-noodles-

pickpocked so I grabbed her bag and demanded it back and then boyfriend pops up and wants to fight over it, anyway, I could have avoided a fight but just a warning that people are doing desperate things at the moment

Was the boyfriend of the ladyboy Thai or farang?

Thanks for the replies, Khun Chollada has been given a good vote of confidence so i'll be in touch with her this week now that i have paid a deposit.

I also called another Thai lawyer that was recommended and he quoted 20k for everything.

Yeah i think those fellas at Siam Legal must have been having a laugh. I guess they should look at their pricing schedule and be more competitive .... perhaps they're simply trying to maintain a similar income and lifestyle they were used to back in faranglad.

But i must say they have a good website with lots of info and some free PDF book downloads. It's a better website than Sunbelt Asia as far as information content.

I hope to put a deposit on a condo soon and want to know if anyone here can recommend a good lawyer to guide me through the process.

I have called Siam Legal in Pattaya Nua and was quoted prices between 40k and 70k!!!

He told me there were 3 different things that could need attention depending if the condo is bought off the plan or 2nd hand:

1) title search

2) contract scrutiny

3) transfer title at Land Dept.

I have read other threads where people say they were paying between 5k-10k which sounds like a reasonable amount for the work involved. I was surprised at the high prices being quoted from Siam Legal.

Check at the land department, they should be able to tell you the % and answer your questions.

Does anyone know where the Land Dept is located in Pattaya / Chonburi?

I'd like to go in and ask a few questions.

billaaa777, thanks for reminding me about 9 Karat condo... i've noticed ads online for this complex before but never got around to having a look.

I had a look at View Talay 6 today and wasn't really impressed with it. Location is good but the whole complex looks like a housing commission type block. It's a pity they didn't do a good quality job in such a great position. There were lots of empty shops on the 3rd level for rent/sale. The corridors are all dark and dinghy looking and it looks like they told their architect to wack in as many 48m2 studios they could fit in on the footprint. I inspected one on the northwest front corner listed at 5.9m reduced from 8.5m. It has been on the market for 8mths.

SHYTALK, i understand your point of view about oversupply, hence my question about good complexes that would be considered more in demand if i ever want to rent it out in future or sell it. I'd like a bolthole in Pattaya and buying a condo seems like the best way to do it.

when i do go, i have about 5-6 regular places i go where i get looked after without the fear of being scammed.

Do you care to share the name(s) of these '5-6 regular places'?

Roxy, Casanovy, X-zone, Windmill, NLD1 are usually visited and i will occassionally go into Beach club, Shark club and Heavens above.

I saw 2 nasty looking Russian girls outside Moulin Rouge handing out these 2 for 1 flyers. I just kept walking once i realised it was a Russian place with SCAM written all over it. I would never consider stepping foot in one these rip off joints similar to the upstairs bars found in Patpong.

I rarely go to WS cos it's such a tourist trap but when i do go, i have about 5-6 regular places i go where i get looked after without the fear of being scammed.

I know the developer of Apus and if i was lookoing to buy a condo i would go with that one, just because i know they are genuine, cannot comment on the rest.

LennyW, good to hear that you've heard positive things about them. The sales guy also reassured me saying they were a reputable Thai company and supply materials to some of the other developers like Nova, Iguana, Nordic etc. Apparently they also own a large business that sells fake grass. He told me a lot of the condos had been sold to Bangkok Thais, mostly professionals like doctors and wealthy families.

When you say you would buy from them if you were considering to buy a condo, i'm guessing you meant to say if you were buying new off the plan? Are there any other complexes you'd consider buying into, new or 2nd hand?

I don't mind buying something that requires a renovation and i can add some value to.

I guess you will always pay a premium for buying new.

The best location is defiantly not behind Carrefour, in fact that might be the worst location. To meet your criteria of better prospects for capital growth, easier to re-sell in future and stronger demand as a rental should I decide to move away from Pattaya there is one hard and fast rule you MUST follow.

This is to make sure your condo is directly on the Baht bus route. So many of your potential buyers or renters when they first look at your condo to either buy or rent will NOT have there own transportation, even if they eventually obtain it in the future.

Condos in buildings not on the Baht bus route appreciate are far less of a rate than those that are.

In your price range I would strongly recommend View Talay 6. You will not be able to get a one bedroom there for the prices you mentioned, but it will do everything else you need.

If your set on a one bedroom in your price range, then you are going to have a hard time finding one in Pattaya that is in a relatively well kept building in a good location. If I were you if you truly desire a one bedroom then switch to Jomtien. In Chatu Dale, a pretty nice complex you can find nice one bedrooms in the 3.5 range. In VT1, which has been renovated and improved greatly you should be able to find one for under 3.0. And in VT2, there is a good chance you can find one under 4.0 or so.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply billaaa777, it's much appreciated. Yes i agree your rule about being on the baht bus circuit and access to public transport is important for rentability and future cap growth. The closest thing Apus has for this is motosai taxis unless you walked down to Pattaya Klang.

I was considering Pratumnak area for future cap growth especially as many consider it the "Bell Air" of Pattaya but i personally can't see many good points about it. Agents tell me it's the best area because the princess has a place there etc but there is limited transport unless you walk to Pratumnak Rd to catch a baht bus. Limited bars and restaurants in the area probably makes it less desirable for people to live there as well.... or that could be a good point if you want peace & quiet.

A friend has also recommended Chatue Dale as a good complex, especially once they have finished the road widening (which could take another year). But if i was to go there then i should also consider other complexes in Jomtien but i'd rather not as it's a bit far out. Hyde Park on Thappraya Rd has also been suggested as a good complex.

I have also considered Centre Condo on Pattaya Tai but have heard a few stories about break ins, possibly caused by the inhouse security and management which has put me off. Location is good but the common areas, foyer area and lifts in this building look like they require refurbishment as it currently resembles a housing commission block in some ways. You also need to get a higher floor if you are in the front so as not look at the carpark wall. I have seen prices in here ranging from 28k/m2 up to 65k/m2.

View Talay 6 is a place i haven't looked into but will investigate further after your recommendation. I agree the location is great being on Beach Rd and next to Central Festival. I guess the south side (Walking St side) of the building probably has the best aspect with a vacant block next door not obscuring views. I have heard this block is owned by Singha and not sure of their future plans but will most likely be developed in the near future. The north side facing Central Festival has a better aspect for natural light but then you have a view of a brick wall with air conditioning ducts. I will have a look at this place during the week.

Went there today. Yes they are very friendly but the souvlaki (sp?) is so-so. No yogurt dressing, just ketchup, was a big disappointment for me. "a load of fries" - I didn't count them but I don't think there were more than the usual 10-15 you get here. Also it's 89 baht.

I wasn't too impressed but to be fair I will go back in a month or so when they hopefully have the kitchen setup right and give it another chance

how can they call it a souvlaki without the sour yoghurt dressing!

I have seen that Turkish restaurant near Carrefour and have often thought about going in there for a bite.

Are there any reviews on it in this forum?

I like Turkish food

I should probably mention my budget is around 3-4m.

Still trying to decide if a 1BR or big studio would be better.

I think buying a house offers better value for money per m2 but don't want the hassles involved with not really ever being able to "own" it

I'm thinking of buying a condo in Pattaya within the next 3-6mths and want to know what people think is the best area around central Pattaya area (mods, please move to Pattaya forum if more appropriate).

My shortlist is:

1) something behind Carrefour in Soi Yumei -- specifically the Apus complex, or

2) Soi 15 behind The Avenue -- specifically The Avenue or The Urban or City Garden (not The Pride)

I am leaning towards Apus but with prices at around 60,000B m2 and still a year away from completion i have hesitations.

The Avenue has similar prices but is closer to completion.

Which areas or complexes do people think i will get:

- better prospects for capital growth

- easier to re-sell in future

- stronger demand as a rental should i decide to move away from Pattaya?

I have a big kitchen bought from home pro, was just half price of that.

The fridge 20.000B and the washing machine 12kg are on the right.

Nice kitchen, it would look better if you re-tile the splashback with 300 x 600mm white tiles laid vertically

Interesting to see it looks like the entire walls are tiled

I just re-read the OP's question which is "Who is ready to buy", and wanted to edit my post, but couldn't. But to answer the OP's question, I'm ready to buy when the right opportunity comes along, and I'm also ready to sell any of the units I'm holding, at a decent price.

And for those posting, remember the original question, Who is ready to buy? Your post should conclude with the response to this question.

I'm ready to buy but there's still silly asking prices for most decent places in the Pattaya area.

Try older condos in good locations, and include an amount for renovation.

Can you recommend any complexes in particular?

My first guess would be Centre Condos on Pattaya Tai... great location but looks very run down these days.

Go to one of the 60 baht places on Soi Buakow... don't be vain, the difference between a good haircut and a bad one is about 3-4 days

Pattaya yesterday!

Take a ticket for counter 9

Collect the form from the desk fill it out. (This is new)

Take it into the office (counter 9) with:

2 photos

200 baht

Passport

copy of front page of passport

copy of visa page of passport

House book

Copy of house book pages

The officer checks everything and told me to come back at 9 am tomorrow (that's today now)

Last month when I got my certificate at Bkk Immigration office I asked the lady how much it costs and she said nothing, it was free. I told her that In Pattaya they charged B200. She smiled and said that some Immigrations offices had different rules!

Yeah it's another farang tax scam down here

I've had to "buy" 5 of these in the past now and it gets tired real fast.

It's especially annoying when getting a bike and car license on the same day at the same transport dept and they still want you to buy 2 of these forms when common sense should prevail and 1 will do the trick.

Just curious to see who is member number 1 on Thaivisa.

Is there any way to find out?

I thought george was the founding member but he is number 128.

lol

i booked a return flight to krabi with AIr Asia for 626 baht (inc taxes).

Original plastic costs 1,900 vs 4,000 for original plastic.

I bought the bike from a guy on here for 10k and it's a 125cc "R" model, 5 years old.

It seems well looked after but i ain't no mechanic. Yeah i hope the copy plastic i'm buying fits ok and everything lines up properly

I was going to go with paint instead of replacing but not sure how well they would prep it and if it was done badly and it got scratched, you'd be able to see the original colour (green) underneath.

Stickers cost 180 baht a set but i don't want to put any stickers on it. I think it looks better de-stickered

If you are buying the new parts, you about know that they are unoriginal, but you know that they will fit.

if you are re painting the whole thing, then anyway you will have to buy all the stickers on the plastic.

they also cost something.

but if you are changing all the stuff that you have on the bike. then my advise is to buy all new and then out the others aside.

Also, What model is it? what is the Year of the Model and from who did you get it from?

If you know what Background the bike has then sometime you should be think how the engine is in shape.

It is better to us a Green book with the Year 2009, better then it says 2001.

a good engine (longer lasting) is better then a good looking bike with a bad engine (shorter lasting from the day bought.)

I sound this out when i was working as a Mechanic for a wile.

I found a place that sells new plastic for 1,900 a set and i found a shop that will change it over for 300 baht.

Both are on Pattaya Tai.

Buy the plastics,to have it painted will be more expensive.

I would have thought 1 hour of labour and a litre of paint would cost less than 4,000 baht.

I will take the plastic off myself and take it to him so he can hang it up on some wire and spray it.... just need to find someone who can do it.

It will take alot longer than an hour to prep, prime, wet flat, paint and polish your plastics.

If correct materials are not used for painting your plastics (plastic primer etc) the finish will probably be poor and possibly flake off in a very short time.

I would advise buying new plastics and trying to sell your original plastics??

Yes good points. I was also thinking the prep would be important when spraying plastic or else it will flake off easily.

Hmmm, yes i think i will shop around and try and buy new plastic and keep the old as spare.

The 4,000 baht quote came from the dealer on corner of Pattaya Tai and 3rd Road.

Buy the plastics,to have it painted will be more expensive.

I would have thought 1 hour of labour and a litre of paint would cost less than 4,000 baht.

I will take the plastic off myself and take it to him so he can hang it up on some wire and spray it.... just need to find someone who can do it.

If you are going to do that why not spray it yourself with some cans of spray, you know, hanging up on a tree branch at the roadside!!

Or buy the plastics as stated above and keep the old plastics for when you prang it!

Yes i'd do it myself but apparently the Transport Dept need a receipt from a paint shop in order to modify the green book.

I'm sure there's away around it if i paint it myself. Surely they can check the frame number etc to verify it is the same bike and not a different one. I bet a lot of Somchai's do the same thing without going to a paint shop.

^ you're a genius

Buy the plastics,to have it painted will be more expensive.

I would have thought 1 hour of labour and a litre of paint would cost less than 4,000 baht.

I will take the plastic off myself and take it to him so he can hang it up on some wire and spray it.... just need to find someone who can do it.

I want to take the stickers off my green Honda Wave and paint it black.

Has anyone seen any paint shops around or can recommend any?

I just had a quote at a bike dealer of 4,000 baht for new black plastic but thought i could save a bit but getting the existing stuff painted.

I have spoken with Transport Dept and apparently the procedure for changing colours is to take the receipt from the paint shop into them so they can update the green book with the new colour.

Thanks for any info