American man and Thai wife lose 15.2 million baht in Hua Hin property fraud

[advancebooking]

On 2/7/2025 at 11:07 AM, RocketDog said:

Thus leaving the security of your domestic life in the hands and under the control of somebody you have no reason to trust.

 

This oft used argument cuts both ways. There is no 'right way' for every person.

 

Clearly renting is the right way for you.

 

I rented for three years (condo and then house in Chaam) while courting a Thai lady. We've now been together 7 years and I bought my pool villa 20min outside hua hin, 20 minutes from the Khao Tao beach, 10 min from the local fresh market amidst expansive pineapple farms. I own the house outright and have a 90 lease on the land with rights to purchase the land if I want. I have been spending my time and DIY skills in buying tools and improving the house and grounds, which greatly improves my everyday life as well as giving me a sense of accomplishment.

 

I sold my house in America in November and am now using those funds to make my life better every day as well as raising value for my Thai spouse after I pass. Win-win in my book.

 

Deep attic (50") insulation, vented soffits, and turbine vent keep my house pleasant and save on aircon bills. Of course there's no reason to expect Thailand will get hotter but you never know 🤔.

 

New pumps and piping for my pool. New sliding front gate and fence, all SS tubing and anodized aluminum panels. Complete renovation and painting of the concrete perimeter walls around my property. New landscaping and exterior lights. Upgrade to my pool house with windows and shades. New tile in the whole house.  New exterior and interior paint. New ceiling fans. New insulated metal roofing over low slope kitchen roof on top of clay tile. New water pump and tanks. Greatly enlarged Koi pond and pump. Exercise equipment for a home gym we both use.

 

Raised beds for the garden. Currently I have 12m of rows with chest high tomato plants bursting with green fruit. 4m row of bell and sweet peppers bigger than my fist. Lettuce okra cucumbers watermelon and cantaloupe plants.

 

I would never do anything like this to rental property yet it vastly, practically immeasurably, increases my pleasure and happiness and that of my wife (we all know the return on that investment! wink wink).

 

I appreciate it all every evening sitting by the pool, sparking a doobie, and watching the sunset far from roads, lights, and noise. She appreciates keeping up our golf-course lawn, raising orchids, tending her avacado and papaya trees. We spend very little time inside the house. The dog enjoys guarding the property and the long walks in the pineapple fields.

 

High dividends for such a small investment as far as I'm concerned.

 

To each his own. You voiced your opinion and I mine.

Do what makes you happy Sir. That's the best advice I can give anybody.

 

 

I like your style dude..

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, advancebooking said:

I have to agree with you. Last time I was there I couldnt believe the prices. I dont live in tourist ville thankfully. But that has its downsides as well. 

 

Check out of this video. I should make a new post entirely for this because it's seems to be a theme. 

 

Our American friend is doing his American thing and buys a house for 100k USD 10 months ago then realizes the location sucks (15 min drive from the ocean) then puts in back on the market for 136k USD. Free money yay! These cookie cutter "pool villa" concrete jungles are scammy and probably trapped many chumps. 

 

 

[SingAPorn]

Before buying, go to any pool villa developpment in Hua Hin..often full of falangs running the show and walk around. See how the walls and common areas are (poorly) maintained. Despite the home owners paying hefty monthly community fees.

 

Watch the soi dogs that seem to find they way in on a daily basis.

 

Talk to the owners, not to the rowdy party maker or drunks who are just renting for a few weeks or months.

 

Talk to the real owners in such pool villa developpments in Hua Hin (mainly all over Hin Lek Fai).

 

And you see the real pictur. How the defects show up after few years, all the bad experiences they had with contractors taken either within the developpment of from outside. How foreigners get openly lied, cheated from most of the contractor/workers hired etc......

 

But look and ask for yourself. No need of me warning people. Do your own research and after you'll decide where to put in your money.

 

The best advice comes from the owners of such houses. Definately lot from the developpers or any real estate agents trolling.

[save the frogs]

On 2/9/2025 at 2:48 AM, KhunHeineken said:

'm happily single, living in Pattaya. 

Yeah, I sorta guessed you were single and living in Pattaya.

That's one of the only ways you can get away with being a perpetual renter.

Sooner or later, the wifey/gf will pressure you to buy a place.

And I'm not judging you. In fact, there is a certain amount of wisdom in staying single in this day and age.

 

[save the frogs]

On 2/9/2025 at 3:38 AM, KhunHeineken said:

One works for decades to save for a decent retirement.  There's no second chances.

Not everyone has the same amount of savings in retirement.

Some people amass a considerable amount of wealth.

So if you are one of these people, what else are you going to spend it on besides a nice property, especially in a country where properties are much cheaper than back home? 

If you don't want to take the risk of losing the property to a Thai woman, then the only other option is to travel extensively. Then even if the relationship ends badly, at least you had some fun times together traveling the world so it won't feel like you've been scammed. 

Otherwise, anyone with substantial savings in retirement will be tempted to buy a nice villa at some point. Who wants to sit on cash in a bank and have a crappy apartment?