sinam

Perfect place is pretty big but they don't have a direct access road onto Ramkhamheang. It is getting pretty congested on soi 164 but they have another entry/exit in the back. You are right if you do a internet search on second hand homes, there must be over 50 for sale in there. I think a much better option is Tararom Parkway Chalet soi 190/1. They they have a double access road to Ramkamheang, a huge athletic center and Big C and a Tesco/Home Pro just opened directly across the street. I only see a couple of second hand homes for sale but they have some new ones being built in the back. The build is also pretty solid.

Sinam

After a little thought I'm not convinced that they really wanted to arrest them. I think they may have just wanted to prove that these guys were living on the hog. I hear that Arisman is now trying to explain to his red brothers and sisters why he was staying there... He's pretty creative I'm sure he will come up with something.

It will be interesting to see what they find in the hotel roooms. Some early reports grenades found... Doesn't look good for Arisman when this is all over.

Folks, I think you need to keep in mind the whole end game here is that Taksin doesn't make a comeback. There are many ways for the that to happen. If a few PAD and politicians need to take one for the team. They will. With lastest developments it may actually come to that but I'm not ready to commit just yet.

Don't worry too much about Abhisit. There is still some more to go. He is a young man. He can come back now or later. He will be fine. You will see.

A comment on UDD Thailand on Facebook is saying that ASTV have announced that the PAD will be rallying on the streets on 18th April (Sunday).

If that turns out to be true, then it could just be the start of something even messier.

It's like a game of chess ...

The only reference I have been able to find regarding PAD and 18 April is on the manager website, which is connected with the PAD and ASTV.

It actually says อย่างไรก็ตาม พันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย จะนัดประชุมระดับแกนนำทั่วประเทศ เพื่อประเมินสถานการณ์ในวันที่ 18 เมษายนนี้

which means that there is a 'meeting of PAD leaders' planned for 18 April. It does not explicity mention anything about a PAD rally on that date. So that rumour appears to be just that at the moment.

It's not the time for the PAD to come out. They will sable rattle but they won't come out until there is actually a concrete change and that is far off.

I'm sorry folks but if you have lived in thailand long enough you will realize the game has already been decided. You may see the chess moves and see the goal posts move a little but the result is always the same. If you want to use the chess analogy than yes the pawns will get hurt but most of the others will have a nice life.

On both sides!

I agree with most of your comment but the last is incorrect...the poor stay poor or become/became poorer whilst the middles classes, upper classes, elite and military will stay where they are.

Comfortable.

LaoPo

Then I think you agree with all of it. The pawns are the poor! I don't look at Abhisit and the others as pawns. I think they know what they are getting into and they take a chance for the added rewards but the risk in the end is little in the thai way of doing things (although Taksin may be pushing the envelop).

I'm sorry folks but if you have lived in thailand long enough you will realize the game has already been decided. You may see the chess moves and see the goal posts move a little but the result is always the same. If you want to use the chess analogy than yes the pawns will get hurt but most of the others will have a nice life. On both sides!

If you work and pay tax to the thai gov't then I would go for a co-loan with your wife rather than be a guarantor. With a co-loan you will be eligible to claim part of the interest paid and get some of your taxes back.

Hua Hin has amazing deals right now and is by far the best buying market for those taking a mid term view - Thai's are buying and this helps immensely.

Could you mention two or three of those amazing deals in Hua Hin? Thanks.

Sinam

OK, let's say the budget is THB 100,000 and the use will be for TV, DVD's and home movies only. I think this covers the most of us average users. What LCD or Plasma or ??? would you suggest I (we) buy?

Thanks,

I think it depends on the size you are looking for (and where your putting it). When I first started looking I was set on a full hd 40 inch sony which was in 90s. As another poster mentioned samsung seem to be a little cheaper and look great. For Plasma I'm sure you can get a much larger screen for that budget. One thing I didn't spend much time researching and comparing was the audio performance. I invested in a quality sound system previously for listening to music and added speakers for surround sound for movies. It has probably been the biggest wow factor for me to date if I compared it to going to larger displays. For those who don't have a sound system I would save some dosh on the tv and start building a sound system. It will last a long time and you can upgrade piece by piece. Perhaps others know of lcd/plasma model that has the best sound performance?

Si Nam

From the impression I had for whatever reason I thought plasma was on the way out but having done some research I wouldn't be too sure. Plasmas are now in their 10th generation. Panasonic is comparable to pioneer and their prices here in Thailand are just amazing. I bought a 42 inch for 39,000 and it has just been wonderful for tv and dvds. It is also capable of 1080p. I was all gung ho for a lcd when i started the process and people here seem to like to hang out in the samsung section but once I started researching professional reviews on the web I started to look over at the empty panosonic section and wondered to myself why. I realized I can buy a lcd when they catch up on overall picture performance and their prices come down. 2 year warranty too..easy decision...

Si Nam

1080p plasma ?? For 40 k ?? I am having a hard time believing that ??

Or do you mean it will take a 1080p input (pretty meaningless if its a lower rez panel) ??

I do agree tho that there are some great deals on plasmas and the later generation ones have a good image, in fact the slightly 'softer' image may well benefit the awful UBC source too !! LCD does have an edge on eye popping colors tho, plasma tends to win on the black level and dark scenes.

Also dont forget heat and fan noise issues. Its all a matter of whats at a good price point at the time your looking.

1080p plasmas have only just arrived in Thailand. Power Buy has the Samsung 50" at 109,000THB. Its 50" 720p little brother is still at 79,000THB.

Sinam - your Panasonic 42" has a much lower resolution than 1080p (1920x1080) and is not capable of displaying full HD 1080p pictures so it will downscale any 720p or 1080p inputs.

It is a shame you could not have tested a fully Hi-Def source such as a Blu Ray disc on a full HD 1080p set as you really will see the difference in overall picture quality.

Yes I think its accepts 1080p from your devices but I'm still trying to figure out what is meaningless or not. At 42 inch the pros says 1080p display is meaningless. They even say lower may display sports better but in the end I think what you should be doing is at the moment you buy you should find the best possible HDTV picture for the money on the market. I think I've done that. In a couple of years I'll do it again. At that point we will see where 1080/24 and 1080/60, HD-DVD, Blue Ray, HD content et al are at. I'm not an early adopter as I don't have the time and money. I don't think many are or do. My intended budget was double what I paid. In a couple more years I'll have 2 big screens for the price I thought I would have to pay for one. Next week I'm sure there is a better deal on the market. I would like to hear about it as I find that the most useful info in these forums.

Si Nam

From the impression I had for whatever reason I thought plasma was on the way out but having done some research I wouldn't be too sure. Plasmas are now in their 10th generation. Panasonic is comparable to pioneer and their prices here in Thailand are just amazing. I bought a 42 inch for 39,000 and it has just been wonderful for tv and dvds. It is also capable of 1080p. I was all gung ho for a lcd when i started the process and people here seem to like to hang out in the samsung section but once I started researching professional reviews on the web I started to look over at the empty panosonic section and wondered to myself why. I realized I can buy a lcd when they catch up on overall picture performance and their prices come down. 2 year warranty too..easy decision...

Si Nam

Good discussion from the mother and fathers "own" (won't use selfish) perspectives. Now I wonder what is best for the baby. I've heard from parents to be that there are benefits for a baby's immune system if they have a natural birth. Any truth to that? or are there more benefits for a baby through c-section?

Si Nam

I wouldn't loose too much sleep over it and don't go hire a lawyer. It could be a problem for the official but certainly not for you and the wife.

Si Nam

My wife(Thai) bought some land in Thailand last year.

When she went to the Amphur to change to her details on the Chanote they saw from her id card that she was married to a farang.

Guy who did the transfers couldnt be bothered to see me and go through the neccessary paperwork that I had to sign and did the chanote in her name anyway! TIT.

Guess I have a claim to some Thai soil after all?

Actually, what it probably means is the transfer was illegal and can be declared either null and void (meaning you have no claim to the land at all), or else a complaint could mandate a court ordered immediate sale (meaning you'll have to pay taxes again to "sell" the land to your wife). I would consult a lawyer if I were you. Not sure if it's really a problem or not, but I wouldn't risk it. Generally it is best to make sure the law is followed, even if it isn't convenient for the government official. It's for your own protection.

Speaking of the perils of trying to own land I read in the nation yesterday of the story of the thai wife (maybe ex but not sure) who after spending 2 years in the courts trying to get her German husband out of "her house" (he bought in her name) decided it was easier to have him bumped off! I guess foreign husbands or ex-husbands do have some rights to the property.

Si Nam

And the laments go on!! After a couple of years here I learned the expression mai pen rai and try to live by it. As a result I am much happier as I no longer try to run the country. Sure I have an abundance of ideas on how Thailand could be more like a western country or more to my liking but until someone comes and asks me to join a law revision commission, I remain continue to try to practice mai pen rai.

I can understand the Thai concept that they want their land to remain in Thai hands.

Had the law been any different, Thailand would be owned by foreigners by now.

Those who ignore the basic rationale behind Thai property laws, lawyer or not, will suffer the consequences. Sure, there are legal loopholes and gimmicks that give the foreigner some feeling of satisfaction of ownership of land, but the long term trend is consistent with the Thai rationale that Thai-land is for Thais, not foreigners and those who try to buck that rationale do so at their peril.

I have heard this from Frank Knight representatives but I try not to let it influence my decisions here in thailand too much...

Si Nam

Seems like some a lot of selling going on here too. I just got back from hua hin myself. Playing some golf and looking at condos. Seems to be a lot of real estate agents there from the last time down. I dealt mostly with the developers but spoke to some of the agents for research purposes. Got lots of advice from agents and people in general - lots of postive spin down there but some fierce competition going on among the various interests in the industry. The overall experience left me with some dodgy feelings. Tread carefully and use a good thai friend to help facilitate your dealings.

Si nam

This is actually a pretty postive arcticle. Bank behavior is the key and they seem to be on top of things. See any real deals out there yet Bingbong? Thats the real proof in the pudding...

Si Nam

lets see, incresed condo speculation, more supply coming on line.....oh well, all bubbles eventually deflate

10-20% spec? i'd venture it is more like 40%-50% given "investment" and "speculation" can be construed as the same thing (given all the empty, unoccupied new construction)

Tighter criteria as speculation looms

Banks are tightening up residential loan approvals for both developers and individuals as the real-estate market shows signs of increased speculation, particularly for condominium projects in central districts.

Chatchai believes the mix of real demand, investment and speculation is 60 per cent, 20-30 per cent and 10-20 per cent.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/11...ss_30036498.php

You've pretty well described my moobaan although I would have to disagree about truly rich thais not buying in moobaans. We have neighbours who buy just to send their kids to a local international school. Of course some have a house elsewhere also :-) My mention of Falang moobaans reference is purely an impression from hearing about moobaans full of falang with thai wifes in Pattaya. Not sure if there is any truth to that...

Si Nam

Some of you seem to be good researchers with the thai media. I am looking for a deal seriously. Could you give me a list of the best deals for condos now that the market is suffering so bad? I am looking mid to high end. Perferably in Bangkok and Phuket. Thanks.

Si Nam

I would target mid to high end popular moobaans that cater to the better off Thais. From listening to our thai friends they buy in moobaans that they have family and friends located and whether the house is new or old is a secondary factor. One friend is waiting to buy but nothing is available in her parents moobaan. I wouldn't buy in a falang moobaan, I think its a more risky strategy in the short and long term. I didn't always think like but then again I only listened to falangs.

Si Nam

Most of the promotions I see out there right now are gimmicks just to get the customer in the front door. Unless they start offering long term fixed interest rates these zero for 3 months and similar short term interest rate relieve promotions won't do anything. Theres not much of any "real incentives" out there at the moment. If you want deals right now your best bet is go to the companies on the fringe who may have cashflow problems but they may also be the companies with not the best reputation for quality construction.

Si Nam

Termites love wood. People love wood - especially here in Thailand where you have so much cement. What can you do? Spray and hope or surround yourself with cement and plastic. Your choice.

Si Nam

With the strong baht imports are cheaper and that is good for consumers as it will lead to more competition in the thai market. Both prices and quality should reflect that. But long term with higher input costs (e.g oil) and the thai domestic producers operating in a oligopoly and collusive one at that, don't expect prices to fall too much but to remain contant or even rise later on.

Si Nam