pothai

i just want to mention one thing... i have several friend who own stalls in bangkok, and i used to go with them to shop for their stock at pratunam and the like. i was surprised to see that what they paid for their stock was not really all that much less than what they were selling it for. so, don't assume that they are ripping you off, they probably aren't, although in heavily touristed areas there is the odd unscrupulous dealer. i know lonely planet etc. always suggest offering half of their first price, but really i have found that half would be less than they paid for it. don't bargain to the point where you make yourself (and the vendor) look like a fool and an ass. just ask for a discount on their first price, feel it out, if it seems fair buy it, if it doesn't, dont. don't yell and scream and make a scene because chances are you could be wrong anyway, and it is not the "thai way".

Glasses in pratunam 80 Baht....Samui/Phuket initial asking 400 baht...hardly no profit.....

Nice 3 bed bungalow with garden, off-street parking etc near'ish to town 15-20k should be ok.

Ditto with private pool 24-30k approx.

Good Luck

PS: Ignore the 'bog' thing, he's a known troll, banned from the local forum a number of times. Has a personal problem with the local real estate people.

Chumpoon is great location, easy for all the South and of course if you need border run to Ranong....what about Cha am...20 mins North of Hua Hin. Much cheaper than Hua Hin, closre to the golf courses and quieter in the weekdays, although quite a large Expat community growing....Not many options of quality rentals but there are a few with/without pools in your price range....if you like seafood this is definatly the place, great/cheap restaurants or if you cook at home can buy fresh crab/prawn etc much cheaper than anywhere I know from the fishing market..take a look....as well as Chumphon

We are planning a couple of days in Cha am. Can anyone recommend a nice hotel? We look at Dusit and Regent on the website. What are they like? Veradah Resort is lovely but very pricey. Is it worth it? Are there anywhere worth visiting ? What are the local area like? Hope someone could help.

Depends how much you want to spend....are you a family....young couple or ???...do you want swimming pool and breakfast etc....lots of people stay at Perfect house in the bus station....starts at 600 Baht a night for small room...all rooms are new and clean, near the beach but more a guest house than large hotel....Dusit & Regent although in Cha am are really a bit out so not in the town......more details may be able to help

A shame it has come to what it is....only 3 or 4 years ago it was a wonderful island......a recent trip confirmed why I left. I remember the road at Baan Tai all talk by the owners up there that the road was going to be surfaced in 2006.....well almost 2009 and still not done. A mystery why anyone would pay 6million Baht for a house that is located on a road like that. Same holes in the road at the Bandon junction.....one way in Chaweng...and LAMAI what idiot thought of that...what happened to Big Johns....2 hour wait for lunch when there were only a few other guests and the staff had the cheek to wait for a tip and then get angry when they didint get one.....arogant Israilies everywhere....not the place to holiday anymore...would advise anyone to look elsewhere...even Pattaya seems better now.

The house she rented looked nice though.

I don´t know of anyone who has bought anything from them and I KNOW that foreigners can´t OWN a house.

Not true...foreigners CAN own a house.

You sure? Can I buy a house with land 100% on my name, is ok if land is lease 90 years, sometimes is it the same in europe.

Anyway even at 100% on my name and a free Visa with it, I'll never buy one in a country so unstable. The could change law every day....

But I was tempted some years ago....now only rent!

If you had bought a few years ago when 76 Baht/Pound Euro/Dollar etc.....lived in the house for 3 years and now sell at 30% less than you paid....you are still ahead....not a good decision not to buy a few years ago huh

Come one....come all.....but please only for 15 days

Various U.K exchange companies will allow you to fix an exchange rate for a period of time, some up to 2 years. With Sterling very low at the present time not such a good idea but something to look for when it is stronger.

Pepsi666, there must be reasons for you to want to leave your home country.Just getting to expensive to live here, especially on a fixed income(a pension)

How much of those reasons weigh up to the inconvenience you will have elsewhere?

I know, not being a REAL citizen somewhere and everything what comes with that ( reporting and such) is a pain in the ass, and doesn't ` feel` right.

But how would you feel in Panama or Costa Rica, even though the reporting wouldn't be such a thing there? Would you really be, or feel like a citizen there? never even thought of those places

Would you really know if the local currency wouldn't go all over the place there?

Overpricing or getting ripped of because you are a `rich` gringo would be an everyday thing there too.

It is the problem with a lot of countries. You are white, and therefor you are rich, so you can pay more. End of story. It also depends a lot on your own behaviour.

It is up to you, to deal with that, and to find a way of compromising/ handling it, so it is acceptable to you. Not easy at first, but you will get the hang of it.

My advise to you would be to just go, but for a year and not give up on the foothold in the home country.

Don't buy anything but rent and get the feeling of the country and the people.

By renting it gives you time to look for maybe something permanent, or look at other parts of the country. I had given a lot of thought to this and renting for a year seemed sensible, and having a bolthole to return to was favourite, but I have to give it a try, no matter where I try

If it doesn't work out, you can always go back.

Yes, the language can be a problem, but in general you will be OK, and of course you can try to learn about that too. Was hoping to enrol in a school of some kind, when I was there, give me something to do

C

Any recommendations for a decent estate agent ?

I have been to most parts in Thailand, but find myself returning to places that I enjoy the Thai peple (Pattay, Chang Mai, Hua Hin) I have never had any problems there, and tried speaking to Thais and have a few people I know (sort of) that I have had meals and nights out with and still stay in touch with (via Emails)

If you seriously want help looking for a property when you are here, P.M. me

Malaysia is offering a easy way to settle, especially for U.K. residents. You can own property there, the food can be good, climate great, stays lighter a little longer in the evenings, and they do actually like and respect the British. Cost factor is about the same as Thailand...check it out....you could then just have a quick trip to Thailand for regular holidays...

With Mumbai now over, the press can focus on other matters....any form of violence in removing the demonstrators would be grasped upon and shown worldwide, hence future tourists cancelling already booked holidays and prospective tourists choosing an alternate destination. The situation needs to be handled with care as the eyes of the world are watching....

With tourism down and expected to drop by 50% next year and Phuket being hit worst......prices are bound to increase even more

Mosha,

Great stuff. Many Thanks

Ideal want to get there about 10am or 11am. Go and straight back, so back in Thailand befor 1pm latest not interested in shopping etc. If they only have one boat I think maybe have to wait. On the internet it says a boat goes at 3.15pm but want one befor this thankyou

Cant find more detaisl on the boat. Do anyone know what time the boat goes first, how long you must stay befor come back. Want to do quick as possible.

James...fantastic....thanks...

Thank you Mosha, think this is very good. If anyone has recent experience cost if it is easy to do.

I may be wrong but the option from Ranong immigration is to cross by long tail boat. I've never used that route so I don't know. The Andaman is in an air conditioned boat. The trip takes about 25 minutes on that option.

Thankyou. And can they do everything, give them passport and not have to worry about anything. Can book in advance or anything

Going from Chumphon by car. Just need stamp out and in. Has anyone recent experience. Is it $5 or $10, can we pay in Baht or best to get $ bill befor going. What time are they open in the morning. Remember someone once said about the Andaman club. This trip is for an older person so really want the quickest easiet option as they dont like boats that much either. All replies and information appreciated.

Baht too strong.

World recession.

Unstable government.

Flights cancelled.

Bars constatly shut.

Flooding......the list is endless.....gonna be quiet for a few years

View "Service" post made over three years ago....I would think anybody would move on after that amount of time, not this post though

Samui Estates are going down the pan...their company profile proudly presented at least twice as many staff a few years ago as they do now....business cant be that good....get out look for yourself, thats all the agents do to get their listings....now is a buyers market as well so big discounts to be had especially on Samui..

Hi

Have heard that Phuket is not cheap when it comes to golf??

True, Hua Hin is cheaper and has a choice of courses in the surrounding area, also has the military course which is reasonable and green fees a fraction of the cost...along with accomodation maybe a better choice for long term although depends if the post really has to be in Phuket

An Insurance Policy.

<LI>a. war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities or a warlike operation or operations (whether war be declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion assuming the proportions of or amounting to an uprising, military or usurped power.

any action taken in controlling, preventing, suppressing or in any way relating to a) above

Most policies carry the above, not sure but would think the company would use this clause to get out of paying

Dont forget to factor in what is happening in the UK.....BOE meet again soon for a likely interest rate cut....bang thats another few Baht wiped off the pound...BOT should devalue but unless they do the pound may be low for quite a while. 70 by Jan... ...that would be great but not realistic

The problem therein is that we have a large beautiful house that is unlikely to sell for an acceptable price in the foreseeable future.

If the house was bought/built over 18 months ago, you should be able to reduce the asking price anywhere up to 30% depending on the exchange rate your brought your funds over...six years ago was a very weak Baht. Also if you have lived for a period of 6 years without any rent I am sure you could accept considerably less that what you or an agent may think the house is worth therefor giving you the option to move on