Retirement dreams on Chiang Mai "Hi-So Hill" shattered as foreigner pensioners conned into buying forestry land

[impulse]

21 minutes ago, Naam said:

1 hour ago, impulse said:

3 hours ago, Naam said:

and you enjoy swimming in the pee of other people 

I've seen some private swimming pools and the way they're maintained, especially after the thrill wears off.  I'd swim in my apartment's pool before I'd trust many of them...

there are pools and there are pools. in 11 years the thrill of our pool has not worn off.

 

I'm still remembering my buddy in North Carolina that got so fed up with pool maintenance that he just stocked his with big bass and crappies.  Which made it the best pool I've ever experienced.  It also increased his family's enjoyment of the pool and made his kids some of the most popular kids in their school. 

 

But not for swimming.

 

[bazza73]

26 minutes ago, Naam said:

there are pools and there are pools. in 11 years the thrill of our pool has not worn off.

 

Very nice, however, I'd have to do about 200 turns in that pool to get the same level of exercise I do now.

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, bazza73 said:

Very nice, however, I'd have to do about 200 turns in that pool to get the same level of exercise I do now.

Isn't turning an exercise? At least you aren't going to find any boogers or bandaids in that pool.

[impulse]

43 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I have a beautiful garden, courtesy of the missus, it's her pride and joy, although I do run a mower over the lawn once a month. Takes me 30 minute, whew! where do I find the time?

 

I've got one 50x-100x the size of yours and I don't have to lift a finger.  Just get down from my tiny little box, and walk 200 meters.  And mine's got a bike path, a jogging trail, rental boats and a never ending stream of cuties running laps (and smiling at me)...  And it's always very nicely manicured.

 

[bazza73]

49 minutes ago, Naam said:

no need to present irrelevant drivel. most people live in homes because they prefer that specific comfortable environment to a condo and they have no plans selling.

When people start getting abusive on TV, it's because they don't want to accept others may have a different point of view. It's called argument ad hominem.

[giddyup]

Just now, impulse said:

 

I've got one 50x-100x the size of yours and I don't have to lift a finger.  Just get down from my tiny little box, and walk 200 meters.  And mine's got a bike path, a jogging trail, rental boats and a never ending stream of cuties running laps (and smiling at me)...  And it's always very nicely manicured.

 

Then back to your tiny box, but hey, justify it anyway you like. Smiling, sure they aren't laughing?

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, bazza73 said:

When people start getting abusive on TV, it's because they don't want to accept others may have a different point of view. It's called argument ad hominem.

People who have chosen to buy a house get sick of having to defend their choice to the battery hens who live in condos.

[impulse]

6 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Then back to your tiny box, but hey, justify it anyway you like. Smiling, sure they aren't laughing?

 

I was kidding about the little box.  It's actually pretty nice.  And yes, I'm sure they're smiling...  I even meet and talk to a lot of them.  Something I never did when my garden was in my back yard.

 

Edit:  You like your lifestyle.  But there are others out there that appeal more to other people.

 

Edited September 27, 2017 by impulse

[giddyup]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

 And yes, I'm sure they're smiling...  I even meet and talk to a lot of them.

 

Wow, you player you!

[bazza73]

11 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Isn't turning an exercise? At least you aren't going to find any boogers or bandaids in that pool.

The pool gets cleaned and checked daily by one of the staff. Every month the surrounding deck is scrubbed by 5 cleaning staff. Never seen a booger or bandaid in it.

Too many turns make me dizzy.

[bazza73]

16 minutes ago, giddyup said:

People who have chosen to buy a house get sick of having to defend their choice to the battery hens who live in condos.

Why be defensive? Just accept there are advantages and disadvantages to both modes of living, and move on.

Battery hens? This rooster doesn't need Viagra.

[bazza73]

1 hour ago, Naam said:

just stating a well known fact.

Ah, the well known fact. If you hadn't indicated previously your German nationality, I might have taken you for a Trump supporter.

[impulse]

14 minutes ago, giddyup said:

17 minutes ago, impulse said:

 And yes, I'm sure they're smiling...  I even meet and talk to a lot of them.

Wow, you player you!

 

Nope.  Haven't brought one home yet.   But in a city of 15 million, it's nice to recognize and wave at people I see on a regular basis, and even know a little bit about them.  Hell, I've had hour long conversations with grandmotherly types, muscle bound guys and people who then hop into their Bentleys to drive home.  I never met them in my backyard garden, no matter how fabulous I got my roses.

 

I don't drink, don't smoke, and don't chase women for sport.  Another lifestyle choice that works for me, but is loathed by some others.  Live and let live.

[marqus12]

14 hours ago, giddyup said:

A slave? I bought a house here 8 years ago, I live in it with my partner, I enjoy the fact I can do anything I want in terms of decoration, garden, improvements etc, with no landlord dictating. Don't see myself as a slave. Certainly better than living in a box in a condo block.

My small box for 12 months has 95 square meters, has a 10 m2 terrace and mountain view ..Then another 12 months I can spend with sea view in Thailand, Mexico or wherever I want.

You will spend the rest of your life watching the same view. And when you go somewhere for a week you will worry about your property which is not really yours. You are a hostage in a land of smile .

Freedom is priceless

[Grumpy Duck]

11 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

There is more to the story allegedly. A corrupt government official supposedly facilitated parceling the land up for the developers and subsequently the " legit officials" uncovered the deception of selling off National Park land and revoked the previous official's scam. The retirees thought they were purchasing legal properties and became the unwitting victims of the deal between the corrupt official and the developer. As said this was told to me and I can't validate it, but if it's true it sort of explains the retirees unfortunate circumstances.

Yes, as I suspected. But until proven just a suspicion. I hope the retirees can recoup some of their losses and they learn a valuable lesson. 

[impulse]

33 minutes ago, Grumpy Duck said:

Yes, as I suspected. But until proven just a suspicion. I hope the retirees can recoup some of their losses and they learn a valuable lesson. 

 

In any case, it's a great cautionary tale for anyone considering the same path. 

 

That's the beauty of the written language (and the interweb).  I don't have to make the same mistakes someone else made before I got there.  And unlike growing up, I can read about current issues and the way things are today, and not count on some travel book written 10-15 years ago- possibly by some "expert" whose coin toss happened to land on heads.

Edited September 27, 2017 by impulse

[Montnoveau]

You have to wonder if they really are retirees who have lost their life savings or just people with money who took chance to make even more money?

Sent from my SM-A310F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Naam]

5 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Very nice, however, I'd have to do about 200 turns in that pool to get the same level of exercise I do now.

i use our pool at least three times daily but leave the turns to my wife

[Naam]

5 hours ago, bazza73 said:

6 hours ago, Naam said:

no need to present irrelevant drivel. most people live in homes because they prefer that specific comfortable environment to a condo and they have no plans selling.

When people start getting abusive on TV, it's because they don't want to accept others may have a different point of view. It's called argument ad hominem.

oh please give me a break. calling a drivel drivel is abusive? 

[steve187]

On 9/25/2017 at 10:56 AM, Dellboy218 said:

And if they had Thai Wives and the purchase was in the Wifes name would you also suggest they were trying to ''get around' that hurdle?

if Thai wives bought the houses, then the headlines would read Thai's conned into buying forestry land, and there would be no pictures of western looking people.

[Aussieroaming]

4 hours ago, Grumpy Duck said:

Yes, as I suspected. But until proven just a suspicion. I hope the retirees can recoup some of their losses and they learn a valuable lesson. 

The story comes from my wife's uncle and her father. The former is a sitting high court judge and the latter is a property developer. I tend to believe the story but as stated its heresay.

[Tofer]

8 hours ago, Naam said:

there are pools and there are pools. in 11 years the thrill of our pool has not worn off.

 

No wonder you needed 18 a/c's if you have them in your pool room....

 

Or Is that a water coloured carpet in your living room :)

Edited September 27, 2017 by Tofer
Correction

[moe666]

On 9/25/2017 at 11:10 AM, CNXBKKMAN said:

The over riding constant about property ownership in Thailand is that foreigners can't  own land/ houses. Evertbody knows that except young children. If you then go ahead and buy a property in the knowledge you cant legally own land/property you cant really complain when it later goes tits up! Only invest in what you are happy to walk away from. 

you can own the house but have to lease the land under it, so good luck with that.

[moe666]

Do not think Thais do not get conned as well. Nice piece of land south of chiang mai gate went for 11 million. The buyer put one million down, a few months later the real owner shows up with lawyers and police. The scammed buyer not the only one

[Tofer]

 

What's wrong with leasing the land? If the lease is registered on the Chinote or Nor Sor 3 title deed it's perfectly legal and secure.

 

To all those who have a bee in their bonnet and a negative attitude towards land / property ownership, apart from those who TRULY prefer to rent, you're either single, married to the wrong person or don't have the funds to finance a place of your own!

 

[Naam]

2 hours ago, Tofer said:

Or Is that a water coloured carpet in your living room :)

 

[bazza73]

5 hours ago, Naam said:

oh please give me a break. calling a drivel drivel is abusive? 

I'll bear that in mind the next time you come out with a fatuous and irrelevant comment. I won't have to wait long.

[marqus12]

3 hours ago, Tofer said:

 

What's wrong with leasing the land? If the lease is registered on the Chinote or Nor Sor 3 title deed it's perfectly legal and secure.

 

To all those who have a bee in their bonnet and a negative attitude towards land / property ownership, apart from those who TRULY prefer to rent, you're either single, married to the wrong person or don't have the funds to finance a place of your own!

 

Earlier I rented a house from a Thai, he has several houses on his land. Farang has leased a piece of land from him and built a house.

I remember that several times the Thai

told me that all these houses are his.

On the other hand, farang who spends in Thailand 6 months a year
every time when he saw me for some reason (not asked) told me that it was his home that he build and his area ended here and there.
Sometimes when he said it he was throwing a banana peel or something in the house in which the Thai lived .

 

Pretty funny .

Edited September 27, 2017 by marqus12

[impulse]

9 hours ago, Tofer said:

What's wrong with leasing the land? If the lease is registered on the Chinote or Nor Sor 3 title deed it's perfectly legal and secure.

 

To all those who have a bee in their bonnet and a negative attitude towards land / property ownership, apart from those who TRULY prefer to rent, you're either single, married to the wrong person or don't have the funds to finance a place of your own!

 

Rent, own, lease, I don't care.  To each, his own.  But I wouldn't claim that it's "secure" when even someone at the land office can issue false documents that fall apart when the next guy comes in.  In cahoots with a lawyer and a developer and any number of officials who all take their cut then wash their hands of the scheme- knowing that it will never splash back on them.. 

 

Edited September 27, 2017 by impulse

[Destiny1990]

9 hours ago, Naam said:

 

Is it saltwater pool or what system did u select?