General Reports

[Phordphan]

I would agree with you if the main reason is P4 P. However, when it comes to a place to live at least for me BKK blows Pattaya out of the water. BKK is an international city with all that has to offer. Pattaya is a crowded beach town that attracts the dregs to tell you the truth. I used to love going to Pattaya in the early 00's. But now I can't stand it. What was once charmingly sleazy is now to my eye, well, just ugly. From the hordes of Chinese tourist to some of the most awful foreigners you will ever meet. That's Pattaya. While I agree that it is far better than BKK for chicks, the human detritus you have to wade through just ruins it for me.

Very well said. I have some fond memories of PTY, but, as you said, the human detritus has become far worse and I now avoid the place.

[The Cane]

I would agree with you if the main reason is P4 P. However, when it comes to a place to live at least for me BKK blows Pattaya out of the water. BKK is an international city with all that has to offer. Pattaya is a crowded beach town that attracts the dregs to tell you the truth. I used to love going to Pattaya in the early 00's. But now I can't stand it. What was once charmingly sleazy is now to my eye, well, just ugly. From the hordes of Chinese tourist to some of the most awful foreigners you will ever meet. That's Pattaya. While I agree that it is far better than BKK for chicks, the human detritus you have to wade through just ruins it for me.

This is why I preferred Phuket over Pattaya! Perhaps Phuket is what Pattaya used to be? Charmingly sleazy? LOL!

[Red Kilt]

I completely disagree with you. The country is now more stable than it has ever been before. No more shut downs, corrupt Thaksin politicians, at least all business can go on as normal now. Immigration has tightened up to try and keep out criminals. I know it's not perfect but nothing ever is.

It's helpful to read some of Christopher G Moore's non-fiction writings on Thai culture and why it will probably continue to be "unstable" (a western descriptor) for a long time yet.

Read "The Cultural Detective" as a start. Amazon has a non-fiction "bundle" that includes this plus "Faking it in Bkk".

[Goatscrot]

Spent 17 days in Pattaya, 10 days in Bangkok. Have to say Pattaya blows away Bangkok on almost every level. Ease of getting around clearly goes to Pattaya, those baht bus routes really make getting from point A to point be the easiest way to travel. Bangkok does have the bts and the mrt but you have to walk half a mile to get to the station and then climb two stories to the station. In Pattaya you just walk 50 feet and wave your hand and a baht bus pulls over. Pattaya has action all over the place whereas in Bangkok your hoofing it to get to the next area. And when it comes down to the gogo's, Pattaya's setup and pricing again beats Bangkok's 3 split up area's. If you want to check out a gogo in Bangkok, your going to have to fork over almost triple the amount for a beer in Pattaya. Most Pattaya gogo's have fantastic draft beer specials, allowing you to see more options concerning talent. I also got the impression your less likely to be turned down from a gogo girl in Pattaya since they deal with more xpats. There was also more options for daytime activities in Pattaya. Prices for most of the gogo's seemed to be pretty much on par with both cities, you could get most girls short time for 2000 although on occasion some would try to get 3000 from you. Also found many girls in Pattaya would stay long time for 1500, a much better deal than the 4000 being quoted to me in Bangkok.

Next trip I'll concentrate more of my time in Pattaya and only do Bangkok a few days at the beginning and the end.

I would agree with you if the main reason is P4 P. However, when it comes to a place to live at least for me BKK blows Pattaya out of the water. BKK is an international city with all that has to offer. Pattaya is a crowded beach town that attracts the dregs to tell you the truth. I used to love going to Pattaya in the early 00's. But now I can't stand it. What was once charmingly sleazy is now to my eye, well, just ugly. From the hordes of Chinese tourist to some of the most awful foreigners you will ever meet. That's Pattaya. While I agree that it is far better than BKK for chicks, the human detritus you have to wade through just ruins it for me.

[Breadman]

Spent 17 days in Pattaya, 10 days in Bangkok. Have to say Pattaya blows away Bangkok on almost every level. Ease of getting around clearly goes to Pattaya, those baht bus routes really make getting from point A to point be the easiest way to travel. Bangkok does have the bts and the mrt but you have to walk half a mile to get to the station and then climb two stories to the station. In Pattaya you just walk 50 feet and wave your hand and a baht bus pulls over. Pattaya has action all over the place whereas in Bangkok your hoofing it to get to the next area. And when it comes down to the gogo's, Pattaya's setup and pricing again beats Bangkok's 3 split up area's. If you want to check out a gogo in Bangkok, your going to have to fork over almost triple the amount for a beer in Pattaya. Most Pattaya gogo's have fantastic draft beer specials, allowing you to see more options concerning talent. I also got the impression your less likely to be turned down from a gogo girl in Pattaya since they deal with more xpats. There was also more options for daytime activities in Pattaya. Prices for most of the gogo's seemed to be pretty much on par with both cities, you could get most girls short time for 2000 although on occasion some would try to get 3000 from you. Also found many girls in Pattaya would stay long time for 1500, a much better deal than the 4000 being quoted to me in Bangkok.

Next trip I'll concentrate more of my time in Pattaya and only do Bangkok a few days at the beginning and the end.

[LittleBigMan]

All he has to do is read the huge thread on ThaiVisa on whether or not to buy a place in Pattaya (same would apply for BKK). If that doesn't convince him no crooked lawyer will.

What I have learned at my age and living here there are lots of people who can read but do not comprehend what is being said. People ask questions but it seem they already have their minds made up before and after they hear the answer it is like they never read or heard it? You think when people get burn they learn from their mistake but it isn't always the case. They just start off again where they left off?

[Banana Boi]

go to ThaiVisa.

All he has to do is read the huge thread on ThaiVisa on whether or not to buy a place in Pattaya (same would apply for BKK). If that doesn't convince him no crooked lawyer will.

[LittleBigMan]

I'm sure the service will be cheaper than making a foolish investment.

For starters all your friend has to do is Google it or go to ThaiVisa. They have a section (forum) for it, also they section for legal Advice from a Thai Lawyer, but personally I would not use this lawyer he is a fucking crook!

[Wolvenvacht]

I'll PM you the info, but the service is not free.

I'm sure the service will be cheaper than making a foolish investment.

[Lefeu]

I completely disagree with you. The country is now more stable than it has ever been before. No more shut downs, corrupt Thaksin politicians, at least all business can go on as normal now. Immigration has tightened up to try and keep out criminals. I know it's not perfect but nothing ever is.

I am sorry but Thailand will never be stable, as long as the "Have" are not willing to share the wealth with the "have not". And, the military are as corrupt as the Thaksin crew, or any other Thai politician for that matter.

[LittleBigMan]

As for the political unrest here, In my opinion there isn't any no matter who is in charge. The only reason puppet general is in charge is because the color parties will never stop fighting to be in charge. What they are fighting for is the corruption money they are missing out on not being in charge. The reason the election is constantly pushed back is because the man is still alive or they got a body double? The puppet (who happens to be his best friend) was put in charge was for the reason when the time comes all hell will not break loose? But after two years people are sick of him especially after it was reported he now has 1 billion in USA Dollar stashed away oversea? He is just a former soldier surrounded by all the K favorite advisers. Regardless of all this stuff aside I have no problem or second thoughts about buying a Condo in Pattaya or Bangkok which when the time comes is where all the fighting will happen. I wouldn't let a few bullets flying around deter me at all, it just makes life more exciting!

[LittleBigMan]

When it comes to lawyer to each his own like everything else here? In the past I've done a lot of interviews with Lawyers even went through a whole list provided by the USA Embassy. Not sure if the list has changed but the one listed years ago they barely could speak any English. I asked the Embassy why provide me with a list if they couldn't even speak to me? That being said make sure they can speak and understand you as if you are speaking to any other English speaking Farang. From personal experience the one's in Pattaya are far and few but I do have one. I also have one in Bangkok if the one's BKKDog does not work out. Here is my opinion around buying a home in Thailand, my experience is only in Pattaya. I have purchase 1 rai land and house and another 1 rai and had a apartment built on it from ground zero. My personal opinion is do not buy anything here unless you can walk away without being Bankrupty, if you got to sell it to continue living here or to go home then Don't! If it was a personal choice and just me I would buy a Condo, but Real Estate 101, at home or here is to keep the project size to minimum 12-20 units, and make sure to read the CC&are which is the Condition / Rules, not sure what they call it here? Foremost you need to review the financial records and what is in the reserves. If your friend is looking for a Investment outside of Bangkok, unless he has money to burn (spare change) forget it! I know a number of Expats who own Condo's here and they seem happy with their purchase, some feel it is better than paying rent, but if you think you are buying at 1 million and selling for 2-3 million I say wake up and smell the coffee.

[LA Guy 5]

I completely disagree with you. The country is now more stable than it has ever been before. No more shut downs, corrupt Thaksin politicians, at least all business can go on as normal now. Immigration has tightened up to try and keep out criminals. I know it's not perfect but nothing ever is.

My post made no comparisons to Thailand "before. " It simply stated I would not buy real estate there owing to political uncertainty about the future. Maybe you are correct the military dictatorship will continue in its present form ad infinitum and maybe the King will never die (another possible triggering event for political unrest). But I don't know many who would bet much on either proposition.

[Member #4591]

Guys,

Does anyone know a lawfirm in Thailand that could provide some legal info on buying / owning / investing into Thai real estate?

And please, don't tell me that it is a bad idea. I know that. A friend asked me some info and I could not convince him of the unsoundness of his ideas, so perhaps if he asks a lawyer he might get back his senses.

Wolvenvacht.

I'll PM you the info, but the service is not free.

[Member #4591]

In addition to everything else, there is just too much political uncertainty in Thailand for a foreigner to invest in a condo. Unless, of course, someone is stinking rich and doesn't really care if he loses the money but is more interested in just having a place to stay; in other words isn't really investing for a return on capital.

I completely disagree with you. The country is now more stable than it has ever been before. No more shut downs, corrupt Thaksin politicians, at least all business can go on as normal now. Immigration has tightened up to try and keep out criminals. I know it's not perfect but nothing ever is.