Huggybearman

I pay 20k per month.

Yes of course, I take your point. I wasn't suggesting that all these units remain unsold, or even unoccupied. In my own own condo block, which has about 70 apartments, I know that at least 10 are completely empty. The studio unit I used to rent is still empty after 18 months. It is owned by an Australian, who has several properties so it does, I suppose, fit your definition as owned. He hasn't earned anything from it for a long time, and he certainly doesn't occupy it. But he still has to pay the maintenance charges on it. I have a couple of properties in the UK which I rent out and regularly keep my eye on the property market here to keep myself appraised of the market. Whilst I appreciate that everyone's circumstances are different, I have seen very little to alter my view that buying property here is not a particularly smart financial move in my case. There was an article about six months ago in the property section of one of the Pattaya newspapers saying that there are about 75 large condo projects in the area with over 50,000 units either under construction or in the pipeline. That is in addition to the condos currently on the market! In January there was a 'Giant Property Extravaganza' sales exhibition featuring more than 50 exhibitors held over at 4 days the Pattaya Hilton hotel. On the day I visited there seemed more exhibitors than visitors. And admission was free! A subsequent article in the local paper featured the organiser who said that the show had 'over 2000' visitors. I don't think think that's a great attendance figure for such a heavily advertised show in such a prominent location. Not that one should infer anything directly from that regarding the state of the local property market, but it is indicative that the market is not as buoyant as they would lead us to believe! I remain very happy to rent!

I have been living in Jomtien since 2009. When I retired here my intention was to buy a condo unit and looked at many with a view to purchase. In fact there was so many, both new and second hand, it seemed to me that resale might well be problem in the future. Although I first came here in 2008 I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to buy, and thought it sensible to rent for a few months first. Over the following weeks it became very clear to me that there was a huge number of units for sale and it also became clear that maybe buying wasn't such a sensible option after all. (to get an idea have a look at the vast number of condo units which are empty/unoccupied at night!) I have been an amateur investor on the stock market for a few years now so, whilst looking for a suitable condo I continued to trade with the money I had earmarked for the purchase. My aim was to be able to make on stocks what the rent was costing me. In reality, over the intervening years, not only did my trading pay for my rent, but has in general paid ALL my living expenses in Thailand. So my UK pension has remained largely untouched. Another aspect, which I hadn't really considered at the time, but has become really important to me, is that my trading has given me a hobby which I have found very satisfying. Another advantage of renting is flexibility. My first unit was a 48sq mt. studio. Once I had realised that renting was my preferred option I moved in to a 110sq mt one bedroom condo and have to say I have no regrets. I could, if I so desired, change condos every year. Something that would be very difficult if I owned rather than rented. Another aspect is I don't pay maintenance charges or repairs. Water and electric are standard rates paid direct to the utility company. Of course, I understand that investing is not for everybody, and carries inherent risks. But I do a lot of research and usually invest in 'blue chip' type companies, and make sure I have fairly tight stop losses in place to minimise such risks. And if in the future, should I wish to leave Thailand, my capital is intact and I haven't got the worry of trying to sell my property.

I too am considering this trip, so will be interested in this thread. I did take the overnight sleeper fron Bangkok to Butterworth (for Penang) and found it very comfortable as well as cheap. The onboard food service wasn't brilliant, but as I wasn't expecting much I wasn't really disappointed.

Legacy Air. www.legacyair.biz Seem to have just one flight a day. Departs 10am from U-Tapao and 12pm from Siem Reap Edited due predictive text fail!