marc26

1 hour ago, bwpage3 said:

Good thing my father in law is a builder.

25,000 square meter is for people that have no idea how building a house works.

I think he was talking about with top notch furnishings

Which I am interested in. I don't need a huge house 

200sq meters with another small guesthouse is appealing to me

But I do want nice doors, windows, floors, etc.....

6 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Ah village life. Where does your wife wish to live? Happy wife, happy life? Sure land will be cheaper in a remote village but ...

I'm not a house proud person or interested much in capital gains nor do I need a project.

-How far is Tesco/Makro/BigC/Tops/Villa/Global etc? (Do you or your wife wish to drive 20+ kms each way simply to go shopping?) I know people who do but ...

-How far is immigration office? (OK only once a year but...) 15kms or 115kms or further

-How far is the nearest farang regular get together? (Some people are happy to be/drink alone but...)  Do you wish to drive 20+kms each way just for a pint? I know a guy who does. 

Same applies to getting car serviced and all the other minutia around life in a village.

-Hobbies? How far?

So the old adage still applies location/location/location.

Pick a smaller province, well away from relatives, and live in or around the centre of government? There will be many already constructed houses on offer. Some with everything or nearly everything you want. Need a pool? Buy a house with a large yard and start digging. 

As has been said avoid any new developments. Perimeter walls crack, house walls crack, drains/roofs leak et al. Lots of horror stories out there. 

At least 30% of the guys I have a beer with on a frequent basis complain about local workers/workmanship. It all sound exhausting to me. 

 

 

 

 

All the big stores are 15-20mins away in Singburi

I lived in Thailand before moving to Canada and have many expat friends in all the tourist/expat areas

And I like to get away

So having farang entertainment near the village isn't a must.

I would go visit friends on trips 

And then chill when in the village the 4-5 months that I would be there

My wife's enclave in the village has about 5-6 family houses

And I told I will not live that close to family

I want to be a 10-15min drive away

And she agrees with that

I told her I wouldn't live right next to my sister or brother either...

Although I like and get along with her family very well

Still don't want to be right next to them 

7 hours ago, khunPer said:

That sounds like going price for farmland up Isaan, not in a developed tourist area, where you more likely shall count from about 2-3 million baht a rai and up, depending of location.

That would be in my wife's village in Suphan Buri province, 2hrs or a bit less from BKK

But as I said before, finding just 3-5 rai plots for sale is hard to come by.

They all want to sell in large 10/15/20 rai plots

If building a house in the village, I do want some room and not be too close to anyone

I think 3 rai is the perfect size

Now just to find that......

1 hour ago, DJ54 said:

Depends where your building in the countryside but is considerably less expensive. We live in a village and has house  built house up here in the NE. .. OP can PM picture if you want. ., western style ..

The nearest small city has maybe 2 kinda proper bars and ver few Farangs., but it works for me... if you decide in countryside  make sure you to check water, electric availability. Our has well and village water.. Morning , earlier very very little water can’t wash clothes take shower etc. So some thing are hooked to well and others to village water..

i like it out in countryside we are just outside main village. After 2 months being in the countryside I ride moto to Udon Thani had a couple then back towards small town .. mid afternoon.. I said first person I see drinking a beer I’m stopping to introduce myself and have a beer..

One guy sitting curside having a beer.. there’s 3-4 guys meet  up twice a week for beers .., from there it’s 22 clicks home all two land country road., is awesome .. 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, DJ54 said:

 

Singburi, 20mins away, ahs fantastic Thai pubs/bar/restaurants
Mostly outside, with good big picnic bench style seating

Good food and good live music

Have a huge Thai disco that is very fun

I never seen any farang bars but never looked..............

But I do like having a beer and a chat(or moan 555)

So after asking this, things changed a bit!

The mother who was asking my wife to take her 2 year old son fcuked off with a new boyfriend and left the 4 kids with her parents

My wife was driving down the street about 4 months ago and saw the 8yr old girl walking by herself..........that is when she found out the mother left

The grandparents agreed my wife(and my MIL) should take the 8yr old, because she is the one that costs the most vs the 3 young kids

She basically had no structure at all, school was way behind

So they have gotten her on track, she still sees her brothers and grandparents on some weekends........

She is a great kid, but needs a lot of structure and guidance.............

On 2/22/2021 at 6:26 AM, connda said:

Tell the kid to volunteer for the Air Force.  He'll go though basic training (everybody should go through basic imho <laughs>) then he'll probably be cut loose.  Many of the kids who volunteer for the Air Force actually want to stay in.  It's highly competitive. 
Better than getting drafted into the Army then ending up in a province on the Maylay border.
I doubt they will scrap the lottery.  But how knows.  Best of luck.

My stepson went for the Air Force Academy, but that may be different than just enlisting in the Air Force?

Anyways, it was something my wife really wanted, like really wanted!

But from all indications, they expect a huge bribe to get accepted

Again, that may be in regards to just the Academy

30 minutes ago, khunPer said:

You can count average 25,000 baht per square meter for a decent quality house, plus up to one million extra for a pool, i.e. 5.5 million baht for the 180 square meter house.

The land under the house might be the major difference, as land is often little, and sometimes much, cheaper in a rural village, than in a developed tourist area.

Furthermore, a property inside a project might include some ongoing community fees for guard and other services, which you will not have in a single independant land plot, village or not. The developer will also have a small profit, of which part might comes from the land, and others from discount when being a major building constructor.

At last you need to include location, and location, and location, which are said to be the three major factors in real estate pricing. I.e. where do you prefer to live...☺️

I would like to stay around 6mil all in, including land

If we can get 3 rai for 400-500k, that would be ideal

As for a pool, I was actually thinking of the possibility of an above ground pool dug in just a bit with a deck built around.(very popular in Brooklyn, where I lived)

Not so much for the cheaper price(but obviously a plus) but I think would be less upkeep and less potential issues(structual)

That is just a thought, regarding the pool.............

http://www.pattayapools.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=713%3A26374-ultra-xtr-rectangular-frame-pool-set-w-sandfilter-pump&catid=75%3Aultra-xtr-frame-pools&Itemid=53&lang=en

3 hours ago, bolt said:

For me the 2 biggest differences are

• Gated security front entrance villages typically have tiny gardens, you can almost touch your next door neighbor they are so close
• Owning a standalone plot of land, has some security issues, but you will have far more land to use for garden or veggies etc.

We’re currently in a gated village and been here for last 12 years, we want more space now we’re both older, and we have more time to spend relaxing rather than working 24/7

Will you have any young kids running around?, A gated village is great for that, you can kick them out the house  and not worry where they go, as they always stay inside the village.

It wasn't really a question of village vs Hua Hin/expat area

I was just asking about costs

We won't be full time in Thailand for a while(or ever), so the tourist areas are out of the question

Although the only place we would look is Cha Am because close to her Mom's family, since she would be in the house when we are not in Thailand, don't want her somewhere alone away from family

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wonder how the locals would react if you hire builders from "outside".

Personally I have no experience with this but the way I understand Thais I wouldn't be surprised if the locals wouldn't like if you hire outsiders.

My wife's best friend just had a Bangkok builder build her house this year............no issues at all

3 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

I agree with what @Antonymous says but if you know anything about building you will loose your temper many times when you see how they do it. What they do will work but it is not the way you expect/want it to be done.

I know absolutely NOTHING about building! I mean less than nothing.............that is a worry

3 hours ago, Antonymous said:

I had a look at both those listings. Similar to 1,000's of other overpriced 'pool villas' in Hua Hin. I have stayed in one for a month and found it quite depressing. Cheap white porcelain tiles, single course walls, cheap kitchen furniture, open plan (aka no architectural integrity) warehouse style living room/dining room/kitchen room/study area.

Anyway, you might like all that so I won't comment further on that score.

As for price, both those bungalows with pool can be built for around 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 if you put in quality materials and fittings. PLUS the price of the land. That is if you find a reputable building crew with a foreman that allow you to supervise materials purchases and you are on site daily to manage everything. You should scout around the area that you plan to build in and knock on the door and ask the owners of recently built decent houses who they used. I have found folk quite happy to tell you. You'll quickly discover who is the best locally.

Or if you don't want to be involved in the process much if at all, you'll have to go to a construction company and have them quote for your building from the plans. They'll estimate the above and then add their mark up, which could easily be another million baht.

An advantage of building your own place is that you can plan it just as you like. Instead of cookie cutter style farang mubaan type houses, you can design something more interesting.

So actually your first port of call is an architect to turn your drawings into a plan. He'll need an engineer to check and sign off on it. Both the architect and the engineer, if they are reasonably local are bound to know and recommend a building crew for you.

Then get planning permission.

Buying a ready built house saves alot of hassle. Building your own can be hard work, but you'll get exactly what you like and pay less for it. Tough choice.

Best of luck.

Wow, thanks for the post!

And yes, I agree with you on the ready built villas, built like <deleted>

I am always amazed that apartments in Bangkok are similarly priced to Vancouver and the fittings, even in a "5 star" apartment, are always <deleted>

I just posted those links to show the style I would like

For me, I don't need a huge house, I'd prefer quality over size with proper fittings/build

And I always intended to hire an architect 

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it

3 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

I live in a village in Isaan, nearest City is an hours drive, 2 towns either way are a 20 minute drive.

Much cheaper building in a house in the village, on the outskirts is even better as you don't get the associated noise from neighbours, festivals, bands etc etc, so on the outskirts, is perfect for us, and neighbours at least 20 metres away from you either side would is ideal, no one behind us or across the road too.

We travel to Hua Hin a few times a year, it's about a 10-11-12 hour drive, we also fly to Phuket.

To build or buy there would be far more expensive than in a village.

We had a local builder build our place for 500,000 baht, we purchased the material for 1.5 mil which worked out to be about 6,250 a square metre all up built, however that didn't include insulation, air cons etc etc.

I know of a farang in a neighbouring village who built a house through a company for about 1.7 mil, it's about a 3rd of the size, it's nice and has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, also didn't include insulation, air cons etc etc.

If I wanted to be near the beach, I would spend the 5-7 mil, but I prefer to invest kinf of money and also have the same amount in the bank as a back up, after all, even though I have been with the Mrs for 14 years, if it ever went south, which I seriously doubt, it would all be hers, so 10% of my worth to her is feasible for me while we are together, she can get the lot when I croak it as it's in the will and the life insurance is here too.

I enjoy the tranquillity of the village life for the outlay, pretty much keep to myself in the house most of the day which is cool because of the way we designed it and insulated it and when I want to socialise, there are some bars 20 minutes away which I can go to in the evenings and have some drinks, plenty of restaurants around as well.

All depends on how much your prepared to invest or lose, flights are also cheap to most costal places, as are hotels, so you can stay in nice expensive places on the cheap, compared to what you would have laid out to buy in a costal place like Hua Hin or Phuket, but if you like to walk along the beach everyday and have the money to spend on the build on the coast, then as long as your prepared to walk away from it if it ever went sour, at least then you knew what you got yourself into, as they say, nothings forever, even life, and I like to think as much as I trust my wife, I like to keep my finances separate as it provides me with a back up of "comfort and security" and if I invited her to share in that, I would only be exposing myself, so I tend to think like banks, e.g. what security do you have to provide me with for the money I am about to
advance you ?

Thanks for your post

This would be more of a holiday home for us, until at least we decide to spend more time in Thailand

But a place her Mom can stay and keep up and for us to go to 4-5 months of the year

At 49yrs old now, I would be content to spend that time in the village, with some side trips to the beaches

As for finances, I would be happy to put in 6-7 mil for a great build but if 3-4mil was enough to build something I enjoy, that is great.

I've been stuck in Canada because of covid and haven't seen my family in US for a year...........so doubt we will make it to Thailand in 2021, so 2022 I will sit with some builders when I get back

Thanks for your post

6 hours ago, Guderian said:

As you seem to want a western-style house rather than an Isaan shack, you'd probably still have to get a reputable builder in from one of the big cities or you'll end up with a complete shambles of a house. You can save money on the land by building away from the cities, but I wouldn't try to save money using a builder who didn't have a proven track record of putting up houses of the sort you want. Remember, also, that living in the boondocks in Thailand can be pretty lonely for a farang, people are willing to pay more for land and houses in the cities because they want to be near other people they can meet up with for a beer, and also near to the good restaurants and shops. I have a mate who lives in Amnat Charoen, and it's a 110 km round-trip to Ubon just to get a loaf of farang bread from the Tops supermarket there. Be sure you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for.

And to your 1st part, I would search for a very good builder, not just any local builder(but wouldn't rule them out) and know that would add to the costs

No sense in building a house cheap, if it goes to <deleted> in a matter of years

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it

5 hours ago, Guderian said:

As you seem to want a western-style house rather than an Isaan shack, you'd probably still have to get a reputable builder in from one of the big cities or you'll end up with a complete shambles of a house. You can save money on the land by building away from the cities, but I wouldn't try to save money using a builder who didn't have a proven track record of putting up houses of the sort you want. Remember, also, that living in the boondocks in Thailand can be pretty lonely for a farang, people are willing to pay more for land and houses in the cities because they want to be near other people they can meet up with for a beer, and also near to the good restaurants and shops. I have a mate who lives in Amnat Charoen, and it's a 110 km round-trip to Ubon just to get a loaf of farang bread from the Tops supermarket there. Be sure you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for.

Her village is 15-20min drive to a pretty lively town, Singburi

Plenty of entertainment there(Thai, don't know if many expat places), any big shop you want, fun bars, good restaurants

But I would never live in the village(or Thailand full time), would split between US and Thailand, with a decent amount of Asian travel when in Thailand

I could never live in a situation like your friend, even for just 4-5 months............but some would like that

8 hours ago, Airalee said:

Land costs are certainly less expensive in her village compared to somewhere like HuaHin....far less expensive.   The first home you link to is built on just over 1/4 rai.  A 3 rai buildable plot in Huahin would be very expensive.

Of course, I understand that

But not taking in account for the land price, I am wondering if the build cost would be much cheaper in her village

12 hours ago, bwpage3 said:

Sounds like farang prices? If they know she is married to you, price will be much higher.

No, her village and province, Suphan Buri, is one of the best areas for rice.........has 3 harvests

Land prices have always been high there...............has nothing to with farang pricing

Wish they weren't! But 135k/rai that we just saw is extremely cheap for that area

And, as I said, 3 rai very rarely come for sale.............only 9-10/15-20 rai plots and they refuse to break them up

3 hours ago, baansgr said:

Land cost would be far cheaper in the village and no developer fees if you build yourself...just remember, a village house is practically worthless if you fall split with your partner or fall out with the locals

Land costs in her village aren't as cheap as other places 

And hard to get just 3 rai

Usually only sold in big parcels 

We just saw 3 rai for reasonable 400k but was sold 

Thanks 

This may be a stupid question.............

So I was looking at listings in Hua Hin and saw houses I liked in the 5-7mil baht range(example links attached)

Now, my question is, would building the same type of house be significantly cheaper in a village? 

Or does it not matter, because materials/labor would be the same?

My thought is that the house is an expat/tourist area is inflated, so it might be much cheaper building similar in the village?

Thanks for any replies, I have always wondered that.............

https://pro-real-estate.com/property/aria-hua-hin-luxury-3-bed-pool-villa-off-plan/

https://pro-real-estate.com/property/the-heights-2/

On 11/21/2020 at 1:53 PM, Andycoops said:

Both friends of mine gave up trying to legally adopt because the bureaucracy was astonishing and it was taking forever, I mean years.

It's not exactly cheap either.

As a result I haven't even bothered and I think the kids are better off with their mothers maiden name anyway.

Speaking of last names

My stepson still uses his father's last name 

The guy has almost never been in his life.

I told my wife that she should have his name changed to her maiden name.

She keeps putting it off because "too much paperwork"

But I told her it will be stupid to have grandchildren (holy <deleted> I can't believe I typed that 555) with some guys last name that no one really knows.

On 11/22/2020 at 9:37 AM, radiochaser said:

Sounds like my wife. Been with her almost 30 years.   She worked hard for her own money in Thailand before I met her.  After I married her and brought her to the U.S., I wanted her to stay at home for a few months.  After the third month she told me she was going crazy staying at home.  Needed to work.  If I would not let her find a job, she would leave me.  She has been working hard since then, saving her (and mine too) money.  

Bought a restaurant.  She and her hard working sister, also here in the U.S. and married went in together and bought a second restaurant.  Wife sold the first restaurant.  Now wife makes as much money as I do.  

 

When my wife 1st got to Canada, she didn't work for the 1st 6 months or so

The house was spotless, my clothes were arranged in my closet by color

And I couldn't wait until she was out of the house working

Unless you have young children, I can't imagine my wife not working

Her making her own money just changes the relationship

Plus add on the social aspect, where she isn't just relying on me to provide her with social engagement

Before my wife started working,  she'd meet Thai girls that were here in Canada with farangs and there was always drama.

Once she started working at the Thai restaurant, she met Thais here on their own accord, mostly upper, mostly from upper middle class families here studying and working

No drama at all. I mention them being upper middle class because I think that is important, because they didn't care what we have over them, or vice versa

Whereas meeting couples, they were always comparing who had it better

On 11/21/2020 at 12:41 AM, RemyDog said:

Thank you Mac for raising a good topic and I commend members on the good contributions to date. I will address some issues in relation to adoption and Dave246 has addressed some related matters. I am an Australian citizen and my wife (Pon) and I married in August 2014 after knowing each other for some 18 months. Pon has a birth son (born 21May2007) and in brief, the boy's father was a ratbag - Pon has Court papers and certificates granting her full legal custody and responsibility for their child. The father's name is on the birth certificate, he abandoned Pon within three months of the birth, happily consented to her having full custody and responsibility, has never contributed to the child's welfare since and went off to plant more seed.

Pon and I made extensive efforts in 2015 and 2016 for me to adopt her son and be the father by adoption. If I was Thai that would not have been a problem. 

However, for me being an Australian and you being a Canadian, it comes under Thai international adoptions and the rules are totally different and horribly difficult (conceptually, to prevent child trafficking). In summary, the dealbreaker is that neither the Australian Federal bureaucracy or the Thai Social Welfare Department bureaucracy were prepared to cut a bit of slack or concede some ground in order to achieve a result most beneficial for the mother and the child. Thailand's requirement is for a clear irrevocable certificate from the foreign adoptive parent's home government that the adopted child has full and free access to live in that foreign country. Australia's response is that Australia's process is for the Australian citizen to apply for a Partner Visa for the spouse plus dependent child. I do not know about Canada, but Partner visas to Australia are a two-stage process that take 5 to 6 years in total and cost in the order of AUD $12,000 to $15,000 with most of that as upfront fees at the start of the Stage I provisional Visa step. In line with the Australian government's money hungry approach, fees paid are non-refundable should you cancel the application partway through. As we have now successfully completed the 6 year process started in 2014, my wife and our son now have PR (permanent resident) status for Australia which means they can come and go from Australia without other visas, they can work, study and live in Australia until 2024 at which time they can get a 5 year renewal (subject to conditions ) and ultimately lead onto Australian citizenship should they so desire.

In my opinion, Canada is a more caring and compassionate country than Australia (I am in Canada every year for 3-6 weeks as my daughter married a Canadian in 2000, has been a medical doctor in Vancouver since 2003, plus has dual Australian Canadian citizenship as do their two children.)

 In summary, the child adoption option will not get off the ground unless Canada would be prepared to issue a clear certificate that the adopted child would be allowed to live in Canada on a long-term or permanent resident basis. This clearance from Canada would be part of the prerequisite paperwork for lodgement through the Thai Social Welfare Department.

Perhaps a cleaner and easier option would be to provide financial support to the child's mother and the child stay with her biological mother in Thailand.

I wish you well in your decision-making, cheers for now.

I would think Canada might be a bit easy

It was extremely easy for us to apply for dependent child to come to Canada when my wife was here on a work permit

On 11/20/2020 at 6:06 PM, Dave246 said:

Guys,

 

I am British and have been married to my Thai wife for 10 years + to which she already had 3 young boys from her previous Thai marriage. Around 5 years ago I requested some advice on the subject of legally adopting the boys from the British Embassy (and to no surprise they couldn't offer zero advice) and told me to go directly to the Thai Adoption Agency in Bangkok. I took my wife and boys with me to this agency to find out the process and check if it was even possible. In summary the agency individual was very rude and not helpful indicating that the whole process could take over 2 years subject to my vetting and financial capability to support the boys!! "The Thai father hasn't paid a single baht towards the welfare of the children since I first met my wife over 13 years ago" yet they want to vet my commitment and financial standing - outrageous!! The key factor which put us off undertaking the adoption was that as soon as I filed the application and paperwork my wife would no longer have any parental control over the boys and this would be transferred to me as the Male in the relationship even though the process could take up to 2 years..... The whole system is totally biased to the male (father) having full control. My wife quite understandably wasn't very keen to sign over full custody which is completely understandable so we didn't proceed. My boys are now coming into their late teens and have simply decided to do a name change on their surnames so we are all a family unit carrying the same name. 

Funny story

When we wanted to bring my stepson to Canada, we needed the father(who never provided anything) to sign away his parental rights.

Of course he said he would for 30k baht

My wife was <deleted> but I told her to give him 15k and he's out of their lives

Since my stepson was born in Petchaburi, they had to all go there to have him sign the papers.

So my wife, her brother and the ratbag Thai father drove to Petchaburi from Bangkok

Once everything was done, they left and the ratbag Thai father started to walk to their car

My wife told him to beat it, she wasn't driving him back and they left him in Petchaburi  ????

On 11/28/2020 at 7:35 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

So long as the children stay in LOS they might not need to be adopted. Provided the agreement was in writing she may just be able to leave with your MIL so long as you paid.

Pattaya orphanage has plenty of kids with parents that can't afford to keep them. I sponsored one such myself.

Anyway, check it out- Pattaya orphanage will be able to help with advice, I'm sure.

I was just asking out of curiosity. When the subject came up, I was curious

If the child went to stay with my MIL, it would be informal