Sawang Daen Din Should I or should I not???

[rickschoppers]

never an easy answer. proceeding with caution always advised. requests for assisting in the resolution of family financial status improvement will continue. I like the idea of investing monies into a gf business where she can then take care of and assist with family financial matters.

Agree with both of you about a "small" loan to start a business and help pay for the improvements. Once you open your wallet, it will never close again. Take your time getting to know your lady before commiting to any kind of sizable monetary outlay. Maybe if you had been with her for 2-3 years with no signs of her or family wanting unreasonalble sums of money, but it is still early in the game.

[Stinky]

Cheers
Thanks to everyone who posted on this, basically most of the advise was the same as friends are saying here, I am sure that if everything is above board my girl will wait for the payment as in Sin Sot, but somehow I think not???? It is and was a great learning experience and I am sure that I will do things differently next time

A wise decision Steve, good luck

[Johnny Longprong]

Why do I feel nervous??

If it doesn't feel right, don't do it.

I think you know the answer to your own question. If your gut says it isn't right, don't go there, it probably isn't right.

[The Bold Rodney]

Originally Posted by SteveJ1968 My girlfriend of the last 12months (who has just returned from a 3 month visit to Australia with me) wants to "finish" her family home in Sawang Daen Din which will be 2 bedrooms and a Kitchen added to the outside of the home and one extra bedroom inside and also a "western style" bathroom. Is 200000baht a reasonable price to pay for this or am I just being a prat??? I have spent 3 weeks at her home about 6 months ago, and it is basicly a house with one bedroom, bathroom and then just open plan living...

You have to bear in mind if you pay for these improvements...
a) You will gain several browny points with her and her family.
b) you kiss the money goodbye forever.

Your choice only... and if you can afford to lose the money and you're fairly serious about her then fair enough but it's your decison only and it's not mega bucks.

As far as the actual build costs are concerned, yes labours cheap and to a degree bathroom fittings and kitchens are reasonable depending on the standard of fittings you choose and of course where you buy them.

200,000 baht sounds enough for the work your planning, but a few words of advice....never pay up front and be sure to buy all the materials personally.

Make sure for example any foundations are poured with the correct grade of concrete, not a great savings to you but to a Thai builder every baht counts and Thais have no scruples when it come to ripping off other Thai's.

If you don't do this there's every chance your costs will rise considerably and the work will never be finished and any honest Thai builder will confirm that to you and agree to build on that basis and do watch the work being carried out as often as you can.

Last thing...you haven't made clear whether the house / extensons are timber or block and that makes a considerable difference to any building costs.

Good luck with your decision!

[Marmite the Dog]

On a serious note is there some ban by the Thai gov on Bar girl stories being documented for T.V ?

Just a ban on the truth in general.

[KOBRIEN]

^^^^

Im not going to,But If I was to video cam stories from Thai girls talking about scams or just generally talking about relationships and some tv company/Internet?Youtube. used the footage would I be in trouble with Thai gov ?

[Agent_Smith]

^If you don't want compensation then post anonymously.

If it's for $$$, then wait until you get back to farang-land.

Fair play, I know a few people in the same boat as yourself,Their upfront and tell them there is not gonna be a fairytale ending !

Happy endings, yes.

[KOBRIEN]

Happy endings, yes.

Ha Ha, Not what had in mind but good idea !
I just think for all the blind farangs who are new to Thailand or just farangs seeing the reality rather than the fantasy, it would be popular viewing.
If you say followed the lifes of lets say 3/4 Bar girls around,Put a few secret microphones and long distance shots I think you would be onto a winner ! Pay the girls 500/1000 baht a day for their trouble ! Anyone got Bravo's number ???