hi everybody, I hope someone can help unscramble my brain with a few straight forward answers. My husband and I are planning to relocate to hua hin in approx 12 months and I have a list of questions I need help
with.
1. Can anyone recommend a good lawyer and what would be the approx cost to buy a house i.e. legal fees?
2.If we buy property using the co. route and become directors do we need work permits?
3.what type of visa would you recommend, my husband would qualify for a retirement visa (just) but we would probably want to travel, maybe to
Malaysia etc. so would a multi entry be better?
4.If we have a co. and buy more than one property and rent out the second house would this be classed as a properly trading co. not just a front? Also would we have to employ 8 thais (4 for each western dierctor)?
Sam, There are no straightforward answers to 1,2&4. You need a good lawyer. This subject has been regurgitated time and again on this forum.
As far as i'm aware, the company route is a loophole - unless you buy a condo.
By the sound of things, you're both coming over to check the situation out - a wise move IMO. What you'll have to guage for yourselves is the general feeling about property laws over here at that time and how they may change with the political situation.
For what it's worth, my view is that Thailand will relax the laws regarding forign ownership of land, but quite how long that takes is anyones' guess. And of course it won't be carte blanche.
As far as visas are concerned, what about your's? A multi entry would be best if you intend to travel, otherwise it's 1,900 baht for a reentry permit and the hassle every time you do. If you don't have the reentry permit, the visa is lost. I'm sure you're aware of that.
Hi Lomuamart, thank you for your reply, I have tried a search but cannot find any recommended lawyers. has anyone used sunbelt or a lawyer from the uk embassy list? Also if you buy property with a 30 year lease can you sell it?
Sunbelt may be a good start. I'm sure I used them years ago via email for general advice about buying a business here. Obviously, they replied, but without specifics as it was costing me nothing at that stage.
I was once in the unfortunate situation to have to use one of The Embassy's recommended lawyers, but that was for a totally different matter and a lifetime ago. They were Ok and didn't cost much for a face to face consultation. I've just tried to find the old list, but my paperwork is all over the place and I can't locate it yet. They were based on Silom though and I'm fairly sure that if you mentioned the name and address I'd remember it.
This may not answer your lawyer question but there have been a couple of discussions about the legalities of buying property in Thailand that may interest you:
Thanks Buksida, it's reading these posts and more like them that make me wonder what to do for the best. We would rent but I want to put down roots in Thailand and after reading your story of being shifted from pillar to post that does not appeal, I really don't fancy a condo so that leaves a
house and the only ways to get one of them seem" illegal "or not secure. so we will just have to jump one way or the other and hope for the best.
As mentioned above, come out here, rent for a little while, get talking to some expats and generally get a feel for the place before making any commitment.
I'm sure you'll be fine
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I would not recomend any body to use sunbelt asia
i know of sveral people who have lost serious amounts of money in deposits and fees that this company charged and kept
as far as i am aware this company is a sure way to heartache and loss
personal i would try a more well established local firm rather than a fly by night franchise
shafter - if there is going to be a 'clampdown' on work permits, the chances are that the following will happen; it will last for about 1 or 2 months until the authorities find something else much more attractive to the voters, and it will probably be easy to wriggle out of if you are nabbed by the use of a few crisp ones. The original poster is also not coming for 12 months so the chances of it still going on are remote, and these things are normally only strictly enforced in Bangkok.
To the original poster, I would recommend going to see Colin and his team at the Observer Group, as there is another option when it comes to property/land, which is a long term lease, and he will be able to fill you in on the details of that. In terms of lawyers, there are some good ones in Hua Hin, but very few that speak english, so in order to know what is going on you would do better to find one in Bangkok. Do not instantly trust any estate agent you happen to use as there have been several stories of bad deals and company setups; coming here and staying a while in rented accommodation to get a feel for things is definitely the way to go.
Wanderlust wrote:shafter - if there is going to be a 'clampdown' on work permits, the chances are that the following will happen; it will last for about 1 or 2 months until the authorities find something else much more attractive to the voters, and it will probably be easy to wriggle out of if you are nabbed by the use of a few crisp ones. The original poster is also not coming for 12 months so the chances of it still going on are remote, and these things are normally only strictly enforced in Bangkok.
Well said!
Every time I am in thailand there is talk of 'A clampdown' On illegally working falangs!
An example. On Koh Tao in 2004 certain expats were fanatical about how everyone wanting to work in scuba diving as a Divemaster etc would need to pay tens of thousands of baht to get a work permit! What a bunch of cobblers! Despite my caution that there was no concrete signs a specific clamp down off they went and got the damn thing in Malaysia. 12 months almost everyone still works without permit! Its all overblown.
Hey Wanderlust, any chance on some information on long term leases? It would be helpful to have it this side of the very big divide!
I assume the basic principle will be the longer the lease is for, the better the deal? Or is there another Thai way the visitor is unaware of?
I looked at a lot of properties and developments last time I was in HH - with and without agents. I kind of got a feel for the area a few k's South and slightly inland of HH, but I agree that maybe its best to spend time there before committing.
I'm all for exploring more manageble ways of doing this!
caller - sorry I don't have any info on long term leases but I do know it is another option for foreigners to be able to have a house and land. If you want to chat with Colin before you come, the Observer email is huahin@observergroup.net. I rent here now after being badly burned previously with a house in Bangkok )please don't ask for details but I was conned by a bogus lawyer) and as rents are relatively cheap here I am more comfortable doing that now. I am lucky in that I have a decent landlady - a Thai married to a farang - and I have been in the same place for over two and a half years now without any change in the rent, and no hassle from them at all. Hope that helps.
