SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[*Robert* 2]

So Pete, given all the time you spent in Thailand, do you own any property or land? The same question could be asked of Scott as well.

I’m just curious what preparations the guys who have spent the most time in Thailand have done in order to set themselves up for the future, especially if they are planning to one day retire in Thailand?

[daboyz 36]

So Pete, given all the time you spent in Thailand, do you own any property or land? The same question could be asked of Scott as well.

I’m just curious what preparations the guys who have spent the most time in Thailand have done in order to set themselves up for the future, especially if they are planning to one day retire in Thailand?

Farangs can not own land in Thailand.

[*Robert* 2]

So Pete, given all the time you spent in Thailand, do you own any property or land? The same question could be asked of Scott as well.

I'm just curious what preparations the guys who have spent the most time in Thailand have done in order to set themselves up for the future, especially if they are planning to one day retire in Thailand?

Farangs can not own land in Thailand.

They can purchase land through their wife, and even have their name on the title. I think you know what I mean. Thailand changed the law that required a Thai woman who gets married from having to change their last name, which then made it possible for them to purchase land with money they recieved from their husband, since the government wants to know where they got the money to purchase property. I know, becaue I've done it.

Edited March 27, 2009 by roi_aggie

[Danno2 0]

The post that says I'm bored out of my mind

On Saturday I will have been back in the US for 1 week. I have yet to sleep past 4am but am really enjoying the creature comforts and the calm of being home. This last trip to Thailand was to meet family, relatives, friends, friends and more friends... We also got 90% of packet 3 completed and are now waiting on our NOA2. We had a whirlwind trip and it was nice but looking back on it we had way to much work to do and people to visit.

The good news is my work situation is excellent. The bad news is my boss is lazy and has to do my job when I'm gone. Even though I still have 250 hours of vacation he told me no more time off until my project is completed in July or August. If we don't get hung up @ VSC or NVC that means my Chada is on her own for the interview / POE and will be here before I can visit her again. I'm certainly not complaining it just means no trips to Thailand for about 2 years.

I don't miss Bangkok as the pollution really bothers me but I do miss the south the beach and ocean. We have plans to move back to Thailand in 10 years. We want to buy a house in the south like Koh Chang or something and for me to work virtually for 10 years for my company here in the US. At that point I would retire with 31 years at the same job. Then me and my still beautiful Thai wife would enjoy living off of what we have built together.

Well its our dream anyway. Lets see if she wants to leave the US for Thailand after 10 years...

Anyone else have any plans to come back?

Edited March 27, 2009 by Danny and Chada

[daboyz 36]

So Pete, given all the time you spent in Thailand, do you own any property or land? The same question could be asked of Scott as well.

I'm just curious what preparations the guys who have spent the most time in Thailand have done in order to set themselves up for the future, especially if they are planning to one day retire in Thailand?

Farangs can not own land in Thailand.

They can purchase land through their wife, and even have their name on the title. I think you know what I mean. Thailand changed the law that required a Thai woman who gets married from having to change their last name, which then made it possible for them to purchase land with money they recieved from their husband, since the government wants to know where they got the money to purchase property. I know, becaue I've done it.

Right. The wife can buy it. If the farang puts up the money, and the wife decides to end the marriage, the farang is left out in the cold with nothing. Farangs can buy a condo as long as the ownership in the building is at least 51% Thai.

[*Robert* 2]

So Pete, given all the time you spent in Thailand, do you own any property or land? The same question could be asked of Scott as well.

I'm just curious what preparations the guys who have spent the most time in Thailand have done in order to set themselves up for the future, especially if they are planning to one day retire in Thailand?

Farangs can not own land in Thailand.

They can purchase land through their wife, and even have their name on the title. I think you know what I mean. Thailand changed the law that required a Thai woman who gets married from having to change their last name, which then made it possible for them to purchase land with money they recieved from their husband, since the government wants to know where they got the money to purchase property. I know, becaue I've done it.

Right. The wife can buy it. If the farang puts up the money, and the wife decides to end the marriage, the farang is left out in the cold with nothing. Farangs can buy a condo as long as the ownership in the building is at least 51% Thai.

So have you put up any money?! Or are you not that trusting?!

[daboyz 36]

So Pete, given all the time you spent in Thailand, do you own any property or land? The same question could be asked of Scott as well.

I'm just curious what preparations the guys who have spent the most time in Thailand have done in order to set themselves up for the future, especially if they are planning to one day retire in Thailand?

Farangs can not own land in Thailand.

They can purchase land through their wife, and even have their name on the title. I think you know what I mean. Thailand changed the law that required a Thai woman who gets married from having to change their last name, which then made it possible for them to purchase land with money they recieved from their husband, since the government wants to know where they got the money to purchase property. I know, becaue I've done it.

Right. The wife can buy it. If the farang puts up the money, and the wife decides to end the marriage, the farang is left out in the cold with nothing. Farangs can buy a condo as long as the ownership in the building is at least 51% Thai.

So have you put up any money?! Or are you not that trusting?!

I haven't. But I would trust my wife if I did. Don't see the point in it since we are both in the U.S. Her sister sold a farm to a British friend of mine up in Chiang Rai. He left Bangkok and now he has pigs etc. Never came back. Kinda funny. I would consider buying a condo in Bangkok if we ever went back. Probably not a house.

[*Robert* 2]

That's cool! Just wanted to know if I was alone, cuz I have a considerable amount invested in Thailand, and I look forward to a comfortable retirement there!

I have bought two townhouses (side-by-side) in Chiang Mai, and along with the land her father gave us near Kalasin, we just recently purchased 70 rai of land in the same area, that used to belong to her aunt, who had put herself in debt by taking out loans on it.

I still plan to buy another home of our own in the foot hills of Chiang Mai, since I really love it there in and near Chiang Mai. That will be the retirement house! Goes to show how serious I am about going back to Thailand to retire, and I can't wait till its time.

Edited March 27, 2009 by roi_aggie

[daboyz 36]

That's cool! Just wanted to know if I was alone, cuz I have a considerable amount invested in Thailand, and I look forward to a comfortable retirement there!

I have bought two townhouses (side-by-side) in Chiang Mai, and along with the land her father gave us near Kalasin, we just recently purchased 70 rai of land in the same area, that used to belong to her aunt, who had put herself in debt by taking out loans on it.

I still plan to buy another home of our own in the foot hills of Chiang Mai, since I really love it there in and near Chiang Mai. That will be the retirement house! Goes to show how serious I am about going back to Thailand to retire, and I can't wait till its time.

Wife was living in Chiang Mai with her sister. Actually Doi Saket. It's nice up there. Laid back, not like Bangkok.

[*Robert* 2]

Wife was living in Chiang Mai with her sister. Actually Doi Saket. It's nice up there. Laid back, not like Bangkok.

Exactly... that's why I love it up there. You have everything that a big city has to offer, but it feels more like country style living. It's always hard for me to believe Chiang Mai is the 2nd largest city.

I love the zoo, the malls, and especially going to Doi Suthep!

I don't mind visiting Bangkok, but I don't like to spend any amount of time there! It serves as a transit hub!

Edited March 28, 2009 by roi_aggie

[ThaitoUSA 15]

We have some land up in the mountains of Nan. There is an old rickety house on it. We plan to tear it down and build a modest, but comfortable home there over the next five years or so. Since we're both teachers, we're thinking we could spend one to two months a year there and the rest of the time back in the States. Not certain about retirement there, but it's always a possibility.

My comment about devkpaik was just a poor joke. The follow up about him being occupied by marital responsibilities was not just limited to venereal, but all that the big move entails. In that quote I posted, he commented how he hadn't been on the board in two months, and seemed to be checking in to find out about AOS. I agree that healthy relationships allow for people to be themselves and it's not necessary to spend every single moment together.

edit: Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) is the second largest city in Thailand with about 2.5 million people, compared to Chiang Mai city with a little less than 1 million.

Edited March 28, 2009 by ThaitoUSA

[AaronLV 12]

There are other ways to buy land in Thailand and protect yourself from your wife running off with it. I had discussed this with my lawyer that we used for our K1 and there are ways around it, so you are protected.

[bill13060 0]

I got pulled over in the chiang kham hospital parking lot. i thought i was going to get a ticket for not wearing a helmet and no license but as it turned out the officer told my wife that he wanted to give me his daughters phone number so i could find her a farang boyfriend. we took the number and went on our way. oh and the moped was not registered either.

There are other ways to buy land in Thailand and protect yourself from your wife running off with it. I had discussed this with my lawyer that we used for our K1 and there are ways around it, so you are protected.

how do you protect yourself? i'd like to know in case i need the information.

[bill13060 0]

oh and i got a piece of information from NVC operator this evening. They started sending RFEs by e-mail. People who have yahoo accounts are not getting the e-mail. So if your stuck at NVC, you may want to call to find out whats going on.

I'm getting an RFE because i forgot to write the word "present" behind the date in block 20 on the ds-230. since i did not recieve the e-mail i gave them my hotmail address but they said it will take another couple days to send the e-mail. Talk about job security. rediculous.

Edited March 28, 2009 by will92104

[*Robert* 2]

edit: Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) is the second largest city in Thailand with about 2.5 million people, compared to Chiang Mai city with a little less than 1 million.

Depending on the source: http://www.dopa.go.th/

If you go by population, then Nonthaburi is the 2nd largest. If you average the area of the city along with the population, then one can make an argument for Chiang Mai. Surat Thani and Udon Thani have more area than Chiang Mai, but less population. Population wise, Korat is 6th, Chiang Mai is 5th.

Either way... I still love Chiang Mai, and have always thought of it as the 2nd city in Thailand!