Err....no we can'tYossarian wrote: Perhaps it is a discussion for another forum but I think we can all agree that America is still the country which offers the most freedom, liberty, and opportunity in the world.
This has morphed into a discussion about comparing America with Thailand. I have no desire to do that; the crux of the discussion is home values in Thailand. I happen to enjoy living in Thailand more than America; just a personal choice, nothing to do with home values. I have no desire to try and convice anyone that any country is better than America; I don't care what someone else thinks about a particular country....it's meaningless to me. You originally based a Thai home value on 1% a month 'rule of thumb' rental value. Great for America and maybe even valid in America but Thailand is not America. I know a bit about the rental biz in America. I have a rental house there and at one time managed 52 properties and owned 7. I was the president of a homeowners association with 120 units for 7 years and vice-president of another with 95 units for a similar period of time.Yossarian wrote:I would agree that property taxes in the US are a problem. As property values have increased over the past few years the tax rates have remained the same causing an increase in actual tax paid. Then again, the property tax burden is offset by the federal income tax subsidy (itemized deduction of mortgage interest and property taxes). Property taxes usually fund the local school system so if you have a couple of kids in school that is also a benefit. By and large though I would agree that property taxes have become excessive in most places.
Perhaps it is a discussion for another forum but I think we can all agree that America is still the country which offers the most freedom, liberty, and opportunity in the world. It is still the place where people risk their lives to go. It is not perfect, however, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, it is the worse country in the world except for all of the others. From my perspective, debating whether America is better than Thailand is sort of like debating whether the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. I suppose the world will always be filled with those who would try and convince us otherwise.
Be that as it may, the fact that the prisons in America are filled with criminals indicates that the rule of law is enforced vigorously. The reference to rule of law as it relates to property has more to do with zoning ordinances and the various laws protecting a property owners quiet enjoyment of his property. Corruption and cronyism dilute the meaning and utility of law. For example, if you can hand a bag full of money to the local politician for a zoning variance for your property, there goes your chemical factory in the middle of a residential housing district. When your neighbor opens an all night disco at his house, try enforcing your rights of quiet enjoyment when his uncle is a local policeman. In America, and presumably in most developed countries, there is a professional, impartial judiciary with which to enforce your rights.
While a life estate (referred to as a "usufruct" here) is a perfectly useful estate in land, it is not fee simple ownership. Depending upon the agreement establishing the life estate, the beneficiary may or may not have any number of rights. Most agreements restrict the right fo the beneficiary to lease the property without prior approval of the owner. There are a number of rights which he definitely will not have including: the right to sell (transfer title to) the property, the right to mortgage the property, and the right to dispose of the property to his heirs upon his death. The owner of the property may transfer, mortgage, and otherwise dispose of the property as he sees fit. Additionally, the beneficiary must care for the property in a prudent manner and remains liable for any waste committed to the remainder estate during his use and enjoyment of the property. The life estate is a perfectly valid and strong interest in land, and, depending on the circumstances, probably a foreigner's best option in a "lesser of evils" analysis. Fee simple ownership it ain't.
Shacks in SC? LOL As opposed to shacks in Udon Thani?
) I could (and have) live and eat like a Thai villager on a pittance. If I wanted to live the same way I do here, then prices skyrocket, with 1 million + for a home, 400k+ for a car or truck, plus insurance, fuel, repairs, etc, and then there's eating out, movies, books, TV, internet, cell phone...Well, you get the picture.Indeed for that the Netherlands come more in mindjackspratt wrote:Err....no we can'tYossarian wrote: Perhaps it is a discussion for another forum but I think we can all agree that America is still the country which offers the most freedom, liberty, and opportunity in the world.
What I think we CAN probably agree on is that only an American (but of course, not every American) could make such a statement.
The word hubris springs to mind.
High quality construction method, timber framed home, double glazed, tinted windows, fully insulated, cyclone rated to 200kph, standard fittings inside, low maintenance home built in udon current cost for building only to completion should average out at US$22 a square footYossarian wrote: If you can build a stick-built home in Thailand for 28USD for square foot that would be impressive. The only stick-built homes I've seen here look like the tree houses we used to build in the back yard when we were kids. .
Yossarian, are you on the wrong forum by any chance?Yossarian wrote:I hate to break it to you but I think your friend just bought a lease on a nice 2 bedroom home on one rai of land. I don't care how good your lawyer is, he/she can't change the law. The most he/she can do is promise you a lawsuit against your Thai nominee.
If you can build a stick-built home in Thailand for 28USD for square foot that would be impressive. The only stick-built homes I've seen here look like the tree houses we used to build in the back yard when we were kids. The rest are concrete bunkers which remind me of the last days of the Third Reich. Not very pleasant memories.
Because Thailand is a developing country, labor is cheap so things that require a lot of labor (mostly services) are also cheap. Some things are more expensive in Thailand: cars are at least 30% more expensive; gas is probably a little more expensive here; baby strollers and coffee are twice as expensive; diapers are a little bit more expensive; foreign food.
Life isn't just about saving money though. Life is about pursuing your dreams and living a fulfilling life. Like the other guy was saying, if your dream is to live in a concrete bunker, drive around a Honda scooter everywhere, and eat som tom, barbecue chicken, and sticky rice every meal, than Thailand is a great place.
So maybe the shack in South Carolina is not as good as the concrete bunker in Udon Thani. How about value? In South Carolina, I can coach my son's soccer team without being arrested and deported for working without a work permit. In South Carolina, I can vote for the people who will represent my interests in government. In South Carolina, I can take a stroll with my wife in the evening without choking on diesel exhaust. Most importantly, in America, I can go almost anywhere and not be called a racial slur.
And it's just not about the greatness of America but of western civilization. I would include most of Europe, especially the Netherlands, a very civilized country, in that as well. It is related to the subject because these are the things that make life worth living as opposed to just merely existing at the basest level possible to save a couple of bucks.
The Netherlands, for example, reminds me of Vincent van Gogh or the beautiful canals. Thailand reminds me of a bowl of plastic fruit.
Well, it's pretty obvious you've made up your mind about Thailand. Best you don't come here and stay in your South Carolina tract home in The Fattest Nation on Earth. I'll just keep my 51 year old arse in Thailand; being miserable in my air-con townhouse and having to find the will-power to stay away from the young Thai cuties.....Yossarian wrote:I hate to break it to you but I think your friend just bought a lease on a nice 2 bedroom home on one rai of land. I don't care how good your lawyer is, he/she can't change the law. The most he/she can do is promise you a lawsuit against your Thai nominee.
Thai nominee?????My friend is 63 and has a 30 year lease (registered) and has possession of the owner's chanote (his wife). You think he'll make it past 93 lol. He's protected quite well. Besides, he's worth a minimum of 10 million USD so it's a drop in the bucket for him. Not everyone who choses to live in Thailand is broke as you seem to think.
You are right of course, a lawyer can't change the law. Why would anyone want to change a law that favors them?
If you can build a stick-built home in Thailand for 28USD for square foot that would be impressive. The only stick-built homes I've seen here look like the tree houses we used to build in the back yard when we were kids. The rest are concrete bunkers which remind me of the last days of the Third Reich. Not very pleasant memories.
Very few people in Thailand build wooded-framed homes for obvious reasons. I'd never build one...... preferring to go with Smartblock. It's becoming more and more obvious you're just trolling.......most people here (farangs & Thai) build with brick....not concrete blocks. Have you every actually been to Thailand?
Because Thailand is a developing country, labor is cheap so things that require a lot of labor (mostly services) are also cheap. Some things are more expensive in Thailand: cars are at least 30% more expensive; gas is probably a little more expensive here; baby strollers and coffee are twice as expensive; diapers are a little bit more expensive; foreign food.
lol......a simple 20K baht conversion and a car can run on CNG....last time I looked 9 baht a liter. Much less expensive than the states. Yea that one-time purchase of a baby stroller is gonna bust my budget lol.
Life isn't just about saving money though. Life is about pursuing your dreams and living a fulfilling life. Like the other guy was saying, if your dream is to live in a concrete bunker, drive around a Honda scooter everywhere, and eat som tom, barbecue chicken, and sticky rice every meal, than Thailand is a great place.
My dream is to continue living as I am. A mix of Thai and Western food.....tacos today......maybe gapow guy tomorrow....yum yum......the next day a fine imported steak for less than $10 USD. I love driving my Honda Air Blade......when it's raining I'll take the Toyota Fortuner. Sticky rice? Yea I've 2 tons sacked up from our harvest this year on land I control (but somehow you think it can't be done lol). We had a good crop, (50 sacks X 80pds. per sack). I happen to like sticky rice, but I don't eat it at every meal......just like the other foods I like.
You're right, a fulfilling life is a wonderful thing; I'm so thankful mine is.
So maybe the shack in South Carolina is not as good as the concrete bunker in Udon Thani. How about value? In South Carolina, I can coach my son's soccer team without being arrested and deported for working without a work permit. In South Carolina, I can vote for the people who will represent my interests in government. In South Carolina, I can take a stroll with my wife in the evening without choking on diesel exhaust. Most importantly, in America, I can go almost anywhere and not be called a racial slur.
LOL......It's becoming obvious your knowledge of Thailand is based on the internet. I work here from time to time; never a problem. Heck this year I even worked the rice crop as we didn't have enough bodies lol. No, I don't have a WP. Politicans in America who give a sh_it about anything but staying on the public trough....maybe 10% my friend.......... don't be fooled anymore. I've never been called names in Thailand.....what are you talking about?
And it's just not about the greatness of America but of western civilization. I would include most of Europe, especially the Netherlands, a very civilized country, in that as well. It is related to the subject because these are the things that make life worth living as opposed to just merely existing at the basest level possible to save a couple of bucks.
You're painting everyone in Thailand with a broad brush. Sure I know some farangs here who pince baht (just like they pinced pennies in the states; it's their right to live the way they want)........but most of my friends here have active social lives and spend freely(golf, eating out, card games, traveling, etc.)
Greatness of America? In some areas yes.....such as the waistline.....biggest health problem in America is obesity......The Fattest Nation on Earth.
The Netherlands, for example, reminds me of Vincent van Gogh or the beautiful canals. Thailand reminds me of a bowl of plastic fruit.
(the wife would kill me lol) 
