Getting married in Thailand

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Get your wife to buy a house with a home loan in her name.

You give her minimum deposit (5-15%) and make minimum repayments (over 25-30 years).

That's what I have done: Borrowed 2 million baht and pay off 20,000 per month.

Better than renting or living in hotel if not married.

( I think I am safe from falling off the balcony for a few years

To me, this seems like a prudent, reasonable and fair approach...with something good for both parties.

The husband or BF gets a form of relationship insurance, and the wife/GF gets the house and security she perhaps wants. Although, if things in the relationship were to go south, there's nothing to stop an enterprising Thai lady from dumping one foreigner husband/BF and trying to replace him with another, especially in her younger years.

However, it seems to me the catch is this: AKAIK, in order to obtain a home purchase mortgage, the Thai wife has to have some form of documentable income of her own in order to satisfy the lending banks, and the income level amid any other debts has to be large enough to support the amount of the loan.

I suspect, in many cases here, the Thai wife may not have documentable income or may not have enough, after taking into consideration any other debts, to cover the amount needed for a farang-Thai husband and wife house build or purchase.

If she can't qualify for the loan solo, then what?

Also, I'm trying to recall, if issues don't also arise when a Thai lady married to a farang goes to a Thai bank asking to take out a house loan solo in her name??? Vs. her seeking the loan solo before getting married.

[Mario2008]

1 post removed for trolling.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

However, it seems to me the catch is this: AKAIK, in order to obtain a home purchase mortgage, the Thai wife has to have some form of documentable income of her own in order to satisfy the lending banks, and the income level amid any other debts has to be large enough to support the amount of the loan.

If you buy from a developer, they can arrange for your wife to have suitable records of employment.

(Even the small guys who build one at a time)

If you are thinking of doing this, start paying 25k a month into your wife's bank account at the start of each month, make her save at least 15k in the bank account. This will help the developer prepare records quickly (else you have to wait 6 months).

[bushwacker]

As for the original post .... I believe it has been well answered.

As for the second question posted by BudfahRuksa, I would suggest that if you wait 1 day and re-read everything that you have written about your situation, and pretended the question was asked by somebody else .... then the answer of what to do would come screaming at you. I think your day job must be a writer for sitcoms and you are exploring a new story line (that really is not that new!)

[hellodolly]

BTW2 this is a picture of a house being moved in Thailand so I don't see how a house can be considered an "immovable property"

normal_thai_house_pulling.JPG

It isn't but the land you put it on is.

Not sure what you are getting at here. It is a well known fact that a foreigner can own a house here but not the land upon which it sits. No where in the code that I am aware of does it say the home must be kept on the same property.

[jamesdoe1234]

However, it seems to me the catch is this: AKAIK, in order to obtain a home purchase mortgage, the Thai wife has to have some form of documentable income of her own in order to satisfy the lending banks, and the income level amid any other debts has to be large enough to support the amount of the loan.

If you buy from a developer, they can arrange for your wife to have suitable records of employment.(Even the small guys who build one at a time)If you are thinking of doing this, start paying 25k a month into your wife's bank account at the start of each month, make her save at least 15k in the bank account. This will help the developer prepare records quickly (else you have to wait 6 months).

Does she have a good education to support this income? Will help for sure?

[marquis22]

If you have been with the lady for ten years and have two kids with her then obviously that's a different thing.

Really, it isn'

I know I gotta keep my wits and look out for the unsuspecting friendly so called Thai ! haha.. maybe I have to get a prenuptial written up before buy a home?

Depends where you get the prenuptial done as many lawyers will not do them now due to threat of being sued. (In Australia anyway)

[hellodolly]

Get your wife to buy a house with a home loan in her name.

You give her minimum deposit (5-15%) and make minimum repayments (over 25-30 years).

That's what I have done: Borrowed 2 million baht and pay off 20,000 per month.

Better than renting or living in hotel if not married.

( I think I am safe from falling off the balcony for a few years

To me, this seems like a prudent, reasonable and fair approach...with something good for both parties.

The husband or BF gets a form of relationship insurance, and the wife/GF gets the house and security she perhaps wants. Although, if things in the relationship were to go south, there's nothing to stop an enterprising Thai lady from dumping one foreigner husband/BF and trying to replace him with another, especially in her younger years.

However, it seems to me the catch is this: AKAIK, in order to obtain a home purchase mortgage, the Thai wife has to have some form of documentable income of her own in order to satisfy the lending banks, and the income level amid any other debts has to be large enough to support the amount of the loan.

I suspect, in many cases here, the Thai wife may not have documentable income or may not have enough, after taking into consideration any other debts, to cover the amount needed for a farang-Thai husband and wife house build or purchase.

If she can't qualify for the loan solo, then what?

Also, I'm trying to recall, if issues don't also arise when a Thai lady married to a farang goes to a Thai bank asking to take out a house loan solo in her name??? Vs. her seeking the loan solo before getting married.

My wife does not work. I went to the Siam Commercial bank and just out of curiosity asked if we could buy a house the answer was yes, But because she dosen't work they would need a 50% down payment.

I have no interest in buying a house here or any where else in the world unless I come into stupid money where I can pay cash for the house and the Gardner act as my driver and his wife as the maid or cook no nanny needed. Maybe another similar set up in another country.

[jamesdoe1234]

Bottom line, foreigners cannot own property in Thailand (i.e., Thai land and any structure thereupon). Any work-around, even when created by Thai lawyers, is illegal. I do not understand why so many foreigners want to buy what they cannot own--and that does not even consider the Thai penchant for ousting the foreign buyer. If you want a house in Thailand, rent it and pay for it with the rental monies from property purchased in your own name in a country where you can own it, e.g., your own country. Two years ago, I purchased a 2/bdr-2/bth condo in Florida. My mortgage payments are 60% of the monthly rental--so I was making money day 1, and that 40% covers my Thai rental.

If only life's that easy, I have a friend that's been trying to get a non paying tenant out for months in the UK. Not sure what the rules are in the US but everything has its pitfalls.

[Mario2008]

1 post removed.

Let's not make this into a thread about how evil Thai women are. Generalising posts will be removed.

[JLCrab]

BTW2 this is a picture of a house being moved in Thailand so I don't see how a house can be considered an "immovable property"

normal_thai_house_pulling.JPG

It isn't but the land you put it on is.

Not sure what you are getting at here. It is a well known fact that a foreigner can own a house here but not the land upon which it sits. No where in the code that I am aware of does it say the home must be kept on the same property.

Read bottom of Post #80 (edited)

[Mario2008]

1 comment regarding moderation removed.

[JLCrab]

Bottom line, foreigners cannot own property in Thailand (i.e., Thai land and any structure thereupon). Any work-around, even when created by Thai lawyers, is illegal. I do not understand why so many foreigners want to buy what they cannot own--and that does not even consider the Thai penchant for ousting the foreign buyer. If you want a house in Thailand, rent it and pay for it with the rental monies from property purchased in your own name in a country where you can own it, e.g., your own country. Two years ago, I purchased a 2/bdr-2/bth condo in Florida. My mortgage payments are 60% of the monthly rental--so I was making money day 1, and that 40% covers my Thai rental.

If only life's that easy, I have a friend that's been trying to get a non paying tenant out for months in the UK. Not sure what the rules are in the US but everything has its pitfalls.

Eviction procedures in the State of Florida courtesy Escambia County (Pensacola) Clerk of the Court::

http://www.escambiaclerk.com/clerk/coc_evictions.aspx

[Somrak]

Usually if a lawyer is found to be braking the law then they would have their right

to practice taken away from them, meaning they would lose their ability to earn a living

in their chosen occupation.

I find it hard to believe that they would put themselves in that risk for the sake of a few thousand baht

that they charge to set up a company for the purchase of a property.

Amazing Thailand!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

My wife does not work. I went to the Siam Commercial bank and just out of curiosity asked if we could buy a house the answer was yes, But because she dosen't work they would need a 50% down payment.

Hello, you've got three different parties here: you as an individual, your wife as an individual and the two of you as a couple.

When you went to SCB and got that answer, did they understand that your wife was to be the named buyer (since you as a farang can't buy a house)?

And did they give that answer with you, the husband, having Thai employment and a work permit or not having?

The devil in these kinds of things is always in what details apply...

[JLCrab]

If you make a 50% down payment on a property, the bank may very well make more money if you default on the loan and the subsequent sale of said property than if you actually make the mortgage payments.

[nosatisfaction]

Will I be able to be granted residency in Thailand? No, not without qualifying.

You can apply for 12 month permissions to stay with 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank or 40,000 Baht income a month.

Can I open bank account in Thailand? Yes. You can do that without being married.

I guess I still cant purchase home but what about townhouse? You can purchase a condo. No need to be married.

You can buy a house and put it in your Wife's name.

All the above being correct and said, I can put everything you are entitled to in one word: NOTHING

Except maybe pay taxes

[yougivemebaby]

If you have been with the lady for ten years and have two kids with her then obviously that's a different thing.

Really, it isn'

I know I gotta keep my wits and look out for the unsuspecting friendly so called Thai ! haha.. maybe I have to get a prenuptial written up before buy a home?

It won't matter. The prenup won't hold in court because you can't OWN a house in THailand. You could own a mobile home though. I am surprised that's not more of a thing here. Rent the land and buy a house. YOu can move it or sell it anytime you want. Never ever give anyone the upper hand with your money. It's YOUR money.

[JLCrab]

Per the above post I've lived in a whole lot less or worse:

http://www.modular-thailand.com/index.php/en/modular-home/40-1bedroom-home

[mikemac]

Foreign Men are utter fools thinking that Thai women are as nice and sweet as they look .

This is the only comment by Toscano that I agree with.

My wife is much nicer and much sweeter than she looks , and she is gorgeous !

Anyone who took any notice of the advice that you give would have to be desperate, that's for sure. Pessimistic garbage like that is not worth two bob.

And if what you say about Thai women is true, then your marriage is doomed ! May as well get the divorce under way today, mate. Get the ball rolling.............................................

[robertson468]

If you are going to get married "Thai Style" and once you have all the paperwork in order, you will find that "Your Intended" will want to invite ALL THE FAMILY and I mean ALL. We ended up inviting over a thousand people and just thinking of the bill (which you are expected to foot) frightened the life out of me, but Khunie kept advising me that it would work out alright in the end. What I didn't realise is all those relatives put a monetary donation in an envelope and hand it to you at the Wedding. The day after the Wedding, we toted up all the "donations" and discovered we had made a profit! My suggestion to get married at least once a week fell on deaf ears for some reason?

[Maestro]

I have deleted a troll post and the reply to it.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Foreign Men are utter fools thinking that Thai women are as nice and sweet as they look .

This is the only comment by Toscano that I agree with.

My wife is much nicer and much sweeter than she looks , and she is gorgeous !

Anyone who took any notice of the advice that you give would have to be desperate, that's for sure. Pessimistic garbage like that is not worth two bob.

And if what you say about Thai women is true, then your marriage is doomed ! May as well get the divorce under way today, mate. Get the ball rolling.............................................

Marriage usually ends in horrible failure wherever it is, and whoever it is with.

I always thought pessimism had an element of fantasy about it, same as optimism.

Expecting marriage failure is neither, more of a realistic expectation.

[jrtmedic]

I believe that in the West some 30% of marriages "fail"

Which of course means that 70% succeed !

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I believe that in the West some 30% of marriages "fail"

Which of course means that 70% succeed !

45% failure rate in UK

53% failure rate in the USA

40% failure rate in Australia

Don't confuse the stats. that specify for first marriages that fail in the first 10 years which is 30%.

You need to look at lifetime stats. estimated using number of divorces Vs number of marriages in each year,

(Which are approximately 1:2, one divorce for every 2 marriages)

Then you need to include the number of marriages that have effectively ended without divorce.

Which will push up the published failure rates.

Thai/foreigner stats. will be generally worse because of additional cross-cultural problems.

[jrtmedic]

I am not American and therefore claim no expertise in the knowledge of divorce !

Clearly you have studied the subject and will be able to tell me where you derive your statistics from.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I am not American and therefore claim no expertise in the knowledge of divorce !

Clearly you have studied the subject and will be able to tell me where you derive your statistics from.

Type divorce marriage rates in {state country required}

Follow links to number of marriages in year, follow links to number of divorces in year, published by each government.

Then divide number of divorces by number of marriages (x100) to get the percentage failure.

For example in 2011 Australia 122k marriage and 50k divorce giving a failure rate of 40%.

(for some reason Australian failures in 2001 were way higher)

Now choose a country and off you go.

[Paangjang]

Get your wife to buy a house with a home loan in her name.

You give her minimum deposit (5-15%) and make minimum repayments (over 25-30 years).

Like it, and TBH didn't know this was possible in Thailand. I think this advise could save a lot of western men a lot of money. Correct?

[jrtmedic]

AnotherOneAmerican

Not something I am interested in wasting a lot of time on but some interesting stats here

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/divorces-in-england-and-wales/2011/sty-what-percentage-of-marriages-end-in-divorce.html

Interesting to note that the "average" UK marriage is expected to last 32 years before death or divorce intervene !

[AnotherOneAmerican]

AnotherOneAmerican

Not something I am interested in wasting a lot of time on but some interesting stats here

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/divorces-in-england-and-wales/2011/sty-what-percentage-of-marriages-end-in-divorce.html

Interesting to note that the "average" UK marriage is expected to last 32 years before death or divorce intervene !

If you look on that same site for divorce 2011 = 118k, marriage = 248K, giving a failure rate of 47%

marriage http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/marriages-in-england-and-wales--provisional-/2011/stb-marriages-in-england-and-wales--provisional---2011.html

divorce http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/divorces-in-england-and-wales/2011/stb-divorces-2011.html

For some reason governments don't seem to want to publish the marriage/divorce ratio, which as far as I can see would be an obvious statistic to publish, wonder why they don't?