Thread: Investing in Thailand.

Hello,

I am new on the forum.

We are a family of 5, 2 adults and 3 children. We're from Norway.
We have fallen head over heals in love with this beautiful country that is Thailand and is also looking to escape the whirl wind life we have in Norway.
It has always been a dream to live abroad and run a small resort/hotel/B&B.
Well, to make a long story short, we are now looking into investing in something like that in Thailand, we have Lanta as first choice, but are open to other suggestions also. We love Samui a lot, but found that Lanta is more slowdown kind of life and closer to more weekend destinations then Samui. Also, Lanta has a Swedish school, that might feel safer for our children to attend, then an international one.
Also property's on Lanta sell for lot less then on Samui.
There are some reasons why Lanta

What we hope you guys can help us with is ideas, "do's and dont's" and advice in general.
What is our options when it comes to financing?
Is there a trust-able real estate agent that you can recommend?
Have you any contacts that you think can help us ? And would you share
Should we, as first timers, buy an already up'n running business or do you recommend to buy land and build from scratch?

Overall we hope you will help us with what you have, I'm sure there is a lot of things we don't think about, that we need to know. So good serious advice is much appreciated.

Thank you!

Miss May,
1) what visa will enable your family to live in Thailand year round ?

2) if you start up or purchase a B&B - whose name will the property be in ?

Welcome to the Buffalo Board, MissMay...And good luck...

Forget the idea, you will be bleed dry within the first year, Thais and farangs have been taking dreamers money for longer than I've been here.

Forget leases, key money or rental agreements, if your wife is Thai, ask what the sale price is and you will give up

No easy money to be made in this world, return on investment, even if you use your own labor, costs will be limited.

Want to live in Thailand, think outside the box, if it isn't different it's been tried before and failed.

Originally Posted by MissMay

I'm sure there is a lot of things we don't think about, that we need to know.

To be sure. to be........

I agree with all of the above. Do not "invest", however if you need a place to live that's another matter.

smeg????????

^ Agree wholeheartedly...

Thailand is a dangerous place to have such a visible business (even for Thais) never-mind an alien/farang.. you will be extra vulnerable.

To be honest, it would be irresponsible of you - to gamble your kid's lives on such a clusterfuck of a pirate ship, like Toyland. It's sinking under its own putrid waste and corruption.

Things are getting stricter for farang - Thailand faces huge changes and turmoil ahead, with a greedy tug of war for control of the pig trough.
When the unmentionable dude pops his clogs - shit will get real.

Best to stay away at a safe distance and watch the comedy show evolve with a box of popcorn..

Google Koh Lanta properties...Considered moving there myself. ( We are about an hour or so south).
Apparently new bridge to Krabi approved ( two ferries right now)....suspect property will sky rocket. Don't know about a business but if you want to risk investment in Lanta property ( no idea how if you do not have a Thai spouse though )....might see a good return 'someday'..tis Thailand after all

Can we assume you have dismissed Mediterranean countries as an escape from the cold dark north?
If you have decided that SEA is the place to be then maybe you should consider Malaysia. Tropical climate easier visas...you can even own property! Within easy reach of all that Thailand has to offer? Ringgit is lower than TB right now!

Japan is a forgotten gem... ^ same advantages as Malaysia.. able to own property in your name (without being married)... forge a proper future there, sleep well at night not pondering if the powers that be might expel you at any whim...

Good base to travel to other (less stable) countries.. ancient and interesting culture, supremely polite/considerate people... oh, and beautiful, graceful women.

Easy Visa system.. and they are much more open to foreigners doing business there (as of late) any stimulus to their shattered economy is welcome.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Don’t be too harsh mate..The guy is in a country where the day’s are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping and he is dreaming of escape to a tropical paradise..nothing wrong with that?

Originally Posted by IsaanBoy

I agree with all of the above. Do not "invest", however if you need a place to live that's another matter.

Perhaps, that's what she means - investing themselves into life instead of financial investments or legitimate business, which wouldn't be advisable unless one learns the ropes.

Though, might have to agree with a couple here.
Feels more like a Smeg/other troll thread than anything else. The style is too obvious.

Didn't Thai government recently either pass or think about passing Air B&B legislation for foreigners letting rooms?

It's probably a troll thread. But the advice is glaringly obvious- Do Not.
If you are real, and real serious- rent a pace, and see how you can make it work.
Then decide if u want to buy in a country you can not legally own in.
I would have been well set up, if I had followed that simple advice.
Bottom line, my advice is do not invest in Thailand.

Come live for awhile and watch the tourism boards epic con.... fade before your eyes.

Several long timers I know want to leave, some have, some cannot...ones dying to get out.

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

Yes smell a rat

Originally Posted by Nawtier

Come live for awhile and watch the tourism boards epic con.... fade before your eyes.

Several long timers I know want to leave, some have, some cannot...ones dying to get out.

Don't let the screen door hit your collective arses on the way out.

Can only be beneficial for the culture in the long run.

Yeh, we've noticed.