fredKroket

I notice they say about land being held in a nominee company, but there is no mention about condos being owned the same way? It's not like a condo owner is going to set up a paddy field in his front room is it?

Because a foreigner already CAN own a condo 100% . . . that's easy and not illegal.

You will see I said 'condos being owned the same way', which means that foreigners also buy condos in company name when foreign quota is no longer available. Please don't try an be clever.

I notice they say about land being held in a nominee company, but there is no mention about condos being owned the same way? It's not like a condo owner is going to set up a paddy field in his front room is it?

I read this yesterday and i must say this smacks very much of "yes we want your money but we don't really want to give you anything in return" nothing new in that respect.

If they want to outlaw company ownership, fine, do it definitively once and for all, but offer a real solution.. 99 Year leases would

be a good start.

They have no idea how much damage their reluctance to change will create, with places like Cambodia and Myanmar starting to open up to Foreigners and Foreign business' if Thailand does not "get with the program" inward investment to this country in this sector will rapidly become a thing of the past!!

"Ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij said the new law would comprise punishment for companies offering advice to foreigners on how to hold Thai property by disguising their legal transaction. This would include law firms and consultants"

I wonder if this would also apply to Land Department officers that demand hefty "fees" to process such transactions?

I know someone who was recently told if they pay THB 30,000 they would turn a blind eye to the transaction.

It is looking increasingly likely that the police, or other agencies had been keeping tabs on this group for some time, I wonder how many other groups and/or individuals are being monitored at the moment.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

A good Iranian friend of mine who seems to have his ear to the ground told me these people were not terrorists, but were gangsters based in Bangkok. The police had been clamping down on their business' and drug empire a little too much, so they planned a revenge attack on the BiB, nothing more.

so the AirAsia-Whiners have found a new "field of activity", of course without even having stayed at a TUNE hotel.

I have stayed at several TUNE's in Malaysia over the past few years, and when booked at the right time and in advance, they offer better value than anybody else. stayed at PENANG several times, usually paid not more than 500 THB per night. Good location, small but clean rooms. yes they charge for extras, but then at other cass you stay at hotel and automatically pay for tings you don't need or use.

Stayed at JB and Kuching as well, and liked it.

just make sure you get the right price. in KL for example, it is lousy value for money, they are usually always fully booked (their hotel at LCCT even has a occupancy rate HIGHER than 100%!) and then they charge high rates that make it bad value for money.

booked CEBU for 10 days later this year, less than 600 PHP a night. what more can you expect.......

AirAsia-Whiners.....?????

Geez now I'm not sure if I am in Pattaya or Malaysia?

I've seen in Pattaya Mail that introductory prices are 199 baht. The place will be smelling of Indian curry in no time.....

Price of KFC in Bangkok about 130 baht

Price is KFC in New Zealand 140 Baht

Wages for staff in New Zealand $13 hour = 290 baht an hour

Wages for staff in Bangkok 27 baht an hour

KFC, restaurant brands in New Zealand still make a profit when they pay 10 times more in wages than thailand and charge the same price

Also the chicken is no doubt sourced cheaper here too

I am a capitalist but when I see the disgusting super profits these businessmen make while paying their staff nothing so they can buy their latest merc to show their friends

it makes me want to be a socialist

Same goes for McD.

As long as their is cheap supply of labour in Thailand the chinese will continue to make massive profits

Point well-made.

I've always taken notice how I pay the same price for KFC chicken here as in the west. But shocked that employees here make less than 10% of KFC wages in the west.

Some fat cat is pocketing a huge profit margin on the backs of hapless employees who can barely afford the cheapest of BKK's dormitories and transportation beyond the "red bus."

Yes, capitalism at its worst.

Have to agree with you guys, terrible that the world has come to this. It is no wonder that the red and yellow shirts hate each other when this abusive capitalism is such common place in Thai society. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

I think if Mr. Toenail actually knew the Condo 66 is to be built in Soi 1, about 100m from the sales office he wouldn't have made such a silly comment. A little knowledge can be dangerous. If he knew the developer was a sister of our Mayor and that 12 out of 32 units were sold on the opening party, it is even more of a strange comment to make.

According to their own website it is being built in Soi Buakhao.

Very odd that the 'Location' link on the website leads you to a location on Soi Buakhao but when you download the brochure it shows the location as Soi 1, unless that is only the showroom location. 1 other website shows it on Buakhao and 2 show it at the corner of Second Rd. and Klang, where Tops actually is. So who knows, theyre all a long way from Soi 1.

I must admit that the building design looks very good which makes a change and the units themselves are well designed and laid out, which is also a major change from most of the boxes on offer.

Maybe they haven't made up their mind yet as where to build it

The site is cleared in Soi 1 and it doesn't take much to ask their helpful sales staff

I think if Mr. Toenail actually knew the Condo 66 is to be built in Soi 1, about 100m from the sales office he wouldn't have made such a silly comment. A little knowledge can be dangerous. If he knew the developer was a sister of our Mayor and that 12 out of 32 units were sold on the opening party, it is even more of a strange comment to make.

Wonder if this mob has anything to do with the 2 explosive devices discovered?

You should take a look at how busy the Amari, Centara Grand Mirage and Holiday Inn are these days!

That's a very good point, we wanted to try the Centara Grand a few weeks ago but couldn't get in as it was full, it was a weekend but not a holiday weekend, twice we have been unable to get into the Holiday Inn.

You'll usually find the Amari is fully booked or running at around 95% occupancy. They did reduce their prices a while ago and now have many, many bookings from Indians on package tours. Amari, if you didn't know already is Indian owned.

You should take a look at how busy the Amari, Centara Grand Mirage and Holiday Inn are these days! The domestic business from Bangkok will keep the hotel going through the leaner times and the Russian and Middle Eastern guests will just be the icing on the cake. Thais love trying out new hotels and there are plenty in Bangkok who could afford it, I think it's something to do with this 'Face' thing, they love showing off to their friends with their 'one up manship'.

It's plain to see that Pattaya doesn't experience High or Low seasons anymore, it's the demographics of the visitors that has changed. I see many Middle Eastern visitors this time of year to escape the 50 degree heat, the Russians come during winter to escape the minus 50 degree cold! For some business' there must be a high and a low, because they cater for specific nationalities usually. If someone came up with a business model that worked on attracting every nationality they'd be on to a winner. Problem is with so much hatred, racisicm and differing religious opions it's nigh on impossible to find harmony.

How about someone leasing a property on Walking Street and operated as an Indian Restaurant from April - June, converting it into a Middle Eastern Restaurant from July to the end of September. When October comes the weather usually starts cooling down a bit and so you could open a European Restaurant until December. From January to April turn it into a Vodka bar where you can lick Beluga Caviar of willing Russian ladies.

If they don't go out of their way to welcome westerners and if you 'looked' American or Israeli, I would skip on the yoghurt drink, they may just have a secret ingredient to give it that extra 'creaminess'.

One Iranian restaurant I tried recently was called Paradis I think, on second road. Menu was in English with photos and the management go out of their way to be friendly. Food was OK, but nothing to get excited about.

Buy 144 condoms and be grossly over sexed, they come in three sizes at Macro, small, medium and liar

Julieflowers.

What do the dogs have to do with the way you were seen as being the lowest of the low?

Dogs are dirty as far as Arabs are concerned and we Brits are dirty for keeping them

Not just Arabs, muslims in general

Julieflowers.

What do the dogs have to do with the way you were seen as being the lowest of the low?

Dogs are considered dirty in the Muslim world, on a par with eating pork. It is a sin to be touched by a dog so I understand. One way to get rid of a few of them would be to give the soi dogs viagra so they can breed like merry hel_l, that should sort the problem out.

The City Officials never get it correct. I have lived in Pattaya for 5 years and have observed the various improvements of the Beach Road promenade - (placing ugly electrical wires underground; planting of palm trees; an attempt to improve the landscaping; security cameras along the beach -do they work?; and the improved lighting at night...) But all of these flea market vendors and other exhibits placed on the grass/ flowers/ and hills along the walkway have worn out the Beach Road area which did have some improvements made. The whole scene causes traffic problems and there is no room to walk along this set up shanty town. These city "managers" come up with these events in order to make money off the rent of these vendor spots; for having these events on Beach Road only add to Pattaya as being the "unplanned city" of disarray.

Totally agree with the above. These city "managers" only seek to line their own pockets without any regard for what was an improved beach road and the first impression of many visitors see when entering the city. So short sighted as usual.

I feel sorry for the legitimate business people of Pattaya, who have to pay high rents, water and electric bills. This squatters camp is arriving in town all too often now and really is a blot on the landscape, making the once attractive beach road walkway look like a slum. There is one reason and one reason only why it keeps appearing and we all know it's because of the money. These traders are charged 150 baht per day to set up their stall, it doesn't sound much but if you look how many stall there are the bring in a tidy sum over a few days of 'whatever festival' it is.

Since the deck chair scam has been investigated and the number of chairs reduced on the beach, surely this must be another way for City Hall to generate an income whilst sitting on their behinds, with no regard for decent, legitimate tax paying retailers.

I think it's disgusting and they should be moved on immediately, the traffic congestion is ridiculous when they set up and take down their stalls and these traders just park where they like, when they feel like it. I walked along the beach through the market last time and the most expensive item I saw was 250 baht, so it's basically just rubbish they're selling, they leave a mess behind in typical .... fashion. It's no better than a Pikey market and an embarrassment for Pattaya. If these traders are predominantly red shirt protesters and this is their means to earning a living after spending 3 months camped out, holding the capital to ransom, they should've thought about earning a living and the impact their actions have on tourism before complaining "mai mee tang"! Can they really see further than their noses?

Rant over for the day, thank you for listening...

Thailand in the top 5 eh?<BR><BR>This wouldn't have anything to do with the large amount of farangs who spend all day, everyday in the bars around not only the tourist areas drinking and putting the world to rights, continually complaining "It's not like back home"!<BR><BR>One should also consider the XXXX Million people who come to Thailand every year for vacation, surely their intake of alchohol will affect this statistic too?<IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif"><BR><BR>Is this statistic based on alcohol sales or based on a survey?

Any foreigners who get caught up in Thai politics should be sent back to their home country, whether they support reds or yellows. Foreigners have no power to vote in their adopted country and should keep their noses out of Thai affairs on all levels. To watch this idiot on BBC made me cringe, a grown man looking like a complete Tw@t.

To label all farangs in Pattaya as shaven headed, steroid using morons is totally uncalled for and derogatory. I for one do not fit this stereotype and neither do any of my friends and associates. There is an element of truth in as much as you do see people described as above, but you also see these muscle heads in Bangkok too.

People give so much bad press to Pattaya, when they should be looking a bit closer to their own front doors. Like many things in Pattaya, you can avoid it if you want to. Not everyone living here is a sex mad, mongering alcholic, sure there are some but you're likely to find the same type of people in Bangkok or anywhere else for that matter.

Kwan ork hoo!!!

If they [the UDD] continue in their unlawful terrorist actions they will leave the military and government no other choice but to act. So if Abhisit and Anupong are stalling then more power to them. But the time is running out for all parties. Tick tock, tick tock....

I'm trying to think of one major crime that has not already been committed by the UDD

- murder of Army personnel (April 10)

- intimidation of the public

- armed insurrection by commandeering police and army equipment, including weapons

- killing of citizens (BTS Sala Daeng)l

- kidnapping (EC commissioner, police at the SC Hotel fiasco)

- usurping the power of the state (stopping and searching motorists and pedestrians, preventing the police and military from carrying out their duties)

- impeding people and businesses from going about their lawful rights (such as closing down Central Chitlom, and BTS today)

- erecting barricades in public places

Given this list, I'm wondering what ELSE has to happen before the military 'have no choice'??? Haven't we already gone LONG past that point, and don't the reds already know it. Abhisit and Anupong are living in a dream world in the 11th Army Regiment barracks, hoping that if they just keep singing 'la-la-lala-la' with their eyes closed for long enough the reds will go away. It's not going to happen. The reds are going to keep provoking until they either run the country de facto by taking over the duties of the security forces or the PAD and other citizens start fighting them in the streets.

The government has already fallen. What remains to be seen is who will fill the power vacuum?

You forgot no groups of 5 people or more, but that pails into insignificance compared to the loss of life and damaged economy these idiots have caused.

Shredded Coconut is the same as Desiccated coconut ??

do you mean deficated?

Just saw Pattaya's finest (fire brigade) whizzing past like the charge of the light brigade, actually it looked more like a scene from the keystone cops. Multiple fire engines and back up trucks in hot pursuit with lights blazing and sirens blaring!

Anyone know where the fire was, with the amount of 'hardware' it looked pretty serious, or it could've been over kill for a chip pan fire?

tax free rental returns in the 12-16% range....

Note to self, KEEP bying properties in Thailand

Rental yields in Thailand have been under 8% for a while now and dropping like a big rock. You are either a brilliant business man or incredibly lucky.

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/Th...d/Rental-Yields

Agreed if you rent out a condo in something like a view talay, where there is so much competition, where everyone scrambles for the same tenant, or in east pattaya where there is an over supply of vacant houses. If you use your head, buy in smaller developments, possibly in company name in a good location there is noting stopping you from achieving what DonTron does!

tax free rental returns in the 12-16% range....

Note to self, KEEP bying properties in Thailand

Note to DonTron, agreed, easily accessable ROI if property in right condition, in right location, without much competition

Following a brief sabatical Cudaproject and myself have rebanded and rebranded ourselves as 'two men a drum machine and a biscuit'. Following the good ole days where we used to perform in the Pattaya Beer Garden, we were actually banned for causing such a din. Our new venue of choice is Gullivers on Beach Road, where the affable manager has no objection to our performances and in fact encourages us to entertain the many diners and drinkers each Saturday, usually before the rugby starts. We have also added additional musical instruments to our portfolio and can now offer rare classical Thai music to suit all tastes.

Come along and bring the family for an evening of fun filled entertainment.

Be there or be square!