sepsi

I'm looking to buy a condo in BKK with my Thai girlfriend. As per the usual story I cannot get financing in Thailand. My girlfriend can take a loan with her sister, and in that case the condo has to be on their name.

We have verbally agreed that I'll make the loan payments and later the condo will be transferred to my name. I do trust my gf and her sister, but also fully understand that the risks. The way I see it is that the loan payments will be somewhat less than what I would pay to rent the place. So the money would come out of my pocket anyway. The upside being that should my gf/future wife remain honest I will have the condo in my name in the future.

I have some questions that I hope for some advice from more experienced people.

1) Paying the loan. As far as I understand for a foreigner to be able to register a condo into his/her name that person has to prove that the funds came from abroad. Usually this happens in 1 or 2 large transfers.

But in my case it would happen as montly payments over 10 to 15 years. Does anyone know if it's even possible to have these small payments count as my payments for the condo? Basically I would be paying off a loan that's in my girlfriend's name. The money comes from abroad, so that's not a problem. The issue is how to get it registered as payment for the condo?

2) Transfer of the condo as a gift. Does anyone know if it's possible to transfer a condo (or a percentage of it) as a gift? In this case from my girlfriend to me.

3) Availability of legal protection. Would it be possible to draft a legally-binding contract to secure my interests?

4) Any advice you can think of is welcome.

I could at the moment secure about 50% of the money required to buy the condo, but getting the full 100% might not be possible.

Again, I want to emphasize that I understand the risks. I know that the Thai real estate landscape is littered with farangs betrayed by their girlfriends or wives. I understand that there's a possibility that my gf does the same to me. As I said earlier, I would have to pay similar amounts as rent anyway.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can provide!

I couldn't find any confirmation as to whether it's possible to get a re-entry permit from Suan Plu on a weekday. I went in and tried my luck today (Wednesday) and received my permit.

So it's possible to get it but the immigration makes it really hard to look like you can't get it.

I also went in yesterday but made the mistake of going in through the main doors. Was promotly told that I have to go to Chaeng Wattana, thank you very much.

After reading a very helpful report detailed by a fellow thaivisa member I tried again today. The report is here:

http://www.thaivisa....50#entry4453650

You have to download the TM8 form, fill it and email it to them at least 1 day in advance. Then you need these print out/copies:

- The email you sent to them (so make sure to write something to it, don't just attach the file)
- Printed and filled application form (that you just filled and emailed to them)
- Copies of your passport data page, visa and the latest extension (if you have any)

Then the next day to there. When you reach there it really looks like you can't get it. All the signs I read say open for all nationals only on Saturdays. I didn't see any other caucasians there.

Anyway, look at the pictures in the report I linked to earlier and you'll see where to go. The little drive-by window that says online application is closed and looks like it was never used. Most people you see there are from Lao or Myanmar, and thus make you really feel like you are in a wrong place. Persist and you shall prevail

Anyway, I rang the doorbell on the little drive-by window and to my surprise a nice lady opened it. I asked her about the online re-entry permit and she made sure I had all the necessary documents. Then she asked me to come in.

I found the door round the corner and stepped into a room full of people from Laos and Myanmar, again giving me an acute feeling of being in the wrong place. After looking around confused the nice lady from the drive-by window rescued me and hailed me to the counter. She took my application and the fee and after 20 minutes wait handed my stamped passport back.

And with a smile on my face I hailed a taxi and ventured on my merry ways.

OK, sorry about the novel. I just wanted to write the experience in detail. Just so you know what to do and where to go and that feeling confused and out of place is part of the experience.

Hope this helps!