Shit_Happens

My opinion only for middle market units I think the Viewtalay Condos at Jomtien are good. VT1 is getting a bit old but VT2 is now good value with foreign owned studios starting around 1.5M. I owned in VT2 for a couple of years but sold last year and now have a one bedroom in VT5. Across the road on the beach. VT5 are more expensive but you can get a fully furnished studio, 48 sq metres on a high floor for 3M or less.

Welcome Guys. John I do think you have been watching a bit to much TV

Welcome Jerry. Do not believe these other guys, they don't mean it because they only have little smileys But not me

Alan, I am moving next month and also face the same exclusion of existing medical conditions. I have worked in insurance most of my working life and unfortunately have never found a company prepared to offer this cover. The exclusion applies to all contracts no matter what country they are issued in. But if there any boardies that know of a market there are now two of us who would like to hear from you.

Have a great holiday Nakaleen. Say hello to Martin when your in the FLB.

PM Bangkapi Boy and see if he has something available as he has some studios in Viewtalay 1

It is a good location and if you really want it the price is up to you. Personally I would be hesitant to part with this much but it also depends on your own finances and whether this is a lot for you. At this price it compares with the top Condo's in Central Bangkok. My friend purchased 2 units on the 6th floor of Viewtalay 5 and paid around 31,250 baht per sq metre. They are being turned into a one bedroom 96 sq metre apartment and has ocean views. But VT5 is middle of the road where as Northpoint is at the top end of the property market. At the time I think he had to pay 20% up front then

I have a Siam Commercial Bank account and it was opened just on a current visa stamp in my passort. So far the service is good. The exchange rate is slightly better than Bangkok Bank when I send money to LOS. Plus I can use it at the ATM's in Aust to withdraw or check the balance. Check with the legalities of writing a cheque to purchase an apartment. If you ever want to get your money back out of LOS you will find that you need a certificate issued by the bank stating that the funds were transfered from overseas in foreign currency to purchase property.

I am on dial up with an old lap top. It now can take many minutes trying to respond to a post. There is also a very long delay changing from post to post and forget trying to bring up a post with many photos. That normally involves making a coffee whilst I wait then half the photos don't load anyway.

Hi mickeylo. You will not have problem. Pattaya attracts people from around the world. You will see black faces amongst the crowd but whether they are american ??? I was having a chat to a black guy last month who had the broadest pommie accent. He told me his parents had migrated to England fom Nigeria or someplace like that. If you want some personal feedback send a PM to FatherMojo, he is a nice guy and tell him Shit Happens (Colin) says hello.

elef. If there is supposed to be a link here it's not?

They thinking hansum man

Step back and look at this with a broader perspective as this has not only affected you but it hits the Developers even harder and gives you some bargaining power. Go to the meeting with the agenda to re negotiate the contract on the basis of when the project completes you get title in your name. I have been told that there are a few people pulling out of sales not only because of the recent enforcements of the Thai ownership laws but also as the baht has increased against a lot of currencies some people are finding that when the time comes to settle they cannot come up with the cash for vario

You do not say whether it is an established block or a new project nearing completion. If it is established you can investigate whether the Condo has reached its 49% of foreign owners. If not you should be able to change the title to your name and complete the sale in your name and legally own it. If it is a new project the same rules apply and if the building is not yet ready to exchange on you should be able to change the title on the contract and be ready to settle quickly to get into the 49% ruling. The only other alternative that I would entertain is if you have a Thai partner that you c

elef, thanks for your reply. This sounds a bit to restrictive for what I was thinking of. If you have to seek permission to mortgage the property I can imagine the problems that you would have if you ever planned to sell before the kids came of age.

elef. Sorry if I sound stupid here but did you form a Company with your children as Directors or did you purchase solely in their names. Is there an age limit as my daughter holds Thai & Australian passports and is 5 years old. Could I have property in her name but control the property. Who would sign the documents for the purchase or sale if it was solely in her name and who would the funds from a sale be made out to. Sorry for what might be stupid questions but any advice anyone.

Just an update. Heard today that some of the Lawyers in Pattaya are proposing as a way of getting around the foreign ownership crackdown with Thai companies is to form the company with 100% Thai shareholders, exchange on the house or land and then after it is done, a week or so later, bring the farang into the company with 49% ownership. Albeit it gets the sale through but isn't the new owner still stuck with the same problems. Thoughts anyone.

mbiggs and aussiechic. I checked with my pay office on Friday and they confirmed that if I get sick on holidays and have a certificate they will credit me or allow me to extend my holidays but only up to whatever sick leave entitlement that I have. I receive 8 days a year which are not accrued each year. Thanks for pointing this out. Might catch up with you one day

I actually prefer prawns myself

I think Burda tailors do their own work. My friend refered me to them a couple of years back and I have gone back twice to have suits and business shirts made. My friend also gets all his short sleave shirts made there because his is a little bit bigger than the average Thai.

For the ultra-conservative, they only have one choice – to buy a condo under the 49% foreign-ownership rule. Therefore the property would be under their name. Given that many, many foreigners own both condos and houses under company title, most property buyers will still put their faith in this method. Indeed, it is possible in the future that Thailand will remove the long-term ban on foreigners owning land – but this probably won’t happen until Thailand is in a position where other countries are taking away prospective buyers through more user-friendly laws. Or perhaps, to remove the current

Nice photos. I have not been there but from the looks of it I better go and have a look next trip. Thanks

If you know of any I will sign my wife up. It would be good if she could cook as well as , well you know

umm, don't know much about Australia do you mate.

You sound very depressed