Huai Yai Estate purchase and renovation.
Having exchanged my share of the Jomtien Nivate apartment complex with my ex-business partner Khun Deang for his shares in Jasmine Hotel in 2016, my wife and I found ourselves without domicile in Pattaya.
We started searching in the vicinity but not in the city centre. Blessedly a close friend, John David Collingbourne, the proprietor of Collingbourne Auctions, mentioned that he had a great property in his books. Albeit the asking discounted price was about 30-40 percent higher than my budget.
The owner was a Dutch Israeli jeweller of possible dubious character. The agent made an appointment and I visited the property in Huai Yai with an American real estate developer who was a colonel in the USMC. The property was slightly run down and simplistic but solid, large and spectacular. I immediately wanted it; the issue was the price.
Huai Yai Estate Offer
I apologised for bidding a number so much lower than his discounted price; the seller countered and asked if I had the money, in cash, in hand. I replied yes and no. I had the whole amount in gold bullion 100-gram bars (my life’s savings up until then) and he could have the gold or I could sell the gold and get paid in cash the very same day! He smiled and said we had a deal, as his investment 12 years earlier had been when the Thai baht exchange rate was much weaker against the euro. This, combined with having lived in the home for ten years, he could take the remaining loss with a smile.
The contract was written on a napkin; our lawyers were immediately called to ensure all legal matters were addressed and we had a dream home estate. For the next 36 months, between eight and thirty-four craftsmen and women were employed refurbishing, expanding, upgrading, and beautifying the wonderful property. Upgrades included, but were not limited to: swimming pools, fish pond, Sala, sauna building, water tower, Buddha room, guesthouse, maids’ house, electrical system, office, sound isolation, furniture, sculptures, water tanks, stonework, security systems and fences, stainless gates, tiles, six bathrooms, water wells, septic tanks, library, irrigation system, gardens, gym and much, much more.
This Huai Yai Home page contains both still image galleries and videos.
Huai Yai Estate Still Galleries
Before renovations 2016
After renovations 2020
Huai Yai Home Videos
External:
Three years of refurbishment included additional buildings, electric system rebuilt, water tower, plumbing with wells, ponds, pools, stonework, sauna, garage, store, external wall and fence, security system and much more.
Internal:
Three years of refurbishment included additional buildings, electric system rebuilt, water tower, plumbing with wells, woodwork, library, office, ceiling, insulation, Buddha room, store, security system and much more.