whitespider

Eh? BOTH airports are about 30-45 minutes from Sukhumvit area depending on the traffic. The new airport ois only 3 Km further away, just on the other side A taxi from both to Sukhumvit (Nana) will cost you around 250 baht + toll charges (60 baht) PROVIDING you put the meter on. If you don't they are asking 400-500 baht - don't accept it.

List of websites for House and Condo Rental available at Property Rentals

List of websites for House and Condo Rental available at Property Rentals

List of websites for House and Condo Rental available at Property Rentals

York - I have lived in Thailand now for 5 years so am one of the "experienced ex-pats" you refer to. I have heard all the "scam/mafia" stories but never actaully seen any proof. If they are "picked up" at night why are they all sleeping in the street where they work or on the walkways over the roads?? Even if it IS a scam - the fact remains that these people will NOT eat unless you give money.

Wannabee There is a degree of truth in what you say BUT unless they DO open up then Thailand will remain a 2nd world country. Beside which, this place is HUGE (compared to the UK) and there is absolutely no way foreigners could "buy up all the land". Even if foreigners WANTED to - they can only buy what is available for sale and that would always only be a tiny part of the vast tracts here. In addition if it is easy to state that we can't buy ANY it would be equally easy to make a size limitation or allow leashold interest in houses/factories etc to be purchased. It could also be tied in with "wealth creation" - for example after a company or individual has paid X baht tax or created X number of jobs. I do take your point, and to a degree I agree with the sentiments of the people in thailand (though remember this is NOT the way of thinking of ALL Thais, mainly only the uneducated) but there are MANY ways in which the rules could be relaxed, if not removed completely. I think it is inevitable, one day, especially when they start to see how far they are falling behind other developed or developing countries in Asia. When that dawns on them they will wish they had done it earlier. Just to be a little flippant for a minute - how do you think Thais will feel if the Khmer economy overtakes them? That will REALLY hit home to them if that happens.

Sorry guys - the permalink to the Property Rejntals page was changed hence why a few have said the link doesnt work. The link is here Property Rentals Its basically just a list of agents etc but can make searching easier

Thanks Kev Sorry guys the permalink changed hence why the original didn't work.

If anyone IS looking at a quick sale - I am interested

Elef - this is true, but the land ownership issue is intrinsically linked to the foreign investment one. Foreign businesses are reluctant to invest in a country where there are restrictions -period. The land issue affects recruitment etc as well as investment in factories and is also tied into the overall "business" situation i.e. the 49% maximum ownership of business etc. To truly encourage investment and in particular entrepreneurs the requires a higher degeree of freedom of choice than currently exists. Yes, the Thai people do not want foreigners to own land but as I said this is only because they have been TOLD for generations that it is a bad thing. If you talk to professional/educated people here, many will tell you that they disagree with the current rules. One thing Thailand is NOT short of is land. If over time the masse populace are educated about the "benefits" that foreign investment could bring we MAY see a change. So far the "ruling" classes have supressed this information for their own personal benefit. It has been very much to their benefit to have a low income agricultural economy but to become a members of the "1st world" this has to change - even if very slowly. Much of Europe evolved from feudal systems the same way if you can think back through history. Landowning classes have always been reluctant to give it up but poplular movement has changed that. I have no doubt that it will take many years, if at all, but the recent changes may just be a catalyst that gets the ball rolling.

I can't find the website for this place - do you know it? Wanted to see what you get for the 15k that might make it better than one in central Pattaya or Jomtien whcih is about equi-distant the other side but on the baht bus route. Thanks

Does anyone have any information about the new Oasis Condos Jomtien? http://www.leaverevans.com/id1.html 1.4m for a 54m2 condo seems pretty good value as an investment. Also, is anyone intersted in a shared purchase? My idea would be a 50/50 purchase but no reason why it can't be a few more people. Idea would be to buy then sell furnished. I realise it is highly speculative, especially in the current climate but for now I am just interested in knowing if anyone is interested in looking into it further - no more than that for now. It does NOT have to be this particular developement.

Hybrid I have addeds some links to Property Rentals

Scumbag I have put together a few links to places that do condo rental www.pattaya-news.com

Although I agree with the fact that its low priority this could actually become a possibility in the long term. One of the biggest reasons for it being difficult has always been the fact that the "wealth" (land and property) has always been held by a very small minority of people. Some say this is the Chinese clique but Im not sure about that. However, one reason they have managed to control this for so long is that they have always used the argument that foreign ownership is bad for Thai people. Thais, in general, have accepted this argument but probably more due to the fact that they tend to "follow the leader" as opposed to it having any real substance. Rural people in particular have always been "scared" by politicians telling them their land is under threat if foreign ownership is allowed. For many years Thais have simply been told "foreign owenership is bad" but few have tried to explain to them the other side of the argument. In reality it has always been a way to prevent competition for their monopoly. IF (any) new administration involves the BKK Intellectual class (the ones most outspoken against Thaksin) then it is POSSIBLE that the rules may be relaxed, especially if they involve foreign investment in things other than just property. Thailand NEEDS investment and they know this - relaxation of the property situation is just one thing I am sure they may well consider to generate that investment. A lot depends on who get the power base - if it ends up with true reformers then we could see change of some sort. Slightly bizarre that Thaksin currently in London spending time between his Kensington appartment and his Riverside house!!

Hybrid You can also try setting up a few websites that generate revenue. The best way is to use google adsense advertising and cheap easy to build sites i.e. ones ANYONE can build. There is a good blog covering BOTH joining Adsense and setting up low cost sites with XsitePro. I make most of my money from the internet, certainly enough to keep a family of 4 in Thailand and use both of these to a degree. See more at this blog - its a blog for "internet marketing for IFAs" - but the info is good and the principal is the same. Signing up for Google Adsense XsitePro - low cost search engine friendly websites Should be able to produce and extra £200 a month or so with little effort.

Phillip Thanks for everything - I have tried the Tha Trainer and it seems really good at the price. Andy

Hi Phillip Thanks for great info. I had heard this elsewhere but had been told that the "latest" linguaphone course WAS correctly spoken in that they had added several different dialect/tonal examples inot the CDs. Was the one you played to your GF the new one or the old one - if you know? Thanks Andy

pattysteve LOL - Hybrid PLEASE dont take my word for it. the whole thing is confusing, make your own dilligent enquiries. One thing the last 2 pages on this thread proves is just how difficult/confusing it is becoming with various interpretations available.

Hybrid The Hull form states that if its a 12 month Multi Entry it is valid for 6 months from issue i.e. you musrt enter LOS within 6 month. the 12 months then runns from date of entry. The Hull website also tells you how you can make 12 months into 15 months. The London form says it must be used 3 months after issue if its a 12 month multi - issue TIT I think I think it is pretty well established that you CAN get a 12 month multi entry. However just to add smoke to the fire I have just been reading the rules re "renewing" it in thaivisa.com. That states that to RENEW for a further 12 months you must be married. Im not going to qualify that that as I am cleary NOT an expert but you should make enquiries along those lines if you are still talking about "retiring" i.e. permamently living here. Might be a good idea to sign up for ThaiVisa.com and post a question there.

pattysteve and Hybrid I just looked at the application forms for Non Imm O on the Hull Consulate and the Embassy in London. they are completely different - bizarre. Hull seems a lot more simple and as pattysteve says they issue in 30 minutes whereas London issues in 48 hours minimum. Sounds like a trip to the boonies could be in order.

Hybrid - I guess what is clear from all this is that you should make your own enquiries. I think its also clear that you are being very methodical anyway which is a good sign. Best of luck with it all whatever you decide. I did it and have no regrets whatsoever.

Hybrid I agree with Wacmedia that you have every chance of success because you are thinking it out. Most "failures" here simply fail to plan. The Non Imm O visa IS for 12 months and you CAN still just do border runds every 90 days on those. At the end of the 12 months you have to go to an accredited consulate to renew i.e. Penang or back to UK. Don't forget that a Work Permit also requires a visa - a work permit is just that it is NOT a visa in its own right. http://www.thaivisa.com/288.0.html

PattySteve - yes thats right, I have a Non Imm O - but you have to have a REASON to apply, i.e. be married to a Thai National to get that type of visa - as i understand it anyway. I can remember when I applied I had to produce a marriage certificate to get it. That was a while ago now so maybe its chamged.

Thanks Pattysteve - I understand its the Investment Visa that requires a property visa. I have just seen that he says he is 40 anyway. If 40 and not married how would he get round the new 90 day rules - if you know? My visa requires a 12 monthly renewal and showing the details of my income and capital but I AM married. From what I can gather its a bit difficult now to live here permanently if you are not entitled to that level of visa.