Advice welcomed

[stever]

Hello everyone,

I am Steve from Australia, 48 yrs old and will move to Udon within 6 months.

I have had a Thai lady from Nong Bua Lumphu for 2 years now and will move to Udon as soon as my home is sold in Australia.

I would like the thoughts and advice from the experienced farang living in Udon and surrounding areas.

Being a constant traveller to Thailand over the past 6 years (3 to 4 times a year) I know many things about Thailand, but little compared to you all living there. I don't want to be one of the farang moving to Thailand for a few years only to find I have to depart due to my money not lasting, this is the advice I am looking for from you all there.

I plan to apply in Australia for a 2 month visa and extending it to 3 months after I have married in Thailand (Type O visa) I will deposit 800,000 baht into my Kasikorn account 3 months prior to leaving Australia (Please correct me if I have any information wrong)

I know living in Thailand as a tourist is different compared to living there permanently (Party mode) I have like some of you been stung by a Thai lady before and now more cautious, I now feel I can trust my lady (After 2 years) and hence the plunge to a new life in Udon.

I have stayed at the family home (45 mins past Nong Bua Lumphu) on many occassions to experience the life I am planning to live. The family is not greedy I have found, only the farther wanting a few smokes and beers occassionally.

On arrival I will rent for a minimum of 3 months to decide whether to rent / buy an exsisting home and land or buy land and build a new home ( I have a Thai friend in Australia who I have known for 18 years, he will buy the land for me in his name)

My plans:

1: Either build a new home or buy a home needing renovating (I have done this in OZ, and enjoy doing this, also will occupy me for a while (Not sure about making money from doing this, any ideas?) Not sure where, maybe near her village, but not to close to the family. I have meet

Can I do the renovations on the house or is this considered taking a job from the Thais ?

2: Buy some land in my Thai ladies name (Being fair, man with good heart) Should we part in the future she will have something from the releationship.

On her land I am thinking about raising either pigs/chickens or fish or all, can anyone tell me if this is profitable, I am not looking to make a fortune, but help keep some money coming in rather than dwindle my funds, also as a form of exercise and something to do (Not a big drinker) Also can I tend to Her animals on her land and not break the work laws in Thailand ?

Can someone advise me when buying a new car if I sould buy in my name or my Thai friends from OZ ?

My situation:

Enough to buy land and build a new home or buy older home to renovate, buy new car, buy land in her name, 800,000 funds for type O visa / retirement visa for retirement (In 2 years time), fully furnish the home, approx 1,000.000 baht to start a farm pig/chicken/fish on her land (Or what advice can you give)

I have allowed for 50,000 to 70,000 baht per month (Home and car owned) this would last approx 10 years on my calculations, so as stated before, I don't want to be one of the farangs who have to leave after a period of years because I have no money to continue my lifestyle in Thailand.

My savings will stay in OZ and I will transfer to my Thai account as needed, I have not caculated the interest I will receive from my savings in OZ, this will be extra for any unforseen circumstances. As said before I will need to make some type of money over the years to cover me after my 10 year plan has arrived. So any help or advice regarding the idea of setting something up on her land/farm would be much appreciated.

My Thai lady has been married to a man from Sweeden about 4 years ago, so when the crunch comes for SIN SOD what would the approx cost be they would expect? I have read if a Thai lady has been previously, she is entitled to nothing, my view would be the land I would buy her would cover this.

Any other advice for you think would help me would be great.

Looking forward to your comments and meeting some of you when I come back in October, for a few beers (I will stay for approx 6 weeks)

Regards,

Steve

[trubrit]

Hi Steve . Welcome to the club .Most of us on here have been in a similar situation to you, with differing results, so the answers you will get will be equally different, ranging from the cautious to the cynical, based on the individuals personal experience. I suggest you seem to be a level headed guy and only you can know the lady involved and what amount of trust you should put in her .So I will make my reply purely a personal observation of the general situation here in Udon .
The money you have is certainly enough to establish a good lifestyle here, but, and this is a big but. You are quite young to "retire" to a life in the country. Presumably you have a good job back home to allow you to have accumulated those savings. Why do you want to give it up for what will undoubtedly be a life of comparable hardship .It is not impossible to make a living here but it is very rare to met someone that is not"just scratching by"Remember your savings have got to last possibly another 40 years, the estimated life expectancy being 80, with the later years getting ever increasingly expensive with failing health etc . You just might have children to educate as well , that's pretty expensive too.Will you have a pension income in you later life? Presumably not with early retirement .What about health cover for yourself and wife, possibly her family as well . If father in law was sick, could you really refuse to draw money from the bank to help him? I think not .Now its not all doom and gloom, there is an answer. Why not take the girl back to your country? She could work and support her own family. You could accumulate more savings, possibly pay for a pension in later life. Enjoy health and education benefits.Then in say, 10 years time, retire here, build a house on land , which you can buy now anyway .Then you can live a life of royalty and peaceful retirement free from any financial worries .
Just one personal note if I may . I would like to know a bit more about the reasons for the previous farangs departure before committing myself to a long term relationship. Maybe you already have, then forgive me . Good luck, whatever you decide .

[Bread Man]

Good Advice True Brit *****

[Bandung_Dero]

Just don't forget the olde drumbeat! "Don't spend more than you can afford to loose."

Land maybe OK for Sin Sot but NO CASH. I paid out the family debts at the land bank, about 65K Baht and had the land transferred to TW who placed it in her married name, mine. Has some advantages, cannot be hocked or sold without my signature as I found when we loaned one of our chanoots to a cousin so as to borrow money to send hubby overseas working.

Lots to consider, as with your plan my income is investment based from Aus sources but calculated to last me a life time. Good luck!

[jackspratt]

My advice is (based on the assumption you have sufficient liquid funds, plus rental income - see below - to get you through the first year here):

- don't sell your house in Oz, but rent it out

- get a 12 month O-A visa in Oz (means no transfer of 800k to Thailand required)

- rent here for 12 months

- if you are still confident about the relationship after (or well into) that period, you can consider reverting to the plans you outline in your OP.

In this way you are not over-committing into a situation that you really are still coming to terms with.

Of course, you should discuss this with your tilak first.

(I concur with trubrit's caution - what happened to the Swede?)

[Eazy-Going]

Being in a similar situation to the OP, albeit 5 years younger, I can understand his reasons for wanting to make the move now, so that he can enjoy living in Thailand whilst he is still relatively young enough to take full advantage of his life here. Also young enough if all goes pear shaped, he can go back to his homeland and still get some type of employment.

I concur with Jackspratts advice, and although my move here is hopefully permanent, I have not burned all of my bridges with the UK in that I have kept my propety there and it is rented out. As I do not have a mortgage on the house, this gives me a good income and I do not have to touch these funds, but they are there should the need arise.

The business I have in Udon will definately not make me a rich man but it does sustain my living in Thailand quite comfortably. Why buy or build a house here, I rent a very acceptible 3 bedroomed bungalow with small garden for only 3500BHT a month with the long term view of maybe building a house here in the future if I do stay here permanently.

With ref your question to Sin Sod, why should you pay anything? Your lady was married before therefore this should not be an issue. Speaking to my Thai friends, generally Sin Sod is given if the girl has never been married before, has no children etc, however not always the case as my partners family would not dream of asking for Sin Sod for her because if we marry, (she's never married, has no kids), I will take care of here anyway, but then again, her family are not money grabbing so and so's as mentioned by many posters on all Thai forums. They have really taken me into their fold and would never ask me for any money, they are just grateful their daughter is in a stable relationship with someone who cares for her and provides her with a decent life.

Good luck on you move Steve, although living in the countryside can be mind numbingly boring, hence my moving to Udon, I could only stand 3 months in the sticks, but then again we are all different and this way of life does suit many ex-pats living in Thailand.

[Prenders88]

Rent don't buy

Keep a property in Australia.

Buy a car in your name.

You won't like living in the sticks.

Don't trust the wifes family, their agenda is to take as much money and free booze from you as they can, you mean nothing to them.
The smiles here are fake.

Anything happened to your wife they would not lift a finger to help you.

[arjay]

I agree with Prenders, - don't burn your bridges.
Rent long, 2 + years, before you consider anything more permanent.

If in due course you want to "make a gesture" and can afford to write of an amount of money, then buy her a plot of land and view that as your "donation". But rent yourself in town.

[WBU ALUM]

Agree with those offering advice to rent.

Rent, rent, rent!

[Aardvark]

Steve, take the good advice you have had and come here for a year or two and rent in Town. Don't sell your home in Oz until such time as you can be absolutely certain you have the relationship you "Think" you have now. Trust us, things can change quite fast and many have been caught out Five, Seven Ten years down the track with no where to go. There is no better way to learn than be there on the ground living the life, but always retain your options. Good Luck.

[stever]

A big THANKS to you all for your honest input.

All advice has been absorbed. I was waiting for a beating from some of the replies I've seen from you guys

As I have been coming to Thailand for many years and I am 95% decided on taking making the move, I will listen to all your comments and let you know my decission.

Everyday I think of making the move and am not happy living here now, thats my downfall, when I've decide to do something thats usually the final answer.

Firstly I will rent for a min of 12 months on your advice, the land I was planning on buying my lady as Sin Sod will be purchased by my Thai friend in Australia for now and until I am confident about the releationship.

Thanks jackspratt for the advice, I can get a 1 year visa in OZ without paying the 800k much appreciated. More bank interest for future living (I know I will be learning for a long time to come)

Any figures for renting a house with a pool ? around Udon (Any good sites for rental searches? the best I have found is FBI in Udon.

The area she lives have quite a few farang already living there, so I think if I decide on living there later on, I will at least have some local friends.

Is it better for me to buy the car in my name or my Thai friends name ? should I have a few years with the lady, what is the seperation laws in Thailand regarding property?

I know what everyone says about Thai women, same goes for in your own Country, my friend here married a Thai lady from Udon, married in OZ nearly 2 years ago, last week she left him for another farang here, apparently for more money, one week later she returned to him saying he had no money or job either. He sent her packing and informed imgration here she is no longer with him (Carma)

What is the approx cost for a new dual cab pick-up ? preferebally with the least running and service expences, some models are higher in services than others, but I am sure you all know this.

Finally can anyone give me suggestions for a business to operate (No bars thanks) I know I can perform any work myself, I do have a website which generates a small amount to the kitty (All helps)

Thanks to you all, it's Friday 4.30 pm here in OZ and I am finished work for the week-end (Wow) wish I was there, I know I would be having a better time.

Wishing you all a great week-end and I look forward to your replies,

Steve from OZ

[nkstan]

If it was me,I would buy the land(as long as it is not in the ladies village or connected to family land)in the ladies name,get a 30 year lease or infrastruct recorded at purchase,when you build your house,you can put it in your name!

I believe ,but not sure,that all property an assets bought after the marriage is split 50-50 on divorce,if you have to contest,otherwise it is what you agree on!

I don't believe it is a good idea to put assets in anothers name,even a friend!

The 800k in the bank is for a ''retirement type visa and you have to be 50 years old.If you use the ''marriage ''type visa,I believe it is 400K or 40k a month income.There are a lot more hoops to jump thru doing the ''marriage'' type,but it doesn't have any age restriction!

You can buy the truck in your name as long as you are not looking for financing!

I recommend doing a 3 month lease on your rental,giving yourself plenty of time to adjust ,look around or move if you are not comfortable.Maybe even taking a furnished place initially!

If you are planning on spending the remainder of your life here,take your time ,a long time,with decisions,you will have many less regrets afterwards.Don't let yourself be rushed into decision making as great bargains are almost never and there is many choices in all areas.

Sometimes there is an ''adjustment ''in the partner and her families mode of dealing with the falang once they have commited to Thailand,so you might want to stay aware or discuss ''boundaries '' and/or limits with your gal before hand.

Everyone is different in how they deal with things,I personally set boundaries and limits with some small flexations and manage the money!

[jackspratt]

Stan is correct - you can only get an O-A visa if you are over 50.

My apologies.

[Aardvark]

Silly Sausage And Steve, remember you have very few rights in Thailand

[BobHelm]

Do any of the Embassies in Aus hand out multiple entry O visas ??(reason for 'Visiting family & friends') If so that will give you 15 months of time in Thailand, only needing to nip over the bridge every 3 months to enact next portion. No need to show money in the bank (although you maybe do have to 'self certify' that you are financially able to get yourself back home).

I don't think that the buying of houses to 'improve' is much of a possibility as a way of generating income Steve. You might be able to do something similar but would undoubtedly need to create a business & have a work permit if you wanted to do that without the probablity of creating all sorts of problems for yourself.

All in all you have been offered some sensible advice already!!

[Aardvark]

Perth hands out the AO no problem, no good if your in he Eastern States though

[cjd]

The one in Brisbane certainly does and will doit via post if required

[douglas]

Hi,
nkstan is spot on in what he says.
I had a "O" visa which lasts for 12 months, O visas must be got outside of LOS, In U.K. you can get a multi one year one that can last 15 months, enough time to get to know all the options. After that time I got a extension, based on retirement, for 12 months and have only to report to Immigration every 90 days. Tried to get a marriage visa but Immigration said as my pensions came to over 800,000B a year it would be easier for me to get a extension based on retirement. which I did. And I did not have any money in a bank in Thailand. Immigration just took the letter from the British Embassy about my pensions.
I rented for a couple of months, advice given to me by people who live here. Did not like it and I decide to buy, and glad I did. Bought a new 3 bedroom house inside the ring road, plus land for just under a million B. in 2005. I paid cash, then about 14,000GBP, at exchange rate then. Today a similar house would cost 2M B. and at today's exchange rate 40,000GBP. Know this because I was thinking of selling and moving down to Korat to her house and enquired at estate agents about price's. Never known houses to come down in price. I do not have to be paying rent, which was then about 10,000B a month for a simalar house. Now I only pay 100B a month for upkeep of roads, street lighting and security.
As for motors. You should get a new one, to much hassle and very expensive for second hand ones. Leave your money in the bank back home, good interest compared to LOS. and look around. A lot of firms give you H.P. at 0%. Was down in Toyota the other day. A top of the range four door 2.5 litre truck was in their showrooms. Approx 700K B. Don't forget the price advertised usually does not include delivery charges, number plates back lining and bull bars. This price when I asked Toy. included bars, number plates, wheel arch guards, and 1 years full insurance. Thinking of buying one myself. Wife has car most of the time since she took up driving two years ago.
I went and got a 30 year lease on the land, was not married then, and it was put in her name. house was put in my name. Knew the lady for four years before I retired and came to live here. Never regretted this and would not change anything.
Anyway whatever you do good luck to you and I hope everything goes well.
Cheers Doug.

[old-timer]

Looking forward to your comments and meeting some of you when I come back in October, for a few beers (I will stay for approx 6 weeks)

Regards,

Steve

OT has never rented in Udon, waste of lining somebody elses pocket in my opinion. I have bought four land plots (inside the ring road, not 100 rai of worthless rice fields), commercial property (also inside the ring road), the house (inside the ring road, and none of it the airport side which is worthless), car, motorbikes, in fact everything all in my wife's name, and she can be a bit of a handful sometimes. However after 11 years or so all's well. My opinion is throw caution to the wind and if all goes well somebody without any courage will be paying you rent for your property in years to come, via the wife/bird of course.
If it all goes titties up you have enough years in front of you to recover and start again, although not advisable.

OT.........

One other thing, the fact that your teeluk has been married to a falang before could mean that she's up to something unless he was a complete --------.

[Kevro]

Perth hands out the AO no problem, no good if your in he Eastern States though

An American friend of mine was telling me that there was 4 places around the world, all based with a legal firms that basically guarenteed Non Imm "O" visa's (Marriage Visa's) for Thailand. One was in Perth (My home town). He was considering heading there but don't know what he did. He has business in Indonesia. Suppose they are all guarrenteed if you produce the correct info for them.

Having said that I have never had any problems obtaining a visa there and there was no proof of income requirement.

Kevro