Which one Terry? Thailand or Indonesia?

We (as a group) have purchased and purchasing more properties in the Phils only because the developer/company that we are dealing provides quality for good value. They also have triple A credit rating (The only one in the country that I know of).

People there would rather buy new cars than buy property, there's a growing middle class and willing to pay good money for rent. They are also cashflow positive deals.

Yes, I can.

Firstly you have the rule of law. Over there the law does not have the same weight as in Australia. Bribery and fraud are rife and people can steal your land and other assets easily. I wouldn't even trust money in the bank there. Caveats have little weight, mortgage also – because people can easily forge signatures and documents etc.police are extremely corrupt. You cannot drive a car in thailand without having to pay a bribe at least once per month to a corrupt cop.

I have one friend who shacked up with an indonesian woman who brought a unit in his own name and somehow it ended up in her name. She stole it from him, then dumped him and he has been fighting for 5+ years to get it back. He has an order from the supreme court there, but still cannot get the unit out of her name. I went with him to Indonesia a few years ago to sort it out, and dealing with the bureacuracy there is extremely frustrating.

In Thailand, there is this man who had his $2mil AUD property stolen by his maid. It ended up being owned by the sister of the police chief and he cannot get it back. see these websites:
http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-story-other.php?sid=389

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-story.php?sid=403

Secondly, how will you borrow to buy there? It will be very hard to get a loan to purchase there. So you will have to have cash or borrow from Australian property. Why not invest here where you will get a good return and rent a place there with the proceeds?

Thirdly you will need to speak and understand the written language where you are investing. If you can't you shouldn't invest. There are many different types of land title in Thailand and you need to be able to understand this and lease, mortgages, property law etc.

forthly, what about the political instability. In Thailand the king is 84 and frail, he will die soon and there will be a huge change in the society. Who knows what will happen.

I don't know much about indonesia, more about thailand. That doesn't mean Indonesia is more secure. I think it is jsut as corrupt there as in Thailand.

I know that you can do a lot to prevent the nomiee seling such as mortgaging, 30 year leases, caveats, options etc. But how well these work is not known. If you read the link about you will see someone forged the guy's signature and just sold his property so nothing could have safeguarded against that.

At one stage the good friend of a high ranking police officer was renting my friends apartment in Jakarta (off the fraudulent owner). Getting her out was a delicate operation because of her connections. My mate had the key and just went in there which was very dangerous. You can get killed for things like this.

Builders Of Most Expensive House On Sydney Harbour Go To War In Indonesia

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-story.php?sid=404

hey david!
yes i have a friend in thailand and he is my partner also in some of my property which is i have in thailand.very friendly i suggest you to do not invest.

It is possible but only invest with money that you are prepared to lose

Foreigners cannot own land so you would need thais to help you even if forming a company you need majority thai ownership

Great place to retire to cheap, but bkk getting expensive countryside still very cheap

 Id go to phillippiines too,  but not if you want a sound ivestment, consider it speculating or life style choice, a journey or buffering  It is risky investing in PI .    You will need to piss in pockets, have contacts in the right places,  Buy the police cheif  a set of golf clubs for christmas was the first piece of advice I  got when investing there.  Those with power are corrupt right to the very top. There is no  justice the law is the police can do whatever they want and what they want can usually be decided by a donation.  I have seen one property get sold to 3 different foreingers in one year, while the owner and all the respective lawyer had a  ball  sucking them all dry.  Have also been at court there when australians have been sentenced to death  for drug dealing, to keep the media and every-one satisfied.  Stopped at  a bar on the way home same day  and saw the guys who were supposed to be on death row, having a grand old time drinking and carrying on.  When asked why the werent in jail they said they bribed the judge, and now it has all been forgotten about.  I know many people who have been setup and thrown in jail, some who cant pay just rot there.  I could write  a book  with endless examples.  Have any convictions been made for the ampatuan massacre?  Once again   alot of noise made then forgotten  about?  mmmmm allies of a corrupt government?    I was in Mindanoa during conflct   and saw idiot western government supporting PI army to fight NPA, the soldiers would go home after working as a soldier switch uniform and become NPA.   It is all just a game you play in the PI. And for some strange reason those in power are respected and not despized like they should be.

Some very good comments Terry. I doubt that I would consider purchasing a property in SE Asia (especially Thailand) as the risks are extremely high and as Terry said you should be prepared to lose the money. It will also be very difficult to obtain finance.