American Cheated By Late Thai Wife Of 20 Million Baht Wants His Assets Back

[NeverSure]

Feel sorry for the guy, but don't understand how he let this happen. How can she have embezzled the money without him knowing? Didn't he check his bank accounts regularly? Things like this are bound to happen if you're so careless with your money.

For all the Thai bashers - this also happens in USA and UK.

With all due respect, I don't know UK laws. In the US I can actually own real estate and if married, without my wife. I can have a prenuptial agreement, especially about any money I already have. I can own a business and the land under it without my wife.

If we jointly own any of that, or I alone own it and she forges my name and sells it, she goes to jail, the transaction is voided, title insurance pays the buyer, and I get my property back.

Granted, in a divorce things I own in my own name without a prenup probably get split with the ex, but she won't get all of it unless we make a deal for something else.

It is the lack of rule of law plus the laws favoring the Thai that stop me from investing. Why would I buy a house I can't really own? I know a guy who leased land in his own name, built a house in his name, and some thugs pulled the rug on the lease and told him to get out. He was on solid legal ground, but he believed he would be killed. He believed his wife was behind it. He walked away from his house and has always been afraid to go back.

Again, with all due respect, I don't invest in Thailand because there are too many horror stories where a Westerner would say "how do they get away with that?"

[hellodolly]

Feel sorry for the guy, but don't understand how he let this happen. How can she have embezzled the money without him knowing? Didn't he check his bank accounts regularly? Things like this are bound to happen if you're so careless with your money.

For all the Thai bashers - this also happens in USA and UK.

With all due respect, I don't know UK laws. In the US I can actually own real estate and if married, without my wife. I can have a prenuptial agreement, especially about any money I already have. I can own a business and the land under it without my wife.

If we jointly own any of that, or I alone own it and she forges my name and sells it, she goes to jail, the transaction is voided, title insurance pays the buyer, and I get my property back.

Granted, in a divorce things I own in my own name without a prenup probably get split with the ex, but she won't get all of it unless we make a deal for something else.

It is the lack of rule of law plus the laws favoring the Thai that stop me from investing. Why would I buy a house I can't really own? I know a guy who leased land in his own name, built a house in his name, and some thugs pulled the rug on the lease and told him to get out. He was on solid legal ground, but he believed he would be killed. He believed his wife was behind it. He walked away from his house and has always been afraid to go back.

Again, with all due respect, I don't invest in Thailand because there are too many horror stories where a Westerner would say "how do they get away with that?"

Just out of curiosity can your wife get a prenup not become a citizen and buy and sell property in her own name and start up companies with her own money, And no Americans involved other than employes?

[NeverSure]

Feel sorry for the guy, but don't understand how he let this happen. How can she have embezzled the money without him knowing? Didn't he check his bank accounts regularly? Things like this are bound to happen if you're so careless with your money.

For all the Thai bashers - this also happens in USA and UK.

With all due respect, I don't know UK laws. In the US I can actually own real estate and if married, without my wife. I can have a prenuptial agreement, especially about any money I already have. I can own a business and the land under it without my wife.

If we jointly own any of that, or I alone own it and she forges my name and sells it, she goes to jail, the transaction is voided, title insurance pays the buyer, and I get my property back.

Granted, in a divorce things I own in my own name without a prenup probably get split with the ex, but she won't get all of it unless we make a deal for something else.

It is the lack of rule of law plus the laws favoring the Thai that stop me from investing. Why would I buy a house I can't really own? I know a guy who leased land in his own name, built a house in his name, and some thugs pulled the rug on the lease and told him to get out. He was on solid legal ground, but he believed he would be killed. He believed his wife was behind it. He walked away from his house and has always been afraid to go back.

Again, with all due respect, I don't invest in Thailand because there are too many horror stories where a Westerner would say "how do they get away with that?"

Just out of curiosity can your wife get a prenup not become a citizen and buy and sell property in her own name and start up companies with her own money, And no Americans involved other than employes?

I don't really know. I've never been in that situation. The magic piece of paper in the US is called a "green card." It allows residency. People with that buy real estate and businesses. But green cards are hard to get. I really don't know all of those rules simply because they've never applied to me.

[happysanook]

i think its difficult enough to find justice in the western world, let alone thailand, the only justice you will get is the justice you make.

There was a great movie i seen many years ago, it was about a group of underworld hi profile figures who served justice outside the legal system, when the legal system failed this group stepped in, does anyone recall this movie?

The A-Team?

[justcruisin]

Welcome to the club dude, my ex took much more than that and my 3 kids, tried to have me killed 3 times, had me arrested on false charges twice.... this is thailand, a Thai lie is much whiter than any farang truth..

Just hope you have better luck in the next year, after all of this happening and you decided to put on a forum that you joined a year ago. I would have actually posted on here if an attempt at my life was made.Not to mention three attempts.

[Unkomoncents]

Feel sorry for the guy, but don't understand how he let this happen. How can she have embezzled the money without him knowing? Didn't he check his bank accounts regularly? Things like this are bound to happen if you're so careless with your money.

For all the Thai bashers - this also happens in USA and UK.

With all due respect, I don't know UK laws. In the US I can actually own real estate and if married, without my wife. I can have a prenuptial agreement, especially about any money I already have. I can own a business and the land under it without my wife.

If we jointly own any of that, or I alone own it and she forges my name and sells it, she goes to jail, the transaction is voided, title insurance pays the buyer, and I get my property back.

Granted, in a divorce things I own in my own name without a prenup probably get split with the ex, but she won't get all of it unless we make a deal for something else.

It is the lack of rule of law plus the laws favoring the Thai that stop me from investing. Why would I buy a house I can't really own? I know a guy who leased land in his own name, built a house in his name, and some thugs pulled the rug on the lease and told him to get out. He was on solid legal ground, but he believed he would be killed. He believed his wife was behind it. He walked away from his house and has always been afraid to go back.

Again, with all due respect, I don't invest in Thailand because there are too many horror stories where a Westerner would say "how do they get away with that?"

Just out of curiosity can your wife get a prenup not become a citizen and buy and sell property in her own name and start up companies with her own money, And no Americans involved other than employes?

Yes they can. Investor visas are all the rage in the US. If you have capital to invest, you hardly need to be a citizen to get the wheels of business rolling. You never need to become an American citizen, you don't need any "nominees" or shady business partners, and you generally don't have to have a relationship of any kind with any American that isn't your secretary. You are, however, responsible for income taxes, which I know can be quite shocking for wealthy people from places like Thailand, the Philippines, and Greece. But hey, that's what things are like in countries with progressive attitudes towards development and business (chech out Canada, as they are extremely generous regarding investment and citizenship). I know it can be shocking for Europeans who often come from countries with laws that are hardly any more unfavorable towards foreigners than Thai laws are. One day, Thailand's expats will have to face up to the fact that, no, things are not the same as back home (i.e. just as much crime and general malfeasance), and, no, they are certainly not improving. As an aside, it's amazing how many expats will announce, in the same breath, how different Thailand's culture is and then try to maintain that all the unfortunate circumstances of life in Thailand can be found in the US and UK. It just doesn't comport. Either Thailand is very different from other countries, in which case I think it's safe to assume the life IN Thailand is pretty different or it's all the same. You can't have your conceptual cake and eat it too.

Edited April 30, 2013 by Unkomoncents

[thrilled]

At that age he should have just kicked spending 1 or 2 million baht til he died.I guess I'm lazy

[shaurene]

“Before I came here, I had 25 million baht for investment in Thailand.With no knowledge of the Thai language, I was at a disadvantage," said Mr Harpel",

Silly man, not much more can be said except I hope he finds a way out.

Hi Guys

I wish a lot of you guys would look at this another way. He obviously feld secure with his lady and trusted her, he is going back to 1987 26yrs ago and I would think not a lot to learn then.

Very sorry for him, he is not a fool just fell in love, lets all think back are you all so perfect. What the women can do and get in the USA on a splitup exceeds what this guy lost.

There is a lawyer in Khon Kaen were I live he is Australian and classed as Doctor in his trade and is married to a high Thai lawyer they are specialists in this type of thing. It happened to an English guy and they got everything back for him. My friend had a thai wife and she tried to take him for the house which cost him 2.9mill she told him to leave and she would sell the house for 3.4mill and she would take 1 mill and the car. These lawyers sorted her out. He sold the house for 3.4mill made 500,000 profit and these lawyers sorted it out and his wife ended up with 500,000 and no car. There are ways with lawyers who know what to do. Good luck to him.

[wellred]

What a numpty. Well at least the wife is dead. But of karma in action there. The granny will get it soon enough.

[Dukeleto]

A nice well adjusted trusting European man brought up like most of us to believe in the good of other people, gets robbed and decieved by the very people you are taught to trust (your family). I don't think you is a fool just a generous person who believed in the values he was taught. Shame on this family as they are no better than thieves...disgusting moral values!

I hope he finds some sort of justice and removes his daughter from the infectious family with which she currently resides in order to her to teach her proper moral values in life.

[MaiChai]

Going back to the original post, it will take 5 to 10 years for a case like this to get through the court's and to deal with all the games the other party will play. Also the Thai legal system is very much geared to the rich; basically if you can't afford the lawyer and court fees, then you loose the case. These can really add up. The courts can demand guarentee and surity fees. If he wants to win the case, he needs to get back earning money in his home country so he can fund the legal costs. So time to pull himself together, stop feeling sorry for himself and do something about it!

[hagler]

ahhh good old LOS attracts the cream of the crop in the expat world.

Just another one to add to the already overflowing barrel of dimwits that wash up on its' shores.

[Bellweather]

Wow, poor guy. Hope justice is served.

Yes I am sure the appropriate Thai court will understand and see justice down. LOL

[ILOOKFORWORK]

"However, during the negotiations Nattiyanee died in an accident."

KARMA

[Mosha]

He's lucky it was only his money. That kind of money can get you a more permanent outcome.

[corkythecat]

must confess I savour these schadenfreude tales, despite their predictable occurences.

am intrigued though by what arrangements the guy is staying here. staying at a wat ? visa ? 90 day reporting ? , and he will get legal aid ?

mirabilis dictu !

Edited April 30, 2013 by corkythecat

[meatboy]

just be thankfull your still alive,20 happy yrs together and a daughter plenty of money,but it took you all this time to find out that she was only doing what most thai's do looking after the family she doesnt deserve what your trying to do.i wonder if you believe in ghosts.

[maidu]

For 3 years earlier, I did a gig as a real estate agent in N.Thailand. All inquiries were from farang because Thais don't use r.e. agents. During that time, I briefly met hundreds of farang. Average was middle aged and had g.f. or wife along. More often than not, the woman would have attractive features, nice shape, but the eyes of a raptor. The guy would be thinking of the real estate in terms of the lay of the land, the perceived quality of life, etc. The woman would be thinking about the assets being given to her and, by definition, to her family. The guy would be wanting a nice rural estate. The woman would want a city place (more money value). The guy would always follow what the woman wanted. I would be surprised if even 1 out of 20 of those couples are still together a few years later.

[yourauntbob]

As the saying goes never invest in Thailand more than you are willing to walk away from .. If you follow that your always safe ... I think alot has to do with where you met your wife as well ...

So true. Personally my g/f has the house in her name but she put up the majority of the down payment and I take care of the mortgage, if all goes south i am only out a couple hundred k. I would not be happy with this but would not be living in a wat either.

[VINCENT2012]

this demonstrate again that the thai laws are not adapt to investment in thailand.if u can not controll the situation 100% ,dont do anything here.

to put a business and everything in your wife's name you have to know the person more than very well....her family very well and of course the language.

again never trust a girl finded in a bar or a funny place, ...never!

99,99 % u will loose.

good luck!

[deesamui]

I feel sorry for my fellow American, who lost probably most of his life savings, BUT if you don't listen to advice of your friends and you don't use common ( western ) sense you loose, money, child, dignity, pride and it is your own fault.

thais are thais and will be thais, nothing will change that, we will be always farangs, walking atms, get screwed over and over again, not only on the big screen, even in the little things of daily life, like going everyday shopping and pay farang prices, taking a cab paying farang prices and so much more it would be a book to write it down, that's how it is here and this is how it will be here in the future, I am not complaining, I know the game and the rules and I play the game according to the rules and I am doing just fine and dandy. THE question is why are these complaining and thai bashing farangs are still here and not running home to ozzie land, kiwie land, uk, USA, Alemania or wherever they came from ? LOS is not as inexpensive as it was when I came over here the first time, inflation, exchange rate, corruption, crime, Russians, Chinese, Koreans are not so pleasant to be around, expats are whuzzies, looking in trashcans for recyclables!! and jumping of highrisers left and right, may be LOS is not the land of smile for them anymore, still for me, but I can leave anytime and go to ......venus

[Metalgear]

Wow! Gives a true meaning to " Lost in Thailand ". So gullible.

[cloghead]

What a bloody fool! Some people deserve, what they get! First cheated by the wife and then leave it to MIL to sell the remaining assets. And share with him.

(He took) too much bad acid back in the '60's when when things were groovy and far out

[kinmaew]

Poor man like so many foreigners who come here they just wanna nice life and happy to put up the money to do so but get cheated by Thais. The only time I would trust a Thai is if they had their house and money under MY NAME in my home country, unlikely I know; either that or I hold a Thai passport, sorry there is no other way otherwise it just leads to financial ruin 100% guaranteed, lesson to all.

[jalansanitwong]

Just another example of the lonely 'kindhearted and generous' farang ,way out his depth in Thailand.

These guys are marked the moment they step out of the Bangkok or Pattaya hotel lobby.

I notice he still hasnt learnt anything. No mention of a Thai husband or minor husband in the wings. He'll be there with a big smile.

[Angeledge777]

Hey man, welcome to Thailand!

You just got robbed and as it is Thailand and not America, as you are a "farang" and not a prestigious Thai, you'll never be able to win at the court. Get to it, you are just one more on the list that have been scammed for millions baht by these "mia farang".

[AnotherOneAmerican]

15 million + House + Car - join the club.

Instructions for anyone marrying a thai:

1. Buy can of tar

2. Buy tar brush

3. Apply tar liberally

4. Keep the remainder of the tar for her family

How do people make that kind of money. Are they all trust fund babies they don't have to be to smart. Or are they just that lonely.

Reminds me of a fellow we knew who had lost his house. In court it turned out this was the second time he had done the same thing.

Nearly every American I know made that sort of money. 50% of them have also lost similar amounts to a woman.

You buy a house with a bit of land using a home loan then pay it off over the next 25 years. Along with your pension by age 55 you have the money.

Those who get divorced in America then lose it to their American wife. Very hard for heterosexual men to keep hold of their assets in any country.

Not sure why all the negative comments about the poor guy, it's what happens in life, a man meets a woman, he gets married, she leaves with his money. Using the children for leverage, also entirely normal in the USA.

Edited May 1, 2013 by AnotherOneAmerican

[bluesmith]

Well we are playing in there back yard but it happens all over the world not just here.

But on another note would somebody who knows enlighten us if you are legally married in Thai with children own a house( in her name of course).

2 scenarios what is the law if.

1. Got divorced

2. Our they died.

What about the people who brought a house through a company there is no guarantee that the company will last for ever is there.

Do we have any rights in this place.

[Angeledge777]

Well we are playing in there back yard but it happens all over the world not just here.

But on another note would somebody who knows enlighten us if you are legally married in Thai with children own a house( in her name of course).

2 scenarios what is the law if.

1. Got divorced

2. Our they died.

What about the people who brought a house through a company there is no guarantee that the company will last for ever is there.

Do we have any rights in this place.

Basically, the only right you have is if she sells the house, she need your signature. On the other hand, what she is going to do is leave the house alone, install her family in the house or rent it getting the profit. Of course, this is about legality. When corruption gets in, many things can happen without your consent.

[chooka]

Fat chance mate. Maybe he could try the so called farang friendly court that TAT is establishing. Nah forget it, he has been here 24 yrs so probably would not qualify to use the tourist court.

Did the guy give her an ATM card or access to his accounts?