AVOID! Property deposit scams
Basic Concepts Certain innocent but naïve buyers are losing their good faith reservation deposits on a regular basis in Phuket – and eventually writing off what is often exceeding 5,000USD because they discover that verbal promises were untrue and that the costs of ‘suing’ for the return of a deposit payment, even if confiscated unfairly, […]
Check who you do business with
If you are a short or long term visitor to Phuket, you will discover that there isn’t a shortage of good opportunities for investment, but that there are also an abundance of scams too. Be cautious, take your time, observe, check, observe again – before making commitments. Hurry to say the least In a world […]
Avoiding fly-by-night companies in Thailand
In a world of information, the opportunity to check out a company you plan to do business with ought to be straightforward. However, companies and individuals who are experts in acting in good faith, cheating investors and consumers, are generally also very good at controlling the information disseminated about them. On the flipside, some good […]
Planning for death in Thailand: wills, estates, and fraud risks
Planning for death A side from the emotional grief that death can cause, the other form of grief in Thailand can often be related to unpreparedness for death by the deceased prior to passing, and also by the deceased’s family, executor and beneficiaries. There are many general summaries available online regarding “drafting a will in […]
Staying out of legal trouble in Thailand
Books on experiences in Thai jails, being busted for heroin trafficking, falling madly in love with a girl who can barely speak English and who requires payment for affection, ‘how to buy land in Thailand’, ‘how to do business in Thailand’ and related matters pepper the shelves at airport bookstores. In addition, there are travel […]
Surprising Thai laws expats and tourists should know
One of the questions I’m often asked is what some of the differences are between Thai law and law in the places I previously practiced, Canada and the United States. My standard answer involves a brief overview of the differences between civil law and common law and is almost always a snooze fest. It’s a […]
Cutting out Prejudice and Racism from our Phuket Community
Just a snippet of some of the prejudiced and racist echoes out there in our Phuket community and now in semi-rabid rants for various online ‘vloggers’ aiming their Not my words, but words you and I have heard: “I don’t like to go there, too many Russians”, “That event is ‘very Thai’ so not for […]
Having a big night out? Know the rules!
I usually get asked this question from someone on a first trip to Thailand, mostly out of curiosity and interest after observing what appears to be the rather lax and carefree ‘party-centric’ approach that some tourists take in Thailand’s highly touristed resort markets. Naturally, the answer I usually give is – of course there are […]