thaifever2007

Please post the price and location of the house too. I enjoy seeing the pictures, but I'd like to get an idea of prices.

THANKS!

We live in America with a baby on the way. I plan on living here until I retire in 14 years. This house is for her mom (and us when we visit). We will live in it (and improve it) when I retire. Can I build a decent house for 800,000 Baht? I don't want to spend more then that. Can anybody recommend an honest builder in Khon Khan/Chaiyaphum area? Thanks again.

My wife has been showing me prices for American/Euro style houses for 1.2 million Baht. A little too much for me. Is a Thai style house cheaper. Nothing fancy, just the basics and something that won't fall down during a thunderstorm. I'd like to spend 800,000 Baht. The land is paid for and it is raised and ready to build on. I'm stressed out because I want to build her a nice house, but I don't have the money.

I'm looking to buy a simple house. Don't have a lot of money. 2 or 3 bedroom house in Chaiyaphum. We already own the land. How much for a cheap house.

Can anybody send me pictures and prices. I'm looking to spend between 700,000 to 1,000,000 baht.

Thanks

I think I'm allowed to take up to $10,000 out of the USA without having to declare it. If I take $9000 with me to Thailand, will this be OK? I don't want to have anything confiscated or any trouble with customs (in the USA or Thailand). I plan on spending all this money during my 3 month stay and I won't be bringing it back to America.

I love to drink beer, especially on hot days/nights when sitting in a bar in Pattaya. I can sit there all day or bar hop all night. Usually, I drink about 10 beers each day during my vacations. When I get home, I'm back to my routine. Drink about 7 beers, 3 times/week. I have it under control at home. Working everyday helps keep me out of trouble. When I retire and move to Thailand, I'm afraid I'll drink too much. No job, hot weather, and many beer bars. What do you guys think? Will I become an everyday drinker and an alcoholic? Some say I am one now.

Whenever I go to Thailand or any hot climate, my hands break out in a rash. itchy, red, and takes a couple of months to go away when I return to my home. What is it? I want to move to Thailand in the future, but I'm afraid my hands will get a lot worse in that hot climate if I stay there a long time. What is it and how to treat it? My doctor said dermatitis, but I'm not sure he is correct.

Is raising land necessary when building a house? What about a fence to keep the raised land from flowing away due to rain? Just wondering because this is what my wife wants me to pay for.

I feel a lot like you do. I don't want to be an old man and look back with regret. Take a risk and get out there in the world.... Slavery was abolished long ago .

I realise how lucky I am, compared to previous generations. My father had to work so hard just to keep a roof over our head and food on the table. In a way he was a slave to his duties as a Husband and Father. So maybe slavery wasn't abolished so long ago. In his later years, maybe because of years of struggling to make ends meet, he was just happy to be financially secure.

Compared to his and his Father's lives, people nowadays have it so easy, but for so many people it's not easy enough. If you want something badly enough, it can happen, but usually you have to make plans and work towards your ambition.

Running up debts and then running away may seem to be the easy way out, it just means that are unable to face up to your responsibilities and take the consequences for your actions.

A lot of people nowadays are finding life a lot harder than it was a while back. All the problems that have been caused by people taking on debt that they are either unable or unwilling to pay back is in one way or another affecting everybody.

If you want to move to Thailand, be realistic, plan it carefully and make contingency plans. Another poster has already pointed out to you the possible problems if you get sick. What if your wife does have a baby? Just things like diapers and baby milk could cost you 3000 Baht/month...mm 30,000 Baht/month- 6000 to the family, condo maintenance fee- ??Baht. If have baby, easily 10,000 Baht/month. Oh, of course, you like a beer, so 3 large Chang per day sitting with the C Charles ouside the mini mart. 3000 Baht/month. Food? well the 2 of you may be able to get by on 6,000 Baht. Electricity and water - well you may be able to live without aircon. But you'd better make sure there isn't a unit in any condo you buy, cos sure as eggs is eggs, you wife will have it on as often as possible. Something about Thai girls, aircon on full and 3 blankets. So you could be looking at 4 or 5000 Bt for power and water.

Really you need to sit and work out a sensible budget before jumping in half-cocked.

3 bottles of beer 100 baht

food for a month 6000 baht

condo in Rayong 1.5 million baht

freedom and youth PRICELESS

seriously, I figured a budget of 30,000 baht will do just fine (with a condo paid for). The only thing I worry about are the surprises.

What if I get sick?

Visa and immigration problems?

wife always wanting more?

baby? (one reason I said 6 years is because if we have a baby. I can take care of it for 6 years. Then come back to the USA when the baby is ready to start school)

Another question. Everybody always says "the bar scene gets old after 6 months".

Does the bar scene really get old in such a short time, even for an alcoholic?

Doesn't having sex with your wife get old in 2 - 5 years?

You have enough saving and you could also sell some stuff online when you are in Thailand between 2 beers, so don't listen the jealous ;-) and move, life is not made to work like a slave until you die, especially in US or Europe.

Girls and alcohol are not a problem, just don't bring them at home as a smart guy said.

So quit that boring life there and enjoy.

The only risk I see is that you will never want to go back !

I've thought about e-commerce, but I've no experience and I wonder how people make money selling things online. The only way I know I how to make money online is at playing poker, but usually I'm on the losing end.

I feel a lot like you do. I don't want to be an old man and look back with regret. Take a risk and get out there in the world. So you fail, at least you won't have any regrets because you took that chance. I think most people regret not doing things they wanted to do, they don't regret taking chances on life. Don't be a slave to your job. Slavery was abolished long ago, freeeeeeeddddddoooooommmmmmmm.

As for the history of the financial crisis, it began with the sub-prime mortgage crisis running amock. That process was created by Democrats, and supported by Obama, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and dozens of other Democrats. Those 3, of course, were the #1, #2, and #3 recipients of campaign funds from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Those are facts, Tolley. In fact is WAS Obama, and his fellow liberals, who planted the seeds for the economic mess we're all in now!

You're right, the Democrats planted the seeds and George Bush and his team watered that plant daily. Bush also encouraged low income people to buy houses they can't afford.

He spent billions on an unnecessary war in Iraq (although, I think we should of blew Afghanistan to pieces).

He created the Medicare prescription drug program. This is an endless entitlement that will end up costing trillions. And who will benifit from this, the big pharmacy companies.

America is in deep trouble in the future. And with Americans like me, the future doesn't look too bright.

I thought I was smart. I've been to Thailand many times, I've every Thailand book I could find (Private Dancer, Thaifever, etc...), and I've read the forums. But yet I dug myself a trap. First, sending money to her Mom every month, then buying land, now buying a house soon. I love her and I'm willing to do this, but I know I may get burned. If I do, it will be my own fault. I knew exactly the situation I was in.

My other problem is Pattaya is always in the back of my mind. I had a blast there and I can't forget it. It's like I'm hooked on crack. Maybe I need rehab and I should cut Thailand out of my life. Stop reading these forums and thinking about Thailand.

My other problem is maybe I'm not the marriage type. Maybe I'm a lone wolf and need to be out there on my own. But I have a great wife and I don't want to leave her. If I do, I can assure I will never find another like her.

So, is this not the reason that you want to stay away from USA for 6 years?

You're a detective and a lawyer. Good job

Maybe it's about time that you sat down with your wife and discussed your options. I don't know if she is aware of your debts or not, but marriage is a partnership and she has a right to know. You will need to explain that you have an income of $3000 per month, but are spending $3000 plus $XX. Obviously, this is not sustainable and so you need to cut back. Your wife is learning English, I assume that you are paying for this. I'm sure that by now, she has a very good command of English and could look for a job (not so easy to find nowadays, I know). If you cannot manage on your income, you cannot continue to send $200 to her parents every month. If you don't have it, you can't send it.

You and your wife are in this together and will need to work together to resolve this situation. If she loves you and is happy with you, she will accept a few years of relative hardship to enable you to get back on your feet again financially.

If your wife is not prepared to cut back and work together with you towards a better life, then I'm afraid that you will have to face the fact that you are in a one sided relationship that is doomed to failure.

Your idea is to run from your debts for a cosy life in Thailand for 6 years, so that the Credit Card companies can no longer legally pursue you for payment. If you are right and you manage this, remember when you return to the USA, you will never be able to borrow money again. You will be a ZZZ credit risk. You think that you will be able to walk back into a job after 6 years? I wouldn't count on it.

Yes, you can live in Thailand cheaply, that's possible. 30,000 Baht per month?, I can live and support my family for 20,000 up in the boonies. That's just paying for the necessities. I wouldn't like to HAVE to live on 20,000 though. I spent 30,000 Baht on some furniture last week. Couple of months back - a new fridge freezer and some other stuff cost another 30,000 Baht. Next month we are buying a new bed. When we've finished buying everything for the house, money will be put by to buy some more land for my gf and in time, I hope, building a new house.

If you are going to try to live on such a small sum, although not exactly small in Thailand, it will still not be enough. There will be nothing for extras expenses when they arise. If you cannot live on more than $3000 per month in USA, you will NOT be able to sustain the same lifestyle for 30,000 Baht per month in Thailand, especially if sending 6,000 Baht to the parents.

You expect that your wife will work in an hotel or somewhere for 10,000 Baht per month and that this will help with the budget. If so, this will be very unusual. It is more likely that she will expect you to pay for the bills and the money that she earns will be hers to spend as she wishes.

Cashing in your pension and spending such a high % to build a house for your wife/family is foolish. Yes a house can be built for $25,000, Can be built for a third of that, but most likely, Farang involved, will be double. A German guy that I knew, borrowed money in Germany to finance a housebuilding. It started at 500,000 Baht. When it was finished it had cost him 2 miilion! His gf family did the building. An English girl I knew ended up spending 3 million to improve an existing property. The finished house was worth about 600,000. Oh and the family did the work.

If you move to Thailand and find that the money does not last for 6 years, what are you going to do? The interest on your debts will have compounded and you will limp back home to an even more impossible situation ( almost certainly without your wife).

I don't know about USA, but in the UK there are debt counseling services and they can often help to make your debt more manageable. It is usually better to talk to your creditors before it gets too desperate and try to make a new arrangement acceptable to everybody.

This is not a flaming post, I'm just trying to give some advice that I hope you will at least give some consideration. I hope that you think long and hard, exploring your options before making a decision.

I wish you all the best.

Loong

Thanks for the good advice. I'm listening.

Have fun now...don't store-up any chestnuts...and enjoy hustling and grifting for any income for the rest of your days on earth.

Exactly. Have fun now, because there is no tomorrow. Sure, you can save and save, but then you'll become a misor. I work in order to make money so I can enjoy life and have the freedom to do as I please. My dad is an old man and has plenty of money. But one problem, he is too old to gain any pleasure from it.

So, is this not the reason that you want to stay away from USA for 6 years?

You're a detective and a lawyer. Good job

I actually have $125,000, but It looks like I will be building her a house soon (another $25,000 gone) so I really only have $100,000. But that's it, no more money for the family.

LOL! You're going to build a house for her here for $25,000 (about 900,000 THB)? Do you expect to include electricity and running water for that price?

Seriously, there is no way that you can build a decent house for that money. It would be virtual shack. Yes, you would have electricity and running water. But very little else. You'd need to put in at least 2 million THB for a nice home for a family. And you should NEVER consider building a home without PERSONALLY touring the neighborhood. You also need to be personally involved in negotiating building plans, and ensure that you have a WRITTEN CONTRACT specifying the work to be done, and the FINAL COST (or, at least, a written "Not To Exceed" cost) for all of it. Thai contractors will cheat you out of every baht they can get with sub-standard materials, shoddy work, and additional "phantom" costs. YOU MUST BE THERE to make the deal, AND to monitor the work!

As I've said before, you need to give serious consideration to your DAILY LIFE OVER TIME when making such long term decisions as the move itself; and the specific location where you'll live.

I saw photos and I was told I could build a nice 3 bedroom/1 bathroom house in her village for under 1 million baht. We already have the land. Good advice on the house building. Now I'm a little worried.

I'd like to live in Thailand for 6 years

I didn't realise the relevance of 6 years before, but I think I do now. Is it by chance running away without paying the credit card bills as the statute of limitations lasts 6 years? If that is the true reason, you must have run up some pretty high bills maintaining your wife.

married 2 years.

You started another thread http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Love-Thai-Wi...31#entry2473231

2009-1-18 Good point. I've known my wife for almost 3 years and married for almost one year. I think you are right, she doesn't trust me. She's seen me in action in Pattaya. I know this has been said a million times, "she's not a bar girl". She was working at the hotel I was staying at. I don't trust her 100% yet either. I send her mom 6000 baht/month and I've spent $2500 on land. Like they say "trust takes years to build and a second to destroy". Work in progress. I've read all the horror stories, so I know what to look out for.

So in January you had been married for nearly a year, but 2 months later, you've been married for 2 years????

About the 6 years. ???

married unofficially about 2 years, officially about 1 year.

Understand this; there is one, and ONLY one priority for the vast majority of Thai people - especially Thai women. That priority is family. Everything else, including their near worship of the King, and their worship of Buddha, falls far below their dedication to family. As to their feelings toward other people, they are virtually non-existant. They will lie, cheat, steal, etc., if they see that as necessary to imrove things for their family. That is how they can "be so heartless". Their heart has no room for you, or anyone else who is not part of their blood family.

My wife has convinced me she loves me. If she is lying, she deserves an Oscar. There is one thing I'm worried about. She doesn't wear make up, no ear rings, looks a little like a tomboy, and likes to look at naked girls (in the go gos). Is she a lesbian? I'm not sure. But if she loves me, does it matter much?

Hi have you discussed with your wife what she wants, apart from children? In the USA are you close by your family (parents,siblings,etc?).

If she wants to live in Thailand now, will it be near her family? This is where you will serious problems, as they will influence her. Does she family members who have married non-thais?

The style of life change you will go thru will be huge but could be very good!!

I find it strange that she would want to move away from the USA!!!

Good luck but please please consider the point that when you marry an asian you are marrying into and extended family and you must get that point to your wife and have a compromise!!!

What about buying or trying a biz in Thailand?

Let us know how you get on!!!

She wants to move to Thailand in a few ???? years. She likes it here at the moment. She also wants to start a business in Thailand. She is very smart, hard working, and I think she can do it. Yea, I know about helping the family. I actually have $125,000, but It looks like I will be building her a house soon (another $25,000 gone) so I really only have $100,000. But that's it, no more money for the family.

An epic disaster movie in the making! Your wife will never be able to keep up appearances with her peers that have foreign husbands, she will loose face, DISASTER!

I never thought about that. Me sitting around all day not working, not making money, not buying her nice things, will make her look bad.

2) You are about to encounter difficulties in terms of visa issues. Immigration does not care that you have a Thai wife. It is all about money. For the past 9 years, a segment of Thailand's ruling elite (one that seems to hate foreigners) has altered the visa/business rules to make Thailand expat/investment/tourist unfriendly. These rule changes flow from a xenophobic mindset, something that is on the rise in Thailand. The changes have already pushed many foreigners, along with their investment dollars, out of Thailand to expat/investment/tourist-friendly countries like Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Uruguay, Panama, etc.

I strongly urge you to consider moving to an expat-friendly country…….Thailand is a sinking ship. In many ways, it has become like the country many of us wanted to get away from by moving to Thailand. It may, however, take you a few years to understand this, especially if you do not speak the language.

Do not believe the BS that these visa changes are only negatively affecting "bad expats." The bar continues to rise. It is slowly impacting all of us: rich, middle class, poor. Visa security is something that few of us take for granted. Even expats over age 50 with Thai wives have to deal with ridiculous demands by immigration. The govt. seems intent on pushing all of us out of the country.

Find out more about visa issues. Given your financial status, I think your only long-stay visa option--other than expensive visa runs for consecutive tourist visas-- is to have a child with your wife and that child must be a Thai citizen. Check this out on the Thai Visa section on visa rules.

I thought a man married to a Thai girl can get a one year visa (and renewable each year) as long as they have $10,000 in a Thai bank account.

I guess it comes down to this. Do I love my wife more then Pattaya? If I love my wife more, I'll stay here. If I love Pattaya more, I'll move to Pattaya. I think it would be impossible for me to leave my wife for Pattaya. I read so many horror stories about girls using and spitting out their falang husbands. How can they be so heartless? I don't read too many horror stories about the reverse.

Come on, Man! Is this a joke, or what? Either you want to married, or you want to be a single playboy. MAKE UP YOUR MIND! NOBODY can possibly live a happy life, with a peace of mind in a relationship, trying to be BOTH! That's the FIRST decision you have to make, before you worry about where you're going to live. For crissake, you talk like a guy in his early 20's. GROW UP!!

I met my wife on my second trip. She worked at the hotel and I just knew she was special. We hit it off and we got married the following year. I'm glad we got married, but I didn't have my chance to enjoy Pattaya long enough as a single man.

I will agree that being a free spending tourist and being a limited budget expat resident are entirely different things here in Pattaya. However, I do not agree that it needs to be UNPLEASANT to live here on a limited budget. I do and my life is super pleasant. The key is to adapt LOCAL standards of living for those things that you like or can tolerate. Leo beer isn't that bad. You may find you can adjust to the climate and don't need aircon. Thai food is fantastic. There is also good budget European food here. Enjoying the people watching, the ambiance, the ocean views, all free. You don't need fancy clothes here, the only time I wear long pants is to go immigration. If you hang on to manic materialism as your top value, it will be much more expensive to have the same life here than in the west. However, if you can do a shift it is more than possible to feel very sabai sabai here for very little money. I know many narrow minded Americans see that attitude as lowering your standards. They can stay in the rat race in the US at this very painful time in US history, have fun!

I can drink Leo bee, I don't need air conditioning, and I'm satisfied eating the chicken on the stick for 10 baht. I can live very cheaply, my wife is what I'm worried about.

I personally think you are being a little short sighted and sorry to say very naive, US$ 100k is not a great deal of money even for Thailand, you haven't considered any possible medical costs if you end up in hospital here...for something serious..your savings would be burnt up very quickly indeed....

Thailand is getting more expensive by the week, you havent considered transport....If you think having all that free time will turn you into an alcoholic then being in Thailand is most likely not the best place to be...coupled with all the young Thai girls...

At between 44 and 55 are the years where you will maximise your highest possible annual income for the job that you do and you are taking about taking 6 years off....you should be setting the goal of bailing at 50-55 and working your ar*e off now to make that happen....put as much cash away as possible over the next few years..

I don't have the best will power when it comes to alcohol and young women. Main worry. I planned on taking side trips to Cambodia or Bangkok, if I wanted to butterfly (never in Pattay because my wife would surely find out).