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  1. #1
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    My Project | My first 3 Bungalows in Thailand | Help Wanted

    Hello everybody,

    my name is Jean. Since 2014 I have been traveling to Thailand two or three times a year. Now I want to make my dream of my own bungalow come true.

    I apologize for not reading all the threads that already exist on the topic. So if the question repeats in this regard, then I'm sorry.

    The idea is to build three simple Thai-style bungalows between 20 and 30 square meters per unit. To use them for me during my visits and to rent it out in the meantime via Air BnB.

    I am already doing the same with a holiday apartment in France.

    I myself come from the hotel and hospitality industry and can look back on 20 years of experience here.

    So the plan is clear. But how do I implement this?

    I would like to build on Phuket (Rawai) or another island?

    So the following questions arise for me.
    -How is the best way to proceed step by step? What is the first milestone?
    -In which area are the sqm prices currently?
    -Does anyone know of a construction company that they can recommend?
    -How long does such a construction take?
    -What budget would you plan for such a project?
    -What difficulties should I prepare for?
    -Is there a step by step guide here somewhere in the forum?
    -Is there someone here who has already done such a project?

    I look forward to many helpful answers!

  2. #2
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    Well Jean - first things first.

    You can build them but you can't own them. Only Thai citizens can own land in Thailand.

    Foreigners can actually own condo's in a building that has 50+% Thai ownership.

    There are forum members who have gone down the road successfully - they have Thai spouses/partners. But, you do need to talk to a Thai attorney concerning how to protect your investment Before you commit. Caveat emptor.

    Good luck in your pursuit. It is doable, but, it will be a tad bit different than expected.


    So, first step is get your legal ducks in order. Mitigate risks.

  3. #3
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    Thanks for the fast reply. I was planing to rent/lease the land for 30 years

  4. #4
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    ^ as well as that problem, building to rent out is a business which might also be a problem - foreigners are banned from many industries. So, Jean would need to start a company with majority Thai ownership as well as employing a certain amount of Thais.

    His preposition is a challenging one...

    Of course, if he marries a Thai then these problems will go away.
    Cycling should be banned!!!

  5. #5
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    Of course, if he marries a Thai then these problems will go away.
    or get a whole lot worse.

    he should read simons threads on his experiences and nightmares building hotels on phuket.

  6. #6
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    Jean -

    In your shoes I would do just what you are doing. Asking questions on a Thai Expat forum.

    The second thing I would do is get a tourist visa and visit Phuket for a couple of months on a fact finding mission. Due diligence. Feet on the ground. Talk to the locals and visit locations specific to finding what is available and what price they are asking. You have to see everything first hand and make your decisions. It is your money.

    Unless you have a "trusted" Thai partner local, you must supervise the construction.

    -How is the best way to proceed step by step? What is the first milestone? Fact finding mission.


    -In which area are the sqm prices currently? unknown and varies depending upon specific neighborhood.

    -Does anyone know of a construction company that they can recommend? not me
    -How long does such a construction take? depends upon what you are building, the construction crew, the project management, supervision, incentives
    -What budget would you plan for such a project? unknown
    -What difficulties should I prepare for? the biggest problem I've seen is "communications" unfortunately you cannot believe what you have been told. Or, maybe you cannot believe what you heard, or, thought you were told.
    -Is there a step by step guide here somewhere in the forum? there are threads that pretty much provide building experiences - not necessarily a step-by-step guide.
    -Is there someone here who has already done such a project? similar if not exact - hopefully they will chime in.

    Good luck.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
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    Jean, have you ever worked in golf course management or earlier as an EMT? Thanks, but why are the bungalows so small?

  8. #8
    I'm in Jail

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    Jean why not look into the new tourist destinations in Asia.

    Cambodia
    Vietnam
    Mynamar
    Malayasia

    Thailand isn't what it was,and not long before the other destinations will be very popular.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by bowie View Post
    Well Jean - first things first.

    You can build them but you can't own them. Only Thai citizens can own land in Thailand.

    Foreigners can actually own condo's in a building that has 50+% Thai ownership.

    There are forum members who have gone down the road successfully - they have Thai spouses/partners. But, you do need to talk to a Thai attorney concerning how to protect your investment Before you commit. Caveat emptor.

    Good luck in your pursuit. It is doable, but, it will be a tad bit different than expected.


    So, first step is get your legal ducks in order. Mitigate risks.

    I read this and beg to differ, a little (sorry) but it is crucial to clarify because this mistake is often made.

    yes, a foreigner cannot own LAND (there are some obscure exceptions to this)

    yes... a foreigner can own a CONDO

    but also, a foreigner can own the BUNGALOW or HOUSE - just not the land it sits on.

    I very definitely legally own TD Towers, and this is stated in the blue book where I am listed as the house owner

    Of course, the land that we built TD Towers was paid for by m... PJ and she legally owns that land. That is stated on the chanote

    I have a legal 30-year lease on the land too so that should see me out. That is also listed legally on the chanote

    For selling the property, it is clearly worded in our agreement that should I wish to sell the house she will release the land at the same time.

    Oh, marrying a Thai girl does not necessarily have to end in tear 'n' heartbreak....some of them are really good (lol), including she 'n' me...

    Our arrangement works fine for now and going forward.

    It definitely helps with a lot of things. For example, I am just in process of obtaining the 90-day long stay visa with the next step being the annual long stay visa by marriage (the marriage visa, in other words). Half the required money in the bank that the retirement visa requires, a lower monthly income than the retirement visa requires and I can work, unlike the retirement visa.

    The good advice above definitely applies, but that advice is the same anywhere, not just Thailand - check everything and go in with your 'eyes open'

  10. #10
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    Sorry, but 30 sq.mtr bungalows are just not going to be rentable for a price that makes it worth it. You can rent a basic house for 12,000 Bt a month and that will have a small garden.
    Everyone has jumped on the Airbnb band-wagon on Phuket. I have a friend who has 11 houses here in Phuket up for rent and this year he's having trouble renting them out.
    The main tourists that are coming to Phuket are the Chinese. They don't rent anything as they stay in designated hotels that their tour company put them in.
    Lot of Russians that do rent, but, they are cheap and will only rent your bungalows if they are rock-bottom prices. On top of that there are lots and lots of empty condos that you will be in competition with. Add to that land prices that at best, don't go up and never come down, your business will never make back the money you invest.
    Come to Phuket and you'll find this out for yourself.

  11. #11
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    I guess he means beach huts, which would be about 20-30 sq m, rented on a nightly basis.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    I guess he means beach huts, which would be about 20-30 sq m, rented on a nightly basis.
    And how much do you think absolute beach-front land goes for per rai? Many tens of millions of baht.
    You are about forty years too late for that idea to make any sense.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat Fondles's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    or get a whole lot worse.

    he should read simons threads on his experiences and nightmares building hotels on phuket.
    Hahahahaha... I opened the tread, read the 1st post and immediately thought.... Simon !!

  14. #14
    R.I.P. Luigi's Avatar
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    Lease the land for 30 years.

    Get in either the knockdown wooden units.




    Or Shipping Container units.





    You'd own both types of properties. Personally would go for the former.


    Then sit back and watch everything you invested slowly drip away.

  15. #15
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    nightmare's in thailand are two a penny.even 0% interest in a bank is SAFER.

  16. #16
    I'm in Jail

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    Who was that guy that said "build it and they will come."
    Well I wasn't buying any of that so I had them build it anyway. Now I just come and go every now and then.

    It's really only mine when I'm there or when the well pump breaks..
    Last edited by fishlocker; 19-02-2020 at 08:29 AM.

  17. #17
    I'm in Jail

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    Knew a guy that said he left Asia a millionaire...


    It wasn't him.





    fish

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    I guess he means beach huts, which would be about 20-30 sq m, rented on a nightly basis.
    Rabbit hut(ches)...

  19. #19
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    When renting a bungalow during low season a loaded revolver is included that you are not scared to be there alone...

    My Project | My first 3 Bungalows in Thailand | Help Wanted-1307180020-jpg

  20. #20
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    First up, the legality of what you are proposing with Air BnB is debatable. You might not have any problems, or you might have angry resort owners reporting you for not having a hotel license, reporting you to Immigration ( do you know about your TM30 obligations?) or to the labour dept.
    Land big enough for three bungalows, in an attractive location, will not be cheap. And then even if you can lease the land (as you cannot own it directly) at a decent price the landowner could increase the rent to an exorbitant level once you have improved the land !
    I would do the sums on an apartment with an existing management structure, let them worry about the rentals when you are not there.

  21. #21
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    ^ with respect to your first sentence: if Jean does badly the Thais will do nothing, if he does well then he will be reported, arrested and it'll become very unpleasant very quickly - I just can't see that his proposition is viable at all. Sorry, Jean.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Sorry, Jean.
    I think he saw this was not going well and decided to stay in the UK. Writing his book and all.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    I think he saw this was not going well and decided to stay in the UK. Writing his book and all.
    I thoght he said he was from Munich but now I can't find where he said that . . . getting old. . .

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    I thoght he said he was from Munich but now I can't find where he said that . . . getting old. . .
    Try looking at his posting name........

  25. #25
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fishlocker View Post
    Who was that guy that said "build it and they will come."
    Well I wasn't buying any of that so I had them build it anyway. Now I just come and go every now and then.

    It's really only mine when I'm there or when the well pump breaks..

    40 years ago, perhaps.
    Today? Not a chance.

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