A. BOOZER

In Thailand,When buying an existing structure, how can you be reassured that,the proper material and techniques have being Used to build that structure?

You can't, and you can't if you have a house built either, unless you are going to be on site and double check every delivery, invoice, and purchase.

When a building permit is obtained they are supposed to send out inspectors to check the work as you describe, but in a country where everyone has their hand out you really can't tell if it was done

If you build, find a building consultant to manage the job for you

Hopefully someone here at TV will be able to steer you to an engineer who can check out an existing structure for you

I concur!

Wishing you the very best of luck!

Surely the first step is to go to the land office and establish to whom the land occupied by the pool is registered.

New condos seems to be springing up everywhere between Pattaya and Jomtien, like mushrooms after the rain. About four new blocks together at the top of Pratumnak 5, just wonder who is going to purchase them all.

The Russians?

Ripley, You are obviously not looking in the right places. For every item you have mentioned, there are numerous small shops doing such repairs. I recently had my petrol engined strimmer (Weedwacker, I believe, to the Colonials) repaired for 360 Bht, an LCD television repaired for under 2,000 Bht and a water pump for 260 Bht. It is obviosly no good looking for such shops in high rental areas, just have a ride around some of the smaller Soi's, and you might be surprised at the number of repair shops.

Why not use one way security screws?

Was it issued in County Kerry by any chance?

C'est la vie !

Is Thailand going to keep the somewhat aging transport plane? It's a bit big for a gate guardian, isn't it?

No neighbours

Sorry, but do think that you might do better if you provided more information!

The Thai driver said truck's brakes failed, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, which flipped over in the accident.

And couldnt grab the handbrake ??

Older Land Rovers don't have a hand brake as most cars do, they have a transmission brake, which if were to be used whilst the vehicle is in motion, would not be safe (or sensible).

I will be buying the 'Blue' one....with a pair of 18" wheels!

Only a pair of 18" wheels - that should make for an interesting driving experience!

Silly man! Hope that the punishment will fit the crime, as no doubt it would, in Iran!

Why not get another couple of builders to give a price?

Silly Moo, som nam na!

Can anyone throw some light on a subject that was brought up last night, between several 'Brits', all with Thai wives.

If the Thai wife, who owns some land (less than one rai, with a house on it), should predecease her husband, can the husband legally inherit and keep that land. The point raised was that the husband could inherit the land, but had to dispose of it within twelve calendar months of the death of the wife. Is that actually true? One opinion was that, with the land being less than one rai, the husband could keep that land in perpetuity. Does anyone have knowledge on this matter?

'beano' That's really useful information - well done!

Does anyone have information on buses to and from Suvarnabhumi for those living in Ban Chang (Rayong)?

I would love to buy some land in Thailand and build a house.

There is no way I would do this if it meant putting the whole lot in my wife's name.

It's not that I don't trust her, it's more that I don't trust myself. One slip of infidelity and I know I would be out the door.

My question is; Would it be legally binding if I lent my wife the money to build her house? Would I have any redress in a court of law to get my money back if things turned tits up in the future?

This is assuming of course that a legally binding contract was drafted and signed by both of us.

Am I covered guys?

In a word: No!

You can let the wife buy the land as you cannot own land here, you then take out a 30 year lease from her, Any structure that you then build on the land is yours.

Talking to a chum a couple of days ago, and he asked a question, which I was unable to answer, so hope that someone on Thai Visa can help.

Like a lot of people, a chum has his house here in Thailand, in a company name, his lawyers holding the required 51%. What is the legal position when he dies, how can he ensure that the house and land passes on to his next of kin (all U.K. residents). He is concerned that because the majority share holding is in the lawyers name, that the property could be taken over by them.

Thanks everyone, some good (if scary) information there.

Caveat emptor.

I'll move this to DIY.

Member genset has experience of these things so would possibly be worth a PM.

Does your genset have an automatic start system (connect a load and it starts)?

This site has some useful equipment and diagrams for connection http://www.gencontrol.co.uk/index.html

Crossy. Many thanks for the reply and the link. No the generator currently has a key start, which I would have thought was easily changed, but on the other hand, I am absolutely useless with electrics, changing a light bulb or fuse, is about the limit of my ability!

Nearing completion of a new build property in an area of Rayong (Ban Chang) well know for power cuts, I have purchased a 10 Kwa generator, which I would like to have linked to an automated switching system, so that the unit will start after a mains failure. I was wondering if anyone has experience of such a system, knowledge of any individual or company capable of installing the appropriate equipment and any idea what sort of cost might be involved?

What a pity the U.K. does not follow this example.

Life is a learning curve and that learning curve can rise exceedingly quickly here in Thailand.

As much as you think you know, there is always something else to learn!

We have a 3 - 4 bedroom bungalow to rent, on the outskirts of Ban Chang, not far from Buddha Mountain (Khao Chee Chan). Two years old, and unfurnished, it is on a non-estate position and sits on approximately one rai. We are looking for a long term rental at approximately 18,000 Baht per month. Available from mid April.

No agents , thank you.