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What legal assistance is available for expats facing property issues in Hua Hin, Thailand?

Property disputesHua HinLegal assistanceExpat issuesThai property lawsReal estateLaw firmsVilla purchase problems
Sep 15, 2023
a year ago
Carlos *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello,

I am a USA citizen married to my Thai wife. She has dual citizenship and we purchased a Villa in Hua Hin in 2021. It was paid in full in December 2022 and the developer continues to delay the transfer to her. Next scheduled transfer date is 9/25/23, which we doubt will take place. Now there are other issues with the property, such as not having the proper electric hook up for full use at the villa. The developer claims to not have the money to get things done. We have contacted a couple attorneys and there seems to be little interest in helping us out. Does anyone on here know of any Law Firms in the Hua Hin area that could help? We will be there in late November for 3 months with these matters resolved hopefully.

Thanks for your help!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expatriate couple from the USA is experiencing significant issues related to their property purchased in Hua Hin, Thailand. They are facing delays in the transfer of ownership from the developer, who has also failed to address necessary utility connections for the villa. Despite contacting several attorneys, they've found little interest in assisting them. The community is responding with suggestions for law firms, including options in Bangkok and offering cautionary tales about purchasing property in Thailand. Additionally, they discuss the importance of choosing a trustworthy lawyer and the potential difficulty in recovering losses if the developer lacks funds.
Levent **********
To increase your chances of success, it's advisable to engage a well-qualified lawyer, many of whom are proficient in English, although their services can be quite costly. Typically, you'll find such lawyers in Bangkok, where most major law firms are located. Remember the old adage: "You get what you pay for!" Additionally, it's wise not to depend on the builder's financial advice; managing your finances is a personal responsibility, as there's a good chance the builder lacks ethical standards in this regard.
a year ago
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Gregg *************
Welcome to

Thailand

Please come back again soon
a year ago
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Gregg *************
Bob Dylan said that
a year ago
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Marc ********
@Gregg ************
 and bring more money😀
a year ago
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Gregg *************
@Marc *******
 ain’t that the truth

The times they are achangin
a year ago
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Gregg *************
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Kuan ******
You can sue the developer for breach but it may just be a paper judgment. You should get somebody to finish the work.
a year ago
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Winfried *************
The first person I would probably talk to is Brian Ramsden from
******************************************
(just like
@Gordon ******
@https://www.facebook.*********************
 (just like Gordon Brown wrote already).
a year ago
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Gordon *******
Brian Ramsden Issan lawyers for you , all English speaking , paying for an unfinished house in Thailand though , there may be trouble ahead , is the builder a relative of the wife?
a year ago
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Billy *******
Sleep with one eye open.
a year ago
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Billy *******
Told ya so... rent
a year ago
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Tony *********
A lawyer won't be able to help if the developer has no money left.
a year ago
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Keiron ********
@Brian ********
a year ago
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Hristo ***********
I really doubt you will be able to get the house as it was presented to you while buying. If I were you, I would just try to make him transfer whatever is built and finish by myself...
a year ago
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Graham *******
*************************
a year ago
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Braulio *********
Remember, TIT...
a year ago
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Michael *******
a year ago
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Us *****
I warn everyone not to buy condos or houses in Thailand because the return in investment is horrible. Just got to Hua Hin and find a local lawyer. You might have to hire another developer to finish it.
a year ago
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Sheikh *************
don't expect any thing in thailand. not buy anything and not trust any person.
a year ago
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Dave **********
@Us ****
 not my experience!
a year ago
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James **********
@Us ****
 Not everyone buys property for investment
a year ago
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Us *****
@James *********
 I know, some farangs are forced to buy them for the Mrs. That's another one of my warnings. 🤭
a year ago
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Us *****
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Michael ********
@Us ****
 Actually sometime better not to get a local lawyer, as people have found sometime they have connections to the builders
a year ago
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Michael ********
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Frank **********
Did you purchase this villa sight unseen ir was you in Thailand when you bought it?
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Frank *********
 Sounds like it was bought 'off plan'
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Steve ******
 I personally would not make a major purchase like that unless I was there personally and made sure it was ready.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Frank *********
 Me too but many people do. It's the way many new developments are sold, the benefit being that they are quite often heavily discounted.
a year ago
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Steve *******
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Kool *******
Even though they are based in Bangkok, give this attorney a call. They can advise you at the very least. They are a good law firm.

Siam-Legal.com
a year ago
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Alistair ********
Run Carlos run. You may get piped very hard up your "hello kitty".
a year ago
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Roberto ************
@Alistair *******
 best advise available ... Run
a year ago
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Roberto ************
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Henry *********
You could try a Hua Hin focused group like:
***********************************************
(if you don't get a response here)
**********
*****
*****
*****
(if you don't get a response here)
a year ago
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Henry *********
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