PHUKET: Property sales to expats in Pattaya and Phuket suffered a beating this week at the hands of a Swedish television show and a British investigative journalist.
While the Swedish property person named in 'Mission Review' in Sweden on Wednesday has defended himself online, the Britons named on andrew-drummond.com have yet to do so.
According to the Swedish television show, Swedes have allegedly been duped in purchasing properties on Phuket, as well as in Pattaya.
Andrew Drummond's site, outlining the case against three men he says are being investigated by the Department of Special Investigations, reports: ''The victims are mainly Britons, but there are also Australians, Russians, and Canadians, and Fins.''
The catalogue of unhappy buyers on Phuket grows longer, too.
Phuketwan is awaiting permission to publish the history of a group of buyers of condominiums in Patong who have yet to be given the keys to their properties, although that was supposed to happen in April, 2008.
''Our condominium is still unlivable,'' wrote the Australian woman who alerted us to the problem. ''Also guns have been brandished and threats have been made to condominium owners.
''Our first solicitor took our money and did nothing, telling us he was dropping the case for fear of his life. Our second solicitors have got the civil case through court in our favor but this is now on appeal by the new buyer.
''Our criminal case papers still sit with someone in the police station for nearly six months now with no move to the public prosecutor hands so it can go to court. We have lost faith in the court and police system and fear we will never recover our money.''
The difficulty is that ''going public'' in Thailand can complicate matters. This is why many expats with grievances over properties in Thailand prefer to air their disputes in their home countries - as the unhappy Swedes did on television this week.
According to a report in expressen, a popular Swedish afternoon newspaper, about 10,000 Swedes have chosen to buy a house in Thailand ''despite the State Department warning against buying because Thai law prohibits foreigners from owning land in the country.''
Naming property developments in Pattaya and Phuket, the television show alleged the Swedes had paid for their villas without any hope of ever owning them.
The Swedish real estate agent named in the program told another publication: "I have never knowingly misled any customers, but I have always been open and honest about the circumstances that have arisen.
''When I'm down in Thailand I live in one of the houses in the midst of all the customers without any problem, since a majority of homeowners are of a different opinion than those who are in the program.''
The British men named on andrew-drummond.com have yet to respond.
While Phuket and Pattaya also have plenty of trustworthy property dealers, the advice from experts on buying a condominium or villa ''off the plan'' in Thailand is to settle for a letter of intent to purchase and to hand over the money in exchange for the key once the property is complete.
While the Swedish property person named in 'Mission Review' in Sweden on Wednesday has defended himself online, the Britons named on andrew-drummond.com have yet to do so.
According to the Swedish television show, Swedes have allegedly been duped in purchasing properties on Phuket, as well as in Pattaya.
Andrew Drummond's site, outlining the case against three men he says are being investigated by the Department of Special Investigations, reports: ''The victims are mainly Britons, but there are also Australians, Russians, and Canadians, and Fins.''
The catalogue of unhappy buyers on Phuket grows longer, too.
Phuketwan is awaiting permission to publish the history of a group of buyers of condominiums in Patong who have yet to be given the keys to their properties, although that was supposed to happen in April, 2008.
''Our condominium is still unlivable,'' wrote the Australian woman who alerted us to the problem. ''Also guns have been brandished and threats have been made to condominium owners.
''Our first solicitor took our money and did nothing, telling us he was dropping the case for fear of his life. Our second solicitors have got the civil case through court in our favor but this is now on appeal by the new buyer.
''Our criminal case papers still sit with someone in the police station for nearly six months now with no move to the public prosecutor hands so it can go to court. We have lost faith in the court and police system and fear we will never recover our money.''
The difficulty is that ''going public'' in Thailand can complicate matters. This is why many expats with grievances over properties in Thailand prefer to air their disputes in their home countries - as the unhappy Swedes did on television this week.
According to a report in expressen, a popular Swedish afternoon newspaper, about 10,000 Swedes have chosen to buy a house in Thailand ''despite the State Department warning against buying because Thai law prohibits foreigners from owning land in the country.''
Naming property developments in Pattaya and Phuket, the television show alleged the Swedes had paid for their villas without any hope of ever owning them.
The Swedish real estate agent named in the program told another publication: "I have never knowingly misled any customers, but I have always been open and honest about the circumstances that have arisen.
''When I'm down in Thailand I live in one of the houses in the midst of all the customers without any problem, since a majority of homeowners are of a different opinion than those who are in the program.''
The British men named on andrew-drummond.com have yet to respond.
While Phuket and Pattaya also have plenty of trustworthy property dealers, the advice from experts on buying a condominium or villa ''off the plan'' in Thailand is to settle for a letter of intent to purchase and to hand over the money in exchange for the key once the property is complete.
And it's soooooo easy to rent! No hassles and no rip off's. Buyer beware in foreign lands because at the end of the you are just a foreigner!
Posted by Anonymous on November 15, 2011 05:19