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canda
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Posts posted by canda
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Hi Jethro69,
We bought a laptop several years ago, as tourists returning home, (as we weren't residents then.)
From memory it wasn't quite as easy as you may believe, at purchase you register with details of payment & passport copies taken & application forms filled, several of these are kept & a couple you keep to go with your purchase for inspection at customs as you depart Thailand, think you must fly out within 30 days of purchase to be able to claim the refund also
Hope this is of some help.
CANDA.
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9 minutes ago, Srikcir said:
Idaho USA!
Maybe a subtle message to Big Joke that she's not at home in Ol London town, so no need to come looking.
She'll feel more relaxed knowing neither herself nor Thaksin will be getting a tap on the shoulder whilst touring the great cities of Europe.
CANDA.
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2 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:
Yes that is a risk but I still use the same accountant to file my tax returns so hopefully that helps. With the low interest rates my income is well under the tax free threshold so the damage would not be too great as long as they do not include the small State pension I get.
A bigger risk is if they change the rules for qualifying for a Medicare card. Not that I need it now but as we get older you never know.
Hi GreasyFingers,
I think you will find that being 'non resident' for tax purposes denotes you do not qualify for the tax free threshold that applies to residency, a 35 % tax rate is applicable!
CANDA.
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Interestingly, all those arrested are Thai (noted in the actual article.)
Obviously had they been of foreign extraction it would probably have made the weekly 'farang bashing' headline news.
CANDA.
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1 hour ago, Wilson Smith said:
it would be hard to believe that the only tax liability would come when one would sell. Sure there would be an income tax liability work permit or not.
Why would I need a work permit to own properties here ?
I pay an agent & accountants do any work, they keep me informed on what 's required.
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4 hours ago, simoh1490 said:
From previous threads on this subject I recall a small number of people being required to pay tax on income from rental property in Thailand.
Think you will find that rather than being taxed on income directly, at the time one sells a property a higher percentage of tax is applied if rental income has been earned, also more so if the property is less than 5 years old.
CANDA.
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1 hour ago, toofarnorth said:
Would this be a Thai dictionary or English. In 12 years I have never ever been called a farang by a Thai or ferlung. The black strip you drive along is called by most Thais ' The load ' Which dictionary might that be in ?
As you are trying to communicate to a primarily english speaking audience, would you not consider using the English language correctly, maybe you might find people actually understand what you are talking about without scratching their heads.
I would imagine most English dictionaries ( & Thai for that matter) would make reference to the word farang.
A suggestion...go to google & type in...define farang ..then try again with whatever the nondiscript word you are using is...you might find the result enlightening !
CANDA.
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1 hour ago, toofarnorth said:
Only ever been called a ferlung , never been called a ferang . Maybe there are parts of LoS where 1 ferlung will call ferlung a ferang.
I'm afraid you are incorrect, the correct word is farang, if you don't believe me look up a dictionary.
CANDA.
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1 hour ago, toofarnorth said:
Myself and a mate were talking about this yesterday , We came up with 2 new words.
Ferlangera ..........Someone who bangs on about how things are not the same here as back home.
Ferlungabore ..................Someone who gets you cornered and when there is no room to escape goes on about the same thing over an over.
Now me and mate are well into retirement age another thing I have not heard since being here , arriving 2005 is ' Sorry , can't stop '. These are the best days ever. Hope I didn't drift too far off topic.
Hi toofarnorth, shame during your 12 odd years of experience here you haven't discovered that a non Thai is called a farang.
CANDA.
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Would be Great if Coconut Island was next on the list for a clean - up, considering the limited population & lack of picking up after themselves.
Supposedly what Phuket was like years ago, beautiful scenery but spoiled by rubbish wherever the locals congregate, such a shame.
CANDA.
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We are on the platinum package & initially weren't impressed with loosing the HBO channels, but are now more than happy with most of the replacement channels as they offer a good selection of current & older programs.
Not happy with the loss of BBC entertainment.
CANDA
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trump & Intelligence is an Oxymoron,
Speaking of oxymoron s... he's kind of like the male version of the super - smart ('PLEASE EXPLAIN') Pauline Hanson of Australian politics.....
CANDA
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1 hour ago, Changwatchap said:
25 people in a van and truck. Both drivers were illegally overcrowded.
Seriously.... Illegally overcrowded is an understatement !
A single cab pick - up should accommodate 2 to 3 passengers SITTING INSIDE THE CAB IN SEAT BELTS.
The report states there were possibly 10 to 13 people ( & possibly more) traveling in the pick - up.
In most countries it would be an offense for anyone traveling in the tray area, it's a cargo area for God sake !
For some reason, the people who are supposedly trying to reduce the shocking road toll here appear to 'turn a blind eye' to this insane method of transport... Subsequently low death accidents become double digit fatalities, Unfortunately & sadly, things never seem to change.
CANDA.
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Slightly off topic...Just wondering if this type of vessel might be the type considered for the 7 day a week 365 days a year round trip service being proposed for the Phuket International Airport to Patong Bay route that 'certain intelligent people' in the know are currently planning ?
This idea was 'floated' a while back as an easy transfer for tourist arrivals into Phuket to alleviate the supposed traffic delays on the island....
Considering the west coast of Phuket can be under a strong monsoon influence during almost half the year & even in the tradewinds season the sea conditions in the Andaman can be whipped up as has happened over the last couple of days here.
An unsuspecting tourist's nightmare.....I couldn't think of a worse transfer option, arriving from a long haul flight to join the long queue at immigration to then have to haul one's luggage down a wharf & onto a catamaran pitching about in the sea, a hour in rough seas to then having to alight & try to then sort transport to your hotel....
We are long term residents here & make several trips a year from Phuket, we know what will work & what will not, we either use one of our own vehicles or if we are heading away for a longer trip we use our driver... but as mentioned, we aren't gullible tourist who, in the near future, might be sold on the 'ease' of such a transfer...
CANDA
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The above conjures up some rather worrying scenarios, I can think of a number of unstable, current world leaders.... Philippine, Syrian.. etc,. who would jump at the opportunity to annihilate huge numbers of their own population without needing to think twice, let alone using these concoctions against their enemies.......SCARY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CANDA
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Go into any department store & you will discover why the unemployment rate is so low.... wall to wall assistants everywhere, bare in mind the guys are usually chatting to each other whilst the girls are mostly reapplying their make-up most of the time...
When you actually take an item, like a shirt, to the counter you will often find several helpers at the register, one takes the item from you & checks the label, passing it to the next, who removes the coat - hanger & you guessed it, passes it to someone else who checks the scanning code before it's passed on to the actual check out person who scans the label & either asks for the amount or puts the figure on an oversized calculator ( which may be used later in the transaction to ensure the correct change is given ????) then a further helper will fold the shirt & bag it before handing it to you...... so 5 or 6 people are gainfully employed for each transaction !
Now, think of the number of stores throughout Thailand....BINGO !!!!!!
CANDA.
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yep, did that one a few years ago, just another birthday, think 50 was probably a bigger event. Just remember it is not the numbers that count but how you feel/think inside yourself, there are 60 year olds that look and act like old farts then there are 60 year olds that look younger as well as act it, I know which one I prefer. Mate, just enjoy yourself and do whatever you feel like doing, thais dont seem to really celebrate birthdays so it is up to you, maybe your missus will give you a birthday surprise too but just being happy and enjoying each others company is pretty special to them as well, happy birthday.
I'm with you Seajae,
About to celebrate my, as i call it 59 + 1 birthday, in a couple of months, and definitely in the 'not acting one's age group,'
My partner has organised a special present for us to celebrate together, we will be flying to Northern Europe & spending 4 nights in one of our favourite hotels before we go onboard a cruise ship for a 2 week cruise down the Iberian Peninsula then a further 4 nights in the Eternal city before we head home, a special dinner has been suggested for the day.
I'm very much looking forward to the celebration & seeing new destinations through my special someones eyes will make it all the more memorable.
Regards,
CANDA.
I suppose it's nice for some folks to show off with lavish occasions but personally with a couple of real friends and family and a few bottles I had a great laugh for my 70th and80th. Roll on next year
Thanks SO MUCH for your enthusiasm....enjoy your next 'whatever' birthday, I presume as memorable as all your other ones I reckon................
Regards,
CANDA.xx
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yep, did that one a few years ago, just another birthday, think 50 was probably a bigger event. Just remember it is not the numbers that count but how you feel/think inside yourself, there are 60 year olds that look and act like old farts then there are 60 year olds that look younger as well as act it, I know which one I prefer. Mate, just enjoy yourself and do whatever you feel like doing, thais dont seem to really celebrate birthdays so it is up to you, maybe your missus will give you a birthday surprise too but just being happy and enjoying each others company is pretty special to them as well, happy birthday.
I'm with you Seajae,
About to celebrate my, as i call it 59 + 1 birthday, in a couple of months, and definitely in the 'not acting one's age group,'
My partner has organised a special present for us to celebrate together, we will be flying to Northern Europe & spending 4 nights in one of our favourite hotels before we go onboard a cruise ship for a 2 week cruise down the Iberian Peninsula then a further 4 nights in the Eternal city before we head home, a special dinner has been suggested for the day.
I'm very much looking forward to the celebration & seeing new destinations through my special someones eyes will make it all the more memorable.
Regards,
CANDA.
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So far this populist government achieved nothing at all.
Economy is lowest ever, foreign investments are lowest ever, and this list is endless....
For many Thai people it will sure not be a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Valid points, but not sure many Thai people actually celebrate a Merry Christmas....Not really a Buddhist thing is it !
CANDA.
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Have you actually read the Poster's original request for advise ? It clearly states that they have rented for a couple of years & are sick of wasting money on dead rent.
Possibly an oversight on your behalf, but as this is a Thai forum could you use Thai Baht rather than $$$$...
I, like many would very much like to know your investment strategy for making 6% p.a on that amount ???
It would appear that even though you are espousing owning / leasing out a condo, you are happy to pay your landlord for the privilege of having a roof over your head, thus paying his overheads & giving a nice little monthly income.
You make a really good argument for actually buying property other than a condo, high maintenance fees, poor construction, poor lifespan, bad management & overall rapid depreciation.
You might consider that buying might tie up some principal, but it is an asset & it is yours, pride of ownership for those that can own, rather than borrow, is a rather tangible attraction.
CANDA.
I wrote about this on my Kamalala blog last year:
There is a strong urge for many expats to own their own home in Thailand, not a good idea. A foreigner can’t own the land their property sits on. A non-Thai cannot own land. They can own the building on the land. You have to lease the land back from a Thai. A foreigner can sometimes own apartments or condominiums, under the Thailand Condominium Act. Many expats have purchased property and are happy with their purchase. Let’s just say, others aren’t so happy.
It’s simply cheaper and makes financial sense to rent. Let’s take the condo I live in, for example. It’s a beautiful three bedroom, 2 bath, furnished, luxury condo with 3 pools, just five minutes from the beach. The selling price for one of these units is $160,000. There is a 30 year lease, you never actually own the condo. The monthly ownership fee is $320. This covers management, security, pool service, gardeners and maintenance. If I invest $160,000 at say 6%, it comes out to be $800 a month plus the $320 for the monthly maintenance fee. That’s a total of $1,120 a month. I rent for $800 a month! By buying the unit, I would lose $320 a month and tie up a considerable amount of principal.
What about appreciation? Condos aren’t like fine wine, prices go down as they age. Construction standards are poor. They age miserably. The prices of condos where I live are going down in price. People don’t pay a premium price for second hand units. The more expensive the unit, the smaller the market is and new units are opening every day…and not selling. The building goes on relentlessly and unsold inventory just keeps rising. There is a housing bubble in Bangkok and Phuket.
Condos are often badly managed. The money for the maintenance is squandered, spent on silly things or more likely just pocketed. A strong owner’s committee has to oversee how fees are being spent or else it disappears. Often the owners of a condo project go bust or fees simply aren’t paid. Fees collected are barely adequate to pay for costs. With a lack of basic services, building maintenance just doesn’t happen and value of all units in the project goes down!
There are the usual problems with living in a condo. Noisy neighbors or noise from outside, you name it. Factors that are easily solved in the West can be a nightmare in Thailand. When you have a problem in Thailand, it is not always easily solved. Trying to solve it often escalates it to another level and you’re left with one way to fix it…move!
Everything I’ve written about condos goes for houses as well. I have a friend who built a luxury home on spec. It’s a gorgeous home, he originally put on sale for $550k. A few years later it’s still unsold at $390k. Renting a property in Thailand is the way to go. It suits expats to rent because they can come and go as they please and not have money tied up in a country with an unstable government.
I suggest investment elsewhere and use the income from those investments to rent in Thailand. Places do sell, but the market is slow. There are plenty of places to rent. Rents in various parts of the country vary widely. In Phuket 10,000 baht ($300) a month would “buy” very little for a foreigner; however in Chaing Mai it could mean a very comfortable house or apartment. Rents are always negotiable with the low season is the time to shop. A year-long contract is the way to go, bearing in mind that the owner will want to charge more for the high season. Try and avoid doing business with a Thai landlord by the way. Make sure your lease spells out exactly how a deposit is to be returned.
Bottom line: Save your money, rent in Thailand.
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Really, if you do a little research you might just realize that that's not quite correct, certain countries have leasehold & freehold land titles available for certain areas, counties, parishes etc,.
Actually, there is currently 23,000 leasehold lots covering all of Canberra ACT in Australia. I'd doubt anyone involved would consider themselves stupid.
CANDA.
I don't know where the OP's are from but most likely they would not buy a house in their home country if the could not own the land under it as that would be stupid. Doesn't mean it's never been done without problems but why create a long term risk if you don't have to. If you are dead set on a private home (as I would be, never live in a condo or apartment again) then do what everyone else has said. Get a knock down house. The ones built out of shipping containers are getting fairly high tech now.
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Do you seriously think that people that are considering moving to this country can't organise their own lives when it comes to staying here on a long-term basis ?
Your bet re the1 in 10 foreigners investing here is based on what criteria ?
Sure, there are winners & losers in all aspects of life, if one is careful and uses caution & a little brain power they might just remain on the winners side.
In regard to 'having a clue about what life is like in a Mooban' could you explain the advantages other than the fact they are cheap ?
CANDA.
I understand this argument, but at the same time, if you are paying rent every month, say $B30,000 a month, you have spent $B1.8 million over 5 years, with no return whatsoever. My case may be different, but from my perspective, my Thai wife is younger than me, and will most likely outlive me. I am comfortable with owning a house because I will know she always has a roof over her head in her name. She can sell it if she wants. That is her choice. If by some chance our marriage fails, and I do nto see that happening, the amount spent on the house is nothing in the scheme of life, and I could walk away and move on.If you want lose money go ahead , and buy, advice here is pretty simple , dont forget visa rules change all the time.
What part of "WESTERN COUPLE" do you not understand?
Neither of them have the right of domicile in Thailand, whereas, those with successful marriages to Thai nationals do.
Get it?
In any case, for every foreigner who bought a house in Thailand, and has had a happy and contented life, I'm willing to bet there are 10 or more who have wished they never invested their hard-earned in such an unstable place.
Add that neither of them apparently speak Thai, or have a clue about what life in a mooban is like, what chance have they of running this ever-tightening gauntlet?
Always rent first. Never buy in Thailand, but especially now. -
Hi br0wmdog23,
We have been residing here in Phuket for 10 years now, having relocated from our home country for business reasons & have fortunately, enjoyed great success.
We have several contemporary villa properties which we lease out on a long term basis & with due diligence by ourselves & our legal representatives have achieved an extremely comfortable & for filling lifestyle.
We encourage the naysayers here to discourage people from buying but to rent, the more the merrier as ours & other landlords customer bases stay constant, lets face it what the renter losses financially is the landlords gain.
What we have is what the tenant needs, we are happy to oblige by lending our properties to these folk.
To the poster, I wouldn't be too concerned with the legal aspects re 30 yr land leasing of villa ownership here,
if you want to be in a box with neighbours surrounding your every move consider a condo, lots do, another suggestion would be to steer clear of the moo bahn style of development unless you want ghetto style noisy neighbours, robberies, dog noise, etc etc...Consider your long term comfort & happiness above anything else !
CANDA.
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Hi DivedendGuy,
I'm in Phuket & buy FITNE brand Stevia from Villa Market here, a pack contains 40 sachets. Occasionally, I can buy it at Carrfour / Big C & Tops here, so if you can locate these in Bangkok you might find them there.
I have used Fitne for a year of two now after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it is very sweet compared to sugar & has no calories, I use a very, very small amount in coffee or tea, unlike the previous poster I don't find it has any aftertaste whatsoever, perhaps he might be confusing other artificial sweeteners that contain Aspartame, etc.
I have recently returned from a couple of trips to Australia, I noted many supermarket products there that use Stevia instead of sugar, these appear to be slow arriving here in Thailand, but would imagine the market will pick it up quickly once it is known.
Good luck sourcing your need.
CANDA.
Thailand Real Estate
in Real Estate, Housing, House and Land Ownership
Posted
We sold 2 villas, in Phuket (in different small boutique estates) our large single level pool villa took approximately 6 weeks to sell & our multi level pool villa about 2 months. Sold through a large r/estate company, we priced both above average market value & both foreign buyers made offers above our expectations,
Bare in mind these weren't average, nor mooban style villas, they were purpose built to our architects specifications using western standards.
CANDA.