4 minutes ago, jori123 said:

Just looking at rents here in Thailand,well they have crashed big time.,never to recover.

 

Can I borrow that crystal ball from you please, as I also want to read the future

On 7/30/2025 at 3:43 AM, AlexRich said:

 

I studied economics and accountancy and have an MBA. I did not work in Finance but I understand enough to invest without referring to a financial advisor. I was thinking about your question and simply used Chat GPT to find some funds that track the market and pay a dividend. 

 

I don't want to type it all out, but you could just ask the same question that I did and it will give you a range of options ... I was quite impressed with the answers. 

 

So, I asked "I'd like to invest money in a fund that tracks the market and pays a dividend yield. What would you recommend?".

 

The answers that came back looked pretty solid to me. For example, the Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield ETF (VHYL) that pays a dividend of 3-4%, invests in global stocks, can be in USD or GBP, pays quarterly dividends with low fees (0.29 of a per cent). 

 

It gave 5 funds like above and suggested a conservative portfolio UK based. 

 

Worth a look. 

Thanks a lot 🙂 that’s a really solid background, and I appreciate the ChatGPT prompt. I’ll give it a go and take a look at the markets; I haven’t really done that yet. The details you shared about Vanguard and the other options are especially helpful. I’ll have a look through. Appreciate it again.

On 7/28/2025 at 9:27 AM, KhunLA said:

Land appreciates very nicely in TH.   Building/structures...not so much.

 

'Trusting' investing partner instead of spending partner is the key.

 

I find that houses and the land they sit on Thailand do not increase that much in compared to the UK for example.

 

I know the asking prices rise but not much seems to get sold, some parcels of land are on the market for years and the Thais do not seem to realise it is because the asking prices are too high, they try and sell it for what they want for it and not at what the market value is.

 

It is different in say Phuket, two detached houses I know of in my housing estate sold for 6 million baht each recently and were bought about fifteen years ago for about 4.2 million which is around a 45% increase.

 

But we farangs can not own land which for me would be a worry and so in my case my Thai partner owns houses and land in Thailand which she bought and rents out and I have mine in the UK and rent them out which keep her and I on good terms as we are financially independent.

 

I have heard too many horror stories first hand of how things were great for years where farangs had houses and land in their partner/wife's name and then later things went South leaving the farangs broke.

 

On 7/27/2025 at 5:56 PM, falangUK said:

Yeah, it’s a lot of hassle for not much return when you factor in slow capital gains, taxes, maintenance, inflation and all the other hidden costs. Nominal capital appreciation looks okay at first glance, but once you adjust for inflation, the real gains are pretty underwhelming.

I don’t know much about global equity income funds. I’ve looked into low-cost trackers, but from what I’ve been reading lately, the passive market seems really overfunded and saturated. Some people are saying there could be a shift back to active management again. Hard to know what’s noise and what’s real.

You’re spot on about property growth being slow or even negative now. Here’s how mine’s worked out:

• Nominal price change: +49%

• UK CPI inflation: ~+79%

• UK RPI inflation: ~+112%

So in real terms, that's:

• Capital gain nominal: +£65.5k

• CPI-adjusted: –£42k (–17%)

• RPI-adjusted: –£85k (–30%)

• Housing index-adjusted: –£70k (–26%)

Basically, the property kept up with CPI somewhat but fell short when you look at RPI or the housing market itself. It hedged inflation a bit but didn’t outperform it.

I had no idea about that legislation around leasehold flats and planning permission to build upwards. If I own the top-floor flat, can they really build another level above me? Wouldn’t they have to buy air rights or compensate me somehow?

 

Also, how hard was it for you to get your head around investing in different stock risk classes? I’m assuming you’re not actively trading, more like passive stuff like ETFs?

Regards leasehold flats....absolutely yes, if the building is 3 stories. And with minimal grounds to object or compensation for the disruption. It's very poorly thought out legislation passed by the Conservatives in 2020, supposedly to increase housing supply in urban areas but more like a pot of gold for freeholders since the value of the freehold jumps dramatically with planning permission granted. 

 

Where I live, our freeholder won "Prior Approval" to build 8 new apartments on top of our building despite huge objections. However, our owners group commissioned a surveyor and among other things, found insufficient foundations amongst other things which in reality seems to make it impossible for them to sell the freehold. They failed in the 3 years the planning permission was active (they don't want to do the development themselves, just sell the freehold for a pot of gold). However, this stupid legislation allows them to apply again, probably hoping to sell the freehold to a stupid buyer who didn't do due diligence first. 

 

Obviously, while planning permission exists, it makes it impossible to sell your property for a reasonable price. So, if you own a leasehold flat of 3 stories, you should get rid asap. 

 

You mention you've also run your own figures on ROI from rental income and capital gains. Only you can decide if it's worth it versus rather being invested elsewhere but seems tenuous in your case. And landlords are definitely exiting the market as I mentioned, renters very much have the upper hand with recent legislation changes and good luck if you get someone who fails to pay up or won't budge.

 

If you compare stock investments over the last 10-15 years, on average they have outperformed property and without all the aggro of managing and maintaining it, and the added risk of getting a tenant from hell. 50-70% nominal return (no inflation adjustment) over a 5 year period would be an ballpark figure from a global equity income tracker fund. Meanwhile, 10 years in a S&P500 tracker ETF would have yielded 180% nominal but that market outperformed. In contrast, emerging markets performed badly. Global equity funds are there to deliver reasonably reliable gains over the long term investing in stocks paying dividends etc. So they won't deliver spectacular gains but won't leave you broke should markets go south. Hence why I'd look for that kind of thing as an alternative to property income. 

 

I've been fairly interested in investing for a while, so while I'm far from an expert I'm comfortable managing things. Being self educated is easy to do, lots of free resources out there, basic principle is deciding your risk appetite and not putting all eggs in one basket. In both pensions and my own direct investments, I choose the allocations - I'm in a mixture of trackers (global, emerging markets and UK equities) and various actively managed funds, I also own some stocks and ETFs directly. I tend to hold for the longer term. I don't bother with crypto or bonds. I have my money spread about - some has done better than others e.g. S&P 500 performed well, China/Hong Kong was poor. 

 

Like I say, it's all about risk appetite. 

 

 

 

Sell.

 

 

10 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

Regards leasehold flats....absolutely yes, if the building is 3 stories. And with minimal grounds to object or compensation for the disruption. It's very poorly thought out legislation passed by the Conservatives in 2020, supposedly to increase housing supply in urban areas but more like a pot of gold for freeholders since the value of the freehold jumps dramatically with planning permission granted. 

 

Where I live, our freeholder won "Prior Approval" to build 8 new apartments on top of our building despite huge objections. However, our owners group commissioned a surveyor and among other things, found insufficient foundations amongst other things which in reality seems to make it impossible for them to sell the freehold. They failed in the 3 years the planning permission was active (they don't want to do the development themselves, just sell the freehold for a pot of gold). However, this stupid legislation allows them to apply again, probably hoping to sell the freehold to a stupid buyer who didn't do due diligence first. 

 

Obviously, while planning permission exists, it makes it impossible to sell your property for a reasonable price. So, if you own a leasehold flat of 3 stories, you should get rid asap. 

 

You mention you've also run your own figures on ROI from rental income and capital gains. Only you can decide if it's worth it versus rather being invested elsewhere but seems tenuous in your case. And landlords are definitely exiting the market as I mentioned, renters very much have the upper hand with recent legislation changes and good luck if you get someone who fails to pay up or won't budge.

 

If you compare stock investments over the last 10-15 years, on average they have outperformed property and without all the aggro of managing and maintaining it, and the added risk of getting a tenant from hell. 50-70% nominal return (no inflation adjustment) over a 5 year period would be an ballpark figure from a global equity income tracker fund. Meanwhile, 10 years in a S&P500 tracker ETF would have yielded 180% nominal but that market outperformed. In contrast, emerging markets performed badly. Global equity funds are there to deliver reasonably reliable gains over the long term investing in stocks paying dividends etc. So they won't deliver spectacular gains but won't leave you broke should markets go south. Hence why I'd look for that kind of thing as an alternative to property income. 

 

I've been fairly interested in investing for a while, so while I'm far from an expert I'm comfortable managing things. Being self educated is easy to do, lots of free resources out there, basic principle is deciding your risk appetite and not putting all eggs in one basket. In both pensions and my own direct investments, I choose the allocations - I'm in a mixture of trackers (global, emerging markets and UK equities) and various actively managed funds, I also own some stocks and ETFs directly. I tend to hold for the longer term. I don't bother with crypto or bonds. I have my money spread about - some has done better than others e.g. S&P 500 performed well, China/Hong Kong was poor. 

 

Like I say, it's all about risk appetite. 

 

 

 

And if the flat is not three storeys?

 

Is in an area which is expensive and near a station, is in the South East where people have money, can afford the rent, likely to appreciate over time, and has a lease remaining of 992 years?

 

Two lifts directly from dedicated underground parking spaces.

 

Built by an award winning company, is solid, has an EPC of level B and has an A1 EWS1 certificate.

 

Rental income £1800 per month and rising. 

 

A good bolthole for when I am too old to live in Thailand anymore, we all get old and sick at some point and will not be able to get medical insurance at that age in Thailand.

 

A lot of people I see sell up and thirty years later are locked out from buying back into properly in the UK.

 

For example, I bought the family home in the 1990's for 175k and sold it a few years ago for £750k, give it a few years and it will be worth a lot more thus that would have been a lock out if I had not reinvested it in smaller properties to rent out. 

 

 

 

 

10 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

Can I borrow that crystal ball from you please, as I also want to read the future

 

Can I borrow it as well after you have used it, I wonder which part of Thailand he is referring to as rents in Phuket have not crashed, they are rising as are house prices.

 

Maybe in the back of beyond a villages in Issan they have decreased from 3000 baht a month to 2900 baht a month 😃

3 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I find that houses and the land they sit on Thailand do not increase that much in compared to the UK for example.

 

I know the asking prices rise but not much seems to get sold, some parcels of land are on the market for years and the Thais do not seem to realise it is because the asking prices are too high, they try and sell it for what they want for it and not at what the market value is.

 

It is different in say Phuket, two detached houses I know of in my housing estate sold for 6 million baht each recently and were bought about fifteen years ago for about 4.2 million which is around a 45% increase.

 

But we farangs can not own land which for me would be a worry and so in my case my Thai partner owns houses and land in Thailand which she bought and rents out and I have mine in the UK and rent them out which keep her and I on good terms as we are financially independent.

 

I have heard too many horror stories first hand of how things were great for years where farangs had houses and land in their partner/wife's name and then later things went South leaving the farangs broke.

 

We've done pretty good.  My first land ...

1 rai, bought 50k TBH & house cost 800k

... sold 1.4M (7 yrs)

 

2nd land purchase, 6 rai / 120k THB each

... 3 rai & house (2M) sold 3.2M after 10 yrs (motivated seller, bad market)

... 2 rai sold 650k each after 10 yrs

... 1 rai sold 550k after 11 yrs (motivated seller)

 

3rd land purchase, 76k 1/4 rai, 10 yrs ago

... Present house sits on it, land value, 500k

 

4th land purchase, 250k, 1/4 rai, 3 yrs ago, value now 500k

 

5th land purchase, two @ 350k each, 1/4 rai each, 1 yr old, value now 500k each

Land on same small soi, sold past 3 yrs for 450k & 650k, (all 1/4 rai)

12 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Can I borrow it as well after you have used it, I wonder which part of Thailand he is referring to as rents in Phuket have not crashed, they are rising as are house prices.

 

Maybe in the back of beyond a villages in Issan they have decreased from 3000 baht a month to 2900 baht a month 😃

If it rains in UK,it'll drench Thailand.AS for rentals in Thailand, just have to view notice boards in likes of Big C ,Lotus,etc.   Come old age returning to UK,social services will cripple you for charges,if property owner   Id sell if property ,bonds /stocks  get them well hidden

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

We've done pretty good.  My first land ...

1 rai, bought 50k TBH & house cost 800k

... sold 1.4M (7 yrs)

 

2nd land purchase, 6 rai / 120k THB each

... 3 rai & house (2M) sold 3.2M after 10 yrs (motivated seller, bad market)

... 2 rai sold 650k each after 10 yrs

... 1 rai sold 550k after 11 yrs (motivated seller)

 

3rd land purchase, 76k 1/4 rai, 10 yrs ago

... Present house sits on it, land value, 500k

 

4th land purchase, 250k, 1/4 rai, 3 yrs ago, value now 500k

 

5th land purchase, two @ 350k each, 1/4 rai each, 1 yr old, value now 500k each

Land on same small soi, sold past 3 yrs for 450k & 650k, (all 1/4 rai)

 Someone needs to get a a life, as your life shouldn't revolve around me 

 

How does giving info about investing in land/house, in TH, (the topic by the way), vs keep UK property, get a thumbs down.  Real life experience with actual info.   

 

Oh wait, I know, you don't have a real life.  

I'll be posting in one of the food threads, maybe ... get ready.

38 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 Someone needs to get a a life, as your life shouldn't revolve around me 

 

How does giving info about investing in land/house, in TH, (the topic by the way), vs keep UK property, get a thumbs down.  Real life experience with actual info.   

 

Oh wait, I know, you don't have a real life.  

I'll be posting in one of the food threads, maybe ... get ready.

Are you writing to yourself ,or to me?  Within a couple of seconds of a quote of mine  you responded,so maybe ,just maybe its for me,who knows.  Id be careful of food threads,given your record Id say constipation is a dire threat....and the topic is UK flat...sell or keeping........and for myself I've done very nicely ,thank you,   are you attempting to show financially you are better than me? no 

33 minutes ago, jori123 said:

Are you writing to yourself ,or to me?  Within a couple of seconds of a quote of mine  you responded,so maybe ,just maybe its for me,who knows.  Id be careful of food threads,given your record Id say constipation is a dire threat....and the topic is UK flat...sell or keeping........and for myself I've done very nicely ,thank you,   are you attempting to show financially you are better than me? no 

No...that post was for the person giving me thumbs down earlier.

 

If to a certain person,then I'd quote them.

1 hour ago, jori123 said:

If it rains in UK,it'll drench Thailand.AS for rentals in Thailand, just have to view notice boards in likes of Big C ,Lotus,etc.   Come old age returning to UK,social services will cripple you for charges,if property owner   Id sell if property ,bonds /stocks  get them well hidden

 

Your words seem a bit random, were you drunk when you wrote them?

 

I and probably you are not involved in the top end of the market as described in your article, we do not have tens of millions to buy such properties in London so it is irrelevant. 

 

Which part of Thailand do you live in?

 

Notice boards with flats for rent in supermarkets, what is all that about?

 

"Come old age returning to UK,social services will cripple you for charges,..."

 

If you are saying we need to pay and the NHS will not be free that is nonsense, it is a falcacy pasted about on such blogs by uniformed bloggers.

 

How do you hide bonds etc, is there a secret bond market out there that we do not know about? 😃

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Your words seem a bit random, were you drunk when you wrote them?

 

I and probably you are not involved in the top end of the market as described in your article, we do not have tens of millions to buy such properties in London so it is irrelevant. 

 

Which part of Thailand do you live in?

 

Notice boards with flats for rent in supermarkets, what is all that about?

 

"Come old age returning to UK,social services will cripple you for charges,..."

 

If you are saying we need to pay and the NHS will not be free that is nonsense, it is a falcacy pasted about on such blogs by uniformed bloggers.

 

How do you hide bonds etc, is there a secret bond market out there that we do not know about? 😃

 

 

 

 

 

 

Random? The poster I replied to understood perfectly,perhaps a trip to Specsavers if difficulty felt

 "Notice boards"? "What's this all about"  Thai thing  big C lotus have community    what else notice boards,rentals/jobs /tutoring etc  ,never noticed JamesPhuket10,is that your age?short pants into extra tight pants        NHS care will soon escalate into community care,in fact quicker than quick if age related care is required       "hidden bonds"?   Id say  offshore

  Take care James 10 Phuket  those Hunkie Russkies are after little boys wearing tights shorts

21 minutes ago, jori123 said:

Random? The poster I replied to understood perfectly,perhaps a trip to Specsavers if difficulty felt

 "Notice boards"? "What's this all about"  Thai thing  big C lotus have community    what else notice boards,rentals/jobs /tutoring etc  ,never noticed JamesPhuket10,is that your age?short pants into extra tight pants        NHS care will soon escalate into community care,in fact quicker than quick if age related care is required       "hidden bonds"?   Id say  offshore

  Take care James 10 Phuket  those Hunkie Russkies are after little boys wearing tight shorts

 

Owning property in UK is now a burden,especially getting old,you will be a target for every nutcase councils ever increasing rate/water demands,almost likened to a second mortgage,and getting nothing in return,feel sorry for Birmingham whites,muslims have a higher propensity to pay nothing and expect the most,what is it 20% increase over next 2 years ,to hell with it,not paying,do your best

On 8/1/2025 at 12:03 PM, jori123 said:

 

 

I don't tend to hang around noticeboards in Big C etc, it seems like a losers pass time.

 

My Thai partner has four houses she rents out in Phuket, she does not know of the existence of such notice boards etc and she has managed to keep her house rented out full time for the last 15 years. The rents are going up not going down.

 

Offshore bonds, well if you are talking about living in England then the tax man will get you, if you are not tax resident in the UK then you do not need to hide any bonds you have offshore as income outside of the UK for such people is not taxable.

 

You seem to talk in random words which do not make much sense, they probably do to you though

 

EG "those Hunkie Russkies are after little boys wearing tight shorts"

 

That probably makes sense in your world. 😃

16 hours ago, jori123 said:

Owning property in UK is now a burden,especially getting old,you will be a target for every nutcase councils ever increasing rate/water demands,almost likened to a second mortgage,and getting nothing in return,feel sorry for Birmingham whites,muslims have a higher propensity to pay nothing and expect the most,what is it 20% increase over next 2 years ,to hell with it,not paying,do your best

 

Yet more random unrelated nonsense.

 

As the article is about renting the property out the tenant will pay all of the bills. 

 

On 7/28/2025 at 12:43 AM, falangUK said:

How do you even start investing in gold?

you simply walk into a gold shop and buy some.

On 7/30/2025 at 6:46 AM, roger buttmore said:

 

If you look at any historical global index chart spanning decades it is always higher on the right than on the left. It is like a playing a yoyo while riding an escalator up. The important thing with any investing is to keep emergency funds AND funds required for living expenses for perhaps at least one year, probably longer, out of the market. These can be in a variety of holdings, such as easy access (very short-term), money market funds (MMFs) (short-term) and short-term UK Gilts of 1 to 5 years.

 

The rest goes in global index funds, such as FTWG (all world), VEVE (developed world) and/or some in VUSA (S&P500 USA only) or a combination. Only you can decide. If in any doubt, go global, or at least developed world. Investing in more focused investments carries greater volatility and risk, but greater volatility can often reward longer term investors.

 

If you haven't already, I would suggest you open a brokerage account and consider transferring all your individual defined contribution (DC) pensions garnered over the years from previous employers onto one single platform. Your broker will perform this transfer task on your behalf if you gather the information for them. Just ensure the broker you choose offers the ability for SIPP drawdown, not all do. 

 

This is not financial advice, just something to perhaps consider. Consolidating your pensions will create transparency, most likely reduce fees and give you the option of how you wish to invest as most pension companies 'lifestyle' your pension investments as your age increases. Lifestyling is an old-fashioned technique for de-risking with purchasing an annuity upon retirement in mind. Since pension freedoms were introduced in April 2015 the flexibility introduced was life-changing, making annuities no longer the only option. It is a great thing.

 

Which? - Compare investment platforms

https://www.which.co.uk/money/investing/investment-platforms-and-fund-supermarkets/best-investment-platforms/compare-investment-platform-fees-and-charges-anYec4l0G9J5

 

[ I seem unable to post clickable links ]

 

 

 

I feel you were lucky for holding off too.

 

Personally, I would NEVER buy anything of consequence here in Thailand, especially land or a condo. Renting is the only way I shall ever go here. Despite being in my 14th year of living here that opinion has never changed. I'm not suggesting it is wrong to do so, but I would not. If I cannot carry it, I don't buy it. Unless I'm prepared to leave it behind.

 

Of course, other people's circumstances are completely different from my own as I am single. If I had a Thai family then I would look at it in a completely different way.

 

Thanks for the masterclass—really appreciate you taking the time and effort. Sorry for the delay in replying, I’ve been travelling and also dealing with food poisoning.

 

I’ve realised I need to do a lot more research. It’s actually interesting and enjoyable. I hadn’t even considered my workplace pension, but that’s there and I should be eligible for it in a few years. I’ll likely keep a portion of the emergency fund in savings. I assume with ETFs like FTWG, VEVE, and VUSA, it’s possible to liquidate quickly in an emergency, though likely at an unfavourable rate depending on market conditions.

 

Here’s my current plan—let me know if it seems too complicated:
Emergency money → cash, money market funds, short gilts
Long-term investing (5+ years) → FTWG, VEVE, VUSA
Medium-term (1–5 years) → short-term bond funds, laddered gilts, or fixed-term cash deposits

 

As for platforms I’m considering:

Vanguard UK: lowest fees, but limited investment options

AJ Bell Youinvest: low cost (around 0.25% platform fee)

Hargreaves Lansdown: slightly more expensive

Fidelity UK: wide range of funds, decent tools

 

One potential issue—I'd like to invest in the Vanguard Sterling Short-Term Money Market Fund, but I think I need to be a UK resident to do so. I’m usually abroad and considered non-resident for tax purposes. I can use my UK address, but not sure if that’s fully legit.

 

On Thailand—loved Pattaya in my first year, but not after that. Really glad I didn’t buy property there. Would’ve been a hassle to sell, and I completely agree with not buying anything significant in Thailand. I don’t want to invest in something I don’t truly own, even with a usufruct. I’ve probably spent over 3 million baht in rent over the last 14 years, but I’m still glad I never bought. Never will. No kids—just 13 dogs and a Thai girlfriend. Her dad, for some reason, once tried to convince me to buy land and build her a house… while he was drunk. All in good fun, but from what I’ve seen in Pattaya, the way some Thai families behave when the farang isn’t around definitely doesn't encourage me to buy anything here.

On 7/31/2025 at 10:13 AM, gk10012001 said:

I got started by picking a dividend rate I wanted, i.e 5 %.  ETFs are basically a group of individual stocks that tent to focus on some sector such as utilities or communications etc.  So many ETFs out there.  The beauty is they are not just one stock in them so the risk of all going bad is pretty low.  Individual stocks, I only own a few, VZ, PFE, AGNC, O.  Look at ratings on Morningstar or in ETrade itself which is my broker.  Buy and hold.  Collect the dividends and reinvest them as you see fit.  I also own PFXF, PGX, and PRHYX bond fund and OPTAX a tax free amt free bond fund in my regular brokerage account outside of my IRA.  I never traded a lot.  Just went with the dividend and every few months maybe keep or sell one or two.  I keep it simple

Thanks,
Guessing this isn’t an option for a British citizen?, since most of these are likely only available to US citizens

On 7/31/2025 at 9:49 PM, MarkyM3 said:

Regards leasehold flats....absolutely yes, if the building is 3 stories. And with minimal grounds to object or compensation for the disruption. It's very poorly thought out legislation passed by the Conservatives in 2020, supposedly to increase housing supply in urban areas but more like a pot of gold for freeholders since the value of the freehold jumps dramatically with planning permission granted. 

 

Where I live, our freeholder won "Prior Approval" to build 8 new apartments on top of our building despite huge objections. However, our owners group commissioned a surveyor and among other things, found insufficient foundations amongst other things which in reality seems to make it impossible for them to sell the freehold. They failed in the 3 years the planning permission was active (they don't want to do the development themselves, just sell the freehold for a pot of gold). However, this stupid legislation allows them to apply again, probably hoping to sell the freehold to a stupid buyer who didn't do due diligence first. 

 

Obviously, while planning permission exists, it makes it impossible to sell your property for a reasonable price. So, if you own a leasehold flat of 3 stories, you should get rid asap. 

 

You mention you've also run your own figures on ROI from rental income and capital gains. Only you can decide if it's worth it versus rather being invested elsewhere but seems tenuous in your case. And landlords are definitely exiting the market as I mentioned, renters very much have the upper hand with recent legislation changes and good luck if you get someone who fails to pay up or won't budge.

 

If you compare stock investments over the last 10-15 years, on average they have outperformed property and without all the aggro of managing and maintaining it, and the added risk of getting a tenant from hell. 50-70% nominal return (no inflation adjustment) over a 5 year period would be an ballpark figure from a global equity income tracker fund. Meanwhile, 10 years in a S&P500 tracker ETF would have yielded 180% nominal but that market outperformed. In contrast, emerging markets performed badly. Global equity funds are there to deliver reasonably reliable gains over the long term investing in stocks paying dividends etc. So they won't deliver spectacular gains but won't leave you broke should markets go south. Hence why I'd look for that kind of thing as an alternative to property income. 

 

I've been fairly interested in investing for a while, so while I'm far from an expert I'm comfortable managing things. Being self educated is easy to do, lots of free resources out there, basic principle is deciding your risk appetite and not putting all eggs in one basket. In both pensions and my own direct investments, I choose the allocations - I'm in a mixture of trackers (global, emerging markets and UK equities) and various actively managed funds, I also own some stocks and ETFs directly. I tend to hold for the longer term. I don't bother with crypto or bonds. I have my money spread about - some has done better than others e.g. S&P 500 performed well, China/Hong Kong was poor. 

 

Like I say, it's all about risk appetite. 

 

That was incredibly poorly thought-out legislation. I can't believe they planned to build something on top while people are still living there—it’s just insane. Glad they cancelled it in your case. Now it's another thing for me to worry about with the flat. I actually noticed a planning permission notice from the council stuck on a lamp post in front of the building and assumed it was for the car park next door.

Seriously considering selling and putting the proceeds into investments like FTWG, VEVE, and VUSA. I'm guessing you've allocated most of yours to global equity funds too. I don’t know a whole lot about this stuff yet, so there’s always that worry in the back of my mind that if the market tanks, I could be in trouble.
Based on your input, it seems smart for me to add VHYL and VUKE—or maybe L&G UK Equity Income—to my portfolio.

 

Overall Plan
    •    Emergency: Cash, MMF, Short Gilts 
    •    Long-Term: FTWG / VEVE / VUSA 
    •    Avoid: Short-term market exposure 
    •    No: Crypto or complex speculation
Optional :


VHYL (dividend focus) – smoother ride, lower growth


UK equity tracker – home bias + aligns with GBP-based expenses


Small EM allocation –  higher volatility and long-term bets


1–2 active funds –  To explore a bit 🙂

 

Thanks again.
 

On 8/1/2025 at 1:17 AM, KhunLA said:

We've done pretty good.  My first land ...

1 rai, bought 50k TBH & house cost 800k

... sold 1.4M (7 yrs)

 

2nd land purchase, 6 rai / 120k THB each

... 3 rai & house (2M) sold 3.2M after 10 yrs (motivated seller, bad market)

... 2 rai sold 650k each after 10 yrs

... 1 rai sold 550k after 11 yrs (motivated seller)

 

3rd land purchase, 76k 1/4 rai, 10 yrs ago

... Present house sits on it, land value, 500k

 

4th land purchase, 250k, 1/4 rai, 3 yrs ago, value now 500k

 

5th land purchase, two @ 350k each, 1/4 rai each, 1 yr old, value now 500k each

Land on same small soi, sold past 3 yrs for 450k & 650k, (all 1/4 rai)

 

Looks like you've done really well. Land around where I live near the Chiang Mai–Mae Rim border is actually more expensive than buying a house and land in the city. I'm pretty tempted to buy something with my Thai girlfriend using a usufruct—even though I always said I’d never go that route, especially since I wouldn’t expect anything back from the land or the relationship if it came to that. But just for the experience and maybe sell it off later. My only real concern is people encroaching on the property, though that doesn’t seem to be an issue in your case since it’s all in the same soi.

 

4 minutes ago, falangUK said:

 

Looks like you've done really well. Land around where I live near the Chiang Mai–Mae Rim border is actually more expensive than buying a house and land in the city. I'm pretty tempted to buy something with my Thai girlfriend using a usufruct—even though I always said I’d never go that route, especially since I wouldn’t expect anything back from the land or the relationship if it came to that. But just for the experience and maybe sell it off later. My only real concern is people encroaching on the property, though that doesn’t seem to be an issue in your case since it’s all in the same soi.

If and when you do buy land, especially if not on a soi, where most of the lots are well marked, fenced, walled or wired, then as soon as the land office is done surveying and placing the boundary marking plugs, stick some concrete poles in, and just string 1 line of barbed wire around the border.   Or even the plastic string, depending how long it will be before you develop it. 

 

Really just shows people, this is ours, and we know where the borders are, so don't even think about it.

 

Take photos of course and check every now and then, make sure nobody moves the plugs.  Land office map will give you a good ballpark idea of any lot, unless very rural.  Which case you'd want to wait until surveyed & plugged before any transfer.

 

Our soi is a small dead end soi, and everything was well marked to begin with, and survey didn't provide any surprises.  I'm waiting to buy the few lots that are left anyway, just so we have control of any neighbors ... more like prevent any 😎

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If and when you do buy land, especially if not on a soi, where most of the lots are well marked, fenced, walled or wired, then as soon as the land office is done surveying and placing the boundary marking plugs, stick some concrete poles in, and just string 1 line of barbed wire around the border.   Or even the plastic string, depending how long it will be before you develop it. 

 

Really just shows people, this is ours, and we know where the borders are, so don't even think about it.

 

Take photos of course and check every now and then, make sure nobody moves the plugs.  Land office map will give you a good ballpark idea of any lot, unless very rural.  Which case you'd want to wait until surveyed & plugged before any transfer.

 

Our soi is a small dead end soi, and everything was well marked to begin with, and survey didn't provide any surprises.  I'm waiting to buy the few lots that are left anyway, just so we have control of any neighbors ... more like prevent any 😎

 

We have lost all four of our concrete plugs.....really need to do something about that before someone starts laying claim to anything!!!!

9 hours ago, falangUK said:

That was incredibly poorly thought-out legislation. I can't believe they planned to build something on top while people are still living there—it’s just insane. Glad they cancelled it in your case. Now it's another thing for me to worry about with the flat. I actually noticed a planning permission notice from the council stuck on a lamp post in front of the building and assumed it was for the car park next door.

Seriously considering selling and putting the proceeds into investments like FTWG, VEVE, and VUSA. I'm guessing you've allocated most of yours to global equity funds too. I don’t know a whole lot about this stuff yet, so there’s always that worry in the back of my mind that if the market tanks, I could be in trouble.
Based on your input, it seems smart for me to add VHYL and VUKE—or maybe L&G UK Equity Income—to my portfolio.

 

Overall Plan
    •    Emergency: Cash, MMF, Short Gilts 
    •    Long-Term: FTWG / VEVE / VUSA 
    •    Avoid: Short-term market exposure 
    •    No: Crypto or complex speculation
Optional :


VHYL (dividend focus) – smoother ride, lower growth


UK equity tracker – home bias + aligns with GBP-based expenses


Small EM allocation –  higher volatility and long-term bets


1–2 active funds –  To explore a bit 🙂

 

Thanks again.
 

Just to mention, I am moving most of my investments that are not in company pensions or in savings to the Interactive Investor platform. The basic fee structure is flat fee of £4.99 per month up to £50k. Portfolio any value over £50k is £11.99 a month. Trades are £3.99 but you get a free one each month on the £11.99 plan. 

 

The app is "OK" but does the job just fine. I prefer the HL one and their customer service is great but their fees I don't prefer 😄 I'm moving a fair chunk of my money off there to II. HL charge 0.45% platform fee on unit trusts, which is a joke. Where they are pretty good is for holding shares and ETFs. They are capped at a total maximum of £45 per year. If you keep those long term then HL is good, though again they have an uncompetitive fee for buying stocks (£11.99). So I'm leaving my directly held shares (currently NatWest and Lloyds) and ETF investments with HL, otherwise, I'm in the process of moving over to II. 

 

Current rough allocation of my assets is -

 

Flat owned outright - approx 20%

 

Pensions - about 35%, in a global mix (Global Managed, UK equity tracker, Far East/Pacific tracker, Emerging Market tracker, US equities, some bonds). 

 

Stocks - various, about 22.5% (I think your allocations sound pretty sensible, maybe add in a smallish punt on an AI stock tracker - look at the L&G fund, tech funds etc. Still think they will outperform in future.)

 

Savings - about 22.5%, needed over the next 5-6 years. 

 

I'm comfortable with that. I am thinking to reduce the cash element some more, especially as interest rates drop, but it will go in equity income funds focussing on dividend stocks with a proven record of not going south if the market does.

 

On that subject, I think it's fair to say some markets are fully valued now - especially the US - and unpredictable times ahead because no-one knows the real impact of the tariffs yet. Friday saw a minor panic in part because Amazon failed to heavily beat market expectations on 1/2 year results, unlike Meta and Microsoft and also off the back of more tariff curveballs. India, one market I have quite an interest in, has not struck an agreement yet. The EU has done but it hasn't brought much joy. More a short term relief.  

 

Another thing to factor in is exchange rates - I'm in US stocks (some AI/tech funds, US smaller companies, also as part of various global funds) but the expectation is the $ will weaken in future, Trump doesn't favour a strong $. I'm sticking with it because it's still one of, if not the most, innovative economy in the world but I don't expect US can deliver the same outperformance seen in the last 10 years, if you look back to the 2000s that decade was a total contrast and emerging markets took off then. 

 

Good luck to us all!  

On 8/4/2025 at 2:39 PM, KhunLA said:

If and when you do buy land, especially if not on a soi, where most of the lots are well marked, fenced, walled or wired, then as soon as the land office is done surveying and placing the boundary marking plugs, stick some concrete poles in, and just string 1 line of barbed wire around the border.   Or even the plastic string, depending how long it will be before you develop it. 

 

Really just shows people, this is ours, and we know where the borders are, so don't even think about it.

 

Take photos of course and check every now and then, make sure nobody moves the plugs.  Land office map will give you a good ballpark idea of any lot, unless very rural.  Which case you'd want to wait until surveyed & plugged before any transfer.

 

Our soi is a small dead end soi, and everything was well marked to begin with, and survey didn't provide any surprises.  I'm waiting to buy the few lots that are left anyway, just so we have control of any neighbors ... more like prevent any 😎

Sounds like solid advice, I'll keep it in mind if I ever decide to buy. Also gave me the idea to revisit some of the plots we’ve checked out before, see their current condition, whether boundary markers are still intact, etc.

Smart move buying up the remaining plots in your soi—better to secure them than risk someone loud or problematic moving in. A friend went through that and it turned into a headache.

16 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

Just to mention, I am moving most of my investments that are not in company pensions or in savings to the Interactive Investor platform. The basic fee structure is flat fee of £4.99 per month up to £50k. Portfolio any value over £50k is £11.99 a month. Trades are £3.99 but you get a free one each month on the £11.99 plan. 

 

The app is "OK" but does the job just fine. I prefer the HL one and their customer service is great but their fees I don't prefer 😄 I'm moving a fair chunk of my money off there to II. HL charge 0.45% platform fee on unit trusts, which is a joke. Where they are pretty good is for holding shares and ETFs. They are capped at a total maximum of £45 per year. If you keep those long term then HL is good, though again they have an uncompetitive fee for buying stocks (£11.99). So I'm leaving my directly held shares (currently NatWest and Lloyds) and ETF investments with HL, otherwise, I'm in the process of moving over to II. 

 

Current rough allocation of my assets is -

 

Flat owned outright - approx 20%

 

Pensions - about 35%, in a global mix (Global Managed, UK equity tracker, Far East/Pacific tracker, Emerging Market tracker, US equities, some bonds). 

 

Stocks - various, about 22.5% (I think your allocations sound pretty sensible, maybe add in a smallish punt on an AI stock tracker - look at the L&G fund, tech funds etc. Still think they will outperform in future.)

 

Savings - about 22.5%, needed over the next 5-6 years. 

 

I'm comfortable with that. I am thinking to reduce the cash element some more, especially as interest rates drop, but it will go in equity income funds focussing on dividend stocks with a proven record of not going south if the market does.

 

On that subject, I think it's fair to say some markets are fully valued now - especially the US - and unpredictable times ahead because no-one knows the real impact of the tariffs yet. Friday saw a minor panic in part because Amazon failed to heavily beat market expectations on 1/2 year results, unlike Meta and Microsoft and also off the back of more tariff curveballs. India, one market I have quite an interest in, has not struck an agreement yet. The EU has done but it hasn't brought much joy. More a short term relief.  

 

Another thing to factor in is exchange rates - I'm in US stocks (some AI/tech funds, US smaller companies, also as part of various global funds) but the expectation is the $ will weaken in future, Trump doesn't favour a strong $. I'm sticking with it because it's still one of, if not the most, innovative economy in the world but I don't expect US can deliver the same outperformance seen in the last 10 years, if you look back to the 2000s that decade was a total contrast and emerging markets took off then. 

 

Good luck to us all!  

Thanks for sharing all that 🙂  really appreciate the detail. Your setup looks well balanced and thought through. I’ll take some time to study it properly and make notes to get my head around everything. Thanks again 🙂 
 

On 8/4/2025 at 10:12 AM, Will B Good said:

 

We have lost all four of our concrete plugs.....really need to do something about that before someone starts laying claim to anything!!!!

 

You will be surprised how the technology is in Thailand.

 

We had some land inspected by the a surveyor from the government land office in 2019, they have a satellite system, it points out exactly where the official marking posts were underneath the ground, they were spot on so if anyone tries to claim the land you call in the government surveyor. 

On 8/3/2025 at 1:34 AM, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I don't tend to hang around noticeboards in Big C etc, it seems like a losers pass time.

 

My Thai partner has four houses she rents out in Phuket, she does not know of the existence of such notice boards etc and she has managed to keep her house rented out full time for the last 15 years. The rents are going up not going down.

 

Offshore bonds, well if you are talking about living in England then the tax man will get you, if you are not tax resident in the UK then you do not need to hide any bonds you have offshore as income outside of the UK for such people is not taxable.

 

You seem to talk in random words which do not make much sense, they probably do to you though

 

EG "those Hunkie Russkies are after little boys wearing tight shorts"

 

That probably makes sense in your world. 😃

Hello there James,bit tied up for return to UK at the mo,but I may add you display  chav behaviour,I see your Thai partner has not one but four houses as you salivate  that's good she undoubtedly will get shut like ....off a shovel in time  ,good on her,obv nothing contributed from you ,pretty obv.   Stop guessing about hidden assets,you are clueless, and looking at notice boards there at lotus etc,you cert live off the fat of the land,keeping pigs in that back yard perhaps   Got rid of UK property long time ago,got enough pensions ,gold plated too thank you,no need to do anything,but spend it,ps  do you wear knee stockings?