nickt092

Hello,

I am looking for a step by step dummy guide on how to buy property in Thailand in the Bangkok area.  It appears this may not be as easy as just wire the money into your Thai bank and then go find a unit.  Any advice on Steps needed in moving the funds - any required paper work (FET) - where do I get this and how

Is there a standard contract used by sellers/buyers or the land office

How do I get an FET - does the money for the unit have to be transferred at 1 time?  Can I do it before finding a condo to close on

Any known reliable realtors in the bangkok area?  Is there a need for a real estate lawyer or is a buyers agent good enough?

Are condo's that allow cats well maintained or do "pet friendly" condos just let their animals run wild?

Thanks

I'm going to the same school.  My ministry of education paper work is in progress.  Pro School wants to collect my passport and give to immigration the end of April.  I'm getting mixed responses on how long my passport will be out of my hands.  This makes me nervous in this country.  I love how they say "there will be no problems" but just thinking at little bit there are several potential problems from not having your passport on hand. 

Does Pro School give you any documentation that showed your passport was at immigration?  How long was your passport out of your hands and in immigration?

1 minute ago, Old Croc said:

You've been coming here for 5 years, what's the attraction for you?

Why aren't you setting up camp elsewhere if you don't know, or like, what Thailand offers?

 

If you are committed to the place and just having a whinge about their everchanging and restrictive rules, join the throng. There's threads on the subject all over the forum without you starting yet another.

So if I remove the girl from the equation... I probably wouldn't come back.

8 minutes ago, Martyp said:

She is clear on you not wanting to get married? It's a predictably reasonable expectation on her part and has nothing to do with her being Thai. You maybe don't want to go the expensive Elite visa route if your relationship with your GF could falter on the marriage question.

I think when you tell a women I dont want to get married they hear...  I dont want to marry you now.  Idk why they process "not want to" as "not want to now."  While yes it would be cheaper than elite visa I'm just am not sure of legal repercussions of divorce in thailand.  Here in the western world there is a good chance your tail could become homeless over night.  As a result of this I will not marry in this life time.

17 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Got to keep them tills ringing. I have been fortunate that Jomtiem do not pursue this with 

It's been a while since I have been there.  I normally leave after my 60 days and come back after a month or 2.  I do wonder if they still make a stink about it.  I have often considered what I would do in that case... 1600 fine to immigration for the tm 30 plus exit fee or just jump to a neighbor country for the same price for a day or 2 and come back.  Haha.  

20 minutes ago, GalaxyMan said:

The people who seem to have issues with Thailand are those who are economically marginal. If you have the funds, it's really not that big a deal. All countries have their foibles. It's really a matter of what you enjoy. Thailand is simply fantastic if you don't let the nonsense that really doesn't affect you get in the way. The people, food, weather, and culture are all wonderful and stimulating. The neighboring countries that make it easier...IMHO, their food doesn't cut it and they are decidedly third world compared to Thailand, which is relatively above that, especially for a farang with the funds to live here. Vietnam and Laos are decidedly communistic with everything that that implies. Malaysia is Muslim with everything that that implies. Cambodia is an extremely corrupt, oppressive military dictatorship with its head firmly up China's butt, even worse than ..... can't say it here. Haven't yet heard anything that I'd describe as 'good' about the Philippines except that it's easy to get in and stay, which smacks at desperation on their part.

 

At your age, you have nothing to lose by trying it in Thailand for a while, seeing how it goes for you. Everyone is different. One size does not fit all. You seem to have your head on your shoulders the right way. No matter how long you live, life is short. Don't waste it by not grabbing at every opportunity that you can. Nothing worse than regrets for not having tried.

Much much appriciated.   Exactly details I was looking for.

8 minutes ago, steve187 said:

op the only ones to affect you on an elite are

TM30, when return from another country, or just don't bother

90 day reporting, can be done on line ( maybe with an elite entry) or get elite to do it for you

if you are living here full time and not working what else would you do with your day everyday that would stop these minor trips to immigration.

newbie first posts are always suspect

Long time reader first time poster.  I think this topic is pretty much solved.  Tm 30s are none issue.  Just do 90 reports.  Run with till issues occur then reassess. 

8 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

There are too many who cannot adapt to rule and changes that occur.

And, do not have the proper funds to enjoy a great life and stay.

And, spend the majority of their day complaining about all of it and are not happy.

If this fits your profile, I suggest you not come for long term.

 

It's not so much funding.  Its market analysis.  I do enjoy thailand but when their neighbors are offering residency status (malaysia) and passports (phillipines if I'm not mistaken) or 1 yr visa (vietnam) it pisse me off to see thailand demanding such a high price or opportunity cost for their visa or elite visa.

And that not even considering Latin american countries.  Hahaha those.  Same timezone and 90 days visa exempt with easy long term options.  It just gets too much to say why thailand.

Not to instigate something.  Just have a gf pushing for something stable.  I have always told here 1 day at a time due to thailand immigration as I dont plan on getting married (western culture has ruined marriage).  At the same time it's like what does thailand offer... compared to other bidding countries.  Sounds silly sure but with no ties and countries offering long term solutions in tropical climates it's a hard choice.  Gf in thai vs green pastures if you will.

3 minutes ago, Martyp said:

I've been coming here and living here since 2015 as a retiree (original O-A visa). I am from the US. From what I read on social media it does appear that there has been significant change to Thai immigration rules in the last 5 years. Of course, I (we) never lived by the old rules. No one can predict the future but that includes your future. If you are in your 30's then it is just as improbable that you can predict what you will be doing and what you will want 30 years from now. It is fine to have a goal, Elite visa > retirement, but you need to be realistic and flexible.

 

Generally speaking, if you have sufficient retirement resources than Thailand is a reasonable a choice as any. A lot of discussion revolves around affordability. Some around culture. Some about freedom (relative to your home country). Take the Thai immigration changes you mentioned:

 

Rejecting certififed embassy letters showing bank statements - Thai Immigration haven't rejected the income affidavits. The 4 countries themselves decided not to give them out anymore presumably because they were ask to better verify the claimed income. Other countries continue to give them out.

 

TM30 - This program is not good but for most immigration offices this has been considerably relaxed. You only need to report after international travel.  I do think most landlords are cooperative but that is just my opinion. Online registration is now easier from what I hear. In many places you can report yourself and in the end the fines are not excessive.

 

Holding of 800k funds in Thai Accounts - This is what I mean by having sufficient retirement resources. I just leave the 800,000 in the bank all the time. It has made yearly extensions very easy. Otherwise there is the monthly income requirement which is a pretty low income 65,000 baht/month ($2,200 USD/month) but still a stretch for some people.

 

Health Insurance - still early days on this one but if you arrive on a non-immigrant O visa there is no insurance requirement. Decide for yourself if you want to speculate on whether this requirement will be applied more widely.

 

90 day reporting - I don't know why this is hated by so many people. It's pretty easy to do and is free. If you travel outside the country at all then you don't have to do it as much (or at all). Yes, it is a trip to the immigration office.

 

Note also, that immigration changes are not unique to Thailand. They change in the US where it is a hugely divisive issue. US immigration rules can be harsh as well. There are trade-offs. I like what one person wrote once: That getting into a western country (as a long stay expat) is very hard but once you are in they pretty much leave you alone. Getting into Thailand is easy but they do check up on you pretty often.

 

It sounds to me that you are overreacting but maybe a 5 year Elite visa, if you can afford it, would be a good start. 

Much appriciated.   Thanks.  I have the tendency to over think ????

25 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

World exposure, early 30's, been here 4 years.  You were either born with a silver spoon or became rich quickly. 

Either way you sound like you can afford an Elite Visa.   

Not how most on here "all do it"  as we have retirement visas and are twice your age or more 

Sure and agreed.  But I view the thai elite visa as a bribe and while i could swallow my bride and just pay.  It still puts you on the hook for tm30 and 90 reports.  So with that in mind for people that live in thailand, does the 90 day reports just become habit or do you hate/regret entertaining this concept?

2 minutes ago, neeray said:

Curious! Did you just discover TVF? Or, why did you wait so long to partake?

Long time reader, just didn't think it was applicable to me.  I was thinking the situation would either fix itself or I would just leave.  I'm leaning towards the later just on the bases of "Go where you are treated best."  But idk, am i missing something?  Does thailand offer something that justifies their actions?

Guys,

What are your thoughts on living in Thailand long term?  I have been going to Thailand for the past 5 years on exempts and TR Visas for about 6 months during the year.  When I first started the trips the idea was to make Thialand home.  I found a GF and over all things have been good.  The overall show stopper is Thailand immagration now and in the future.  While I haven't been called out by IM, as an early 30yr traveler, I expect there to be changes in Thailand policy over time.  With that in mind my plan was to: 

Buy the Thai Elite 20 yr Visa

At Age 50 switch over to the Non-OA

The issue is there has been so much change over the past 5 years in their policy including:

Rejecting certififed embassy letters showing bank statements

TM30

Holding of 800k funds in Thai Accounts

Health Insurance

90 day reporting

How do you all do it?  From the US, I have traveled to other countries have have world exposure.  The only other country that I have found this behavior is China.  While china requires 24hour reporting they don't even have that 90 reporting BS.  I'm actaully scared <deleted> lles to set up a domicile in Thailand.  Its like if the winds change direction, your ass is out, or fined, or jailed!  Even just moving around having to refile a TM30 is a hassle.  I was looking at the online regestration and as a renter, I can't fill it out without a supporting landlord. 

Can I just show up at the IM Office with a TM30 signed in hand and say "here you go, reporting as ordered, do with it what you want with the paper?"  It seems they want additional details?  How do you guys file this?  Have most landlords been supportive of this?

It seems that Thailand has chosen good guys out too at this point as comparing them to their neighbors.... well they are just more welcoming.  It sucks for myself and the GF.