noise

I don't know if anyone can answer this but my name is on the chanote of our house via the usufruct law. Common sense (???) would tell me that my details would be passed to the various authorities and therefore neither my wife nor I would not need to jump through this particular hoop. Also, I get my visa annually on my UK family visit and just take a border trip every 90 days so am not a regular visitor at CM immigration. Anyone have any views on this?

EDIT: Just looked at the original form and isn't this used in the case where you change the address at where you stay from that which you declared on the little blue & white immigration form that everyone fills out when they enter the Kingdom?

Cheers,

Pikey.

This is probably exactly why they want the 90 day reporting, even from residents with the yellow tabien baan. You name on these or any document does not mean that you are stil here physically. The 90 day reporting just verifies that people on long term visas are here and still "live" where they said they did (or are reporting a new location).

I electronically transferred the funds to my bangkok bank a/c and the trusted friend withdrew using my ATM card, given before I left. And the business went on smoothly.

last week I came back and he gave me my ATM back, but before calculating profits/expenses. It then emerged that the guy has taken out 28k in excess for his own pleasures. Now guess what: he's not answering the phone and replying to my emails. I'll go to confront him at his house soon

The problem is you'd need to prove it, otherwise it's just your word against the guy who ripped you off.

AmeriThai pin pointed your problem (and I am surprised more people didn't point this out). You apparently have nothing in writing specifiying the baht limits for total withdrawals and you gave him access to the account. It is effectively the same as having a joint bank account and one person taking all the money out. You told him take out money as earned and needed, so he did. His needs were just different than you envisioned.

My fiance had to go to Suan Dok to have a dna test for her and her child so that we can obtain a visa for her child. They said the results would be in by 5 weeks. She called the other day (after 5 weeks) and they told her it would be 3 more months! This seems a bit absurd to me so I would like to call the DNA center and ask them personally what is going on. Can anyone out there get me a phone number or email address so that I can take care of this? Appreciate any help or advice on this matter.

I would suggest that Suan Dok just has too many patients. When someone with an appointment shows up with 100+ other people, you will not get a rapid turnaround on a routine test that has no treatment impact (i.e., tests for ill patients will move ahead of yours daily?). If time is of the essences, try McCormick and Chiangmai Ram: pay more but get faster results?

This forum reminds me of a google search, gazillions of posts/results but few go past the first page.

So to all you folks.The Winner is "Only Put One in the Toaster" So the winner is "Camelot"

btw President Bush was told that 2 Brazilian soldiers were casualties in Iraq, after a long list of greater numbers which just caused him to frown. At this he became so distraught his aides sought to comfort him and ask what was the problem.

"How many is a brazillion ?" he spluttered.

I'm outta here

Just had a good feed at the Similan Seafood restaurant on Mea Jo Rd. Many of you will know it as the old "Buonissimo" restaurant. The price was 2600 baht, for 5 persons, including "Mantis" prawns, and several shrimp dishes, Tom Yom gung etc. 2 large Heineken and several non-alcoholic drinks.

They also have live grouper and live crayfish available as well. All in all some very good produce, and very nicely cooked as well. Okay a bit pricey but still feel it is worth while splashing out occasionally.

Enjoy.

I have not noticed the restaurant and I do not remember the Buonissimo. Where is it located and what side of the 1001 Hwy?

Ah yes, the Blue Sky Bar. I have fond memories of the original in the Bar-barian Centre at the rear of the old Domino's, now the Gate House, in the days before Nu's partner, Rudi was executed by his business associates back in Munich.

We used to have lots of fun and punch ups there in the early 90's. Also remember the night a few drunken members of the US DEA started waving their guns around and threatening a few folks.....in particular, Canadian Joe who did the commentary of the Muay Thai bouts.

Never had a hamburger in the old joint, and haven't visited the present BSB in many years, sure wouldn't go there looking for a feed anyway.

There was a Blue Sky nightclub in 1966-1967. Any "relationship"?

Anyone interested to share about Mac...software...tips...MP3

go to the Computer Club web site; there is a Mac users' group as a part of that.

http://chiangmai-geeks.phpbb3now.com/index.php

'noise' post='2241823' date='2008-09-28 09:27:29' Was your story shortened for effect or did you actually not even try to negotiate?

If this story is true, and I'm certainly not doubting that it is, then why should anyone have to "negotiate" when the asking price was clearly displayed? This was a bank, not the Night Bazaar.

Rice King (still here?)....yes, but.... would depend on how much he/they liked the house. Really like it, really want it, doesn't hurt to ask why the price change and make a counter offer. If only "interested" because the price seemed low (and not that interested, at that), then maybe not worth the effort.

the problem when banks sell repossessed houses they are normally run down ,in the wrong area ,anything thats any good is sold to the staffs family or friends

That's exactly it. By going to banks you will be looking at the left-overs that nobody wanted. First would be the bank staff themselves, second their families and friends, and third any people in their network who have indicated to them to go look out for good properties, then the bank staff make a commission on that. Whatever's left after that gets posted on those boards at the bank office that you're looking at.

Went to a bank with my Thai wife, house was listed for 1.2 mill.inside the bank with picture, knew the house

and was interested in it and had the cash. Was told to wait for 5 minutes while they where discussing it in the back room.

When they returned, was told it went up to 1.4 million. Asked if anyone there could read English and told them

that I do not have stupid written on my forehead and laughed at their faces and walked out.

This was 3 years ago, house is still on market, now worthless, most of the roof is gone, all windows gone and copper wires

stripped. Thai reasoning. Amazing

Was your story shortened for effect or did you actually not even try to negotiate?

The book finally came through almost a month later when they'd run of reasons to stall, providing a happy ending to the long and torturous tale. Of course now they're issuing the Certificates again it all seems a bit pointless, but who was to know?

I shouldn't say how easy it was for me, but..... I got mine right after I got my original retiree visa just by having my wife and her tabien ban with us, our marriage certificate, and the Immigration letter/certificate of residency. Went to the Sansai Amphur, filled in a form or two, done. Though the real reason for the speed and ease may have been owning the house and married for a long time.

I don't use it much but I did use it to get the car dealer put my name on the car. Seems like I have used it a couple of other times. Could use it for getting utilities started? I keep a copy in the car with my insurance papers in case I might want it. It is easier than going back and forth for certificates if/when you need/want them.

Maybe you would have gotten yours more quickly if you had taken your cute new dog in with you?

OP, have you been to Thailand yet?

Absolutely key to this issue, and it sounds like you haven't and/or haven't researched it completely. Yes, appliances may be more cheaper in the UK that here, but... you have to add in the cost of shipping and paying duties at the port. The will end up being probably twice what buying in country would be. And, just as important as the original cost, your UK model would not be same as the Thailand model and, therefore, may not be repairable. You will have no new item warranty.

Star Visa Service - 408 Vichayanon Rd (053-232089) do notorial services - you could try there.

Thai Notaries can handle anything like this you may need for purposes OUTSIDE Thailand. For paperwork for use INSIDE Thailand, only your Embassy or Consulate can do the biz. At whatever horrendous charges they currently demand.

FLATOUTHRUTHEFOG: Please expand on this as it confused me. I would have thought that it was the opposite and that the US Govt, for example, would only accept certified true copies from the US consulate rather than some unknown Thai entity.

BUCKIT: This may not apply in your case, but everytime I needed what it sounds like you need, I have been able to sign the copy infront of the person demanding it and that was accepted as a certified true copy.

My Thai wife and I are hoping to move to Chiang Mai in the near future and some real estate is a priority although we will rent first . In other areas such as Chiang Rai bank foreclosures are a viable option. Does anyone have any recent experiences in CM. We are looking for a house ,suitable for renovation on max 2 rai or just land not more than 25 kms out of C Mai. Any help would be appreciated

The Land & Houses Park Mae Jo (where I live) has lots of used houses for sale, all kinds, all sizes and styles. As brahmburgers sort of said, you may see overgrown yards and mildew inside and out if the house is unoccupied. But that is all cosmetic. A friend bought an "old" house that was not lived in, renovated it to his design, removing some interior walls, and ended up with a beautiful house worth more than a new one but costing less. And after he redid the yard, it is a show place, inside and out.

There are some unoccupied houses here that look like they must be in the 3000 - 4,000 sq ft range with very mature 40-50 foot trees on large lots. There are some that look around 2000-2500 sq ft with smaller, but mature, trees on smaller lots.

And there are lots of lots for sale so you could buy as many as you want and build as large a home as you desire without having to do without some of the big city amenities (e.g., ADSL, common grounds and facilities kept up by L&H, etc.).

Because of the use of only concrete and brick/block/plaster for construction, I personally think most of these houses will prove to be structurally sound. So, since you have already mentally accepted the hard work involved with renovation, I think you will have no trouble finding a house that has all the potential you need to be turned into a great home.

We are installing lights for the logo on our building. i have noticed that our contractor has installed 6 120 watt halogen spotlights for it. These lights will be on 12 hours a day and 7 days a week; naturally i figured electric bill is going to soar. I am from California and I know back home, they have these spotlight shaped CFL light bulb in the 2300k range. I am in the Chonburi area, and i have looked for it in HomePro, BigC etc.. but doesnt seem to be able to find it anywhere! Anyone know what i am talking about? and where I might possibily get it? Importing from US is not an option, as i US we use 120v but in thailand they use 220v...

Thanks in advance!

I have never tried to look for those specific items, but my immediate reaction is to ask if you have a Global hardware store there. They might have them. In Chiangmai, I go to a specific electrical H/W store that caters 99% to contractors for really hard to find items and ask the owner. I am surprised at the extent of what she has and/or can get. You should have such a shop somewhere around Chonburi?

Yeah, too much spare time. Cold sober. He was still in there about 7 hours later when I finished at the swimming pool.

I think I am a writer. I wrote a novel about gay motorcyclists who drive bright pink Suzukis.

They are not regular water wings. You know, flotation vest. But bright florescent pink. Hmmm, pink...that must have been why I noticed him.

If he is still around, could you take his picture (maybe one wide angel and one close up) and post it? You have piqued my interest.

Who would have thought such a boring post would have caused so much interest on a Saturday night .. Oh well it is raining I guess.

Anyway, had my caesar salad tonight at Pasta Cafe as recommended by Ihop (@ post #12). 8.5/10 ...

Mandarin Oriental Hotel has an excellent one with great mixed breads/bread sticks.

Although the Thai Immigration website does have a section about required documents, it doesn't work when clicked on,

You have to use IE or a fully IE compliant browser for it to work or IE Tabs for FF.

I recently found this out ,which for me, lead to more confusion regarding the required docs.

Maestro wrote that the information on that web page has not been updated to reflect the Oct 2006 police order document.

Go to an Expat Club meeting and ask someone who just verified their 90 day address. Much easier than reading conflicting and/or confusing information.

I've been to chiang mai the last four years and have hit the regular spots and even some out of the way day trips. What I am looking for are odd or different trips near chiang mai, chiang rai, pai to do. Caves, parks, tea plantations, etc. Not villages, elephants. Thanks

Chiangrai has a winery situated across a lake (park on one side an boat over). It also has a resort for those that want to stay over night and enjoy some of their wines with a nice meal. Their email address is: [email protected]; you can find their web site via google or email them.

I asked Khun Nantarat Tangvitoontham about the winery and tours and here is what he replied:

We have the valley tour twice a day at 10.00am and 2.00pm. So, your group are very welcomed to join the tour. We also can set up the private tour for your group. The minimum persons is 6 persons. The cost per person is 250 baht per person. This includes wine testing, vinyard tour, winery tour, tea plantation tour, tea testing, gem cutting factory tour and all transport within the valley.

The resort guests are normally discounted for the valley tour. The cost per person is 200 baht per person. And, I don't think that there are any affect the tour if some people stay there and some do not.

Okay, I recently posted a topic about where to find cheap flooring. Now I'm thinking of trying to just get some rugs to cover my crap floor. Ideally I'd just like a solid-colour one, not a fake Arabian design. Anyone know where to find something like that for cheap? I'd like to buy three or four.

Carpet International has all kinds and some nice solid colors and some nicely patterned ones, inexpensive mass produced, on large roles. You can order the size you want and they will cut it. For an extra fee, they will bind/sew the edges. I wanted a 9 x 11 for the dining room (solid darker color but with cream diamonds spaced 12" apart) , so I had them bind it. I wanted solid/slightly patterned dark color one almost that size that I needed to cut to fit the kitchen, so I got it un-bound.

They will also make to order wool rugs, if you so desire.

On the ring road going east from from the airport: cross over the Hang Dong intersection by the Airport Plaza and go east until you see the pedestrian overpass. On your right (the south side of the road), immediately after the over pass< is Carpets International (whose parking lot is also the entrance to a Land & Houses development.

Needless to say, you have to be driving west to turn left into the parking lot.

what do these visa companies do for 8000 approx to get one, for one

thanks riley 76

#1: don't pay for a visa company or lawyer. The process is simple and easy and immigration is easy to work with. The hardest part is getting all your papers together with copies the first time so you do not have to go back.

#2: sit down with a retiree who has renewed his visa one time. Maybe go to the Chiangmai Expat Club meeting (2nd and 4th Saturdays) and ask for somone there to walk you through it in exchange for the oyster/lobster/big buffet Sunday brunch/lunch at the Holiday Inn. It would be worth it to you.

what would be my options? what should i do now to guarantee i could easily regain the money i put in and also does being married automatically give me 50% of what we own here?

HERE IS A THEORETICAL ANSWER:

A non-Thai spouse can inherit and the courts can authorize ownership via probate under the proper circumstances. See this URL for the English translation of the Thai civil code which spells all this out. One key factor seems to be having a valid Thai will that is registered at the Amphur. http://www.samuiforsale.com/index.html Ignore the Samui For Sale label: it is the generic law. If you look down the left hand column you will find Thai Spouse & Land.

Open that and scroll down further and it says: A foreign spouse married to a Thai is by law a statutory heir of that Thai spouse ( section Civil and Commercial Code[/font]). Section 93 of the Land Code Act: 'A foreigner who acquires land by inheritance as statutory heir can have an ownership in such land upon a permission of the Minister of Interior. However, the total plots of land shall not be exceeding of those specified in Section 87'.

So it is legal to inherit. How does apply to your situation and commercial property? I do not know, but this may give you a starting point for research.

If both wives are Thais and lived in the US for 5 years or more, they may both be eligible if they fulfill other qualifications. But the key one is having lived in the US for the required period of time.

¡Hola!

I hope you still have this kind of dates at Tuskers or wherever they are to welcome the "poor " new "farangs" arriving to Chiang Mai knowing very little about daily live there. I have been in Chiang Mai three or four times but only in a rush and for busineess reasons.

Yes, the newcomers' dinner is still held at Tuskers. And on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm there is a computer club that can help you with any computer questions. Their web site is: http://chiangmai-geeks.phpbb3now.com/index.php

....A few more details ....would help

______________________

Sorry, you are correct - The business is client/service oriented and so requires a prominent (central?) position with easy parking – think of (say) a travel agency. Size can be small (say 35m2) upwards and we shall need a long term lease. Budget, as low as possible

We shall be in CM September 19^th and 20^th to view what you may have on your books.

The last time someone asked me a question, gave me so little info, and then showed up at my door they wanted to get me to sell Amway for them.

[quote

Any comments regarding this delicate topic would be greatly appreciated.

Two thoughts

1. Being a non-Buddhist, you would not upset any sensibilities with a simple cremation and disposal of ashes.

2. But your significant other may lose face, specially if you have a long, stable relationship and live among family and old friends. It does not have to be fancy and expensive, but some kind of service is required when a valued family member dies. And friends feel obligated to either go or send a representative.

So keep that in mind. And dave_boo summed it up nicely; you won't know the difference.