Trip to Hua Hin last week

[DaveT]

First of all, a public thank you to JW for looking after me so well.

I came to HH with a view to looking at properties as I'm about to sell my business in UK and my Thai girlfriend recommended HH as THE place to walk off into the sunset to. So I thought I'd come and take a look on my own.

I had a fabulous week - didn't get to bed before 4 am all 7 days!!

After the long flight from UK and the long car journey to HH after checking in at the Marriott and getting changed I whizzed round the bar scene for a few beers. Met a load of ex-pats which was great. Even popped into Lolita's to see what it was like. Wasn't as seedy as I expected it to be - had a couple of beers and a chat with a few people and left.

I went into numerous bars over the next few evenings - Romantic, Lazy Daze, a few others I can't remember the name of and of course Johnnie Walkers!!

All were very friendly, though I did spend the most time in Lazy Daze. Although the pool table wasn't brilliant, I found myself spending a lot of time on it!! After a couple of nights in there when the staff got to know me I had a brilliant time. The house even bought me numerous drinks during my last couple of days.

The girls in most places were great fun. You could have a good laugh with them without feeling intimidated and mostly weren't pushy. Of course as you're walking past you get the cat calls and "hello hansum" but just smiling back and saying hello did the trick.

The best place I found and that I enjoyed the most was the Genie Pub. What an excellent Rock band they have in there. Bunch of Thai guys playing lots of heavy rock (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and the like). They were really good and got to speak with the singer most nights. Great guy. They didn't finish until 2, so most nights I was there to the end.

While it is strange hearing "Strange Kinda Woman" and "Black Night" sung in a Thai accent, he sang well and musically, well, they were superb.

The Marriott was a good hotel. Had a nice room with king bed overlooking the gulf. The fishing boats with their green lights on each night were a real picture. Got to know the staff at the hotel over the week, usually having lunch around 3. The waitresses were great and I built up a real rapport with them. Probably the same at Sofitel and Hilton too I guess, but it was a thoroughly enhoyable time.

I felt safe at night, even getting a tuk-tuk back to the Marriott at anything between 2 and 4 am. I walked from the Marriott to the bar area a couple of times - again no problem at all.

The shopping mall just over the road from the Marriott was good too. Nice friendly people everywhere.

I played golf, at Royal HH. Not a bad course, though I kept hitting the ball heavy. The grass on the fairways is so different to UK and for me to get a clean strike was difficult. Judging distance was hard too - the ball doesn't seem to travel as far. Most of shots into the green were short despite taking what would normally be the right club (and taking 1 extra for hitting it heavy!!).

The property search was really interesting. Saw some great properties, some nice houses in good areas, some bad houses in good areas and some good houses in bad areas. I've found 1 that I'm particularly interested in, though it's only available via lease. This whole property/land purchase situation is a mess and it does seem now that the various clarifications make it risky whichever way you try and do it.

1) Company purchase - seems now that they'll potentially search any company for it's shareholders and their financial merit irrelevant of what percentage the Farang owns.

2) A 30-year lease doesn't seem to give you too much stability either. Although the initial 30 year lease appears to be guaranteed even if the land owner sells it, if he does sell it any renewal could be prevented. As someone posted earlier, the last thing I want when I'm 81 (if I'm still around, unlikely!!) is to have a court battle on my hands for my home.

3) Buying it in your Thai girlfriend/spouse name is obviously a risk if you split up, die or, as in many cases, she's taking you for a ride anyway.

It's up to each individual to assess their own situation and take whichever of the 3 risks appeals most. For me personally, I think I'll end up going for 3). My Thai girlfriend was never a BG and I've grown to trust her. It's difficult to build that trust, primarily because of all the horror stories you read about Farangs getting ripped off by their Thai g/f's. Yes, my girlfriend has to send money back to her parents most months, mainly because she owns an apartment in Bangkok and land in eastern Thailand that she has to pay mortgages for, but she's rarely asked me for money. She's also more than agreeable that if we buy in her name we'll have a legal side agreement that if we split or I happen to die I can cover things financially and ensure that she's ok as well as my children in UK receiving inheritance should I die. Of course this is a bit of a risk too, but surely if you hire a GOOD lawyer a signed agreement can stand up in a Thailand court if that became necessary. God forbit it doesn't.

Anyway, all in all a fantastic trip and I have no doubts that HH would be a great place for me to retire to.

This is my first day back in the office and I'm looking at my watch thinking about what's happening in HH right now. 10 pm - the band at Genie Pub is just starting up, Lazy Daze will be filling up . . . and I'm sitting at my desk working. I know where I'd rather be right now . . .

[pommy]

Something doesn't seem right.....

an Ipswich supporter living in Norwich?!!

[lomuamart]

I'd prefer to leave my property in London, thanks.

[Guess]

I would think with the attitude you portray and the understanding of the risks involved that you should fare better than most.

The best of luck to you.

[caller]

Now why hadn't I thught about buying in the wifes/gf's name? I guess it depends on how long you have known each other and been together? Still not one to rule out in the future (better be careful what I say, she's a member here now)!

[STEVE G]

DaveT wrote;
……the last thing I want when I'm 81 (if I'm still around, unlikely!!) is to have a court battle on my hands for my home.


Hi Dave, you have nothing to worry about; if you keep drinking those Sambuca’s off the house in Lazy Daze, you will never make 81, or was it the Cherry Brandies? My partner is very wary of letting me go there now, as I always get a little messed up; literally, my shirts are all covered in stains from the Cherry Brandy!
Glad you had a good time in HH, maybe will see you around next time.

[DaveT]

Something doesn't seem right.....

an Ipswich supporter living in Norwich?!!

Yes, very unusual I know, but I'm from Suffolk originally, hence ITFC and always has been.

Does make it fun with my mates here in Norwich though, especially when we play each other. So much banter.

[DaveT]

I would think with the attitude you portray and the understanding of the risks involved that you should fare better than most.

The best of luck to you.

Cheers. Whatever I do in business or private life I always assess the risks and buying property in Thailand is undoubtedly a risk, whichever way you do it.

I think attitude is hugely important, particularly when trying to settle into a new culture. I really detest Brits who go to live in a different country from their origin yet expect it to be like Little England. You have to mix, take on the Thai culture, be friendly and respect their beliefs, views and religion.

[DaveT]

Now why hadn't I thught about buying in the wifes/gf's name? I guess it depends on how long you have known each other and been together? Still not one to rule out in the future (better be careful what I say, she's a member here now)!

It's all down to how much you trust your g/f or wife. I've read on this forum and others of how western men have been taken in, even for long periods of time. Some of the cunning Thai girls (normally ex BG's it appears) are obviously both clever and can put on an act for years, so when she finally gets your trust and you do something like buy in her name or transfer a lot of money into her account, hey presto, she's off.

But you can't tar a whole nation with that brush. It's the same everywhere in the world really. It's probably more apparent in Thailand because the B/G scene is so well known and it's open.

I would say it's highly likely that percentage-wise Thai girls ripping off men happens no more often than in UK, US or most other western countries.

Good luck to you. For me personally I feel very comfortable about buying through my girlfriend. She understands my concerns and why I have them and is happy to sign anything legal I put in front of her, so a side agreement should cover it. Having said that, I'm still sceptical about Thai law and how a side agreement would stand up in a Thai court.

[DaveT]

DaveT wrote;
……the last thing I want when I'm 81 (if I'm still around, unlikely!!) is to have a court battle on my hands for my home.


Hi Dave, you have nothing to worry about; if you keep drinking those Sambuca’s off the house in Lazy Daze, you will never make 81, or was it the Cherry Brandies? My partner is very wary of letting me go there now, as I always get a little messed up; literally, my shirts are all covered in stains from the Cherry Brandy!
Glad you had a good time in HH, maybe will see you around next time.

Hi Steve,

It was actually Tiger beer and red wine. The lady who runs it was a really nice lady, as was her assistant. I know I probably won't make 81, but what the hell. I'm 51 now, worked my backside off for 30 years and now I have some success I intend to make the most of it and enjoy myself.

Shame your partner doesn't want you to go there - it's a friendly bar and she shouldn't worry. Getting messed up is fine - like most Thai girls she'll be happy that you're having fun. Perhaps she doesn't like washing your clothes . . .

Next time I'm in HH will let you know. Be great to meet up and have a couple of beers. Maybe not Lazy Daze though, right?

[JW]

Dave,

Was great to meet and make some progress with your plans. As we discussed there are some grey areas that need to be worked through.

As far as the beers and band - that was all fun! Khartoum and the guys all say hi and will learn more songs by the time you get back. Gonna give them some Skynard and some Stevie Ray (may be a touch tough!).

Anyone who hasnt watched the guys play should take a look, if you like good rock music played with total enjoyment and great skill (particularly the bass player - who is a bloody genius) then you will enjoy this a bunch. I see Dawn from HHDRC rocking away sometimes!! Go and support them cause when its busy and they see people enjoying it just gets better.

[DaveT]

Dave,

Was great to meet and make some progress with your plans. As we discussed there are some grey areas that need to be worked through.

As far as the beers and band - that was all fun! Khartoum and the guys all say hi and will learn more songs by the time you get back. Gonna give them some Skynard and some Stevie Ray (may be a touch tough!).

Anyone who hasnt watched the guys play should take a look, if you like good rock music played with total enjoyment and great skill (particularly the bass player - who is a bloody genius) then you will enjoy this a bunch. I see Dawn from HHDRC rocking away sometimes!! Go and support them cause when its busy and they see people enjoying it just gets better.

Hear hear John and thanks again for all your help.

Khartoum promised they'd learn Amanda by Boston for next time I'm there. Hope they do. You're dead right about their enthusiasm when the audience gets behind them. He just rocks when he sees people enjoying themselves.

Be great if more people in HH go and see them.

And they really appreciate a round of beers for the band while they're playing.

[Guess]

A little off topic maybe but while we are all talking about moving to better places to provide a better quality of life I have just notice that the poor chap caller has been moved from Civilised Surrey to uncivilised surrey which ia no a suburp of London. The only place down from there is Croydon. I would rather live in Buri Ram.

[Gutte]

Hi DaveT,

why not combine options "2" and "3"?
That is - lend your Thai girl friend enough money to buy the land. Then lease it from her for 30 years (your monthly payments for the lease could equal her repayments of the loan). Then build/buy the house yourself. Add to that a personal contract between the two of you where you describe your mutual intentions/ideas with the whole thing.

I have not done this myself - I went the company route a couple of years ago, but if I were to buy something now I think I would check this alternative up. It would be interesting to hear other peoples' views on this!

[DaveT]

Hi DaveT,

why not combine options "2" and "3"?
That is - lend your Thai girl friend enough money to buy the land. Then lease it from her for 30 years (your monthly payments for the lease could equal her repayments of the loan). Then build/buy the house yourself. Add to that a personal contract between the two of you where you describe your mutual intentions/ideas with the whole thing.

I have not done this myself - I went the company route a couple of years ago, but if I were to buy something now I think I would check this alternative up. It would be interesting to hear other peoples' views on this!

Thanks Gutte.

When I first read your post my iniital thoughts were "why the hell didn't I think of that?"

Then I thought it through. It's always best to look at the worst case scenario. That would be 1 of 3:-

1) I split up with my girlfriend for whatever reason;
2) I die;
3) Even though I trust her implicitly, what if I'm wrong?

For 1 or 3, it could be as someone posted - she could sell the lease to someone she knew, unbeknown to me, so that any renewal would be a non-starter. Then either she buys it back from whoever and/or I'm 81 and facing a fight for my home.

For 2 there could the side agreement, albeit dubious as far as getting it through a Thai court. By dubious I mean would a Thai court really rule in favour of a Farang against a Thai national in a property deal, bearing in mind they obviously don't want Farangs owing land in Thailand?

Perhaps there is a way round this, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the Thai authorities are looking at every potential loophole and will try to cover it. They simply want Thai people to own Thai land.

To be brutally frank, I don't blame them. Look what's happened to the UK and many other countries who allow anyone, whatever nationality, with the necessary money to buy land/property?

It will obviously affect their economy, but it appears they don't give a stuff about that.

While I have serious gripes about how the Thai government treat their own people I don't blame them for being strict on land purchase.