OnTheLash

Sorry to hear about that Agmech. What happened to you is a common occurrence in Thailand. You made some good points about lease on land etc. also Usufruct as a previous poster mentioned. As I said before everybody's circumstances are different.

Good advice, thanks.

Thanks for the response. I've never considered an usufruct. If it all goes pear shaped I just walk away, its not an issue to me. Everybody's circumstances are different. This will be my 7th house purchase in Thailand with the same woman. I have signed my life away 6 times in the past at the land office. I was looking for recent experiences of posters using and not using a lawyer (I have never used one in the past). Lawyers certainly seem to be charging a premium now when a foreigner is involved, unfortunately I have to be there.

The rates are a little steep now. Up to 7%.

Thanks for the replies. I thought that 45k was a lot to charge just for holding our hands at the land office. The land office should check the chanote etc. I guess its more about peace of mind. If it did go south I am sure the lawyer would run a mile anyway.

I am in the process of buying a house and would like to know your thoughts on whether I should engage a lawyer or not? The house is in a Thais name and will be going into my Thai wife's name. On the face of it a straight forward purchase. I have been quoted 45,000 baht lawyers fees. House price 5.5 million. I would like to know your experiences buying houses with and without lawyers.

Thanks UWEB I will check them out.

@UWEB I'm not building a new one. I am changing the existing pool from Chlorine to salt water. I think that goes without saying.

From what I understand salt water pools are easier to maintain. Also they are more comfortable on the skin and eyes.

I am hoping there is at least one reliable contractor. There must be hundreds of swimming pools in Hua Hin.

City Beach Hotel. Opposite Father Teds. Large car park with 24 hour security. A couple of minutes walk to Bintabaht and the beach.

Can anybody recommend a decent swimming pool contractor in Hua Hin? I would like to change from a Chlorine to a Salt water pool. Approximate cost? 10 meter x 5 meter x 1.5 meter pool. Any tips? Many thanks.

You can back pay some of the missing NI. It would be a good idea to do so. Its well worth looking into. You will probably only be liable for class 2 contributions. Deadline is sometime next year.

Everybody drink drives on the darkside. They have done for years. There are no checkpoints around the lake, none I've seen, anyway. The police tend to leave people alone. I am not sure what the Grab taxi situation is like over there at night, its probably difficult to get one.

I'm just glad I don't live next door to them. Imagine the racket. Inconsiderate muppets.

Its easy for you to sell a property without you being there. I have bought and sold from Thailand. I am in the process of selling a property that I bought during Covid and I have never even seen it. You will be liable for CGT. Consider a Vanguard or Fidelity fund and DCA in (DYOR). Maybe consider buying a small studio as a place to return to if things don't work out. I am slowly getting out of UK property. Too much hassle and when labour gets in it will get only get worse for landlords. If you are creative you will be able to bring the money to Thailand without paying Thai tax. Good luck!

This is a normal expense for many families with kids on the dark-side in Pattaya. I know people with more than 1 kid at an international school, their monthly expenses are a lot more than mine. Lucky I don't play golf anymore. I would have to add another 40,000 baht a month to that total. Yes, its a lot of money but that is the cost of living here for me. I would rather pay that than live in the UK. Each to their own.

PCM 1 x international school fee. 60,000 baht. 1 x uni fee + condo and allowance. 45,000 baht. Rent. 35,000 baht. If I pay 1 year up front (good deal). Socialising/eating out. 40,000 baht. Can be a little less but I eat out and go out everyday. Missus. Incudes bills, garden, pool, petrol, toiletries, food etc. etc. 70,000 baht. Electric has been up to 15,000 baht. Others. 2 x cars and bike (paid for cash) servicing. 5000 baht. Not to mention depreciation. Family medical insurance. 15,000 baht. Holidays. not much since Covid. Plus kids have grown up. Was approx 20,000 baht. +++++?? Grand total: Minimum 290,000 baht PCM

I know a British guy in Phuket that had a whole Condo block that he built from scratch stolen off him by some dodgy Thai's including a lawyer. He was 130 million baht out of pocket in the end. He tried the court route to no avail. Eventually he was forced to leave Phuket by some very influential locals. He ended up in Chiang Mai. He stayed there a few years. Eventually his money ran out and he returned to the UK. He was a decent person, a sad story and cautionary tale.

A friend of mine was hit at high speed from behind while riding his bike. The driver was forced to stop because his bike was jammed under his car. My friend had similar injuries to yours, luckily he was wearing a decent helmet. He had good international insurance. The police never even bothered to show up at the hospital. He was in there for a week.

The reason Thailand was never colonised is because the British and French wanted a buffer zone in between what is now Myanmar and Laos. Thailand being the buffer zone.

Very sensible and thought out comment.

He should receive the same punishment as if he kicked a Burmese migrant worker. The punishment should not be based on status. Oops, I forget where I was for a minute.

Cool. Thanks for letting me know. I will pop in and say hi.