Birthday Bashings in Jomtien
Well, I am another year older, although whether I can count myself any wiser is a question that leaves me stumped. I suppose I have wisdom now that I did not have 12 months ago, although this has been gleaned in an after-the-event fashion rather than from a thought process being invoked before action was taken. I think they call it learning the hard way…the story of my life I suppose.
I had a good day on the 21st enjoying an afternoon and early evening session with Mark. Our recent Monday trips to Jomtien were continued and we spent several hours drinking, playing pool and generally chatting away. Unlike previous weeks, Mrs. Boss was not calling every five minutes with some threat or another, though she did manage one call.
“Where you” she barked as I answered my telephone.
“I am looking at a condominium in Jomtien,” I replied honestly. This was an early-afternoon task I had set myself and after a 30-minute visit to the lawyer’s office, I had gone to view a couple of new condo developments in the Jomtien area.
“You on fucking motorbike,” was then yelled at me, rather as a statement than a question.
“Er…no…looking at a condo,” my reply was in, as you would imagine, a rather confused tone.
“People fighting in hotel you should be here to sort out.”
“Well I am a full 30 minutes away from the hotel, even were I already on board a motorbike and with a favourable wind. What can I do from here? If this fight is a problem you cannot deal with, then simply call the police.”
“You fucking liar.”
Liar or not, I turned the phone off!
The rest of the day passed peacefully and enjoyably and I was back at Jasmine Mansion around 11:00PM.
The next morning I had been woken at 7:00AM by a call from my brother in New Zealand, wishing me happy birthday. He apologised, he got the times wrong, not to mention the fact he had got the day wrong as well, and thought it was after 9:00AM. I returned to my bed for a few hours following the phone call and eventually went down to the lobby, where are most interesting conversation was taking place….
I just finished reading your book (Riff-Raffles was the title right? Your first book I believe) a few days ago, and I must say I enjoyed it very much.
So, I thought I would take a look at your hotel, you & your family and your websites on the internet…..
WOW was I surprised!
I have just spent the last couple of days reading all your web pages, blog entries etc, again very entertaining.
Things have certainly changed in your life since the end of the book I read.
I must say I feel for you, and the kids, but still entertaining though.
You know, the strange thing is, your book and those types of books, such as expats living in Thailand, anything to do with Pattaya, the girls and so on, are the kind of books I would never contemplate buying and reading.
So how did I come to read your book?
Well, to keep a short story short, last March my younger brother, Paul was going through some similar problems to yours in Bangkok, probably not as big as yours, no business involved and a lot less cash, but definitely the headache and pain in the ass Mrs.
So he jumped of the 19th floor of his condominium, obviously I don’t have to tell you the result.
Anyway that’s where I got your book from, his room when I cleaned it out.
A bit of dick really, but we are all different, and handle unpleasant situations differently.
I like how you handle yours through your writing, plus it’s great entertainment.
Just to let you know I’ll be following the saga!
Keep it up! I’m a fan….
Dear Sootyard,
Thank you for your message and I am truly sorry for your loss. You are quite correct in that we all handle difficult times differently and some, such as your brother, decide upon the ultimate solution.
I had always taken the view that there was never any sense to suicide given that life is full of suprises and one truly never knows what may happen in the next day, week or month. However, at the end of last year I had been in a depression for two months. I felt as though I had a hole in my inside which would constantly swallow up all and any evergy I had. I tried drugs prescribed by the hospital but they had no affect and the entire episode lasted three months with my feeling the same way every single day during that time. What made matters worse is that I did not have any idea what had caused the depression and that it was something I had never suffered from in my entire life. To say that during this period ending my own life did not cross my mind on several occassions would be untrue.
Eventually I went away from Pattaya for a few days and during that time rediscovered my health. When I returned home I then realised what the depression had been about - it was my mourning for the loss of my marriage. I did not know this during those three months but it was clear afterwards.
I am very pleased you enjoyed the book despite the circumstances which you came upon it. Please keep visiting the Blog and feel free to post further comments - I try to reply to all of those I receive.
Hi Kevin,
Sorry to hear of your current trials and tribulations. I truely hope things work out to the benefit of all.
dear Adam,
Thanks for your comments and support. Also all donations gratefully received!!!!!
Regards,
Kevin
Kevin ,
How you can have 3 kids with someone who apparently swears like a trooper over small things and seems to have no class at all beats me . You wonder why you have problems . !
Also there doesnt seem to be anything manly about ” negotiating ‘ yourself into a position where you literlly have to wash your wife or girlfriends dirty panties in public to try and get a few bucks .
Probably God’s punishment on you for all those Notting hill Gate first time buyers you ripped off with endowement mortgages . !
Diplo
Happyily retired Pattaya
Dear Diplo,
Thanks for your comments which I presume were borne out of long hours reading something other than my Blog or my book!
Number one our Estate Agency never sold life assurance products therefore we never ‘ripped off’ anyone!
Secondly my wife does not ’swear like a trooper’ although has been known to use profanities when roused to anger - like most people on the planet.
Thirdly, where do you get the ‘no class’ bit from? Certainly it is not the impression I have, or tried, to give of my wife over the years!
Fourthly, the writing I do here is free, I earn absolutely nothing from it.
Wow didn’y you do well. Now I highly recommend you sod off back to the hole you crawled out from. If you do not like what I write then that is simple - DO NOT BLOODY WELL READ IT you moron!
Best Regards!
Kevin
Hi Kevin ,
Dont particularly want to get into a blog fight with you mate but answer me one question . What kind of W. London ex property salesman arranges to buy a property overseas without taking advice from other friends and getting his lawyer to ensure that it is owned the way you intended ? . Would you sign a document in London in Yidish without getting it translated ?
I can understand some poor working sod who never worked in an office getting ripped off by some sweet talking Isan honey- pot but (I am not particularly having a go at you )I am just curious as to how you got into this situation . Understand from mates that the Jasmine is quite a property/business and very valuable.
Seems a shame .
Best Regards,
Diplo
Dear Diplo,
A much more balanced statement that the first I feel.
How things transpired were as follows although I make no bones about being a mug to a great degree and in hindsight - we all have 20-20 hindsight now don’t we!
My wife and I were living in London wih our children and every property I owned there, as well as my business, were in my own name - they had to be as my wife did not work.
We initally decided to buy the buildings, now known as Jasmine Mansion, as a rental investment. Soi Baukaow was a veritable backwater and at the time of the purchasewe had no idea of how much it would change - or how quickly. It was also a purchse made before the change to the law regarding a Thai woman married to a farang owning land. Therefore we agreed to the inital purchase solely in my wife’s maiden name to avoid legal complications and to put some equity in her name.
It was a year later when we realised what Soi Baukaow was going to become and changed our plans, deciding to create a hotel and move to Thaiand. Although we had planned on moving here sometime that was really several years later than when we did.
By the time my money was going into the refurbishment and fitting out of the hotel the buildings were already in my wife’s name. However, even then I did not envisage any problems - I had been blisfully happy for the first four or so years of our marriage!
It was only when things went wrong that I realised the mistake I had made but by then it was too late to do anything about it.
Rather than make money from ‘airing my dirty laundry’ I believe that it is possible others may learn from my mistakes and be more prudent in their investments here. All, however, is far from lost and I am hopeful that the court will award me a fair settlement - we will see and everyone who reads this Blog will learn how Thai law truly works for farang!
regards,
Kevin
Kevin.
We have met two or three times at Jasmine Mansions (I bought one of your first books) and I am sorry to hear of your travails.
I stayed at Jasmine mansions for a day or two with my friend and indeed photographed my friend and your wiffee together as the similiarity was striking.
Any way the main reason I am contacting you is that you seem to have problems with lawyers and things and I have just met a good friend who lives in Pattaya and whose wife is a well (and I mean well! )connected international Thai lawyer.My friend who is now on his way back to Thailand is Scottish.I think he would be worth a call and I can give you his contact number/e-mail in Thailand if you wish I offer this just as a friend All the best Alec Williams
Dear Alec,
Thank you for your message and your thoughts. I am expecting to see the lawyer next week for what will effectively be the end of the legal trail until such time as matters reach court. Should all go according to plan then that will be fine, however, if it doesn’t then I may well be forced to return to the legal drawing board. Please send me your friends details as a chat would not hurt - send to my yahoo mail address which is kpm217@yahoo.com.
Once again thank you and I wish you all the best.
Regards,
Kevin
Dear Kevin
A little late with my birthday wishes for you, but I will make up for them when I see you again soon.
Martin
I was recently in Pattaya and stayed at your hotel and must say found “mrs. boss” to be a most arrogant penny pinching hard woman. I feel for you, I have been through something somewhat similar, love is blind huh, I and it seems many others wish you well.
Darren from Australia
Hi Darren,
Sorry if you had a bad experience - you seem to have summed up your feelings rather well there!!
Thanks for the good wishes and all the best to you.