OnTheLash

Whatever happened to Crazy Joe? He used to cycle down Jet Yod road most nights tooting his horn?

Bit of a character and like-able bloke. He was from the states.

55 minutes ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

@OnTheLash I married a young Thai girl 23+ years ago. We bought a house 3 years later. 

#1. You're purchasing an asset. If you put both the house and land in her name you've handed her all of your housing future (unless you're very well off).

#2. I've no idea about the cost of attorney's fees, but 19++ years ago, I wish I'd have hired one who's really able to negotiate plans for your future. The test for his quality is next.

#3. Put the land in your wife's name, which you already know. Put the house in your name (find an attorney that recommends that and knows how to do it) and make a lease on the land that will enable you to use it until you're 100+? years old.

 

Seriously! My wife, with our son's urgings/recommendation, took a loan against our house & land for 1/2 the appraised value and signed a sales document over to them if we were not able to pay-off the loan in 1 year. We can pay 10% interest per year for 3 years and stay in the house.  Had I put the house in my name and a rock solid lease agreement, she could not have done that. Now I'm retired and just had this deal thrown in my face. (and she is actually a smart girl, but many Thai women have this strange attitude. I grew up with nothing, I can live that way again, no worries).

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.

3 hours ago, LukKrueng said:

No need for a lawyer. I bought 3 properties through a real estate agent and a 4th property directly from seller, and recently sold 1 directly to the buyer without an agent\lowyer.

As you're married to a Thai woman, she should be able to read and understand what's going on.

Things you have to do before buying:

1. Get a copy of the chanot, go to the relevant land office and check if the title is a freehold or had any debt\leaes or other issues that might prevent the selling of the property.

2. Check the boundaries of the property to make sure they match the chanot.

3. If the seller wants a deposit, write a contract with all the agreed upon conditions (total price, who pays the fees for the transfer of the title, time frame to complete the deal). 

4. Set an appointment with the seller at the land office. Seller and buyer have to present their ID card, and if married the spouse has to sign a consent for the sell\buy. Seller has to bring the original chanot.

 

At the land office they will check all documents and get both parties to sign a sell\buy agreement form (this happens whether or not you already signed another agreement between the 2 parties). Once the officer ok's all the documents whoever has to pay the fees goes to the cashier and brings the receipt back to the officer. The officer will ask the seller if they got paid on full for the property (full payment should be made after the officer approved all the docs) and then the officer will put the buyer's name on the chanot and give you a copy of the sell\buy agreement.

Congrats, your wife is now the owner of the property.

 

On a side note - agents fee is normally 3% of the sell price, and a lawyer shouldn't charge more than that as well.

Good advice, thanks.

1 minute ago, OnTheLash said:

 

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.

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Have you considered recording a usufruct on the back of the chanut document?

 

It would mention that even thought you personally are not the owner, the actual (new) owner agrees that you have the right to live in the property until YOU revoke that right.

 

It should also mention that the property cannot be sold without your written permission. And you would be the only person who can cancel / remove the usufruct.

 

I have a usufruct on the land and house I bought for my Thai son in a moo bahn village.

 

Son was keen for the usufruct to be be put in place. Why? 1). Respect for me. 2). Because he doesn't trust his in-laws (for very good reasons) and his wife is frightened of her unpleasant corrupt siblings.

 

Son and his wife had fears her siblings would try to get the owners name changed from son's name to son's wife's name then changed to their names.

 

They would have no hesitation to strongly pressure sons' wife and no hesitation to offer / pay big money to a lawyer or to the local lands title office to get the chanut changed. 

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Thats a very good solution when the land have chanote to have mortage. 

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.

2 hours ago, UWEB said:

Sorry, misunderstanding from my side. Adding a Chlorinator System depends on what brand you will choose. I have an Emaux SSC 25E and is widely used for Pools in Thailand due to low price. If you want a Hayward or Pentair System that comes with a price. You can go to any Pool Shop in Hua Hin, I would start with Pool Mart.

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.

55 minutes ago, UWEB said:

Why you want to built a new Pool to change from Chlorine to Salt Water?

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

It looks tidy for the year. Can you tell me the mileage please?

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.

On 6/23/2024 at 11:26 PM, josephbloggs said:

I have been in Thailand for 28 years and haven't paid NI in that time. I am currently on a two week visit to the UK. I needed to visit A&E a few days ago which I wasn't happy about as I don't like to burden services, but I needed to. I went to the registration desk and was honest and told them upfront that I am a UK citizen but not a resident, and I have lived abroad for 28 years with no UK address (other than family). They asked if I had a GP, I said no.  I had my passport with me but wasn't asked for it. They were happy to accept my brother's address as that is where I was staying at the time.

Long story short, no further questions asked. I spent several hours there (mostly waiting), had an ECG, blood tests, an examination, and finally was dispatched with some medicine with advice to come back the next day if not improved. (I didn't go back).

All free, all service was great if a lot slower than Thailand. I was honest upfront as I expected I might have to pay - and rightfully so as I have not contributed NI since I lived here 28+ years ago - but no problem, all looked after, all free. And I didn't try to game the system, I was honest upfront without being asked.

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.

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

34 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

And just imagine if you ever were able to live a privileged life. 

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

28 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

I should clarify. I have seen similar cases (more than a few actually), where a foreigner with a successful business has been removed from the country, under threat of physical violence, criminal charges or even being killed if they return, and then had their assets stolen from them.

 

The most recent case I know of, was down to the most trusted Thai manager conspiring with local mafia to drag a wealthy foreign company owner through the courts, creating a situation in which he could not return without facing a completely uncertain scenario of arrest and criminal and civil court cases. The manager and co-conspirator then proceeded to strip the company of assets, including the owner's personal property, including a pool villa, condos and vehicles.

 

Bit of a dim bulb he was. Believe he still has his company though, but a few million dollars out of pocket.

 

A similar situation could be unfolding before our very eyes. 😉

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.

4 hours ago, Goat said:

You sure he admitted attempted murder? Or just admitted he tried to knock you off your bike?

 

Thailand has never been colonised and part of the reason is the Thais stick together. I dont think it is a bad thing and has resulted in this country that we love so much we have decided to live here.

You have to take the good with the bad, and the good outweighs the bad by a mile. if it didnt we wouldnt be here.

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.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Whats next... 

 

...  Swiss "Doctor Kicker" previously parked badly at a McDonalds where he also failed to eat his 6 chicken nuggets ?

 

My point here is... OK, his is obviously a nasty character, but digging up old stories ??.. how do we even know this is true ??

 

I've watched the video <here>. and the van (or ambulance) its hard to tell, is making no effort to pass the car in front (Audi with red plates), the ambulance has no siren, no flashing lights etc... and when the Audi moves to the middle lane, the cam car (ambulance ?) remains behind the Audi and continues to film it rather than continue on with their 'emergency-journey' (which clearly is not an emergency)...   the video also shows something sticking out of the drivers side window throughout...  which could be the someone holding up the middle finger...  which highlights that the driver is unhinged - but is this the same guy ?

 

So... While I firmly believe what the Swiss man did (kicking the woman) is despicable and should be dealt with legally, in line with exactly how a Thai would be treated for the same actions....  I do not believe that digging up non-stories is fair, as this is defamation...   The video doesn't show anyone blocking an ambulance, it just shows moving traffic. 

 

 

 

Very sensible and thought out comment.