I enjoy reading the local expat newspapers and magazines to the places I visit. You get a good feel for what is happening in the expat community of a particular place. I am always on the look out for a place I would like to spend an extended amount of time and one thing that makes a city or town attractive to me is a friendly expat community.
I am in Hua Hin now which is about 300km south of Bangkok. It is a quiet beach town which seems to be very popular with older Europeans. Every second shop in the town seems to be selling somewhat expensive, upmarket condos and villas, aimed at western retirees.
A story grabbed my attention tonight in one of the local expat magazines I was reading – an American man was shot out the front of his home in Hua Hin by a Thai man. Apparently the American were involved in some kind of property dispute with a developer, which was apparently set to go before the courts.
You can read details of the story on a Hua Hin expat forum. Thailand is probably safer for westerners than when they are in their own country. The only times people seem to get into trouble is when they have had too much to drink or get involved in disputes with locals.
The American who was shot had previously had his car fire bombed. I can understand the couple wanting to try and resolve their property dispute, but when it starts to put your family’s safety in danger, sometimes it is better to walk away.
Did not hear that….wow….
There’s a lot more to it that that! I can appreciate your take Mike if you don’t know the background but try looking at some other more honestand less politically motivated forums than the one you suggest. Try http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/features/article_1393331.php/Problems_in_paradise_for_foreign_property_buyers or google ‘hua hin donald whiting’. All the best, Alex
Alex, I agree I do not know the full story. The articles published in the Bangkok Post were very light on detail.
Of course I have no idea if the shooting was related to the property dispute and don’t want to jump to conclusions, but when a man gets his car fire bombed and then is shot, just before he was to appear in court over a property investment, you would have to say there is a strong chance of a link between the events.
Some people complained on the forum that it should be kept quiet so as not to bring about bad publicity to what is a predominantly safe town – Hua Hin. I don’t agree with this, which is why blogged about the story.
The article which brought the story to my attention was in a small magazine published by this company: http://www.observergroup.net
Alex, I read some of the comments on the article you posted. It seems like there are some major problems in the property industry in Hua Hin. Of course if you got scammed it is worth fighting, but I still don’t believe it is worth dying over.
As I said there a huge number of fancy property offices in Hua Hin. I looked at some of the pictures of the homes and developments – they looked nice but I would never pay $400K for a property of that type in Thailand. Way over priced in my opinion.
I would like to add a little detail to this incident here are a few facts
Donald Whiting is in dispute with his present home builder/developer who is a British expat. Donald filed for court action against this developer, Donalds car was firebombed 3 days later, coincidence ?
The court date was set for Monday 27th October 2008. On Friday 24th October, 3 days before his court appearance he was shot, coincidence ?
D & D’s dispute with George has reached a satisfactory conclusion for both parties
violence and intimidation has never been George’s MO
The British developer in question arrived in Thailand late 2001
He is wanted by the UK police for a serious crime and jumped bail before the court date, he was given a lengthy prison sentence in his absence, which still awaits him should he return to the UK
Donald & Dolly were told their lives would be taken should they continue with this court action, D & D gave a police statement to this effect
This developer has threatened many people in Hua Hin over his time here. Interpol also have a keen interest in this person
HHAD have been disgraceful in their actions to stifle any more comments on the thread relating to the shooting of Donald. This developer and his associated real estate agent are sponsors of HHAD and are offered protection.
Regards
John F Webb
johnforsterwebb@yahoo.com