Abandoned waterfront condo at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya | Photo via Pattaya News/Facebook

 

A crucial verdict on Pattaya’s contentious waterfront condo could come soon, as the Department of Lands reviews whether to revoke or affirm the project's title deed. This long-standing issue, unresolved over a decade, focuses on the legitimacy of land certification for a high-rise near Bali Hai Pier. It follows warnings by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 2 two years ago about an unlawfully issued land title.

 

The disputed certificate, derived from an older S.K.1 document, was wrongly approved for unoccupied land. This approval violated regulations categorizing the area as restricted mountainous terrain. Supporting the NACC findings, both Pattaya City and Banglamung District formally acknowledged that the land should remain public property. Mayor Poramese Ngampichet indicated a preference for demolishing the structure, awaiting the Department of Lands' decision.

 

Should the title deed be revoked, Pattaya News reported that demolition could occur under 2010 Ministry of Interior guidelines. However, if upheld, the city might entertain building modification requests despite facing significant public resistance and pending lawsuits. Environmental factions and ongoing legal battles contribute to the project's uncertain future.

 

Safety concerns have prompted Pattaya City to collaborate with the developer, ensuring that the idle building doesn't pose risks to public safety from debris. The project has faced consistent scrutiny, intensified by inquiries from a senator and a Chon Buri MP in District 9. As responses are still directed to Pattaya City and Banglamung District by the Minister of Interior, officials anticipate a decision soon.

 

Looking forward, authorities haven't specified a date for the final decision. Meanwhile, some officials hint at alternative redevelopment plans for the Bali Hai Pier area, considering possibilities beyond retaining the condominium there.

 

Key Takeaways

• Lands department nearing final decision on disputed condo title.
• Environmental and legal challenges persist amidst public safety measures.
• City officials explore alternative redevelopment for the contentious site.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-07

 

 

 

 

I wonder how many innocents have money tied up in this?

 

I'd never buy in Thailand, but buying off the plot can be suicidal.

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

 

I wonder how many innocents have money tied up in this?

 

I'd never buy in Thailand, but buying off the plot can be suicidal.

i heard about a farang who bought a whole floor...

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

i heard about a farang who bought a whole floor...

 

 

OMG........Do you see the guy paid £500,000 for a villa?

 

"The guy" who had it built didn't pay the contractors....so under Thai law ownership reverted to the contractors.

 

"The guy" was a Brit from Shropshire.....could have all been in cahoots with the contractors of course!!!!

As stated it has been 10  years of procrastination and cover ups, so I am not expecting 'near' actually means that much!

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

awaiting the Department of Lands' decision.

Well they're in no hurry so don't hold your breath.

It serves as a huge phallic symbol reaching into the sky which celebrates all the money lost over the years by foreigners in Pattaya.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

 The project has faced consistent scrutiny, 

 

Looking forward, authorities haven't specified a date for the final decision. 

 

Looking forward to another 10 years of discussions about what to do with it, I'm guessing the powers that be will be hoping a sink hole will swallow it up...

A demolition party should be held it would increase tourism exponentially

Can you imagine the lawsuit anclaims if it is found legit.  Surely this long it has a huge issues structurally 

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

As stated it has been 10  years of procrastination and cover ups, so I am not expecting 'near' actually means that much!

Near could be another decade

16 hours ago, Will B Good said:

I'd never buy in Thailand, but buying off the plot can be suicidal.

You've missed out on high returns. 

 

I've bought a dozen properties in Pattaya over the decades.

Some say I'm a gambler, Bitcoins, shares on the stock market, kilograms of gold, sexy Thai chicks 

Life is a gamble. 

 

The suicidal guys are long gone 

 

Here is a likely scenario.  They rule it's protected mountainous land.  Say it must be demolished.  Company says no money bankrupt, city says we will investigate the cost for demolition, be seriously shocked by the expense, inconvenience, possible damage to the base of the mountain that could cause a land slide and say we are reviewing other options.

 

This will continue for many years until hopefully it's forgotten about until next time they talk about it and it starts all over again.

 

The building will probably collapse in another 45 years due to deterioration.

5 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

You've missed out on high returns. 

 

I've bought a dozen properties in Pattaya over the decades.

Some say I'm a gambler, Bitcoins, shares on the stock market, kilograms of gold,sexy Thai chicks 

 

Life is a gamble, everything in moderation I say. 

 

You missed on high returns.  Really? Drive around Pattaya and Jomtien and take not of all the empty lots ready to be developed. Currently, no shortage of condos for sale or rent in Pattaya. Supply far exceeds demand. Known many condo owners, over the years, who have owned for 10+ years were lucky to get their money back. 

8 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

Known many condo owners, over the years, who have owned for 10+ years were lucky to get their money back. 

I associate with the high rollers 

 

Losers attract losers. 

 

Probably another ten years before a final decision  on this eyesore. 

Maybe the broken up concrete could be used to extend or create a boat harbour in the vicinity

17 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

I wonder how many innocents have money tied up in this?

 

I'd never buy in Thailand, but buying off the plot can be suicidal.

I know an Australian guy who bought off the plan.  The project was a scam.  He had to go back to Australia and back to work.  A very short lived retirement.   

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I know an Australia guy who bought off the plan.  The project was a scam.  He had to go back to Australia and back to work.  A very short lived retirement.   

 

 

Guy got scammed, Brit on Brit, a few years ago........£500,000.........builder took the money ,built the villa, didn't pay the constructor, villa ownership reverted to the constructor. Money gone.

 

Scammer is well known, lives in a village not far from a friend of mine in Shropshire.

Do not discuss, tear down immediately

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

It serves as a huge phallic symbol reaching into the sky which celebrates all the money lost over the years by foreigners in Pattaya.

from the other side, looks like 'h' to me... or maybe a 'd'. Ever see "Life after people" series? maybe tourist attraction for that? 

Just now, Emdog said:

from the other side, looks like 'h' to me... or maybe a 'd'. Ever see "Life after people" series? maybe tourist attraction for that? 

 

 

I read on FB Musk has bought it and is turning it into luxury apartments for the homeless in DC.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

Well they're in no hurry so don't hold your breath.

This would be a good project for Thaksin to work on in his spare time from shovelling sh$t at the sewerage plant.He couls do deal with his mates in the lands department and put in a cheap tender and get it ready for sale. A lick of paint they will look like new.

 

2 hours ago, jippytum said:

Probably another ten years before a final decision  on this eyesore. 

 

1 hour ago, riverhigh said:

You missed on high returns.  Really? Drive around Pattaya and Jomtien and take not of all the empty lots ready to be developed. Currently, no shortage of condos for sale or rent in Pattaya. Supply far exceeds demand. Known many condo owners, over the years, who have owned for 10+ years were lucky to get their money back. 

   So, even if they just got 'their money back', they've saved on '10+ years' of rent so they still should come out ahead or at least break even.   Plus, they had 10+ years of living in their own space, with their own things, rather than likely tacky rental quality stuff--from the bed to the tv and everything else. 

   For example, 10 years ago we were selling View Talay 5 high floor seaview studio condos for around 3.25 MB to 3.5 MB.  Hipflat today has high floor seaview VT5 studio condos listed for around 2.8 MB to 3.5 MB.  If someone bought one of those VT5 studios 10 years ago for 3.25 to 3.5 MB, they would have saved 1.8 MB in rent at 15,000 baht a month or 1.2 MB in rent at 10,000 baht a month.  In both cases, subtract 120,000 baht from the savings for 10 years of condo fees at 1,000 baht a month.

     Short-term, if often makes more sense to rent.  Or, if you want to be able to move from one place to another quickly.   But, if you are going to be here for longer periods, especially 10 years or more, there can be some advantages to owning, especially if you like being able to do whatever you want with your space and like have all your own furniture, art, good bed and mattress, high-grade appliances, large tvs, etc.  

3 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

It serves as a huge phallic symbol reaching into the sky which celebrates all the money lost over the years by foreigners in Pattaya.

This foreign money benefited the many bar girls in Pattaya and their families, so it can't be called a loss..

14 minutes ago, Look Chang said:

so it can't be called a loss

When someone's life savings (wealth) is transferred to the family of a Thai prostitute living in a rural village, what would YOU call it? 

21 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

When someone's life savings (wealth) is transferred to the family of a Thai prostitute living in a rural village, what would YOU call it? 

 

 

LOVE..................

I'm sure most of us have been to Pattaya, and if you've been there you've 100% seen this building and wondered what the heck happened there! 

 

I got curious recently and dug deep - the story behind this building is wild and systematic. There were some shady behind the scenes government approvals that led to this project getting green lit. Some locals complained that it blocked a special statue's view of the sea once it started to go up (the monarch owns a large plot of land not far from this location). Then the governor was replaced and the new guy started finding modifications that didn't conform to plan, which led to everybody suing each other. There were attempts to fix it that were blocked or stalled. The original builder bailed out. The finance partners bailed out. Many of the owners sued. Everything ground to a halt.

 

Thailand doesn't have streamlined bankruptcy law, so project failures have no fast remedies. Thailand doesn't require 3rd party insurers to guarantee complete-or-demolish by any certain deadlines. And as it turns out, building permits can be revoked mid-project because the climate shifts. 

Buyer bewareeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

21 minutes ago, newnative said:

So, even if they just got 'their money back', they've saved on '10+ years' of rent so they still should come out ahead or at least break even. 

More misleading real estate posting by yourself.

 

I've posted the math before in regards to property.  Below is condensed version.   

 

Currently, Australian banks are paying around 5% interest.  My managed fund returns more, and Australian Super even more again.  

 

You don't factor in the returns on the cost of the condo being near, equal, or higher than the rent, in which one can pay peanuts more, the same, or keep the difference and be ahead, and still have the funds "liquid" with no risk of being scammed, or fees, or maintenance costs, and can move anytime should they wish to or have to.   

 

25 minutes ago, newnative said:

Plus, they had 10+ years of living in their own space, with their own things, rather than likely tacky rental quality stuff--from the bed to the tv and everything else. 

Since when CAN'T you have your own things in a leased property????

 

28 minutes ago, newnative said:

For example, 10 years ago we were selling View Talay 5 high floor seaview studio condos for around 3.25 MB to 3.5 MB.  Hipflat today has high floor seaview VT5 studio condos listed for around 2.8 MB to 3.5 MB.  If someone bought one of those VT5 studios 10 years ago for 3.25 to 3.5 MB, they would have saved 1.8 MB in rent at 15,000 baht a month or 1.2 MB in rent at 10,000 baht a month.  In both cases, subtract 120,000 baht from the savings for 10 years of condo fees at 1,000 baht a month.

So, you agree with the member, the median price is the same, or lower.  Where's the capital gain?  You post that there isn't one, and in fact there is a possibility of a loss. 

 

Your words:  "10 years ago we were selling View Talay 5 high floor seaview studio condos for around 3.25 MB to 3.5 MB.  Hipflat today has high floor seaview VT5 studio condos listed for around 2.8 MB to 3.5 MB."

 

The top asking price hasn't moved in 10 years. Like the member said, they were lucky to get their money back. 

 

So then you look to "saved rent" as the the main return on investment, because it's not capital gain.   

 

Let's look at some numbers.  Given what you say is true, let's pick the average between 3,250,000 baht and 3,500,000 baht. 

 

3,500,000 - 3,250,000 = 250,000.

 

The mid way figure is 3,375,000.

 

3,375,000 x 5% = 168,750 / 12 months =  14,062 baht per month. 

 

By your own admission condo fees are 1,000 a month, which the tenant does not pay. 

 

You also do not factor in property maintenance, and given the poor build quality here, that could be significant, but the owner would most likely be up for an air conditioner, fridge, hot water system and washing machine within 10 years because they do not build things like they used to.  These are the main items, but let's not forget microwave, TV etc, then you have lighting, leaking taps, switches and power outlets, and possibly, tiling, which would be a significant cost. 

 

As can be seen in the above figures, you basically get to live "rent free" in the same Thai condo in VT5, without condo fees and property maintenance, with your capital still at call and safe in a bank in your home country, with the freedom of moving condo's should you want to or have to, possibly due to old age and / or ill health, and no agents fees and taxes to pay upon selling. 

 

Not to mention, the risk of foreign property ownership in Thailand.

 

Now, I think bank interest was not 5% 10 years ago, but rents were cheaper also. 

 

Why would someone buy????  Their money is tied up in a Thai condo that you admit makes no capital gain in 10 years, and they have to pay fees and maintenance to pay also. 

 

Now, the elephant in the room is life expectancy.  You don't mention that either in your "saved rent" formula.  In Australia, depending on when you were born, retirement age is 65 or 67 years of age.  Of course, if you are self funded, you can retire when you like, but you can not access your Super until 60 years of age. 

 

Retiring at 65, and moving to Thailand and buying a condo in VT5, the "saved rent" as you call it, to equal the cost of the condo in years, the owner must live for another 18.75 years before the rent saved surpasses the outlay for the cost of the condo. 

 

15,000 per month rent x 12 months = 180,000 baht.

 

3,375,000 (median of your low and high price) / 180,000 baht = 18.75 years. 

 

65 + 18 = 83 years old. 

 

How many expats do you know here who are over 83 years old????

 

I haven't even mentioned the risk of the condo block becoming a hotel with daily rental, or management skimming / incompetence and the block becoming a dump and decreasing in value significantly.  

 

Once again, why would anyone buy, short or long term???? 

 

49 minutes ago, newnative said:

Short-term, if often makes more sense to rent.  Or, if you want to be able to move from one place to another quickly.   But, if you are going to be here for longer periods, especially 10 years or more, there can be some advantages to owning, especially if you like being able to do whatever you want with your space and like have all your own furniture, art, good bed and mattress, high-grade appliances, large tvs, etc.  

I rent, and have my own bed, entertainment system, and lounge. 

 

Since when is having your own furniture some type of financial gain over owning instead of renting? 

 

39 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

LOVE..................

More like stupidity.