where - my personal view is that as this seems to affect people who are registering land to companies ongoing - I'm going to sit tight and do nothing. Keep the audit accounts and tax paid as required.

I'm 46 - and my view was to retire with the TGF in a few years time - no intention of selling - just somewhere to live. It would be a great shame if other's in a similar position were 'kicked out'

Just to add some info - I bought a house in Samui 3 years ago via the Ltd Co. route. I have since had a lease drawn up so that I lease the house from the company, and pay tax as well as the usual accountant fee.

Having just returned from Samui - visited my accountant who claims no problem as have lease.

I would like to believe him - but at least I'm trying to make a trading company.

May have the option to transfer to future wife - but for the moment would rather not- for reasons already discussed in the forum!

Any comments re leasing via the company would be welcome

tescos seem to have gone downhill everywhere lately , poor stock control , poorly trained staff etc.etc.etc.

carrefour offer a better range of foodstuffs in nicer surroundings

I have to agreee - just come back and thought that the overall quality was down. I could not relate it to the building work going on for the expansion - but I guess that may say this is the reason.

Imho its the quality of the fish counter that sets the benchmark for the store (at least cheaper than the UK!)

Midddlescent - I wondered what it was called!

Had this after working 20 odd years in a bank - only helped by regular trips to LOS for the last 9 years - otherwise I think I would have packed the job in (god knows how I didn't) so still will get a pension at 60

Got the house in Samui now have new job and great boss - question is when to make the move!

Currently building retirement calculation spreadsheet

also flying to Samui on Friday to pay the company tax (the only one I don't mind paying!) and of course to enjoy

ST - My parents moved to Spain 10 years ago - they live in a mobile home. Had they bought a house, then £100k would now be £250k. As it is - the mobile home is worth very little

In 2003 - I went to Samui for the 1st time - since 3-4 times a year - bought the house on the 2nd day there, and its doubled in 'paper' value

I'm just going to hold on to it - this is my situation however any information is good when making interesting decisions

ST - I still think that you have the right idea. If you feel that this is the place for you in the long term - then perhaps do take the advice given sometimes on this forum and don't spend more than you can afford to lose.

I'm not looking to make money on the house - its just that I won't have to pay whatever the cost maybe in say 5 years time - so 10-15 who knows - just look at Spain for expats of the UK!

Interestingly - knowing that my place is there - helps me cope with the harsh living in the UK

Having visited LOS for the past 10 years - at 46 yrs and single - I have been planning to move to Samui and therefore purchased a house in 2003 for around 1.75mb. I visit Samui around 3-4 times per year - and have also been pleased with my decision to pick Samui and the house purchase route with lease back to pay tax (1st time May)

Hope for retirement at 50 so very interested in what is happening with the development of the Island. I have to say that the people have always been great and I feel safe as much as anyone can do in the world today.

Ok - 1st time I have posted - so now to continue!

I purchased a property in Samui in 2003 for 1.75m to future retirement plans. I'm single at 46yrs old and have been visiting LOS for some 10 years.

Usually visit around 3-4 times a year and feel that this has been a good investment.

I have gone down the company route with lease back - and pay taxes (1st time this May). Sometimes when I read the negative comments re purchasing I wonder if I have done the right thing - but still support the idea of purchase for retirement living

Initially I looked at buying when we moved here and decided against it. Foreigners can't buy more than 49% of the land, or in apartments more than 49 % of the apartments, so there's legal trickeries to worry about.

Plus, there's a glut of places for rent. Its a renters market. I know a freestanding 3 bed two storey house with a garden and lots of space for rent in a security estate in Nakhon Pathom for just 6500 baht a month. How cheap is that?

If you just rent for periods, you can try a different place each time.

Keep your US property and money invested there. Hassle-free.

Spend some of the income on renting here.

Keep it simple. That's my advice, for what it's worth...