On 11/3/2025 at 1:02 PM, watchcat said:

well, enforce it,

No government should interfere with what property owners chose to do with the properties that they own. It is none of their business if they want to live in it or rent it or leave it empty as long as they pay the rates and taxes. There was a time when councils in London were cracking down on multi million Pound properties owned by middle eastern investers and were gonna hit them with a vacancy tax but I am not sure if that ever happened or not.

On 11/3/2025 at 2:50 PM, John Drake said:

 

That's what Srettha wanted.

 

Was he running the show when the rainbow crosswalks and dope shops started showing up? Globalist scum.

 

Many people in this thread don't understand how Asians view real estate. It's a long term investment, not to flip.  Do Thais have house porn like we get back home?

 

A female friend had a house sitting empty a couple of blocks from her home and offered to let me stay there for free.  When times got tough for their family business they still didn't sell their empty houses: it's seen as a foolish move. Even dirt poor country families have houses.  The West has a messed up approach to housing. 

On 11/3/2025 at 6:52 PM, DonniePeverley said:

Properties really struggle to sell here. 

 

But rental wise you can do well ... but then again if it doesn't sell, it's a bizarre investment. The three main safe countries of UK, Australia, and Canada are still the best place to buy property for investment and get a return - with VERY SAFE BANKING AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS. 

Hardly a good example to follow - all three countries have a property Ponzi scheme as the main pillar of the economy. That requires ever increasing flows of immigrants to keep the prices rising. Stop the immigration and the economy sinks. 

 

The Thai population is levelling, aging and starting to go down. They should follow the Chinese way of smashing the property speculators and channel the investment flows to something more productive. Well...in theory. It requires big investments in education. 

 

 

1 hour ago, gearbox said:

Hardly a good example to follow - all three countries have a property Ponzi scheme as the main pillar of the economy. That requires ever increasing flows of immigrants to keep the prices rising. Stop the immigration and the economy sinks. 

 

The Thai population is levelling, aging and starting to go down. They should follow the Chinese way of smashing the property speculators and channel the investment flows to something more productive. Well...in theory. It requires big investments in education. 

 

 

 

 

Utter nonsense. It's a safe investment in these countries due to the strong law regarding property.

39 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

Utter nonsense. It's a safe investment in these countries due to the strong law regarding property.

Stop the immigration and see how "safe" this investment is. It would result in diving rents and property prices plus long recessions. 

On 11/3/2025 at 11:52 PM, DonniePeverley said:

Properties really struggle to sell here. 

 

But rental wise you can do well ... but then again if it doesn't sell, it's a bizarre investment. The three main safe countries of UK, Australia, and Canada are still the best place to buy property for investment and get a return - with VERY SAFE BANKING AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS. 

 

It depends where you are, my Thai partner bought her house in a gated community off plan here in Kathu, Kathu, Phuket.

 

The first phase was 350 detached houses, they sold off plan before they were built as the developer 'Phuket Villa' had completed and sold numerous developments at a good price and good quality.

 

Phase 2 properties were sold off plan, as is phase 3 at the moment, which were/are new developments next to this one.

 

Three bed, two baths detached houses, security etc, 4.2 million baht when build ten years ago, resale houses now selling at 6 million baht and sell quickly.

 

So it all depends on the quality, the price and especially the location. 

 

But my property is in the UK, you stated they are safe there which I agree with, and make a very good rental income.

 

On 11/3/2025 at 2:44 AM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

A staggering 1.64 million homes across Thailand lie empty, creating a huge economic waste valued at 3.45 trillion baht. This figure nearly equals the nation’s yearly budget, S

this number is by far underestimated 1!!!!!!

this only empty units from developer  ..count another 2-4 million units who are empty, and bpought by small owners in the hope of capital gains , and now empty   

i  think 40-50% of all units are " speculative used" not only in thailand ,in all across asia and many other parts of the world

 

due to lack of maintenance  they all !! wasteland at the end of their cycle. theycant apy even maintenance regular ..whats later when  hig bills occur due to structaral , lifts and so on....ghostbuildings 

On 11/3/2025 at 11:52 PM, DonniePeverley said:

Properties really struggle to sell here. 

 

But rental wise you can do well ... but then again if it doesn't sell, it's a bizarre investment. The three main safe countries of UK, Australia, and Canada are still the best place to buy property for investment and get a return - with VERY SAFE BANKING AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS. 

Those renting (the tenants) do well, because the huge numbers of vacant condos keep rents affordable, if not a bargain. Houses are often even cheaper to rent because landlords of houses find it even harder to find tenants (security issues, distance from workplace, etc.). But my own rental agent told me that the condo owners who rent out as an 'investment' barely make a profit due to the high prices of the units (mortgage payments) and the annual maintenance fees.

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

Those renting (the tenants) do well, because the huge numbers of vacant condos keep rents affordable, if not a bargain. Houses are often even cheaper to rent because landlords of houses find it even harder to find tenants (security issues, distance from workplace, etc.). But my own rental agent told me that the condo owners who rent out as an 'investment' barely make a profit due to the high prices of the units (mortgage payments) and the annual maintenance fees.

 

They'll make a profit once the mortgage is paid off (by their tenant).

 

And isn't that a profit anyway? Someone paying your mortgage for you.

52 minutes ago, FruitPudding said:

 

They'll make a profit once the mortgage is paid off (by their tenant).

 

And isn't that a profit anyway? Someone paying your mortgage for you.

Yes, it's supposed to work that way. But here (Bangkok) many if not most owners of these newer condos cannot rent at a high enough price to get the tenant to 'pay off' the mortgage. That's one reason so many sit empty - the owners won't drop the rental price and so few can afford to pay what they're asking, they sit empty. 

7 hours ago, gearbox said:

Stop the immigration and see how "safe" this investment is. It would result in diving rents and property prices plus long recessions. 

 

You can say that about anywhere in the world. 

6 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

It depends where you are, my Thai partner bought her house in a gated community off plan here in Kathu, Kathu, Phuket.

 

The first phase was 350 detached houses, they sold off plan before they were built as the developer 'Phuket Villa' had completed and sold numerous developments at a good price and good quality.

 

Phase 2 properties were sold off plan, as is phase 3 at the moment, which were/are new developments next to this one.

 

Three bed, two baths detached houses, security etc, 4.2 million baht when build ten years ago, resale houses now selling at 6 million baht and sell quickly.

 

So it all depends on the quality, the price and especially the location. 

 

But my property is in the UK, you stated they are safe there which I agree with, and make a very good rental income.

 

 

 

What happens if a developer goes under? What laws govern this in Thailand ... genuinally i have no idea. 

On 11/4/2025 at 4:52 PM, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Exactly. There's huge inefficiency where different agents will show you different units or even the same units at different prices. If there was a unified system where all agents would have access to all available units, prices would come down to reality.

 

And no doubt about it: the agents encourage owners to list at unrealistic high prices - the higher the price the higher the commission. Less work, more money for them (less money and more work for the owner). And of course many agents won't work with owners who list at lower prices due to lower commission.

     Absolutely not true, in my experience, regarding property pricing.  And, spouse and I have sold 20some properties, both houses and condos.  We have set the pricing and agents have accepted our pricing. except in one case, when we listed a high floor 2 bedroom seaview condo at Centric Sea.  One person at one agency refused to list the condo with the agency because he thought we had priced it too high.  We had made extensive changes, including a new, custom kitchen, thought it was worth what we priced it at, and it sold very close to our asking price.   Reputable agencies have been happy to list both our low-priced studio condos and our much higher priced large pool villas.  

11 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Yes, it's supposed to work that way. But here (Bangkok) many if not most owners of these newer condos cannot rent at a high enough price to get the tenant to 'pay off' the mortgage. That's one reason so many sit empty - the owners won't drop the rental price and so few can afford to pay what they're asking, they sit empty. 

 

Fine, let them sit empty and they can pay the mortgage themselves. 

 

Their choice.

13 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

 condo owners who rent out as an 'investment' barely make a profit due to the high prices of the units (mortgage payments) and the annual maintenance fees.

absolutly true !!!!!

 

the rental yield after : Depreation, sinkingfund, for furnishing ,tax,empty times of tendant change

 

is at best 3-5% , in most cases bellow  ,compare to actual sales price . 

 

people belive in other , are dreamers . dont come now and say i have 10% and more --sure never on actual prices

even rent out shortterm  you cant reach after all costs

17 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

It depends where you are, my Thai partner bought her house in a gated community off plan here in Kathu, Kathu, Phuket.

 

The first phase was 350 detached houses, they sold off plan before they were built as the developer 'Phuket Villa' had completed and sold numerous developments at a good price and good quality.

 

Phase 2 properties were sold off plan, as is phase 3 at the moment, which were/are new developments next to this one.

 

Three bed, two baths detached houses, security etc, 4.2 million baht when build ten years ago, resale houses now selling at 6 million baht and sell quickly.

 

So it all depends on the quality, the price and especially the location. 

 

But my property is in the UK, you stated they are safe there which I agree with, and make a very good rental income.

 

       This.  "So it all depends on the quality, the price and especially the location."   Very nicely sums it up about as well and as efficiently as one possibly could.  If you can get those three elements well in place with a property, condo or house, you can make money with real estate in Thailand--and, likely about anywhere else.  It's the formula that has worked for me, both here and in the US.   If it seems too tricky or too much work to bring all three of those elements together here, just rent here and, as an option, own real estate in your home country if you want real estate to be part of your investment portfolio.

On 11/5/2025 at 7:38 AM, flaming dragon said:

 

Was he running the show when the rainbow crosswalks and dope shops started showing up? Globalist scum.

 

Many people in this thread don't understand how Asians view real estate. It's a long term investment, not to flip.  Do Thais have house porn like we get back home?

 

A female friend had a house sitting empty a couple of blocks from her home and offered to let me stay there for free.  When times got tough for their family business they still didn't sell their empty houses: it's seen as a foolish move. Even dirt poor country families have houses.  The West has a messed up approach to housing. 

       For many Thai families, owning a second, third, or fourth property is their way of providing themselves with a retirement pension down the road.  That's the case with two of the sisters of my Thai partner.   One of his sisters and her husband own three condos, in addition to the house that they live in.  They both have, or had banking careers and are required to retire at age 60.  They each were, or will, be given a lump sum payment that's supposed to last them until they die--likely a fat chance it will with people living longer lives these days.  So, the condos they bought, along with the house, will help supplement their retirements.   One of the condos is currently sitting empty as they prefer not to rent it out just yet as the husband is still working until next year.

      One of his other sisters is currently living in the US but she still owns a house in Bangkok.  It sits empty as she does not want to rent it out and prefers to have it available when she visits Thailand.   There are lots of reasons why properties are not currently occupied.  

2 hours ago, lapamita said:

absolutly true !!!!!

 

the rental yield after : Depreation, sinkingfund, for furnishing ,tax,empty times of tendant change

 

is at best 3-5% , in most cases bellow  ,compare to actual sales price . 

 

people belive in other , are dreamers . dont come now and say i have 10% and more --sure never on actual prices

even rent out shortterm  you cant reach after all costs

Another thing to watch for - if one is a foreign investor thinking to buy to then rent out a condo(s) - is the growing international trend for locals to blame foreign buyers for pushing up condo/housing prices in many cities worlwide. There is likely some truth to this accusation (in places like Portugal, Spain, parts of U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, etc.), and in some of those places, politicians have responded with moratoriums on foreign buyers and/or 'empty unit' taxation to deter further speculation. My own hunch is the silly prices we were seeing for condos over the last 10 years in Bangkok was also aimed at foreign speculators. Might still be the case.

15 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

What happens if a developer goes under? What laws govern this in Thailand ... genuinally i have no idea. 

 

You don't pay them until the property is complete.

 

The worst thing that can happen is you lose a small deposit.

 

If a builder wants you to pay up front, then don't buy.

 

I think with the house here in Phuket my partner paid a small deposit, then when a stage was completed she paid for that stage, the final largest amount was paid after the house had been completed and inspected. 

 

But it was a very large well known company, they had built thousands of house up to that point, the house was bought off plan,  they sold like hot cakes, 99% of the buyers were Thai. 

3 hours ago, newnative said:

       This.  "So it all depends on the quality, the price and especially the location."   Very nicely sums it up about as well and as efficiently as one possibly could.  If you can get those three elements well in place with a property, condo or house, you can make money with real estate in Thailand--and, likely about anywhere else.  It's the formula that has worked for me, both here and in the US.   If it seems too tricky or too much work to bring all three of those elements together here, just rent here and, as an option, own real estate in your home country if you want real estate to be part of your investment portfolio.

 

That is a good plan.

 

My plan of action so far has been if a house is bought here then my Thai partner buys it in her name with her money, we live there and I pay for the food supplies , the electricity and the rest, so we share the total costs. (There are no sick mother/father/sisters/brothers  and buffalo lurking in the background). 

 

Property is England is in my name and I get the rents, that with my pension allows me to pay for my contribution, plus have a healthy cash flow balance if I every need to get out of Thailand quickly due to changes in the immigration rules or negative political changes. 

 

The rents she gets from her other properties she keeps and will use that for more of her own future developments.

 

A nice clean way to do it, neither one of us is a walking ATM. 😀

 

7 hours ago, lapamita said:

absolutly true !!!!!

 

the rental yield after : Depreation, sinkingfund, for furnishing ,tax,empty times of tendant change

 

is at best 3-5% , in most cases bellow  ,compare to actual sales price . 

 

people belive in other , are dreamers . dont come now and say i have 10% and more --sure never on actual prices

even rent out shortterm  you cant reach after all costs

 

What about if they are bought for cash?

 

Hence no mortgage costs.

 

I do not have any mortgages.

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Another thing to watch for - if one is a foreign investor thinking to buy to then rent out a condo(s) - is the growing international trend for locals to blame foreign buyers for pushing up condo/housing prices in many cities worlwide. There is likely some truth to this accusation (in places like Portugal, Spain, parts of U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, etc.), and in some of those places, politicians have responded with moratoriums on foreign buyers and/or 'empty unit' taxation to deter further speculation. My own hunch is the silly prices we were seeing for condos over the last 10 years in Bangkok was also aimed at foreign speculators. Might still be the case.

 

The properties bought in the UK from international buyers are usually in the £20,000,000 plus bracket, that does not cause inflation of standard houses as 99.9% of the UK population can not buy such houses.

 

The price of house inflation in the UK is due to very few houses being built every year as there is too much red tape to go though and a lot of potential developments are turned down by local councils.

 

I tried to develop an old unused village pub which had been closed a long time, hundreds of pubs a year are closing down in the UK ever year and accelerating. 

 

I could have produced six affordable houses , it was turned down by the council. 

 

The pub is still closed 10 years on.

 

5 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

there is too much red tape to go though and a lot of potential developments are turned down by local councils.

I certainly agree with that aspect. It's been a long-standing ridiculous position of councils and central government that no Victorian housing can be torn down. Anyone who has ever lived in one (I have - more than one) knows they are drafty, dingy and you can hear your neighbours through the paper thin walls and ceilings of terraced (row) housing.

16 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

What about if they are bought for cash?

 

Hence no mortgage costs.

 

I do not have any mortgages.

i talk about cash.............. rental yields  aprox 3% net

 

if you finance you will never  have any positive cashflow , except after 10-20 years 1. if the condo is well mainained 2. if rental prices increase .....on model calcaulation is working 555

the rental prices inThailand are in most areas stagnating since  20years ( !!!!! dont compare a new condo with higher standards to an old one ...only compare a condo what was new 2005  and old today !!!!)

#

#i know personaly so many condos 2005 priced at 500k  today 1,0 mb  and still the rental in 2005 aprox 5000 today as unrenovated same 5000,meaning your yield get cut by half and the cost of maintenance and so on is rising

houses for rent at 20k,and asking salesprice of 8-10mb thb , what lead to a yield of 1-2 % ...the house would even falll apart in 50 years whhen you returned the money......all only works on pushing up landprices ,,,,,,, will it work forever ???? i dont think so ,bcs already skyrocking high

On 11/5/2025 at 8:05 PM, newnative said:

     Absolutely not true, in my experience ... spouse and I have sold 20some properties ... seaview condo at Centric Sea ... Reputable agencies ...

You are talking about Pattaya. I am talking about Bangkok. Prices and rents in Pattaya are reasonable in my experience, in Bangkok they're overpriced IMO. As for "reputable"... it really depends on the agent. In Phuket most are lazy and unprofessional in my experience, in Pattaya I've had good experience, in Bangkok they are professional but have limited access and different agents will show you different units at different price levels in the same condo on the same day (actually happened).

On 11/7/2025 at 8:18 AM, lapamita said:

i talk about cash.............. rental yields  aprox 3% net

 

if you finance you will never  have any positive cashflow , except after 10-20 years 1. if the condo is well mainained 2. if rental prices increase .....on model calcaulation is working 555

the rental prices inThailand are in most areas stagnating since  20years ( !!!!! dont compare a new condo with higher standards to an old one ...only compare a condo what was new 2005  and old today !!!!)

#

#i know personaly so many condos 2005 priced at 500k  today 1,0 mb  and still the rental in 2005 aprox 5000 today as unrenovated same 5000,meaning your yield get cut by half and the cost of maintenance and so on is rising

houses for rent at 20k,and asking salesprice of 8-10mb thb , what lead to a yield of 1-2 % ...the house would even falll apart in 50 years whhen you returned the money......all only works on pushing up landprices ,,,,,,, will it work forever ???? i dont think so ,bcs already skyrocking high

 

That is why my Thai partner buys houses in Thailand, not condos as they do go up in value, for example the one we live in in Phuket has gone from 4 to 6 million baht, the proof is a few houses in the same street have been re-sold, identical houses as they were built by the same large building company.

 

My properties are in the UK as it is a waste of money to buy condos in Thailand as that is all I would be allowed to buy here.

 

The the prices in the UK do rise as well as annual rent rises with the rate of inflation. 

 

She has the houses in Thailand and I have mine in the UK.

On 11/6/2025 at 4:21 PM, ronnie50 said:

I certainly agree with that aspect. It's been a long-standing ridiculous position of councils and central government that no Victorian housing can be torn down. Anyone who has ever lived in one (I have - more than one) knows they are drafty, dingy and you can hear your neighbours through the paper thin walls and ceilings of terraced (row) housing.

 

The reason being is the locals oppose houses being built as they have the 'not in my back yard' attitude, councils member have to be re elected by the locals and so they do as the locals wish, it is the locals who should be told to keep out of it, they have one house each but each think the whole area belongs to them. 

 

They have a house and so want to pull up the ladder to stop anyones else building one. 

 

This of course helps make house prices rise due to high demand and low supply. 

On 11/7/2025 at 2:07 PM, PingRoundTheWorld said:

You are talking about Pattaya. I am talking about Bangkok. Prices and rents in Pattaya are reasonable in my experience, in Bangkok they're overpriced IMO. As for "reputable"... it really depends on the agent. In Phuket most are lazy and unprofessional in my experience, in Pattaya I've had good experience, in Bangkok they are professional but have limited access and different agents will show you different units at different price levels in the same condo on the same day (actually happened).

 

"In Phuket most are lazy and unprofessional in my experience......."

 

I will just 🤣