Exclusive Luxury Home in Chiang Mai

Exclusive Luxury Home in Chiang Mai CNX-2056. If you've been searching for a home that offer you value and privacy, see this stunning 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms oriental fantasy! Suitable for those rich in taste and who love value, pleasure and a quality lifestyle. This top-of-the-line quality home offer the finest in luxurious comfort. On the main level, there is a living area, with dining and entertainment area and a modern style kitchen. A separate room can be used as a music room, reading room, or small home office as the owner pleases. On the second floor there are three bedrooms with their own bathroom. The Master bedroom has wide balcony and the elegant bathroom comes with shower, bathtub and a second outdoor shower. In the exterior there is a patio, a parking for 2 cars, professional landscaped lots with custom design water feature and fish pond. The garden has a very relaxing view. Extra features are a maid room with bathroom, outside Thai kitchen, and laundry area. This exclusive neighborhood is the first Masterpiece design of its kind in Chiangmai - a stylish response to the demands of modern Northern Thai living. The overall design puts the focus on privacy, with palms and other native plants providing a pleasant, green retreat from the world outside. Take advantage of the ceramic tile jogging track or make full use of the luxury sports complex, featuring a spacious swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna and exercise equipment. Located on a main road some 22 meters ...



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Stunning new home for auction in Chiang Mai.

Home for sale in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai - Thailand. ID: CNX-2033 Stunning 2 storey house for sale. Price for Sale: 3650000.00 Thai Baht. If you love beauty and comfort, then this is a place for you! This majestic home has a usable area of 212 Square Meters, 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, parking area for 2 cars, and a garden. This home is built in a project with private security. The project clubhouse with swimmingpool will be ready for use in May 2008. You will enjoy the short distance to golf, swimming, fitness, hot springs, and shopping areas. Escape Today! More indformation at: www.thailandhomeguide.com ThailandHome Guide consultants believe that finding your dream home is an important responsibility. Our advisors also believe that good information is necessary and should be offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage of gain. Thailand Home Guide offers quality homes for affordable prices. We can assist you with all the issues concerned with home buying; finding the right property and land, signing contracts, obtaining legal advice, property management services, interior decoration, finding a school and any necessary information to making your life easier and comfortable. The information about land ownership restrictions for foreigners in Thailand can be confusing and can make home buying look complicated. The truth actually is, that there are several well tested ways for a foreigner to secure the investment ...



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Retire in Thailand - Affordable Retirement in Paradise

Thailand is a favorite retirement location for many westerners and retirees from other parts of the world. Not only is it affordable but it offers so much to the adventurous soul who seeks a place to retire. Thailand has so much beauty everywhere and so many exciting places to visit.

The Most Popular Thailand Retirement Locations Are:

Bangkok
Pattaya
Phuket
Chiang Mai
South Of Thailand

....that's not all...Retirees also choose other locations in Thailand like: North East Thailand 'Isaan', Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Khon Kaen, Hua Hin or some of the beautiful Islands in the south of Thailand.

Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are just a few of the beautiful islands in the south of Thailand with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you don't want to live on an island it is nice to have the option of visiting an island for a few days or weeks.

Visiting Thailand for a longer stay before retiring in Thailand is a good way to find out if this is the Paradise for you. Some people come to Thailand for 6 moths to one year to find out if they want to retire in Thailand and find the area of Thailand they like.

There are things about Thailand that may be a little difficult for some to live with. The Thai Visa requirements are confusing but need to be understood. A foreigner can own a condominium in Thailand but not land. As a foreigner you will always be a foreigner.

Thai people treat everyone with respect yet they will always refer to you as farang -foreigner- which is not meant to insult you but it is deeply engrained in Thai people and it is the way they refer to white people.

The list of good things about Thailand is seemingly endless and outweigh the 'negative'. Thai people are one of the most sociable nations on the planet and have an extremely carefree attitude. They love to joke, have fun and eat delicious food.

So, to sum it all up: If you like to see beautiful things and places, have fun, you are laid back, you like to eat delicious and exotic dishes and you would like to have all of that for pennies on the dollar....you may want to consider Thailand as a retirement location.

How Much Money Do You Need In Thailand?

The answer is; how long is a piece of string? There are people who can live very comfortable for well under $ 1,000 a month and then you have people who think $ 5,000 is bare minimum.

There are people who pay $ 100 a month rent for an apartment and are happy and then there are people who own a one million dollar condo and are happy or still think they could have done better.

Countdown 2010 - Celebrating the New Year in the City of Angles

"Where are we going to celebrate the New Year this year?" is the common question that takes place when the end of the year is approaching. If you are in Thailand for the New Year then you are fortunate as there is one certain thing Thais know how to do and that is celebration. Thailand is actually one of the few countries in the world that celebrates a New Year three times a year! The Chinese New Year is celebrated in February, Songkran Festival or the traditional Thai New Year in April and the western New Year affords a great reason to have fun. Bangkok really offers a jovial experience, thus let's make this yearend festivity a complete New Year phenomenon. Leave the old year behind and herald the new one with friends and families.

As with many hectic cities worldwide, celebrating New Year's Eve in the City of Angels can be extremely gratifying. Each of the New Year countdown celebrations has its own charisma so you can be sure to find something to fulfill your preferences. Whether it is traditional, contemporary and stage performances, world music, clubs and pubs or simply by the glorious Chao Phraya River, there are ample entertainment options to take you right through to the countdown when firework displays magically light up the sky. Afterward the party continues on into the early hours. The center of Christmas and New Year celebrations in Bangkok is the Ratchaprasong Intersection, home to CentralWorld, Gaysorn Plaza and Erawan Bangkok.

All through this remarkable Bangkok shopping vicinity, along Ratchaprasong, Ratchadamri and Ploenchit around the Chitlom area, the streets are draped in a gleaming light display that would compete that of nearly any western city. Colorful chains of lights are strung across the roads from buildings and street lights, not to mention the tall Christmas trees with plenty of pretty decorations. You can also relish a long row of palm trees with their trunks wrapped in lights and still more lights strung from the branches. So as to best enjoy these sites, it is always superb to combine viewing the decorations with shopping. The choice and diversity of stores and products sold is so astonishing and the holiday sales make for even greater value.

Should you yearn for reveling the New Year in public or outdoors then the Bangkok Countdown is grandly held at Bangkok's CentralWorld. The event typically magnetizes a myriad of people with the party focused on Ratchaprasong Intersection right in front of CentralWorld on Ratchadamri Road. An emphasis includes breathtaking light-and-sound multimedia shows and live on-stage performances by renowned Thai artists, actors and performers. You can too marvel at the perfect atmosphere, be part of a global TV audience as well as delight in the beer garden, lucky draws and countdown to 2010 with other countries around the world. The city's governor and other leaders will also bless the coming year. The event is broadcast live.

Those who do not fancy big outdoor crowns can head for one of Bangkok's chic and stylish clubs where parties are bound to blow up. The younger crowns usually visit places around Silom Road and RCA. It will be quite amusing, boisterous and perspiring as these venues get packed to the max and party hard. Besides, there are numerous smaller bars and fine restaurants around Khaosan Road. These dinning spots present an extensive range of entertainment to satiate the international tastes. The club scene in Bangkok is as well excellent. If it is high class sophistication or a hip club, you can find it all provided with that hospitable Thai mood. The live music scene is top class. Thai musicians deliver a performance to match any band.

Several leading hotels in Bangkok meanwhile proffer something a little quieter. They have shows or parties organized. The marvelous places to make for are on the Chao Phraya River. Here the ambiance is more private with a sumptuous gala dinner, light entertainment and dazzling views of fireworks displays over the city's sky. By the riverside is one of the best places to be in Bangkok, but how about being on the river? There are various dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya River where you can rejoice a silent and romantic New Year's Eve dinner away from the throngs and in the best possible vantage point for admiring the fireworks. Bear in mind that both hotel parties and dinner cruises are well-liked and require advance booking.

Not only in Bangkok, but also across the country you will find celebrations that send out the past year and welcome the New Year in their own outstanding style. How about the next day? No doubt there will be some consequences from the previous night's event, but you can always indulge yourself in one of the delectable New Year's Day buffet brunches at some of the famous hotels especially if you overslept and missed breakfast. This is a fabulous way to start the first day of 2010 that will make you feel a whole lot revitalized. Or you can kick off the New Year's Day with nice day shopping at one of Bangkok's fantastic shopping malls such as CentralWorld, Central Chidlom, Siam Paragon and The Emporium, to mention just a few.

For the sake of absolute relaxation and rejuvenation to begin your New Year spoil yourself at a spa. The pampering treatments at one of the city's lavish spas would stimulate your senses as well as enable your body and spirit to chill out to the utmost. Assorted high-end hotels also have their own spa sanctuaries and you cannot go wrong here.

Otherwise you can seek retreat in one of Bangkok's nail boutiques or massage shops to luxuriate in a healing foot massage. Whilst being immersed in the world of indulgence you will be enchanted by the professional staff to nurture you with a smile and cater to your every personalized session, nothing seems to be much trouble. This is a terrific escape to start the day with a great treat.

In a more traditional and cultured manner to greet the New Year, lots of Thais drop by the nearby temples for merit-making to ensure a bright and prosperous New Year. Many major provinces including Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Krabi organize the celebrations on New Year's Day in a grand religious style in the early morning. Also, with half and the regular Bangkok crowd upcountry visiting family or on vacation, it can be a good occasion to relax and tour Bangkok with attractions a little less jam-packed than usual.

Whatever you choose or whatever you are looking for at Christmas decorations, shopping, spas, special meals and celebrations, it is all available here in Bangkok. Enjoy yourself and Happy New Year 2010!

How to Buy a Condominium in Thailand

Buying a Condo is Safe

Buying a condominium unit has become the simplest and easiest alternative for foreigners who want to own a piece of real property in Thailand. The foreigner can own the condo unit under their own name. Under Thailand law, it is not prohibited for a foreigner to own a condominium building in the country as long as his title therein does not exceed forty-nine percent (49%) of the whole condominium building.

Thus, a foreigner may purchase one or more condominium units, as long as it does not exceed forty-nine percent (49%) of the total number of units in the condominium building.

Funds for acquisition of property must come from abroad

In purchasing the property, the foreigner is required, under the law, to pay for the condominium unit in foreign currency with funds from abroad, and duly recorded as such in a Thai bank as evidenced by a "Foreign Exchange Transaction Form," or the TT3 Form. A TT3 Form is required to be presented upon registration of the transfer of ownership.

To do this, the foreigner/buyer must: 1) open an account with a Thai bank; 2) after opening an account, the buyer must transfer the funds in foreign currency to a Thai bank account; 3) make sure that there is a written declaration that the reason for the transfer is for purposes of "purchasing a condominium; 4) ask for a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form from the bank (TT3 Form).

Procedure for Purchasing a Condo in Thailand

Step 1 Title Search It is very essential for the foreigner desiring to acquire a condominium unit, or for that matter, a share in the ownership of a condominium building, to determine whether title thereto is clean. The unit, or the building, and the land over which the condominium stands should not be mortgaged. It is also very imperative that the foreigner/buyer transacts with the legitimate owner of the property or the duly authorized representative.

Step 2 Sale Agreement A Sale Agreement is the contract between the seller and the foreigner/buyer wherein the condominium unit subject of the sale is transferred from the ownership of the seller to that of the buyer for a fixed price agreed upon by both parties after a meeting of the minds between the two parties.

Step 3 Payment The usual practice in Thailand is for the buyer to pay the price in full, in accordance with the Sale Agreement. At this point, ownership of the property shall be transferred to the foreigner buyer.

Step 4 Registration of Ownership Upon full payment of the condominium unit, the parties will proceed to the Land Office to complete the land title deed transfer.

Thailand condo purchases are most popular in Bangkok, Phuket or other resort communities. Siam Legal offers a free legal guide for Thailand Real Estate purchases.

5 Common Reasons Why Foreigners Would Set Up a Company in Thailand

Common businessperson operates a business as life's primary or secondary source of income with the intent of growing the company to earn sufficient profit. Establishing a company in Thailand can be a serious moneymaking engagement though for others, it might be just a piece of front line. Depending on each individual's intention, below are some very common reasons why foreigners would set up a company in Thailand.

Foreigners cannot own a land in Thailand and setting up a company is one way to go over it. A Thai registered company with majority of Thai ownership can buy land in Thailand. In fact, it has been very common in the past that a foreign national acquires interest in Thailand as minority shareholders in a Thai majority owned company. Foreign companies with BOI privileges or "BOI sponsored companies" can also lease or own a land.
For most Thais, obtaining a visa to other countries is a struggle. Setting up a company in Thailand is one best way to help your Thai girlfriend/fiancée/spouse to get a visa. You can hire your partner to work in the company or better yet make her one of the shareholders. This way she can build an employment record and help her become financially stable to make her qualified to apply for a visa. This is very common for Foreigner-Thai couple living apart and would intend the Thai partner obtain a visitor visa to another country.
Thailand is known world over as the land of smiles. But in contrary, others call it land of scams for some reason. If you have a girlfriend or fiancée and you plan to get married, you may consider protecting your asset by setting up a company where both of you are shareholders prior to proceeding on the legal process of your marriage. We can never predict the future. For you all singles, it is never too late.
In Thailand, there are agencies and law firms who can assist foreigners obtain a one year Thailand visa depending on nationalities and country of origin. However, visas issued outside of Thailand may require a visa run every 90 days. It is a hassle for some to travel to the border every 90 days. If you own a company in Thailand, you can obtain the one year visa just within Thailand and can stay for the period of 1 calendar year without the need to leave the country at all.
Obtaining a work permit in Thailand is not an easy task for foreigners or companies with foreigner employees. The Labor Department is becoming stricter in providing this permit lately and the company must also comply with all documents required. Setting up a company in Thailand with initial capitalization of at least 2 million baht is by far the easiest and fastest way of getting a Work Permit and long term visa to Thailand.

Registration of company at the Ministry of Commerce can now be completed on the same day as the registration of the Memorandum of Association given that all registered shares have already been subscribed, statutory meeting has been held, promoters have handed the business over to the directors, and the 25 percent payment of the total shares has been paid by the shareholders. For companies that fall under the definition of Foreign Business Act, the initial capital is 3 million baht 100 percent fully paid up (exceptions may apply). However, for those that do not engage activities specified in the FBA, the initial capital requirement is 2 million baht fully paid up. Other minimum registered capital requirements may also apply if the company is to employ foreigners.

You may consider hiring a law firm in Thailand who speaks both English and Thai languages to assist you with Thailand Company Registration and to process your Thailand Visa and Work Permit.

How Do I Become a Travel Agent? 6 Important Skills

Working as a travel agent appeals to almost anyone. You open doors to the world, interact with delighted customers, and receive large discounts to the best locales on Earth. In fact, employers often push you to go gain experience. Perhaps most encouraging, travel agents can set up on the internet, allowing freedom of location.

Here are some basic skills and qualities vital to becoming a travel agent:

Passion: In the travel industry, it no doubt pays to have a passion for travel, though experience is not a necessity. Fortunately, travel is not difficult to become passionate about.

Education: Most agencies merely require a high school diploma, but larger agencies sometimes demand degrees, and a bachelor's in public relations, computers, or sales always looks good on a resume. The American Society of Travel Agents presents courses and trips designed for this dynamic field, whether you plan to work for an agency or yourself. Also, check with your local community college to see if they offer programs. These days, there are even many great online programs teaching how you become a travel agent.

Language: Consider learning a second language if specializing in international travel.

Certification: Check the Department of Commerce in your area to be sure there are not requirements for certification, and you may want to take a course regardless to learn the basics of the industry. If working for yourself, you will need to be certified.

Learn: Read industry material--not only to inspire passion but to keep up to date with this evolving and constantly changing market.

Computer Literacy: Strong computer skills are an asset when applying and on the job. Online bookings are a growing trend, and even with offline customers your work is computer-based. Some schools offer special courses for this software, but most smaller employers are willing to train the right person. If you want to go out on your own-an increasingly viable option in the new millennium--computer skills are even more of an asset.

Naturally, if you have asked yourself, "How do I become a travel agent," it is because you are looking for a career or business you can run from your own home (or whatever other world destination you have imagined). If that is the case, going out on your own may be your best option, and these days it has never been easier.

Setting Up a Business in Thailand

Many foreigners nowadays wish to start up or expand their business in Thailand. Starting a business in a foreign country can be both a rewarding opportunity and a daunting task. Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles and the government extends this hospitality into the business registration process. There are One Stop Service Centers which provide business start ups with a one location to obtain all the necessary information to incorporating a new business in Thailand. The Thai government has made great improvement over the last few years to speed up the business registration process in Thailand. Now a Thai Company can be registered in one business day after receiving a confirmation of the name reservation of the Thai limited company.

New businesses both big and small can set up in Thailand with ease. For a small new Thai business you can easily register your new Thai limited company with a minimum capitalization of 2 million baht. The Thai government requires that at least 25 percent of the starting capitalization be paid up on the date of the meeting for company registration. This start up capital can be used immediately for office rental, buying computers, purchasing inventory and other business expenses. As for big businesses, Thai government has their Board of Investment (BOI) program for offering special sectors many benefits for choosing Thailand as their start up location. This can include small software developers with just a few people to large manufacturing operation. The incentives include tax holidays, reduce tax duties on imported machines, fast processing of work permits and visas for foreign staff, and as well as tax free zones for importing raw materials which will be used and exported as a finished product (for some designated sectors).

The ownership percentage of your Thai company depends on the type of business registration you process with the Thai government. The most common type of registration is the Thai Limited Company with 2 million baht required initial capitalization. A foreigner can only hold up to 49 percent of the shares in this type of structure. Thus, the Thai partners must have 51 percent. The BOI company structure offers the ability of 100 percent ownership in certain business categories. It is recommended that you contact a Thai company incorporation lawyer to assist you in the planning of your new business in Thailand.

Buying Land in Thailand

After a wonderful vacation from amazing Thailand, you are so elated by its astounding beaches, beautiful people, and culinary delights that you decided to buy a piece of it and call it your own little place in tropical paradise. You excitedly turned on your computer, keyed in Buying Land in Thailand and pressed enter. Thousands upon thousands of entries beckon you for that miraculous "click". BUT, before you get carried away, do you have sufficient information about property acquisition in Thailand? Are you well protected from the common Thai property problems prevalent in this country?

For the past two decades or so, Thailand has seen an influx of foreigners spending their hard earned monies to acquire property in this land of beauty. Unfortunately, those acting in ignorance of Thai laws helplessly witnessed their monies go down the drain of non-recoup. Now, with reason restored, you wonder: Are Foreigners allowed to own land in Thailand? Generally, foreigners are not allowed to directly purchase land in Thailand. Simply put, Thai laws prohibit foreigners from owning land in their own name, although theoretically there is an exception but it is yet to be seen in practice.

This notwithstanding, there are alternatives available to foreigners for successful land acquisition. The most common option is to set up your own Thai Limited Company to own the land on your behalf. Another option is to enter into a long term leasehold with the Land owner. It is a commonly unknown fact that although a foreigner cannot own land in Thailand, he can own the house or structure built thereon. One only has to apply for a construction permit to build the house in his own name.

The next step is to get well acquainted with the process of buying real estate in Thailand. It is also important to understand the different types of Thai title deeds in order to determine the extent of the owner's rights over the land you are interested in. Also, it is advisable to know the cost of transfer and Thailand property taxes in advance. Use the property transfer calculator to determine the over-all purchase cost.

Most importantly, use the Thai legal services for property acquisition of registered and reputable lawyers in Thailand to protect your interests and ensure that your own tropical paradise will soon become a reality.

Thailand Divorce Cases - Getting More With Less Key to a Fair Division of Marital Assets

Marriage is a special union of two individuals' legal, social and spiritual life. It can almost entirely merge everything you have as an individual- your finances specifically, to the assets of your spouse. It may be true that all is fair in love but once divorce sets in, nothing would seem fair any more. Actions for divorce are emotionally-charged, thus the need to come up with guidelines on how spouses getting a divorce in Thailand can satisfactorily and fairly divide their assets between them.

It is of course best if the spouses could sit down and talk about which will go to whom. But as this is seldom the case, there is a need for the following guidelines:

The moment you get the idea that a divorce proceeding will ensue, make a list of all your marital assets. In Thai law, MARITAL ASSETS or "conjugal property" includes everything that the spouses acquired during the course of the marriage. Excepted herein are inherited properties and gifts or donations given specifically to one spouse.

Family homes are not necessarily marital assets. This is a common misconception. The determination of whether a property should form part of the conjugal property is largely dependent on the source of funds. A family home can be an inherited property and thus exempted from the conjugal assets.

In coming up with a list, one may include vacation houses, condominiums, vehicles, bank accounts, securities owned, collectibles, household items, appliances and furniture, electronic gadgets, retirement plans, insurances and family businesses. When in doubt whether such property is conjugal or not, do not hesitate to include it in the list. In approving a settlement, it is the duty of the courts to determine this and to exclude separate properties while upholding the valid ones.

Note that foreigners marrying Thai nationals cannot own land in Thailand. In case of divorce, regardless of source of funds, the land automatically goes to the Thai spouse.

It is also advisable to keep a record of transactions involving your properties like receipts, deeds of sale, mortgages, bank books, etc. These will be very useful in determining the source of funds and consequently the nature of the property.

This is also the perfect time to discover secreted assets. Even before the onset of the divorce proceedings, there may be undisclosed bank accounts, secretly transferred funds, safety deposit boxes and documents may have been falsified-all towards the end of manipulating the marital assets to have more than one's fair share.

For interracial marriages, it is imperative to have knowledge of the kind of property regime espoused by your own country and how it coincides with the family law of Thailand. Your Thailand lawyer can help you in this aspect.

Finally, since divorce proceedings, especially contested ones can be very technical and the parties inept to make guided decisions, it is necessary to have a trustworthy and efficient Thailand divorce lawyer. Generally, when dealing with rather sensitive family matters, your lawyer must be someone you can be comfortable sharing your story with. He or she must be able swing through the emotional whirlwind while maintaining your defense.

Remember that settlements, once approved by the Thailand court, are difficult if not entirely impossible to undo absent proof of vitiations of consent or newly discovered facts. These are done deals, so to speak. All these taken together will save you a lot of time and anguish in the Thai divorce process. You do not want to wallow in self-pity and come out single and broken-hearted. Come alive. Be vigilant.