Thai youngsters gunning for success at Arsenal

n a remote area midway between Bangkok and Pattaya something special is happening. Kids as young as twelve-years-old are slowly being shaped into the soccer stars of the future, and two of them will eventually play for Arsenal.

How dare they omit Bangkok as a quality city

ASK members of Bangkok’s sizeable expatriate community whether they would swap the Thai capital for a new life in Zurich, Helsinki or Vienna and the vast majority would almost certainly respond with a resounding ‘no.’

They’d probably also reject an offer to move to Berlin or Montreal. Even the prospect of living in Copenhagen is unlikely to excite many expats here.

And yet the Danish capital has been voted the world’s top city for quality of life by monocle, a British publication set up 18 months ago by Tyler Brule, the founder of Wallpaper magazine.

Why Pattaya is ripe for investment

Pattaya has an ability to offer a host of international sports and leisure activities, combined with all the conveniences of a modern and cosmopolitan city is attracting investors sold on the tropical lifestyle of this great destination.

VISA INFORMATION

A visa is fundamentally a document affixed into the passport issued to a foreigner by the Thai government allowing a foreigner to travel to the Kingdom and a granted permission to stay for a certain period of time. Visas can only be obtained outside of the Kingdom from a Royal Thai Embassy consulate. A visa has a validity period which denotes the period within which the visa may be used to apply for entry. The validity period is NOT the length of time you will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom.

THE MERCY CENTER

There are many worthy causes in Pattaya, and the Mercy Center located in Soi Nong Yai, Soi 8 is a prime example.

Understanding the new work permit law

Most foreigners working in Thailand are well aware that they need a visa and work permit to stay and work in the country. Yet, they find the law and regulations rather complicated and difficult to comprehend, especially with immigration rules dramatically evolving in the past few years and posing a challenge to the status of many expatriates.

Bangkok Bank offers mortgages for foreigners

As of this year, Thailand’s Bangkok Bank has begun offering mortgage loans to foreigners living and working in Thailand who want to buy residential property. However, because commercial banks in Thailand are not permitted to offer loans to foreigners directly, potential homeowners must apply for a mortgage loan via Bangkok Bank’s branch office in Singapore. Borrowers can obtain financing of up to 70 percent of the property’s appraised value with a limit of S$1 million (about US$592,000).

Property tax cuts

It feels like a case of déjà vu. Here I am in 2008 writing an article again about new property tax cuts. It wasn’t that long ago when the same tax cuts were in place to support the recovery of the real estate sector following the 1997 economic crisis.

Ocean’s Edge offers mortgages

The developers behind the Ocean’s Edge condominium project near Pattaya revealed that they have signed a construction finance contract with Kiatnakin Bank PLC which will cover the development of all of the project’s remaining phases.

THE PINK BAHT

How tolerant Thailand became the guy tourism capital of Asia

“Travel broadens the mind.” This truism applies not only to the tourist, but also the host country.

Visitors naturally feel most comfortable where their hosts are welcoming and tolerant. Few nations have been as historically open to others as the Thais. That’s why in a polarizing world, easy going Thailand proves so popular with Arabs and Israelis, traditionalists and hedonists, straights and gays. Thailand got its hug gay visitor-base without even trying, through word-of-mouth, private enterprise and by just being itself.

THAI PROPERTY SET FOR REBOUND AFTER MISSING OUT ON ASIAN BOOM

Asian property market

s weathered last year's global financial storm triggered by the sub-prime fiasco in the US and are expected to perform well this year, says Jones Lang LaSalle.

Songkran 2008…Pattaya-style

Being English (and sometimes proud of it) I am always amazed to see how the Thai people react to celebrating under the hot sun, fuelled with alcohol and throwing gallons of iced water at each other…they laugh, joke and Wai each other with respect…imagine thousands of young people in an English town on a hot bank holiday Monday (a contradiction in terms) full of whisky and throwing water at each other…how long would it be before the police had to break up the riot?

REGULATIONS EASED Govt. opens the door to more foreign investors

Rental, operations and financial leasing, factoring will be allowed to have majority foreign ownership.

Four additional restricted businesses - rental, operations leasing, financial leasing and factoring - will be made more open to foreign ownership this week.

"For these four businesses, it will be easier to hold more than 50 per cent in the company," Kanissorn Navanugraha, director-general of the Business Development Department, said last week.

Koh Larn

Koh Larn is a wonderful little island in the Gulf of Thailand, located about 7km off the coast of Pattaya Beach of which is about two hours drive south of Bangkok.

Govt to revive city 'Champs Elysee' project

Ratchadamnoen to get B7bn 'cultural' revamp.

The government has decided to revive the ''Ratchadamnoen-Champs Elysee'' plan under a seven-billion-baht scheme to overhaul the landmark avenue in the inner Rattanakosin area. A government source said the cabinet yesterday approved the establishment of a public organisation to oversee the scheme which was first launched in 2001 by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra before being buried after the coup in September 2006. The initial budget, proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), was 13 billion baht.

Thailand's new Escrow Act in effect

New Act puts tighter controls on escrow transactions.
The Escrow Act of 2008 came into effect on May 21, establishing laws governing the escrow business in Thailand.

In an agreement to purchase and to sell immovable property, or any such reciprocal contract, one party will have an obligation to transfer or deliver assets or documents to another party and the other party will be obligated to pay the first party.
New Act puts tighter controls on escrow transactions.

Sunday Brunch at Casa Pascal

Advance booking is essential…how unfortunate to see those inquisitive diners respectfully turned away while you tuck into your terrine du canard.

A perfect end to the week…or for some a perfect start to the week…Sunday brunch at Casa Pascal restaurant in the heart of Pattaya, close to the Royal Garden and The Avenues shopping malls…but just far enough away…

Finance minister upbeat vis-a-vis property sector growth

Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee on Thursday voiced confidence that business in the property sector would grow markedly in the second half of this year after measures issued to stimulate the sector take effect.

SHOPPING MANIA IN PATTAYA

There is always something going on somewhere in Pattaya that is how dynamic this part of the Eastern Seaboard is.

For one, shopping has become a major workout for Pattaya quests. Walking through streets and bargaining endlessly seem like a good cardio-activity and this is a common sight in the busy shopping areas.

Ploughing Season

Rice is central to Thai life and Thai society. It is the staple food of the country, forming part of every meal, and its production the chaw naa or rice farmers. The economy benefits greatly from the lucrative export of the rice surplus.

Ko Chang

Ko Chang (Thai: เกาะช้าง), also Koh Chang is the second largest island of Thailand, located on the Thai east coast 310 km away from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The name means Elephant Island.

Golf Courses in Pattaya & the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand

Siam Country Club Plantation (2008)

18 holes at the 27-hole Plantation Course at Siam Country Club are now open for play. The Plantation Course features significant elevation changes that result in several breathtaking views of the beaches of Pattaya and the Gulf of Thailand approximately seven miles away. 

Partnership and corporate law upgrades

Why seven shareholders? is a question businessmen have pestered corporate lawyers with for years, but it is about to become a thing of the past.

The Thai government, prodded by the Commerce Ministry, is adopting major amendments to several partnership and corporate law provisions with the aim to simplify or do away with unnecessary statutory procedures under the Civil and Commercial Code. The amendment was published in the Government Gazette on March 3, 2008 and will be effective on July 1, 2008.

Pattaya projects move inland

Pattaya projects move inland

Rising prices of beachfront locations prompt developers to avoid ocean views.

Pattaya's Songkran festival, which ended last week, is a good indicator of just how rich this beach town has become because of the hotel and condominium boom.

Thai government may extend 30 year leases

Increase in foreign quota for condos possible.

ACCORDING to finance minister Surapong Sue-wonglee, the government is considering allowing greater foreign ownership in property firms, notably condos, and extending freehold leases beyond 30 years to stimulate the real estate business in resort areas such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui and Phuket.

RENTAL GUARANTEES

Legal Clinic: questions and answers on Thailand property legal issues

Rental Guarantees

Q. I have seen the marketing materials for a unit I am interested in acquiring and it refers to a ‘rental guarantee of 6% per annum.’ I haven’t received the contracts yet, but have been asked to place a deposit, is there anything I should think about, legally, which might assist me in questions I should put to the developer before signing a reservation agreement? – James Blackwall, Heswall, Cheshire

A LAZY DAY ON KOH LARN

There are a few places in the world where life rarely comes to a complete standstill. And just a couple of hours away from busy Bangkok is an outpost that seems locked in delightful isolation, yet very ac

cessible any day during the week.

Ko Samet

Ko Samet (Thai: เกาะเสม็ด), is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand off the coastline of the Thai province of Rayong, approximately 220 km southeast of Bangkok and a 1 hour drive from Pattaya.

Garuda: A South Asian Icon

Whether you are just visiting Thailand or actually live here, you must have seen this mysterious creature, most notably on Thai bank and insurance company buildings. The unmistakable figure adorns the facades of government ministries and all other official edifices.

Clarity for condo owners

The rights of condominium buyers will be protected under an amended Condominium Act that will take effect on July 4 (2008), according to the Lands Department.

The rights of condominium buyers will be protected under an amended Condominium Act that will take effect on July 4, according to the Lands Department.

Battle of Koh Chang

The Battle of Koh Chang took place on January 17, 1941 during the French-Thai War and resulted in a decisive victory by the French over the Thai Navy. Despite the fall of France in 1940 the Vichy government still held sway over France's colonial territories abroad.