Although you may never know it, people you look up to, love, and respect could easily be sociopaths. They give themselves away by exhibiting strange combinations of controlling behaviors, such as being charismatic, calculating, extremely confident, while warmly embracing those who fall under their influence, and quickly dismissing all who disagree with them. Their ingenuous good natures and smiling faces hide sinister agendas which they disguise in their hearts as friendship and love.
These types of sociopaths can be easily spotted because of their affinity to one-way thought instead of open-minded discussions, and they never learn from their mistakes, which they disregard as inconsequential to their ultimate goal. From a controlling aspect, those under their influence are never left to form their own conclusions, which are said to be inferior to the sociopath’s ideas. Instead, a sociopath’s victim is expected to tow the line and is reprimanded for daring to challenge the sociopath’s opinions.
Sociopaths have only one agenda, to manipulate and exploit in order to attain power and control. Instead of saying, “Do what I suggest and see if it makes a difference in your life,” they will contend that your life is a mess because you are not following their edicts. There is a vast difference between the two approaches. One puts you in control, and the other puts the sociopath in control.
Sociopaths have no conscience. They plot and plan how to maintain their status and use any means to attain that. They will make you feel very special, but that is merely a manipulation. They will win you over by their words and logic, and control you with their charisma, enchanting you with their intelligence and vision. They will give you a show, but you will get the bill.
Although sociopaths appear to develop personal relationships, these relationships are only one-way, dead-ends, and only last as long as the sociopath gets some kind of selfish reward. If you look closely at these people, they are quite delusional, professing things that they have not experienced themselves, usually only things that they have read about or heard about second hand, even though they pretend to be very experienced and wise.
Sociopaths also exhibit no anxiety, which is a kind of self-hypnosis; because they really believe, that they are what they profess themselves to be. Therefore, no one can ever convince them that they may be wrong, regardless of the logic.
If you find yourself under the spell of such a person, think twice before continuing the relationship. You could be in danger psychologically or perhaps even physically. Sociopaths must get their way; they are very controlling, and when things don’t go their way, they can become quite violent.
There are people in the world that have your well-being at heart, and not their own aggrandizement. This is where you will find legitimate relationships and an opportunity to discover the depths of your own heart.
South East Asia has always had a special appeal for me. I first began spending time there about 5 years ago. I love the organised chaos of the roads in Bangkok, the food that is cooked right in front of you, and the haggling at the markets. Amazing.
Altogether I have spent over 3 months in Thailand and I have so many fond memories, add to that the fact that it is halfway to Australia and QANTAS offers a stopover of only 45 minutes which gets you to Oz quicker. It’s a great destination.
I usually spend a week stopover on the way back to the UK. It gives me a break after 2 gruelling weeks with the family and friends and the 2 hour massages for around £7. What more could you want?
So naturally l thought if I’m spending so much time here l might as well buy a property. Then naturally if I am prepared to buy and have done extensive research why wouldn’t my investors also buy as well?
Having looked into Phuket property before the tsunami, I thought I would check out Pattaya (pronounced “Pat-e-ya”) which is only around 1 hour 20 minutes drive from the new international airport in Bangkok (the capital).
Pattaya is a seaside town (tick-These ticks and crosses are my due diligence) with a new highway which will mean it will only take around 45 minutes to get to and from the airport. (tick).
Pattaya has 3 distinct property markets.
The first is the local market. The properties are priced between 1 and 3 million Baht (70 Baht to £1) So £15,000 – £45,000. Sounds good right. Well maybe not. Unless you are a local it’s unlikely you would buy at this level.
You could only rent to locals and the investment returns I don’t feel would be great enough. (Cross)
The second and most interesting market is the 20 to 30 million Baht. £285,000 – £430,000. Incredible you say? Well thats what I thought too. In fact forget incredible — l was downright shocked. But this is the market of the off plan speculators. In my books, another word for ’speculator’ is ‘gambler’ and hopefully you know by now what I think of gamblers.
I do believe you can make money on these, but only by ‘flipping’ before completion but obviously there are no guarantees with prices already so high. Incidentally, this market has seen an incredible amount of growth so that waterfront apartments are as expensive as central London, Sydney or New York. (Cross)
I feel that this market has been driven by paper gains rather than underlying fundamentals. I see this happen quite often, and it’s one of the reasons I deal in properties 99% of people would rent.
The final level is the 5 to 9 million Baht. So £70,000 – £130,000. This is the retirees’ and expats’ market. You would be more than happy with these houses. 3-4 Bedrooms, large open spaces, ensuites, parking and best of all – air conditioning.
These I feel would be ideal for investment and present your best opportunities. (Tick)
Rentals are great as a lot of major multinationals have offices in Bangkok and the expats are happy to commute up daily or it’s cheap enough to rent a place in Bangkok during the week while spending the weekend home in Pattaya. (Tick)
As an investor in Thailand the first thing you have to realise is that you cannot own land (Cross) so at present you have two choices: either buy in the name of a Thai company and have Thai nationals who own it (but you have a signed deed saying you can replace the Thai nationals at any time). It’s a reasonably secure way of buying.
The other way and the way that is becoming more accepted is a freehold/leasehold similar to what we are use to in the UK. A lot of new builders are structuring ownership this way.
BUT… The Thai government has an unfortunate habit of changing laws so you may find yourself at the wrong end of a change. They made a decision early in 2006 that effectively stopped or severely curtailed foreign ownership (Cross) and the stock market began to spiral downwards so rapidly that they changed the law back by day’s end. This sort of government backpeddling is a potential warning sign. (Cross)
The country has had 18 coups since 1932, although the past 15 years have seen none until 2006. Whilst they have all been peaceful coups, they still create political instability. (Cross) On the other hand a coup to a Thai person is probably like on of our Labour politicians voting with the Lib-Dems so it’s not that big a deal in reality.
Most coups have been backed by the King. Thai people have an amazing allegiance to their king, wherever you go in Thailand you will see him, and as long as the King has backed the coup everything is alright. (Tick)
The King is the real power in Thailand, he has been an active participant and a representative of the people, and is a stable force in a thriving country. (Tick)
The problem Thailand faces is that the King is getting old and may one day pass the throne onto his young son who is renowned for irresponsible antics. So no one really knows just how he will take to the position of King or whether the people will take to him. This could cause an instability in the investment market. (Cross)
One of the biggest things overlooked when inexperienced investors seek out exotic new investment regions is how to get your money back. Oftentimes the capital growth is fantastic, so your £20,000 investment doubles and doubles again (so you now have £80,000). This is a paper profit until you actually sell it or remortgage it.
So the essential question is not often will I make money? but how will I get paid? or who will sell it for me?, who will buy it from me?, how much tax will l pay?, how much will I have leftover? Or if you don’t want to sell it how will l make the equity work for me?.
Often the answer is you won’t. You won’t remortgage it and you won’t sell it, or if you do you’ll need to accept considerably less than you want for it.
In Thailand mortgages are very tight. The Asian economic crisis hit Thailand particularly hard, and in fact they’ve only just now started continuing a number of concrete highways which stood unfinished and vacant above the ground level. These massive highways stretch for miles with no entrance and no exits and are amazing to see.
The bottom line is Thai banks don’t trust farang (foreigners) so you might be made to jump through hoops just to get a 50% mortgage. And if you thought getting a mortgage was hard, try remortgaging. So that kind of leaves selling as the option which kind of goes against our entire philosophy.
All in all, I decided that it would be better to rent out a 5 star hotel or villa on the beach for 2 weeks a year than to own a property which has so many variables.
If you are interested in buying in Thailand, you can definitely make some money but as always ‘Do your due diligence?’ I am happy to give you the research that we undertook before I went if you are interested.
Live with passion,
Brett
PS. I love Thailand and if you get to go make sure you hire a bike and get out into the real Thailand rather than just around the cities and tourist places. The people are lovely and the food is soooo good.
You’ve probably heard of Koh Samui, it’s the third largest of Thailand’s islands and many people seem to rave about it – but what’s so great about Koh Samui and is it really worth a visit?
Well, not only is Koh Samui worth a visit – it is one of those places on earth that’s once seen and never forgotten. In fact, many of those who visit Koh Samui once are hooked for life and some never leave. There are also an increasing number of Western expatriate retirees moving to live in Thailand and Koh Samui is a favourite destination because not only is it highly affordable but it offers up an excellent standard of living.
Basically what’s so great about Koh Samui is that it has the perfect blend of stunning climate, inimitable views, pristine sandy beaches, lush dense and incredible foliage, rare flora and fauna, excellent cuisine, plenty to see and do and experience and the people are among the friendliest on the planet – oh and healthcare is world class yet affordable and there are even international schools available on the island for those who wish to move there before their retirement years.
If you want to experience the best of Thailand in a safe environment and only moments away from all the amenities and facilities you could possibly want then Koh Samui is the place to go.
You can learn to dive in the crystal clean waters, you can learn to sunbathe (!) on the pure white sandy beaches which are fringed with beautiful palm trees, you can visit coconut plantations, witness incredible waterfalls, take boat trips to outer lying islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Wua Talap or Koh Mae Koh, you can snorkel in the National Marine Park or if all that sounds too energetic why not spend a day or even a week at one of Koh Samui’s spas?
Spa resorts are in abundance on the island and they offer peace, tranquillity and a whole host of luxurious treatments that will leave you feeling purified and whole again after the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And as soon as you’re feeling refreshed and energised it’ll be time to hit the abundance of excellent shops and boutiques or to go for a night out on the town where you can watch cabaret, go bar hopping, dine exquisitely or just while away an evening on the beach star gazing.
If all this sounds like your idea of heaven on earth you’re not alone – Koh Samui is great, it is well worth a visit but don’t blame me if you’re hooked and want to stay for life! There are new residential developments springing up in areas zoned and protected specifically for low rise residential construction and these developments all offer a taste of Thailand combined with contemporary architecture. One of the latest is Infinity Samui which consists of condos, penthouses and villas with infinity pools and infinity sea views. On site there is a spa and all residents will be treated to five star hotel like service – so you can actually live a life of affordable luxury in one of the most desirable places on earth – which is why we truly believe Koh Samui is just so great!
If you’d like to disappear off the face of the map and drop out from the real world, there is no better place than Pai, a very pleasant mountain resort and dedicated farang enclave in Thailand’s northern province of Mae Hong Son.The mountain air is clean and crisp and free of pollution, and during the dry season, the morning temperature is below 50F and at night, a comfortable 65F. So bring a sweater or light jacket during the dry season, November – May.
Pai is “A real United Nations Village” as in a short amount of time, one will meet people of so many different nationalities – Israelis, Swedes, Canadians, young Japanese backpackers, Flemish, Finns, Dutch, Germans, Aussies, Kiwis, French, Italians, Brits, Swiss, Spaniards and a token Yankee or two. Although somewhat devoid of Thai ambiance per se, there is something special and magical about this rural mountain resort. The most popular activity in Pai is getting high, hanging around any number of small cafes shooting the breeze with fellow farang travelers. In addition, a lot of artistic types – writers, poets, watercolorists, musicians etc – find Pai a perfect place for their creative juices to flow and have made it their permanent abode.
In an odd sort of way, arriving in Pai is sort of like entering “The Twilight Zone”. For those of you who don’t know what I’m referring to, Twilight Zone was a popular science fiction sitcom in the 1960’s. Many visitors stay in Pai for months or years, never to go back to their westernized home country or to the trappings of real civilization. I believe that many visitors’ stay in Pai comes to an end when their traveler’s visa expires. Some of these dropouts make the run across the border to Myanmar and get their visa extended. Like I said, many people disappear in Pai and never return to the life they left behind.
“You’re travelling to another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound… but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land, whose boundaries are only that of the imagination… you’re entering… the Twilight Zone”
Southern Thailand islands also known as the “Paradise” Islands are among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. More than 12,000,000 tourists have visited Thailand in 2005, and the majority of them had left the Bangkok International Airport immediately after their arrival and headed straight to the Southern Islands. Some of the visitors were fascinated by the stories of people who were caught in the charms of the unforgettable ambience of the islands, some of them were taken by images they saw on the web, while others were convinced as per the words of their travel agent that the Thai Islands were indeed the ultimate tourist destination that fits every taste, age, budget and personality type. This can partly explain the massive flow of honeymooners, backpackers, families-on-vacation, partygoers, divers and many others to the Thai Islands every year.
However, the inexperienced Thailand traveler may be unconscious to the fact that a satisfying vacation is not a surefire thing even in a place nick named Island Paradise. In order to be successful, enjoyable and fulfilling, your vacation must be thoroughly planned. Unfamiliar destinations often hide little unknown secrets, which hold the enormous potential to make the desired positive change in your vacation.
This article will discuss the biggest mistakes you can make prior and during your visit to the Thai Islands. Adhering to or ignoring the five amendments below can literally make or break your vacation in the Southern Thailand Islands.
1. Mistake 1: choosing your vacation island spontaneously. Web pictures of tropical islands often make them look almost identical. The inexperienced traveler is likely to assume that no matter where you go in Southern Thailand Islands – you will bump into the same picturesque beach with white sands, turquoise water and a single coconut tree. Falling into the illusion of images while choosing your vacation island out of pure impulse can be a very disappointing experience in case the final destination island does not meet your needs, your personality or expectations at all. To avoid this mistake, define your preferences before hand, make a dedicated research prior to choosing your destination by gathering the relevant information using guidebooks in addition to using the Internet. As you choose the island that fits your needs, pay close attention to the following points:
a. The level of tourist development. Some travelers like their islands loaded with tourist facilities (i. e. Phuket, Koh Samui), whereas others prefer the classic touch “old school” isolated touch (i. e. Koh Phangan, Khao Lak).
b. Nightlife – Phuket, Koh Samui and at lesser extent Krabi offer a thriving nightlife, whereas Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao are quiet and drowsy.
c. Diving sites – Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao offer the best diving sites in Southern Thailand.
d. The prevalent level of accommodation. Phuket and Koh Phi Phi offer a immense variety of luxury hotels, while Koh Phangan and Koh Tao offer mostly basic (not necessary low standard) accommodation.
2. Mistake 2: Assuming that a great vacation can be carried out at a very low budget. Some travelers tend to wrongly assume, that Thailand being a country with developing economy will provide everything including a high standard hospitalization in ridiculously cheap prices. This is partially right, since the local tourism industry suggests an inexpensive travel opportunities to backpackers. However, the spoiled tourist who is used to savor on luxury westernized accommodation will find out the hard way that in order to meet his or her traveling expectations the expenses are appropriate to what is offered. To avoid this mistake and eliminate serious deviations from the planned budget – make your research to learn about price gaps in Southern Thailand Islands. For instance, one should know that staying in some islands (i. e. Koh Phi Phi) is expected to be more expensive, while staying in other islands (i. e. Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) can be significantly cheaper. To avoid any disappointments related to over expenses, I recommend adhering to the following guidelines:
a. Avoid planning a budget on the basis of someone else’s estimations, especially if that person visited the Thai Islands many years ago; spent the vacation in another island than the one you chose; much younger than yourself/ or prefers a different life standard.
b. Make an informed decision regarding the desired level of accommodation. The basic accommodation that includes a clean air-conditioned room and western style bathroom can be booked on relatively low, albeit not ridiculous, price. Contrary to that, a luxury accommodation (that kind of accommodation is quite common in Phuket and Koh Samui) may be almost as expensive as the hotels in your neighboring country.
c. Although checking the room rates is possible using the Internet – the prices of meals should be carefully checked as well. Don’t assume that no matter where you eat – the meal will be cheap. During my first visit to Thailand, I was very surprised to receive a check of the same value as in my home country. Now I know, that the Southern Thailand Islands offer a myriad of western style restaurants with western style prices. Therefore, before you enter a well-designed restaurant – check the menu and make clear budget estimation.
3. Mistake 3: choosing your vacation beach spontaneously. This is similar to mistake number one – but probably easier to correct, because checking other beaches on the destination is easier logistically and cheaper than checking other islands. However, the “wrong” beach choice can make you feel that you haven’t exploited the full potential of your vacation, or that you have wasted significant part of it. For instance, during my first visit in Koh Phangan I found out two days before the end of my vacation, that my “perfect” beach is located on the other side of the island. The following tips can help you avoid a similar situation:
a. The most developed and crowdie beaches on most islands are located in proximity to the airport (in case there is an airport in your island) or to one of the main seaports.
b. In case you prefer the above type of beaches – be aware of the fact that some of them, especially in Koh Samui and Phuket, are not family friendly.
c. The old school quiet and picturesque beaches are always on the other side of the island. If the “old school” beach is what you are looking for – don’t give up even if the way to Thailand was long and exhausting, and try to make a small effort to cross the island on your way to the opposite side; it will be well worth your while.
4. Mistake 4: insisting on Westernized food. Some of us tend to worry about experimenting with an unfamiliar food. The Thai tourist industry is aware of this fact; therefore the supply of Western style restaurants in Southern Thailand Islands is huge. Having said that, limiting yourself to these restaurants could be a huge mistake, since the prices for western cuisine are much higher compared to the ones in authentic local restaurants; and even worse– you miss out on one of the most important experiences of the Thai culture – the superior Thai cuisine, probably one of the best in the world. To avoid this mistake, don’t hesitate entering small restaurants with ridiculously neglected interior design, plastic maps and un-plastered walls. These restaurants’ owners are probably the worst marketers – but usually are superior cooks. Your meal in one of these restaurants will often be unbelievably cheap, tasty and mostly made of fresh sizzling ingredients. You will fantasize about these meals long after you have left the island.
5. Mistake 5: To take your big business suitcase to an island that could be only accessed by sea. A big suitcase is of course very convenient [in Europe]: using it, you can pack everything you need; it can be carried easily thanks to those little wheels; and it makes you look very representative. However, taking a big suitcase to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao is not something I would recommend. The platforms in the piers are extremely narrow and occasionally unstable. So if you’re really lucky – your big suitcase will be safe. If you’re a little bit less lucky – it can fall into the water. If you ran out of luck – you can fall into the water together with your suitcase. I seriously think a back bag would be your best bet. Just for the record, the huge suitcase that was taken by yours truly to her first trip to Koh Phangan was left somewhere in the jungle to frighten local monkeys.
So, on the next time the idea of heading the Thailand Islands crosses your mind, as tempting as it may be, try not to succumb to rumors and fascinating imagery. A thorough research and planning ahead may take some time and effort on your side, but it will be more than worth your while.
