gerry53

Suppose I were to die with no Thai will. How would my wife/son legally get the condo and access my bank account?

I am no fan of lawyers in any country but with your assets a 5,000 baht investment in a lawyer for consultation, 4 copies written in both languages to fufill your wishes seems cheap. The legal system in my home country confuses the h_ll out of me, here it is mind boggling. Having a will drawn up by myself tucked under my pillow would not allow me to sleep very well.

Just a quick update from the OP. My girlfriend started her orthodontic work and has the braces installed. Because I knew a Thai lady who had been undergoing the same treatment I opted for her dental clinic which specialized in orthodontics ( more training than dentistry ). The clinic is the Land of Smiles on 3rd Road close to the fire station but on the Village Chippy Restaurant side. It will take 3 years to complete and the fee was 35K baht for the orthodontics. Reception and dentist speaks english and were happy to explain their strategy at lenght plus they have a great setup in the proceedure rooms and a great A/C'd waiting area. Thanks for the imput - I did not go to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital because it is so much further for us so I did not get an estimate there either.

What's laughable about looking in the mirror and accessing your own specific situation? You aren't serious about this. That and/or you failed to read this thread and took one post completely out of context of what indeed I have been very clear about. I don't trust the retirement industry or financial experts about these things. You need to take responsibility for your own life and decisions on important things like this and do your own research.

JT you are still putting up that smoke screen, but thanks for the sermon dad! Try writing less with researched content combined with some common sense. Just because you produce lots of responses does not make you correct.

NEXT!

Look, I have been very clear here. This is very individual. Average life expectancy means nothing to individuals. Estimating personal life expectancy is an important factor in retirement planning. For that you need to do a few things. Look how long close relatives have lived. Take some of the easily available online surveys to determine your OWN life expectancy based on health and habits. I reckon MOST of you will clock well under 80, sorry to inform the truth. Also, I find your western theory totally specious. Westerners moving here are moving into a dangerous environment. Thailand is a VERY polluted country. The air is dirty, the food is full of chemicals, even the clean drinking water is dodgy. The food is unhealthy, even eating just Thai food means eating palm oil. Then there is the very high murder rates and traffic death rates. The medical care outside Bangkok is nothing to write home about. A westerner moving to Thailand is no longer really a westerner, environmentally speaking.

Corporate culture "financial planners" will say plan to live to be very old based on adding many years on top of "averages" that have nothing to do with individuals. That's a nice luxury for some, but for many (especially men) it means irrationally delaying an earlier retirement that they could have enjoyed before the inevitable.

Interestingly, women really do live longer, and statistics show they are even less prepared than men for retirement.

Look, I have been very clear here, thats laughable!!! You are starting to believe your own BS.

All this is is a great smoke screen to covered your skewered statistics JT.

Global average life expectancy for males (most retirees here) is 64.52 years. Not 80.

http://en.wikipedia....life_expectancy

JT you are nitpicking and wrong. Most people RETIRING here are westerners and have already achieved the age of 50 so statistically they will live longer than the average. They are usually not from the poorest of African, Asian or South American countries which your AVERAGE figures include. You can make statistics read whatever you want depending on how you word them but with the correct facts it makes it more difficult. In your example it was what you omitted.

(ie: age - 50 plus, western countries, etc)

I am the O/P and had a will drawn up by a local lawyer on Theppasit Rd (near Soi 10) for a 5,000 baht fee. This included 4 copies in English and Thai, one each for lawyer, executor, alternate executor and myself - all sealed. I thought the fee was reasonable as it included about 2 1/2 hours of consultation. I appreciate others recommendations but I felt more comfortable with a lawyer familiar with Thai and the legal system here drawing up my will. I had mentioned peviously my bank would not just add her as a beneficiary, she would have to have full signing rights! The will is a very detailed 8 page document leaving no doubt of my possessions and allowing for future possessions should I aquire a new car or motorcycle. Identities were well proven with passports, Thai IDs and supporting documents and should I die I am comfortable my wishes will be carried out. Should I and my girlfriend die I am confident the alternate executor will proceed with my wishes. Thanks to all.

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The "Fantasy Bar" in Jomtien Complex is a regular hangout for Expats. Several tables out front and comfortable leather couches inside - as well as the best stocked bar in the area. Basic drinks around 40 baht, as I recall.

From Beach Road, heading east toward the Hanuman Statue ( Burma Road - bomb-site ), turn left at the Soi just past the two large white buildings on the left with Shenanigans Irish pub on the street level. Take the first right ( a hundred or so meters ), then the first left -- Fantasy will be on your right, just before a bar called "Two Donna"

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I and friends were regulars at the Fantasy Bar but the service has been terrible from the waitress staff and the bar staff. it seems the friendlier girls either left or went to the bar complex off 2nd Road. Earlier this week the beer we drink was increased to 50 baht from 40 (must be starting low season?). It seems really dead nowadays, I'll give it a miss from now on and drink in the beer complex just to see some happier faces.

Gerry53, apart from your bike a will may not be necessary for the accounts; most banks here allow you to name a beneficiary in the event of your death. If you prefer a will then keep it simple , unlike the example here, and if any lawyer wants more than 7,000 baht go elsewhere; 3,000 baht for a simple will in Thai and English (all my property in Thailand ..... to Miss xxx xxxx, Id card number 12345678) is not unreasonable and is readily available. Sorry I can't recommend a lawyer, but that could be construed as "self serving".

NALAK, I am the OP and when I inquired at the Kasikorn Bank they said I can not just add her as a beneficary, she would have to become joint owner and have full signing authority and I am not prepared to do that at this point. The Bank claims should I die they would contact my embassy and they would send the money to my country so it could be dispersed as per my will there??? I am not saying this is true but what the K Bank in Jomtien told me.

dont understand if OP knows he is there often why drive past him breaking the law, surly common sence would say if you know he is always there make sure you do every thing by the law. only been done once 200 baht on 36 raod, angry at the time, but after its the price we have to pay, coppers get about 8000 per month, out of that threre uniform, radios, guns etc costs are deducted from there salary. cant really blame them, and if gifts off people driving past breaking the law well why not.

If you feel police officers have the right to demand bribes because of poor pay then you must be OK with firefighters demanding a bribe before putting out the fire in your house. How about the ambulance who shows up when you are on the roadway after an accident or the doctor in the hospital needing a bit more cash to send his kid abroad for schooling?

The police above all need to be "clean" because they are the ones enforcing the laws of the country and set an example. As far as driving around areas to avoid corrupt cops - thats ridiculous. Obeying the laws is a good idea but they are OFTEN not applied evenly or fairly. Often the helmut and other laws are often applied randomly (to farangs) to people they deem can afford to pay. I have had good and bad experiences but when stopped by an officer and he is alone I cringe because experience tells me he is looking for tea money. The roving road blocks seem to follow the law and even if fined I have had to pay at the station not slip a 500 baht note to him inconspicuously.

Sounds like the same guy who pulled me over working alone on the southbound road by the rail line. He tried for license which I had Thai 5 year. Then he said he wanted green book or 500 baht. I told him I had never been asked to produce the green book and I have been stopped often. He then said 500 baht and went to "fine" othe farangs. When he came back I mentioned I wanted to go to station because I had all my reciepts etc for the bike. He then glanced at my bunch of papers and said same same green book which was BS. He just knew he hadn't a case or his other "patrons" were more lucrative, I would slow his take down. I always find these guys like to work alone and the proper Pattaya road check group are usually very fair in their dealings.

Could someone please recommend a good, reasonable priced dentist who specializes in orthodontics?

Thanks for the info Langsuan Man, much of the professional Thai legal advice I have seen seems to be conflicting depending on the lawyer you talk to. When going into the Banglamung Amphur do I need to itemize each asset ( ie bank account, investment account, motorcycle registration etc).

Why would a medical certificate be needed other than to prove mental compentency for a will? Do the doctors have a special form for this medical certificate or is it one like for immigration or the Thai drivers licences?

I am looking for a lawyer to do my will and last testament for my Thai assets and having my Thai G/F as the beneficiary, I do not want the Thai government to confiscate them. My Thai assets are only a motorcycle, bank account and an investment account at the same bank. I had been advised of a service near immigration that did simple wills and only charged only 5,000 baht, when I enquired it was 20,000 baht which seemed ridiculous. I tried a second Thai law office and they wanted 10,000 baht for Thai only writting and 15,000 if I wanted a copy in english also. Does anyone have any recent experiences and prices? I did a search and know you can do one yourself and pay for translation but feel more comfortable with a real lawyer giving advice. Does a Thai will need to be registered as in many other countries?

Thanks

I would suspect after 20 beers in one night you are obviously hung over. The depression afterwards is probably your liver rebelling and looking for a place to hide in your abdomen, it has to process all that alcohol.

I don't think that's what Danlo is saying. Sure the police will target farangs for petty fines, not unsurprisingly as they have more money, although in Pattaya I've seen just as many Thais pulled over. Danlo is thankfully adding some sensible comment on the ridiculous myth that 'farangs are blamed for every accident' because they're in Thailand and if they weren't the accident wouldn't have happened.

I agree the police usually investigate accidents with more professionalism. You seem to indicate it is OK for the police to target and fine farangs for petty offences because they have more money? You should see more Thais pulled over, there are a lot more of them in porportion to the farang population? With those values what is stopping them from finding a farang at fault for a minor motor vehicle accident because it is a poor Thai who could not pay anyway? (or knows a friend, or from the same village) I disagree with your philosophy completely. That is why farangs often pay 400 percent more to enter a national park. Thailand has had a slip in tourist numbers from what is see and it isn't just the high baht rate (or low sterling, Euro or dollar). Some things just aren't right.

Sorry but its a myth that Farangs are blamed for just being in Thailand for accidents, I am sure Farangs have been blamed before unwittingly but its one of the stupid comments that I hear people say after another stupid person has told them.

I work closely with the Thai police and its rubbish, sure they are different in dealing with this issue but if a Thai is to blame then the Thai will be held responsible, getting compensation from a poor Thai national is another matter but if a Thai is to blame in 99% of cases then thats that.

Those who tell you the Police only stop Farangs and blame them for everything for being in the country is rubbish, its often said by people who just heard it from another fool.

My personal experience tells me this is absolute rubbish. It may be how it is supposed to transpire but there is "by the book" and reality. Calling people who disagree with your rose tinted views "fools" is just arrogant on the posters part. I can recall getting a ticket for going 50 metres up a one way to reach Second Road - a 500 baht fine. As he was writing the ticket 3 Thai's on one motorbike drive right by us going the wrong way with no helmuts, I pointed this out and the police officer just shrugged. No difference being a farang? - bullocks. Similar incidents have happened where as a farang I have been targeted and tea money requested, no tickets were issued and the money was requested to be given discreetly to the police officer. On the other hand I have been treated fairly by many police so please don't make blanket statements that all police treat all farangs fairly and equally as Thai nationals - it just isn't so. I have never had an accident here but will be cautious if I do and will not wear those rose tinted glasses you like so much, I may be a farang but I am a realist.

Sorry if it's a stupid question, but how can they know you were out of the country for more than 6 months if you don't tell them???

With computers tracking who is coming and going at immigration I would think if they really wanted to find out the information would be available between government agencies. If you have a dual passport that may throw them off also, by leaving on a USA or UK passport.

My province allows you leaves of up to 2 years with their permission (once every 5 years) to keep your medical services plan. It is not well known or promoted but it can be done.

I believe someone or a lobby group in Pattaya must responsible for the delays, it has been going on over 4 years now and is shameful. The shopping centers, hotels etc in Pattaya prosper from Jomtien being a potholed dustbowl that shakes your teeth loose, coveres your vehicles and leaves you wiping dust from your eyes. It was in about March 2009 that the mayor of Pattaya claimed publically that the project plus the second road extension would be completed fully by May 2009! Eighteen months later they still haven't done much past Thepprasit Road. I feel sorry for the business's that have folded or are suffering ongoing financial hardships they don't deserve.

Thank you for the advice I will tour all 3 places.

Does anyone know where I can buy a single drawer legal size filing cabinet (staionary or on wheels)? I checked the office outlet by Big C plus Tesco and Carrfour with no luck. Has anyone had any luck with wireless printers - scanners, for the last 2 days I keep getting the customary "no hab".

I really like the pizza from above the Robin Hood bar (opposite Love Joys) on Thappraya Road. I had Seafood Kapow last night and the small pizza is a meal itself and only 100 baht. They have all the traditional pizzas but the girls love the 2 Thai types. It does take about 45 minutes to serve you as they make them from scratch so if in a hurry better go elsewhere. I have ordered ahead for takeout and that works fine also. Best pizza deal in all Pattaya in my opinion.

You have to learn fast here or get caught up and dragged down to the gutter levels of the skint no hoper loser that frequent many Pattaya bars, 99 baht all you can eat type of establishments etc etc.

Ive now cracked it and know of most, if not all, bars where customers are from the north of Watford, wear dirty vest tops, Soi Bua Khao market flip flops, look like Worzel Gummidge and are all in their words "millionaires" back wherever they are from..

Between them, collectively, there isn't enough brain cells to run a Duracell battery to a light a small pocket torch.

Everyone likes a deal but most of these cheap charlies are so thick their only conversation is where one can get something cheaper then somewhere else. We are not talking property or cars were talking shampoo 2 for the price of one, free toothpaste by collecting promotional samples from outside some shopping mall or where one can stuff ones fat face all day for a song.

I can't agree with the Duracell statement, some good people are naturally frugal because of their upbringing or situation earlier in life. I knew one millionaire who claimed "take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves". He ran his companies successfully with those same beliefs and was well grounded (= not full of himself) due to not being born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He would be one of the guys eating a 99 baht meal on Soi Buakhao and under dressed! He was truly tighter than a ducks ar_e.

There are various degrees of frufality and some take it too far and it becomes an obsessive way of life, it does mean they are bad people.

I like "good value" even when I splurge but could afford to pay stupid rates, I choose not to.

Are tails actually offal? In any case, oxtails can certainly be delicious.

JT the pigs tail is not offal, Syd mentioned it as a "frugal" meal". You are correct oxtails are good but have a bit more sustance to them as opposed to the small pigs tails. I appreciate and understand frugality but some of the suggestions are too funny and entertaining with some being over the top - but a good laugh. In Canada I have heard the saying "squeeze the nickel (5 cent coin) until the beaver sh_ts (it's on the back of the coin), that refers to a person being too frugal.

[That is a myth. I've been eating the offal from Carrefour for ages and it does not say pet food only etc. Plus it has the English language description: ie. Pigs feet, Pigs cheek, Lambs kidney etc. Cooked properly it is nutritious and full of goodness.

And the cholesterol (bad) level in most offal is off the chart. In very small quantities on rare occasions it probably won't hurt you (too much), but what you save in food bills from regular consumption will likely be more than offset in doctors' bills or shortened lifespan (but that may be another of Syd's Cheap Charlie ways to save money -- die earlier).

I have my cholesterol checked regularly and it is fine and there is zero heart disease in my family tree and I don't smoke tobacco. I don't think anyone should worry about eating offal.

Offal is the way to go. Latest news is that Carrefour had a fine offer on Pig's Uterus today, I didn't buy any because I was not sure how to cook it or what to cook it with or in fact how it tasted.

I did however buy a complete pigs tail for 28 baht, which should make a big stew that will last about five days, reheating on a daily basis. They had plenty of tripe on offer today but it looked unfresh.

Syd, guys with elevated bad (LDL) cholesterol levels should avoid eating offal on a regular basis. For many the liver over produces cholesterol naturally and the additional intake puts them over the top. Your instance of offal gobbling sounds like gifted genetics, you are fortunate. After reading the offal menu (utterus to sweetbreads) I am glad I am not so gifted but do an occassional liver and onions. By the way how the he_ll do you get 5 days of food from one pigs tail, add 16 litres of water and 10 cups of rice??? A pigs tail is hair, skin, ligaments and bone - you don't see too many pig tail steaks!! By day 5 they would have to hold me down and force feed me!

then what are you JT? i joined this forum 4 years ago and since then (not always) read your bitching, whining, complaining, open or subtle derogatory polls/remarks about Thailand. a country which is my host country and which has treated me and my wife well when we visited as tourist for 2½ decades and which is treating us extremely well since we became residents nearly 6 years ago.

like it or not, i fully agree with those posters who advise you "pack your freaking belongings and leave!"

my personal advice is "spend the winter months in Duluth, Minnesota and the summer months in Tamanrasset, Algeria and you will not encounter any bothering ladies of the night at the beach roads."

Spot on Naam, some members constant whining and manipulation are bothersome.