Advice on selling unfinished home

Post by **Jim** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:21 pm

Mixed emotions. Very happy with my place on Soi 6 and with the money already invested. But its painful thinking about the rest of the cash I have yet to transfer out of Blightly. Its a problem with the pound, combined with, apparently, a positive reaction to last week's non-result from the election.

Happy Songkran. It's still bleedin' frezzing over here. Sharp frost last night and about 6 inches of snow in Kent.

Post by **gaijin** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:34 pm

Interesting observation tuktukmike. Does anyone know why the baht is trading so high at the moment? If anything, I would have thought that the present political problems would have resulted in the currency falling.

Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:39 pm

tuktukmike wrote:Not wishing to add to anyones woes, but.

The Baht is now at a 7 year high at around 65bht to the pound.

Just what i dont need.

Mike.

why do you think Thaksin is on his way to the uk with a pocket full of cash to bank

Post by **Jim** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:45 pm

Thailand is not well understood overhere. But the baht has been strong against the pound, euro and dollar. It's worst for the pound, which looks like it's going way down against all currencies.

The simplistic view reported here is that Mr T's announcement that he will stand down is likely to bring an end to the troubles. I don't go for it - I think it is the historic linking with the dollar, the dollar being strong because the US economy is, and some hot money jumping on the bandwagon. Whichever it is, the cost of everything in Thailand is now more than 10% more expensive than in the middle of last year. A tin of Chang from the 7/11 now costs all of 36p. Last year it was a mere 32p.

Post by **Takiap** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:00 pm

Hi guys

Yes the baht is high at the moment. I must just point out one thing though, a year and a half ago you could buy a studio for 600,00 now that same studio sold for just over a million baht, which as you can see, more than compensates for the strong baht.
The plot of land I bought was half of a rai that was split and withing six months the original owner had doubled her money just another example that the strong baht has not had much effect on people buying houses in LOS

Anyway, eveyone for themselves because thats my opinion based on the eight or so years I've been living here.

If I sell this one I will buy another within weeks no matter how strong the baht is.

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:22 pm

Oh dear,
You all miss the point. Inflation is rife here now, simply because prices have been supported for many years.
When I bought my bar 8 years ago, I got 87.5 to the pound.
It's all linked to the dollar. What? The dollar is as weak as I've ever seen it.
Inflation is caused by rising fuel prices. The same all over the world.
If you havn't seen the combination of political uncertainty and global inflation, you've got your heads stuck in the sand.
And BTW Takiab, the price of land is NOT an indication of how the economy's doing. It's simply the price people are willing to pay. The underlying economic trends are there for everyone to see. Don't BS them.

Post by **Jim** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:00 am

You been on the Chang, Lomu? The dollar has been strong for a while now - last year it was around 1.90 to the pound, it's now down to about 1.75. Much the same against the euro and yen as well, and there is a notional peg between the baht and the dollar - this was formal until the Asian crisis in '97 and has been informal since. And without getting into too much of an economic argument - what has inflation got to do with exchange rates? A rising currency is an indication that the "market" sees a strong economy - if you think that's wrong, then I suggest that you sell a lot of baht and buy some dollars.

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:25 am

Jim wrote:You been on the Chang, Lomu? The dollar has been strong for a while now - last year it was around 1.90 to the pound, it's now down to about 1.75. Much the same against the euro and yen as well, and there is a notional peg between the baht and the dollar - this was formal until the Asian crisis in '97 and has been informal since. And without getting into too much of an economic argument - what has inflation got to do with exchange rates? A rising currency is an indication that the "market" sees a strong economy - if you think that's wrong, then I suggest that you sell a lot of baht and buy some dollars.

OK, I've forgotten my Kenysian economics now. You're right that the Baht is strong.
However, the underlying trend in this country is inflationist. Prices have been kept artificially low for political reasons for too long. The bubble will burst yet again when the creditors call in their debts - just like 1998.
The Thai economy has been runing on false promises for ages.
Wait and see.
Too right. I've had some Changs, but Thailand is not a safe bet for any form of investment, IMHO.

Post by **tuktukmike** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:36 am

To Soulmonsta,

You said just what i was already thinking.

Anyone with the money he has can for sure manipulate local markets.

Hope he enjoys his new life in the Mansion he has in the UK.

Mike.

Just a word of warning, BB is monitoring.

Post by **dr dave soul monsta** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:48 am

I wonder if he needed to set up a 30,000.00 baht company to buy it

Post by **Takiap** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:10 am

Yes I also think the bubble will burst but all I was trying to say is that no matter what the exchange rate may be right now.........

If I bought a house for 10,000 a year ago (750,000) that same house would now cost me about 1.3 million which still turns a profit even with the current exchange rate.

Any ideas guys?

Post by **shakin' boxcar joe** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:28 am

if the roof is on and the doors and windows in , then just finish the electrics and water to the kitchen , one bedroom and one bathroom , move in and finish later as and when you can afford to do so.

you will save on your rent , you will have a home and an appreciating asset and bugger what your neighbours and friends think.

Post by **dr dave soul monsta** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:55 am

shakin' boxcar joe wrote:if the roof is on and the doors and windows in , then just finish the electrics and water to the kitchen , one bedroom and one bathroom , move in and finish later as and when you can afford to do so.

you will save on your rent , you will have a home and an appreciating asset and bugger what your neighbours and friends think.

Spot On !

why loose out even more on paying some one to sell the half finnished project then letting someone else benefit from your misfortune

Post by **kaokalok** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:03 pm

The Bangkok post reported in his Business section,the Baht raised,because there were huge capital inflows over speculations of the acquisition of a steel manufacturing firm in the country,also due to the high steel prices at the moment,another factor for capital inflow are the raised interest rates from the banks,experts says the strong Baht will last only in short term.that s what the BP wrote,i m not the expert and just wait and see

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:55 pm

I don't want to get into the middle of all this except to say the dollar is weak and getting weaker everywhere due our deficit. It's huge and mainly due to Iraq spending. Seven years ago we were in surplus, quite a huge surplus, go figure. If the Chinese ever start selling the billions of $ of US bonds they have, look out.

I've also read time and time again that the Thais want the Baht at 40-42 per dollar to keep their exports running. It's now down in the high 37's and if it gets much lower, maybe we'll see action or even a devaluation.

I think in a few months the baht will level at 40 again. How that will relate to the pound I don't know. Pete