Welcome to Thailandblog.nl
With 275.000 visits per month, Thailandblog is the largest Thailand community in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Sign up for our free e-mail newsletter and stay informed!
Newsletter
Language setting
Rate Thai Baht
Sponsor
Latest comments
- Rob V: I would almost think that almost all Western authors who write a novel with Thailand as a setting all have the same plot
- Rudolf: Quote: What are the current estimated costs of building a house per m². That just depends on what kind of requirements you meet
- Johnny B.G: In the 50s-80s/90s, Dutch regularly grown food also contained poison and yet there are 20% elderly people in the Netherlands and in TH that is also the case.
- Johnny B.G: The interpreter bases himself on a number of sources, but there is of course much more to it. In Isaan since 50-60 years ago r
- rob: On average I stay in Thailand 6 to 8 months a year and enjoy the food there every day. I will never, ever be told
- Eric Kuypers: Robert, do you know how big the Isaan is? Say NL three times, so it makes sense if you give a little bit of direction like the pro
- RonnyLatYa: Yes, I say that Kanchanaburi is just an example and that you can change that. You can also do this on the web page itself and then see
- william-korat: In the dry period the line is bottom of Bangkok and lower and east of that to just above Khao Yai National Park usually we
- Eric Kuypers: If you change the command line, such as https://www.iqair.com/thailand/nong-khai, you will get a different city or region. But you
- Cornelis: Well, GeertP, I am absolutely not a 'Brussels sprouts supporter' or THE Red Brand addict, but that does not mean that I don't like the Thai cuisine.
- Rudolf: It depends on what you are looking for in Thailand, but to be honest you don't have much choice in my opinion. The big cities are falling apart
- RonnyLatYa: Also take a look at this. https://www.iqair.com/thailand/kanchanaburi Also scroll down a bit and they will also give you some explanation
- Peter (editor): I also enjoy the Thai food and yes, the price is very attractive. But it's just a fact that Thai farmers are unbelievable
- Jacks: It is best to go in the period November to February. Someone with asthma should absolutely not come here from March to May
- GeertP: Dear Ronald, I completely agree with your story, I also enjoy Thai cuisine every day and even after 45 years of Thai
Sponsor
Bangkok again
Menu
Arrivals Bangkok Airport
DOSSIERS
Learning objectives and topics
- Background
- Activities
- Advertorial
- Agenda
- Tax question
- Belgium question
- Sights
- Bizarre
- Buddhism
- Book reviews
- Column
- Corona crisis
- The Culture
- Diary
- Dating
- The week of
- Dossier
- To dive
- Economy
- A day in the life of…..
- Islands
- Food and drink
- Events and festivals
- Balloon Festival
- Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
- Buffalo races
- Chiang Mai Flower Festival
- Chinese New Year
- Full Moon Party
- Christmas
- Lotus Festival – Rub Bua
- Loy Krathong
- Naga Fireball Festival
- New Years Eve celebration
- Phi ta khon
- Phuket Vegetarian Festival
- Rocket festival – Bun Bang Fai
- Songkran – Thai New Year
- Fireworks Festival Pattaya
- Expats and retirees
- state pension
- Car insurance
- Banking
- Tax in the Netherlands
- Thailand tax
- Belgian Embassy
- Belgian tax authorities
- Proof of life
- DigiD
- emigrate
- To rent a house
- Buy a house
- In memoriam
- Income statement
- King's day
- Cost of living
- Dutch embassy
- Dutch government
- Dutch Association
- News
- Passing away
- Passport
- Retirement
- Drivers license
- Distributions
- Elections
- Insurance in general
- Visa
- work
- Hospital
- Health insurance
- Flora and fauna
- Photo of the week
- Gadgets
- Money and finance
- History
- Health
- Charities
- Hotels
- Looking at houses
- Isaan
- Khan Peter
- Koh Mook
- King Bhumibol
- Living in Thailand
- Reader Submission
- Reader call
- Reader tips
- Reader question
- Society
- marketplace
- Medical tourism
- Environment
- Nightlife
- News from the Netherlands and Belgium
- News from Thailand
- Entrepreneurs and companies
- Education
- Research
- Discover Thailand
- Opinions
- Remarkable
- Calls
- Floods 2011
- Floods 2012
- Floods 2013
- Floods 2014
- Winter prices
- Politics
- Poll
- Travel stories
- Travel
- Organizations
- Shopping
- Social media
- Spa & wellness
- Sport
- Cities
- Position of the week
- The beach
- Language
- For sale
- TEV procedure
- Thailand in general
- Thailand with children
- thai tips
- Thai massage
- Tourism
- Going out
- Currency – Thai Baht
- From the editors
- Real estate law; and
- Traffic and transport
- Visa Short Stay
- Long stay visa
- Visa question
- Flight tickets
- Question of the week
- Weather and climate
Sponsor
Disclaimer translations
Thailandblog uses machine translations in multiple languages. Use of translated information is at your own risk. We are not responsible for errors in translations.
Read our full here disclaimer.
Royalty
© Copyright Thailandblog 2024. All rights reserved. Unless stated otherwise, all rights to information (text, image, sound, video, etc.) that you find on this site rest with Thailandblog.nl and its authors (bloggers).
Whole or partial takeover, placement on other sites, reproduction in any other way and/or commercial use of this information is not permitted, unless express written permission has been granted by Thailandblog.
Linking and referring to the pages on this website is permitted.
Home » Reader question » Reader question: Why give your Thai partner a house?
Reader question: Why give your Thai partner a house?
Dear readers,
I regularly read here on Thailandblog that farang give their Thai partner, a house, land and/or a car as a gift. I don't understand that. Can someone explain that to me. If you meet a woman in the Netherlands or Belgium, you don't give her a house as a gift. Why in Thailand then? buy love? Or are there other arguments?
I'm not judging anyone, after all you have to know what you do with your money, but I'm trying to find out the reasons for that.
Regards,
Wilfred
In the past, you married in community of property in the Netherlands.
In the event of a divorce, one of the two spouses could be a lot poorer than before the marriage.
And there was such a thing as a dowry.
I think that's a bit out of fashion these days, but it's not that strange.
Wilfred, you have to live somewhere if you want to stay in Thailand, right?
Rent is an option, for sure! But renting has advantages and disadvantages. If you stay ambulatory then renting is fine, but if you want to be stable there is always a certain risk with renting. Then buying comes into play. As a foreigner you can buy a house but not the subsoil. This is, with a few exceptions, excluded by law.
And whoever owns the land also owns the house, although there are possibilities to postpone the actual use by the landowner for a while: long-term rent, right of superficies and right of usufruct, all neatly regulated by law. But the fact is: you only have a right of use, the owner of the land is actually the (bare) owner, and in the long term exclusive user.
What if the partner already has a piece of land on which to build? Well, there will be more issues for and against rent and for and against purchase / use, but you have now read the main reason.
But what you say: buy love? That's a clincher, a platitude I don't share, although there are always exceptions to the rule. Really, after thirty years of Thailand I don't believe in this kind of cradle talk.
What you write is only partially true. I know of a house, paid for by the husband, on the wife's property, where the husband could prove that the money for the house came entirely from him. If his wife wanted the house, she had to pay him back the money. This is exceptional, but there are still honest judges.
If not, he had the right to continue living in the house for the remaining 30\60\90.
Janin, you don't say whether the land was or became the man's. I suspect that the judge has granted usufruct, even if I read your last sentence. A right of residence, therefore, not ownership of land.
We have our own house at least my wife had the house before I could, it is a simple house in the Isaan and on the edge of a village, with an unobstructed view over the rice fields.
We converted it 14 years ago into a nice cozy home with 2 bedrooms, 2 kitchens and 2 shower rooms, large carport and garden.
If I had to rent for 14 years yes then you would have lost the money now we have a nice house, she still has a condo in BKK that has been rented out and that money is for mother who lives in BKK so we don't have to worry about that either who arrange everything in BKK.
So renting was not an option for us, that's why Huisje! little tree! beast (dog)!
The “giving” of a house, car, etc. should correct the inequality that can exist between the partners. Sometimes it is overcompensation, sometimes improper motives play a role, but in Thailand it is usually a sensible way to increase the long-term security of the financially weakest partner. Don't forget that you are going to live there TOGETHER, and for a long time.
The alternative is renting.
Arguing beforehand may prevent major quarrels afterwards, but it does test the basis of your bond.
You can also ask the question the other way around. Why wouldn't you. I have also given a car to my girlfriend and have now equipped her house with a swimming pool. Because of the car she was able to cancel her apartment, so that also saved the costs. Retired in twelve years and now have a vacation spot for myself. The local youth in our village also use the swimming pool. So all positive things.
The Dutch have been brought up with possessions and the fear of losing things. It becomes considerably easier if you give and I think that also fits the Thai culture, at least that's how I see it. And if I lose everything, then life will not end.
Good luck….
Nice Erik that the local youth can use your swimming pool. Now that's social awareness!
Even if they can swim and you don't want to be confronted with drowning.
That's a point. We provide free life jackets and stay with them even if kids can't swim. Fortunately, most of them can swim and I hope that the local school can give us swimming lessons in the future.
Everybody is different. Others may have ulterior motives.
But if you would like to help someone from a good heart and give a little security for later, is something in return necessary? Your last suit has no pockets.
You can build a house in several regions of Thailand for relatively little money.
It doesn't have to cost million(s) THB.
Very often the Thai partner already has a piece of land or a house where simplicity prevails instead of Western comfort.
If you live here as a farang, or at least want to stay for months, the question quickly arises whether you don't want to modernize the house quickly, or whether you want to build it completely new.
For the price that a Western woman drives a car every day, you and your Thai partner can build a nice house, where both can enjoy their evening of life.
How many men do not buy a joint house with their western wife, of which they will become the sole heir, given that we men simply close our eyes earlier.
Is the latter only buying love, or is it the most normal thing in a partnership if you both want a decent roof over both heads?
As a counter question, although this is just as absurd as partners among themselves, you could also ask why she allows you to live on her property for so long as a gift.555
In the Netherlands it is usually the case that the rights and obligations associated with buying and owning a house apply to both partners. When the relationship ends in a divorce, those rights and obligations are regulated by law and legally enforceable. That is the big difference with Thailand, even if you try to seal your rights with all kinds of clauses: having your rights is one thing, getting your rights is an extremely uncertain path. It is good to realize this if you decide to finance a home in Thailand. Personally, I know several dramas of farangs who are pushed aside penniless and saw their financed house go up in smoke. Make a prudent, rational decision and always keep a financial back door open is my motto.
Hi Winfrey
I don't understand it either, I also hear all kinds of excuses because they are so crazy to give cars or gold houses, etc.
Now there are also people who have no money and then I hear some ladies complain.
But she does get gold from the boyfriend/husband or look, she had a car.
The women are driving each other crazy.
And when the relationship is over then the nagging comes and they even drive into the house with a car.
I'm a real Dutchman act normal then you act crazy enough.
And I do the same as with my Dutch relationship.
If I bought a car because the lady in question needed a car, it would simply be in my name.
Relationship over then the car was simply sold.
Kind regards, Rob
'You cannot live on love alone' or 'the chimney cannot smoke on love alone' are Dutch sayings and in Thailand I would say 'the sun rises for nothing'. In a relationship between a Thai and a foreigner, there is often not only a nice age difference, but also in terms of income, there is often no equality. As a 'farang' you naturally want to leave your life partner behind when you go out and having your own place to live can play an important role in this. There are hardly any social services in Thailand, so you have to take measures yourself in advance. Of course you don't go ice cream overnight and you have to keep your common sense. But what's wrong with giving your loved one a piece of gold jewelry? Don't the Dutch, Belgians, etc. give each other jewelry on a memorable occasion or just like that? In Thailand, gold is considered a piggy bank for later and apart from that, spoiling your partner with a nice gift I do not consider as 'buying love'. Complaining women, or women who are rearing each other because they think they will get off badly, are of course not only found in Thailand. There are, after all, worldwide, just like fortune seekers. The latter applies both to men, who are hunting for a willing (younger) partner, and to the ladies, who want to hook a big fish. And also excesses, such as driving into a house with a car, are definitely not Thailand related. Unfortunately, in the Netherlands there are many 'stay away from my body' houses where women have to flee with their offspring because the hubby cannot cope with the fact that the relationship has ended and women are no longer sure of their lives. Incidentally, when you separate in the Netherlands, it is usually the case that the highest earning party pays alimony. Not only for the education of his children, which is also self-evident, but also sometimes for years for the ex-partner. In practice, this often means that the man gives a considerable part of his income to his ex every month. You might be able to buy a few cars from them.
sorry but now you are talking about 30 years ago
Now the judge just says to the woman. Madam you are still young enough, you can earn money yourself, go work
And what the man had before marriage remains the man's and that is also the case in Thailand
No, Marc, alimony obligation still applies. The maintenance obligation towards each other does not end with a divorce and if one of the partners is left with too little money to live on, there is usually a right to spousal maintenance, to be paid by the highest-earning ex-partner. The amount is also subject to inflation adjustment each year. For divorces before 1-1-2020, the maximum duration of alimony is 12 years. Divorces after 1-1-2020 usually half the number of years that one was married (or there was partner registration), up to a maximum of 5 years, but with exceptions, so that the duration can be extended. Now you can of course have mutually agreed to waive the right to alimony, but if the partner who is in principle entitled receives social assistance, the municipality, despite that agreement, has the right to recover part of the social assistance benefit from the ex-partner . Incidentally, a judge does not practice age discrimination, young (30 years?) or old (60 years?) is therefore irrelevant. The person in question, of course, can also be a man, may not have had a full-time job and will not be able to do so after the divorce or may be incapacitated for work. In the Netherlands, by far the most marriages were concluded in community of property, so everything after the marriage is and remains joint property. Only commitments after 1-1-2018 fall under the amended law, where in principle everyone retains the right to what he/she owned before the wedding date. I don't know how that is arranged in Thailand.
@Wilfred you are going to settle in Thailand, meet a lovely woman you marry. You buy a house in which you hope to be happy together. That is the case in Thailand, and it is no different in the Netherlands.
If that's so incomprehensible to you, I'm curious where you grew up.
In the Netherlands you usually both work to be able to buy a car or house and everything, if done properly, is officially recorded at the notary.
All sorts of reasons, giving as a gift is a big word. It is easier.
At first you think (with rose-colored glasses) easy, we stay together.
However, in this day and age it is more and more a myth, take off the rose-colored glasses and calculate that.
Know that when you are married in the Netherlands and have kid(s), get divorced, you have lost “your” house.
You go out and try to find a house, also a rental house.
It is as Alex puts it in his closing sentence. Love is a second hand emotion.
Netherlands divorce ratio 1:2, Thailand ?
But motivations, I think, are always, easy…until.
The woman wants social security. That is also the reason that she is looking for a farang who can take care of her.
I immediately liked my wife very much and that click was mutual.
Next to her parents' house is her small house. Now the answer to your question automatically follows. So I would like to refurbish the comfort I am used to at home to Western standards. I also want variety and a condo in Jomtien. Well, and it makes sense that I pay and take good care of her, of course, a car and gold are also part of that. Of course if you can afford it.
Not directly related, but still:
I read an interview with Rod Stewart.
He has been married quite a few times, and each time it ended in divorces with accompanying hefty alimony, usually including a house. To save time, he said, he would do things differently in the future:
“I'll just look for a woman I don't like and give her a house.”
Dear All,
Tomorrow doesn't exist.
All the money you invest in Thailand (where or whoever) you should be able to miss without feeling it.
It is a mistake to think that as a farang you have legal 'rights' here.
And dreams are deceit.
The Dick
Dear Wilfred, not everything in life can be understood. Nor should one want to. Giving is much more fun than receiving. Don't just give in a material sense. However, it is important not to spend more than comes in, because then the end is lost. Relationships are based on a variety of things. Finance is more important for some than for others. The Thai woman is less concerned with judging the partner by appearance, but more with the nurturing and loving in the relationship. She will do this as long as it turns out to be the same. Love can grow that way. It is often not at the start of a relationship. In an unequal relationship, you can't possibly expect your partner to do the same as what you can do. It is therefore other quantities that play a role in the relationship. Investing in each other and giving confidence without losing reality is a challenge that I want to pass on to everyone. Success will show or fail, but it is the basis on which a relationship is based.
I had a comfortable house built because I want comfort. I bought a car in her name even though she doesn't have a driver's license. If possible, I give her an upgrade of 1 Bath gold once a year. We have aircon in the bedroom because otherwise I can't sleep. Will I lose it all after a possible divorce… of course, but then I don't have to pay alimony while there is a big difference in income… And for the time being we still really like each other after about 1 years… 😉
Hi Timker,
Honest answer!
With me, same here. I have been married for (almost) 10 years now and still happily together.
I am aware that almost all Thai ladies would like to have a 'Farang' for the sake of financial security. I have absolutely no problem with that, on the contrary ... how would you be yourself.
And indeed, in a divorce you lose almost everything, but that way you can continue to think doom. I have already had a bad experience of a divorce in my home country and the women there are equally interested in your money and possessions! The big advantage here in Thailand is that everything is MUCH cheaper, at least here I had the opportunity to start over financially (including building a house …).
I will certainly make sure that when I am gone my wife will not have to go hungry. My wife is aware of this and is greatly appreciated.
To conclude, I don't want to end my old age with a pile of money in MY bank account. My wife is already making sure that I can now spend my old age with the necessary loving care. That reassures me ... no rest home for me where they will dump me if I need a little too much care. I already know that, as has been said many times among us, she wants to grow old together, if there is some financial security for her in return, I will be concerned.
Man man am I happy. I didn't have to give anything she had a big house a few pieces of land with durian plantations Next year she will retire then she will be 49 years old I moved in with her 7 years ago and also had a car and a few motorbikes and now we have we bought an SUV together
Plus I am insured for rest of my life because she is state officials as the rest of the foreigners all complain that they can't get hospitalization insurance anymore because they are too old
I now live like a god in France (Thailand)
I sincerely hope you can find it too
Hooking up with a pretty woman who is 60 to 20 years younger in Belgium or the Netherlands as an over-30 person seems a bit less obvious than in Thailand.
Anyone who, as a 65-year-old, is satisfied with a female of his age in Thailand, see even a little older, will most likely also have to get over the bridge with a little less.
Anyone who wants to hook up with a young pretty girl in NL or B is better off wealthy or at least famous.
Of course there are always exceptions, but they are a small minority.
there are many Dutch couples who have an equivalent job, but it also often happens that either the man or the woman is the parent in terms of salary.
The judge does look at these cases and the divorces and everything that comes with it is viewed on a case-by-case basis.
Of course, very sad stories of divorces regularly pass by in the Netherlands, both for the man and for the woman.
For the Thai ladies, a house, gold or a car may be an option, but I know plenty of Thai ladies who live with or are married to an older farang, who would like to start their own business, say as a nest egg.
Also because the farang does not have eternal life and not every Thai lady wants to depend on monthly donations.
I can appreciate something like that very much.